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| Suncreen Tester |
I think I shared at the end of my last blog that I would start busting out more blogs, more consistently...Hah!...so much for that!!! But now, after the encouragement of my friend Renee to keep "blogging", I have returned to my computer and sea of photos to continue sharing my "growing" adventures.
Let's back up to April... "A Visit to San Isidro"
San Isidro is a city located in the mountains above Dominical. It is the second largest city in CR and is about a 2 hour drive from our house--of course remembering that all driving in CR consists mostly of 2 lane roads that are subject to landslides, roads and bridges washed out, slow trucks, fallen trees, accidents and maybe even a festival "float" procession celebrating one of the many saints in this country. This is part of the reason why it's hard to have a "schedule" here.
Anyways, the reason for our visit was to check out a school Kelsey, our daughter, was interested in attending. Don, Kelsey and I had visited the campus of Murrieta Bible College in March when we were in Calif. We found out then that they had very recently opened a small satellite campus in CR. So Don and I did some "reconnaissance" work and met with leaders and students of the school. We then relayed the information and photos back to Kelsey...
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| Diamante |
Now, in less than 2 weeks, Kelsey will be arriving here in CR to start her own adventure. In her own words, "...I feel God is calling me out of my comfort zone and into an incredible opportunity and privilege to gain knowledge of His Word and deepen My relationship with Him."
Way to go Kels!!!
On our return trip from San Isidro Don & I got lost ...
I mean, "found an alternative route" while looking for the Diamante Waterfall.
It ended up being quite the adventure: super muddy roads, a very narrow suspension bridge, ridiculous sizes of 'pot holes', tree branches, and all with the threat of darkness as dusk approached...but eventually we made it safe and sound!
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| Gooey Mud, Had to Turn Around...That Was Tricky!!! |
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| The Suspense is killing me! |
On to May: Our Silver Wedding Anniversary
Don and I celebrated 25 years of marriage on May 4th at the CR Tennis Club in San Jose. The hotel stay included access to the tennis club and its many amenities, of which I jumped in an exercise salsa class, much to Don's amusement...as well as everyone else in the class!!! Don captured my salsa debut on his iphone.
Check it out and see if you can spot the Gringa!!!
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| Love Love! |
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| ...and more love! |
Upon the heel's of our anniversary we celebrated Don's Birthday with Jim Hogan, His wife Leo and their son James at a new Sushi place in Jaco, called Arigato, which is owned by Rudy, a former chef from San Clemente's Takao Restaurant. Small World!!!
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| Happy Birthday Don & Jim! |
After Don and Jim's Birthday, which is also Becky Dean's!!!, came mother's day. My first ever mother's day without my mom or kids around....YUCK!
My kids did treat me to a massage here that they organized through Don and I was able to Skype
with them and my mom...thank goodness for Skype!!!
Every day I miss my Alex, Kelsey and Kagen! And every day I am thankful for them!!
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| Not exactly the Mercedes an we requested! |
After returning home from our anniversary celebration, I quickly packed my bag and jumped in a van full of some awesome and fun women and headed for the annual nationwide Christian women's retreat located in the beautiful mountains and rainforest near San Carlos, which is about 1 hour from the famous Arenal Volcano, and about 5 hours from my home.
Wow! Yet another great place to visit! The drive was beautiful as well. You can see a whole other "face" of CR business and culture: coffee plantations, fields of broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, cucumbers, etc., and dairy farms. This part of the country is especially known for its cheese.
We stopped en route at a cute mountain town, Zarcero, which is known for its creative sculptured topiary garden which sits opposite Iglesia de San Rafael.
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| "About Face" (forward March!) |
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| My "Roommate" Leo Under the Green Arches |
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| Super Cool Mosaic Mural in Zarcero |
.... such a turista!
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| El Toucano Hotel, San Carlos |
The retreat location at El Toucano was the perfect spot to stop, look and listen!!! Thermal creeks and hot springs, ferns that looked like intricate lace, a myriad of flowering plants, oropendula birds that perched near their hanging basket nests, and fabulous natural hot spring pool and spas. All this to help ponder and listen to God and reflect.
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| Steam Hut |
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| Time to Reflect, Time to Listen... |
The question I was posed with, once again:
Do I want to live a life focused on my desires and purposes or am I willing to give up all and live for Him and His purposes??
Ouch! An uncomfortable question I would rather avoid by being too busy to think or care!!!
But not avoided this weekend, God had me cornered. How could look around, at the beauty He has made,... all for us,... and argue with Him!!!
Of course, I chose to argue with Him a bit until I realized, once again, that every time He asks me to give something up, or empty myself of, well basically my self, He then fills me with His love, goodness, wisdom, mercy, grace and strength.
The simplicity of Love God and Love Others! ...but why is this so difficult?!
Selfishness, pride, greed, jealousy...on and on the list goes that vies for our sole attention and commitment to Self Preservation!!!
The antidote?
Emptying out our junk and
Filling up.....on what is good!
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| Cleaning up on the outside as well as the inside at Retreat! |
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| Awesome! |
"Those who lose their life for my sake will live, and those who seek to preserve their own life will lose it." (Luke 9:24, 17:33)
Two books I'm reading that have offered further insight on Loving God and others are: "When Helping Hurts, How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself" and "The Hole in Our Gospel".
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| There's nothing like a stream to capture your attention |
It's not a totally new "season" but it appears that I have the opportunity to experience a new variety of fruit!! The question is: What will I do with this opportunity???
Speaking of fruit... Mango May Madness
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| Our First Harvest |
time too. We've since had many stalks of little
dulce "finger" bananas that are great for
smoothies too.
Our papaya tree we planted in December is blossoming and started some small fruit. The goal is to eat the fruit before the monkeys do...hahaha!
On a food side note: I have to say that I'm so happy that I like what's available here to eat and cook with: onions, garlic, bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more are all my staples for all my meals and easy to get!
May was also the 2 year anniversary celebration of the Pura Vida, the house church here in town. Pastor Dennis Leon led in the festivities located on the newly built and nearly completed rancho on the property.
This open air rancho captures amazing views of the ocean and coastline and is a most enjoyable meeting place for the church.
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| Sundays at 1pm |
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| The Leon Family |
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| Fun After Church |
We are all very thankful for their love and dedication to helping those in need and teaching
many about the love of Christ!
You can follow their blog at http://www.puravidachurch.com/blog/
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| I think this guy looks like Rafael Nadals brother |
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| Marcelle's House |
Other gatherings have included
neighborhood dinners,
surprise birthday parties,
and going away parties...
surprise birthday parties,
and going away parties...
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| Desirae's Surprise B-day! |
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| Pat's Awesome Dinner and say Goodbye, but just for now... |
Trips: Don had a fun trip down to Pavones with a group of guys. He was the designated photographer. The other guys were thrilled that he would rather take pictures than surf!!!
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| Parque Central de David |
I wasn't able to find anyone else who needed to leave so I began planning a trip to Nicaragua... solo...but continued to pray that I'd be able to travel with someone.
Ann to the rescue!
I had only met Ann a couple times in the past but she welcomed me to join her to Panama. She already had the trip planned and we left 2 days later in her rental car which we drove for 5 hours and parked at the border.
We checked out of CR and crossed to Panama with ease... no lines!! Then we jumped in a nearby bus and headed about an hour further to the major city of David.
After spending the night in David across from the central park (in a hotel!), we then headed the next morning for the beautiful fresh mountain town of Boquete.This town is noted for it's coffee plantations and nationally recognized for it's amazing display of flowers. Ann and I spent 2 days there sightseeing, walking, talking, and touring a coffee plantation called Milagro (Miracle).
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| Breakfast in Boquete |
One of the great memories of this trip for me was walking around at dusk when the fragrance of these flowers that hang like large bells starts to unleash it's heavenly scent, hence, the name "Angel's Trumpet!"
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| Even when cloudy, the colors could not be denied their brillance! |
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| Local Family Gardens Open to the Public |
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| Milagro Coffee Plantation |
French Roast - medium
Italian Roast - dark
It's all Good!
Even though we barely new each other before the trip, Ann and
I turned out to be great travel companions and friends!!!
God is good!
Please pray that I continue to "do" what I am learning!!!
Thanks! Blessings to all and muchas besas!
