. . . You've come a long way baby . . . .

The other day, I started thinking back to when we first arrived in Costa Rica.

I refused to walk anywhere by myself because I was convinced that everyone I met was out to get me. After our little encounter with the “ladrones,” I believed this was true for a long time. I also remember how I cried and cried because there was no hot water in my sink and because I wanted to wash my face with hot water and not the iceburg that comes out of my faucet. I wouldn’t get my haircut for a long time and had a stringy mess because I was convinced that "these people here" couldn’t do it right. I longed for Jessie at Hairbenders and thought of flying her down here on occasion. I was ashamed of myself as I had these thoughts but - Oh, how things have changed!

Last Sunday morning, I got ready to get out of bed and realized the power was out in our home. Looking back at that moment, I remember, I didn’t flinch but rather just laid back in the bed realizing that without power there would be no hot ( I use “hot” very loosely) shower ( our shower is a “widow maker” for those of you who know what that means – there is no water heater and this little gadget will not work without electricity). I laid in bed for a while praising God for the beauty of the morning as I stared out my bedroom window. A few hours later, the electricity returned and I went on with my shower and my day.

A few days later, I woke up and went to get in the shower only to discover there was no water - making it quite impossible to take a shower at all. Travis and I just shrugged our shoulders and hung around the house until the late afternoon when the water returned.

Many times, I would walk by the beauty salon and look in and ponder about getting my hair cut. Last week, I got fed up. My hair was driving me crazy. I wanted to be a “Linda Tica” and I was tired of the long haired look. I walked into the salon just hoping I could explain: “ A little off the ends and keep the long layers.” Well, my Spanish is getting better and better but my “shop talk” when it comes to hair is minimum. Entonces, I went in and basically told him to do whatever he wanted. I remember praying as I was in the chair: “Lord, PLEASE let this turn out well. I really need this to turn out well.” I determined myself not to cry no matter what it looked like. All this to say, the guy knew what he was doing and now I am sporting my new cute hair in Costa Rica.

Something else to be proud of - I have now ridden the bus, in a taxi, walked to the grocery store and to school ALL BY MYSELF. I have finally realized that I am to seek the Lord for my protection and while I don’t need to make unwise choices or decisions, I still need to grow up and get out on my own if I want to meet ladies in my community.

I am bragging on myself because I am amazed at how beautifully God has worked in my life – previously the princess in me would have been stomping my feet and complaining about the lack of water or electricity. However, I am now beginning to see a new me. God has given me grace to get beyond my entitled attitudes and to praise him for the times we do have electricity or water – which is most of the time.
As I was taking my lukewarm shower yesterday - I thought to myself – “You’ve come a long way baby!” Instead of complaining to the Father for my lack of warm water and morning shower, I was praising him for the times when I have received hot morning showers and apologizing for taking them for granted. Sporting my new hairdo, I am praising the Lord for the small ways he works in our lives and I when I do get discouraged, I continue to remind myself to keep on trekking because: " You've come a long way baby!"