Preparations for Costa Rica

We have less than ninety days left in VA. By the second week of January we'll be making our way back to Texas for a few months, then in March we will be heading to Costa Rica. We have been very busy with preparations for Dan's retirement and our final move. Obtaining residency to Costa Rica has proved to be interesting. There are many steps to the process and each step takes time. God is taking us through each step and even though we are very busy we have peace in the process.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been praying for us. We feel blessed to have the friends and church family that God has put in our life.

Mint & Basil

I love mint tea. I used to go buy dried mint leaves from the local health food store to make mint tea. In the spring I bought some mint and basil plants from the farmers market down the road and planted them in my flower bed. What I didn't know is mint is like ground cover. It was taking over my flower bed, leaving little room for the flowers I also planted. I have had an abundance of mint. When it was hot I would dry the mint leaves outside on the back deck. Yesterday, because there was a threat of a freeze over night, I clipped the majority of the mint and brought it inside. All morning I've been drying mint in my oven. I will definitely have enough for the next several months.

The basil has also done well. I make my own spaghetti sauce so it was nice having fresh basil all summer long. I now have so much dried basil I don't think I can use it all. I will have to share the abundance with friends and family. It's a blessing being able to grow just a few things you would normally buy at the grocery store.

Saints vs. Sinners

Last night our lesson for Jr. High was about our identity in Christ. Knowing who we are is so important but rarely emphasized. We often hear people say, "I'm a sinner saved by grace". But, are we really sinners saved by grace? Can we find Believers described that way any where in the New Testament? Once we believe in Christ the old things have passed away. No longer are we in Adam, but in Christ. We are now Saints, Holy Ones of the Most High, Children of God. That is our identity. Of course we still sin but that is not who we are. We are not sinners saved by grace but Saints who still sin.