so little time!

so we only have one computer right now and i have to get off cause there's a line, but just wanted to let you know we got to go to the beach today. it was the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. and thanks for praying...it didn't rain all day. i have a nice tan/burn. the burn will be a SUPER tan soon lol.
tomorrow i meet my familia and take my placement test. i'm so excited to finally be in one place and be a part of a family. oh ya...we had monkeys giving us a show today and i got some awesome pics and videos. i cant wait to show them to you.
most of the group likes to party, but they are all very sweet and there's a few of us who dont party....they'll just have like one drink. i have had the opportunity to have several good conversations today and find specific ways to pray...even share what i believe. please keep praying for these opportunities.
other than that...i gotta run, but soon i should be able to go to a cyber cafe and upload some pics and stuff! sorry if i didnt reply to your email tonight, i will get to it soon! besitos!

change of plans

so we were supposed to head out to manuel antonio national park today and be there till saturday but it was evacuated early this morning b/c of a tropical storm. i dont have a lot of time as i have to finish packing and get on the bus, but we are going to port limon something...aka the carribbean today. please pray for sunny weather, its supposed to rain here for like 2 weeks straight and we are all kinda bummed about it.
gotta run, thanks for the comments!
i didnt gamble lol, i just thought the casino here was funny.

estoy aqui

i'm here safe and sound. long day, but it's so nice to finally be here. hi dad. there's lots of cute boys here. haha. i wish i could figure out how to do a smiley face so you could see me winking. we are staying at a best western and going to denny's for breakfast. how original and different lol! the country is absolutely gorgeous from what i can tell in the dark, i can't wait to see it in the daytime. i have been journaling a lot courts...just so ya know. and loving it. i definately feel God protecting me and taking care of me...he is my comforter while i'm away...well not just while i'm here, but ya know. i was reading 2 cor 1 and it talks about how he comforts us and renews us. thank you Jesus.

with that said, i think i am going to bed. love you and cant wait to show you pics...ooops on this computer at the hotel i cant upload anything, but i can write you, so i guess for now it will just be writing. but i'm thankful for that. adios

Hola y Adios!

I leave in a little bit...an hour or so, and I think I'm finally ready! Besides the rumbly in my tummy...I'll have to take care of that first hehe. I have to say it's nice to be leaving this ridiculous weather, but I am so blessed that yesterday was so beautiful! Thanks to everyone who came over and prayed for me and hung out, it was a wonderful day and so nice to see you. :)

So far I'm doing good with not crying or feeling sad, but I have a feeling when I get to the airport and Faith is crying (not to mention my mom and alyss...) I might lose it. Faith thought I was never coming back, but I told her I'll be back in a long time. I know God has me where he wants me, so I'll be safe and pleased to do his will while I'm gone.

Feel free to leave comments...you don't have to have a blogspot to leave me a note. I think that's it! Warm weather here I come!

What's to come!

Just thought I'd give you an idea of where I'm going...

This is an overview of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica

We will be staying either in the city or right outside. 

Manuel Antonio National Park--the beach. It's the most beautiful in the country, and I will be there on May 30!

La Isla Tortuga--yup, I'm going there too :)

We go about halfway through our trip...kind of like a midterm break 

Not a great picture, but La Paz waterfall garden. 

We have the opportunity to see two waterfall gardens! 

Orientation today was sooo long. 8a.m.-6p.m....not to mention the 45 minute drive each way.

Even though it was long, it was so good. I started my classes for the trip, two of which I listened to totally in Spanish. I couldn't pick up everything, but I think I got a fair amount of the details. And that's what counts, right? :) I won't know what level class I will be in until we get down there and take the placement test.

The three ladies chaperoning us are just wonderful. They are very cheerful and helpful, sharing their personal experiences and preferences with us. Apparently at the school we will be studying at, Forester International University, we can take free dance classes at noon everyday! The directors did it and they loved it. So watch out...when I come back I'm gonna have some sweet moves!

Besides starting our classes, we got some practical info: how to stay healthy abroad, safety, and "what to wear, what to pack". They really encouraged us to pack light (one suitcase, one carry on...yikes!) But if I'm packing all thin clothes for the most part it should be ok...I guess. Other than that, we played some fun games to get to know each other, and I met my roomate! Her name is Sara, she seems super sweet, kinda timid, and pretty nervous about going. She's anticipating being homesick for her boyfriend, but I told her I'd keep her busy and we'd take care of that ;-).

I know God is going to have many opportunities for me to share him with her, so be please be praying! Overall the whole team seems wonderful, the mini trips we will take there look beautiful, and I'm pumped! I know the Lord has big plans, and what could be better than that?!


Oh...
P.S. I can talk on Skype and email while I'm gone :)