An Introduction

How do you even try to begin a blog entry when so much has happened over the course of three days? There are so many details, and interesting pieces to share, but it's so difficult to do without writing a novel! I'll do my best to introduce you to our new family and their home. It will be difficult, so bear with me please-

After a very long morning of traveling, we finally arrived at the airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, and began the stressful task of picking up luggage and getting through customs in a foreign country. Luckily, Costa Rica's airport is pretty easy, and the process wasn't bad at all, and before we knew it, we had all 7 bags, heading for the exit to begin life in our new country! It all happened so quickly! As we exited the automatic doors that lead to the pickup area outside, the first thing we saw amongst a crowd of bodies standing outside, was a little white piece of paper pressed against the glass that read "Jeremy and Kerbi Smith". How can such a small, flimsy piece of paper provide such relief?! Attached to that humble little sign was a man wearing glasses, small in stature, wearing a big grin. Jeremy waived to identify ourselves, and the man waved back, knowing that we were the couple he was looking for. Outside, with our mountain of bags in the midst of it all, we introduced ourselves for the first time to our new house dad, who we came to know as "Leo". Somehow, I managed to understand him as he explained our plan for getting all of our luggage and our bodies to the house, and off we went. The conversation was very broken because my Spanish is SO rusty, but we were able to communicate and soon arrived at our new home. When we arrived, we met the rest of the family, Maribel, the mother, Carolina, their oldest daughter, Sofia, the middle daughter, Luis Andres, their youngest son, and Rodolfo, Maribel's cousin. Our luggage was unloaded, and we immediately sat down together for some Costa Rican coffee and an afternoon snack. We were quickly integrated into everyday life in their home, and feel so blessed that they are always kind enough to invite us to participate in EVERYTHING they do, going everywhere they go. Such great Spanish practice! Already, we have been to drop the kids off at school, taken a walking tour of the neighborhood and our new route to the Spanish Language Institute, gone to the bank, the grocery store, ridden the bus into downtown San Jose for shopping, and tonight, will be going to a youth event at the church.

Leo is such a patient, kind spirited man who loves his family and works hard to provide for them. Maribel has such a joyful, effervescent personality, and has a tender heart for animals (they have 2 birds, fish, chickens, dogs, and a free ranging rabbit!). Carolina is 11 years old and has the sweetest smile and gentle spirit. Sofia is 9 years old and the drama queen of the family. She is bubbly and rambunctious. Luis Andres is the little lady's man. His eyelashes are the longest I have ever seen and he loves to beat Jeremy in mini soccer matches on the porch. Rodolfo has helped us so much, because he speaks English and has been able to give us important information that we might not be able to understand otherwise! He takes such good care of his family, and will be a good friend to us. This is just a GLIMPSE into our new home, but I will write more when I get the chance! I will also take some pictures of the family to include next time!

Thanks for reading- will talk more soon! (I have included some pictures below of our little apartment here!)