2015, here we go!

I realize that it's been 2015 for 12 days already and so my post title might sound a bit strange, but hey, it's my first post of this new year.  A new year always means time for a bit of reflection, as well as looking forward at what is to come.  I have been back in Costa Rica for a little over a week after having spent three weeks in California visiting with friends and family.  This was my third Christmas vacation since living in Costa Rica, and each time I go "home" there are always a lot of emotions.  Excitement to see so many people I love in a short amount of time, delight at eating at many of my favorite places, a business of trying to fit as much and as many people in as I can during that time without being a crazy person, and a strangeness because I don't quite "fit in" like I did before.  I realize that people's lives have gone on and everyone has had their own experiences like I have over the past three years.  And my life has quite obviously changed in the past three years.  But all that being said, it is encouraging to my heart to be loved on and to have so many good conversations with people who have known me well prior to Costa Rica.

I don't know all that 2015 holds for me.  I know that today, this day, I live in Desamparados and am part of Students International.  Tomorrow will be the first day back in the Tutoring Center with my kiddos and they are eager to have something to do again since they have been on their summer holiday for a month now.  I know that I am excited about having semester students with us and a number of short term teams coming down to help out.  And I know that I have a God that is WAY wiser than me and knows what is to come.  I want to be obedient today, in how I live this day.  Not easy, especially for a planner like me.  If nothing else, I know that these past threeish years He has been teaching me about being more flexible.  Not always fun, but such a good lesson to be learning.  Bring it on, 2015, let's see what you have for me, for all of us.  

Below are some pics from my time in California:

My dear family along with Grandma and Grandpa

Some of my favorite ladies in Visalia

Disney with my friend Ashley and SI friends and roomies Cailah and Rose

Gorgeous lookout from a day trip to Sequoia National Park