First of all... I "graduated" from language school! 6 weeks later and I can speak a whole lot more espanol...
Thankful for~the opportunity to learn here~opportunity to share my faith with my teachers~great relationships with teachers~the long, adventurous trek to school each morning with Sydney to downtown San Jose
Last weekend Alex, Sydney and I crossed the border to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua to renew our visas. We basically had a long weekend at the beach, and it was quite the adventure! Here are some pictures to sum up our amazing vay-cay!
Thankful for~lots of quiet time in the Word and prayer on the beach
Note: the statue on the top of that hill is a giant Jesus pointing to the ocean! He watched over us at the beach ;)
Thankful for~amazing views~rock climbing ventures~nica tanks~headbands~self-timer pics
Thankful for~rooftop times with my chicas~being goofy~good convos
Thankful for~seafood on the shore~coffee flavored ice cream after every meal from Eskimo
Thankful for~paddle boarding~beach to ourselves~sun tans/burns~sore muscles
Thankful for~stunning sunsets~walks on the shore~new mercies every morning
Thankful for~really odd sights in foreign countries, such as this women with 8 dogs and a bird on her arm that she kissed as she walked down the beach
Saturday was my 23rd birthday and it was definitely my most memorable one yet! I woke up early to get ready for a morning hike to the "3 crosses" with my teammates. Then my sweet boyfriend sent me a gift via email: his voice in a music file, singing a fun song he wrote about a voyage to come see me in Costa Rica! I could not be more thankful for Andres!! So my teammates and I headed to the mountain right up the road from my house and hiked up, down and around it in 5 hours! It was by far the most unique, adventurous hike I've ever done! Such diverse terrain, climate and views. I returned home and my madre was cooking arroz con pollo for my bday lunch (Costa Rican typical bday meal). It was delicious of course! I then got to skype with my parents and bestie Nicole in the afternoon before I headed out to celebrate birthdays at my mentors house with my teammates and our mentors. It was such a fun, sweet time to dine, laugh and share gifts and stories together. I also got some surprise phone calls from people in Texas that I was SO excited to hear from!
At the end of the night, I was so taken back with the love that was showered on me on this day. I felt so glad to be in Costa Rica with the amazing friends and ladies in my life, and so grateful for my loved ones at home sending sweet bday wishes. I and thankful to the nth degree for you all! Here are some pics from my special day!
Above: us at all 3 crosses along the hike; the last cross pic is at the peak of the mountain. Here Syd and I are doing headstands in what looks like the Swiss Alps. Nbd.
My mentor, Dina and I
My amazing, beautiful team/mejor amigas!
The End to my last week of adventures! Needless to say I am very thank FULL!
Glad you had an awesome birthday! Mom xxxooo
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