JOY in His presence

Compartir by Carla Morrison I was able to travel around and show Jessie why Costa Rica is so Amazing! In return for my translating, navigating, and poor history lessons she took these awesome pictures of me. Also included are my less than mediocre cell phone pics of great moments. Ziplining in La Fortuna A BABY TUCAN La Fortuna Jessie found a giant zen garden at Villa Caletas  Sushi night- where I walked into the restaurant to find someone who worked at my Adirondack Camp. Small World!  I could watch hummingbirds all day. Jessie graciously let me come back to this spot multiple times  La Paz waterfalls and Garden. This is adventure mode Anna @ Play Blanca We tried to get the 5 star resort sunset experience, but the sunsets were a bit cloudy, with flashes of pink. Either way  we were able to dress up and pretend to blend in  Great murals in Jaco  Jaco, Costa Rica  Road trip up rocky hills- we were searching for a view this g

 "Lord, you are my God;  I will exalt you. I will  praise your name,  for you have  accomplished wonders,  plans formed long ago,  with perfect faithfulness." 

What is there to say about someone, who you didn't want to meet? Yes, I was NOT excited before Susan returned to Costa Rica for a visit. Hear me out.  I was first introduced to the idea of "Susan" when I was told my host brother's fish was named after her. ( her name is Suzanne, but in Costa Rica its Susan- equal to my Ana) A beloved friend and "auntie" to my newest 4 year old buddy. Susan lived with my host family for 8 months earlier this year. She was here to visit for 3 weeks- which flew by!!  Ever since she was 5 years old she has had the dream to be a nurse on Mercy Ships, finally to come true this January. So logically she had to come visit for 3 weeks, before her adventure in West Africa. ( I like the way she thinks) Not only is she a great "auntie" to our host brother, but also to her 9, soon to be 10 nieces and nephews stateside. She dotes on them, prioritizes them, and might even out do me in the "spoiling aunt" category.

Language is a continual process, but once phrases and vocab are mastered (LOL I'm far from mastering even the simplest of these) there is another level of appreciation for another language. The cultural nuances. At the end of every good bye- most Costa Ricans say "Si Dios Queire" "If God wants". (for the record my Latin American exposer us limited to CR, not sure if this translates into other Spanish speaking countries) It is becoming easier to pronounce, but not easier to say. I stutter, and hesitate- stringing the words out for longer than they sound. To be honest,  I am not familiar with this constant welcoming of Jesus into every moment. Appreciating God's control over every future step- the day-to-day, the moment-bymoemnt, the now. Grocery shopping, taking the bus, you name it and they say this phrase. It may be cultural but for me it is a weighted prayer. A conscious effort to let Jesus be the center of my days.

Ask my 6 weeks ago to describe myself, and one of my first choice words would have been independent.  I was proud of being free to move locations freely, travel, and bop around on countless long weekend escapades. Care free, prioritizing myself, controlling of my little world- all these are pieces of my independence. Fast forward to this morning... DO EVERYTHING IN DEPENDENCE ON ME. The desire to act independently-- apart from ME- springs from the root of pride. Self-sufficiency is subtle, insinuating its way into your thoughts and actions without your realizing it. But apart from Me, you can do nothing: that is, nothing of eternal value. My deepest desire for you is that you learn to depend on Me in every situation. I move heaven and earth to accomplish this purpose, but you must collaborate with Me in this training. Teaching you would be simple if I negated your free will or overwhelmed you with My Power. However, I love you too much to withdraw the godlike privilege I bestowed

Going through my photos for this year, I was reminded of all the places I have been able to explore, and all the people who continue to support me wherever I am. I traveled through 12 airports, gained a niece, and celebrated some beautiful couples! Reflecting on the changes and growth this past year brought on, I am only excited to keep up the momentum of learning who I am in Christ, in whatever state, province, or country that may bring me. I am so grateful for each day! Reba & Ivan Ottawa, ON Bruno Mars Buffalo, NY  Girl's Weekend Wallingford, VT Rehab Nursing Conference Seattle, WA Catalina Island, CA Merry Christmas! N. Clarendon,  Vermont Jenni & Jay Wedding Shower Vero Beach, FL Rah-cha-cha, NY Athens, Greece Notre Dame Montreal, QC Eloise Joy April 21st  Family Week  N. Clarendon, VT Dan & Ariel Otego, NY Ogunquit, ME Ottawa, ON Nigel & Te

Today, I was reading a commentary on the new Winnie the Pooh movie in World Magazine, and it said "doing nothing often leads to the best kind of something" ultimately identifying the "joys of the unplanned".  This may sound weird to you as I am not technically  "doing nothing" with my time right now. But on my downtime, as I am intentionally removing myself from social media, and the blackhole of instagram explore, I feel like I am doing nothing. And for me it is not easy.  Actually it is the hardest challenge thus far.  ( I have accepted that my Spanish isn't a challenge but continual growth- framing it like this makes me feel better!) I have been redirected that this Season of rest is what my soul needed.  With my Tuesdays typically free, I was excited to have down time to balance my processing of everything I see and experience her. I was more needed in the nursery today than on the couch in front of my computer or exploring downt

📸: www.trinjensen.com I have seen many people this week, and privileged to meet a few.  Here, the hearts are tender for the trauma in Managua Nicaragua. The stories passed from their family up north are raw. To give you (all  of the 2-5 people who might read this), each day of my week is a different combinations of service opportunities. Sundays: REST. I am learning to take a true Sabbath--key word learning. Mondays: Clinic in the morning/1st grade club in afternoon Tuesdays: Free to adventure, rest, update here, etc Wednesdays: Clinic in the morning/ Renuevos Thursdays: Clinic in the morning/1st grade club in afternoon Fridays: Clinic in the morning/ Renuevos Saturdays: VBS program for 9-15 year olds (mostly) At a bus stop that is not a typical tourist destination- the gringas stand out. I knew this, but am learning what it actually means. I was surprised yesterday, that after only meeting some smiling faces like the one above, they knew me when I drove by, shoutin

The time has come for me to leave, and I feel like there is still so much preparation to be done. I'm all packed with my various vitamin donations (over 5,000 pills) and sweet maple candy gifts for my hosts. The routine 16 hour travel day, navigating my dad through city traffic,  standing in lines, and people watching, is underway. This week as I have prepared I have been rerouted to study Esther. "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this"(4:14) Mordecai is challenging Esther to rise up, ACT, move. Do something- now is the time.  This phrase has been mentioned to me, prayed over me, and sent to me this week by people- who I am the only mutual friend between (except Jesus) Yes I am listening.  Esther was disciplined, faithful, and prayerful. I am reminded of God's providential timing, Esther's courage, and my challenge to obey. This is my challenge today. Pray for me. To be still, listen, discern, and empowe

I am counting down the days to my trip, by prayer for the nation. Please continue to pray with me, for the neighborhood, for the clinic, and for whatever is to come.  [Click 'Read More' to see the video  produced by my sis-in-law's ministry Prayercast- look them up] 

June was a busy balance of working full-time and weekend road trips! RUN to the END 5K in Rochester York, ME with Aunt Joan Mr. & Mrs. Booth  June 23 Otego, NY Word of Life Worship in the Adirondacks Schroon Lake, NY  8/15 Brown Cousins in Vermont

May 2015: I went with Roberts Nursing to La Carpio serving with Christ for the City After studying abroad 6 years ago, Costa Rica has always been on my mind. Currently I'm working in a small rehabilitation center in Windsor, Vermont. My goal is to pair a career of 13-week contracts with short term mission opportunities. I received a postcard from  Christ for the City  advertising their needs and  opportunities. Returning was always a goal for me, and with this schedule God has orchestrated for the season I'm ready to go. On August 1st I leave for my next adventure!   I am returning to Costa Rica as a Clinic Nurse! The clinic is located outside the capital city of San Jose. This slum adjacent to the city dump, is home to roughly 40,000 people, half of which are children, crammed into only 1.5 square miles. Most of the people who call this place home are Nicaraguan refugees with no access to healthcare, making this clinic and its services both necessary

Here are some highlights of our Family Week! As a family of 10, and siblings in different states (or countries?) this only happens about twice a year. The minis keep it fun and energetic- except for when it is nap time- that is taken seriously by everyone. Three Generations- Papa, Ben and Josiah  Atop Equinox Mountain Nana an Popsie- they delivered donuts to our kiddie pool party 🍩 Making the 2-Two year olds cooperate required the mothers about the camera,  waving ice cream cones as a bribe. Too bad the lens wasn't reversed.    Sister Sister 👯 Eloise Joy at 1 Month Old! What a month of JOY it has really been! Clarendon Gorge Swinging Bridge- don't worry the civil engineer inspected the integrity, per usual