After taking part in some Costa Rican Christmas traditions, we headed to some hot springs near Volcano Arenal for some R&R. That afternoon, we headed to San Carlos, where we ate at Pizza Hut, and then on to the Hotel Occidental. The scenery was beautiful, the breakfast was fantastic, and the entire time was relaxing. Not a bad way to finish up the road trip through Costa Rica.
Houston, TX – Dallas, TX – Little Rock, AR – Cincinnati, OH – Jewett, TX – Roans Prairie, TX. One massive loop to see teammates, births, friends, family, and my parents. Saying goodbye stinks, but it is great to see everyone. Bitter-sweet, to be sure.
Time with the parents is always wonderful. Crazy to think that these are some of my last days at home for a long time. I’m getting more and more excited about Costa Rica, while at the same time feeling sad about leaving family and friends. Torn between two worlds. Maybe that is how I should feel spiritually more often than I do.
I know that its a little late, but you need to know that Jeff and Mindi Tipps are now the proud parents of Aubrey Ann Tipps, who was born on March 14! She weighed 7 lbs, 13 ozs, and she was 19 1/2 inches long. Jeff and Mindi are so proud, and apparently are adjusting well to the lack of sleep. They are going to be wonderful parents, and the world will be blessed through Aubrey’s life. What a blessing from the Lord!
My week has been filled with time with my teammates, and I have loved every moment of it. Last weekend, our team gathered together in Kaufman, Texas for our monthly team meeting. Currently, the Yoakums are living in Kaufman, where they are spending time with their supporting church. As a team, we were able to take care of team business, meet church members, strengthen team relationships, share meals together, have some fun, and worship with the Kaufman Church of Christ. All-in-all, it was a wonderful weekend!In fact, it was so much fun that I couldn’t leave. I ended up spending two more days with the Yoakums. When Wes and I weren’t up at the church office, we were more than likely playing ping-pong at their house…I was in heaven 
Then, after lunch on Tuesday, I drove up to Paris, Texas in order to spend some time with the Davidsons. After giving me the grand tour of the metropolis of Paris, we feasted on some local cuisine and enjoyed an evening of conversation. I was able to meet some great people from the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ, which whetted my social appetite for our next team retreat, which will be in Paris.So, from Saturday until Wednesday I was reminded of how blessed I am to belong to a team of wonderful, godly people. Today I am thankful for the Davidsons, the Fletchers, the Thompsons, and the Yoakums.
I don’t think that this Christmas break could have been much better, which is nice considering that I will most likely be in Central and South America for the next several Navidades. Time with Mom & Dad was wonderful, and I was able to see high school and college friends, as well as see many of loved ones from my home church. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am with the amazing people that God has placed in my life.Marathon training continues. The longer I run, the more ready I am for the marathon to already be over. Although many would disagree, I get tired of running after about ten miles…call me crazy. The Davidsons have already moved to Paris, TX, and the Yoakums are heading out tomorrow to Kaufman, TX. While their departures have been sad, it is also an exciting reminder that Lima is drawing ever nearer. I can’t wait! More to come in the near future…
What a wonderful place to be! What other place in the world combines comfort, love, acceptance, old memories, new memories, and plenty of food. On this week in which we pause to reflect on our blessings, I am thankful for my home. And more than that, I am thankful for the people that make home truly home.
People are wonderful. Sure, we all have our hang-ups, but in general other people have tremendous gifts, humor, insights, and wisdom to offer. As you go about your day, make sure that you make time to be with people. Listen to them, be present in their lives, care about them. Aren’t relationships many of the things that really make life worth living?
