Remnants of Home

You know, its only week two and somehow there’s a small creeping in of homesickness. Luckily when talking with my team members, I’m not the only one feeling this way. God is so sweet that way, always allowing us to find connection with our current state of being even if it isn’t exactly the way we thought it’d be. Can you relate? 

Don’t get me wrong, the good of these past few weeks have been incredible! Costa Rica is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people. We have eaten so many well-cooked meals made by our host Mom, Judith. Her smile lights up the room each time she arrives in the morning and her kindness is adorable. Our host Pastor, unrelated to Judith, Armando is so adaptable and conscientious in his leadership. The language barrier hasn’t been nearly as difficult as I anticipated and we are learning new words and ways of communication daily. We’ve had the opportunity to participate in church and youth group and even helped complete our first project, a new church patio! The church is now ready to host many meals and functions in the backyard, equipped with ambient lighting and all! 

The town of Turrialba has all of the needed amenities we could imagine, a candy store, many ATM’s, a fruit and veggie stand, many clothing stores (I’ve only bought one really fun pair of pants), the cutest bakery, pharmacies and much much more. We’ve gone on many morning and afternoon walks, trips to get snacks, and even to get ice cream! We enjoy Cafecito, or coffee hour EVERY afternoon and it’s a piece of this journey I most certainly will be bringing home with me. Honestly the start of this journey is much easier and simpler than I ever would have imagined. I feel so at peace and so assured of the position I am in. 

Yet, I still have these moments of missing home. Mostly I miss all of you, my readers, my loved ones. I miss how deeply you already know me and how I don’t always have to verbalize how I’m feeling for you to know. I miss going to the gym everyday and the energy of community. I miss the freedom of venturing beyond town lines and afternoons without rain. I miss hugs a lot and the routine of visiting my parents for dinner or friends on the weekend. 

Missing home makes time slow down and I’ve honestly had a lot of dreams about home. I really can’t understand why but I do believe there’s hidden blessing in it. And even though I’ve started to miss home for moments of my day God has been so good to bring aspects of home into my life here. I want to give you some examples because it’s too sweet not to share. 

The best example was yesterday when my Squad leader Kayla and I went on a walk adventure. We took a new turn down a road that led us into a great big field. The field reminded me of those big fields out behind my parents house, the way there was a cut path all the way around the edge and tall green grasses filling the middle, a few thorns rising up in place, nothing out of the ordinary for me. The road down the middle of this field reminded me of four wheeling with my cousins in Tennessee. At the end of the field we could hear the rushing of water, a stream, a river we thought! We trekked off the beaten path to the side of the small river bed. Man, did that feel like home to me! A sweet flowing stream, no people or civilization in sight, peace, beauty, refreshment. Just like at camp. 

Another example of remnants of home is in the relationships I’m forming. Our conversations, they’re inimate, they’re light hearted, they’re fun! We praise the Lord and share how we see Him in our day to day. We laugh and we dance and we cook and sometimes we cry. It’s community and it’s so so wonderful, just like the one I left behind. 

Oh! And the mountains! So many mountains! If you know, you know I love the mountains. I love the mountain views and there are many. It’s beautiful, it’s lifegiving. Hoping to go on a hike soon but haven’t made it on one yet. 

Also, I’ve been able to hang my hammock. It just gives me that same feeling as hammocking at home. An awkward entry followed by an insurmountable peace and that followed by all that fresh air. 

I don’t have my California King to take naps on but my sleeping pad and pillow really have done the trick. I still get to take showers, even if the water is only cold. And I’ve made due with the clothes I’ve brought. 

Ultimately, another major remnant of home is making sweet sweet memories and I am so blessed to be able to say I am doing that here, EVERY SINGLE DAY. God is so good, so gracious and so kind to give us exactly what our hearts need, EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

Just thought I’d let you know how much I miss you but how good my time has been. I’ve enjoyed meeting and making new friends. I’ve enjoyed working hard, just like with my Dad. I’ve enjoyed coffee every single day just like on Sunday’s after church. I’ve enjoyed long walks and good conversations just like with my work friends. I’ve enjoyed sitting and embracing nature. I’ve enjoyed card games, movie nights and cat naps. And I’ve enjoyed bridging the gap between where I am and where I’ve come from. I’m excited to continue to live out this journey, including looking for all the ways it reminds me of home. 

Lots and lots of love!

Sav