More Christmas Traveling

Tuesday, December 25

Today is the day we remember our Lord and Savior’s birth.  As I look back on the past few days, I recall many happy moments spent with family.  Although I am grateful for those moments, nothing can outshine the joy I feel when I think about the love that God has for me and all of his children.  His willingness to send his son as a helpless baby into a dark and sinful world just to bring us hope an salvation is beyond my comprehension… but I am thankful for it.  Check out Luke 2 for more on the true meaning of Christmas!  We often have so much keeping us busy during the holiday season, but for the past several years I have experienced much peace and quiet on the actual day of Christmas (my family often celebrates it in advance to accommodate for other families parties that my siblings attend with their spouses).  Therefore, it is a day to reflect and experience peace.  

We didn’t do much else today.  We slept in and got packed and ready for our trip tomorrow morning.  We also had a chance to spend some time with my parents, my sister Alison, and my brother Keith, his wife Megan, and his daughter Olivia. 

We said our goodbyes and I am grateful for every precious moment I got with my family.  I feel so blessed to be going through the experience of a lifetime in Costa Rica, but also that God arranged our plans to include time with our families too.  Family is important, and I wouldn’t want to miss out on it completely.  I wouldn't be the person I am with out them!  

Wednesday, December 26 - A Berrios Christmas!

We had an early morning trip to the airport and even left Jaden in his ‘jammies.  Thankfully, Jaden slept on the plane and we want to give a shout out to our favorite airline: SOUTHWEST!  After a quick flight, we met Damien at the airport and gathered our luggage.  He drove us to his home all the while talking about his new experience as a new daddy.  It is awesome to see this lovey-dovey-mushy side of my brother-in-law.  He loves being a dad, and fatherhood has changed him deeply.

We drove up to the house and had our first glimpse of Olivia and Damien’s new house.  We stopped our tour at the most precious gift under the tree, our new nephew, Montez.  I couldn’t resist being first to hold him… then I let Eddie have a turn.  He is so tiny and snuggly and precious; I never wanted to let go.

After a tour and a quick moment to wrap the presents we brought, we tried to start the process of opening presents with the family.  Among many distractions (the primary one being: hunger) we ended up putting it off for a few hours.  After a dinner that rivals any Thanksgiving dinner I've eaten in the past, Jaden needed a nap.  Then, Montez needed a feeding.  We got started again on the present opening, but were happily interrupted by visiting relatives.

Tio Jimmy, Titi Jeanette, Nadia, DK, Monica, and Nick stopped in after their trip to the city to see the Rockettes.  They even had a choreographed dance upon their entrance.

The boys watching some football.

We spent time chatting with them, and when Jaden woke up, he opened presents from them.  They cuddled Montez and they headed home.  We got back to present opening...

...but we were all exhausted as it was almost 10:00pm.  We hardly took another picture because we were all so exhausted.  Once the last gift was unwrapped, we headed to bed.

Here are a few more pictures I couldn't resist adding:

 Dondé esta su primo, Montez? Aqui!

Dondé esta su primo, Montez? Aqui!

 Jaden is a little nervous about Thomas the train.








He didn't quite understand why it kept coming close to him... but he sure liked playing with the remote control that came with it!

Handsome Boys!

Groot Family Christmas

Monday, December 24

Christmas Eve

Since we ran out of time Christmas shopping on Saturday, we had to hit the crowded stores once again… and this time, on Christmas EVE!!! I was braced for long lines and crowds, but actually, it wasn’t so bad.  Maybe people are learning not to procrastinate… not us though.  We headed home, whipped up a batch of Coquito to share with my extended family and headed to my Aunt and Uncle’s house for:

CHRISTMAS in a GARAGE

The evening started with attempting to decorate some large gingerbread men and constructing a gingerbread house with the kids.  They pretty much lost interest after about 20 minutes and moved on to eating sweets and running around playing hide-and-seek in the basement (and when I say kids, I mean Eddie).

After a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres, we moved on to dinner…  Again, delicious!  It was nice to eat familiar comfort food once again!

Uncle Terry led the kids in the reading of Luke 2, which reminded me of my childhood.  Calvin had us all rolling with his one-liner “is this thing on?” while holding a flashlight for a microphone.

After devotions, the present opening commenced: Jaden had his turn on the chair, and actually wanted to open his gift this time instead of throwing it on the floor (like he did with his stocking).  After all the kids had their turn, Auntie Pam had some Magic tricks to show the little kids and Eddie and Jake led a game that had 49 out 50 family members rolling on the floor with laughter.  Sorry Marcia, Josh, and Paul.  The joke is on you!

We stayed up late watching old home videos while it started to snow around midnight.

Boender Christmas

Jaden's first time on "the chair."

Sunday, December 23

After a late arrival to Church this morning, Eddie and I enjoyed our first sermon in English in 3 months.  It was quite enjoyable and we really learned a lot. We visited with old friends at church and showed-off our handsome boy before heading back to my parents house for our Christmas celebration with 26 out of 30 family members, including my parents, brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, sister-in-laws, nephews and nieces.  Again, I am thankful for each and every one of them.  Although there were moments when Jaden seemed to be thinking, “Who are these people and what language are they speaking?” he had a blast playing with his cousins and learning all about this thing called “opening presents.” I think he finally gets it!

Jill's famous Gingerbread cookies

The "little" kids (and we failed to get a picture with all the "big" kids).

Still trying to figure out this "present" thing...

Dad and his new Costa Rican rocking chair.

Don't forget: Grandma's Annual BINGO game...
Prizes for everyone!!!

Game time!

After most everyone left, Tyler taught us how to play a board game that involves much strategy and thinking… guess who won… Tyler.  We had fun, though, and Jaden happily entertained himself with a drum almost the whole time!

Christmas Travels

Friday, December 21

Traveling for Christmas… it’s what EVERYBODY does, right?  Well, that is what it felt like today.  We left Tuis around 8:30 am and arrived at the airport around 11:00am.  Our flight was at 1:30, so we had plenty of time.  We sat on the plane for about 40 min. before leaving San José, so we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale a little later than expected.  It didn’t matter though… our connecting flight was delayed 3 hours because of the “snow” in Chicago.  Turns out, our 4 hour layover would be 7 instead.  We met a new friend in the airport in San José.  Her name is Stephanie, and we ended up chatting with her and treating her to dinner at Chili’s while we waited for our connecting flights.  It was a delicious first meal back in the states.  Plus we now have a new Facebook friend (added bonus: she lives in California… I want to visit her and go see Ellen… maybe one day in my dreams).

Jaden kept us busy as he did not want to sit still.  He slept every time we were in a moving vehicle, so I cannot really complain.  We boarded our plane to Chicago at 12:30 am and headed home for the Holidays.  Overall, it was a smooth day… Just a looooong one!!!

Jaden on the plane at 12:30am

Saturday, December 22

When we arrived in Chicago, we were FREEZING.  We waited for our luggage, and my parents to pick us up and watched the cleaning lady in O’Hare Airport at 4:00 in the morning.  It was a new experience to say the least.  Jaden and I even saw a mouse in the airport.  It grabbed a cracker and crawled right into the vent while Jaden giggled and kept his distance. 

This is Jaden playing on the escalators with Daddy at 4:30 in the morning…

We climbed into bed at 6:00 am and Jaden did not want to sleep in his pack-n-play in this “new” room.  We snuggled him into bed with us and I did not wake up until he did at 12:20 pm Saturday afternoon. 

I had hoped to go shopping Saturday morning… instead we slept.  Oh well… now it was time to hit the crowded stores and do some last minute Christmas shopping.

My sister-in-law Megan agreed to accompany us and we left the kids with Grandma.  We speed-shopped and I was forced to make some fast decisions… not my favorite thing to do, but that is what happens when you wait until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping.  Thankfully, all went well and we made it home for pizza with the family.

Mom always hosts a “Deanna-and-Eddie-are-home” Pizza Party… I know; we are so spoiled.  I am always thankful for those pizza parties because everyone who can come to see us does… with limited time to visit family, I really do appreciate it when so many family members make the effort to come and visit us.  I know not all families are like that, and I am thankful to surround Jaden with such a loving and sacrificial family.  Thanks everyone!!!

After pizza, my sister and I headed to my brother’s house to help decorate the most delicious Christmas cookies ever: Jill’s Gingerbread Cookies.  They are my favorite, and I only get them once a year (unless I put in the effort to make them all on my own – which I have only done once in my life).  I loved getting the chance to chat with my nephews and nieces and brother and sister.  I miss being close to my family, so I am thankful for any “quality time” I can squeeze in… that is one of my top “Love Languages” in case you were wondering!

We also received a package in the mail at my parents’ house from two dear friends in Raleigh:  Thanks (you know who you are)!

Eddie appreciated the Beano.

Chirripo Trip (November 29-30, 2012)

Submitted by Eduardo:

Chirripo Trip

There is no better way to dig deeper into the culture of a certain country than visiting their indigenous people.  One month ago, that is exactly what I had the amazing opportunity to do.  Memories are formed when you experience something that you have never experienced before. 

Five of us men, including me, set out on an early Thursday morning on 

November 29^th, 2012 

in order to drive 2 ½ hours on dirt road until it came to a dead end.  Daniel, one of the directors here at our school, led our group to a destination deep into the mountains of Costa Rica called Chirripo to visit and minister to the indigenous people of Costa Rica.  Once we reached the end of the road we ate lunch and tightened the straps on our backpacks in preparation for the long trek ahead.  

The only way to get to the small village, called La Colonia, is to walk 3 hours down a mountain.  The walk was beautiful as we stopped many times to take pictures of the breath-taking views.  

The part that was interesting was the boatloads of mud we had to walk through.  Immediately when we started descending down the hill we came in contact with the slippery muddy ground. 

Keep in mind that we were going downhill, which means I fell several times, including right at the beginning of the trail. 

I finally got the hang of walking on the muddy surface downhill as I learned the technique of the indigenous, which I would like to call “Mud Surfing.”  It is easier not to fall if you slide down the muddy parts instead of trying to step down them.  In certain parts of the hike I was literally walking in mud that came up to my calves. 

Before the hike, our group arrived at the location where the road ended, and where we left our car.  We met up with the pastor of La Colonia and six other indigenous people from that town.  We brought lots of food and practical things to use as gifts for the people of that town.  One of the indigenous, named Enrique, joined us on our trek.  He was carrying 12 liters of milk on his shoulder and an acoustic guitar in a case in his other hand.  

I had no room to complain at all during the hike once I felt how heavy that milk was that he was carrying.  After walking for about 2 hours we arrived at a small river in which we had to cross several times as it wound across our path in 8 different places along the way.  

We then arrived to the largest part of the Chirripo River.  The only way across this river by either walking through it and getting completely wet or using a manual cable car system built by the indigenous themselves.  It was scary yet effective.

We arrived at our destination exhausted and starving.  We stayed in a large cabin the indigenous built for doctors that come to their village 4 times a year to treat people who might be sick.  

After eating some food and resting it was time to have an evening service in their small church building.  There is no electricity at this village but they do have a solar panel they use to light up their church and the cabin at night.  

The church service lasted 2 ½ hours including 2 sermons, many long prayers, lots of music (two acoustic guitarists) and fellowship.  I had an opportunity to share my testimony in Spanish.  Spanish makes up 70% of their language and the other 30% is a language called Cabecar that originated with the indigenous of Costa Rica.  I actually read my testimony out loud because I was too nervous to try to just speak Spanish without a reference.  I learned something very special during that church service.  I was so accustomed to the “North American” way of worship.  That experience helped me to realize that those indigenous people are my brothers and sisters in Christ!  We may come from very different places and cultures but we are sons and daughters in Christ and that bond is something very deep that we all share. They live in a part of the world that not very many people know about or even care about.  These people are very poor yet they have so much joy in Christ!  It helps me put a lot of things into perspective. 

It was a short trip because the next morning we packed up and headed back to our car.  The 3-hour trek down the mountain was nothing compared to the 4-hour trek up the mountain that we were about to experience.  It seemed like it was never going to end.  Up and up and up we climbed.  We climbed in mud, through rivers and over large rocks and tree roots.  I thought I was going to die at several points.  When we made it back to the car Daniel bought us each ice cream at a store in that area to celebrate the great feat that we had just accomplished!  Gracias a Dios!