When He Shows Up ...

tháng 9 23, 2018 No comments

Listening for His gentle whisper ...

I had it all planned. Specifically in those wee morning hours when I'd wake up with the words running through my mind like a flowing faucet that had long been forgotten. As my body wound it's way through the stages of sleep and neared the surface of waking, my mind would snap into action at the protest of my soul. Oh how I willed it to rest and sleep peacefully. My dream state prayers took many rabbit trails constantly circling back to "those" words. I placed my worries in His hands, "have Your way with this Father!" Then, like a defiant child, with my next thought, I took them back again. In the absurdity of my thinking, it was like I thought I had to plan this, like He wasn't going to be faithful.

I knew it in my spirit as soon as the question was asked. Still I hesitated. I knew what He was asking, however my will dug it's heals in. "Ummm, God, do I need to remind You, You're asking me to do this is in Spanish and in front of the church?" And then the question once again ... "Why am I here?" Not here in Costa Rica, but here on this earth. With Pastor Martin's words ringing in my ears, Created to serve, Saved to serve and Called to serve, I gave up my will, chose hope and said yes.

Elijah stood at the mouth of the cave. The violent, rock splitting, tree uprooting wind blew. The earth shook with such trembling it caused mountains that touch the sky to crumble. Then the fire, so intense it singed his eyebrows from 30 meters away. The flurry of activity in my mind this week felt much like these three elements. And then came Sunday morning ... you know those fear filled moments He had asked me to lead worship at church. As I walked to the mouth of the cave (a.k.a the front of the church), the gentle whisper of His sweet presence caused me to cover my face as he passed by. These elements of nature (a.k.a. those needless hours of worrying what words I would share) simply passed by as His gentle whisper spoke to hungry hearts. He showed up, of course He did. In the recesses of my Spirit, I knew He would. It's who He is, it's what He does. Yet in my humanness I needlessly worry ... Today, He's rubbing my tense shoulders, reminding me why He loves me and holding me as I listen to his gentle whisper. What "activities of earth, wind or fire" are distracting you from hearing Father's gentle whisper?

Created for Him ... Power of His love ... His gentle whisper

Life on the Mountain
Vacation week for Jedidiah and Adam brought more energy to our house during the day and more baked products from Jedidiah. Micah and Joseph started a new school year (8th and 10th). Youth group, co-op, worship practice, date with dad and welcoming our Vida220 leaders ... you know, normal life stuff like you experience everyday, just in a different language!

Praise
Nellie's heart that longs for the sweetness of His presence
Micah feeling connected!
Joseph who prefers to stay at home, loves going to youth group
Neighbors we love to share life with
New growth and life in our spirit from a year ago
A clean house from Rosario

Prayers
Our border run for visas bright and early Monday morning
Steve's heart to soften to Father's voice
The strikes, road blocks and protests going on though out CR, protesting taxes.

Relief for my headaches

Healing for Jedidiah's cold
Give the details and plans to Him and not hold onto them with worry

Shhhhhh ... Don't tell dad!
Really, he just likes the helmet ... he has no idea ...
Fly Eagles fly!

Vacation week ... helping Mom at El Nido ... entertaining babies

The Black Ninjas ... Maybe it's a costume party ...
OR
Maybe it's teenagers playing dress-up!

Connected

tháng 9 17, 2018 No comments

Viva Costa Rica!

Tech, I don't like the thought that we can't live without it. "Face it mom, tech is a part of our lives and it's not going away!" I know, I know ... and I like it too. I just don't like how dependent we are on it. Oh we unplug from time to time, but there's always that one more text I need to reply to, one more video someone wants to watch, that one more thing someone is explaining and suggests we google it to see what they're talking about. And ... there's that one final check of my phone before going to bed. In doing so, I notoriously find myself feeding my thumb's "scrolling-exercise" addiction instead of meditating on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable before succumbing to sweet dream world. Confession ... I don't know when the last time was that I didn't check my phone before going to bed.

Ok ... so where's this going other than confessing my addiction and declaring my soapbox stance on technology? ...

I've noticed over the past few months, I've had a hard time allowing my mind to relax. You know those sacred mindless moments during the day when one finds themselves day dreaming, contemplating life and resting in the promise "he will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is fixed on Thee". What I've realized is this ... I've reached for technology in those quiet moments instead of reaching for the peace of Father's sweet presence. Instead of meditating on His word that I read in the morning, I've meditated on what others are doing in their lives ... Instead of talking or just being with my hubby during a drive, I've fed the incessant need to indulge in other's travels ... Instead of snuggling under His wings and hearing His sweet voice sing over me when I kiss my mighty men good night, I've cozied up to the photographic moments that fill other's lives.

Whose presence am I longing to connect with? If it's truly His presence that changes me, changes our home, changes those around me, than why am I inviting media's presence in these precious 'mindless' moments?

Nothing else will satisfy ... Peace of mind ... Connected with His presence

The words to this song brought healing tears yesterday during worship ...

A quien ire ... To Whom will I go

A quien ire en necesidad ... To whom will I go in need?

A quien ire en busca de paz ... To whom will I go in search of peace?

y quien podra mi vida saciar de verdad ... Who will be able to truly satisfy my life?

Cristo a donde mas podria ir ... Where else can I go

Life on the Mountain

Regrouping and resettling into normal life after travel, visitors and constant movement ... Cleaning and organizing the storage area after the tornado of summer activity. So good for my soul plus the fact that I didn't encounter any 8 legged visitors! ... Start of Youth group ... reconnecting with my El Nido ladies ... Family evenings at home ... Celebrating Costa Rica Independence day with a parade of lanterns, bands and food!

Praise
Tuesday night YOUTH GROUP for Micah and Joseph. When asked what part he liked best, Joseph said, EVERYTHING!
Tumor in Angelica's mom's abdomen is benign!
Vida220 Leaders arrived safely via bus travel through Nicaragua
William and Laura received their visas to travel to Spain as missionaries

Prayers
The strikes, road blocks and protests going on though out CR, protesting taxes.
Mark Uptain's family ... a friend of a friend who's life was tragically ended
Steve's heart to long for Father's sweet presence
Healing for Jedi and Adam's colds ... they have vacation all week.

Crepes for breakfast ... many hands make ... a mess!

Just one nice picture for the grandparents ... please

Jedidiah was a king for a small school skit ... Micah!

Adam proud of his Farole (lantern)

6:30 a.m. Saturday morning ...
bright eyed and ready to march!

In his element ... "I have to march how far?!!!" ...
Only around the block!

Kindergarteners playing drums while 'marching' is seriously like herding cats!

Declan taking his turn to push Adam!

"NO, Jedidiah, please don't pick me as your partner again!" ...
Being Rook partners with someone who loves to live on the edge is nail biting for most of us! ...
Filling our home with laughter!

Home

tháng 9 09, 2018 No comments

Taste from 'home' ... $0.50 Frosty's ...
Can't believe we only had one!

Home is a term I've used loosely and frequently over the past two weeks while living out of a suitcase. My parents came to Costa Rica so Daryl and I could fly 'home' to the States for two weeks. However when asked when we're returning to CR, we replied we're flying 'home' the 3rd of September. While in Ohio, we needed to drive 'home' to PA before flying 'home' to CR. We went 'home' to Bryan and Sharon's house after a long day, we had dinner with my brother and went 'home' to Mom and Dad's to get another suitcase. When we are on vacation, we go 'home' to the beach house or 'home' to the cabin if we're out and about for the day. While processing our move to CR we talk about things we miss from 'home'. Seeing friends and family from 'home' makes us realize how much we miss them. Yet the settled familiarity of CR most definitely feels like 'home' until Father releases us to move to the next 'home'.

"Home is where your heart is" ... "Home is where love is borne" ... "There is no place like home" ... "Don't leave home without it" ... Whether we are coming home, going home, leaving home, staying home, longing for home, or simply looking toward 'home' ... One thing has been solidified in my heart with these past two weeks of travel ... "Home is not a place, it's a feeling."

My heart is at home with my Father. It is of no importance where I go or what I leave, come what may with any adventure I pursue or flee from, regardless of whether I'm in The States, Costa Rica or the next village He calls us to ... Wherever I am, it's knowing the sweet presence and hearing the voice of my Savior that reminds me ... I'm home. What home are you longing for? Do you know the sweetness of this place called home?

Finding home ... Feeling peace ... Knowing His voice

Life on the Mountain
Mimi and Pop-pop flew to Costa Rica, two days later Daryl and I flew to PA for 6 days, then spent 3 days in Ohio and two more days in PA before returning to Costa Rica. We were physically exhausted with full bellies most of the time but spiritually encouraged and spurred on by spending time with many of you during this adventure with our Leadership team. The boys were wined and dined with unlimited cookies, ice cream, treats and undivided grandparent attention. Returning to CR brought a peaceful, settled feeling knowing this is where He has called us for now ... this is home.

Praise
Knowing His presence through all our travels in the states and in CR
School, normal life and adventure happened without issues
His sweet presence that draws our neighbors to join us at church
Time for Daryl and I to just be together
The hospitality of family and friends who hosted and fed us on our adventure
A Tuesday night youth group for Micah and Joseph to be apart of ... He is so good and His timing is always perfect!
Laughter and community with the staff and leadership of VidaNet
Financial blessings from our Growth Banquets

Prayer
A new Vida220 school starting the end of September and all the details that go with this
Getting back into routine
Micah and Joseph starting a new school year
For Micah to find a place of belonging
Parenting Jedidiah with all the hellos and good byes
Friends walking through difficult situations