Tico Tuesday, October 25th

I meant to have a little house warming/house blessing/open house in my old apartment shortly after moving in. But that never happened. So, this time around, I decided that it doesn't matter if I don't have everything decorated yet. I'm unpacked and feeling quite settled, and with end-of-the-year festivities fast approaching, I needed to just pick a date and invite people. So I did.

It was fun having a few of my worlds collide: my good friend Liz who is also a UWMer came (with adorable baby Lucía!), and my fellow single missionary friend Kayla (holding Luci in the picture) came too. Everyone else was from church. It was a pretty small crowd, but I was ok with that. It was interesting to see who all showed up. I am grateful. I am so, so grateful. I often feel lonely, but over the past week, God has been speaking to me a lot about that. What I think I need and what God knows I actually need are sometimes very different things. I love knowing people and having lots of friends (and I'll confess I really like being the center of attention). But, I can't have a lot of deep, close friends. It doesn't work that way. And even though I am quite an extrovert, I would rather have one or two close people I can share my heart with than a bunch of shallow friends. I feel like I am starting to develop a couple deeper, closer friendships here, and that means so much to me! It is truly an answer to prayer! Please continue to pray for these relationships to grow.
Sunday evening we had a lovely time: Rudy (my head pastor here) led us in a prayer of blessing for my apartment before he and Luisa had to go and then a few more friends arrived and one brought a guitar, so we had a little time of singing praise to God as well. In between we ate, talked, and played dominoes. It was a really nice evening. God is so good to me and he shows his incredible love for me in so many ways through so many people.
May you see his goodness and love all around you this week!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, October 19th

A day in the life...
5:55 Alarm goes off. Do my devotions and get ready for the day, make myself a peanut butter banana sandwich to eat for breakfast in traffic.
7:25 Leave for Migration. Sit in traffic and wait.
8:35 Arrive at Migration (it is a 5 mile drive). Watch an unruly 2 year old boy and his parents from somewhere in Southeast Asia and try to not to get too tired of the boy running around everywhere and yelling. Parents of toddlers, I salute you! Work on reviewing Psalm 27, read, text, and email about all manner of things as I wait.
10:30 Get to the window at Migration to present my request for permanent residency.
10:31 Get told I need to pay $200 and get some official stamps. Even if I bring them back today, I will have to wait in line all over again. Otherwise I have 10 business days to get it all done.
10:40 Realize my debit card doesn't work at the ATM at Migration. Buy the official stamps from a guy with a newspaper stand at the entrance to Migration. Determine that indeed my plans with friends fell through and that I do have time to pursue Migration stuff today if I hurry and get back before it closes at noon.
11:00 Go to a nearby ATM. Drop by Office Depot across the street for a mouse and wrist pad my physical therapist told me to get for my wrist.
11:30 Get to the bank at Migration. Wait. Pay the money.
11:45 Get inside Door number 4 at Migration with 15 minutes to spare!
12pm A worker comes around giving people numbers (like you get at the deli at the grocery store) and writing their names on the back of them. I decide to not use Carmen, the name I normally give at restaurants when I order and they want my name. Carrie is really hard for people to pronounce here because the long "a" doesn't exist in Spanish. I brace myself, preparing for the man to have me repeat it multiple times and then butcher it in written form. He approaches, asks me my name. I say "Carrie" as clearly as possible and watch him write. It unfolds almost in slow motion: C-a-r-r-i-e. WOW! A miracle has just unfolded before my eyes! I congratulate the man and thank him profusely. I am convinced the Holy Spirit was whispering the letters in the man's ear. My Father is so good to me!
12:24 My landlady texts, asking if I can buy the tickets for the World Cup Qualifying match between Costa Rica and the USA next month. I'm going with her husband's family. (She can't go because she has to take care of the baby, but other women are going). After some trial, error, and frustration with the confusing system, I manage to buy the tickets.
1:31 I make it to the window once more. The woman accepts my papers and tells me to come back in 3 months and be checking the status of my paperwork online. Easiest migration process ever!
2:00 After driving into the heart of San José and buying myself some plantain chips and some coconut yogurt with chocolate chips and almond slices, I settle in a covered patio of the Clínica Bíblica to watch the end of a Real Madrid soccer match (a star tico is the goalie).
2:56 Get to the Radiology department of the Clínica Bíblica for my 3pm arthroscopy (an MRI where they inject my knee with fluid beforehand to create higher contrast in the results of the MRI). Wait.
3:30 Get called up to the reception window to check in. Wait some more.
4:15 Get taken back. Find out they are also injecting my knee with lidocaine so my knee will be numb and I won't be able to drive home right away. There's lots I want to share about the MRI with you. Please keep reading below.
5:45 The MRI is over and my knee is still numb. The doctor suggests I take a coffee break and walk around a little before attempting to drive in rush hour traffic. I wish I had brought someone with me for moral support and to drive me home. I text my supervisor who is teaching a course I attend on Tuesday night to let him know I'll be late.
6:00 After walking around a bit, I feel I can drive safely. Nosh on a fun size packet of M&Ms and wait in traffic.
7:10 Arrive at home, put socks on (my feet got wet and cold in the rain earlier in the day and they were cold in the MRI). Grab my book for the course on listening to God at church and turn around and head back out the door again.
9:10 Get home
9:55 Lights out!

More about the MRI
As the nurse took me back, she was relieved I spoke Spanish. After I got changed into the hospital gown, she talked with me while we waited for the doctor to come in. He too was relieved I spoke Spanish and did a brief exam of my knee. I had to lie on the hard, cold stainless steel table. That was uncomfortable and made me feel like the procedure was more serious than it would. The doctor explained more about what he was going to do to me. It was a little nerve-wracking, especially the part about not being able to drive right away. The injection was not pain-free, but the lidocaine (local anesthetic often used in dental procedures) started working very quickly. As it all happened I was reciting Ps 27 and Ps 23 to myself. I felt a little lightheaded walking over to the MRI machine, but thankfully didn't pass out. Maybe it would have been better to accept the wheelchair they offered me though.
In the MRI room, I was freezing so they kindly gave me two blankets instead of one. For an MRI, they give you headphones because the machine produces a lot of loud noises. Some sound like machine guns, some sound like long deep bass blasts (think of the horn on a barge or some large ship). They remind me of this really cool Louis Giglio presentation (9 minute version here and full version... I lost it. sorry. But it's out there and worth listening to!) So, laying there as still as possible, I was singing in my head "How great is our God"--because the Bella pulsar really does make sounds just like the MRI machine. And then I went into "Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other...." At one point, one of the frequencies actually produced musical notes. It was awe-inspiring. Then another frequency sounded like it was just saying "happyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappy...." really fast over and over and over again. I had to keep myself from bursting into giggles. In spite of it being such a long and tiring day so far, God had indeed been so very good to me and I was happy and grateful. My stuff at migration was by far the easiest I've ever had to deal with. I had people I was texting with throughout the day (though interestingly enough my sweet landlords seem to be the ones taking most interest and concern in my knee issues). I was happy. I was also very tired, so much that even with all that racket I was starting to doze off for milliseconds (or more?) at a time. I'm very grateful for the Israel Houghton music and M&Ms that kept me awake on the way home. It was tempting to get mopey and feel lonely, but no one but Jesus could be with me for the MRI anyway, so it all worked out. I could have gone for a hug when I came out and someone to drive me home, but God brought me safely home. And now you know why Tico Tuesday is now here today and not last night. :-)
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support. If God lays it on your heart to give towards the $200 migration fee, you are welcome to do so. My parents are gifting me my ticket to the soccer match for my birthday. And thanks be to God, my health insurance through the mission covers every penny of every appointment and procedure here in Costa Rica and the Clínica Bíblica is one of the best hospitals in all Central America! God is so good! May you see his goodness all around you throughout this day and always!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, October 11th

I've been sitting here for over an hour trying to figure out what to write to you about: the miraculous birth of my friend's baby after she was told her body was like that of a woman in menopause and her marriage almost disintegrated? How Walmart has had Christmas decor in it for like a month now? How much I love David Ortiz and am so sad the Red Sox lost last night? How the new church office space is coming along?

Most of the pastors will have cubicles in this space

 How the last small group training of the year had a disappointingly low attendance level and how God showed up there? And how glad I am that I didn't plan to use a computer and projector because the power was out for most of the meeting? Yes, I think this is a good thing to tell you about, even though there are no pictures of it. Although we have around 70-75 small groups that were active during this series on Life-Giving Relationships, only about a dozen people came to the final training of the year a week ago Saturday. Apparently there was a tremendous rainstorm happening down in Heredia centro and that made it hard for some people to come, and I suspect it discouraged others from venturing out. It is difficult to work hard to prepare something and then only have a few people come and learn. Especially when people come to me later with concerns about things they would've known how to address if they had come to the trainings. I've been learning a lot though. It looks like we are going to revamp quite a bit next year and aim for fewer, longer trainings and make them even more interactive and dynamic. I'm working on planning a closing evening for the facilitators to thank them for their service this year and encourage them to be more committed to trainings next year. I know I still have a lot more to learn, but I'm really thankful for my team that helps me keep in tune with the culture and come up with good ideas for the future. So, please continue to keep the Small Group core team and me (and the facilitators) in your prayers, and for God to raise up more people for the core team. Thank you so much!
Love,
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, September 27th

Over the course of the year, I've been wondering whether or not I should stay in this apartment. When I first moved in, I hadn't realized how poorly built it was. I don't think I've shared many of my apartment woes with you, but I've had a few different flooding issues which have led to kitchen cabinets being wrecked, mold growing on my laundry room and bedroom ceiling, and water seeping in under my front door when it rains hard. I wanted to finish out my year contract here, but the issues just got to be too much. My landlords live several hours away and that makes it hard for them to respond to issues well and in a timely manner.

My new apartment! (Before)

I've been keeping an eye on apartments off and on over the course of the year, and on Thursday I discovered one that seemed to fit my criteria. I was able to go and see it that day, a friend was able to accompany me and hear me process everything, and Thursday night I could barely sleep I was so excited about moving! Thankfully, things have worked out well with my current landlords: I only gave two weeks notice, but am moving out in one, so I don't have to pay next month's rent (and might still get some of my deposit back!). My new landlords are excellent! I ended up hanging out with them for two hours on Saturday when we met to talk about dates and review the contract. I am so excited and grateful! This place is well built, is nicer, and I think it's bigger! And it has an electric gate (living with a non-electric gate has been hard, especially in the downpours!) and covered parking! It is in a more central location and my landlords live just behind the apartments. I haven't felt comfortable in my apartment all year, and I already feel more comfortable in the new one! Please be praying for me this week as I am working, packing, and participating in a number of activities and meetings. I am moving on Saturday morning and have small group leader training in the afternoon. It's going to be a full day, but thankfully, I have friends who can help me and a friend is sleeping over tonight and helping me pack.
Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers! I'll let you know how the move went next week! May God guide each of us in all our tasks and the decisions we make!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, September 20th

I was going to write and tell you about the fun Independence Day celebrations here last week (195 years of independence!), but yesterday something quite newsworthy happened. Our local active volcano Turrialba decided to spew ash, rocks, etc. 4km (about 2.5 miles) into the air. From what I've heard, there hasn't been this big an eruption in some time and the ash fall last night was the worst in a long time. 

The back window of my car last night

I was on my way to visit a small group when all of a sudden I felt like I was driving through a fog. I couldn't tell if it was actually fog or if there was just some dust accumulated on my windshield. So, I cleaned my windshield and all of a sudden, I could see again. I was grateful for that, but was perplexed because I thought I hadn't driven through anywhere that was particularly dusty. Well, when I arrived to the small group they said Turrialba had erupted at various points during the day. I am clueless about the news because I'm terrible at following it and I'm intentionally spending less time on facebook, which is how I normally find out about significant (and not so significant) events. Visiting the small group was delightful and I think it's perhaps one of the better groups I've visited. By the time we finished, we went out and what they say about ash looking like snow on a car is not so far from the truth. It's just like fine, dirty snow. Thankfully, it rinses off pretty well, but my car still definitely needs a good bath. Please pray for it to rain soon to help clear out the air. We're in rainy season, but I don't think it has rained since Friday and it's supposed to rain hard at least for a bit every day! 

As far as I know, there hasn't been any damage or serious injurious due to the eruption. People know what precautions to take and the ash is more a pain to clean than anything else (unless you have a plane to catch, or asthma). I even saw one post on facebook commenting what a blessing it is that our pollution here is totally natural and will end up being good for the earth. Of course, Costa Rica isn't pollution free by any means, but I thought it was an interesting perspective to take on the heavy air pollution we got yesterday.  

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers for me and my wellbeing and protection. They really mean a lot to me!

May God protect you and keep you safe in all you do!
Carrie

Tico Tuesday, September 13th

On my day off on Thursday, I went to the beach! It was a much needed getaway with all that has been going on and thankfully there is a beautiful beach with calm waves just about 2 hours away-a perfectly doable day trip. And thankfully, a friend was able to come along with a friend of hers so we were a gringa, a tica, and a Salvadorian. It was really fun.

So why am I telling you about my day off? In addition to enjoying sharing happy things with you, I'm also telling you because I learned a lesson I'd like to pass along to you. Lately I have been going full speed ahead. Always trying to practice good self care and sleeping and exercising and eating well, but still pushing myself hard and sometimes feeling overwhelmed with everything. I was at the beach though, just sitting there, enjoying the waves. I looked out and saw the sand, a few shells and rocks and leaves, the receding tide, the crashing waves, the cloudy sky. But as I sat still and kept on looking, I began to see one, two,... five, six, hermit crabs making their way across the sand (interestingly all in the same direction!). Then a bigger crab, camouflaged by the sand half outside a hole, then another crab, walking around in plain daylight. The longer I sat still and observed, the more I saw, even though I was looking at the same things. There is often more than what first meets the eye, and I wonder how often I've missed things because I've been in a hurry? What beauty have I missed? What opportunities have floated right before my eyes without me seeing them? I don't beat myself up for what I might have missed. But I do sense an invitation which I believe I've shared with you before: S L O W   D O W N! Slowing down is hard. Really hard. I know I need to, but I will right after I... and then it never happens. I want to slow down and be more aware of God and his presence and his work throughout each day. I want to be connected to him, lift my eyes to him, not just keep my eyes down focused on whatever task I'm doing. It's a process. As I learned in my spiritual formation training through my mission, I'm on a long, slow, deep, difficult, particular journey. Thank you for praying for me and walking alongside me on this journey. Please keep it up! I hope what I share encourages you on yours!
Love,
Carrie

PS. I find it delightful and fascinating that though larger crabs walk sideways, hermit crabs walk forwards! God's creation is amazing!

Tico Tuesday, August 30th

Thank you so much for your prayers. Leading Vigía on Friday night went really well!

We had several new people come and everyone participated well in the different activities I had us do. It was a really lovely time. First I explained a little about Psalm 119 and how it is an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet has 8 verses that start with that letter. What an incredible task! Yes, Psalm 119 is indeed the longest chapter in the Bible. And it is all about love for God's Word: his laws, his teachings, his statutes, his promises. The psalmist is deeply passionate for God's word and shares about the blessings that come from loving and obeying it: peace, joy, understanding, protection, worship, etc. Often when people hear Psalm 119 they think it is long, boring and repetitive. My hope was to give people a different perspective on it, and I feel that my mission was accomplished! I read the last 16 verses of the Psalm with my partner and when we finished she exclaimed, "¡Qué lindo!" How lovely/pretty! That was the best reaction I could have dreamed. It was a joy to see people enjoying the chapter so much and having God speak to them through his Word.
As a response in worship, I had each pair compose 3 verses that all started with the same letter. Then I had everyone read their verses in alphabetical order, composing our own acrostic psalm. It was really neat! I heard lots of positive feedback afterwards. People saying they'd never done anything like that before, how fascinating the activity was, etc. Thanks and praise be to God! I love the Bible and I was very grateful to be able to share my passion for it with others and help them interact with it in different, creative ways. God is so good!
Small groups started meeting to do the series last week. Please keep them all in your prayers. Talking about Life-Giving Relationships is turning out to be a lot more confrontational than we thought and is bringing a whole bunch of life-sucking relationships to light. There are also a number of relational crises taking place. The enemy loves to attack the very area we are trying to strengthen! Please pray for the church staff and all the individuals and families participating in this series and for life-giving relationships to grow and abound!
May God bless you with rich life-giving relationships--thank you for the life you give me through your friendship and support!
Love,
Carrie