a challenge...

Tonight we went to the Villa and had dinner with Ron Bishop (founder and president of SCORE International). Afterwards he led us in a devotional and what he said really challenged me:

*No matter what you do with your life, do something significant for Christ.*

I don't really know what all my future holds, whether it's being a missionary in some foreign land or just working in the ministry somewhere, but I want my life to count for Christ.

confession and prayer...

OK, I'll be the first to admit that lately I haven't had the greatest attitude about certain things - like school and going to youth group on Saturdays when I'd rather stay home and sleep/hang out/or watch TV. And I'm embarrassed to say it, but I've been kind of slacking off in my school work - my projects have been shoved aside till the last possible minute so that I could go downtown or something...but it hit me this weekend. I only have ONE month left to learn this beautiful language and to do what God wants me to accomplish down here. He had reason for bring me down here, and I want to fulfill it and not be held back by my lazy, selfish self.

"Dear Father, forgive my terrible attitude and for being so selfish. I ask that You'll help me to make the most of this last month here in Costa Rica and to continue to grow closer to You. Thank you for still loving me when I don't deserve it and for picking me up when I fall down. In the precious name of Jesus - Amen"

stuck in the middle

Here it is, June 1st. That means only 30 more days and I get to go home! I look forward to this with mixed emotions. Part of me wants to just be done with this and go home, see my family, get a job, and move on to the next chapter in my life. This is the side of me that misses the little things I normally would take advantage of:
1) driving a car - just being able to jump in a car and drive wherever I want and not have to worry about walking up that ginormous hill (especially in the rain!) and waiting for a bus...not having to worry if I have enough change for the bus...
2) shopping at WALMART!
3) going to church and being able to listen to a sermon without having to translate it in my head from Spanish to English :)
4) even tho this might make me sound lazy - not having to do my own laundry
5) eating good homemade food...what I would give for some of my mom's cooking!!!
6) late night movies or going to I90 with family and friends
7) doing the bundles at 3AM with Nick and then eating McD's breakfast croisant or some good Daylight Donuts

But then the other side of me wants to stay here in Costa Rica forever. This group has become my family the past 9 months. We've had fun, studied, laughed, cried, shopped, lived with each other, missed home together...I am very blessed to have them as friends/family. Our teachers are so nice - they seriously are putting aside their personal life to help us here and I appreciate that so much! My church family here is wonderful. I've learned so much from them and grown so much in my Spiritual Life and closer to God. And the mountains are so beautiful! They never look the same - I just love them! I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything.

So even tho I kind of feel like Paul in Philippians 1:23-24, I want to make the most of this last month here. It's not everybody who has a chance to spend a year in Costa Rica learning Spanish. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I don't want to waste it pining away for home. So forgive my complaining...sometimes it's just good to write down thoughts, go back and read them, realize how spoiled I am and have a change of heart.

*picture fun*

my new favorite verse...

When I worry about what I'm going to do about the future, I turn to this verse and it encourages me:

"FOR I know the plans I have for YOU," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper YOU and not to harm you, PLANS to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

How Deep the Father's Love

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no pow’rs, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds paid my ransom

"Oh heart of mine, why must you stray...?"

We sang this song the other day and it hit me hard - I have strayed from my Heavenly Father in the past few weeks. Why do I do it again and again? I don't know, but I'm thankful that God forgives me and takes me back into His arms again. "Lord, I'm coming home!"

Come Home Running

Oh heart of mine, why must you stray?
From one so fair you’ve run away
And one more time you had to pay
The heaviness of needless shame

Oh heart of mine, come back home
You’ve been away too long out on your own
And He’s been there all along
Watching for you down the road

Chorus:
So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are

Oh child of God so dearly loved
And ransomed by the Savior’s blood
And called by name, daughter and son
Wrapped in the robe of righteousness