Celebrating Grief

Celebrate ... to do something special or enjoyable for an important event, occasion, holiday, etc.
Grief ... a human response to the loss of someone (something) we love and value.

This week we have lots to celebrate ... specifically, grief.  Why would we choose to celebrate grief?

Happy 7th Spiritual birthday

As a mama, I want to hear what is going on inside my boys ... what are they thinking and feeling ... "Use your words ...  tell me what you want ... what is wrong today? ... how are you feeling? ...  are you OK today? ... " There certainly is not a lack for displays of emotion or actions which lend me to guess what each one might be feeling and experiencing! Yesterday as I sat quietly beside Joseph trying to dig deep and desperately wanting to hear his heart when he finally said, "This was the first normal thing that feels like home, we were really looking forward to it and now you're taking it away from us!" ... (Our plans for a family night with special snacks to commemorate the Super Bowl changed when we realized there is opportunity to travel to Upala (3 hours away) with Vida220) ... I felt like my heart stopped ... those precious moments seeing the rawness of his heart were like gold to this Mama.  These words of hurt, pain, loss and sadness from Joseph don't come easy to share.  I couldn't think of anything to say that could change the grief he was feeling so I just sat and cried with him. Grief is not a normal thing to celebrate, but today I'm thankful ... thankful for Joseph's words in this grief process, thankful for God's provision and favor, thankful we are here in CR and can freely grieve that which we left behind in Akron. Today, we'll enjoy personal pizza's, Pringles, and Root beer while watching Back to the Future 2 ... We celebrate the new we are gaining and grieve the familiar we are losing.
Living for Him, dying to self, all for His glory!

Celebrating City Life 
McDonalds Ice Cream 2 times this week to celebrate Daryl and Joseph's spiritual birthday ... walking to school Daryl found a computer shop with a kind, knowledgeable man to fix Micah's computer ... 84% on a Spanish exam after a week of wondering if he was in the right class! ... Plumber Hoover is in the house, fixing 2 toilets ... grocery stores within walking distance ...

Platino Lasagna and
Mango, Avocado salad!

 delicious Pastelon - Platino Lasagna, YUM! ... American food - hot dogs and french fries ... friends to share our hearts with and pray with ... Joseph choosing to help Jedidiah with rainbow loom designs ... our 3 Mighty Men riding the public bus alone, I always want Micah with me when I go anywhere new! ... Jedidiah's constant chatter walking me to Market, a sweet reminder that I am never alone! ... Letter from home with a $1.00 ... Watermelon at $.25/lb ... Mango season ... financial partners for the New Base, miracles from Heaven and Favor from Father ... Delynn, Gloria and Carmelinda's safe return from the States ... Micah's understanding of Spanish ... Adams hugs for anyone and everyone he meets ... and, we celebrate each of you for without you we would not be here.

Plumber Hoover ...
where's dad when I need him!

Praises
-health, safety, sunshine
-listed above as all we're celebrating

Prayers
-health and safety
-parenting our boys different personalities
-Micah's computer needed a new hard drive ... pray school will be restored when we reload the program.
-date night
-Vida220 teams returning for a week of training
-boldness to speak
*Please let us know how we can pray for you!*

Letter from Mimi and Pop-pop
with a dollar inside.

$1.00 Donut, Yum!

Celebrating Dad's life in Christ

Yes, it's really this warm!