A whirlwind in Washington

No one person could possibly do what I did these past two weeks. I literally wished there was two or three of me, and that the day would have like 50 hours instead of 24. At one point I wished stores could stay open later, in order for me to get everything I needed...so weird. The past two weeks were a blur of birthdays, family, friends, classes, errands, meetings, homework, tests, and a little alone time. It wasn't possible for one person to do it all, so I didn't. haha. Really though, it wasn't just me, I had God pulling me through the whole way, giving me energy and rest when I needed it most. My friends came into town so I stayed up super late each night catching up with them. Little sleep was inevitable. I had to make choices all the time to use my time wisely, which was even more difficult for me because I'm already indecisive...so I wasted time thinking about what to do next. Perfect. Despite all the obligations, I praise God for the time I spent in Spokane, Washington.
Kristin and I fought going there so hard (for certain reasons) but God wanted us there. I still don't really know why, maybe won't for a long time, maybe never. Maybe it was to see my mom, sister,& brother, to be with the Williams' family during a hard time in their life, to spend more quality time with Ted & Diane, to have alone time for the first time in 6 weeks....I just don't really know. I mean, I learned a lot in the 6 days of classes that I attended, but I could've learned that back here in Costa Rica??? Maybe it was to refresh my perspective on Costa Rica and America....and their differences. Oh well, It's wasting time and energy now to think about it. I mean I want to reflect, but I don't want to try to come up with an answer that is just unnecessary to come up with.
In reflection though, I think I realize how much I truly need to be surrounded by friends and family--to be in a community of believers. They are so important to me, and I value their support, encouragement, opinions, criticisms, and love. It's just, I am someone who easily lets that slip by. I don't ask for help very often, and when I do it's because I really need it. These past two weeks I needed a lot of help and a lot of questions answered, and the fact that so many people were willing and were brought joy in the act of serving/helping me really convicted me. I don't want to inhibit the space for God's love to be shown, at all. Besides, he'll work where he wants to work with or without me, haha. But who am I to decide who gets to serve who and when and why? I play a small part in all this, but my part is significant. I can allow others to encounter Christ. Lately I've been really meditating on the truth that I am forgiven...for past sins, present sins, and future sins. I am forgiven, and so is everyone else who is called God's child. Who am I to judge? I am here to love and forgive as I have been forgiven. I get to serve others and be served for Christ's glory. It's all so powerful. I am encouraged by the power of forgiveness, fresh starts, and second chances. I am encouraged daily by God's new mercies. Thank God I am able to be back in Costa Rica for another 3 months teaching, learning, loving, and experiencing life down here!
-Allie

We're going to Miami!

September 12, 2011

Hasta Luego Costa Rica!

Little did Kristin and I know that our day would be spent at the airport in Costa Rica, instead of multiple airports across the United States. Our initial presumption was a long, exhausting day traveling, drinking Starbucks, and seeing our friends late in Spokane. However, while in line, we heard a few people talking about cancelled flights. We both looked at each other, then at the flight TV or whatever it’s called and then back at each other. Our flight was cancelled!!!  Wow we’re stupid. We both didn’t actually think the flight was cancelled when we saw the 13 TV’s all up in our grill advertising the cancelled flight. It just added to my other blonde moment when I thought there was a guy cleaning the windows across the airport, which turned out to be a statue of a zip liner. So we both smiled because we knew this would turn into another adventure. Forty minutes later, after two saintly women devised a fool-proof plan, we changed our plan to Miami. Por su puesto. Without fail, we both sang the Will Smith song “I’m going to Miami” in our heads. Stranded for 8 hours didn’t seem so bad, mainly because we had food vouchers, which obviously uplift any weary traveler. Another slight surprise was Elliot. What a character that guy. We met on the floor in front of security-- the purgatory of the airport—in between turning around from and going forward with the flight. Elliot is from Portland, Oregon so we had an instant Pacific Northwest connection. He even knew someone we knew. A guy in a band. He kept saying rock band and I kept thinking it was as far from a rock band as one could get…but I let that one go. We stuck together like childhood friends until his flight left. Our hang out place was the food court, where we used one voucher towards a delicious sandwich from Schlotzky’s. Later Elliot’s posse came and met up with us—they had just come from bungee jumping and by the looks of Betsy’s blood vessel – popped eye, they weren’t lying. We passed the time eating extremely overpriced airport food and talking about travels in Costa Rica and elsewhere.

Hola…it’s Kristin. We couldn’t resist the gift shop. Mostly because there were free samples of chocolate covered coffee beans. Let me tell you….there were plenty of flavors. We’ve got coconut, guava, orange, hazelnut, almond etc. yummy goodness. Oh and free coffee samples. Hopefully they won’t recognize us when we go back to get more samples in 5 minutes.  Elliot and I were joking that we wish they sold chocolate covered coffee cinnabons. Ha! Which reminds me of the funfetti cake Anna-Lena and I made for Allie last night! I wanted Allie to have a Costa Rican birthday, so we celebrated by making funfetti and empandas. We felt fat and sick and happy afterwards. Whoops, well,  it was worth it. Saturday night we went dancing at La Rumba! I accidentally punched my dance partner in the face. He laughed, but I’m pretty sure he was annoyed. And I’m really awkward because my arms are so long so I end up whacking other people in the face.  Allie’s got it down though. She can shake those hips!

We are boardingJ So excited to see you Spokane!!

There's a Time for Everything...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 comes to mind lately.
Verse 11 is so simple, but I find that it is one of those profound truths that makes you think about everything God has done for you and be overwhelmingly thankful because of it. It reads, "He has made everything beautiful in its time." I don't know exactly what that means, but I know it makes me praise God for knowing exactly how things work. Think about creation: God spoke it into existence and said it was good. In time, 6 days in, He created something very good--humans. In time we have changed so much, yet remained beautiful and in his image. In time the Earth has changed vastly, yet remained good and beautiful. Costa Rica is BEATIFUL, but Costa Rica wasn't always in existence. I'm so glad it is now, in 2011, because I wouldn't be here soaking up the endless blessings that I am. How beautiful that I am here now, that Liz said yes to God and started a Christian school that I am now student teaching in.
There's a time for everything, especially a time to mourn and weep. A while back my precious dog of around 12 years was put to sleep suddenly. Man it hit me like a soccer ball in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. Although it was a day of sorrow, I still had a day full of life, smiles, laughter, good conversation, teaching, learning, really good Chinese food, and new friends. I'm so blown away by the complexity of humans. I surprise myself. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"(Ps. 139:14)-- David wrote this to the Lord and I am resonating so much with it now.
This is a time of true focus on God's presence in my life, and the tangible reality of it. How can I not still praise God for how faithful, gracious, loving, compassionate, just, and merciful he is? When I am aware of the God of the Universe in my life, minute by minute, I am in beautiful time. I thank God for time. For time with my dog Sadie for as long as I had, for time to grow up and be more like Jesus, for time each day to serve and love and know people and do what I'm passionate about, time to praise and lament to him with song. So often people say "There's just not enough time in the day for everything!"  I can't help but retort that with this: God created each day to be 24 hours, if God did it it must be just right. He did it on purpose...there's exactly enough time in a day. I think it's how I use that time to praise and cry out to God that will determine the quality and fruitfulness of my life.
I am trying to be intentional with my time, being aware of God's presence always, coming into agreement with the idea that there is a time for everything...noone said I couldn't laugh right after I cry? or while I cry?
Back to Psalm 139:14-- I am writing a song from this Psalm in Spanish, because the Lord has placed this truth on my heart so evidently. The chorus is this: Te alabo porque soy una creacion admirable! Tus obras son maravillosas, y esto lo se muy bien! Now it's time to head back to Spokane, WA and see old friends, family, professors, and get a new perspective. I'm hoping these two weeks in Spokane will help me refocus and truly appreciate the blessing it is living in Costa Rica. I'm sure I will miss C.R. the second the plane takes off. It's just two weeks, only two weeks....


Paz y Gozo,
Allie

you are greater than we could imagine.

Allie and I wrote a song....there was a point in my life that I was spiritually blind. I didn't feel the Lord's presence, couldn't see Him and couldn't hear Him. I love that the Lord can redeem us. I love that he can use life to wake us up and let us see and hear Him again. There are a few people in my life right now that really, really need His presence.

-My grandmother who has cancer.
-My friend Troy who has a cyst and possible tumor in his brain.
-My dad...to be safe in Iraq and to have strength for each hard day.
-My mom... for comfort after losing her father to cancer this summer.
-My brothers... to continue to experience the love of our heavenly father.
-My friends from college... to have peace with all the changes they are experiencing.

I am trusting that the Lord is sending down His spirit on all of them to help them feel, hear and see Him again.

Capo 3

Verse 1: A2, C, G, D

My eyes were closed...before I met you
My eyes were closed...I couldn't see you

My heart was hard...I couldn't feel you
My heart was dead...you brought me to life

...you brought me to life

Chorus: C G E minor

Spirit come, spirit let your mercy come
Spirit come, spirit let your love pour down
Spirit come, spirit let your glory fall
Spirit come, spirit let your mercy come

Bridge: C G D
You are greater, than we could imagine
You are greater, than we could imagine
You are greater, than we could imagine
You are greater, than we could imagine

Verse 2:

Let me be still...
Let me be still...here in your presence

Let me be still...
Let me be still....your presence is beautiful

Chorus
Bridge

Love, Kristin and Allie