Rice and Beans of Life: The Front Door

Living in a secluded bubble in the midst of City Life ... Our cozy home feels safe, comfortable, inviting, peaceful and secure ... however, God continues to call us out the front door! If we choose to avoid the winds swirling around us we lose the opportunity to be strengthened and shaped by them, (like the Sedona Red Rock formations in Arizona) ... If we avoid the waves by 'staying on the shore' we miss the opportunity to hear, "Peace, be still!"

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Perhaps the good to which Paul referred was not the temporal blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity, but rather being conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. I've been pondering this journey, being conformed to His image and can testify God is certainly working everything for our 'conforming to His image'.

Die to self, Live for Christ, Conformed to His image ... Walk out the front door, face the wind and waves, show the world Christs love!

Trying to blend in!

City Life ... Walking out our front door we attract lots of attention! Specifically because Adam waves, says "Hola" and gives lots of hugs to strangers! I'm teaching him to say "Dios te bendiga" which usually results in more admiration of this "precioso machito!" ... Yesterday en-route to market we met Luis, briefly shared our stories, prayed for him and moved on. Daniel, a 16 year old asking for money, we bought him food instead. And, a sweet woman at market who was very enamored with our boys. When Adam said, Dios te bendiga she exuberantly replied, "How wonderful we serve the same God and King of Kings!" ... We met our next door neighbors who kindly informed us why our electricity was out at 1:00 a.m. ... A 4 vehicle accident right outside out front door! Can't believe we slept through sirens, noise and hours of activity this caused! ... How does one cut the small patch of grass growing up through the bricks in our inner court yard? Why with a scissors of course! Not quite the same as home, however Micah found great joy in mowing the lawn here! ... We had guests for dinner Friday and Saturday night complete with hamburgers over the fire in our courtyard. We're thankful for a constant breeze that blew the smoke right on through the house! ... We purchased a 2 wheeled cart for our weekly jaunt to Market ... Walked to church this morning and we're once again overwhelmed by Father's affection and joy during worship ...I purchased a chicken and literally got the whole chicken, even a few feathers! ... Morning walks to purchase delicious sweet bread for breakfast ... Unfortunately we met our first cockroach ... Daryl passed his first Spanish test with flying colors (did I mention how proud I am of him!) ... Finding joy in City Life!

Language School ...
anyone want to study Spanish?

Mowing the Lawn

His Peace

We continue to ask God, "What do you want to do in our family life during this time?" Daryl and I read this quote this morning and it resonated loudly in our Spirits ... Every loss leaves a space that can be filled with God’s presence. We continue to ask God to fill our spaces of loss with more of HIM! We pray for a boldness in our boys to step out the front door, we pray for humility to put others first, we pray for unity and peace in our family interactions, we pray for a desire to build relationships and to not be selfish with 'our alone time', and ... we pray for the areas of loss each of you may be experiencing to be filled to overflowing with more of Fathers sweet presence!

Sweet reminder of God's promises

Praises

Health

Sunday morning worship times

Sunshine and blue skies

God's constant companionship

Cards from home

Safe arrival of our games among other things

Peaceful nights of sleep

School feels like normal routine once again

Prayers
Ears that hear the words correctly and a heart that understands
Electrician for the New Base
Wisdom on purchasing a vehicle: if, when and what
For our 4 Vida220 teams on outreach
Connections for the boys
Businesses to partner with Vidanet for the New Base
http://vidanetonline.org/sites/default/files/users/43/corporateincentive.pdf
**How can we pray for you?**