Oh, to be like Jesus!

      This has been quite the year! Yes, I understand that we are only 10 days into February, but it's been such a busy month and a half. I was in the states for the holidays which allowed me to attend the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in January. I was so blessed! It was a time to just sit and listen to testimonies of others who serve on the mission field. The Lord knew I needed the encouragement! 
     
      On January 9th I came home. This is home. Costa Rica, a place that I would never have chosen, a people that I never thought to love, a climate with creatures I would have never wanted to dwell with. However, this is home. The Lord has turned my heart towards these people and is daily continuing to give me His heart for them. I'm so content to be here, Costa Rica, the land where Christ has called me for this time. 
    
      Shortly after my arrival here we had visitors from the states and a wedding to plan. Gerry Carrillo, a fellow missionary, was married to Silvia, on January 28th. The wedding was beautiful! I was blessed to be apart of it! 

Gerry's new family.

      With the end of the wedding and the visits from the States came the end of any sort of vacation that we had. Since then, days have been full of preparations for the students. A lot of office work. However, manual work hasn't been lacking. There are exactly 10 more days till the students arrive. They come on the 20th of February. This will be the 3rd semester for CCBC Teaching Site in Costa Rica! I'm looking forward to seeing the Lord work in staff, students, and in the surrounding community. His hand is mighty and never is it idle!

      Personally, I've been so captivated by the life of Christ. I started reading Matthew with the beginning of this year. Of course, you can't help but take note of Christ when reading this book. However, I feel like a child who is watching every move that her parents are making because she wants to be just like them. I want to be "just like Him." My heart yearns after Him. He is full of compassion. His heart is abounding in love and forgiveness. He lived a life servitude and of self sacrifice. He is all about the Fathers will. He endured through suffering. He is full of humility. Christ is a Man of prayer. He was lead by the Spirit, and in everything glorified the Father. Most days it feels that I'll never come close enough to "just like Him", but then He reminds me of the Spirit, whom He has given me for this very reason. Christ is my example. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." -John 13:15. I really don't want to disappoint Him in this.

Prayer Request

-Pray that hearts will be turned towards the Lord.

-Pray for those who are young in the faith, that they might grow strong in Christ.

-Pray for physical strength and health for all the missionaries out here.

-Pray for the new Bible College students who will arrive on Feb. 20th.

-Pray for Calvary Chapel San Isidro.

-Pray for the pastors and teachers as they prepare to teach the scriptures.

-Pray for the leadership. Pray that we will be filled with wisdom and decrement. 

-Pray that I would continue to improve in Spanish.