Ya'll, so much to catch up on...I know.
First of all, it finally became official: ALABAMA is playing LSU in the BCS National Championship in New Orleans on January 9th! (kind of old news now) Even better news- I'll still be in the country for the game! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to see the 2010 Tide play in the rematch of century. Roll Tide!
Lots has been going on in the world of YoungLife & WyldLife since my last blog as well. We had our last clubs of the semester the last week of November/first week of December; both with a fun Christmas theme! This past week we had our end of the semester Christmas party for our committee members and leaders. We also been prepared an awesome 2012 calendar for them to keep up with monthly prayer requests, events, camp dates, etc as a "thank you for what you do" gift. (That was Alex's genius idea). The strangest part about wrapping up a semester of ministry is that we, as a whole staff, won't be together in Costa Rica again until January the 29th! We're all in the States until at least January 11th, and then the full-time girls take off for the YoungLife All Staff conference in Orlando while Nicki & I hold it down in Costa Rica as school starts back up. We would love your prayers for our time off, at home, and at staff training until we reunite in 2012!
Then, last Wednesday, I turned 23 years "young" in Costa Rica! The day started by Alex, Nicki, and Jessie coming in my room while I was still in bed with a box of my favorite doughnuts and gifts. Then, as if doughnuts weren't enough, we went to Jessie apartment and made cinnamon pancakes. We spent the day hanging out at a cute coffee shop (one of my favorite things), eating way too much, and we watched Elf. That night, we all went to dinner at the best Mexican food restaurant in San Jose, Huaraches! I'm all about ranking different things in my life, and I can honestly say my 23rd was a top 3 birthday. I am so blessed to have friends and family that love me and celebrate my life so well. Here's to year 24!
Since my birthday, we've been going non-stop with fun activities! Friday night was the committee/leader Christmas party. Saturday, Fer took my golfing for my birthday and we watched the Barcelona/Real Madrid game afterwards. Later that afternoon, last year's intern, Josh, flew in to visit! I've heard so much about this "Josh", and it's been a treat to get to spend some quality time with someone who's done exactly what Nicki and I are experiencing this year. Saturday night was the Christmas parade in downtown San Jose...absolute craziness. Then we went to Jeni's house to spend the evening with some YL staff friends from Flagstaff, AZ who are in Costa Rica for some sabbatical time.
Sunday was a top 5 day in Costa Rica (again with the rankings). We went to see Nicki perform in the IBC Christmas play in the morning, and then Alex & I went to Multiplaza for some high-quality girl time. We shopped for fun outfits to wear while we're home, ate the best frozen yogurt ever, and got manicures. You just need days like that every now and then...But, it gets better. Sunday night, we had tickets to the Costa Rica soccer finals game- Alajuela v. Heredia. I had been dying to go to a Liga (Alajuela's team) game, and it was everything I expected a latinoamerican soccer game to be like...rowdy fans, non-stop noise, pouring rain, and more yelling in Spanish than I've ever done in my life. Game 2 of the finals will be on the 18th once I'm back in the States. Vamooooooos Liga!
That pretty much wraps up these last 2 weeks as we prepare to go back to each of our hometowns for the holidays. Needless to say, I've experienced so much joy here in Costa Rica these first 4 months, and I have so much to look forward to come back to!
I'm so excited about being back in United States for almost an entire month! Now that it's getting closer (2 days away), I keep thinking of simple American pleasures I've been missing: Chickfila, winter weather, Starbucks, wandering the aisles at Target, good barbecue, and, of course, my family and friends! My schedule is a little crazy while I'm home, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I want to see as many people as I can while I'm home, so my time will look something like this: (estimates)
Sydney's 1 Month Tour of the Southeast
-Flying into Birmingham: December 15th-17th
-Mobile: 18th-24th
-Atlanta: 24th-26th
-Maryville/Knoxville: 26th-30th
-Nashville: December 30th-January 1st
-Maryville/Knoxville: 1st-4th
-Tuscaloosa: 4th-6th
-Mobile: 6th-8th
-New Orleans: 8th-10th (Roll Tide!)
-Flying out of Birmingham on January 11th
Merry Christmas & Happy 2012! May God bless you and keep you as we celebrate Jesus' entrance into our world to redeem us and as we begin a new year. You'll hear more from me when I return to the Rich Coast. Thank you for all of your prayers & support!
First of all, it finally became official: ALABAMA is playing LSU in the BCS National Championship in New Orleans on January 9th! (kind of old news now) Even better news- I'll still be in the country for the game! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to see the 2010 Tide play in the rematch of century. Roll Tide!
Lots has been going on in the world of YoungLife & WyldLife since my last blog as well. We had our last clubs of the semester the last week of November/first week of December; both with a fun Christmas theme! This past week we had our end of the semester Christmas party for our committee members and leaders. We also been prepared an awesome 2012 calendar for them to keep up with monthly prayer requests, events, camp dates, etc as a "thank you for what you do" gift. (That was Alex's genius idea). The strangest part about wrapping up a semester of ministry is that we, as a whole staff, won't be together in Costa Rica again until January the 29th! We're all in the States until at least January 11th, and then the full-time girls take off for the YoungLife All Staff conference in Orlando while Nicki & I hold it down in Costa Rica as school starts back up. We would love your prayers for our time off, at home, and at staff training until we reunite in 2012!
Then, last Wednesday, I turned 23 years "young" in Costa Rica! The day started by Alex, Nicki, and Jessie coming in my room while I was still in bed with a box of my favorite doughnuts and gifts. Then, as if doughnuts weren't enough, we went to Jessie apartment and made cinnamon pancakes. We spent the day hanging out at a cute coffee shop (one of my favorite things), eating way too much, and we watched Elf. That night, we all went to dinner at the best Mexican food restaurant in San Jose, Huaraches! I'm all about ranking different things in my life, and I can honestly say my 23rd was a top 3 birthday. I am so blessed to have friends and family that love me and celebrate my life so well. Here's to year 24!
Clearly, very early in the morning...but look at those doughnuts!
Birthday dinner @ Huaraches
My first birthday cake in Spanish! (carrot cake)
Another day on the golf course...a birthday ronud!
With Josh & Alex-one of the floats at the parade
Flamboyant parade costumes
A view from the walking bridge
Sunday was a top 5 day in Costa Rica (again with the rankings). We went to see Nicki perform in the IBC Christmas play in the morning, and then Alex & I went to Multiplaza for some high-quality girl time. We shopped for fun outfits to wear while we're home, ate the best frozen yogurt ever, and got manicures. You just need days like that every now and then...But, it gets better. Sunday night, we had tickets to the Costa Rica soccer finals game- Alajuela v. Heredia. I had been dying to go to a Liga (Alajuela's team) game, and it was everything I expected a latinoamerican soccer game to be like...rowdy fans, non-stop noise, pouring rain, and more yelling in Spanish than I've ever done in my life. Game 2 of the finals will be on the 18th once I'm back in the States. Vamooooooos Liga!
With Alex, Nicki & Sharon waiting for the game to start
The stadium pre-gametime
A video from the game! Must watch.
That pretty much wraps up these last 2 weeks as we prepare to go back to each of our hometowns for the holidays. Needless to say, I've experienced so much joy here in Costa Rica these first 4 months, and I have so much to look forward to come back to!
This is the Christmas collage I made for my co-workers to commemorate the first 4 months we've spent together.
Sydney's 1 Month Tour of the Southeast
-Flying into Birmingham: December 15th-17th
-Mobile: 18th-24th
-Atlanta: 24th-26th
-Maryville/Knoxville: 26th-30th
-Nashville: December 30th-January 1st
-Maryville/Knoxville: 1st-4th
-Tuscaloosa: 4th-6th
-Mobile: 6th-8th
-New Orleans: 8th-10th (Roll Tide!)
-Flying out of Birmingham on January 11th
Merry Christmas & Happy 2012! May God bless you and keep you as we celebrate Jesus' entrance into our world to redeem us and as we begin a new year. You'll hear more from me when I return to the Rich Coast. Thank you for all of your prayers & support!
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul & body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE ONE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL DO IT."
(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24)
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