Pictures!

I have pictures! Check them out at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/caratsweet/Photos?authkey=dzveJJtrxKE#

Update!

Wow. I've been here in Costa Rica for 17 days. It's absolutely beautiful here! I don't have my camera b/c I forgot it in the States. :( But thankfully my room-mate, Amy, has sent me several pix which I'm very grateful b/c I love photographs! The country of Costa Rica reminds me a lot of the Dominican Republic except that it is wealthier. I just finished up my second week of classes here which totals 32hrs. of Spanish and 16hrs. of Bible class! I'm not picking it up as fast as I hoped to but I do realize that it's a work in progress. It's more difficult then I thought and getting back into books and studying isn't easy either! Please keep me in your prayers.

On September 15th they celebrated their Independence Day here in Costa Rica. We were able to appreciate and be apart of some of the festivities. I'm hoping to include pictures if they upload correctly! This past Monday we celebrated the August and September birthdays w/a Toga Party!! Yes, I did say Toga. It was hilarious! Everyone dressed up in 'togas' and we celebrated w/cake and icecream as well as a few rounds of musical chairs. It's amazing what you can enjoy when you have nothing else!

The group is wonderful and I enjoy everyone here! The director here at SCORE is Jose and he and his wife Gabby and their 3 girls: Melanie, and the twins, Michelle and Melissa are so sweet. Noel and Mary are directors of the GAP Program and Mary teaches Spanish Tues-Thurs. and is our only English speaking Spanish teacher. Noel teaches Bible classes on Thurs and Friday and is taking us through the book of Ephesians right now. God is good and I've seen several answers to prayer since I've been here. He is my rock and salvation. Even through these difficult times w/learning a new language in a foreign country and having very limited communication w/ Alex I can still say God is good and I love Him more everyday and He continues to reveal Himself to me all the time in new ways. He is absolutely amazing! Right now there is a gigantic storm raging right outside my window and I'm reminded of how powerful my God is. I love the lightning/thunder storms here which is a good thing b/c they come every afternoon!

Well, I need to go...until next time

God bless!

First week of class!

Well, I finished my first week of classes today. It was a very long, tiring week. I have 4hrs. of Spanish in the morning w/ 3 different teachers and only 1 of them speaks English! Then we have lunch and an hour break and then 2hrs of Bible classes. We had so much homework this week! My brain is totally exhausted. I'm thankful that we have a 3 day weekend! With all that said...I'm thankful to be here and I'm really enjoying the group that I am here with too. :) We've had a lot of fun together! I've been downtown two times and this past Monday was their Independence Day so we went to see their parade and celebration. It was fun! I now know how to get to the shopping mall area and their 'Wal-mart' but don't worry I won't go there on my own. :) So far in Spanish class we've been working on basic beginner conversation like 'How are you?', 'What is your name?, 'Where are you from?'. Next week we begin learning numbers and how to tell time! I wish I could just learn it over night! LOL But unfortunately it doesn't work like that, does it? I guess I'll just have to study and learn like everyone else. Well, I'm going to go and watch a movie and enjoy the evening w/the group.

Chau

My Schedule

Monday: Free day

Tuesday-Friday:

7:00-8:15am Individual devotions/ Breakfast

8:30-12:30pm Spanish Classes

12:30pm Lunch

2:00-4:00pm Bible classes

4:00-4:45pm Small group (Tuesday & Thursday)

6:30pm Dinner

8:00-9:00pm Study time

10:30pm In your own rooms

Saturdays:
Ministry or Excursions

Sundays:
Church, free-time=day of rest

I've arrived in Costa Rica!

I have arrived! Everyone got through customs, etc. perfectly fine today which is great since we had 27 people with us and we had no difficulties! Thank you God! If it were lighter outside I could look out the window across from where I'm sitting and see the peaks of the mountains! Absolutely gorgeous!! The sunset was stunning tonight. When we arrived here this afternoon we ate lunch and toured the grounds here at SCORE and then had a couple hours to unpack, etc. We had a delicious meal tonight...chicken, rice and veggies! YUM YUM The time here is 2hours ahead. Tomorrow morning I'm planning on getting up at 6am and going jogging with several others from the group...we'll see if that happens! LOL

I'm having internet issues! Hopefully I can get that figured out quickly!!! Have I mentioned how much I despise computers!

The group is great! 19 girls and 7 guys...GIRLS RULE!! I'm really enjoying getting to know my room-mate Amy as well as the other girls.

Well, I'm off to bed...

Cara's Journey Begins

Well, today(September 5,2008) starts the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I've said farewell in the past to friends and family, my move in '02 to Long Island and then in '06 my move down to Indianapolis. But this move is exceptionally huge and challenging b/c it starts me on the journey that God called me to years ago. Six years ago my dream was to go back to the Dominican Republic to minister to the people there and share the love of Christ with them. A lot has transpired since then...peaks and valleys. I anxiously yet cautiously take this next step...it's an important step because it is another move closer to where my heart desire lies and where God wants to use me. I'm stubborn and not too easily shaped, but God knows that b/c He created me that way. I pray and I hope you do as well, that my heart would be open and my attitude positive and eager to learn.

I'm not sure how much I will be able to communicate with the 'outside' world. But I will try my best to keep you updated as much as possible and one way I'm going to do that is through my blog page.

My new email address is caratsweet@gmail.com

God bless and go out and be a blessing to others!

~Cara~ 2 Peter 1:3



Ionce read a quote that said 'The jump is so frightening between where Iam and where I want to be. Because of all I may become, I will close myeyes and leap.'



My mailing address in CR: Sabanilla del Gimnasio del Este
800 Norte
Casa con porton Verde
Con bandera
San Jose, Costa Rica

Put attn: Cara McLemore above the first line- Sabanilla del.......

email address: caratsweet@gmail.com
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