The Blessings

OK, I'm just going to say it: Life here is hard. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing we didn't expect, but day to day living is difficult. Moving is hard no matter what, but moving to a new country and culture takes "hard"to a whole new level. Nothing is normal. Everything we took for granted has been disrupted and we must find new ways to do life. We are swimming upstream constantly. 

Yesterday a man knocked on our door and told us he was here to cut the electricity for an unpaid bill. Apparently everyone knows when and how much to pay. There is no mail service, so you don't recieve a bill. You just go to the bank or the grocery store, give them your account number (which we did not have!) and pay your bills in cash. Graciously, he gave us 1 hour do get it done. We are constantly tripping over new hurdles and we have to be ready to jump at any moment.   

There are pockets of normal. The first time we went to Wal-Mart, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Sure the cashiers speak Spanish and everything is listed in colones, but the environment FEELS familiar. There are cheaper places to shop, but for right now, it's Walmart until I have the mental energy to shop for bargains--which may be never! Church feels normal. We don't understand the words, but we know That Spirit.  We also know the schedule, the people, the lessons, the materials, the songs. And of course, the Temple. There is a wonderful American couple that works there and whenever we go we find an excuse to visit the office and talk to them. It's lovely to speak English to native English speakers and converse with people who understand us, both verbally and culturally. This week they told us another family from the states moved into their ward, homeschoolers who are here to learn Spanish. They are going to connect us.

I have heard rumors of other families like us. One lives in Quepos, several hours from here. They are here to surf. I heard a story about a family who came for a one month vacation to San Ramón. While they were here, the stake president told them The Lord prompted that he was to be the next bishop. So the family made arrangements to stay for three years.

As hard as it is, the most overwhelming feeling we have is gratitude to be able to be part of something magnificent. Almost since the moment we arrived, we have run into people who we are able to help and literally be an answer to their prayers. I know the Lord takes care of His faithful children in many different ways and if we were not here, our friends would find help in some other way. But it is so FUN to be dropped into this tiny place in Costa Rica and have the Lord use US as instruments to bring about His plans for others. 

It has only been 6 weeks and so much good has happened. It has been difficult for sure, but the payoff is huge. Payoffs both in what we've been able to do for others and the spirit we've felt with us as we navigate difficult tasks. We've seen the hand of the Lord in our lives more in these 6 weeks that in several years at home living in relative comfort. There is something about being uncomfortable that allows the Lord work miracles. I pray my children can have their eyes opened to the wonderful gifts the Lord has given them and the joy that comes from sacrificing to share them freely with others.