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Sunday, August 27, 2017

In Case You Forgot ...

Sunday night Ice cream treat
 ... Monkifruz
My heart is full, El Nido opened again this week, The Call is clear ... I love these women! "Maria" returned with some surprising news, she is pregnant with her second child and her wee one is only 4 months old.  She opened up her roller coaster of thoughts, feelings and emotions and my heart ached for her.  It seemed like yesterday she sat in our presence excited and full of joy to meet the little one she was carrying.  A mere 4 months ago she talked of all the love and support she had from her family and how life would be different but good.  With life spinning a bit out of control, this visit she was tired, sick, overwhelmed and the twinkle in her eye was clouded over by worry.  In the sacred moments that followed, my heart poured out words of promise and hope over her ... God has chosen YOU to be the mama of this little babe, YOU are called, He has chosen YOU, the journey won't be easy, it will be difficult, lean on God's strength and help from your family, YOU are going to be the best Mama for these two little people! Be encouraged, He has chosen YOU, for this journey, He must really love you! ... As these words continued to roll around in my Spirit I curled up with my journal and realized Father was searing these words directly into my Soul ... I have chosen you and summoned you by name, YOU ARE MINE ... when you pass through these fires in CR, you will not get burned, when you pass through these waters, they will not sweep over you ... Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame ... This Call is not without it's challenges, mountains and valley's but I am finding sweet comfort in the promise from Psalm 32:10 But, the Lords unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.

In case you forgot ... The Call is clear ... Trust and Obey 

And, for your enjoyment ... here are a few thoughts from the Mighty Men.  "Boys, what does "The Call" mean to you?" ... What call? Who's calling? A Video call? Call of the Wild? Can I call my friend? Are grandparents calling us? ... not A call, THE Call ... Ohhhhhhh! Giving up your life to God ... Learning how to live with less and appreciate the small things more ... Call to work with a ministry that we know and like ... the Call to make Christians ... not our life anymore, it's God's ... sometimes I feel like the Call ruined my life but I know it's really gonna help me ... I don't know what MY call is ... the Call makes me miss Violet and my hot dog kitty ... people knowing we are Christians by the way we act ... to give up my nice, orderly, planned, normal life for a life where anything can happen at any moment and we can't plan for tomorrow ... living together all the time, always together in ministry ... 

Life on the Mountain
Beautiful balmy mornings followed by afternoon rain showers and sweater clad evenings ... Laughter with the crew of students that stayed to work for 2 more weeks, they just don't want to leave! ... Saying goodbye and blessing those who left after graduation, tears and words of encouragement ... Family Wii night and laughing with 6 extra 'sons' ... Connecting with Lalo, the director of the Rec Futbol league for boys ... Celebrating the life of Liz and Manuel's soon to be born wee one ... Staff reconnecting time, sharing life and our hearts ... God is so good, His mercies are new every morning, this life is a Gift!

Praises
Positive outcome to conflict
Staff that love each other and desire the best for each other
A church family to worship with
Heath, healing, God's provision and favor
El Nido 
Workers to 'get the job done'

Prayers
Rango and Cuco, 2 students who just graduated 
SCHOOL ... God, I need You!
Daryl ... his heart is heavy with anxiety.  Pray for hope to spring forth!
Parenting Jedidiah ... God has chosen me to be his Mama ... help me God
Communication and giving time to each other - Daryl and I 
Next generation of Vida220 students ... call them God!
A Full time cook for the Base

Happy 5th Brithday Dylan ...
Best buddies ... bringing life to all

God bless you Gloria ... I miss you already!

I do my work on my computer ...
I have lots of work to do!

This one's is for Uncle Jeeg ...
I put my 'wegs' in the same hole!

Baby Cuco ... Designing bib, diaper and hat ...
such a good sport

Ummmm, yeah ...
how hard is it to tie your shoes when carrying a "baby" 

Wii boxing ... blood, sweat and tears (of laughter)

And, one more for Uncle Jeeg ...
I put my underwear on the wrong way!

"He brings times of refreshing to my soul" ...
Thank you God for a much needed Sabbath rest ...
alone with a book for 2 hours

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge: His faithfulness will be your shield.

 How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty ...
Find rest O my soul in God alone ...
The sweetness of His peace ... 


Monday, August 21, 2017

Neglecting the Gift of You



Care package ... "No, you can't eat it all tonight!"
Warning, intimate conversation ahead ... Quite often I feel like Father uses my relationship with my sweet hubby as a comparison in my relationship with Him.  After 16 years of wedded bliss, we're still learning the discipline of dying to self and giving to each other.  And, after 33 years of new life in Christ, I'm still learning the discipline of dying to self and giving all (tiredness, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, longing for routine) to Him. The stress and strain of a busy summer and the demands of life have caused some neglected.  When our eyes are fixed on the tasks and lists around us we loose sight of the gift we have been given to walk through life with. Confession time ... just keepin it real here ... we can all use a little prayer, right? I mean come on, what gal doesn't long for a tender gaze from her heart throb and hearing him say "you look hot"?  And is there a masculine persona out there that doesn't long for affirmation and a back rub from his wifey to ease his aches away? Quite honestly, we've neglected the simplicity of gazing into each others eyes, intimately talking and listening to each other, giving selflessly to each other and being googly-eyed in love.  As the foundation of our marriage is built on Christ the solid rock, we are still strongly in love with each other and Him ... However, dying to self and giving to each other is essential to build on this foundation.  Sound familiar? ... Isn't that what Father asks of us?  It's the discipline of dying to self that makes relationships work ... my relationship with my Heavenly Father and ... my relationship with my soulmate here on earth.

From my Father's heart ...We living in the same world, walking in the same direction, in the busyness of the day I don't look His way, I don't see His eyes on me ... Communication is essential so when I don't feel like talking or listening, I feel distant ... in His silence I wonder if He still cares, in my silence His love beckons my soul ... Some days He holds my hand and leads me, other times He opens the door and ushers me from behind ... through my foggy morning eyes His gaze is alive, my spirit cries, "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love" ... As the tenderness of night falls and I settle into His arms, He whispers to my spirit "You will sleep in perfect peace as you fix your eyes on Me ... My beloved, do not be anxious about anything." His perfect peace ... those moments I want to give myself fully to Him and my soul longs for the intimacy of falling more in love with Him ... Father, forgive me for neglecting the gift of You!

Intimate love ... Time, a gift to give ... His sweat heart I am

Life on the Mountain ... This week was all about finding the routine that causes life to feel 'normal'.
Smiles mask the emotions ... 

The week started with Daryl and Micah returning from a "Ten hour hike" ... in reality, it was a 2 hour tractor ride followed by a 4 hour hike "over the river and through the woods" to serve the people of Alto Coen and help them build a house ... followed by 3 days of vacation with our family of 31 in beautiful Barcelo Tambor beach, "Yes boys, all inclusive means you can drink "free" Pina Coladas all day long!" ... Cleaning up the base for Vida220 Graduation ... how do you say good bye? lots of tears, hugs and blessings ... daily Scooter races ... More groceries to buy and more donations to wash ... Lots of haircuts, 17 to be exact! ... Visiting with the neighbors, celebrating their daughters birthday and laughing at our kids "Spanglish" ... Daryl, Micah and Jedidiah playing on the worship team, music to my ears ... A family night watching Little House on the Prairie DVD's ...




Prayers
-Healing ... Adam's cough, Daryl & Micah chigger bites, my cold
-Discipline and routine of starting school again ... I was hoping for something different, but familiar is good too.
-Next generation of Vida220 students ... call them God!
-Communication and unity with VidaNet staff
-A Full time cook for the Base
-Relationships: Daryl and I, us with the boys, friends for boys

Praises
Vida220 Graduation 
Connections with Landlords and neighbors
Ferry ride, beach, pools, sunshine and time spent with family
Affirmation of The Call
Each one of you ... seriously, we thank God for you! Your support and affirmation are such a gift to us!


Homemade Granizados ...
what's the secret ingredient?

2 hour Tractor ride is better than a 10 hour hike!

River crossing en route to Alto Coen
... keep your feet up!

Betzer and Jedi ... showing him God's love and attention

Ferry ride to our vacation destination ...
first time for everything!

"Hundreds" of these graced our presence at our vacation resort ...
"No, you can't catch one! No, we don't need a pet!
No, you can't keep his tail!"

Rescuing the bell from the top ... Our boys are monkeys ...
scaled the wall sin zapatos!

Scarlet Macaw ... flying freely through our resort!
"Yes, you can have a pet ... but you have to catch one first!"

Lounging in the pool with Samuel and Dylan

Hair cut list ... plus a few add ons!
Our Graduates! I feel like a proud Mama ...
Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
Vida220 leadership, Manuel & Liz and Delynn & Gloria
Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth ...
Handsome boys ... ready to celebrate Graduation!

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in YOU." Isaiah 26:3



Friday, August 11, 2017

One Year Old

Today I was contemplating "The Blog" ... Happy one year anniversary, Blog! You're words have become the voice of our journey, as you deliver our passion for living.  Your pictures, a window into the heart and soul of our mission.  You beckon me to unveil the sacred and uncanny moments of our lives as you dance merrily before me taunting me to join you in narrating the journey ... I can no longer refuse you, I love spending time with you, you've drawn out the writer in me that can only be satisfied through revealing what you were created for ... Connecting my heart with the hearts of your readers for the sole purpose of revealing Father's compassionate love.

Furious love ... Abandoned to Him ... All for His glory

  Happy anniversary dearest Blog, thank you for allowing me to share my heart!

My happy place ... by his side!
These last few weeks our lives have been filled with community and I've pondered almost daily, words, phrases or sentiments that could make for a 'good blog' topic. However, attempting to capture the essence of life in just a few simple words or pictures has proved challenging! Inspiring stories abound and there are pictures aplenty, yet one simple word resonates deep within me ...  TEN ... I laugh at the thought ... seriously God, is there nothing more profound or moving, then the number TEN?  Allow me explain my absurdity ... My dear hubby and oldest son, Micah are on an adventure with the Vida220 students.  They left Wednesday morning for a 5 hour drive (I think) followed by ... a TEN hour hike.  Yup, that's why the word 10 is resonating so deeply within my soul, a TEN hour hike, one way!  The plan was ... hike in starting at 4:30 am on Thursday, spend today (Friday) ministering to the Bribri people, hike out Saturday and drive the approx. 5 hours home. Returning safely to my arms around midnight Saturday ... Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry ... Lord, let them mount on wings as eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.

Contemplating TEN ... 

TEN ... days spent with family.  We were so blessed to share life in CR with the Eshlemans.  God, You know just what we need ... laughter, tears and heart to hearts shared with loved ones who know us so well.
TEN ... bags of clothing donations washed, dried, folded and rebagged ... boys, you can do your own wash this week!
TEN ... months of Vida220.  Graduation is next week ... time to say good bye.
TEN ... Adam needs 10+ solid hours of sleep.  This little boy has been running with the big kids, missing naps and now has a stuffy nose and fever to show for it.
TEN ... Jedi has been planning his 10th birthday celebration for October! He talks constantly about it and has plans and dreams bigger than our budget will allow.
TEN ... about the hour we settled in to chat each night with Bryan and Sharon.
TEN ... more minutes of sleep when I hit my snooze ... snooze reason stated above.
TEN ... hugs, smiles, thank you's and "I love you's" from Joseph, my son who knows what makes my heart happy.
TEN ... sun scorched bodies from a day at the beach.
TEN ... hour hike ...

Prayers
-Ramona (from El Nido), her 12 year old son, Carlos, was washed down steam and is thought to have drowned.  They have not recovered his body yet.
-Adam, health and healing
-Daryl, Micah and students, strength, safety and joy
-Jedidiah's heart as he says good bye to some amazing young men who have taken him under their wing and loved on him in a way only God can do.

Praises
-Safety and seeing the Hand of God as the students were out on a Luke 10 outreach
-Connections with neighbors
-Daily manna, a roof over our head and sunsets
-time spent with family
-Opportunities to share Fathers love
-Language acquisition, it's flowing!
-A month with Jeanessa ... I miss her sweet presence!
-A multitude of God moments with VM outreach locations 

Kids Club in Canalete ... Outreach with Agape Church

Building Sunday school classrooms ...
Outreach in Canalete

Scorpion outside our cabin in Canalete ...
"I don't care if it's dead, don't touch it!"

All creatures great and small ... Smallest frog ever!

"Look mama, I caught one too!"

Cleaning up the tools after a work day ...
this boys loves to clean!

Mud boggin' buddies

Futbol ... a quick way to make friends!


And ... cooling more than our toes!

A perfect way to start his mornings ... 

"Costco" (Price Smart) here we come ... 
How does one feed 150 youth? ... with 40 pizzas!


Best ride ever!!  Yup, they rode it 7 times in a row ...
practice for navigating the streets of CR!

Christmas in July ...
thanks to some dear friends who made this possible!
Why did we go this way? ... I'm tired!

11,000 ft above sea level ...
the Majestic beauty of the Irazu Volcano ...
deep breath kids!

Higher than the clouds ... touching Heaven

Tasting Costa Rica ... Granizados 

Which one of these is not like the other ones? ...
Sun, shade and surf
Andres, our new neighbor boy ... new riding toys!


My heart is full ... God's gift of family ... Sharing life