TeamDuggan

Some of my blog readers know that I attended graduate school a few years ago to become a nurse midwife.  Countless clinical hours(actually each type of visit and number of hours was calculated monthly), coursework, exams, and board certification occurred while the family and I kept up the housework, homeschooling, and mundane tasks every household faces, in addition to seeking the perfect job. God in His infinite wisdom already had a job for Brian and Cathi, unbeknownst to us, serving with Reachglobal in Latin America.

Many days, I thought my role here could have been just as easily accomplished in the Carolinas, in the comfortable surroundings we had grown accustomed to.  But living here has taught me that sometimes it is not about me or my plans, but a plan far bigger than we can imagine. And yes, I am in my sweet spot, using the dreams, skills, and passion to connect with women-of all ages, varied nationalities, from different backgrounds, in English and in Spanish, and in settings I’d never have imagined.

From rural clinics on the Caribbean coast, to pockets of urban poverty and right in my own backyard. This past week I was able to reach out to women at a clinic in a beautiful valley not far from our home, especially enjoying a conversation with a  delightful 95 year old woman. She had been seen in our clinic, and we were monitoring her before sending her home. Her sparkling eyes told the story, and she insisted she had better places to be, in her heavenly home with Jesus-so why not send her home?  Spending time with  Reachglobal women based here in Costa Rica is fun and comfortable. Walking along a sidewalk while a beaming four year old  girl chattered animatedly in Spanish as she held my hand, directing me towards her neighborhood preschool.  Months of interaction turned into opportunity today, when a spur- of- the-moment sharing  of coffee and banana bread with a Tica shopkeeper who runs a tiny panadería shared her heart as I willingly helped her mix a batch of donuts in the workroom in the back of her store.    I am here, right where I am supposed to be, with women for a lifetime.

Today was a picture perfect day in Costa Rica. I had invited my husband to a sushi grill for lunch and my darling daughters, did my hair, my nails, my makeup, yes, and even picked my clothes. In fact, Keri told me with straight hair I didn’t look a day over 40(is that a complement). We’ve been playing catch-up from January and I am now involved in two Women’s Bible study groups, so I will be having some profound thoughts if I ever get a few minutes to collect my thoughts….after I finish the mile-long to do list!

On this weekend though, I took time to love on hubby and kids(and even Oreo the dog) more, to chat and surprise my local bakery friend with some Valentine treats, and plan to have another valentine’s date with hubby—next time coffee and dessert as time didn’t permit….take the time to love on the special people in your life! And to our faraway(and Costa Rican  and Latin American)family, friends, and supporters, we thank you and pray for you often!

Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad!(Happy Day of Love and Friendship!)