From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made the heaven and the earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
We have now been in Costa Rica for a month. Many have asked, “So what is different there”? If I am completely honest…at this time, almost everything. The smells, the language, the food, our transportation, the kids reactions/emotions, our schedules – our lives. The transition has been tough; we miss our friends, our family, and our “normal.” And just about the time I want to scream “I can’t take it anymore!”, the Lord gently reminds me, “Lift your eyes up…”
This verse has come to have greater meaning to me in the last month. As we walk the streets or even look out our bedroom balcony (pictured above) we are bombarded with razor wire and gates and bars and frustrations. But if we just look up, we are bombarded with God’s beautiful creation, His gentle reminder that he is here and that He is where our help comes from.
At that moment, we are not overwhelmed with the different, but instead are overwhelmed and overjoyed with peace and encouragement of what the Lord has called us to do. We are so thankful to be here. The enemy tries (and will continue to try) to defeat us through the different, but we will fight and we will not be shaken! The end of Psalm 121 reads:
The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
The butterfly decided Ian’s head was a happy resting place.
We are still looking for a sloth, but Reeves was happy with the red eyed tree frog!
One of the many waterfalls in Costa Rica. Another great reminder of God’s handiwork.
The rainbows in the mountains are AMAZING, such a reminder of God’s promises!
Thank you for your continued prayers. We seriously could not be here without the love and support of all of you! God has been faithful in answering many prayers. We are beginning to build relationships and are seeing our kids make friends- what a blessing!
Here are a few ways you can continue to pray for us:
- Pray that we will continue to adjust to life here. Our desire is to not simply survive, but to thrive!
- Pray for us in language school. Y’all, is is hard to get these old brains back into learning mode!
- Pray for us to have wisdom as parents. With culture shock/adjustment, sometimes it is difficult to know the root of certain behaviors. Pray that the Lord will direct us when to discipline and when to just give extra hugs and encouragement!
- Pray that our house in Shreveport will sell. We had an offer fall through, but trust that the Lord is in control.
J4Journeys 