The Men in My Life!!! ;)

One Way or Round Trip?

Good morning. These past few days have handed me minimal sleep and lots of visiting! I am still sitting in my apartment this morning and expected to be on the road by 5AM today, but I've learned to just go with the flow through the process. The movers were scheduled for yesterday morning, then it was moved to last night because the truck had a flat tire (!!!), now they are to arrive sometime this afternoon...hopefully. No problem. I know eventually I will arrive and assume my belongings will soon to follow.

I can already see the bright blue sky and I think I will walk over to get some breakfast somewhere...the cupboards are absolutely bare.

It was great to see so many of you gals at the jewelry party last night. Thanks for coming and seeing me off. And LG and Julie for the yummy goodies.

Today I hold a one way ticket, but have no way of predicting the return side. I can't lose sight of the reasons I have prayed for an opportunity like this to come along. I have been so enveloped in the moving process and visiting that I have to remember why I am moving!

I'm off to load my car...hoping all I have set aside will fit in there or Leah may become a hood ornament!

Home Sweet Home!

Day Before Departure

Sitting in the coffee shop, tapping away on my dell, sipping on my favorite drink feeling almost oblivious of the fact that tomorrow morning, very early, I am MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. The grace in all of this has been a protective shield around my tender heart binding me up and holding me together as I say "see you later" and "see you soon" (NO, not good-bye) to my dear family and friends. I know you all know this, but I will confirm it in writing...I hold you so close in my heart, I don't think I could hold you closer. I have been thinking, and often think, what a charmed life I have lived. My home town, there is something very storybook and almost whimsical of Powers and the people. I can't imagine a better place to have grown up and gotten my start. On my 27th birthday I had another real insight, yes life may not have handed me the usual course in the order I had expected it, but my life has been decorated with beautiful relationships and for that I have so much to say thank you for.

I have some great photos I will put up tonight and I am going to try and write as we cross the country! (My neighbor Leah and I) Road trip of a life time(???), I have a feeling I will ship my car with my stuff next time I do this!:)

A little update, I have already rented a condo and am glad to have a place to fall into as I get my feet on the ground and bearings in Orlando. Please pray for safety for our travels and that my stuff would show up soon after I do. (They say it could be 7-21 days!)

Come visit me in Orlando, you know you will need a break from the NW gray rainy days!

Time With Friends

LG and Bill
Summer has arrived and the community meals at Colonial Park Apts. are in full swing! Gonna miss this!
Tuesday Night Ladies...You have blessed my life, more than you'll ever know!
Celebrating Jen's B-day out in P-town.
Miss Lauren, Tennessee bound.

The Heat Is Just Preparing Me For Florida

Kind of a selfish outlook on the weather we had earlier this week, but I keep thinking, "Maybe this is how hot it will be." Unfortunately, humidity is a whole added factor. Fortunately, I am under the impression A/C exsists everywhere! I finally started packing Saturday. What a mess to live surrounded by boxes and now this will be my lifestyle for the next few months. I'm adjusting and learning to just go with it. Pura Vida. Esta Bien. Relax and just keep living.

I am still in unbelief at actually making this move. Yes, all the preparations are being made and here I go, but I'm confused by my feelings. Sometimes, I can't believe it. Other times, I am perplexed at the fact that this opportunity is in Florida (of all places, can I get any further away in the US? I think Hawaii might even be closer to home;)! ) Sometimes, I feel sad. But in all, I come back to how the Lord knew just how these circumstances would have to fall into place to move me along. How Cuba turned me to Costa Rica which is now taking me to Florida. And it has all worked itself out so nicely. I am heading out of Vancouver with a great sense of expectancy. I did, however, already warn Leah that she will have to drive the first leg as I have a feeling I may be in a big slump in the passenger seat shedding a few tears of sadness, joy, and thankfulness. There is a sense of peace brought on by the awareness of "He's thinking of me."
I'll be keeping you posted. Happy 4th of July to all of you.

I'm Going to Miss This!

Faith In the Unseen

Another picture from Costa Rica...an evident implication of faith. We were on a canopy tour in the cloud forest outside of Monteverde. You can see the cable heading into the clouds and the aparatus for strapping on, but the rest was unknown!

Florida Countdown

Ok, so I've never made a move quite like this and figuring it out is really not that fun. It's like buying a car...you hope it's a good deal and that in the end you'll have found the right fit for all your needs. (P.S. when I signed the papers to buy my car I told my mom I needed to go to the bathroom and throw up...she laughed, I survived!) I've been simplifying my belongings...will I really need a ski jacket in FL, do I need to take a bazillion boxes of Christmas decorations, and all those old college books!?!?! I was a pack-rat back in the day, then I began to move from dormroom to apt. to house to apt. etc and realized it is better for me to be clutter free! These days it is more of a minimalist mentality-clean, neat, orderly...your laughing if you know me and you are laughing even harder if you've lived with me!!!

The days have been full of visits and I expect they will be up to day of departure. My neighbor Leah (who visited me in Costa Rica) will be driving across the country with me. We have been mapping out our route through the southern states and hoping to stop in Santa Fe, San Antonio, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and then on to Orlando. If you've traveled this way and have some suggestions, leave them in the comments!

Leah K. and Jen (neighbors) at Urban Fondue! A Portland favorite.

Hey Family and Friends,
I'm sorry if I haven't been able to personally talk with you to share the news, but want to let all of you know I was offered and I have accepted the position in Orlando beginning July 15th! (You can start making your reservations now for coming to see me and 'Mickey'!) If your asking, "what are you talking about?" (sorry this is the first you have heard) at the end of my time in Costa Rica I had the opportunity to play tour guide for one of the speakers of the convention being held in San Jose. He, Greg Wiens, is the State Pastor for the Church of God in Florida and he invited me to fly down to meet his staff and explore the idea of going to work there. I spent the Memorial day weekend in Orlando with Greg and his family meeting the staff, talking about the position, and seeing the city. Since my return from Costa Rica in late March, I have been processing through all that this could potentially be so it was an easier decision once I was finally there and had more of the details. The specifics: I will be working in the Resource Center, administrative/personnel sorts of things as well as directing the missions aspect of the state...leading experiences (yes, my trips to Cuba and other places will be part of my job!!!!!!!) organizing and coordinating with other churches, and many other things that fall in between. It really feels like such a great opportunity, but of course it has it difficulties in being on the other side of the country. After such a great weekend, I was at the airport waiting at my gate and I am sure everyone there thought I had been to or was going to a funeral. Every new chapter means there is another closing and moving away from family and friends is not on my list of "Top 10 things to do before you die!" Yet, I keep hearing, "this is the time to do it" and as my friend Elmo told me after sharing the news with him, "I say go for it!" So, here I am...going for it!

Hello from Orlando. Just wanted to put up a quick post as it is late here and I am tired. Things are going well and I have met most of the staff, had some good conversations with Greg, and am actually doing well at processing through all the information. (Sometimes I tend to process slowly, but then I have had the past two months to think on this!!! :) ) I have had my big questions, up to this point, answered without having to ask them and that has been a positive. Tomorrow, we will continue to talk details and I will have the opportunity to see more of Orlando...keep praying. Sending my love from FL.
P.S. It rained here today...I'm sure I brought some of that with me from the NW!
Steph ;)

The adventure continues...and I am being diligent and faithful to walk through doors that open before me. I don't believe in coincidence, but I am also a "calculated" risk taker. (Which may mean I'm not even much of a risk taker!!:) ) It has been such a great encouragement, for me personally, to have an opportunity like Florida come along and to process with each of you through what that might mean.

I told my friend Sara, over Chez Jose enchiladas before I left for Costa Rica, I feel like I'm falling in love. Don't get any ideas...there isn't anyone in particular, just this wonderful feeling of freedom from striving to make life work. Sitting back and watching it unfold, as well as pressing-in in confidence of what God can do on my (our) behalf, it is just great freedom! I am living in that love and confidence.

A little story/life lesson...
I have a plant that sits in my window. It was given to me by friends who moved to Florida 3 years ago as they didn't want to pack it along and I had a new apartment that desperately needed some greenery. I don't have a green thumb, but was especially determined to make this plant live after someone accused me of killing my plants. (SARA!) This poor plant has been through the ringer...I had to cut it back to just a few stems and start to water it more regularly. I did this for two and a half years as it gradually grew more and more. At one point, it was knocked over and basically uprooted, but I put it back in it's pot and kept nuturing it. Back in October, after emerging from a walk through the valley and beginning to really make plans for time in another culture, I noticed a new little sprout. This one looked different and I kept my eye on it. It was the flower! Hadn't blossomed in all the time I had been caring for it, but in time it appeared. I was killing it off in order to bring it back. What a great insight into life. How God arranges life's circumstances, painful, hard, cutting off, uprooting in order to grow and bring about the beauty inside that only He is often aware of.

So, I am off to Orlando tomorrow and am looking forward to the experience whatever happens in the end. I love you all and am so very blessed. Blessed in order to bless...keep passing it along. I will try to post Friday or Saturday if I can get a computer and internet. Thanks for following!
Much love,
Steph

Hey Hey! Well, today I spent a bit of time at Barnes and Noble trying to find something to supplement the Spanish that I did learn in CR. I love going to that place...I lose track of all time wandering through there looking at all the books. "Spanish for Gringos" is the workbook I ended up with.! :) I was excited as I looked through it and realized I did learn something in CR! The past month has been so full of activities and people. What a joy to see so many friends and family...Stanford's with the girlfriends, lots of coffee dates with hearts like mine, Powers, Easter with my family who I deeply love! I have told many of you about the opportunity that "popped up" at the close of my time in San Jose. For those that I have not yet shared with...I am flying to Florida over Memorial Day weekend for an interview!!!!!! GASP, I KNOW, FLORIDA!?!?! During my last week in San Jose, I spent a day playing tour guide for one of the speakers of the convention, at the end of which he said he'd like to explore the idea of creating a place for me on his staff. What timeliness on the Lord's part as I was (and am) processing through what the future might hold. I don't have details as to the job description, but that will be a significant part of my time/interview in May. The photo I am posting was taken that same day and I can still feel the refreshed excitement of possibility and a heart turned full toward Heaven's great purpose.

Let me start with sharing a quirk. It has "bugged" my type A since the beginning of this blog. "What's that," you ask. The blog doesn't allow me to (or I haven't figured out how to) seperate my paragraphs!!! All my thoughts seem to run on and I'll change from light-hearted to serious without a break in pace. Ms. Fronk (high school English teacher) would be so upset! Anyway, no use trying to start another paragraph so here goes... I am home and physically settled back into the life I left, apartment & neighbors, meetings, work, traffic. I haven't sat too long to reflect on the trip much, but it has been coming in bits and pieces. This last week I washed my flip-flops of the last grains of sand reminding me of those beautiful sunrises and peace in the morning. The rose my mom gave me at the airport is still in the beautiful vase, though it is not looking so good. I am unconsiously (now consiously) refusing to throw it away for then it means I am really home and my trip is over. The trip I dreamed and planned and worried over for the last year, year and a half. Saddens me, but I keep reminding myself of the gift that it was and that wonderful things are still in the future, not just in the memories of the past. In His faithfulness, the Lord has opened doors and I am allowing those to simmer as I sift through them. I was flipping through Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest" this evening and "happend" across January 2. Please, this is so good, take just a moment to read. This explains why I went to Costa Rica and why I don't know what He has in the future...there is no logical answer! (Smiling!!!) All I know is that God knows. The link http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=01&day=02Thanks again for following along and praying for me. Your prayers were heard and answered! "May the Lord continually bless you with Heaven's blessings as well as with human joys." -Psalm 128:5 My love to you all!

Tuesday Night Ladies. We had Costa Rican cuisine tonight and they let me download and share many of my experiences from the past two months. Tuesday nights have become a wonderful highlight in my week. I will be writing again, but it is late and I am now a working girl again!

Diego, Alex, and Pablo. These three are part of the worship team at the Los Guidos church.

Caterine, Alex, and I.

Caterine and I at Virginia's. She has a neat story...met a family who was on a work camp a few years ago and they invited her to spend a year in the states with them. She spent her senior year here and is now back in San Jose area. She speaks English fluently and we spent some wonderful time together.

Avenida Central in San Jose...on a quiet day!

Playa Herradura. The "day off" trip to the beach for the Roseburg group...the ladies from the kitchen came along. Off in the distance, a major hotel is going in and this little quiet cove won't be quite so secluded.

Samara Beach from the perspective of a crab! Tons of the little critters ran around, especially after dark.

Volcan Arenal-still very active, as you can see. We did get close enough to hear it rumble, but no luck seeing any lava.

Eloise (Quebec), Damien (California), Anita (Switzerland), Ian (England and now Costa Rica)
Classmates from Heredia...what a fun group!

My friend Eloise...poor girl broke her arm at the beginning of her time in Costa Rica.

At Virginia's with her daughters.


Kathi and I in Limon.

It really is as peaceful as it looks...sunrise, the dawning of a new day...a new day shall come.

Graduation from language school! What a relief!

Hello family and friends. I have arrived safely home! I will be posting some more pictures soon so check back in a few days! Thanks for following along! Love and blessings to all!!!
(My last Sunday at Los Guidos with Luis)

Well, I am approaching my final days here. I was at Los Guidos church last night and had to say goodbye to those I have followed around for the last month. I stayed two nights with Virginia and her girls. My heart has been open to alot lately...the evidence of having slowed down to listen to the music inside. I have been rereading some of the book Captivating (John & Stasi Eldredge). "And so you´ll see that women are endowed with fierce devotion, an ability to suffer great hardships, a vision to make the world a better place." I am moved when I hear the story of a child sucking on pebbles to relieve hunger, when I sit around the table of a mom with 3 young girls to provide for as she trusts the Lord, when I hold a beautiful little 3 year old girl delighted to sit in my lap and let me hug her as I wonder how mom takes care of all the children. And yet God is faithful to His people. Honestly, something I can´t put my mind around and don´t expect to is dealing with living in the U.S. and knowing only the slightest of the circumstances for the rest of the world and even those at home. Guilt isn´t the answer, I have come to that conclusion. Responsibilty, yes and I am learning my part in that. AAAAHHHHH...welcome to the thoughts of Stephanie!!!:) On a lighter note...I am excited to be returning home and seeing many of you. I can´t express how much I greatly appreciate your support, prayers, concern, encouragement, and following this journey! God has protected me and I know that is an answer to many of your prayers. He has opened new doors and lightened my load, also answers to prayer! I have a CD of Natalie Grant that I listen to in my car often and sing to at the top of my lungs when I drive home to visit my family in Powers. Time in the car to plead with the Lord. One of her songs goes something like, "Awaken my heart, awaken my soul, awaken Your power and take control, awaken my passion to live for You." These past two months have been part of the Lord answering and directing that prayer. I´m smiling! Bless you, God bless you!!! I will be posting some more pictures when I return home, so check back again. (I tried with this computer, but no luck). Hasta mas tarde!

Well, here I am again. Coming to the final days and beginning to look forward to home. In a few hours I will be heading to the Carribean coast, Puerto Limon, with Kathi and Wayne. Kathi is speaking to the women of the church this evening and Wayne is preaching in the morning. I wasn´t planning to go to this side of Costa Rica, not a safe place alone, but am glad to get the chance to see it. I know when I get home I will have many asking about my time here and I am already coming up short of an explanation. :) I didn´t know what to expect coming here and all that has happened has been nothing I expected!!! I know that doesn´t make sense!

This morning I ventured through San Jose all alone. I made my way to the vendors and then to a neat little cafe in the same building as the post office, Cafe del Correo. I realized as I sat there with my journal it was the first time I´ve had coffee alone to read and write in a Costa Rican cafe. Sounds silly to some of you, I´m sure, but one of my favorites is getting alone with a book, pen, and journal at a coffee shop. However, that´s not the point! I came across a story my dear mom sent me in the past years that I recently placed in this particular journal. It goes like this..."The pencil maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box. "There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world," he said. "Always remember these five things, and you´ll be a great pencil. One: You are capable of many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone´s hand. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you´ll need it to become a better pencil. Three: You have the ability to correct the mistakes you make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what´s inside. And Five: On every surface where you are used, regardless of its condition, you must leave your mark." -Author Unknown- We leave a mark everywhere we go. I am leaving a mark here and the people I have met have left marks on me. The dangerous part is that it can be either beautiful or destructive. Of course, the desire is the first. I want it to be said of me that my mark was gentle and full of color. That it would draw the same out of others. Maybe the pencil story was one of colored pencils!!! Yes, that would be better!

This next week will be full as two seperate conventions take place. I will be staying with Virginia (in the kitchen photo) and her girls as Kathi and Wayne will be hosting others from the US and Central America. I am looking forward to staying with them...more Spanish immersion before I come home!

Today, one of the vendors I spoke with (in Spanish!!!) said he had spent time in the U.S. last year. His impression was that we are very busy. Rapido, rapido! Yes, I agree. Too busy most of the time. Here, life has slowed down for me and the Lord has loved on my soul. Today, I hope you have time to slow down and watch for Him...maybe in the sunrise, or I guess for those in the NW, the sound of the rain.

Nancy, Virginia's youngest daughter, and I on Sunday at Los Guidos Church of God. They have evening services, very lively and loud, but I have really enjoyed this church. The people are so friendly and many of them are working on the project with the group from Roseburg. Nancy comes to the church many days after school. I enjoy visiting with her...such a sweet spirit.

The best pineapple! I went with Kathi to the market on Saturday to buy fruit and vegetables.

My friends, Damien and Anita, from Intercultura in Heredia. They came to San Jose to buy bus tickets one Friday afternoon and I was able to meet up with them for a good cup of coffee at Hotel Gran Costa Rica. A beautiful hotel! We had a great time visiting, but much too short. They may be visiting in June when Anita is on her way home to Switzerland. Damien lives in California with his wife, so we are hoping to get them to Portland too!

Virginia and I in the kitchen. She is so sweet and I love to laugh with her! Italy is behind us and she was frying these "empinadas con queso y carne" empinadas with cheese and meat. Lots of deep frying! Notice jeans...and today I am in long sleeves!

I took this when Leah and I were in Playa Tamarindo, "Endless Summer."

Mi Familia...hermano-Eric, madre-Jackie, padre-Ed. They took me to lunch the day I left for Costa Rica. AND this Saturday, March 4th is my Mom's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! Love you