The Wonderful Ways of a Wondrous Weekend!

Well as I am sitting here writing this to you it is in the 30's in Memphis and a perfect 70 here in Costa Rica. On Friday while you were at home shivering by the fireplace or playing in the snow I was catching some ever so glorious rays at the beach! We were out of school Friday and while no one really knows why...none of us were complaining! I was asked by a group of friends the night before if I wanted to go to the beach and like really? am i going to turn that down...um...NO. So bright and early on Friday morning I headed to the beach! It was neat because the group that went will all be going to El Salvador to work together. So, it was neat to spend some time with my partners in crime...i mean ministry! Here are some pics of Jaco Beach!

We bought a day pass at the Best Western and got to use their beach/pool/bathrooms!

A little piece if Heaven

Everyone playing in the water!

I thank God for this chica!

John and Tammy Ogden (newbys from Ohio)

a.k.a. J-O and Tamm-i-licious!

The Newlyweds Bacca and Lorin!

Our teacher Roxana and her husband Jose Antonio and son Gabriel

So we really enjoyed ourselves and now I have an AWESOME bonus for you guys. We made a little pit stop on this bridge and we got out and looked over to find somewhere around 50 crocodiles in the water underneath. Check out these wicked awesome shots!

There's one!

My skin is crawling.

Nope.....those aren't logs!

Hope you guys enjoy the pics aren't too jealous! 

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

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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.