Internal Processing ... A Window to His Soul

Yup, he's mine!

A deep sigh, one arm crossed in front, the other hand goes to his chin, the intensity of his furrowed brow that supersedes the far away look in his deep set eyes is only a mask to what lies deep within.  Silence ... Internal processing, his mind is processing, filing, reorganizing the data received.  Silence ... sometimes it's easier to just be quiet, sometimes a tear falls, other times the intense stare remains.  Silence ... he's not ignoring me, just processing where to store the data and how to respond.  Strong, steady, stable ... he is exactly the kind of Mennonite boy I  did not want to marry!  His organized thoughts bring my world into order, his contemplative thinking prevents me from making irrational decisions, the depth and intensity of his soul and the mischievous laughter in his eyes are what cause me to love God more for the perfect gift he's given me in a soulmate.

A question I've been pondering ... who provides the stability when the one who stabilizes is off balance?  For someone who functions best with order, routine and stability, a move like one we're living through can be stretching to say the least!  How does one who is stable and prefers structure thrive in a lifestyle that is constantly changing and uncertain from one day to the next?  The struggle to remain hopeful is real when you can't calculate, process and predict the outcome of the task.  His call is to serve God faithfully by supporting Delynn and the work of VidaNet has not changed ... however, in all honesty, his vision is cloudy and his heart is heavy.

His commitment, unwavering ... His determination, unfaltering ... His strength, worshiping the ONE who has given the Call. 

A year ago Father gave us this passage in preparation for this move.  The faithful Father that He is, gently reminded us again this week... 2 Chronicles 20:15-17  This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'  ... The key to this victory was Praise and Worship. vs. 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated!  God, fill his heart with praise once again ...

Life on the Mountain
It's cold ... relatively speaking!  We've added another blanket to our bed, the boys actually cover up at night here and, we're only 20 minutes up the mountain! ... Daryl: work projects at the base, giving direction to the workers, doing the manly things to make our new house a home, shopping (had to highlight that one) for new pants, size 36 down to size 32 - if only I could be so lucky! ... Jen: unpacking - the students left for El Salvador so I took the week to settle in, finding a place for everything, finishing school with Jedidiah, I've had to use our dryer which I haven't used in 6 months! Boys: taking walks to the futbol field, helping dad at the base, helping mom at home, finishing up school projects ... Adam: growing into 4T clothing, spending his days outside in the grass playing with the 2 neighbor dogs, making friends with Matias, 2 year old neighbor boy and "sharing" his riding toys, speaking more Spanish each day!

Praises
-Our new house
-Jedidiah's 5th spiritual birthday, 21st
-Celebrating Adam's 4th birthday, 22nd
-Peaceful sleep, no loud trucks
-A husband who fixes things around the house
-Last week of school

Prayers
-Hope and encouragement for Daryl
-Our gaze fixed on things above, not on earthly things
-Students and staff traveling to El Salvador and Honduras
-Witness and relationship with our landlords
-Samuel, Dylan and Vidanet as we pick up the pieces since Margot's death
-Jedidiah vomiting and diarrhea - pray he doesn't share!
-Direction as we process the best school options for the boys

Our cozy yellow house!

Talent show ... Adam singing "Where ... Donde?"

Adam's constant playmates this week ...
loving the fact he can play outside!

personal touches ... it's beginning to feel like home 

Banana Split to celebrate his life in Christ!

In a family of 25+, there are a lot of hairs to cut!

Smash Burger ...
there's good reason we don't have a TV in our dining room!

"Sharing" Mati's toy while he's at school!

Mr. Fix-it ... "Mom, I fix things like dad!"

Happy 4th sweet boy

Sitting on our window seat, beautiful sun, tropical breeze ...
I may not know what the future holds,
but I know WHO holds my future!