Meet the Mitten's

Well, what can I say when we least expect it God brings some pretty neat accessories into our lives and though you might be thinking I am talking about something warm and sharp looking to go with your new winter coat (if you're in the Northern part of the US you are using that a lot right now) you are wrong but nice try! This holiday season God gave me a great gift and yes they are called Mitten's but they are a family of 6 and they are here in Costa Rican for the same reason as I am, to learn Spanish! I met them at the institute where we study but had not gotten to spend a whole lot of time with their family because they didn't go one month during the trimester when one child or parent didn't get sick at least once.

So, one night last week I got a call from Emily (the head Mitten, hahaha) and she asked if I would like to come to their house for dinner and a night of games and fun? I was super excited because you have to understand they have 4 beautiful daughters of all ages starting at age 1 and ending with a very mature 10 year old and everyone knows how I love children and these last few months I have been having child withdraws! So, I went to their house and they gave me the choice of staying in or going out somewhere, even maybe somewhere they had never been in San Jose, since they don't get out much. So, we went to Terra Mall, one of the largest malls ( at least that I have found so far) and we had a blast! It was really fun to enjoy a "fallish night" the wind was blowing and there was Christmas carols being played and everything was decorated to the nines ( my mom will be proud I used that term!) We did nothing that would be termed special to the common person at the mall but you would have thought our freedom was unleashed! I just loved the idea that I was out enjoying life freely with new friends! How often do we take that for granted? Something the young girls shared with me that night and through out the week was how simple having fun is, how easily we forget that. The girls did not flood into the nearest toy store ( they saw this first, haha) they went into the book store and must have spent close to an hour in the children's section, and that is what they picked out as one of their Christmas presents (as a teacher I wanted to clone these children!) Later in the week one of them came over and played Uno with me! We don't need parties, or fancy things, give us a book and a deck cards! I give God all the glory for allowing me to celebrate another holiday abroad, and being able to be in contact with my family and friends. For friends like the Mitten's who brought me wonderful banana bread and wished me Merry Christmas on a day that could have been not so merry.

As for me and the New Year, it too will be full of more M words, mold free and moving! That is right, I will be moving before the dropping of the ball and the saying of Happy New Year. I have been very blessed to be able to house sit for the last month for some fellow missionaries who spent the holidays in the states. However, I still have 4 months to go before my time in Costa Rica is up so, I will be moving to an apartment Dec. 31st ( around there!) Please do keep this situation in your prayers, I am still a little nervous about the apartment and in need of working out some nutritional issues.

As the New Year approaches I pray all of you will be able to not only have American friends in your lives but that God will place national friends in them as well. As well, God will strengthen your example among the nationals!