Sunday, June 9, 2013

Despedida...Otra Vez

Our friends The Kampers have been here with us since the beginning. They were our big brothers in language school and helped out tremendously in our move down here. It's been fun sharing experiences in this missionary journey together. It seemed fitting that they were the ones to throw us a despedida as we're now moving on to the next phase of this crazy life. It feels like yesterday we were having our despedida in Memphis, and here we are having another one only two years later in Costa Rica. It was held out at The Kamper's house in the mountains of Heredia and it was a perfect sendoff. Noah and Liz worked so hard to make it a very nice day full of fun, food and sweet memories. The Kampers will always have a special place in our hearts. We couldn't have asked for a better time.

When we arrived, families divided into teams to do some outdoor games to earn points toward the big prize. Everyone wanted to take home the box of homemade chocolate chip cookies!


bean bag toss
 

ring toss
 

bubble blowing station
 
 
 
 
 

and a fun photo booth with sweet messages from friends
 
 
 
 










Michelle & Curtis - fellow southerners

James & Savanna - see y'all soon in Nashville

I actually had this girl in youth group when we worked at KWBC. So fun to share some more memories with Hannah.

Zack & Will - we're coming to visit Montana


Cynthia, Hannah and me

Dawn carried Ally around for a while and gave us a nice break

I met Tracey in the park on our first day here. Our kids hit it off right away and have become such good friends. I'll miss you tons Tracey!

There are no words to describe how much I will miss Jennie. We were in classes together at language school, we've lived here in Costa Rica together, and our families are such good friends. I will definitely see you again soon amiga!

And once the rain started the boys decided to play some futbol





Boys and bubbles


Ally and Quinn. Missionary babies only 4 months apart. Emma says they will get married one day.

Sweet time of prayer for us at the end


We love all these people who have meant so much to us here in Costa Rica. It can be difficult to get together, so it was really neat having everyone together to say goodbye. We will never forget you.

I want to include one last picture of Liz and me with our babies. Our friendship is so funny to me - she's from the country in Michigan, very artsy and loves crafts, makes food from scratch and buys organic. I am pretty much none of those things. We couldn't be more opposite! But this missionary experience has bonded us together in an indescribable way no matter our backgrounds or interests. I love that. Thanks Liz for everything! Come visit us sometime in Memphis.


Saturday, June 8, 2013

Day at the Farm

Our family went to a huge chicken farm the other day to visit some friends. They run an enormous operation of chickens, eggs, and milk as a macro-business that funds a children's home. We've been wanting to get up there for a while and I'm so glad we were able to do it before we leave. It was such a fun day that we will never forget!


Store that will soon produce cheese and ice cream

Steve teaching Emma about the farm. She was full of questions. Homeschooling at its best!

Touring the cow barn 

Mooo

Compost pile full of fruit. Gross Jack!

The kids loved all the huge farm equipment

More lessons being taught

Steve showing the kids how to stick their hands in the calves' mouths and they'll suck on it. Very weird feeling!

Steve and Gaye Mean

Ally meeting a baby chick

Emma is in love

Nothing cuter than baby chicks

Hmmmm

Crazy Jack

Kids letting the chicks run around in a greenhouse

View from the back porch of the Mean's new house. Beautiful view! The old greenhouses will be fixed up soon and house tons of chickens.

Emma constantly carrying those chicks around

Climbing trees in the rain

We got home that night and Daddy made us fried chicken