Costa Rica Mission Trip

 ^"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:58

Last week I went to Alajuela, Costa Rica with my church on a mission trip.  It was my second year going and I couldn't have asked for a better trip.  We spent the week teaching Vacation Bible School two times a day and doing light construction.  I was with the group that did VBS (haha).  The pastor of the church we were staying at is building a new home.  The group that did construction worked at his new home site building trenches, pouring concrete, and tying rebar.  The children were so precious and loved making crafts during VBS.  I was lucky enough to see many of the children I grew attached to last year this time around. 

Here are a few photos from VBS....

One day we gave away toothbrushes that the generous Dr. Shelton sent with us!

This day the kids tied ballons to their ankles and popped them.  Here you can see children of all ages came!

Waiting on the bible story of the day.



Making crafts with my mama!

When we were not teaching VBS, we were playing with the neighborhood kids that would come by or eating! I am pretty sure I gained weight this week.  We had rice and beans for every meal ( I only ate the rice) along with a meat.  Our cooks were so sweet! A mother-daughter duo that were members of the church we were staying at. 





The store we went to for drinks and snacks.

Our cooks and their family! The daughter on the left and her mother were our cooks! Precious people! The dad helped with construction and the other daughter is in high school.

Playing in the street with the kids one night.  This was right outside the church.

 Here are some more cuties!

3 of my favs from last year.  Rosie, Caroline, and sweet Daniel.

I printed off photos from last year to give the children.  They loved them!        

 

This is Joshua! I gave him my VSU hat!

.....To be continued!



  

"Insta-crack"

My name is Katie Lynn Wetherington and I am addicted to instagram. 

I LOVE instagram!  Here's a few reasons why:
1.  I love pictures.
2.  I love the filters.
3.  I love that it's an app that's only about pictures.
4.  I love sharing pictures.
5.  I love seeing other friend's photos.
6.  I love getting comments on my pictures. 

Here are a few of my favorite photos I have posted to instagram....

Church directory photo (1990).

Molly! My favorite subject!

Favorite picture of my brother and Molly. Ever.

Another favorite subject...my bff's little girl, Summer.

Precious grandmother with my main man.

Who doesn't like to take pictures of their food??

Playing dress up!

Friends!

Slumber Party

My favorites.

One of my precious babies I babysit! Love the colors in this filter!

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Pura Vida

"Pura Vida Acts 1:8".  This is what the bracelet I wear reads.  Pura Vida is a popular saying in Costa Rica that translates to "Pure Life".  Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Monday, I, along with 19 other members of my church, are going to Alajuela, Costa Rica on a week long mission trip.  This will be my second time going and I'm super excited to see the kids I fell in love with last year.  My mom will be returning also. I really enjoy having this experience with her.  While there, we teach vacation bible school and do light construction.  My mom is in charge of crafts while I usually help with the story time or P.E.
It's so amazing to watch those children get so excited over playing jump rope or painting their finger nails.  I have always known that material things don't matter but on this trip, I learned material things can't make you happy either.  I am blessed beyond measure and should be grateful for the things I already have, not always wanting-wanting-wanting.  I thank God every night for the warm bed I sleep in and for providing me with 3 meals a day.  Last year, I saw the shacks that some of the kids call home and it tore me up one side and down the other.  I wanted to bring them home with me.  It got me asking myself, "Why do I deserve a home without dirt floors or indoor plumbing?  Why do I get to buy new clothes and not receive torn up hand me downs?  Why do I have a warm jacket to wear during the winter?"  I am so blessed to have this learning experience.  I enjoy sharing the word of Christ with the children, but most of all, I enjoy seeing Christ in them.

Here are a few pictures of our trip from last year.  Can't wait to update you with new ones when I return next Sunday (June 18)!

This is Keylin (Spanish for "Katie").  I fell in love with her. She was shy at first and all of a sudden "took" to me.  When you pronounce her name, it almost sounds like "Katie Lynn". :) 

Erin and me getting our nails painted. The kids loved to get their nails done!

Look at his cute glasses!

Another beautiful girl I fell in love with.

Making crafts in bible school.

Mama helping the children with crafts during VBS.

Wearing the dresses a lady in our church made.  They were so proud!

Last day.  Saying my goodbye's to sweet Daniel.

Check back in a few weeks for pictures from this years trip! Please keep us in your prayers!

Memorial Day Weekend on SSI

My Memorial Day weekend was spent on St. Simons Island with my daddy and brother.  I have been off with the 2 of them plenty of times but this weekend I was hoping to take a friend just to have another girl in the bunch. All of my friends had plans, of course, so it ended up being just the 3 of us.  After thinking about it, I was kind-of glad it turned out that way b/c this was the first time we were able to leave town since daddy was diagnosed with cancer.  He has had a rough few months between chemo and surgery.  He dealt with it like a champ though and I was so glad he felt up to the trip. 
Saint Simons is very dear to our hearts.  My daddy grew up going on vacation there, his parents lived there for a short period of time,  they would rent a house there during the summers, and he lived in nearby Brunswick in his 20's.  My brother and I have grown up going to SS and even though there isn't much to it, we love the atmosphere and the food!
Friday we arrived just in time to order dinner from our favorite restaurant, The Crab Trap.  It was so busy and crowed and it was nice to scoop it up and take it home.  Their food NEVER disappoints and we had some great conversations.

On our walk to pick up dinner, Cody and I walked across the street to see the ocean.  It was such a pretty time of day!

THE best restaurant ever!

Before and After. HAHA!

Saturday, we slept late and went to eat at one of our favorites for brunch, The Sandcastle.  It's located in the village.  There was an antiques show being held there and I decided to stroll through to see if I could find any cheap treasures.  I did luck out.  I bought a vanity perfume tray, old bottles, and some fish prints for my dad for father's day.  He has been looking for something to go above the television and I thought those would be perfect.  Later that afternoon we headed to Gouels Inlet to sit on the beach.  The tide was way out but it was still nice to actually be at the beach! It was kind of cool with the wind blowing.  The weather was perfect!

Beachin' it!

I hope to paddle board soon!

I LOVE the beach!

 

                                                                           

Saturday night, we went over to the Red Fern Village to eat dinner at Blackwater Grill.  It was packed so we sat at the bar.  This restaurant has been featured on Diners, Drive-in's, and Dives on the Food Network.  I had a salad, crab cakes, and mashed potatoes.  Daddy had a warm steak salad and Cody had a shrimp pasta.  It was all so delicious! We will defiantly be going back there!

That night, Cody and I had planned to hit a few bars in the Village but were were SO full from dinner we just didn't feel up to it.  Instead, we walked around and went out onto the pier.  We rode around the island and went back home early.

Sunday, we planned to spend all day at the beach but it was very overcast.  Instead we slept in (surprise) and had leftovers from the previous nights for lunch.  That afternoon, Cody wanted to climb the lighthouse.  We had not done that in years and it turned out to be a nice activity. A few months ago, daddy couldn't climb the 18 stairs in our house and that day he climbed all 129 of the lighthouse! We were so proud!

 About to head up!

 Family picture!

My favorite picture of the weekend!

After our "workout", lol, Cody and I decided to go to the new pool at the Village.  It is so big and nice.  We didn't stay long because it was cool from being so overcast.  We then got showers and headed back to our favorite restaurant, The Crab Trap to enjoy one last dinner before going home the next morning.  I had fried shrimp this time and they were amazing. 


Sunday we stopped by the 4th of May when we checked out of the house.  They have awesome breakfast! My friend, Lina, had told me about the butter pecan french toast and I decided to give it a try.  OMG...it was heavenly!

After breakfast Cody and Daddy headed home and I shopped around on the island for a few hours.  It was nice not having one of them nagging at me to hurry up! Lol.  Can't wait to head back to my favorite little place on earth at the end of July!