COSTA RICA, HERE WE COME!!!

Hello my friends!! And happy Thursday!

GUESS WHAT!!!

By the time you’re reading this…I’m going to be in COSTA RICA!!

I’m traveling with three of my very best friends, and we’re having a short little girls’ trip!

And I can’t wait to share about all of our adventures! Spoiler alert – there will be zip lining and ATV 4-Wheeling!

I’m going to be vlogging about all of it, as well as sharing photos and videos on my Instagram: @beauty.beyond.bones, so I invite you to follow me on there or my YouTube channel, if you want to virtually join me on my trip!

I am really blessed to have this group of girls in my life. They are my very best friends, and these August trips have become a tradition for us – and something that we plan on continuing, even as our life stage evolves and significant others enter the picture and whatnot.

Because, if I’ve learned anything from my recovery from anorexia, it’s that relationships matter.

Truly.

Of course, first and foremost that includes our relationship with God. I mean, I would have no recovery without Him. And then, of course, there’s our relationship with our family – which is, again — priceless and precious.

But specifically — I’m talking our relationships with our friends.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT

There is something so soul-affirming about having people in your life that love the real you — people who you can be yourself around — totally and completely. I mean, people who, not just know your quirks and idiosyncrasies, but who have seen you through the really tough stuff. Who understand your struggles and heartaches, and help you carry the load, and unpack the baggage.

And I have been blessed with three remarkable friends, with whom I can do just that.

Iceland Vs. Utah!

They know my story. They know where I’ve come from. Heck — I mean, we’ve been best friends — one since birth and one since second grade!

They have seen me through my darkest days. And we all have been there for one another when the chips are down.

You all know my past, and how during those years of my anorexia, I completely isolated myself and pushed everyone away — not returning a text or phone call for over two years.

Well, these girls never gave up on me. They knew that the real Care was in there somewhere, hiding scared inside the shell of existence they saw on the outside. They never lost faith or hope or love.

They have been such a beautiful example of friendship. And every day I thank God for putting them in my life.

It is a blessing that I know is incredibly rare and sacred and beautiful.

And seeing just how meaningful and powerful those bonds have been in my own life, I try to be that kind of friend to others as well.

In today’s world, everything has become so virtual and informal. Phone calls have been replaced by text messages and social media interactions. We’re constantly on our phones, even when we’re with loved ones. Life gets in the way of getting together, busyness prevails. But I think it’s so important to make time for your friends.

It’s so important to nurture those bonds that God has so graciously placed in our lives.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all on this journey of life together – and we will go through a lot of ups and a lot of downs, and having a friend by your side through it all is a blessing that is inexplicably beautiful.

So I invite you to join me on our celebration of friendship in Costa Rica for the next few days!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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Yay for cute hats!

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101 responses to “COSTA RICA, HERE WE COME!!!”

    • Thank you so much John! You’re kind to say that. I am definitely having fun! big hugs xox

      Reply

    • thank you so much!! I have always wanted to visit Nicaragua. My mom did a mission trip there and had a really powerful time. hugs xo

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Jim! Yes! I am really so blessed to have such wonderful friends. hugs xox

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Dawn! Yes! I am really having such a blast with these ladies who are such blessings 🙂 hugs xox

      Reply

  17. Yes. This. All of this. <3

    I didn't really grow up with childhood friends. I was the weird kid who was the target of much bullying. There were kids in the neighborhood who tolerated me, but mostly just because I had Legos and Hot Wheels and video games. We weren't close, and a lot of my playing with neighbor kids involved "playing WWF" (the wrestling one which is now called WWE, not the nature one) which mostly just meant they got to beat me up. I started making friends around age 16, but then we all graduated and dispersed, and it was a lot harder to keep in touch. Back in 1994, there was no texting or social media, and while email was newly becoming mainstream, few of my friends used it.

    It was the friends I made in college, particularly my first year, that really stuck with me into early middle age. And your post really felt timely for me for two reasons. One is because of my ongoing writing about this time in my life. I'm sorry to keep plugging my writing, but it's relevant here. I wrote that post recently on DLTDGB about how my mom wondered if Taylor* and I would be lifelong friends, and 25 years later we still are. (https://dontletthedaysgoby.home.blog/2019/07/29/february-19-1995-mom-and-dad-and-mark-visit-jeromeville/)

    Also, Pete Green was planning a trip back here this week, and he was trying to get together with me, Taylor and his wife, Liz and Ramon, Mike From J Building, and a few other people (whom I'll introduce to my story eventually but whom I didn't know at the time – and it should be pointed out that Pete is married to someone else who is part of my story at this point, but I don't want to say who because spoilers). Unfortunately, that got cancelled because of a family emergency on Pete's end. But, much like your friends, this group still gets together every few years whenever Pete and his family visit the area, even though we're pretty spread out geographically these days. (Most of us are still fairly close by, but some of us are up to 2 1/2 hours apart driving. And Pete and his family were missionaries in a very hostile country for five years, and now they live more than halfway across the country.)

    But, yes, seriously, long-term friendship is really a special thing. And thank you for always being so friendly to all of us readers. It means a lot to me.

    * I'm using names of the characters in my blog based on these people, not their actual names.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much for sharing your story 🙂 and you’re so right – friends are such a blessing, and to have friends that have been with you through it all is just such a special thing. So glad you all still get together! big hugs xox

      Reply

  18. Thank you for writing this. I needed this tonight. Last night I was upset about how some of my support system isn’t that supportive, so I called my friend, who reminded me of an activity we did in a workbook together-and how it’s important to have true friends and family that will love and support you.
    You helped reinforce that lesson.

    Reply

    • Thank you Amanda, I’m so glad this resonated with you. I’m sorry to hear that. You’re so right – your “true blues” are worth their weight in gold and are really something to cherish 🙂 big hugs xox

      Reply

  19. “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13)

    Enjoy your time in the light, and enjoy your trip.

    Your pagan friend, Karac

    Reply

    • Thank you so much for sharing that verse, Karac – I love that so much. And it’s so true. Thanks! I already am having the best time! big hugs xox

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    • You’re spot on about that! it is such a beautiful country! the views are INCREDIBLE! big hugs xox

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  28. Have so much fun! I’ve dreamed of visiting Costa Rica since I was in elementary school. And thank you for sharing your heart about friendship. It’s definitely evolved and changed with the advent of social media, but being in person, physically with someone makes the biggest difference sometimes. Safe travels!!

    Reply

  29. One of the many things God showed me (when this conceited prodigal got wise and returned to his Father) almost 11 years ago was that I needed fellowship with other believers to help me in my Christian walk. I had isolated myself for too long. I needed “friends” in the worst way so I understand your joy in hanging out with yours. Have a great trip.

    Reply

    • You’re so right about that Rollie — fellowship is just so important for overall well being 🙂 thanks for that! big husg xox

      Reply

  31. I hope that you Zip Line at the same place we did back in 2016. We loved all that we did in Costa Rica. Just be careful when 4-Wheeling. We will be praying to keep you in His Hands.

    Reply

    • oh awesome!! thank you for that heads up – yeah we are going to be super careful. I appreciate the prayers so much! big hugs to you xo

      Reply

  34. I hope you four are having a fab/fit/fun time! Zip lining? Ah, to be young again.

    I must confess to a temporary (Dad) panic at your headline of going to Costa Rica. Wasn’t that the place where people keep getting mysteriously sick and dying? Thankfully, no! And four pretty, young ladies alone on a Caribbean island. Yes…I checked State Department security levels for Coast Rica. Fairly safe – normal precautions as you would anywhere.

    Whew! So I won’t urge you to leave immediately.

    “Weird” picture: with the helmets on, I’ll assume everyone took the same positions, so the exceptionally nerdy one on the right is you. 😊

    Take the time for friends! Amen to that! My buddy, Rick, has been in LA for over 25 years, and this past week is the first I’ve gone out to see him. He’s been back in Ohio every few years, and I met him up there when his mom died a few years back. I decided this had to be the year. We’re both 60+ and only God knows how many days we have left! I’m glad you and your pals are taking care of that special pieces of business early on! Good for all of you!!

    Thanks for letting me pull your leg a bit! Try not to limp. You and your friends will be in my prayers for great times & memories, and a safe return. All the best!

    Reply

    • a fab fit fun time hahah absolutely!!! Thank you for your concern – yeah there was tainted vodka, but I am being very cautious. We got ours from Duty Free! I’m so glad you got to have that time with Rick! htanks for the prayers! hugs xo

      Reply

  38. Zip lining, four wheeling, crystal clear waters, and forever friends! What more could a girl want? You are living the life and deserve it, Caralyn! Enjoy!

    Reply

  42. I do think we are living in the most highly literate period for humans with science as well as the digital information highway at our finger tips, but yet people are the most confused now than compared to past eras! Deception and lies abound and are crafted most ingeniously causing more people than ever to argue over the Church of Christ and for many to abandon it altogether, because they say look at how mixed up all of this Christianity is. Look at how many denominations or offshoots there are to simply realize people just go their own way and try branding their own version of Jesus Christ who is the Church! The fact is there were deceptions put in place immediately upon the death of Jesus and His subsequent Resurrection, then as the church became established more corruption was introduced to divide, confuse and conquer; all work of Satan. But, also human foibles or inability to function with absolutes and being so imperfect they stray! The only prime guidance they have is the living word of God and His Holy Spirit the Comforter to keep them steadfast on the PATH! Nothing is absolute for us humans even our American founding fathers purpose, intent and genius plan for a New Nation under God has been corrupted from its infancy and since by Free Masons or Illuminati a diabolical interference to subvert; this is how it works because Satan is a highly intelligent being with free agency to a point; who only seeks to destroy and mainly to take as many humans into hell as he possibly can! So we are all in a constant battle of maintaining focus on truth and most of all faith in Him our Lord Savior and Redeemer; Jesus Christ!

    Some say wow yes this is great!

    Yes, but I see it as a double edged sword too, there are those that use technology ex: “Mass Media” to deceive larger numbers of people than was ever possible before, indeed this internet while helping many it is devouring many minds, hearts and souls unfortunately because evil does seek out the weak and the strong and none are righteous no one as Scripture tells us! Roman 3:10 “There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

    Reply

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