God's blessings.

Hola!

I just wanted to give an update on the weekend so far. This morning everyone slept in as usual, and I welcomed this tradition. I was able to sleep in and also spend time with God this morning. It was really good to have this time after just having my mind be all over the place lately.

When I heard my parents up, I went out in the kitchen to have breakfast at the same time as them. During breakfast, we talked a lot. We actually talked for over an hour, and I just thank God so much for this time that we had together. We had a good conversation about previous students that they have had, and they were saying all these different characteristics and things like that. During this conversation, they really said some nice things about me, and I was so thankful to have those words of affirmation. It was so nice to hear them compliment me. I don’t think they had done that yet, but this was just so greatly appreciated.

In addition to receiving words of affirmation from them, I really learned something valuable about their mentality with hosting students. They were talking about how they just try to be the same but let the students be themselves. Throughout the conversation I realized that this whole semester they have been trying to give me freedom. Maybe I’ve interpreted this gift of freedom differently than they intended. I’ve thought that they didn’t’ really have an interest in me, but that might not be what they meant to say. Either way, I don’t have my relationship with them figured out, but I don’t think I’m supposed to “figure it out.” I just need to experience it and be content with that.

So this morning was just good because I felt like I was able to understand another piece of the puzzle that is our relationship, and I feel blessed because of that. I also feel blessed to hear the words of affirmation that they gave me.

God continued to bless me throughout the day as later in the afternoon we left for a car ride to go to eat somewhere. They said they wanted to take me somewhere special to say goodbye to me since I am going to be leaving for 3 weeks. I felt like this really showed me that they do care about me since they wanted to take me out somewhere special.

We drove for about 1 ½ hours and drove up one of the mountains here to a restaurant that was almost in the clouds. It was a beautiful drive, a fantastic view, and amazing food. I would say that it was some of the best food I’ve had since I’ve been here in Costa Rica! After eating, we drove back home where we are just chilling now. I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to go out with them and have lunch. We had a good time just talking and riding and making jokes.

Now, I’m not going to exaggerate and say that our conversation this morning was just this miraculous event and suddenly I feel like a member of the family. However, I would say that this was probably the most comfortable I have felt around them this whole semester. I do not feel amazingly close and connected to them, but I do feel comfortable around them. This is a blessing. A huge blessing.

I just thank God so much for this good day today. God is so good. He knew that I really needed this good day to say goodbye to my family before I head off for 3 weeks. He knew what I needed, and he knew that I was on my last string. Praise God for providing for me!

Tomorrow I am leaving at 3:00pm to go meet my other family. This is going to be another huge transition, so please pray that things go well and that I have a good connection with my new family.