Breakfast and The Bucket List

We decided our first day of school needed to start with ... a walk to Weisers to say hi to Anita (our crossing guard) and to feast on some delicious Weisers donuts for breakfast!  

At breakfast we discussed the POC (plan on care) for the first day of home school ... I felt like I was at work planning my care for various patients on my shift!  Micah and Joseph decided to be stationed upstairs, side by side in the office to help each other if necessary.  First day success … they have done everything completely independent, this in itself is the most amazing answer to prayer.  Joseph said, "Mom, so far I like it better than regular school." ... Now, I know this is the first day of a very new thing, however Joseph having such a positive start to the day is a blessing from Father.  Micah had a few questions and some ideas how to make things run smoother, but overall he thinks it will be fine and hopefully easier than real school!  Jedidiah ... again, prayers are much appreciated!  We did OK the first morning together, it got too long for him because mom was trying to help him figure everything out and he's a "happy clicker". Two subjects done and he is currently running off some energy outside.  We'll tackle the last 2 subjects this afternoon while Adam naps.  Micah, my tech support, showed me how to listen to the lessons instead of reading them all ... this will be a super great thing for Jedidiah who said, "Mom, this is boring reading all this stuff!"  Adam ... "I do home school today and I go work too by myself in the car!"  He has always played well by himself and today proved the test.  He was briefly entertained with some fun vocab videos Jedidiah was watching and snuggled on my lap a bit in between Monster truck races. For the most part, he played contentedly as long as he knew we were all close by.  I can't wait to hear all he's soaking up as he hears Jedidiah's lessons!    

"Finding peace in the chaos" Today I read from Isaiah 40 God comforting his people ... vs 11 brought comfort to my soul ...  "He tends his flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."  He is gently leading us through this journey of home school, he is "snuggling" us close to his heart and we are refreshed in His presence!

Bucket list … We asked the boys to come up with a “bucket list” of sorts … A list of things they wanted to do before we leave for CR.  We asked them to decide together and narrow the list down to 5 things they want to do.  The cabin, beach, sleepovers with cousins etc doesn’t count because those things are already planned.  This past Saturday night we checked one off the list … The Buck! Daddy packed supper and headed south with 4 very excited boys in tow.  Monster Trucks, Tuff Trucks, and the sights, smells and sounds of ‘Southern End culture’ awaited.  Apparently all the pregnant mamas didn’t think 8/27/16 was a good delivery date so my night at work ended early allowing me to join the laughter and excitement at … The Buck! 

Praises

The anxiety of starting home school is over 

I actually finished this blog while Jedidiah was doing math! 

Monthly supporters

The perfect size camo pants for Micah to go hunting, $2.70!

Celebrating 15 years of Wedded bliss (9.2.01)

Prayers

Safe travels for Delynn & Gloria driving to CR

Renters for our current house

Monthly supporters emm.org/donate

Patience with home school
Permanent base for VidaNet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCXiBUGDCnw
Health and healing, Daryl and I have sore throats & cough

Naps and Walmart

Let this not be confused with Naps “at” Walmart … although I feel like in these last 2 weeks I’ve spent more time at Walmart then in my own bed! My daily naps with Adam transformed into my daily trip to Walmart.  Monday the boxes and containers were filled and itemized, our washer and dryer were ready to be loaded on the trailer and I realized there was a ton of storage space in the drum of each of these items.  What does one pack in an empty washing machine drum?  Pillows!  Off to Walmart for the first of two trips for the day.  I’m not proud of the fact that I have visited Walmart almost daily the last 2 weeks.  However, as I packed, piled and planned I kept thinking of ‘one more thing’ I should send in the trailer.  Who needs a nap or sleep when our friendly 24 hour Walmart is just down the road!

Today I awoke with thoughts of where I needed to focus on packing for the day.  I wearily crawled out of bed and suddenly had the glorious recollection … The trailer is packed, loaded and heading to Ohio with its final destination … Costa Rica.  So today, I took a nap … a precious gift for my weary body.  Last night as I tucked the boys in bed at 11:15 Micah said, “Mom, tomorrow night can we try to get to bed before 11:00?”  We have all been running on adrenaline as our nights are late, our mornings early and our routine abandoned.

My calm in the midst of the storm … Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? The maker of heaven and earth!  He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  In the midst of our packing frenzy God carved out a week of refreshment for us to relax around the camp fire and enjoy extended time with Daryl’s family at Spruce Lake Retreat.  He is our help!

Adam rockin the socks
and crocks

Somewhere in the chaos of these last 2 weeks’ normal life continued to happen … with all the flurry of activity happening I can hardly fathom how the dust had time to settle, but, it did!  The house still needs cleaned, laundry piles up, meals need planned, and haircuts are a necessity in this summer heat!  In the midst of packing the trailer we’ve enjoyed … Dessert night with cousins, sports camp, playing with puppies, sleep overs with cousins, youth group activities … “no Micah, you didn’t miss the kik, I just didn’t remember you were to bring snacks to share!”, , singing at a memorial service, birthday sleep overs, air guitar bands, house showing to possible renters, roller skating, bike rides, camping, $20.00 in Kohls cash, dinner at mom’s, visiting with Delynn and Gloria, a trip to Cabelas and … trips to Walmart!

Last night as we closed the trailer doors after one more last minute trip to Walmart, I couldn’t hold back the tears.  Tears of gratitude to our Provider, tears of joy for the journey He has us on, tears of sadness as we say see ya later, tears of relief that what’s packed is packed.  And then … we prayed, anointed and declared the van, trailer, and drivers, Delynn and Gloria are the Lords and this journey to from PA to CR will be blessed by the Lord, for His glory!

PA Hoovers and CR Hoovers

Praises
-Joseph is currently enjoying a sleepover with 2 buddies
-donated trailer and new tires
-Dad Diener and all he did to get the trailer road ready
-free bunk bed, washer and dryer,
-monthly financial partners
-opportunities to share God’s faithfulness
-camp fires

Prayers

-starting home school next week ... He is my help!
-renters for our house (the first one fell through)

-someone to do our taxes
-monthly financial partners emm.org/donate
-church connections to share our story
-permanent base for VidaNet www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCXiBUGDCnw

Zip-lock Bags and Squirrels in DC

What does one do when presented with a free Sunday afternoon allowing time to think and contemplate your upcoming major life change?  Well, for starters, a nap is essential … I am absolutely certain God is fully in favor of naps … what else could it mean when His Word says “He rested” … Now, the day looms ahead and the lists are trying to organize in my mind.  But alas, Sunday is a day of rest so I have opted to reflect on what happens when my plans for the day transform into HIS plans.  As He calls me to “rest in the shadow of the Almighty” I trust that he will even watch over my lists, details and burdens of the day! His perfect peace which transcends all understanding is guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus!

My last blog ended with a prayer request for a 4x6 enclosed trailer.  The hope was for this trailer to be laden with our earthly treasures and transported to Costa Rica … I failed to mentioned this request had a time limit.  If we chose to participate in this adventure, we had TWO weeks to find a trailer and redirect our thoughts from:
A: moving to CR and furnishing our home with things purchased there to B: purchasing here, packing the said trailer and transporting these earthly treasures to CR NOW.  Essentially, God’s timing is always perfect for our lives.

“My hearts finding peace in the chaos, I’m ready at last to move on … So hold me close, don’t let me fall, it’s a chance to prove, Jesus I trust in YOU!” … Kutless

See praises for contents!

Enter the picture … Zip-lock bags!   Hindsight is usually 20/20 which causes me to love reflecting on God’s perfect timing.  It just so happens the weeks of August 1st and 8th, we had “no other plans” … God’s perfect time for us to receive a donated 5x8 trailer and fill the XX-Large Zip-lock packing bags I purchased on Walmart clearance a few months ago.

One week ago, I found myself looking back on the whirlwind we just flew through and looking forward to 2 leisurely weeks of calm to do some occasional thinking, packing, planning … resting. Why not use these two weeks to purchase, pile and pack?  Friday as I was driving to work my anxiety was high and my shoulders were tense from a week of decisions … His gentle reminder came from Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry … “my heart’s finding peace in the chaos …”



Enter the scene … “Squirrels in DC”.  Yesterday we journeyed to Washington DC and participated in a worship set at David’s Tent with our youth group. I was overwhelmed with His love as God opened up the Heavens and Rained down his peace in the midst of my chaos.  Worshiping with fellow believers, praying for His heart to be revealed to the lost, dancing in the rain and watching Adam feed cheez-its to a squirrel were healing to my soul! “my hearts finding peace in the chaos …”



Praises
-4 XX-Large Zip-lock bags packed with the following: 4 comforters, 1 blanket, 8 twin sheet sets, 5 towels, 4 hand towels, 8 washcloths
-Donated 5x8 trailer and a dear friend who knows about vehicle Titles
-30% Kohls discount and Door Buster Deals
-the gift of school supplies, packing containers and ‘missionary’ suit cases
-dinner with ‘old’ friends and celebrating new life
-Sharp Shopper Platinos and receiving a blessing from the cashier
-affirmation from Monthly partners and prayer warriors

Prayers
 -a sleepover with friends for Joseph
-health and strength
-for the boys to sense peace in the chaos
-home school
-Monthly partners emm.org/donate
-rest for VidaNet staff after a full summer

Home cooked meals, Hot dogs and Hannah

How does one begin writing a blog?  For starters, do I need to have a reason to blog? Should I have some inspirational quote or bible verse to start? Do I need a particular subject or can I just ramble? Will others read my blog or will it simply be a journal of the stories of our lives? How often do I update a blog? Do I need to worry about punctuation, spelling and grammar? Do I want people to feel challenged, inspired and encouraged or do I just journal the day? Will I be vulnerable or will I share the silly stuff of life raising boys?  How does one begin writing a blog?

August 1, 2016 …  
Today seems like the perfect day to start my blogging career!  We’re in the midst of chaos preparing to move our family of 6 to Costa Rica for 3 years.  We’re packing up the house, deciding what to take to CR, what to store here and what to give away, we’re making life changing decisions about finances, retirement and our future, we’re lacking sleep, our minds are ransacked with questions and decisions that need to be made, in a few short weeks we’ll start home school, it’s raining outside, Adam is sleeping, the boys are playing the Wii, I’m sucking a lolli-pop which I never do and … it’s August 1st which somehow seems a better date to start a blog rather than march 6, October 19 or any other random day of the year!

We have just journeyed through what has felt like the busiest time in our almost 15 years of wedded bliss.  Hold onto our coat tails and catch a glimpse of our last 8 weeks … let me preface this by making note to the title of my blog … “Home cooked meals and hot dogs.” There wasn’t a lot of cooking or cleaning going on at home as we were blessed with delicious home cooked meals through training.  And on those evenings when there was barely enough time to breath … hot dogs were the dinner of choice or rather by default!  OK, here we go … we had a Dessert night, Chicken BBQ, celebrated 2 birthdays, completed 4 weeks of training with EMM (3 weeks at the Welcoming Place in Akron and one at Black Rock Retreat), participated in Global Fair, were commissioned with EMM, walked, swam, hiked and ate A LOT, mastered Spike Ball, got a cast off, one diagnosed and treated for Lymes disease, spent evenings catching up with old friends and sharing our story with new friends, a play date here and there, shared our story with 5 different churches, delivered a few babies, lead some worship and were blessed by many different worship styles, challenged with teaching from gifted teachers, learned about culture, experienced the Gospel through our senses, had a free family night at Reading Phillies, ½ price shakes at Sonic, smores and popcorn with the ants, visited a mosque, relished the quiet of a silent retreat, a weekend back packing trip, a girlfriend getaway, soccer camp, one date night, met with a financial advisor, doctor and dentist visits, and a highlight for the boys … meeting Hannah!  Yes, this is one long run on sentence!

Hannah & the boys

The boys were not thrilled about spending 4 weeks away from our neighbors, friends and cousins at the start of summer, until … they met Hannah.  Hannah has been one of God’s angels to our family!  The first Sunday night of our training they met her and all of a sudden wanted to spend every moment possible being adventurous with Hannah.  Their plea of “Why do we have to go to training?” changed to “Mom, can we go to training with Hannah today?”  Words cannot express how blessed we feel to have walked through these weeks of training with her.  God has done abundantly more than we could ask or imagine for our boys during this busy season of our lives through Hannah’s love, attention and affirmation of each of them.

the perfect B'day gift

My comfort and solace
Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” He knows what we need before we even ask!
Song by Bethel Music, It Is Well.  “Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you, through it all it is well … So let go my soul and trust in HIM … Far be it from me to not believe, even when my eyes can’t see.  And this mountain that’s in front of me, will be thrown into the midst of the sea!  Through it all my eyes are on you, through it all it is well with my soul!”



Praises
-We’re are almost at 70% with our funds, depends who you ask : )
-We started our fundraising (March 1st) asking for 100 monthly partners of $100/month.  Is it possible we only need 30 more monthly partners at $100/month?
-A van for VidaNet … this van (praise) will be driven to CR with a prayer request attached … see below

Prayers
-4’ x 6’ enclosed trailer for the van to pull our ‘stuff’ we’re moving to CR
-Finances, we are humbly asking you to consider partnering with us monthly to make God’s glory known to the nations. EMM.org/donate
-Renters for our home in Akron
-Grace and peace as we start home schooling this month
-Keep our eyes on Jesus and reflect Him in all we do … even when we’re stressed that He would shine through