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Thursday, February 22, 2024

Yakking With A Purpose

my heart is full ... 
Yakking - as in chit chat, casual conversation, babble, a form of communication (not as in vomiting!) ... With a purpose - as in deliberately, intentionally, consciously.  Yakking with a purpose. As soon as I heard this phrase, I sensed Father's prompting to make my words count, everyday, all day. Can you picture the coy smile gracing His majestic face as He directs these slang words to my spirit?  Thanks J, (even though you didn't ruin my makeup), thanks for reminding me of the magnitude to be purposeful as we yak! 

We've spent the last 8 weeks having deliberate, casual conversations with the purpose of sharing our testimony of Father's restorative work in our lives over the past 4 years.  We marvel at God's grace in the fact that each one of these were life-giving encounters. No matter if we left one coffee shop and drove directly to another one ... each one was life-giving! I mean, shouldn't our encounters always be life-giving when we reflect on His grace to cover trials, restoration and revival?  A different church each Sunday, multiple Meet and Greets and many more God ordained opportunities for coffee, comida (food) and casual conversation.  Here in PA it was easy to share this testimony, to yak with the purpose of giving glory to God.  Returning to CR, the challenge is nestled deep in my spirit ... even in normal life, to be intentional with my words and yak with a purpose. We trust Father's peace to have covered each of these encounters and that you were left with a deeper longing to commune at the table He has prepared for each of us, even in the presence of the enemy and ... the beauty of our overflowing cup.    

And now ... it's time to say adios.  Goodbye to the cold barren landscape of PA, snuggling under comforters and afghans as the sun slipped below the horizon, the stark contrast of PA sunrises and snow laden fields, fast moving cars on the highway and the need to obey the signs, the lack of rice and beans at every convenience store, and not so convenient stores, conversations in English and heartfelt moments helping someone in Spanish, flushing our toilet paper and the delightful warm water from the faucets, heat in the house, and the simply divine feeling of walking on carpeted floors, the disoriented feeling when it is still dark at 7 a.m. and meetings that start at 7 p.m., living 'just down the road' from many of you and everything being '20 minutes' away, shopping with G'ma and riding mini bike, nighttime conversations with Joseph and hugging him out the door to school, the plethora of cheezits, whoopie pies, sausage and long johns and the lack of fresh pineapple, papaya and mango, connections that make us feel connected and tears of transition that beckon us home ... Suitcases are being packed, last minute lists checked off, and one more bag of thank you coffee awaits its receiver when Buford is returned ... As our hearts turn toward home, and we let the tears of goodbyes fall, there is a beautiful peace knowing He has commissioned us for such a time as this and that Costa Rica is home for now.  

As we've communed around many of your tables sharing life, we thank God for the gift of each of you.  
We are truly blessed to have you as part of our journey! 

Praises
Life giving 8 weeks in PA
Basketball season for Jedi and Adam
Heartfelt connections with "1/2 of Lancaster Co."
Sickness did not hinder our sharing
Life with family and people we have history with
Financial partners

Prayers
Transition back to life in CR ... God's peace to blanket us
Peace for Adam's goodbyes 
Jedidiah as he starts home school for 10th and 11th grades
Wisdom for a job for Joseph after graduation
Safety for Micah as he travels around Central America
To take lots of deep breaths, say no to anxious thoughts and walk in God's peace
Finances

We still need approximately $1,500.00 a month for our next term of 2 1/2 years (through August of 2026).  We are excited to share that we received word from a few donors who are willing to match all gifts up to $25,000, this means any new donations will be doubled!

Here is our link to give through EMM:  EMM Workers, Daryl and Jen Hoover

Life in PA through pictures ...
There was a lot of life lived in these 8 weeks ... Surprisingly, I haven't captured everything 'on film', but this gives you a good idea!  Enjoy the walk through our lives.  As we fly back to CR after 3 more action packed days, we will hold these moments close to our hearts for a lifetime!  

Dear ones, your cups will always overflow at our table! 

Life and laugher with the sisters ...

Sharing laughter and our amazing drawing ability with our previous Attic Dwellers.
Christmas Eve with the Hoovers ... and 4-square with Grandpa!
The 70, Bob (red) and Larry (green) literally brought 
hours of boy entertainment! 
Christmas day at the Dieners
At least we remembered to take a picture! ...
How I miss life with 'sisters' in Colorado, CR and PA ...
and BB's bargains of course!
UPWARDS Basketball league ... a Godsend for our boys! 

Celebrating one of "The Kids" getting married! ... missing Micah.
Always room for Chinese buffet and good friends!
Feeling extra thankful for the 'daughter we share.' 
This silly crew met in Costa Rica and reunited in Ohio!
Feeling loved and cared for ...
words can't express our depth of gratitude! 
More love and sweet fellowship with our "kids" from CR ...
We almost forgot a picture ... Missing his better half : ) 
check her out on instagram.com/flora.and.fauna.co/
Jedidiah on the job site ... he loved making money! 
Thanks BR for the gift of friendship and job experience! 
Last minute cousin connections are the best ... 
Mexico and CR and PA!
First snow of the season ... no time to be sick!
One of them was fevered and had a double ear infection! 
Our people who know us and love us anyway! 
Life is fuller, richer and doubly blessed when shared with this crew! 
He talked about it for weeks ... Winter Jam!
Oh the stories we remember ... of course we don't look a day over 21! 
My soul is healthier having shared life with you sisters! 
PA Car Show ...
A place for men to be boys and boys to be men!

Dreaming about a CR trip ...
and enjoying ice cream of course!
Proud of this one's hard work!
And love the fact that we were present with you to take this simple picture.
 

21 years of sharing motherhood, life and sleepless nights!
My heart is refreshed with time spent with these two.

Get out and move ... a beautiful day for bikes on the trail! 
The story behind the soft pretzel ...
Adam enjoyed alone time with Mom and Dad!
The gift of reconnecting with 'old' friends who share our history ... 
Thanking God for His faithfulness and the night that time stood still!
The beauty of a PA sunrise ...
and the coolest large farm equipment right out our front window! 
The amazing 'show' of Snow geese ...
Yes, we did get some pictures of them too,  
but these two were very entertaining. 
PA buddies ... Thanks Kai for being such a good PA friend for Adam!
You are a gift from God!
Cousins, coffee and connections ...
Spending time with these two is so life-giving!
 
2nd snowfall of the season ... so beautiful! 
In the midst of a busy schedule,
this handsome one remembered to celebrate Us! 
Thanks Aunt Sharon for giving time to Adam and putting him to work!
A 10 year old shopping adventure ... Blessings of Hope!
Adam's request ... an afternoon of bowling and laughter with Aunt Slushie!
Adam's faithful fans ... taking advantage of every moment with these dear ones!
One of these isn't growing quite like the other three!
We love you 'sister Hannah' ... life is so full of joy when spent with you! 
Pine wood derby ... best in show!
Jedidiah was a 'stand in racer' for a little girl who was sick.
He had the privilege of racing "Rainbow Dash"! : ) 
Moments with this one make the coffee (and tea) sweeter! ...
Same eyes, same hair (one of us slightly less grey), same shirt! 


These two suggested we visit CR, carried us there the second time,
and continue to bless us to go ...
even though it means we can't live 'just down the road' ...
breathing deep the gift of this friendship!
Thanksgiving day Amish roast in February? ...  
When you have a turkey in the freezer and family home from Costa Rica,
why not!







Saturday, December 2, 2023

Poolside Service

Celebrating thankfulness!
Rainy season.  We have more rain in the month of October than we have all year (info@spreadsheettrackinghubby). This year, there seems to be no rhyme or pattern to the rain except that it is unpredictable.  A recent staff outing to a futbol game, weather tracker said no rain until 11:00 p.m. … We sat through the whole 6:00 p.m. game in soaking rain!  One day, it alters our 5:30 a.m. walk, the next day I drive through flooded mountain slopes at 3:30 p.m. for school pick-up.  The worst is trash day with flash flood conditions … driving and dodging trash bags that are being carried into the flooded downhill streets during these downpours!  My favorite though are night rains or Sunday afternoon nap rains.  Falling asleep to the peaceful rata-tat-tat rhythm on our roof is beyond blissful.  Due to these jaw-dropping, voice obscuring downpours, we have a mic and speaker 'at the ready' for class time, staff meetings, and testimony sharing as one literally can’t hear the voice speaking a mere 10 inches away.  In summary: Our shoes are soggy, our line-hung wash remains wet, and the mold is multiplying at monumental speed.  

For the past month, the wet weather has only enhanced my meditation on, the Healing at the Pool in John 5. Father’s question, and the man’s responses have been flooding my mind. “Do you want to get well?” “While I am trying to get in, someone else gets in ahead of me. There is no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.” 

It’s worthy to note the man had faith. With all the attempted dipping that seemed to be going on, I can’t imagine the water was a lovely shade of Caribbean beach blue.  Thinking on the pools formed from the aforementioned downpours, my willingness to dip in said pools feels ‘zero to none.’  However, as I meditated on the man’s response, I sensed Father’s tender voice, “There is plenty of ME to go around, it doesn’t matter if someone ‘gets in ahead’.  I have placed you here to help those around you into the healing pool of My Presence.” This, coming during a week that felt like there was no time for lounging in the life-guard chair with zinc oxide glistening from the bridge of my nose!  The anxious feelings that came with His directness, were quickly covered with His balm of peace … “You just need to be willing to help them in, trust ME with the rest.”  There are 20 beautiful souls in my daily sphere of influence and many more that I interact with weekly outside the walls of Casa Vidanet … and the water is stirring.  Whether your sphere of influence is oriented in an office, facilitating a family line, purchaser of products, stabilizing a desk in school, or creating art out of food … this question warrants pondering: 

Are you willing to watch and see where God is working and consider the title of Pool Boy?
Serving poolside ... Obey and Trust ... Be purposeful

Life "by the Pool"
September – November have passed in the blink of an eye!  Ten weeks of Vida220 are complete, 1 more month before outreach begins. In the midst of school, youth group, soccer, leading worship, play dates, cafecitos, birthdays, video calls and the grand celebration of Thanksgiving, the past weeks have been full of mentoring and discipling these dear ones through the extremes of life. We help them manage their finances, remind them to clean their rooms, and take time to help them connect with Jesus. We thank God for the gifted and anointed teachers that have poured into our family, students, and staff.  The battle has been thick, spiritual attacks have calloused our knees in prayer as we declare the name of Jesus over every heart and mind, over fear and anxiety, and over addiction as it starts to break, knowing there is power, peace and healing within His presence for every soul lounging by the pool.

Praises
Dec. – Feb., we have a place to call home, a car to drive, and churches to share life with! 
God’s faithfulness in these great things and so many “small” things.
Jedi and Adam finished 9th and 4th grade with amazing grades in their second language.
Jen’s headaches and joint aches are less!
A Thanksgiving feast with friends and family.
Bilingual worship anointing. 
To know our Kingdom purpose.

Prayers
Hoover family of 6 will be under one roof for 10 days!
A job for Jedidiah.
Wisdom for Micah as he gives leadership to Vida220.
Those filling our roles here in CR while we’re in The States.
Transition of home leave.
Rest and refreshment for our souls and physical bodies. 
Trust and obey … trust Father to do His part as we obey His prompting.
To watch and see where God is working and join Him by the pool!

Thank you to those who have partnered with us!  
If you haven't already done so, would you prayerfully consider a financial partnership for our family?  We need to raise $85,000 to meet our budget for our next 32 months.  That is $2,650 per month.  

To be part of Kingdom Poolside service here in Costa Rica, follow this link:

A traditional Lancaster Co. T'giving day spread ...
Not your typical rice and beans but well loved by all!

Feeling thankful to share life with these dear ones!

Thank you God for friends, a backpacking trip and a new hobby!

These two are becoming quite the puzzle fanatics ...
The bonus is they love spending time with me doing them! 

Crazy hair day at youth group ...
no other explanation needed!

Fall pictures for this handsome 10 year old
"Bringer of Light"

And for this 16 year old Tender Heart. 

An old game with new friends ...
These dear friendships were not anticipated but GREATLY appreciated!

He has now claimed the title of "Tallest in the family"
much to the elder's dismay!
He literally seemed to grow two inches in two weeks!
 
The end of 9th grade ...
He held his own with this crew of 4 girls ... 
And, I think he rather enjoyed it!

Fun and laughter filled our lives from the quick friendship between
these Ohio girlies and Costa Rican boys!

The Lorax and a Truffula tree ... 
how creative!!
A quick weekend trip to marry off one of his buddies ... 
"Make sure someone takes a picture of you in your tux!"
Last class day of 4th grade ...
Celebrating by wearing Christmas PJ's!

Coffee with one of my girls ...
spending time "Poolside" ...

John 5:7
I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. 
While I am trying to get in, someone else gets in ahead of me.