It Takes Two Ticos: 2 Months and counting!

It's crazy to think we have been here 2 months. Although our attitudes have been tested many times God remains faithful and continues to stretch us.

My mom came to visit us about 3 weeks ago, it was wonderful to have her here but at the same time it was much harder than I expected. I don't know if it is because part of me HAS to block out “that” emotional part of myself because otherwise I would miss everyone very much. If I sit and think about all the things I have left behind I wouldn’t be able to move forward…and that’s what it’s all about right now…moving forward. I’m excited to have our own place with our things which are currently stored at the Griffin’s…I think this will help me really know that this is our NEW home!

I’m ever grateful for today’s technology. I’m able to “see” my nieces and nephew, family and friends. I know that 16 years ago we could barely call Costa Rica (from Georgia) b/c it was so expensive (Skype is free…find me under Vanessa.martin31)

On my last post I shared with you about the Cabins at the Volcano…well as of right now it doesn’t look like that’s the direction we need to take. Initially we were kind-of heartbroken, it just seemed like a good plan, something we could really enjoy doing. After all, the owner and his family’s request was something we could not meet…we saw this as God’s way of saying…“no, this isn’t it”. I’m not gonna lie it was hard getting that answer. My friend Marvin said “if it didn’t work out it’s because whatever God has will be much better”. I’ve taken those words to heart and we are trusting that the Lord will show us the next step soon.

I love how much Ryan has embraced the C.Rican culture and truly loves it here…I also love that sometimes he just forgets how we are no longer in the States!

“It'd be nice to find a McDonalds right now”...just came out of Ryan's mouth.

You see its 7:30 on Saturday night and we are heading home from the beach… there are no Drive-thru’s in sight and we’ve not had McD’s in 2 months! (I just "googled" as the nice co-pilot wife I am and there aren’t any for at least an hour).

We got word of another facility near the beach for potential business for us. (This time we are learning to be guarded and not to get our hopes up.) It took us two weeks before we could arrange a time to go visit because Costa Rica was hit with a tropical depression that caused a lot of flood damage and landslides blocking roadways, etc.…it was pretty intense. I had never experienced anything like it. Ryan was pretty happy since he loves the rain. :P

Finally, last Friday we loaded up and headed towards the port in Puntarenas, we took a ferry ride across the Gulf of Nicoya and not long after we found ourselves in the remote roads of Gigante…a small town on the bay. We had a wonderful visit, the property is absolutely beautiful! Met some really nice people and started to formulate a plan of action…one we need to present to the owner. The place is set and ready for business; our job would be to bring the people in. Please keep us in your prayers regarding this opportunity. We don’t know what the outcome will be but we are expectant…God has a divine plan all we are trying to see it to completion.

We sent a small survey out to get some feedback in preparation to our meeting next week. If you would like to take our survey please click this link: http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=5002xsja280nyss982419

Remember the McDonald’s comment? Well, on the way home we missed our exit. We took advantage of the opportunity and drove to Santa Ana, a very “Americanized” town we recently discovered and love!

The question of the night became…Wendy’s or McDonalds? With no hesitation we went with McDonalds!

We would love to hear from you! We love you! V&R