After a small saga of delays, our new carpet is finally installed, and the house is one giant step closer to being ready for the market.  Considering their future on unyielding tile, the kids took some time to enjoy soft poly fibers on the floor.  In the absence of snow, they made carpet angels.

All that exuberant appreciation got me thinking.  I’ve been spending time clearing away the old (thank you Craigslist, Goodwill, sanitation engineers, etc.) and working to lay the new (contact lists full of amazing people who want to keep in touch, applications for language school, gatherings and letters to share the vision) of our ministry in Costa Rica.  But it was high time to pause for a moment and count the blessings of our calling.  So I swirled my thoughts over the goodness of God’s plans for us, and made an angel of gratitude.  The wings and wisps are formed by:

• The opportunity to make friends from around the world and to share the Lord’s work in their lives as they serve at the Home of Life.

• The richness of becoming a bilingual family–although Matt and I will have to come up with a new way to talk “over the kids’ heads.”

• The adventure of learning Costa Rican culture and a new way of doing life.  Rainy seasons, rambutan fruit, pace of life redefined.

• Getting to care for at-risk children and speak blessing over them.  I love Matt’s brown eyes, but all our children got my blues.  Now I’ll have a host of bright dark eyes to love.

• The tremendous gift it is that the Lord wants to use us in this way.  Here we are, Lord.  Send us.

• The support of so many awesome people joining with us in this kingdom work.  Kisses to the side of the cheek for all of you.

• The chance to trust God for what seems impossible and to see Him provide.  He is doing it.

• Seeing the talents that He gave us fit like puzzle pieces into a whole new future of walking with Him.