we went back to bed for a few hours. Later that morning I went to Cecy and Willy's house for more Christmas decorating :) Today was the final installment of the decorations: the Christmas trees! Their daughter, Cati, came over to help us. It was really fun getting to spend some time with her for the first time in about four months! Cecy and Willy gave me quite the shock... they were really excited to tell me a "surprise" when I arrived. They kept talking about how great this surprise was and how they had waited until I arrived to tell us (Mary and I) because they wanted to ensure that I could explain it to Mary in English if need be so that everyone completely understood the surprise. Well, they finally told me: "On Saturday, WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!" I didn't do a very good job of hiding my shock: "YOU GUYS AREN"T MARRIED??!!?!" They then explained that they've been together for 14 years but never married. The reasoning behind this is because marriage for either of them is not accepted through the Catholic church since they have each had a divorce in the past. Since they couldn't get married, they just didn't. They have always wanted to and Willy even bought the rings six years ago. They finally decided to go ahead and get a legal marriage through the government instead of the church and are going to do it on Saturday during Willy's huge 60th birthday celebration! What 
a surprise, but how exciting! We have been planning Willy's birthday party since I got here in June! Thursday after school I am going to their house to help Cecy start on the cooking and I will be there through Saturday for all of the festivities. I'm so glad that I am going to get to be a part of this special day! It will also be my last day with Cecy and Willy - I'm not ready to say goodbye! Life is picking-up and getting pretty crazy. My calendar is full of things to do between now and the 18th: final presentations, final papers, final exams, final Christmas shopping, and final goodbyes! Tomorrow I am having a farewell dinner with my missionary friends for us to be together one last time and then say goodbye. I can't believe it's been six months! Six months ago I was a stranger here and everything was new and overwhelming. The thought of being here until December filled me with anxiety. Now, it's almost over and it's time to say goodbye to the life that God has blessed me with here. Costa Rica has become my home - home away from home. I have friends all over the city, good friends. And family. I feel established here. The people have found a way into my heart and it's going to be hard to say goodbye. On the other side of the sadness is incredible excitement! Two weeks from today I will be in the comfort of MY HOME in Louisville Kentucky with MY FAMILY!!! Words can't express how exciting that is :) and so, the countdown continues and the goodbyes begin.
