Much has happened these past two months. So many things that I would like to share on this little space of the interweb. But as I failed to document these events as they occurred, I am hesitant to reach back in time and attempt to truly drag them into the present. Meaning would be lost. So instead of capturing depth I will simply cast a shallow net over the past couple of months and catch the highlights:

Leaves&Lizards

Krysta and I had the incredible opportunity to take a few girls and one mom from the Tutoring Center on a trip into the countryside - to a lodge called Leaves and Lizards. This was a trip of firsts: for many the first time away from home overnight, the first time being out of the city, the first time to ride a horse, to see pigs and goats, the first time venturing into the rainforest, the first time using a blowdryer and the first time to eat Mcdonalds (this was VERY exciting). The trip was a huge leap for the girls, the Tutoring Center and for krysta and I – one that deserves much more time than this cursory synopsis. Krysta gives the experience its rightful attention on her blog: http://krystaleanne.blogspot.com/

The Brothers

My brothers came to visit! They had been planning for months behind my back, I was completely unaware of the surprise that was to come, the whole family was sneaky and secretive. And then, only days before they were scheduled to arrive, the tragic slip came in the form of one Nate Huber. It’s not really his fault he spoiled the surprise – no one ever tells him anything, he’s usually sent into the other room. SO... the boys came and it was truly an incredible time. I loved having them here and tried my best to manipulate them into staying longer. It failed. But it was simply great while it lasted.

A Costa Rican Christmas

Right before I left Costa Rica for the holidays, we had a day of Christmas. We got a tree, decorated the house, Josh made cookies, Dustin and Cailah hung lights and we strung popcorn. It was really a lot of fun. There's nothing like a tropical Christmas.

England

After being back in California for a mere 24 hours I hectically headed off to England. There was a L’abri reunion of sorts and the wedding of the year. Marta looked like a beautiful Hungarian princess and I was so grateful to be there. Over the course of approximately 3 weeks I got to spend time with some of my favorite people. To eat good food, drink good drinks, share good conversation and laugh a good amount – all the while wearing colorful paper crowns.

Scotland

My time in England was broken up midway through by a brief stint in Scotland. The 10 hour megabus ride treated Kari and I well, and once there the country treated us even better. Thanks to the Kellocks we were spoiled rotten and spent the week up North in a lodge all to ourselves. Complete with back patio, spa, pool, steam room and sauna. We spent the hours talking about every subject imaginable, we literally talked with minimal interruptions for full days. Words cannot express the goodness of this time.

California

And then, on December 21^st, I flew back to California. Where I have been rested and rejuvenated for the past month. I have no pictures, but I tell you it was a time of pure refreshment. Full of family and friends. These people that I love, in Fresno and Santa Barbara and Long Beach and San Jose, and others scattered throughout the state, these people breathed new life into me this past month. And as is always the case when I take stock of the relationships that fill my life – I once again am overwhelmed with gratitude. For I am convinced, it is the people whose lives have become tangled with mine that make my life good.

And so now, here we are, January 19, 2010 back in Costa Rica. I have been here a mere 24 hours and already I have: scooped up the multiple dead cockroaches lying around our house, taken an ice cold shower, found ants nestling in the bristles of my toothbrush, sat on the perch with Dustin and lingered over a 3 hour dinner with Krysta and Josh. It feels good to be home.