Book of Oops - Chapter Two

Many of you have requested that I continue to detail the hilarities of my adventures in Costa Rica! So...here it is - the second installment of ridiculous errors made on my journey of language learning. This chapter includes moments created by others as well; they were too hysterical not to mention. Enjoy!

1. I told my tico BROTHER: "tranquila!" which basically means: "no worries, GIRL"
2. I said: "Me bano con jamon" (I bathe with ham) when I was trying to say "Me bano con jabon" (I bathe with soap)
3. My grammar teacher referred to my classmate, Todd, as "Toot"...yeah I almost lost it in class. It took all my strength not to bust out laughing; I was shaking pretty hard in my seat though!
4. When asked by her grammar teacher to conjugate a verb in 13 tenses, my friend Rhonda responded accordingly: "Necesito M&Ms" (I need M&Ms)...in other words: there was not going to be any conjugating of anything without the assistance of chocolate!

So there you have it...some funny moments from mi vida loca (my crazy life). I hope you found as much joy in them as I did! I was laughing in true form...I know you can hear it!

Please note that I can no longer spell in English! Therefore I don't remember how to spell the word "conjugate." Sorry if it's wrong!

Up and Coming

I know...my blogs are lacking at the moment! It's rather sad too, because I have so many things to share with you. However, it is late and I desperately need to lay my head down to rest. Trouble is, I hear the voice of my sweet Shepherd in the twilight hours more often than not, which means it can take sometimes hours for me to fall asleep. Tonight is one of those nights.

Regretfully, I won't be writing anything of detail tonight. But I wanted to let you know what you can look forward to over the next few days:

Book of Oops Chapter Two
Finding Life in Death
Living Up to My Name
How Can I Despise that which Draws Me Nearer to You?

Yes, you're correct. These are titles for my up and coming entries. In the mean time, here are some immediate prayer needs:

1. Physical strength - it's been a rough couple of weeks and my body is feeling it!
2. Financial provision - the Lord has laid it on my heart to stay in Costa Rica longer and need $1600 to do so.
3. All needs that have been spoken to me over this last week - there are so many whom I cherish that are in need of miracles of grace, healing, provision, etc. Please join me in lifting them to the Throne...even if you don't know who or what.

To you, friend, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and the call that God has placed within my heart! I couldn't do this without you.

Con todo mi amor,

Daniela

Mourning with those who mourn

For those who read this blog in order to know how to pray....

I lost a very dear friend of mine this week in a very sudden and unexpected death. And I am grieving....for his wife of only 9 months, for his family, for all of my friends who knew and loved him, and for myself.

I am hurting badly. And I am far from all I hold closest. Pray for:

1. Stacey
2. Cole's family
3. Cole's friends
4. Me

I would write more...words of tribute to a great and godly man...but I cannot just yet. Soon, though, I will write what Cole meant to me and what his dear bride, Stacey, means to me.

For now, just pray. I am mourning far from all...it hurts.

Beyond the 5 Senses

So I got sick this weekend...really, really sick...and on Superbowl Sunday to boot! It was bad! And I've been in bed for nearly 4 days, as I was laid out on Saturday, unable to move, because of my back. So this morning, when I took my first shower since Sunday, I found myself complaining that the water wasn't hot. Now the water here never gets really HOT; it's warm, definitely, but never hot enough to really relax my muscles. And today, that just topped everything else off...and I complained. I gently heard the Holy Spirit whisper, as I dried myself off, "Don't complain Danyal; it will kill you."

Did the Lord mean that I would physically die? No, of course not. But I do believe He was reminding me that if I forget to look for His nearness to me...even in something like a cold shower...it will kill the work He's doing in me while I'm here in Costa Rica. Complaining only does one thing...it refuses to look at what God HAS done and IS doing and chokes the seeds and fruit of His current workings. Look at Exodus 40:38 with me:

"For the cloud of the Lord was above the Tabernacle by day and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys"

God graciously gave Israel physical, visible evidence that He was with them wherever they went. But sometimes God asks something more of His children; sometimes He asks us to rely on a less obvious sign: faith. God is asking that of me in the midst of a stretching season, when I am far from all that is comfortable and familiar.

I must go beyond my natural senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. I must even go beyond my emotions. I must accept God's nearness to me by faith...and in His grace...He'll give me those visible signs along the way!

Help me to walk this journey by faith Lord, and to trust that You are laeading me toward that which truly satisfies my soul...being nearer to YOU!

The "BEFORE" and "AFTER" of some "Oops" Moments

Okay, so I promised some of you some pics of these "oops" moments of mine! Here's a few pictures of my Tico brother and the hair I like so much...

These first two are BEFORE the fro...

This one is AFTER the fro!! He had to cut it the next day...college rules.

And here's the sink I managed to knock off the wall...TWICE!

This is my Tico Dad (Jose) hard at work...

This is where the sink once was...

And this is the result of Jose's hard work and talented hands!!

Stay tuned for more pics...and a good story!!! Much love,

Danyal

Book of Oops - Chapter One

Okay, so my Mom inspired me to do this. I told her about something rather embarrassing that happened to me yesterday (which happens a lot when you're trying to learn a second language) and her wise response:

I bet you'll have a whole book of oops by the time you leave there!

Oh how right she is! And sooo.....I decided to document them for your laughing pleasure. Stay tuned for further entries. There will DEFINITELY be more chapters written in this book!

1. Told my Tico brother I liked his body instead of his HAIR (which is what I meant to say)
2. Said that a girl records her mouth instead of her voice (also what I MEANT to say)
3. Called an enpanada (food) an impliada (maid)...seeing a trend?
4. Somehow managed to knock my bathroom sink off of the wall!

Oh the joys! You gotta have a sense of humor to survive living in culture other than your own...to be able to laugh at yourself is an absolute must!

Laughter...my specialty!

I love to laugh! Those who know me, even just slightly, could attest to this. When asked if I have any special hobbies or talents, I list laughing as my number one. It's something I do often and with great ease; laughing is perhaps my favorite thing to do! Well, tonight's outing was one filled with lots of laughter!!!

It started with 5 gringas piling into a taxi that only holds 4 passangers. Then it included a 10 minute ride with me hanging on for dear life and my knuckles turning progressively white! I'm still getting used to the way Ticos drive...it's wild! We arrived at the mall...the closest thing to "the States" that I've found here in CR...and proceeded to choose our film. Please note that there are limited things to choose from, since we don't speak much Spanish and wish to see movies in English for now.

Anyway, we picked a movie, whose title shall remain anonymous, and went to get something to eat. This evening's choice...good ole Pizza Hut. I told you it was like being in the States! After eating we headed off to the movie, but not without stopping for a much craved chocolate shake.

Problem is, we couldn't take the shake into the movie, so....we smuggled it in! That's right...yours truly hid a very cold and very chocolate shake down on the side of her while she was wheeled into the movie. My friend who wanted the shake, whose name shall also remain anonymous, forgot about her craving by the time we got into the theater. Well...it was cold...I didn't. Immediately, when we were in the safety of the dark, I said, "Can you take the shake?" This sent my friend into a fit of laughter which of course made me laugh...so here we were, the "obnoxious gringas" making an entrance.

After enduring most of what could quite possibly be named the worst movie I have ever seen, there came a point at which one of the main characters told a rather obvious lie. Well, I had had enough of the movie, and I was furious with the character, so I said rather loudly (without thought and in English)..."Liar!" This sent my friends into another frenzy of laughter!

So the movie ends and we leave. And just like most girls, we had to make a pitstop by the restroom. I go to the handicap restroom only to find that the toilet seat is completely unattached and there is toilet paper half in and half hanging out of the toilet. I don't know why, but this too made my friend and me laugh hysterically.

The next task: return the wheelchair we borrowed to the information attendant. We walk to the elevator and my "nameless" friend prepares to back me on (this is better than just wheeling me in forward so that I end up facing the wall). Well, apparently she didn't do this fast enough for the elevator's liking, because the next thing I hear is, "My butt's stuck in here." Yes, it's true...the elevator doors closed on my friend's butt! Boy did we laugh....

Needless to say, it was a really fun night! I am thankful for these moments when I'm so far away from so many that I love (and miss laughing with!). Thanks for reading the whole story...hope you found it worth your time!

Con mucho gozo,
Daniela

Lurking Discouragement

It was day two of classes and I wrestled with feeling discouraged all day! I made some mistakes in class, and I have a hard time with that. I'm the kind of person that only likes to speak up if I'm sure I'm right...well, that's not an option here. You HAVE to speak Spanish...in front of people you don't know and a prof who's fluent....whether you're right or not. This is good, but scary at times! Today was a scary day.

I know I'll just have to get over it...and I am...but it's a process. And I'm still speaking, even though I mess up a lot. But learning Spanish felt so impossible today! There are so many words to learn....it's overwhelming! My Tico family encourages me and tells me that I'm very smart and that in 4 months I won't have any problems with Spanish at all. My Tico dad, Jose, says that if anyone tries to say something bad about my Spanish just tell them, "I know 1.25 languages. How many do you know?" He's sweet.

All I know is that God has placed this fire in my heart to learn Spanish, which means it's going to cost me something, for the passions given by God always do. And I have obeyed the yearning in my heart. Where it will lead...I'm not sure. And in the midst of my obedience, I struggle...with discouragement, fatigue, lonliness.

But here's the beauty of obedience: "If you...are careful to obey...I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful...You will still be eating last year's harvest when you have to move it out to make room for the new" (Leviticus 26:3-10). I want this! I want the blessings of my Lord to be so abundant that I won't even be able to contain it all!!! His goodness compels me to obey...to follow Him on whatever crazy adventure He takes me. The blessings of God intrigue me...and so here I am, thousands of miles away from my "comfort zone," learning a new language in order to obey...obey and receive. For this is the promise of God. On this I will stand.

Pray for me, will you?

1. Against discouragement
2. Against loneliness
3. Supernatural ability to learn and REMEMBER
4. Physical strength
5. Mental strength

I am so grateful for my life...it is one OBVIOUSLY marked by the hand of God and I am so thankful and humbled by that fact. I will hang on to His truth...I WILL learn to speak Spanish!

Con mucho amor,
Danyal

PS. Thanks Tim!

Quick Notes

Hola Familia y Amigos!

It's already been 6 days since my last post, which means I have been in Costa Rica for 6 days already, so I'm well overdue for an update!

I've been with my Tico Family for about a week now and I must say...it's a perfet fit. They are wonderful! Flor es la mama de la casa y Jose es le papa. David, Fernanda, y Maria-Jose se los ninos (Flor is the mom of the house and Jose is the dad. David, Fernanda, and Maria-Jose are the children). Ma-Ru, which is short for "Mama Ruth" is the maternal grandmother and she also lives in the home. This is common in Costa Rican culture. They are all kind and patient, so willing to help me learn and practice my Spanish. They love the Lord and it shows in the way they treat one another.

I think of my brothers every day because me and my Tica family laugh a lot...my little bros will definitely know why this reminds me of them :-) My Tico Dad, Jose, says that I have a very beautiful laugh...they bless me!

In my previous blog I asked you to pray for my adjustment here. Thank you for doing so, for I can definitely sense the hand of the Lord in this area! I only cried for the first three nights, and only for a few moments...this is good! I'll list specific requests at the end of this entry.

Okay, so some of you may be wondering what I've been doing since I've been here...a ton!!! I've been to the mall, which actually has a Taco Bell and a Subway in it. I've been to a movie in English with Spanish subtitles. I've taken several taxi rides, one of which included getting lost and left alone with my friend in the taxi for about 15 minutes. I've been to church, walked for several blocks to go to the bank, gone to a Tica party (sooooo fun), laughed, cried, and laughed some more. I've spoken more Spanish than I thought possible and made some super embarrassing mistakes! For example:

The other day I tried to tell my Tico brother, David, that I liked his hair. Istead of saying, "David, me gusta su pelo," which means "I like your hair," I said, "David, me gusta su cuerpo," which means, "I like your body." Yeah, the whole family laughed...and so did I. I mean, I was embarrassed, but what's a girl to do, right? Gotta learn the language somehow! I hope you think that was as funny as we did...I'm sure I'll have more of those stories!!

It's been an incredibly hard and rewarding week. I have been touched so deeply by the family I live with...I am looking forward to starting the truly difficult part of this journey. I miss and love you all!! Please pray especially for the following:

1. My sinuses - I've felt a bit congested and under the weather
2. Friends - Not many single ladies here
3. Continued direction - Not always sure why I'm so passionate about learning Spanish

Thanks again for keeping track of mi loca vida (my crazy life)...it means a lot to me. I love you and miss you deeply.

Con mucho gozo (with much joy),
Daniela

First Moments in a New Land

Well I'm here...I actaully did it. I moved to another country! All who know me say that they are not surprised that I have embarked on such an adventure...yet somehow, I, the main character in this unlikely story, find myself quite amazed at where God has led me...all the way to Costa Rica!

I cried as I watched my best friend face disappear around the corner while the attendant wheeled me down the jetway. I cried as I stepped on to the airplane and the stewardess wished me a "Happy New Year." I cried as I sat in first class (a surprise upgrade, thank you Lord), waiting to leave behind the familiar.

My dad preached a sermon this weekend about "getting out" of where you're at...the rut, the norm, what's comfortable...and allowing God to do a new work in you. His message couldn't have been more timely...for that's just what I have done. I've gotten out...WAY out...of what's safe and secure to me to follow what I can describe as no more than a strong impression in my heart.

Why Costa Rica? To learn Spanish. Why learn Spanish? Not sure at all. And this not knowing EXACTLY why God has called me to immerse myself in a culture to learn another language has made my first moments here a little more scary and exciting...all at the same time.

So back to the plane ride...I left Seattle and flew into Houston. There I met a couple who are not Costa Rican natives, but currently reside there. I sat in front of them on the flight...I sat next to another couple who kept me laughing pretty hard during the first half hour of our trip, begging them not to "get me going," for fear we'd be asked to "quiet down." Those who know my laugh would understand this...

I was helped off the plane by a Costa Rican named Oscar who spoke hardly any English. We made a likely pair with his 5 words of English and my 5 of Spanish! But we managed...and as he wheeled me through a small portion of the airport it took everything in me not to cry.

I had to keep telling myself to breathe deep..."God is with me," I told myself, clinging to this truth to keep me from losing it right there in the airport. For there I was, surrounded by people who speak Spanish, realizing that the "lost" feeling I was experiencing would be the norm for more than just a few days!

Oscar asked, "Taxi?" and I replied simply, "No, amigos." We came around a corner and there stood an extremely intimidating crowd of Ticos, holding up signs with names on them. I searched frantically for mine and did not see it...at first. But just when I was about to start crying I saw it...a small piece of cardboard with the letters D-A-N-Y-A-L printed in permanent marker on it. A wave of relief swept over me...I was going to be okay. This man spoke English!

We loaded the car and drove to his home, where I met his wife and two small and stunningly beautiful daughters, Avigail and Ella (and yes, I mean Avigail, not Abigail). He kept talking to me and asking me questions, which was good because it kept my mind off of the fear I was feeling.

They left me alone for a couple of hours to shower and make a couple of calls to the States, which I desperately needed and appreciated. Then we went to another American family's home for an amazing dinner (cheese soup...yum), after which we spent hours playing Nerts.

All in all, it hasn't been a bad day. I haven't slept in nearly 40 hours, and the reality of where I am and what I'm doing hasn't quite set in yet, but I am here. I am in Costa Rica and God is here...with me.

Tomorrow I will move into my Tica home, where English is not spoken. Pray for this. And I will certainly let you know how it's going...

I must try and get some sleep. Gracias por sus oracionnes...thank you for your prayers (I think). Buenos noches.