Falling behind....

Ok, so if you have followed this blog at all, you know that I have not posted ANYTHING since October 4th.

There is a reason for this-- falling behind.....

Ok, so it is not the best excuse, but it is true.  These last 2 months have been tough.  Homesickness, holidays, rain and more rain, a lot of Spanish instruction, tests, depression, prejudices, loneliness, constant physical issues and just a whole lot of stress.

This is normal, but it doesn't feel normal when you are the one going through it.

Although we have made new friends at Language School, it makes you miss the friends back home.  And although your friends back home are willing to talk to you about these issues, sometimes they just don't understand--and the new friends here do, and can relate to the same issues.  That is comforting, but still hard.

I start things and then don't follow through: i.e. October--the month of Proverbs-our life in photos.  November- the month of thankfulness.  I start something with the desire to see it through to the end, and after I miss one day, I feel as a failure- and give up.... this is not so normal to me.  I usually miss things, but I typically pick right up, accept my mistake and keep going with the flow.  But now, I feel like if I have messed, missed something--what is the point? 

Ugh...these last two months have been hard.  I know that I should and AM thankful for many, many things.  EVEN BEING HERE IN COSTA RICA is a miracle in itself.  But of course, the support, the kids, the temper tantrums, the sheer EXHAUSTION, the disconnectedness, the not understanding anything, the feeling of not learning enough OR as fast as the person next to you, the constant reminder that we are not fully supported always creeps into my thankfulness and my every thought--and that just makes me feel like I am barely surviving everyday.  I feel like I am stressed to the max to even be able to enjoy this time with my kids or my family.

But then, I think that I AM here and God has provided everything we need--sure the money is going out faster than it is coming in, but we have not gone without food or clothing or shelter since we have been here.  And for that I PRAISE GOD EVERYDAY!!

So, I say all this to say, sorry.  Sorry for the lack of communication, sorry if you felt like you have not been appreciated.  Believe me, your support, thoughts, facebook messages, skype and facetime calls and above all your prayers are what get me though everyday--even if I don't respond, know that I appreciate every little effort made by each and everyone of you.

I will try to get caught up on everything that has happened in the last 2 months--but alas, don't expect me to complete everything--because I may let you down and me down all over again!  But I will try my best!

Thanks for your 'everything'!

In Him,
The Crawfords

Here is a funny picture to add to the end of that 'sad' feeling blog.  Me and the kids playing with the photobooth--we look like rats!  BAHAHAHA!!  This was before our Fall Harvest Party at school.  Emme was a cat, Leyton was Chacho--our neighbors dog, and I was a one horned, one eyed, flying purple people eater!  FUN!

October 4: Proverbs 4 Our Life in Photos

Today's blog is short, because today was a long day.  We received our temporary religious visas!!  Today we went to the American Embassy in Costa Rica (with the kids), then continued on to Immigration for the second day in a row.  But God is faithful and we now do not have to leave the country since our paperwork is in process! Praise the Lord!!

"Listen my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding."
                                                                                             Proverbs 4:1

In this whole process, He definitely showed us His instruction--and luckily we were paying attention!!

Emme and Leyton praying before dinner.

"3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
                                   Proverbs 4: 3-9

"20 My son pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to a man's whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
                                  Proverbs 4: 20-23

I really don't think I have to explain what was taught to me today, but my kids need to hear this--not only when I tell them what to do--but when their Heavenly Father tells them what to do as well.

Day 4-lesson learned.

October 3: Proverbs 3- Our Life in Photos

Today was not a normal day.  First off, it was Bruce's birthday and second, we didn't go to school.  We did drop off the kids at school, but then Bruce and I headed to Immigration to file our paperwork for our religious visas.  We left school a little after 8 and didn't return until 2:40 to pick up Emme.  Luckily, we had friends that picked up Leyton- he and his friend Jacob played till we got back--Thanks Adam Cain!! And thanks to Miguel for driving us--would have been more of an adventure without these 2 people in our life today!

So although today was not part of our 'daily life' this is what we have to do to make Costa Rica part of our life.

So today we went to Immigration with all paperwork in hand.  Traffic was awful.

 Here is a picture of the train we got stopped by--imagine the rest of the traffic....lots of cars!

 Here is one of the trucks that was next to us.  The bumper sticker says, "Para mi Dios todo es posible"  translation: "For my God, everything is possible".  (I think God winked at us!) What a great reminder as we were stuck in traffic and heading to this:

 Here is the immigration office.  We were sitting in the yellow chairs after being in two other lines before that.  9:30-2:00 in this room with not one English speaker--except us!

After we arrived home, we made chicken and rice casserole (oh how I have missed it--and it was ooh so good) and later we had Bruce's chocolate cake!  It was worth the little splurge to see him 'light up' at all that chocolate!

As we prepared for Immigration this morning, I read Proverbs 3.  As we were sitting in traffic, at the bank to pay for the visas (yes, we paid at a bank not at the office), and in Immigration, I remembered Proverbs 3: 5-6:
"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Spending the whole day with Bruce, on his birthday, driving around San Jose, sitting in the bank and Immigration, being reminded that everything is possible for God (by a bumper sticker)--definitely was not in MY understanding, but God knows what He is doing and in His time.

Proverbs 3: 23-26
"23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

At the end of the day, our paperwork was submitted, everything seemed to go WAY TOO smooth, and we have 3 more documents to produce and that should be it.  If it is meant to be, then it will be.  Thank you Lord for all of the provision that you gave us, we enjoyed the time together, and made it a time to acknowledge you in everything that we do--which made our paths straight.

Day 3-lesson learned!

October 2: Proverbs 2 Our life in photos

October 2: Proverbs 2

Today, I read Proverbs 2 and for some reason, I felt the need to take pictures of our daily journey to and from school.  Believe me, you probably think that we are in the middle of the rainforest and surrounded by beaches and wild animals.  Some of the is true, but we are in the city--the capital city so our life is not so different looking than any other city.

Everything that I read in Proverbs was talking about the ways, or the paths, and walking....maybe not in the literal sense of these words, but again, I am trying to make connections from Proverbs to our daily lives in hope to give our Lord all the praise and glory of this season in our lives.

' 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path.'
                                                                                              Proverbs 2:8-9

' 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.'
                                                                                              Proverbs 2:11

' 20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.'
                                                                                               Proverbs 2: 20-22

Every day we walk these streets; some days we take the same path, others we change our path for certain reasons--there is a break in traffic and we can cross, there are too many people, there is too much noise, there are some people that don't look safe, one street is more flat than the other (because honestly, everything seems to be uphill in Costa Rica--is that even possible??), or just because the kids want to go a certain way. 

In whatever path we take, we are making choices where we want to go and what we want to do.  But '1 if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
                                                                                               Proverbs 2: 1-5

Every day we are walking these paths, every step we take--in the hopes of understanding why God lead us here.  For only He knows why we are here, and while we are here, these streets become our paths of understanding.  Every choice we make we want to be able to turn it into glory for our Lord, and every block we walk we want to become our paths of righteousness.

 On the street coming from school.

 One of the first turns up to the first busy street.

 The busy street (this is where we tend to play frogger)

 Turning the corner towards our house, busy street number two.

 One more street and we are home....

Our street, we are the very last house, that you can hardly see! But on a dead end!

Day 2: lesson learned.

October 1: Proverbs 1 Our life in photos

Ok, so I have been praying about really getting this blog thing down and trying to update as much as I can with everything that is happening.  I have also been trying to get more into the Word.  So I thought I would combine the two.  Believe me, this is going to be a challenge for me, but I really have felt lead to do this.

So here it goes, hope you all enjoy seeing our daily life here and also being fed the Word at the same time!


Proverbs 1:2-7
(The proverbs) 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

As I read through Proverbs 1, it not only showed me what the proverbs are for, but I knew I had to open my mind and heart in order to understand and learn from each one every day for a month.  At the same time, what I read, I wanted to make a connection with our every day life here in Costa Rica.  Not only for you all to see what we do every day, but for me to make mental connections with my daily life and His Word. 

I thought I would do this by capturing moments that have become daily life for us.  Things we have already started to take for granted; things that we are thankful for; things that we could do without; and things that we complain about.  These are all things that I want to change to give praise to our Lord for providing for us--everyday!!

So, take a journey with us through our praises to the Lord for everything He has provided for us.

' 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.'
                                                                                          Proverbs 1: 32-33

Here is a picture of our home, well the stairs that lead to our home.  Yes, it doesn't resemble anything of a typical American home, but we love it.  At first, not so much, but God came before us and chose this house for us.  We know this and we trust Him.

Through trusting Him, we have a wonderful Tico family that lives downstairs that have already become like family and neighbors--not landlords.  The apartment off to the left in the picture is also of another great friend, Nathan, who graduated from the Language School this past August.  He fits right in with Bruce and I.  Through everything that has happened here in Costa Rica--the rain, storms, flood, death of the family's dog, earthquake, potty training regression, and plain old mass hysteria--THIS is where we feel safe; THIS is where our children call home; and THIS is the home that the Lord provided for us--regardless of size, bugs, or anything else....and for THAT, we are so thankful and so humbled.

Day 1--lesson learned.

September 15th--Costa Rican Independence Day

September 15, 2012 was the 191st anniversary of Costa Rica's Independence Day.  We had the privilege of being a part of it and celebrating the event with our school and new friends.  The day started with our landlord, Maribel letting Emme borrow one of her daughter's traditional dresses.  She wore it to school and was beaming the whole time she was wearing it.

 

Leyton appearing in the kinder (preschool) parade at school.  He got to play the drum and he was sooo loving it!

The evening festivities were very traditional, singing the Costa Rica Anthem, learning about the history of Costa Rica, had the traditional 'faroles' (lanterns) competition, and then paraded around the block with music, drums, and lots of happy people.

After the festivities at school, Steve Thomas and family took us out for pizza at Pizza Hut.  It was so nice to hang out with the Thomas' and just enjoy the night with friends--and the pizza was pretty good!

It was a nice blessing to a part of the history of Costa Rica and it was a wonderful experience for Emme to be part of the dances.  She was so excited and so proud--she was literally glowing and so composed in every move she made.  And for anyone who knew Emme with performing in front of people, I was a little nervous about her backing out and deciding not to--especially since we were in a foreign country, in front of a lot of people--mostly Spanish speakers--and with students and a teacher she didn't really know too well.  But she was AMAZING!! I was so proud of her and she stayed focused on her teacher and was so graceful with every step she made.

 Emme and dance teacher Graciela Arguedas--so sweet

 Emme and Leyton in traditional dress--with a farol (lantern)

  Leyton in traditional dress, with his wooden machete

  Our landlord's daughter, Carolina, in the school's parade

  Some of the parade people--really good music and drums.

So, that was it, other than the constant drums all night.  Typically in the United States, you hear firework before July 4th and all during the night--Here, it is drums.  Practicing before and all night long.  I actually enjoyed all the music!  So glad to be part of such a celebration with the Ticos and the pride they have in their country!

So blessed!

In HIM,
The Crawfords

Porque como poco coco como yo.......

So if you don't understand the title of this post....that's ok, we don't either!  No actually, it is a partial quote from our phonetics class.  We have been working on our pronunciation of the vowels and to top it off, they gave us 'las trabalenguas'  Spanish tongue twisters!  If you know Spanish, try these....and if you don't have a stab at it:

For the 'a' vowel (sounds like 'ah'):

Pancha plancha con una plancha, con una plancha Pancha plancha.

For the 'o' vowel (sounds like 'oh'):

Senora? Compra coco? No Senor, no compro coco, porque como poco coco como yo, poco coco compro yo.

How did you do?  Try that for an hour straight, 5 times a week!  Bienvenidos a la escuela de lengua en Costa Rica!! (Welcome to language school in Costa Rica!)

Honestly, it is really good.  We just finished our second week of school.  Every day I feel like I am learning a lot and I show it by coming home and sleeping.  After school, which includes phonetics, language, and grammar--then the approx. 15 minute walk home, then making lunch--I SLEEP!!  And I am not the only one.  Several pictures of other first tri-mester students have had their pictures thrown around Facebook (by their spouses) showing them asleep before 7pm.  Glad it is not only me!

We had our first experience with an earthquake--on the second day of classes! September 5, 2012 at 8:48am 7.6 or 7.9 (depending on which news).  I was in Language class and Bruce was in Phonetics (second class of the day).  I was sitting in class and there was a strange noise coming from out in the hallway.  My fellow students, the teacher and I all thought it was a bird stuck in the open area.  As the teacher went to open the door, the floor and desks started to shake, and I reached over, jokingly to Emily sitting next to me and with my arm on her arm I said, "glad I could share my first earthquake with you."  At that point, it was really just a small shaking, but then the windows started to make cracking noises--and I was sitting next to them!  After that, I SHOT OUT of my seat and ran to my teacher--yes, like a child--but I knew that she would know what to do and if this was normal or not.  And it was NOT normal.  We all evacuated the building and headed up to the main parking lot, but the whole time, the ground was moving like water and Bruce and I both felt nauseated.  I compare it with the feeling of being on a cruise ship on rough waters.  The strangest feeling I have ever felt--and I didn't like it!
Here is a great video of the earthquake (a little closer to the epicenter, but the length and the force at the beginning, middle and end were the same as we experienced):

Earthquake

After the initial shock, Bruce and I talked about wanting to go and check on the kids, but we didn't want to scare them any more than they probably were (or weren't).  There were several of us who decided to leave the teachers to do what they do best.  And they did.  They explained what was happening, and why, and they kept them safe!  The first day or two, we talked with the kids about what they experienced and thought everything was good.  But after a few more days, Emme started having a lot of PTSD (in a sort of way).  When the wind would blow hard, she would ask why, if another student bummed into her desk, she started to shake, and if the floor shook at home (because we live on the second floor), she would run to us or ask, "what was that".  There were several times she would wake in the middle of the night and come into bed with us.

Please pray that she would have a peace about this part of life in Costa Rica.  It has been hard for her.

On another note, Emme also lost a good friend.  Our landlords that live downstairs had a dog that Emme became really attached to, Fresa.  She was a poodle mix and she became Emme's comfort.  Fresa loved to be held and that is Emme's favorite kind of dog.  She passed away last week from something unknown.  We think she either had a stroke or her stomach turned and she became septic.  It was a rough couple of days for Emme and all of us, but she is a champ and is doing good.  She stills gets sad and says she misses Fresa, but day by day she is getting better.

We have made a lot of new friends from Language school and try to find time to get together outside of school.  So far, we have been so tired and fighting the rain that it has made it difficult to get together.  We also live on the other side of school so not many families are very close to us.  We like where we live, but sometimes it would be nice to be closer to the kids' friends.  But all in all, we are doing well.  Not to say we haven't been stretched--because some days I feel like elastic, but slowly we are fixing inside of us what needs to be fixed.  And some things take longer than others.  I often look at other families and think, "how do they have it all together, and we look like we are falling apart at the seams?"  But then things like the women's bible study (on Mondays for me and the men's on Monday for Bruce) put it all back in perspective--we are all falling apart at the seams, but at different seams.  It is so refreshing to have fellowship time with other families and just vent, or complain, or listen and think, "Thank God it is not only me." I think that is something that has helped me through the rough times. Then other times, we have chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I LOVE THIS TIME.  It is so refreshing to take a break between classes, let all the stress go and worship together with others.  Some songs in English, some in Spanish, but all of it to worship and glorify our Lord and that without HIM we wouldn't be where we are! 

Here is a short clip of us worshiping from this past week:

For anyone who knows the bug problems we have been having, we are making a turn for the better!  We purchased little 'white squares' (boric acid) for the cockroaches.  And they have been working, the number of cockroaches that I see dead compared to the ones alive are more!  And we even baked cookies for our SECOND time in the oven and to avail--no cockroaches came scattering from the oven!  For anyone that missed our first round of baking vs cockroaches, here is the famous video:

Bruce also bought the screen material for the windows and we have 4 of the 6 screens up! The last two screens need to be put up with our help of our landlord, because Bruce went out on metal roof and don't think he will be doing that again any time soon!  Then one of the ladies at school gave us a screen window type curtain that we put over the door--thanks Betty Chin!  And viola! We have much less mosquitoes! It has been wonderful...however, our evenings are kind of boring now that we don't have to chase around mosquitoes with the fly swatter--AND our walls and ceilings look less like mosquito-type stucco! EWWW!

The kids are doing good in school as well.  Leyton is finally transitioning into his class and he is making some friends.  We are still working on the regression of potty training, but it is getting better. He can just be so stubborn sometimes....not sure where he gets that, but when he is ready, HE will decide.  I just hope it is really soon, because I am not sure how much more I can handle!
Emme is also in gymnastics after school two days a week.  She really likes it and it is a good outlet for her.

                                                    Emme's first handstand by herself!

Well, that is about all from us here in Costa Rica, I promise to try harder to update more often.  We did send out our first newsletter, hopefully everyone received or will receive it, and if you want to, just send us an email.  Here is all of our contact information:

Skype: thecrawfords519
FaceTime: thecrawfords519@me.com
email: crawfords4him@me.com

Our mailing address (for letters, cards, and small care packages):
Bruce and Angie Crawford (or Emme or Leyton)
Instituto de Lengua Espanola
Apartado 100-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica
America Central

Please do not send anything important (documents or valuables) to this address.  There is another address for things like that if needed.

Lastly, please pray about partnering with us.  We are only here by the Grace of God and by our financial and prayer supporters. If you would like to be involved financially, all donations can be sent to:
Southside Christian Church
PO Box 456
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
memo: Crawfords

We appreciate everyone who has partnered with us and would love to bring on more people to be involved in what God is doing through us in Costa Rica!

In HIM,

The Crawfords

** One of our new favorite psalms after our experience with the earthquake, this was read at our meeting in chapel right after the earthquake:










                                                     PSALM 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and the the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
   He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot of fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge
                                                       AMEN