Our Turkeyless Thanksgiving

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving away from home this Thursday. It was a unique experience. For one thing, much to my surprise, the rest of the world does not celebrate our Thanksgiving. Imagine that! We had classes on Thursday, but our break time was cancelled so that we could get out an hour earlier. It was also warm for the first time in weeks. My version of warm, that is. It was 81 F. and the sun came out in all its glory for about 2 hours. I really enjoyed that, even if it doesn't seem to go with Thanksgiving.

We gathered for a Thanksgiving "Lupper" at the house of friends (Chris and Laura) with 4 other families. We had a wonderful time relaxing, socializing, being grateful for the little things, and of course, eating. We had quite the feast even though there was no turkey or ham. Chris carved the chickens and I made a roast the way Carla Tyndall taught me (in the crock pot with a whole jar of pepperoncini). We had casseroles, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni & cheese, Texas torte, bread, and lots of desserts. It was great!

We all shared things that we were grateful for, but could not state the obvious of God, family, and friends. I was thankful for our hot shower with good water pressure and the ultra soft sheets that we brought with us. Both of these are truly blessings.

Even though we couldn't say "friends", we are very grateful for our friends and family in the States that haven't forgotten us, and for the new friends that God has given us here in Costa Rica. We feel like we have known them forever. It reminds me of the the Girl Scout song: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." I love all my silver and gold friends. Thank you for your friendship; you are shining treasures.

Happy Thanksgiving or Feliz Dia de Acciones de Gracias

3 Weeks to Go!

It 's hard to believe, but there is only 3 weeks left in the first trimester. I'm not sure if the work is getting hard or we're just tired, OR BOTH! We've had a lot going on for several weeks now. Three weeks ago our family went to a beach resort so that Charlie could attend a continuing medical education course. The course covered how to conduct an exam in Spanish. While we enjoyed the time at the beach, we've had to pay for it in catch-up with school; although, I did teach the children every afternoon at the terrazzo by the pool.

Last weekend Charlie and Devon went a father-son retreat up in the mountains with the same organization with which I teach English. They had a good time except that Charlie came home very sick. (Horrible body aches and 103 fever).

While they were gone I began shopping for 23 presents for orphans for whom our school is throwing a Christmas party next week. Shepherd's Fold Church in Lumberton, MS and our Sunday school class (Brent McBride's class) at FBC, Tupelo, MS donated the money for the presents. Thanks! I didn't realize, however, how hard it would be to go from shop to shop, carrying what was purchased at each one, without a car. I've never cared before that we didn't have a car (I like to walk), but this was one situation were I could have used it. After 4 trips over three days, all the presents are purchased, wrapped, and ready to hand out to some beautiful children.

This week, Charlie missed 3 days of school because he remained so sick, and then on Thursday, we had to go downtown to immigration to apply for visa extensions because our student visa information has not arrived from D.C. yet. That was close to a nightmare. Mary-Esther was threatening to be sick, so we decided to take her with us. I didn't want to leave her at school when we wouldn't be near her. (We don't have a cell phone) Well, when we arrived at immigration, the waiting room looked like a giant doctor's office waiting room crawling with "sick germs". I began to think that I had made the wrong decision to bring Mary-Esther. She began to cough continuously, so Charlie took her outside while I waited for hours for my number to be called. Everything turned out alright, and we now have our extensions.

Charlie and Mary-Esther are doing better. Charlie, however, doesn't get to rest this weekend. He signed up Devon for a scuba course, and this weekend is the time that they go to the ocean to do the certification dives. Charlie was looking forward to diving as well, but now he's just trying to be a good chaperon.

Our classes end on Dec. 11 and we don't return until Jan. 11. We plan to enjoy the break and nail down all the grammar that we've crammed into our heads this tri!

Here's to three more weeks!

Funeral Experience

Today, Colleen and I received a stark reminder of the pain and suffering in this world. We were walking to the store, when we saw a large group of people slowly walking down the street. At first I thought they might be a tour group, but they appeared to be all nationals. They were wearing steet clothes, but in somber colors, mostly black. There were young people and elderly people. The whole scene really captured our attention; and then, we saw it. In front of the group was a hurst. It nearly took my breath away. I've seen many funeral processions in my lifetime, but this was different. Somehow it seemed more real, more painful. The mourners were not hidden away in dark tinted cars. They carried their grief out in the open for everyone to witness.

I'm not sure what I am suppose to learn from this experience. As Christians we know that this life is only temporary with all its diseases, death, and decay. Certainly it is a reminder that we should make the most of the time we have here to love one another and share the love of Christ with a dying world. We must hold dearly to the knowledge that this earth will pass away, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth where all things will be good and where we will forever rejoice in the presence of Christ, the King.

May all who read this find fresh hope in Jesus, today.