100-Acre Wood

We’ve heard more than once that moving to a new country, like going through the grieving process, has its own distinct steps.  It is fair to say at this point, that while we are very much glad to be here, the honeymoon is over.  This Thursday we hit our four-month mark since having left the U.S.  Our furniture arrives exactly four days after that.  Not complaining, but to borrow from Dalton:  “I’m just saying . . . .”  all five of us are really, really, but REALLY ready to get our stuff.  Not that we’re overly materialistic, mind you, but I admit that the charm of camping is over.

Last week the kids started Martial Arts

This week we had our apartment painted.  It was amazing the difference it made to get rid of the glare of white everywhere.  We have gone darker than we normally do, which seems to work just fine.  The light from the windows counter-balances the darker hues and the almond floors—and it is all very pleasing to the eyes.  Sometime between Wednesday and Friday we have area rugs arriving for the living room and bedrooms, which should also soften our surroundings.  Then, our Halloween “treat” will be to sleep in our own beds.  Let’s hear a little “woo-hoo” in anticipation.

Note the look on Brynne's face--yesterday, after her second lesson, the instructor diplomatically explained that in Costa Rica, women are considered the weaker sex, but, that Brynne was not really like that . . . really?

On the “wow” column of living in Costa Rica, a highlight this week was going to “U.N. Day” at Braden’s elementary on Friday.  There is a special assembly first thing in the morning when all of the students, dressed in typical clothing from their home countries, (highest honors go to the lone student from Belgium who wore a padded brown smock, and carried a sign that declared “I am a waffle”) parade in country at a time, akin to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics—country placards and all (instead of national anthems, local music is played—the U.S. paraded in to the chorus of “Sweet Home Alabama”).  There are about 250 students in his school, and this year, there were 40 nations represented.  Some nations only had one student representing them, but even so, the diversity was inspiring.  The biggest group was Costa Rica (no surprise there) with what looked like 60-70 kids, followed by the U.S., Colombia, and Mexico.  Nonetheless, there was a smattering from all over the world, including Europe, India, and China.

40 countries in all:  Argentina, Australia . . . .

On the Church front, Dayna and I are settling in (kind of) to our callings.  I think we have mentioned in previous posts how fun it is to see impressive maturity in the Church since we last served in Latin America.  The leadership we deal with now—different from Ecuador and Peru in the 90’s—has many who have grown up in the Church.  Their experience, commitment, and leadership skills are great.  In a twist of irony that belies our commitment to minimalist stake involvement, we have sought and just received approval to hold a summer soccer league and monthly stake dances during their summer break (December through March).  We have congregations with a lot of young men who like to play soccer, and our hope is to harness that energy and commitment into a greater sense of identity with the rest of the youth in the stake.  As for the dances—word on the street is that they have essentially been banned for the last decade.  Our new stake president has a different view on their role, and we are seeking healthy ways for young men and young women to meet and interact with each other.

That's Braden in the Cardinals hoody

So, how many of you remember the flood in the 100 acre-wood (remember how Pooh went in to save Piglet?).  Can’t say that I have watched the videos lately, but, more than once I have found the line from the chorus churning in my head (“and the rain came down, and down, and down . . . “)—because for the past 2-3 weeks, the rain here has been nearly incessant.  Costa Rica has its seasons too, and we are at the height of the rainy season.  Up until a few weeks ago, it was common to have rain in the afternoon, but the mornings were full of sunshine.  Not now—just rain and clouds.  It is hard not to get depressed.  Word on the street is that this should all be over by early December.  That is the hope to which we are clinging.  Temperatures are not terribly cold (mostly high 60s/low 70s during the day) right now, but, we finally came home from church today and turned on the heat around the house.  Heating bill be darned—it felt great.

We got out to see a flick last Monday (Columbus Day)—we saw Real Steel.  Kind of a 21^st century Rocky—and we all had a good time.  Had intended to head north to a beach, but the aforementioned rain doused that plan.  We are now focusing our travel plans to Christmas time, when, with Keaton home, we will actually have the entire family home. 

Got word that our niece Karalee is now officially engaged, and we are very happy for her and her Scott—congratulations to them, and to the Fullers!

Well, time to go.  Hope all is well out your way.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys