Tim

While we were in Visalia we had the privilege of sharing at Savior's on a Sunday morning. Our thought was to share not so much about what we do, but about what God had been teaching us with the hopes that perhaps God would use it to someone's life. So both Tracey and I prepared to share and felt prepared. Well as I (Jeff) was sharing it felt like I was stumbling over my words, I was struggling to tie my thoughts together and it felt as if it wasn't connecting. When I have the opportunity to speak I often pray that God will push me out of the way and do what he desires. So as a closing song played my prayer was that even though I felt like it hadn't gone as I wanted that God would keep pushing me aside and speak to those that were there.

After the service we had a lot of friends we wanted to connect with as we had not been at Savior's since we moved to Costa Rica. After talking to people for a while I was gathering our things to leave when a guy I had never seen or met before grabbed me and we started to talk. He introduced himself as Tim. I was humbled as he told me that God spoke to him through me and that it was exactly what he needed to hear. He was passionate about how he just wanted to know Jesus better and to follow him. As we talked a couple other people joined us including Mark and Kathleen Condie (Mark is the pastor at Savior's) and he mentioned that he was not saved and didn't feel like he had a relationship with Jesus. But that someday he would. We of course asked him why not today and so Tim committed his life to Jesus that day, confessed his need for a Savior, and his commitment to follow Jesus.

Now I don't know at what point salvation becomes salvific, nor do I necessarily want to know. I don't think it is not a magic formula or necessarily a moment that can be pinpointed. Rather I think it may be more of a process and Tim was definitely in process when our paths crossed that day. And I was privileged to be there at the moment the process took an important step. In talking to him I would have sworn he was a passionate follower of Jesus. He had more passion and life in his eyes than most people I know who have been following Jesus for years. I pray that as Tim's process of getting to know Jesus continues that his passion doesn't wane.

This encounter with Tim is also a perfect illustration of what God has been teaching me. What he cares about is obedience not success. If we are obedient to be about what he calls us to (most importantly to know him) he will take care of the results. Even on a day when it feels like nothing goes as we planned.

Christmas pictures. . .a bit late. . .

So, I was looking back over our blog and realized we never posted Christmas pictures from our own family Christmas. Maybe that's because we left the country shortly after and we didn't have time, but since I'm on a blogging marathon catch-up, I might as well include Christmas, too.

Starting with our SI Staff Christmas Party

From Christmas 2009

In front of the Christmas tree (can you tell it got pulled over 2x?)

From Christmas 2009

The cast of our church Christmas play, "El Arca de Noe" (Noah's Ark; go figure). Note the cute little donkey trying to be in character. :)

From Christmas 2009

In character again. Can you tell her costume is too small? It was made for a tico-sized 5 year old.

From Christmas 2009

The Christmas Canata I sang in with our church: No Fue Una Noche Mas (Not Another Silent Night is the English version, I think.)

From Christmas 2009

We took a day "off" and headed to Volcán Irrazú.

From Christmas 2009

From Christmas 2009

Olivia LOVES her new bike!

From Christmas 2009

And Sawyer LOVES his new tools!

From Christmas 2009

So, um, Merry Christmas 2009!

And the new school year begins!

Olivia started Kindergarten last week--I can't believe it!!! And Sawyer began another year of preschool. The typical school year here is from February to mid-December. Olivia loves her school, Tio Conejo, so far, as well as her teacher, Teacher Andrea. Sawyer is a little resistant to going to school in the mornings, but then always seems to have had a good day by the time we pick him up. His teachers said the first day that he seemed to miss having Olivia there, and he keeps telling us he wants to be in "prepa" (kindergarten) like Olivia, and talks about his Tio Conejo. Here are some pictures--I should have taken a picture of all the stuff they needed for school! It amazes me, as a teacher who was not allowed to require even a pencil from my students, how much stuff is left for parents to supply here--aka, everything!

Here's Sawyer on his first day:

From Beach, 1st Day of School, Arca de Noe

And here's Olivia, with Teacher Andrea:

From Beach, 1st Day of School, Arca de Noe

And with classmates:

From Beach, 1st Day of School, Arca de Noe

September 14-ish, 2010

THAT is the estimated due date for our New Baby!! Dixon Baby #3 is on it's way, and we are all super excited! So far, everything looks great and I am feeling pretty good/tired. . .and very pregnant. Olivia is looking forward to being a big sister again; Sawyer isn't quite sure what to think. He keeps telling us he has babies in his tummy, too, and in his legs. . .and sometimes kitties and puppies. :) We'll see.

It will be interesting having a baby in Costa Rica. Medical care is good, and babies are born every day here (!), so we're not too worried, but we do need to choose wisely and work out all the doctor/hospital details. This baby will be a dual citizen, which we think is pretty neat--gotta figure all that out, too. Anyway, we feel blessed and would appreciate your prayers for this new life, all the transition for our family, and all the birthing/having-a-baby-in-another-country-and-second-language details.

Here's the 9 week ultrasound:

California

And, finally, we spent our busiest 2 weeks in Visalia, California. And wouldn't you know it--we didn't take any pictures there! Isn't that terrible?! Not that I'm the best photo document-er anyway. . .oh well. If anyone took pictures. . .maybe we can work something out?

A big thank you to Mike and Carol Alipaz for letting us stay with them; it was a blessing to have a home-away-from-home. They also watched Olivia and Sawyer A LOT while we ran around doing all we needed to do. A big thank you, also, to the Savior's home groups, and Carrie Konig for organizing them; they helped purchase MANY of the things on our 'list.' Thanks for being a practical part of our lives in Costa Rica--Olivia and Sawyer are lovin' those fruit snacks and lunch boxes!

So what all did we do in CA? (Warning: this crude summary doesn't begin to do justice to the quality of time spent!) We connected with 3 supporting churches and 2 of their mission boards, and spoke at 2 of those churches, plus Savior's youth group. We had another open house, visited with MANY amazing friends, popped into the SI office, and did a lot of shopping (Thanks Tricia for accompanying me!).

CA was kind of a whirlwind, but it was so wonderful to see everybody. The same can be said of MN and CO. We so love and appreciate each one of you! Your influence on our lives is immeasurable. Thank you to each of you for the part you have played in who we are and who we are becoming. And thanks to all of you who attended one of our open houses, or listened in some other capacity to what we have been up to and what God is doing in Costa Rica. Your prayers, moral, and financial support mean the world to us. Jeff and I both agreed after our trip that we were exhausted from all our travels. But more than that, we were BLESSED and ENCOURAGED so much by each one of you! It's very easy to feel alone out here, and to become discouraged--but you all reminded us of the truth--we are not alone; YOU are connected to us here--and a big part of why we are here, and how we got here! The body of Christ is so mysterious and amazing; thanks for helping us understand it a little better! We love you all!

Colorado

Our next stop was Colorado, where we also enjoyed family and friends, and temps that were a bit warmer. :)

Tasting Snow

From Trip to the States

So many clothes to go outside!

From Trip to the States

Olivia and Thomas

From Trip to the States

Getting ready for another "Christmas"

From Trip to the States

Bob and Tracey

From Trip to the States

Princess Olivia

From Trip to the States

The Sand/Snow Castle

From Trip to the States

Helping Grandpa Organize/Shred

From Trip to the States

So Tired

From Trip to the States

Grandma pulled this wagon for a LONG time. . .

From Trip to the States

Minnesota

The first stop on our month of travels was Minnesota. We were fortunate to see many friends and family there, and arrived just in time for -20 F temps! Thankfully, Olivia and Sawyer were able to go play in the snow enough to satisfy their desires, in spite of the cold. We also had an open house and were able to go up to my grandpa Rosell's farm one weekend and visit Rose City Church and share about Costa Rica there. Here's some pictures from our time there:

Cousins

From Trip to the States

Rosell Relatives

From Trip to the States

Roub New Year's Breakfast

From Trip to the States

"Christmas" Dinner

From Trip to the States

Games with Grandpa Tic Tac

From Trip to the States

Playing Trains

From Trip to the States

Exercise with Uncle Ethan

From Trip to the States

Silly Picture!!

From Trip to the States

Everybody was looking AND smiling!!

From Trip to the States

Way Behind!

We have been back in Costa Rica for a week now. . .and let's just say we have a lot of blog catch-up to do! Suffice it to say we had a super time in MN, CO, and CA. It was great to see so many of you! We wish we could have seen EVERYBODY, so we're sorry if we missed you. Next time. Or, we have a great spare room and enjoy visitors. . .just let us know when you're thinking of coming so we can coordinate around teams and help with all the details!

More later. . .I promise!