Hey again…been a little bit. I had a secret message from a certain sister to write another entry. Well a lot has happened since I wrote last. I was just beginning to get comfortable with my new surroundings and the campus here, then we started our long stretch at homestays with families around the San Luis area. At first, I thought this was the toughest thing I’d ever done. It was the most uncomfortable and out of my normal thing I’ve ever done, too…I slept about 4 hours each night the first 2. It’s very tranquil and quiet, I live with 2 grandparents, Hugo and Lila. Both of them are awesome, but no zero English (besides Hugo knowing how to say "Yes sir, my friend!) haha. So the language barrier took a toll on my heart once more. But as I’ve been doin it (tonight is the last night of 7 in a row) I’ve been getting gradually more comfortable with the situation. My Spanish is improving rapidly each day, and I hold conversations with Hugo y Lila every night for the past 3 with no dictionary. While I’m sure its utterly broken spanish, its enough to get through. We play cards every night after we eat dinner. If not  our marathon matches in UNO that last 2 hours, we play Rummy or a Costa Rican game called "ohco loco". They also have a granddaughter that stays with them some of the time, Daniella. She is 7 and very intelligent, very talkative, and very curious. Needless to say, she reminds me completely of my niece Katelynn. It’s nice when Daniella is there because it a small reminder of home in a place where there aren’t many…no tv, no internet, no english, no music. If I’m learning anything through this past week and the homestay expierences, its that I am sooooo comfort driven.

I think this was the big reason why I was so apprehensive at first. Not for the thought of the actual unknown, but because the unknown held things that I knew would beuncomfortable. I take for granted everything that I have. To wake up to Sportscenter every morning and to be able to drive to get some fast food whenever I want, like really??? I can do these things WHENEVER I WANT?? How spoiled and, even moreso, overly blessed am I. Mom and Dad, I know you’ll read this…so thank you for all you’ve done for me, for everything you’ve given me. I don’t deserve any of it. I love you.

But the comforts don’t only exist for me within material things and home, its also my heart. When I look at the relationship I have with God, why do I have to be so driven by my comfortability with whats happening? I mean really…I was all about journaling this whole trip, was doing it everyday here once  get settled in, and then once I started the homestay, I didn’t journal or get into the Word once. Cuz I felt too uncomfortable with my situation. Or I look at my story last spring. I was dating a girl for a little while, and it was the first time I’d dated someone in a good while. I was crazy bout her, not gonna lie bout it, so when she out of the complete blue broke it off, it disrupted my Spirit, it troubled my mind and my heart. I was so out of my mind already after my grandmother passed away the week before, that i didn’t know what to do with the circumstances and story He wrote out for me. It was so uncomfortable and I could not FEEL God anywhere in my days. So as a result, my walk struggled; my relationship with my Father was altered because my level of comfort and understanding was significantly dropped. What if God acted the same way towards me? What if at every moment that I out of the blue turn my back and betray him, His ability to draw near me suffered? Why can’t I fathom the unconditional love that He gives me?

Unconditional. Whether you’re heart is broken and your lost in your thoughts, or you’re staying in a "nice" third world country home with people you don’t know that speak a different language. Unconditional. Beyond any circumstance that could happen. God, thank you. You are GOOD. Thank you for being the lover of my soul.

I miss everyone, and I’m starting to have those cravings for comfort foods of home and Chick-Fil-A (naturally). My beard is comin in strong, and my hair is gettin long. And I love it. And so do you. I know. We leave for Volcano Arenal and the park there tomorrow morning. I’ll take tons of pictures, and write back on this thing soon. stay strong. love wins.

love.

-M@

–also, I want to post pictures, but might have to wait about 3 weeks til we’re in San Jose and have a stronger connection. So be patient, they’ll be up. Or look at my facebook for pics.