Isaac Watts wrote these though provoking lyrics for "When I survey the Wondrous Cross" back in 170, yet it is 2012 and they are still being sung in churches all around the world. Why?
I believe it is due to the message that these lyrics were intended to share and that is La Cruz- The Cross. The original title for this song was "Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ." How appropriate as we celebrate Good Friday today and fix our eyes on the cross where our loving Savior sacrificed His life, so that we might have eternal life.
Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" This morning as I made breakfast I listened to the online recording of Pastor Colin Smith's sermon from April 1, 2012 on "The Glory of The Crucified Savior" (I highly recommend it and I included a link below if you want to listen to it online).
During this message Pastor Colin asked "What does the cross mean to you?" That made me stop beating my pancake mix and pause the sermon to really think, "What does the cross mean to me?"
Jesus' death on the cross is the reason I am able to get up each morning.
It is the reason why my smile continues to shine and my eyes continue to twinkle.
The cross is the reason why I am able to love because He first loved me.
It is the reason why I have energy to work with kids and show them this amazing God created world.
The cross is the reason why I am able to fellowship with other believers from every nation as one body.
It is the reason why I am able to humbly acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of my gracious, forgiving, loving, Savior.
The cross is why I am able to live the words of the Bible "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5
Not just when I feel like it. Not just when things are going good. No, everyday He demands my soul, my life, my all. Whatever I do, I am to do it unto the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Reflecting on the power of the cross and its impact in my life I began to also think about all the blessings God has poured out upon my life. My most recent blessings came in the form of two other Osborn's who had the special opportunity to come visit me in Costa Rica :)
Los padres! -The Parents!
And they also brought along a good dose of laughter. I don't think I've laughed so hard in such a long time. Dad said he didn't realize he was going to be the source of so much laughter on this trip, but it was one memorable trip!
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned our Osborn Opportunity adventures before and this trip was no exception. I'll try and share the highlights of the trip with accompanying pictures. But I 1st need to mention one inside joke, and that is dad's nickname during his time here: Mr. Bean. Here is a picture of Mr. Bean to help those of you who do not know who Mr. Bean is:
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| I am pretty sure this is how dad felt after concluding his driving experience in Cost Rica. |
There is actually a movie called "Mr. Bean's Holiday" and we teased dad during his time here that they could've filmed him and made a similar movie.
Time to explain: Mr. Bean is a very goofy guy. He often does things that are not culturally correct, or he gets himself into trouble. Well, here are some Mr. Bean (daddyo) highlights from our trip*
*These highlights are used without his permission*
Originally my parents reserved a rental car and a hotel downtown San Jose. The rental car worked out great (I'm not sure my dad would use those same words), but their hotel was in a very sketchy area of San Jose. For example, we spent one night there and as we left to go out to dinner at a Greek restaurant down the street the gate keeper had to unlock the gate by pushing an automatic button, using a key, taking off a padlock on the door, and pulling out another lock and after all of that he glanced down the street and told us "don't go too far!"
Well, we were discussing the safety of this hotel my dad mentioned that their room had a safe. My mom started to laugh and explained that the "safe" was a tiny metal safe box that was under the TV in a small wicker cabinet. But she said if anyone broke into their room they could easily just take the safe with them. She then asked my dad if he put anything in the safe. He said yes and didn't say anything else. My mom said she didn't remember putting any valuables of hers in the safe, so she asked my dad what he put in the safe. "Well, I put my medicine, binoculars..." -We agreed those were good things to put in the safe, but then we broke down laughing after he told us the next two items..."new black shoes, and Lindor Chocolate truffles." Oh, Mr. Bean :) Gotta make sure those chocolates are safe!
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| Mom in front of the bed & breakfast- Looks are deceiving :) |
After one night in that sketchy hotel we decided it would be better to just stay at my house. Plus, we we going to do some traveling around Costa Rica, so we checked out of that hotel and they stayed half of the nights with me in my host home.
Friday mom and dad drove Vero (my host sister) and I to school.
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| My classroom :) |
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| Teacher Rachel in action |
Dad and mom had fun seeing me in action in the classroom, as well as participating in the fun events of the school day. Dad played a little futbol (soccer) with my 2nd grade boys:
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| I am 21 years old, but my parents wanted me to get my picture taken with the Easter bunny. Hoppy day! |
The school day was packed with festivities,
as we had our big Easter egg hunt/carnival.
Here are my adorable little 2nd grade bunnies:
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| My little 2nd grade boys went around all day saying "What's up doc?" |
Saturday we followed my host mom to the small town of Cartago. We went to see Volcan Irazu (Volcano Irazu). I have never been to a volcano, so this was a fun experience! Here are some pictures of the crater we saw and other volcano related pictures:
Now time for our crazy adventures around Costa Rica :)
My poor father (Mr. Bean) was an excellent drive, but it was not an easy task. Driving in Costa Rica is very difficult! He likes a challenge, but this was a super challenge. However, once he got the hang of it he was speeding around corners, up and down the mountain like James Bond. Mom had quite a lot to say about that style of driving, but he just told her to shut her eyes :)
Sunday we packed up everything and headed to La Fortuna. I reserved us a room at the backpackers hostel and it was a very nice hostel. It had a pool and a variety of hammocks to chill in. We stayed in a room with three other young adults. Two were from Colorado, and the other guy was a french sailor.
We had a nice dinner downtown, typical Costa Rican food, and then played some games at the hostel before going to bed. In the morning we got up early and left to go zip line (canopy). I had done this exact zip line a month before, so I was excited to share the experience with my parents. Mom was pretty hesitant, but our guide Jonathan didn't give her time to back out. He clipped her in and went sailing down the line with her before she could say "No way jose!" 
Our guide Jonathan was a great guide and dad and I got some good laughs because he got mom to do the zip line all by herself and when she came in for the landing he yelled "I'm proud of you momma!" :)
Mom was glad she did it and we all had a blast! Afterwards we hiked to the waterfall, which was quite a hike but a beautiful one. Here are some pictures from the jungle trek:
We heard and saw a toucan in the canopy, but it was too far away to get a good picture :(
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| Three happy musketeer zip liners! |
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| Nasty spider on the way down towards the waterfall |
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| Recognize this photo? It is very similar to the picture I originally put with the Bible verse on my blog page :) |
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| I made it across the rickety bridge :) |
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| La Fortuna waterfall |
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| Some giant trees in the jungle |
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| Dad swimming in the waterfall |
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| Look at those two love birds :) |
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| Another nasty spider. Yuck! |
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| Caleb let me borrow his camera and it takes cool panorama shots |
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| Volcan Arenal in La Fortuna |
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| Ant eaters on the side of the road |
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| Lake Arenal- We had a nice road trip around it on our way to Monteverde |
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| Dad's panic "deer-in-the-head-light" eyes as he checks out the dirt road to Monteverde |
Another Mr. Bean adventure- Osborn Opportunity was our road trip to Monteverde. I had heard Monteverde was one of the most beautiful places to visit in Costa Rica and so we decided to stop by on our way to the beach. However, I didn't realize that the only way to get to this beautiful spot is by a windy, dirt road in the mountains. It was a long trip, but it was a beautiful view!
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| We stayed at "Cabinas Eddy's" in Monteverde |
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| The Pacific Ocean |
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| Tourist Mr. Bean enjoying the beach |
We arrived at the beach in Manuel Antonio and found another backpackers hostel to stay in. This one was not as nice as the last one, but it worked out.
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| This is a type of tarantula-freaked mom out on the trail :) |
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| Manuel Antonio has a national park that we went to. We saw lots of monkey! |
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| Mr. Bean even brought his walking sticks for the trails :) |
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| Got to go swinging from some of the vines in the jungle! |
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| Another monkey in the jungle ;) |
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| Beach fun! |
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| Salty Pacific Ocean :) |
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| Sailboat on the Pacific- Dad would've liked to be in it. |
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| National Park of Manuel Antonio |
Mom and dad said the same thing...we happened to be passing a policeman at the same time, so dad reached out the window and passed the pint of ice cream to the police officer and said "We no like, for you." The police officer looked at it a little suspiciously, but he took it and we drove off :)
Altogether it was a wonderful spring break! I had a lot of adventures with the parents, (Mr. Bean ;) and I was able to relax and enjoy some time away from school.
This next week it is back to school, but I am losing a subject each week. And in less than a month I will be back in the states! CrAzY!!!! The time has flown by.
May you take time to reflect this Easter on what the cross means to you and thank God for sending His one and only Son to die for You! You are deeply loved.
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