Tico Tuesday, January 26th

Yet another Tuesday is slipping away...
This is a very full week for me as I am working on the preparations for the first Small Group Leader Training of the year: I'm confirming attendees, working on my presentation of "Purpose-Driven Small Groups," confirming speakers for the rest of the year's trainings, and a host of other details and related things. Please keep me in your prayers this week as I seek to do everything well and as an act of worship to God. Thankfully, I have a good team to help me with a number of things I've already delegated so I'm not too overloaded, but I'm definitely putting in a lot of hours this week. Everything is still very new, so this is quite a learning process. This is setting a foundation though, and all the rest of the trainings should be easier to prepare. This is the beginning of a new era in Vida Abundante Heredia and I'm really excited to be a part of it. I was especially excited when I put up our new Small Groups banner at church this weekend! (see picture). I'm enjoying my work, I feel capable yet stretched, and I feel appreciated, respected, and cared for by my fellow staff members. Not only is it a new era for my church, but it is a new season in life for me and I'm profoundly grateful for it and the joy I'm deriving from it.
I'm looking forward to sharing more thoughts and reflections with you in my Chronicle next week!
May God fill you with joy and gratitude this week!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 19th

Happy Tuesday to you!
As promised, here is a picture and some information about my new apartment! I moved in two weeks from this coming Thursday. Time sure flies! I am very much enjoying this place: it has a lot of natural lighting: it is removed from the noise of busy streets; the surrounding dogs, cat, and roosters aren't too annoying; my upstairs neighbor is really sweet; it has a hot water heater (a real treat around here); it is 10 minutes from church; it has ample counter and storage space in the kitchen; and there are beautiful butterflies that live in the yard!
Unfortunately, the place was absolutely filthy when I moved in, so I have been deep cleaning as I've been unpacking, but I think I've taken care of that--it should just be typical upkeep now. As you can see, I still have some boxes sitting around. I'm gradually working on unpacking, and I'm almost done--just 4 more boxes to go!
Still no sign of a roommate, but that's ok. I'll keep praying for one and spreading the word, but am happy to use the spare room as an office in the meantime. It does get lonely at times, but I think the key is just to make sure I get out (I'm doing a lot of work from home) or have people over every day.
Today I had my first guests over--and of course forgot to take a picture with them. Angie, Yendry, and I are going to start a small group, since they aren't in one right now and the small group coordinator needs to give the example and be in one too! I'm sure I'll be posting a picture with them soon. :-)
Thank you so much for walking with me on this journey and for your prayers and wonderful support. I am so grateful!
As a friend texted me this morning: "May God surprise us with his wonders!"
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 13th

See my new coworkers!!

I am now the Small Group Coordinator of my church, Vida Abundante Heredia! All this job description stuff has all of a sudden come together and I am so grateful and excited! My church is striving to grow it's small group ministry, train up more, better small group leaders, teach people basic keys to walking with God, and help them deepen and strengthen their walk with him. This is going to be so great! I feel like this is a really good for for me--I believe I will be stretched and grow significantly this role, and I feel like I have something to contribute to this important ministry. It is neat to see how God has been leading me to this place--the Church is something I've thought about a lot and highly value. I'm thrilled and honored to be a staff member of Vida Abundante Heredia (VAH)! My new coworkers are a group of fun, hardworking people who deeply love the Lord and the people of Heredia, Costa Rica. The one on the top left in the white shirt is Pastor José, who is the Pastor of Discipleship and will be my direct supervisor. Rudy, the head pastor, is next to him. If you want to know who the rest are, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to fill you in!
Next week: progress on my apartment!
God's joy be with you in this week and may we all see our work as an act of worship and service to God!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, January 5th

Happy first Tuesday of the year!

The bridesmaids (minus the matron of honor!)

This has been an amazing return to Costa Rica. I hit the ground running with a multitude of activities for my roommate's wedding and finding an apartment into which I hope to move later this week. The wedding was beautiful, and a whole lot of fun. It was a bit intense for me, since I interpreted almost all of it, but thankfully that went really well. I really enjoyed getting to know some of Chrissy's family and friends, as well as spending time with my dear friend Jessica (the tall one next to me), who introduced me to Chrissy and suggested we room together.
I'm now in the throes of packing. I still have a ways to go, but I'm feeling motivated and excited to have a space of my own again, since my room has also doubling as the wedding room. I'm still hoping to get a roommate, but I'm not counting on that happening immediately. I'll probably need to meet another expat, since ticos tend to not move out until they get married. Please keep praying with me about that. I like having a place to myself, but it gets pretty lonely pretty quickly. At least the woman who will be my upstairs neighbor is really nice.
Things continue to progress with my job description. Final details are being reviewed this week! I'm so excited!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. I have an incredible support network and am hugely thankful for each and every one of you!
God's blessing, peace, and joy be with us all in this new year and may we remember that his mercies are new each and every day!
Love,
Carrie