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| "A bed boat" ... |
Wow ... I started this blog two weeks ago and never finished it! Life has taken us on a whirlwind ride!
This week I've been contemplating the simple things we enjoy in life, particularly those that have Kingdom impact. What are simple things we have to share that make a Kingdom mark? Obedience, smiles, hugs, prayer, a listening ear, laughter with those who rejoice and tears with those who mourn ...
Reading together about the widow's mite, she gave what she had and was called blessed for giving all she had. The conversation became animated as we started recounting all the simple things' we were able to share that day and in turn recognizing the ripple effect said things caused in the Kingdom.
Cashiers and food service personal at Price Smart who open lines for us because our friendship started with a smile ... IMAS approved child care for Martha's 4 small boys because "where two gathered in His name, He was there" ... After hauling bucket loads of dirt from the driveway out front to the patch out back, the dump truck drivers friend suggested we measure the gate. What do you know, it fits! AND, because we're closer than 'down the hill', we can have their extra loads dirt for a fraction of 'normal' price ... Plans for a prefab house for Samuel taking shape because a relationship was built ... Pharmacist friend recommended anti parasite medication because she cares and values our friendship ... A music teachers affirmation of Jedidiah and the opportunity to use his personal guitar for school lessons because he recognizes a gift of God ... Looking everywhere and finding "no-salt" substitute for an experiment at a random end cap display ... Neighbors who feel the freedom to call and ask me to check if they forgot to turn something off because God is building trust in our hearts ... Native Spanish speakers speaking English and Native English speakers speaking Spanish ... The gift of shoes that didn't fit our feet but God knew who needed them ... Dreaming, scheming and planning with the leadership team because everyone is valued and everyone's gift is important ...Three hour Sunday afternoon nap, souls being restored ... Coffee and dessert with sistas, wings with brothas, because He knows the community we need ... Boys who want to share their talents ... Receiving a 'praying for you' text, sending one out and feeling the hug from Father ... A two minute asking a neighbors forgiveness for the noise our family makes became a 2 hour coffee heart to heart ... Another neighbor asking to go to church with us, her significant others approval and wanting to have her son dedicated ... Perhaps by Father's grace, our actions toward those created in His image, lifestyle choices, and simple obedience truly are outshining our selfish humanity and making a Kingdom mark!
Simple things ... Start with a smile ... Kingdom mark
Life on the MountainOur teams have all safely returned from outreach and have filled Casa VidaNet and our hearts with love, laughter and lots of life ... A well hidden Roller skating rink in Heredia proved lots of bumps, bruises and laughter with a family of 30+ ... A day at the beach in Cauhita on the Pacific coast, celebrating with the churches near Talamanca and returning to our refreshing mountain home ... Guitar lessons, joining the school band ... Family talent show ... Remembering and missing Dona Margoth - 6-11-17 ... Buying food for the army, kids club snacks for 1000 (raising up the army) and the blessing of strong helpers ... A week of checking off a long list of last minute details before we welcomed the life, energy and excitement of a Vida Missions team of 25. Everyone did their part! ... Late nights, early mornings, full days, sound sleep ... and finally, a few hours at home to catch up on life!
PraisesSimple things bringing life
Family Roller skating night with family of 30+
Wknd adventure with Students to Beach and church in Talamancha
Nellie and Santi want to join us for church
Heart to hearts with our Landlords
A cloths dryer during rainy season
Sound sleep
PrayersHealth, some stomach - gut issues remain
Martha's health
Robbie's mental health, peace for Jack and Susie
A variety of illnesses with some students, pray for healing as we embark on Vida Missions
Vida Missions teams traveling to Upala and Honduras for outreach
Preservation of family time during this season
Rest in the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of Father
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When "Tia Liz" gives you two big boxes ...
You create a Submarine! |
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| Feet to fit the shoes! |
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| He joined band ... no more needs said! |
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| Super Heros are invading Vida Missions! |
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Father/Son festivities at school!
The peace of ocean waves ...
He makes friends everywhere he goes ... Flintstones foot powered ... Taking turns ...
Planting a tree in honor of Dona Margoth on the one year anniversary of her death ...
Testing out office chairs for Dad! |
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Growing boy ...
Is Mama shrinking?...
Nope, he's just wearing Roller Skates! |
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| Of course he had to skate with the big boys! |
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Called in the troops to help ...
God's perfect timing ...
They were in the right place at the right time! |
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| When you ask an artist to help you make PB&J sandwiches! |
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Waiting for the other 1/2 of us to
arrive with the Vida Missions group ...Jesus and Jedidiah ...
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness" ... Jeremiah 31:3
The Simplicity of His love ... |
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