Parade of the Oxen Cart

     Well lady's and gents the other day...ok well...maybe not the other day...more like 2 months or so ago I went to this parade. It is a big day in the lives of the Ticos. The Parade of the Oxen Cart in downtown San Jose. Notice with me here that I said downtown SAN JOSE. You see friends there is somewhat of a difference between downtown San Jose and downtown Escazu. A nice cab fare difference huh Shannon?

                                                          This means a little over $20!

(for nothing)

Well a great memory!

So thrilled!

So something that we really love doing and are very good at is making memories. Not just any memories...but memories that at any given time you can sit back and say.... "Remember that one time...."

That phrase has definitely become a daily part of our vocabulary. Well, on this particular day we followed Shannon's lead. He had the directions all printed out and ready to but....unfortunately they lead us in the wrong direction. Wrong city to be exact! (that'll preach) But, we ended up finding the parade and we were even on time. So here are some pics of this fun memory I will never forget!

These kids are no joke

Yup

And that is no joke

I sure hope they aren't unequally yoked!

Fruits and Veggies Cart

This little guy was being interviewed.

Wonder what he will be when he grows up?

Yup...that's Jesus

Had some awesome dancing going on.

And music

It was a fun cultural day!

WORD OF THE DAY: No es el fin del mundo.

            Definition:            It's not the end of the world.     

          How I see it:         You'll bounce back!

    

Home Sweet Home

Life in Costa Rica is amazing. This semester however has been kinda of crazy. Crazy good...but crazy. We have tons of homework and the language is getting harder. So keep that in your prayers. Well I don't have too much to say. I just wanted to give you guys a little tour of my new apartment. I love it. Now I am on campus at the school and actually live around some people that speak English. Check it out.

This is my "backyard"

There are really nice flowers and tons of exotic...(annoying) birds!

This is my washer and dryer.

The apartment upstairs belongs the Delgado Family. They are from Argentina and are here to learn English. They are headed to Liberia, Africa. They have 2 sweet little kids.

This is my door. Beware of the signs. The Pruitt kids decorated my house when I got back. This awesome wreath was made for me by Jen Lewiston(Youth Pastor's Wife/1st Assembly Memphis) The colors are a representation of the El Salvador flag and also a little reminder of home. GO TIGERS GO!

The Entryway

Behind the curtains is the "kitchen"

Thanks Ethan for the Posters

This is an AWESOME painting that Teri Carter(supporter) painted for me. I LOVE it. It is a representation of Jesus holding a little boy and the verse under it is Psalms 27:10"Though my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will receive me."

yea...well... this is upside down..but it is my tv and the other painting was done by my little mk's Ethan and Megan Pruitt. It was my Christmas present from them!

Representing with the Tiger Pillow

No Comment

My Awesome Closet

Shoe rack

This contraption is known as the widow maker...why do you ask? Because it is a death trap. This is how I get hot water. With an ELECTRIC SHOWER. How ironic.

Well...there you have it.

WORD OF THE DAY: "Mi Casa es su casa!"

HOW I SEE IT: Come on in...lose your skin!

"I'll Be(WAS) Home for Christmas!"

Ahh! What a refreshing month I had at home. I got to visit with many friends and family. I had a great time. So I just wanted to post a few pics of some of the stuff I did. I was a horrible person and left my poor little camera behind during many of my awesome excursions. But I will post what I have. I spent the first 3-4 days surprising friends and family at their houses. It was a true highlight.

This is my gorgeous godson Mikah. He turned 1. Love that kid.

Carter Christmas

For Christmas my folks "reimbursed" me for my plane ticket!!!

We hooked my mom up for Christmas:

FIREPIT....FISH BREADER...CLOTHES...JEWELRY....MANICURE....STARBUCKS....

Dad got a new ELECTRIC turkey fryer!! I miss those. (the turkeys....the fried ones!!)

He also got this massive spotlight and I'm pretty sure I will be able to see it down here!

Me and loviee puppy P.D.

Got to experience Incredible Pizza with the Lewiston kids. Awesome day with awesome people. If you ever doubt a child's salvation you should hang out with the Isaiah. That kid absolutely has a relationship with the Lord. Way to train up a child Pastor Dan and Jen. Little Bella loves her auntie Katie!

I got to cook my famous quesadillas for Master's Commission.

It was fun....weird being there. I miss it at times!

Well folks I can't tell you how much I appreciate your love and support. Wouldn't be here "living the dream"(becca) if it weren't for you. My second and final semester has started off with a bang, complete with homework and new verbs and tenses! Yippee! I love this place.

WORD OF THE DAY: "Que puedo decir?" (What can I say?)

Peace Out Memphis.

Well I'm here at gate E-7 in Atlanta. My eyes are burning from lack of sleep during this awesome month in the states. I am headed back to the nice warm, sunny weather of Costa Rica. I am so sick of my feet constantly frozen and my hands so numb they are useless. It is sad to say goodbye again bu I am excited to get this semester rolling! I had a blast with you guys! Keep praying for me.

V.I.P. VERY IMPORTANT PLACE!

So there is this mall right?........and in this mall are some stores........some really cool stores....some really cool stores that perhaps you have heard of.......Tommy Hilfiger....Kenneth Cole.....Hallmark... ..Payless... .Aeropostale.....Converse....and many more well known stores. Well friends...this mall makes me happy. They even have a Cinnabon! But... above all these things there is the most amazing thing invented. A theater!
Now....I know...I know....you're like "really, a theater?" I'm like....YES because this.... dear ones is no ordinary theater that smells like feet and 3 yr old popcorn with greasy butter and a cold hot dog on the side....o no.....this...is ....the.....V.I.P.!!

I must do some explaining. When you enter the majestic courts of this theater, the feeling of stepping into another world floods your emotions! Inside the theater is a stadium for the rich! They have leather recliners with cupholders and TONS of leg room. While you wait for the movie that will be in English a handsom tico (costa rican) comes and waits on you on bended knee. You have a menu that consists of sushi....cocktails(i didn't try those) and the famous caramel popcorn. You can also order the regular popcorn and nachos and hotdogs...but why? Not when you are treated like royalty! There are all kinds of desserts and sandwhiches and you are served...at your seat! INCREDIBLE! A crew of us went and saw 2012. Didn't care too much for it but it was totally worth being in the VIP. Well...here are a few pics from the evening. We were all under dressed! You should come visit me and I PROMISE to take you there!

Trying to decide what to order...

Tia Maria and her daughter Rachel(Honduras)

The Waiter taking the Pruitt's order

little Pruitt's

Becca and I

Family

By the way.....in the middle of the movie I happened to loook over to my left....and I saw Becca....and I was like....O...i forgot I was in Costa Rica...it was  a weird but very real moment. O well! Love ya Becca!

WORD OF THE DAY : si puede

                  How I see it: (you can do it)

Turkey Day!!!!

My Delicious Plate

Ahh...I'm still full from an awesome day yesterday. I am going to give you a play by play of my Thanksgiving.

I kicked they day off by watching the Macy's Day Parade! Then I headed to kitchen to make my first pumpkin pies, and my green beans especiales!!

                                                 

Thanks to Deborah's Tree Ministry

They mailed me some easy No Bake Pumpkin Pie Mix

I made a Pumpkin Mousse and a regular.

Muy delicioso!!

     We had Thanksgiving dinner at 2:00 at the school. We had a great time. I did tear up a little while we prayed. I missed being with the fam in MS and frying turkeys. But I made new memories with my other family. The food was great! Some highlights on my plate: broccli/cheese casserole...tomato/basil bread...Susan's SOUTHERN dressing(these Northerners have no idea!!!!)...my green beans (off the chains)...Tia Maria's turkey(it wasn't fried..but it was JUICY)...SWEET TEA!                     

                                                                                                              Josh cutting the bird!!          

After we stuffed our faces we played games and hung out. Here are a FEW things that I am thankful for at this moment. Besides the obvious ones that everyone always says.....

1. Cincelians

2. My Neighbors (met them on Thanksgiving...call me of you want to hear the cool story)

3. My Computer

4. Deodorant

5. The English Channels on T.V.

6. My iBible

7. Deborah's Tree Ministries

8. Mail

9. Umbrella

10. Hot Water

11. My Guard (Francisco..he's the best)

12. MK's (those are missionary kid's)

13. State Farm Kleenex

14. My awesome teachers

15. Peanut Butter

16. Mexican Train

17. Measuring Cups

18. Hillsong

19. Closed Toe Shoes

20. Water

*Please know that these are in no specific order and I tried to stay away from the mushy stuff! Obviously I am VERY thankful for my fam, friends, house...etc. But I am also very thankful for my relationship with the Lord and all that goes along with it. (my call...grace...friendship...love...mercy...growth(it hurts)...peace...strength...protection...and so much more) It has been an awesome here in Costa Rica and that my friends I am thankful for.

MK's writing what they are thankful for.

The MK's chowing down..missing the Pike kids......

The youngins!!

Lisa Sears(El Salvador) Dawn Amsler(Dominican Republic) Rebecca Johnson(El Salvador)

And now...for the AMAZING Green Bean Especiales Recipe:

3 cans whole green beans

                                                     Approx 10-15 slices bacon, cut in half

                                                                      1 c. brown sugar

                                                                      1 c. melted butter

                                                                   1/2 tsp garlic powder

                                                                      1 dash soy sauce

                                                               Wrap 4-6 beans in bacon

                                                                Place in 9x13 baking dish.

                                                                    Cover with marinade

                                                                    Refrigerate overnight.

                                                                  Bake at 350 for 30 min.

I didn't make mine in bundles since there were so many of us, so you can just mix it all together in a baking dish and prepare the same way except cook the bacon a little before mixing and cut in bite size pieces!        Enjoy!

WORD OF THE DAY: LLENA (full)

How I see it: (Bustin at the seams!)