If you have previously read my blog you will know the mountain road has needed rain. Hard Rain. Clean the car without a rag rain. Well... it has rained. In it's wake has left the road clean of mud and exposed to underlying rock. Except for the HUGE landslide blocking the entrance! Yep. You read correctly. We have had mini landslides in the past that were easily cleared by a few work hands and myself, but this one even John Henry couldn't pic or shovel and opt for a machine. (if you're completely lost with the John Henry comparison... holy moly... google Johnny Cash).
As Erin says, "We have a snow day!" We couldn't leave in the car. No Power. Little Food. No gas for the generator to work, and can only ride the 4-wheeler! It's a snow day, minus the snow! What should one do on a day like this? Run to Uvita... of course. So, a nice run remembering my lessons from the first one and adding an additional lesson. Costa Rican gaurdrails are made out of fallen trees due to mudslides! Needless to say I had fun on my snowless snowday!
P.S. Diego came and picked me up on the 4-wheeler. Didn't want to run back the 7plus miles!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Lessons Learned Running from Refugio to Cafe Perica
Yesterday I decided to run from the mountain to Cafe Perica. Maybe about 11 or 12km... but it was the BEST run i have had in a while! So while I was running I thought of different things I learned while on this nice trek!
1. 4 big dogs live on San Josito Road
2. The whales tale was created to be seen at 9am
3. It's okay to look like Shaggy when running downhill.
4. I now understand how bending knees is crucial on all downhill running
5. Run TO Uvita not FROM Uvita
6. Be ready to jump into a ditch at anytime
7. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way
8. The Coastal Road with Cars is more dangerous than the Jungle Road with snakes
9. Running facing traffic is a new concept for Ticos
10. Horn blowing from friends while running through downtown Hillsborough in high school prepared me for running in Costa
11. The road from San Josito to the Servicentro Bahia is a slight uphill... who knew??
12. When going down a dirt road and you think, "I don't remember these pot holes," turn around
13. When going down the same road with the new pot holes and wonder where's the butterfly colony?? turn around.
14. When you finally realize the road you are on will not go to the ocean don't beat yourself up with how you should have turned around at the pot holes.
15. My current shoes are shot!
16. Iguanas crossing the road is okay... cats are rare
17. School kids have P.E. class and Music Class in the same room
18. Lastly, Cafe Perica opens at 1pm on Monday, so be prepared to walk an additional 2kms back to Uvita to get a ride.
1. 4 big dogs live on San Josito Road
2. The whales tale was created to be seen at 9am
3. It's okay to look like Shaggy when running downhill.
4. I now understand how bending knees is crucial on all downhill running
5. Run TO Uvita not FROM Uvita
6. Be ready to jump into a ditch at anytime
7. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way
8. The Coastal Road with Cars is more dangerous than the Jungle Road with snakes
9. Running facing traffic is a new concept for Ticos
10. Horn blowing from friends while running through downtown Hillsborough in high school prepared me for running in Costa
11. The road from San Josito to the Servicentro Bahia is a slight uphill... who knew??
12. When going down a dirt road and you think, "I don't remember these pot holes," turn around
13. When going down the same road with the new pot holes and wonder where's the butterfly colony?? turn around.
14. When you finally realize the road you are on will not go to the ocean don't beat yourself up with how you should have turned around at the pot holes.
15. My current shoes are shot!
16. Iguanas crossing the road is okay... cats are rare
17. School kids have P.E. class and Music Class in the same room
18. Lastly, Cafe Perica opens at 1pm on Monday, so be prepared to walk an additional 2kms back to Uvita to get a ride.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Catarata
Once upon a time on a mountain in Costa Rica lived a tico family of 3. Their names were Diego, Fanny and Emily. In the summer months many gringos would stay on the mountain for weeks at a time. Also in the summer months 3 chicas lived and worked on the mountain with the tico family because of all the gringos. Well, one Saturday, there were no gringos so the tico family and the 3 chicas decided to go to a BIG (at least 150 meter) waterfall. So they loaded up in the jimmy and 4-wheeler because it's 30 minutes to drive instead of 8 hours to walk... through the Jungle! Driving over the GAS light in the Jimmy came on, saying there was low gas, and since Heather was driving she knew NO A/C and neutral helped save the precious fuel. SHE also thought... OH CRAP!
The group arrived at the waterfall only to climb through the jungle to reach the base where they were all amazed at how big and strong the water was falling :)! Many pictures were taken and convos about Planet Earth were conversed before the muddy trek back through the jungle to the spot where the car rested.
When they tico family and 3 chicas got back to the car, they all waded in the creek running close by. They washed their muddy shoes while Diego and Heather climbed over large bolders to stand below a small, yet powerful waterfall for fun. They both agreed it was as a good back and neck massage.
As they time came to an end there was still a gas problem (not with stomachs.. with cars). Deep in the jungle, no gas stations can be found. Diego decided to siphon one gallon of gas from the 4-wheeler to the car. One gallon later, back on the dirt jungle path to Refugio. A lot of Neutral and no A/C provided enough gas back. There were a lot of laughs and pictures but the entire group agreed that waterfall was the most incredible waterfall they had ever seen.
The END!
BORING!!! I KNOW.. doesn't even sound like me... but please imagine a picture book for little kids! HAHAHAHA
The group arrived at the waterfall only to climb through the jungle to reach the base where they were all amazed at how big and strong the water was falling :)! Many pictures were taken and convos about Planet Earth were conversed before the muddy trek back through the jungle to the spot where the car rested.
When they tico family and 3 chicas got back to the car, they all waded in the creek running close by. They washed their muddy shoes while Diego and Heather climbed over large bolders to stand below a small, yet powerful waterfall for fun. They both agreed it was as a good back and neck massage.
As they time came to an end there was still a gas problem (not with stomachs.. with cars). Deep in the jungle, no gas stations can be found. Diego decided to siphon one gallon of gas from the 4-wheeler to the car. One gallon later, back on the dirt jungle path to Refugio. A lot of Neutral and no A/C provided enough gas back. There were a lot of laughs and pictures but the entire group agreed that waterfall was the most incredible waterfall they had ever seen.
The END!
BORING!!! I KNOW.. doesn't even sound like me... but please imagine a picture book for little kids! HAHAHAHA
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A Rare Moment
There have only been a few times in my life when I didn't know what to say or couldn't write down what I wanted to say. For example: college graduation day looking at my momma and seeing a little tear, the logic in moving to Concord, first day of Kindergarten, standing over the casket of my best friend, and a week ago when I said so long to a boy I have only known this summer. For an entire week I attmeped to write some form of so long letter, but each attmpt was a failure. The letter either sounded like a country song, could be a country song, rambled, or had so many scratched out sentences it looked like the art work of a 2 year old. I even wrote a letter about how I couldn't write a letter (now that is lame!).
I think deep down I didn't want to write a good bye letter because I didn't want this person to leave. I didn't want to accept the fact of not knowing when or if we'd ever meet again. Time and distance has a crazy effect on people. SO... with a big hug, (complete avoidance of eye contact), and a kiss on the cheek, I said, "see you in the states." Yep... What was that!?!? I don't know.
Because as soon as the words were released from my mouth my brain realeased a.. "we'll see about that." Ya'll all know these kinds of good byes. The ones on high school graduation when you say, "Oh, I'll come visit you on break," only to be followed by 5 years of never staying in contact until you "run into" each other at a high school reunion. You know? You bound to know!
Anyway, I had an anti-climatic departure of a good friend whom I have come to enjoy being around this entire summer. No real plan of what is next, only contact info scribbled on a piece of scrap notebook paper, placed in his shirt pocket as he walked away. Why contact info? Because that's the only dang thing I could think to write! And, who mails letters anymore? (well, i do actually. It's important to support the US Mail.)
Ironically enough, in my reflection of what I should have said, country song lyrics (old and new), combined with jumbled thoughts return!
I think deep down I didn't want to write a good bye letter because I didn't want this person to leave. I didn't want to accept the fact of not knowing when or if we'd ever meet again. Time and distance has a crazy effect on people. SO... with a big hug, (complete avoidance of eye contact), and a kiss on the cheek, I said, "see you in the states." Yep... What was that!?!? I don't know.
Because as soon as the words were released from my mouth my brain realeased a.. "we'll see about that." Ya'll all know these kinds of good byes. The ones on high school graduation when you say, "Oh, I'll come visit you on break," only to be followed by 5 years of never staying in contact until you "run into" each other at a high school reunion. You know? You bound to know!
Anyway, I had an anti-climatic departure of a good friend whom I have come to enjoy being around this entire summer. No real plan of what is next, only contact info scribbled on a piece of scrap notebook paper, placed in his shirt pocket as he walked away. Why contact info? Because that's the only dang thing I could think to write! And, who mails letters anymore? (well, i do actually. It's important to support the US Mail.)
Ironically enough, in my reflection of what I should have said, country song lyrics (old and new), combined with jumbled thoughts return!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Diego... tengo un problema!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I gear up for another adventure in Costa Rica, I thought I'd re-post one of my favorite blogs from two summer's back. Now it is funny.. then, not so much! One week Babe... and I'm back in the Jungle!
Below you will find a picture of the vehicle I am about to write about.
FJ PICTURE
I feel like I'm in Big John (our Christmas Tractor) when I was driving it up the mountain yesterday. Here's the story... The FJ was stuck at the bottom of the mountain and needed a driver to get it back up. Diego (the hardest working, smartest, can fix anything, reminds me of my daddy) tico asked me to ride down and drive it back up the mountain for him. Honestly, I really didn't want to because one the FJ is like driving a tractor and two the road is still awful, regardless of the fact Diego, Humberto, and I worked on it all day (that's how I relax on my vacation... work! can't help it.. it's in my blood)! BUT... I start driving the mountain in this big ole FJ and do great until I get to the last "S" curve. I start up the S, with Diego following me in the Red FJ, when I start to spin. Well Dag... It wasn't that bad of a spin but I wasn't going anywhere. With my foot pressing the clutch, one hand on the wheel, one on the stick shift, and the other foot on the break I stick my head out the window and yell, "DIEGO, yo tengo un problema (Deigo, i have a problem)." Luckily we were close to a flat spot in the mtn road, so Diego hopped out and came running to where I was. He said I needed to back up and get more speed. So I backed (slowly because on this incline breaks are not really good... it's the equivalent of breaking on ice) to the flat spot and get another running start.
Well... the good news is I got past the part I was stuck the first time... the bad news is I got stuck further up.. in the middle of the "s". Here I am, not moving, spinning on mud (because we need strong rain), sandwiched between two mountain dirt walls, two ditches, and knowing I was going to have to back this thing around a curve, down a mountain, and to the flat spot. Again...with my foot pressing the clutch, one hand on the wheel, one on the stick shift, and the other foot on the break I stick my head out the window and yell, "DIEGO, yo tengo un problema!!!!!!!!" with a little more volume. I was starting the freak out.. just a little. Here comes Diego running up the mountain to save the day. I coach myself by taking a deep breath, putting this small tractor like vehicle in reverse, and pray to God.. in English and Spanish! Foot off the clutch a little, on the break a little and... HELLO slide. An out of my control, holy moly I'm picking up speed, going sideways, I'm going to hit the wall like a nascar driver... slide. Diego is telling me which way to turn the wheel but my Spanish translation wasn't working at the moment, so... I had NO IDEA what he was saying! I stop sliding only to be sideways in the road. That's a fine position to be in, if sideways wasn't between two big mountain walls and on an incline that could result in a rollover at any moment. So I sit sideways. What do I do? Well, a 3 point turn wasn't going to work. So I start to go in reverse (thank you diesel engine and power) and move a little.. and slide more but the slide was good. I started to turn in the direction where I could actually get down the mountain in a forwards motion. The entire time Diego is on some side of the FJ providing some support to keep me from turning over! Well... I made it back to the flat spot and told Diego I was walking back to Refugio! He chuckled and told me to get in the Red FJ and he thought there was a leak in one of the seals causing the Green FJ to lose power!.. well that's good to know.. thanks for telling me now that I have almost peed in my bricthes!
Christine and Erin (the other interns) have been going to different places all week, going on "adventures". Well, no offense to these girls but going to shops and looking at the waterfalls isn't very adventurous to me.... come talk to me when you're sideways in an "S" curve... that's adventure!
Below you will find a picture of the vehicle I am about to write about.
FJ PICTURE
I feel like I'm in Big John (our Christmas Tractor) when I was driving it up the mountain yesterday. Here's the story... The FJ was stuck at the bottom of the mountain and needed a driver to get it back up. Diego (the hardest working, smartest, can fix anything, reminds me of my daddy) tico asked me to ride down and drive it back up the mountain for him. Honestly, I really didn't want to because one the FJ is like driving a tractor and two the road is still awful, regardless of the fact Diego, Humberto, and I worked on it all day (that's how I relax on my vacation... work! can't help it.. it's in my blood)! BUT... I start driving the mountain in this big ole FJ and do great until I get to the last "S" curve. I start up the S, with Diego following me in the Red FJ, when I start to spin. Well Dag... It wasn't that bad of a spin but I wasn't going anywhere. With my foot pressing the clutch, one hand on the wheel, one on the stick shift, and the other foot on the break I stick my head out the window and yell, "DIEGO, yo tengo un problema (Deigo, i have a problem)." Luckily we were close to a flat spot in the mtn road, so Diego hopped out and came running to where I was. He said I needed to back up and get more speed. So I backed (slowly because on this incline breaks are not really good... it's the equivalent of breaking on ice) to the flat spot and get another running start.
Well... the good news is I got past the part I was stuck the first time... the bad news is I got stuck further up.. in the middle of the "s". Here I am, not moving, spinning on mud (because we need strong rain), sandwiched between two mountain dirt walls, two ditches, and knowing I was going to have to back this thing around a curve, down a mountain, and to the flat spot. Again...with my foot pressing the clutch, one hand on the wheel, one on the stick shift, and the other foot on the break I stick my head out the window and yell, "DIEGO, yo tengo un problema!!!!!!!!" with a little more volume. I was starting the freak out.. just a little. Here comes Diego running up the mountain to save the day. I coach myself by taking a deep breath, putting this small tractor like vehicle in reverse, and pray to God.. in English and Spanish! Foot off the clutch a little, on the break a little and... HELLO slide. An out of my control, holy moly I'm picking up speed, going sideways, I'm going to hit the wall like a nascar driver... slide. Diego is telling me which way to turn the wheel but my Spanish translation wasn't working at the moment, so... I had NO IDEA what he was saying! I stop sliding only to be sideways in the road. That's a fine position to be in, if sideways wasn't between two big mountain walls and on an incline that could result in a rollover at any moment. So I sit sideways. What do I do? Well, a 3 point turn wasn't going to work. So I start to go in reverse (thank you diesel engine and power) and move a little.. and slide more but the slide was good. I started to turn in the direction where I could actually get down the mountain in a forwards motion. The entire time Diego is on some side of the FJ providing some support to keep me from turning over! Well... I made it back to the flat spot and told Diego I was walking back to Refugio! He chuckled and told me to get in the Red FJ and he thought there was a leak in one of the seals causing the Green FJ to lose power!.. well that's good to know.. thanks for telling me now that I have almost peed in my bricthes!
Christine and Erin (the other interns) have been going to different places all week, going on "adventures". Well, no offense to these girls but going to shops and looking at the waterfalls isn't very adventurous to me.... come talk to me when you're sideways in an "S" curve... that's adventure!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Chalk vs Canned Corn... I pick canned
On day 2 of my brief hiatus, I was able to go to La Corona (no it's not a beer sore, it's the name of their grocery store... well, actually it could be the beer store too because that's where most buy beer!) and leisurely shop the isle due to only needing to cook fore me! That's a break in itself!
On a side road here, the staff at La Corona looked at me today in amazement of how LITTLE food was in my hand basket, and I was continually asked, "why so little food?" and told, "No big cart today!" A complete flip flop from the entire summer. I told Brian (my favorite) I was getting fat and needed to cut back :D
Anyway back to the main road, I was in the produce section when I saw corn! A nice ear of fresh picked, right from some garden, still in the husk, take me home Heather Lasley because you know you're missing the silver queen being grown and harvested right now at the Lasley Plantation, white corn! (excuse the run on sentence... I teach math!) Needless to say I was pumped.
SO, last night, I shucked, inspected for bugs, washed and put in a pot of boiling water my nice ear of corn. 15 minutes later, sitting on a plate, smeared with a lil butter I take a bite... followed by an immediate spit out. CHALK! That's what it tasted like. CHALK! Flavorless, dry, in you mouth awful aftertaste, nasty hint of butter flavor, I could use this on a sidewalk, CHALK! To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
I was already tasting the sweet, succulent juice that only tiny kernels from July Silver Queen Corn can produce but instead I bit into a nice ear of: What the crap?, are you serious?, you can't even make moonshine out of this so called Costa Rican Corn. The moral of the story is: Don't drink the water in Mexico and Don't eat the corn in Costa Rica!
On a side road here, the staff at La Corona looked at me today in amazement of how LITTLE food was in my hand basket, and I was continually asked, "why so little food?" and told, "No big cart today!" A complete flip flop from the entire summer. I told Brian (my favorite) I was getting fat and needed to cut back :D
Anyway back to the main road, I was in the produce section when I saw corn! A nice ear of fresh picked, right from some garden, still in the husk, take me home Heather Lasley because you know you're missing the silver queen being grown and harvested right now at the Lasley Plantation, white corn! (excuse the run on sentence... I teach math!) Needless to say I was pumped.
SO, last night, I shucked, inspected for bugs, washed and put in a pot of boiling water my nice ear of corn. 15 minutes later, sitting on a plate, smeared with a lil butter I take a bite... followed by an immediate spit out. CHALK! That's what it tasted like. CHALK! Flavorless, dry, in you mouth awful aftertaste, nasty hint of butter flavor, I could use this on a sidewalk, CHALK! To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
I was already tasting the sweet, succulent juice that only tiny kernels from July Silver Queen Corn can produce but instead I bit into a nice ear of: What the crap?, are you serious?, you can't even make moonshine out of this so called Costa Rican Corn. The moral of the story is: Don't drink the water in Mexico and Don't eat the corn in Costa Rica!
Pensacola Team
The largest team of the summer, or ever to stay on the mountain, came from Pensacola, Florida. Of all the teams to have the massive amount of people, this team was the best. Their spirit, attitude and personalities made the consistent 3 meals a day for 38 people (because staff and interns increase the numbers) enjoyable and easy. Don't read this incorrectly, I'm beat. We worked hard during their stay at Refugio and even harder in preparation of their arrival. A group this large requires 26 beds. Meaning in one day:
Then, the food shopping for such a large group of people. Again, the Ticos look at me with thoughts of, "where does this girl put all this food?" Remember there isn't a Walmart, we do not have a frig and some days the store has the item and some days it doesn't. You will be happy to read each meal resulted in full bellies, happy people and at least an hour of dirty dishes to wash, dry and put away only to repeat the cycle a few hours later.
Now most regular people may think this is crazy, but not me. I love this kind of work. I love the hectic, chaotic, craziness accompanied with this task. My body functions better the busier it is! I feel more energized and alive on days I work as hard as my daddy. Minus the fact of losing J.Wax to the states, this past week was the hardest and funnest week in Costa so far!
All to conclude, the Pensacola team was AMAZING! The dentist (aka Mr. Kirkpatrick's Twin), Mintons, Floyds, Shells, Strange, Carrie and the others will be missed. So, as you can imagine I need a break. Bring on the 9 days of not having a team! Hello Vacation in Costa Rica! Only to be greeted with one more team and a return to the states. So how long do you think I'll chill on a vacation? Not long. Re-read what's about this paragraph... I like to stay busy. The team left yesterday and I have managed to shovel massive amounts of dirt out of the road this morning but, I am able to come to town and blog more!
- 26 sets of sheets put on 26 beds, accompanied with: a large towel, hand towel, wash cloth, pillow and blanket.
- Four mattresses placed in a weight room for teenage boys, an extra mattress in the bunk room and one in the corner room suite.
- A complete overhaul of one room (the day before they arrived) including paint, all furniture, thorough cleaning of windows, frames, bathroom, porch, etc... and then set up for a guest.
- Scavenging for lighters (thanks GOP boys for using them up!) to go in each room
- 3 rooms needed to be cleaned and made guest appropriate due to the fact the previous group left the same day the Penn group arrived.
Then, the food shopping for such a large group of people. Again, the Ticos look at me with thoughts of, "where does this girl put all this food?" Remember there isn't a Walmart, we do not have a frig and some days the store has the item and some days it doesn't. You will be happy to read each meal resulted in full bellies, happy people and at least an hour of dirty dishes to wash, dry and put away only to repeat the cycle a few hours later.
Now most regular people may think this is crazy, but not me. I love this kind of work. I love the hectic, chaotic, craziness accompanied with this task. My body functions better the busier it is! I feel more energized and alive on days I work as hard as my daddy. Minus the fact of losing J.Wax to the states, this past week was the hardest and funnest week in Costa so far!
All to conclude, the Pensacola team was AMAZING! The dentist (aka Mr. Kirkpatrick's Twin), Mintons, Floyds, Shells, Strange, Carrie and the others will be missed. So, as you can imagine I need a break. Bring on the 9 days of not having a team! Hello Vacation in Costa Rica! Only to be greeted with one more team and a return to the states. So how long do you think I'll chill on a vacation? Not long. Re-read what's about this paragraph... I like to stay busy. The team left yesterday and I have managed to shovel massive amounts of dirt out of the road this morning but, I am able to come to town and blog more!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Pray for RAIN!!!
Of all the years I have been in Costa Rica for the summer months, I have never seen the mountain road in this poor of shape. The mountain road has always been tough and one needs a 4x4 Low vehicle to maneuver up and down, but 4x4 low isn't good on a 12 gauge roof incline in 6-8 inches of clay/silt mud. I need your help. Pray for Rain! I'm sure you are thinking, "well heather, you are in the rain forest, doesn't it rain all the time?" Well, yes and now. The kind of rain we need in the Hurricane Floyd, 3 inches/hour, hotsie powered, take the pain off your barn, 24 hour downpour God can do it, I know! The same way he shot fire from heaven, fed the Israelites manna and made the sun stand still for Joshua. So, I as you to pray audaciously and specific for the mountain road. Lluvia is the Spanish word for rain! So ask in both languages. Thanks! Gracias!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Just Like in the States
All fix-a-flat places have the same smell, type of mechanics, and female receptionist. The smell is oil rubber mixed with a slight hint of exhaust; the office/waiting area is freezing cold furnished with 2 couches, a drink machine, and a table of free, old, cold coffee from the A.M brew; Car magazines and one kid's book sloppily cover a table providing reading material for the lucky folks waiting; and the same female receptionist trying to run the joint as cleanly as possible in a male/oil/grease dominated environment. But all this detail is fascinating to me because it provided a sense of familiarity, a brief moment of feeling as though I was in the states! So this past week when I was waiting for the tire to be fixed (OH and if you have a monterro know their tires are "go flat prone" on mountain roads because this makes number 2 in 2 weeks) I was taken to the states, waiting inside any mechanics waiting area, wishing I had a jacket!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A Come to Jesus Meeting!
This week has been quite an interesting week. GOP boys left. It was sad yet at the same time I have been encouraged to see the transformation in their lives while they were on the mountain. The life restored in their eyes. The joy returned. The knowledge of the power they each have to fight the enemy when he comes attacking! So, we had our largest group of the summer (so far) come, love us and leave only to be followed by the smallest group. Right now on the mountain we have a family of 5. Really kind of cool to think about to be quite honest. I have imagined what it would be like to have my family on the mountain for weekend. Then to think about my ENTIRE... maw maw, aunts, uncles, cousins... everyone on the mountain for a weekend, and I started to laugh. I could hear maw maw saying how cold she was and having me explain every single ant, animal, and sound 500 times. I could hear my momma telling me all the food borne illnesses I am being exposed to and the fact we don't have hot water all the time. My daddy would be inventing something or fixing the FJ from breaking down all the time. Kevin would probably go stir crazy. Abbie would yell at every single bug she saw on the wall only to be followed by "whoa, that's cool." Matt would go hum. Thomas and Jacob wouldn't know what to do without their cell phones because that means no girlfriend communication. Brenda would be like me, sit up in the hammock and read a book. Wesley, would want to redecorate/ paint something. Aunt Sylvia would be in absolute amazement, and want to know every detail about the place as well as give wonderful ideas on how to make it better! Allison and Daniel would be harvesting the beans, coffee, or trying to figure out where to put some animals to keep the grass down. The more I thought about my family on the mountain, the more I wanted to see it happen. I think it's be an adventure. Costa Rica wouldn't know what hit him. You think California was in shock of Jed Clampet, Costa Rica wouldn't know the Spanish words to explain the Lasleys.
The pace this week slowed down with the decrease in the number of people around. Still chopping away at the veggies. Still in love with cooking beans and rice!
I had a come to Jesus meeting today! Those those who don't know, in my past I have battled and have experienced freedom from several eating disorders. I know. What? Heather Lasley? Yep folks, I'm not perfect. Shocker!! The enemy is a sneak. He knows when to attack. He knows to kick us when we're down. I know his plan and how he works because as a coach you study the other team. You know where the weakest link is, what the player's tendencies are and you devise a strategy to attack the weakness. So think of Satan as the coach, studying us, knowing where and when we are weak. So, off and on in the past 6 months I have struggled. It all started with the death of Paw Paw. One week of upset, grieving, I can't eat I'm so depressed stomach, manifested thoughts of old habits and patterns. For the past 3 weeks my entire eating schedule has been off. I know personally, one of the ways I (big I) kept control (not giving it all up) was to follow a strict food schedule. If the schedule got messed up or if I ever felt full, my stomach would almost out of habit reject my food. Possibly to years of abuse. But NO MORE!!! The past 3 weeks I have had to follow a "meal" schedule. Meaning eat at meals. Meaning feeling full. Meaning hello barf. Resulting in old tendencies, giving power to the enemy, shame, and beating myself up for detouring back to this awful road. Here comes the good part...
This morning I was basking in the morning sun of Costa Rica, trying to get my sun tan back (because kitchen duty and rain has taken my color) I sat and listened to God. So I'm on the upper deck and cry out to to God, "WHAT IS UP? Lord, why? Why again? You freed me from this 2 years ago, why am I returning to this?" It was as though the Lord said, "You never completely gave it all up. You have a feeding schedule. YOU still control it." And you know what.... shocker here, God was right. So I began to pray in audacious faith. Asking the Lord to take this from me. Take it all. To heal my mind. To heal my body. The same way he fixed my hormones when they were out of whack. The same way he healed the bleeding woman in the Bible. To just take it all. To give me strength to fight and to fight Satan for me. Then I roll over and look at the huge cross looking over the jungle out towards to sea and I remember. JESUS died for this. He knew that I would need him to take this sin. To take this battle. He died for Heather Lasley. He died to kick Satan in the mouth so the enemy would have no power of me. And the very fact I have been allowing this to happen has been like a slap in Jesus' face. It was as though I have been saying, "Yeah Jesus you died for this sin, but I'm going to hold on to it, so you're death was pointless. They beat you to shreds so I could stay in bondage under the influence of the enemy."
So at that moment I got mad. I got mad at the enemy. I started to proclaim truth over WHO my God is. Over what he has done for me and how Satan has no authority or dominion over my life. This proclamation was followed by another prayer of strength and a plead for a sign. I roll back over on my back, keep in mind I'm still on a concrete slab of the upper deck trying to catch some rays, when I see not one but at least 10 kite-tailed, eagle type birds; the scripture from Isaiah 40: 28-31 came into my mind,
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall MOUNT UP WITH THE WINGS LIKE EAGLES; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
The enemy has lost! The scripture also says, "resist the enemy and he will flee." Eventually, he will get tired of coming after me because I refuse to let him win. Praise God for the cross and the freedom we have in HIM!!
The pace this week slowed down with the decrease in the number of people around. Still chopping away at the veggies. Still in love with cooking beans and rice!
I had a come to Jesus meeting today! Those those who don't know, in my past I have battled and have experienced freedom from several eating disorders. I know. What? Heather Lasley? Yep folks, I'm not perfect. Shocker!! The enemy is a sneak. He knows when to attack. He knows to kick us when we're down. I know his plan and how he works because as a coach you study the other team. You know where the weakest link is, what the player's tendencies are and you devise a strategy to attack the weakness. So think of Satan as the coach, studying us, knowing where and when we are weak. So, off and on in the past 6 months I have struggled. It all started with the death of Paw Paw. One week of upset, grieving, I can't eat I'm so depressed stomach, manifested thoughts of old habits and patterns. For the past 3 weeks my entire eating schedule has been off. I know personally, one of the ways I (big I) kept control (not giving it all up) was to follow a strict food schedule. If the schedule got messed up or if I ever felt full, my stomach would almost out of habit reject my food. Possibly to years of abuse. But NO MORE!!! The past 3 weeks I have had to follow a "meal" schedule. Meaning eat at meals. Meaning feeling full. Meaning hello barf. Resulting in old tendencies, giving power to the enemy, shame, and beating myself up for detouring back to this awful road. Here comes the good part...
This morning I was basking in the morning sun of Costa Rica, trying to get my sun tan back (because kitchen duty and rain has taken my color) I sat and listened to God. So I'm on the upper deck and cry out to to God, "WHAT IS UP? Lord, why? Why again? You freed me from this 2 years ago, why am I returning to this?" It was as though the Lord said, "You never completely gave it all up. You have a feeding schedule. YOU still control it." And you know what.... shocker here, God was right. So I began to pray in audacious faith. Asking the Lord to take this from me. Take it all. To heal my mind. To heal my body. The same way he fixed my hormones when they were out of whack. The same way he healed the bleeding woman in the Bible. To just take it all. To give me strength to fight and to fight Satan for me. Then I roll over and look at the huge cross looking over the jungle out towards to sea and I remember. JESUS died for this. He knew that I would need him to take this sin. To take this battle. He died for Heather Lasley. He died to kick Satan in the mouth so the enemy would have no power of me. And the very fact I have been allowing this to happen has been like a slap in Jesus' face. It was as though I have been saying, "Yeah Jesus you died for this sin, but I'm going to hold on to it, so you're death was pointless. They beat you to shreds so I could stay in bondage under the influence of the enemy."
So at that moment I got mad. I got mad at the enemy. I started to proclaim truth over WHO my God is. Over what he has done for me and how Satan has no authority or dominion over my life. This proclamation was followed by another prayer of strength and a plead for a sign. I roll back over on my back, keep in mind I'm still on a concrete slab of the upper deck trying to catch some rays, when I see not one but at least 10 kite-tailed, eagle type birds; the scripture from Isaiah 40: 28-31 came into my mind,
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall MOUNT UP WITH THE WINGS LIKE EAGLES; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
The enemy has lost! The scripture also says, "resist the enemy and he will flee." Eventually, he will get tired of coming after me because I refuse to let him win. Praise God for the cross and the freedom we have in HIM!!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Dance Dance Revolution!
Life at Refugio this summer has been amazing and I have come to appreciate, the invention of electricity all day, veggie choppers, and ice cold drinks... again. It doesn't matter how many times I come here, once I return to the states I get spoiled to these modern appliances and conveniences. Honestly, I'm not quite sure how many more times I can knick my thumb with a knife without eventually cutting the entire thing off.
Last week was fun. We were feeding the boys GOP and worked all day to feed 15 people for each meal. It's been fun! Know in Costa everything, well most everything, has to be purchased on a day by day basis, which means going to the store everyday, and having the ticos look at you like, "how in the heck are these 3 skinny girls eating all this food?"
Let the chopping keep on chopping! Preparing supper!
Thursday night was spontaneous dance party night. It took me back to some old days of Dance Party Craziness, but I'm sorry to say, hands down the best time washing dishes I have ever had! David put on Devil Went Down to Georgia and that means I should cut a rug! So I take off in a crazy, clogging, river/line dancing, insane FUN! So, I started tearing up the place, then Justin got in on it, and then everybody else figured, heck I know I don't look as stupid as they do, why not have some fun to? So washing dishes, drying dishes, sweeping/mopping the floor has never been so much fun! I loved it!!
Luke and Me doing a lil criss cross action!
Just so you know, He doesn't smoke but ALL of the GOP boys do, so he was making a point of how silly they look and just trying to be funny.
Dance Break! Me and Justin taking a lil chill, because you know we got the party started!
Last Friday Morning J. Wax, 3 GOP boys, and myself went on a zip line canopy tour of the rain forest! Amazing the first 5 or 6 lines, and then after that it was more mundane than fun. Don't get me wrong being suspended in the air 900 something feet is pretty fun... but after a while, it does get a little old. Friday was fun too. I went out after supper, had a nice walk on the Costa Rica Beach at night, and chilled for a little after my afternoon in the kitchen.
Saturday was the day chaos. A new team from Roanoke came which means more mouths to feed, 27 to be exact. Bigger pots, more food, and much more coffee (and we're talking cowboy coffee of boiling water and pouring over the grounds!) More people, also means getting the rooms ready for the people to sleep and be comfortable while they are here. Erin and I cleaned all day. I mean scrubbed.. scrubbed.. because apparently teenage boys are very dirty and the boys bunk room was absolutely disgusting. It was insane!! Then the day was capped with a night of cooking for the massive amount. We were dead tired but thought.. it is okay, we'll have tomorrow off to chill because the hired cooks will be here. Well, wrong again. The cooks had an emergency, which meant CRAZY SUNDAY. Know I was not about to let that ruin my plans for Saturday Night fun!
So, the Fuller's kids, Christine, and myself went off for a drink and karaoke. All was fun until on the way back up the mountain we had a flat tire. Great! It's midnight, in the middle of the jungle, with a flat tire. In my brain I thought that's okay we'll just change it, I've had years of practice with the insane amount of Flat Tires I have had in my life. Let me just say... Boys please be boys!! Jake and Cameron complained about the flat and didn't at all want to help, while Josh and I tried to jack the car up and fix the tire. Know I am all about being independent, but come on now. I know for a fact of one boy who if were in the car would have been the first to change the tire, but this boy is on an Island... but anyway back to the story. The jack sucked. Plan 2. Walk the one mile trek up the mountain to the center, get another jack, take the four wheeler to the vehicle and change the tire. So, Jake, Cameron and myself take off. Praise the Lord I run/walk this thing everyday, but not in flip flops and not at night. Also thanks to the amazing Flashlight my Daddy bought me I was able to light up the dense forest of the jungle and keep an eye open for jungle book animals! Get back to the center around 1am, Jake gets on the four wheeler to take them the other jack and I go to bed! Not really, because I was keyed up from the walk. 15 minutes later, all 3 people come back on the four wheeler because they decide to change the tire in the morning. Oh boy. I should have went. Thank God I'm a country girl because I know how to change a tire... but on this particular night I knew I should sleep for Sunday because it was 2 and I needed to be up at 5! Sunday was all day in the kitchen, but the food was amazing, the new team loves us, and I can say I was beat like a dirty rug...but Sunday came and went... all with 3 hours of sleep!
Needless to say today I was glad to have a day off. Why Monday? Because the Roanoke team is gone to an Indian Village for today and tomorrow, and the GOP Boys are on an Island with Jason and J. Wax, meaning no cooking until Tuesday Night.
Below are some fun pictures from our time in Uvita. We work hard everyday but do try to get off the mountain (because we do work and live there) on the weekends to go to the local soccer game, beach, jason y sara's house or town. I will say I have come to appreciate all my momma does because it is hard work preparing, cooking, and taking care of people everyday but I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!!
3 Interns that run the kitchen at the soccer game
More Soccer FUN!
Last week was fun. We were feeding the boys GOP and worked all day to feed 15 people for each meal. It's been fun! Know in Costa everything, well most everything, has to be purchased on a day by day basis, which means going to the store everyday, and having the ticos look at you like, "how in the heck are these 3 skinny girls eating all this food?"
Thursday night was spontaneous dance party night. It took me back to some old days of Dance Party Craziness, but I'm sorry to say, hands down the best time washing dishes I have ever had! David put on Devil Went Down to Georgia and that means I should cut a rug! So I take off in a crazy, clogging, river/line dancing, insane FUN! So, I started tearing up the place, then Justin got in on it, and then everybody else figured, heck I know I don't look as stupid as they do, why not have some fun to? So washing dishes, drying dishes, sweeping/mopping the floor has never been so much fun! I loved it!!
Luke and Me doing a lil criss cross action!
Last Friday Morning J. Wax, 3 GOP boys, and myself went on a zip line canopy tour of the rain forest! Amazing the first 5 or 6 lines, and then after that it was more mundane than fun. Don't get me wrong being suspended in the air 900 something feet is pretty fun... but after a while, it does get a little old. Friday was fun too. I went out after supper, had a nice walk on the Costa Rica Beach at night, and chilled for a little after my afternoon in the kitchen.
Saturday was the day chaos. A new team from Roanoke came which means more mouths to feed, 27 to be exact. Bigger pots, more food, and much more coffee (and we're talking cowboy coffee of boiling water and pouring over the grounds!) More people, also means getting the rooms ready for the people to sleep and be comfortable while they are here. Erin and I cleaned all day. I mean scrubbed.. scrubbed.. because apparently teenage boys are very dirty and the boys bunk room was absolutely disgusting. It was insane!! Then the day was capped with a night of cooking for the massive amount. We were dead tired but thought.. it is okay, we'll have tomorrow off to chill because the hired cooks will be here. Well, wrong again. The cooks had an emergency, which meant CRAZY SUNDAY. Know I was not about to let that ruin my plans for Saturday Night fun!
So, the Fuller's kids, Christine, and myself went off for a drink and karaoke. All was fun until on the way back up the mountain we had a flat tire. Great! It's midnight, in the middle of the jungle, with a flat tire. In my brain I thought that's okay we'll just change it, I've had years of practice with the insane amount of Flat Tires I have had in my life. Let me just say... Boys please be boys!! Jake and Cameron complained about the flat and didn't at all want to help, while Josh and I tried to jack the car up and fix the tire. Know I am all about being independent, but come on now. I know for a fact of one boy who if were in the car would have been the first to change the tire, but this boy is on an Island... but anyway back to the story. The jack sucked. Plan 2. Walk the one mile trek up the mountain to the center, get another jack, take the four wheeler to the vehicle and change the tire. So, Jake, Cameron and myself take off. Praise the Lord I run/walk this thing everyday, but not in flip flops and not at night. Also thanks to the amazing Flashlight my Daddy bought me I was able to light up the dense forest of the jungle and keep an eye open for jungle book animals! Get back to the center around 1am, Jake gets on the four wheeler to take them the other jack and I go to bed! Not really, because I was keyed up from the walk. 15 minutes later, all 3 people come back on the four wheeler because they decide to change the tire in the morning. Oh boy. I should have went. Thank God I'm a country girl because I know how to change a tire... but on this particular night I knew I should sleep for Sunday because it was 2 and I needed to be up at 5! Sunday was all day in the kitchen, but the food was amazing, the new team loves us, and I can say I was beat like a dirty rug...but Sunday came and went... all with 3 hours of sleep!
Needless to say today I was glad to have a day off. Why Monday? Because the Roanoke team is gone to an Indian Village for today and tomorrow, and the GOP Boys are on an Island with Jason and J. Wax, meaning no cooking until Tuesday Night.
Below are some fun pictures from our time in Uvita. We work hard everyday but do try to get off the mountain (because we do work and live there) on the weekends to go to the local soccer game, beach, jason y sara's house or town. I will say I have come to appreciate all my momma does because it is hard work preparing, cooking, and taking care of people everyday but I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!!
3 Interns that run the kitchen at the soccer game
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