Tico Tuesday, March 31st

Another Tuesday is quickly slipping by.
I've written 13 pages for one of my papers (a new personal record for pages written in a day! I'm pleased and grateful with the progress I'm making in my final seminary assignments) and Costa Rica just lost to Panama in a partido amistoso (friendly match).
The search for my new ministry placement continues. I explored the option my mission presented, and God made it clear to me that's not where he wants me. It's hard to wait and live in the uncertainty, not knowing what the future holds (then again, I guess we never really know, but this is a whole new level of uncertainty for me). But, I know my missions organization is doing everything it can to find a placement for me as soon as possible. I am keeping in touch with the regional leader and ministry liason, who are in charge of this complicated process, and ask you to join me in praying for them and for me as we do what we can to determine my placement as soon as possible. This is a great test of trust, faith, and patience for me. Let us pray and pray often! Not much will happen this week because it's Holy Week and the country pretty much shuts down tomorrow afternoon. But, I know that God is good and in control. His timing is perfect and it does me no good to stress over the matter.
I say it every time and I mean it every time: Thank you so much for your encouragement, support, and prayers. I can't tell you how much they mean to me!
Sunday is coming!!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, March 24th

This past week, in preparation for the Spiritual Formation training I'll be receiving through my missions organization next month, I read Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son. WOW! Talk about an amazing book!

 I LOVED it!! The book is based on Nouwen's reflections on Rembrandt's painting by the same name. The painting caught Nouwen's eye, and he was eventually able to spend hours in front of the original, observing every detail, and relishing what I consider a marvelous depiction of the gospel: One way Fatherlove, acceptance and forgiveness from the Father, from whom light proceeds. I highly recommend this short but powerful book. Nouwen explores the different characters and details in the painting and learns from each. He also shares how over time, he learned to identify himself not only with the younger son, but also with the elder son as well as the father. He points out a couple of things in the rich parable I hadn't picked up on before: Well, I knew that the older son also rebels against his Father, but Nouwen says straight out that he left home too. Maybe not physically, but he did in his heart. I know I've been way too much like that son for way too much of my life. And the second thing I hadn't noticed was that the Father goes out to meet both sons. God comes to us and meets us where we are. He wants us to turn to him and delight in our sonship (daughtership is too weird a word for me). I think this book especially spoke to me because 1) Civilization and the Arts was my absolute favorite class in college and this was like a rich return to it. And I love finding the gospel in art. 2) God has been speaking to me a lot lately about his gentle Fatherlove. I don't have to slave for him like the older son (though I certainly desire to serve him!). Everything the Father has is mine (See Luke 15 for the parable). I am completely safe and accepted in my Father's loving arms, and he delights in me and desires for me to be with him always. He is my true home. Thanks be to God!
May we all find peace and rest in the Heavenly Father's loving arms,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, March 17th

I am grateful. God is doing great things in my life, and I have some news to tell you!
I was able to meet with a few people from UWM (my missions organization) this weekend at our annual retreat and they told me about a potential future ministry placement! The process is still in the discernment stage, but it sounds like it could be a really good fit for me. I'll be meeting with someone from the ministry in the next week, Lord willing. I ask you to please continue to cover me in prayer as I explore this option and ask for God to give me great wisdom and peace throughout the process, showing me whether that is where he really wants me to take my next steps or not. John Bernard, the wonderful president of UWM (see foto), recommended that I not make a decision until after I receive the spiritual formation training next month. I agree and think he is a very wise, admirable man for that and many other reasons!
The potential ministry option is here in Costa Rica, which brings me enormous relief. God has been forcing me to check my heart in this area though: is my desire to stay in Costa Rica so strong because it is from the Lord and he really wants me here? Or am I just terrified of change, learning a third culture, having to adjust my very tico Spanish to another country's version, going through bureaucratical hoops in another country's migration department, having to move from one third world country to another as a young single woman, having to get rid of many books and other belongings I've been accumulating, having to leave the new church community I'm just starting to feel a part of, etc.??? The idea of changing countries is indeed overwhelming for me, but I know that God knows best and I truly have nothing to fear. He goes before me and beside me to wherever my next placement will be, and he'll make it clear to me if that will be the option that's been presented to me or something else.
Recently, God has been revealing more of his character to me. I love him so much! And I want to be obedient and fully surrendered to him. I am his and he loves me. I don't want to have my mind set on earthly things.
May God give us the courage, grace, and wisdom to engage well in hard situations and big decisions and seek him above and before all else! Thank you again for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support!
Love,
Carrie