Rice and Beans of Life: "In Three Years ... "

Bloom where you're planted!

What causes these simple words to evoke so much emotion in me? Why does my heart ache so much when I hear these words innocently spoken by our boys? Until recently, I've let these words slide through the cracks of conversation into the pool of emotions that cause them to be spoken. While Daryl and I are asking Father daily for His heart, His purpose, His life to give us direction ... our boys are thinking ... "In Three Years" ... life will return as we knew it. While it's good to remember life as we knew it, if we're constantly thinking about returning to PA, we will not live life to the fullest here in CR. Yesterday I suggested that we stop saying those words and think about what God wants to show us in this time. God in his faithfulness has brought us here for such a time as this. In the midst of a new life where most things are different ...we are thriving in the center of His will not merely surviving these three years! Hidden in the recesses of my heart is this quote ... "Bloom where you're planted." Although these words are not His inspired Word, Father has brought them to mind often when I felt unsettled with the place He chose to plant me. So today, as always, the Lover of my Soul brings these words of inspiration ...

I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

"The Eye of Water"

Life in the City ... This was a busy week ... no time for solitude except in the wee hours of the night! Last Sunday we enjoyed a family day at Ojo de Aguas ... swimming pools filled with a natural spring spilling out 359 liters of water a second – more than 5,000 gallons a minute. Daddy and the older boys braved the 'high jump' while Mama and Adam splashed in the shallow end! ... This week I walked to grocery shop with my little two wheeled cart in one hand and Jedidiah's hand in my other. He was my protector as we walked the streets of Heredia. Sweet company, supper, Rage, soccer, playing puppy with Dylan and hair cuts with the Vida220 team ... our mornings were filled with school, afternoons with more school and our evenings with conversation and study of this beautiful language! ... The boys are excited to start language study with Ligia ... they enjoyed a snack and learned 'things from the table.' As expected, Jedidiah made us laugh with his quick understanding and ability to say a few phrases! Micah is understanding a lot and what he doesn't know, Joseph quickly reminds him! ... Adam is saying new words everyday ... Blessed by Rosario's prayers again, receiving and giving "God bless you" with the lady at the bread store we frequent ... thanking God for Daryl's ability to fix things around the house ... and the highlight of the week ...

Entering ... The Volcano!

Today's adventure visiting the Poas Volcano! The boys were excited to wake up at 6:15 for a day of adventure. We bought bread to eat on the way. loaded Adventures in Odyssey CD's and set out through the winding hills of beautiful Costa Rican country side. Arriving at our destination did not disappoint. One massive crater surrounded by rock and barren landscape and another filled with rain water surrounded by a lush green Cloud Forrest.
Blessed by the warmth of the sun ... In awe of the clouds we could 'touch' ... Amazed at the handiwork of our Creator! Thank you Father for planting us in Costa Rica!

Praises
-Each of you who are holding our arms up for the Lord's Victory
-health and fresh fruit
-warmth of the city sun and refreshing breeze of the mountain
-we made a decission on table, chairs and veggie cart
-physical strength to walk ... and walk some more
-family time
-healing for Daryl's dad
-financial partners for the New Base

Standing above the clouds

Prayers
-the Vida220 teams coming home for a week of teaching
-relationships
-minds that retain language and tongues to speak it
-letting go of "in three years"
-the move to the New Base
-that we would bloom where God has planted us
-boldness to speak
-Lord, lead us!