Adoption, Baptism, New Missionaries

Ok, I know, what a creative title. Well, it takes work for me to be creative, and I didn't feel like working on something as insignificant as a blog post title. This way you just know what I'm going to write about and you can feel better informed.

Just this afternoon I watched baby Tamara--now Sarah--leave with her new mom, dad, and older brother. They all ran into the Thomas' house because it was just pouring buckets of rain. Tamara was crying when they came in, and I went over to say hi. I wanted to just pick up the little "pulga" (Little Flea is her nickname because she's so small) and bounce her around and hold her. Then I realized I couldn't... because she was with her new Mom, and I had no place going and grabbing her child. It was bittersweet.

I went back to the table to work some more and just watched the family interact. I'm so happy she has a new family that will love her and give her the attention and care she needs.

Tamara was a micro-preemie, born at five months and weighing all of 1.3 pounds. She will turn two in July and just in the last two weeks has begun to walk on her own. She has a crossed eye and huge feeding issues. The most she can say at this point is ma-ma-ma. And if she's upset she will hit her head with her hand or whatever she has in her hand; she also bangs her head on whatever she's sitting next to: the wall, her crib, highchair, etc.

Bye Tamarita. I hope your family is good to you and will help you grow into your fullest potential.

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In the last few months I, and Rachel when she was here, had been working with three kids from the Children's Homes while they were in a pre-baptism class. They recently took the final exam and I'm happy to report that all three passed and will be getting baptized sometime in the next month. Yay! Pray that God will produce fruit in their lives in keeping with their decisions to follow Christ.

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Yesterday marked the first day of a new season: summer intern season! We received our first four interns, all girls ages 19-21, who will be staying through the month of June. Two are staying where I live, and the other two will be living next door at my host sister's house. We are already getting along well, and I am excited to get to know them. Welcome, Kate, Keren, Lauren, and Amber! Josiah will be arriving on Sunday, June 6th.

A new missionary couple also just arrived yesterday. Kerby and Jason Harpst have committed to long-term work with the Abraham Project and will eventually take over running the missions teams... as soon as they learn Spanish. haha. What a blessing it is that they have decided to give up home, family, and friends in order to follow Christ. It really is a huge deal that they have come here. Please pray that they are able to adjust quickly and easily to the culture and language, that they develop strong relationships with both Costa Ricans and other missionaries, and the they are immensely blessed. Yay! I'm so excited they're finally here!

In honor of the new arrivals, this Saturday is pizza party night! Yay, food! And friends!

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As far as what I'm doing these days...

We're working on the website and getting content together. We really want to get this website up and running by the time the Thomas family leaves for the US for a month... That only gives us until June 25th.

I'm also putting together some photo 'yearbooks' of each year at the Children's Homes. They will serve multiple purposes both as memoirs and quick reference logs of what happened that year. They will have photos of all the children that came and went during the year; major events such as new houseparents arriving, adoptions, baptisms, etc; and other fun and awesome photos. These will be printed books that can be left at the Children's Homes for general use and/or taken to the US to show to supporters and churches.

As well as being intern season it is also summer mission teams season. That means three teams this month, four weeks of teams next month, and multiple one-day teams through Joshua Expeditions. Whew! The rest of my time here is shaping up to be one busy blur. Let's hope I find plenty of time to spend with all of the amazing people I have become attached to.

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Just as a reminder to everyone, I will be returning home to Minnesota on July 22nd. Only seven more weeks. Wow!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for baby Tamara with her new family, the new interns, Jason and Kerby Harpst as they transition to their new life, and the teams that will be coming to work with us.

-Please pray that we would be able to get the website finished in a timely and efficient manner. It would be nice if it were aesthetic and user-friendly as well. ;)

-Please pray that I would continue to be able to focus on the work at hand as well as prepare for my return to the US.

Thank you all for your support and prayers! I can't wait to visit with those of you who live in or near Minnesota!

Be blessed!