Rice and Beans of Life: The Gift of Wednesday

Double digits!

Wednesday was sandwiched in between hosting 12 Central American pastors at the beginning of the week and hosting 23 special guests for our Base Dedication celebration weekend. Wednesday was a special day in and of itself. Wednesday, was a day to stop the flurry of activity and dedicate to celebrating Jedidiah's 10th birthday! It seemed God carved this day out in the middle of two big events to reflect on the gift of Jedidiah and the gifts He gave us this week.

Enjoy the gifts ...

-An English speaking dentist when Daryl needed an emergency root canal.

-Reconnecting with Daryl's pastor from Guatemala 25 years ago. He came with the Pastors we hosted at the base this week!

-Lunch, encouragement, and affirmation with Steve and Rose Shank.

-Running errands and grocery shopping with Micah and Adam. Micah is my trusty GPS, I find so much joy in his company and appreciate his help.

-Wednesday was the first time Adam spoke to me in Spanish without my initiating the conversation. Sitting at the table eating a pack of crackers he touched my arm and said, "Mama', quiere uno?" (Mommy, do you want one?) His sweet countenance warms my heart.

Serving his brother ...

-Joseph getting along, not just tolerating but purposefully spending quality time with Jedidiah on his birthday.

-Jedidiah helping to make his own b'day cake and Stromboli in shapes!

"J.H Stromboli"

-Jedidiah has money in his wallet which he takes everywhere. He offered to help me pay for groceries if I didn't have enough money!

-Leading bilingual worship with my soulmate ... when your physical body is weary but your Spirit touches the heart of God. You know, that pounding heart feeling when you know it's God's voice ... confirmation He knows your heart!

-Feeling the fullness of God's love through those who gave out of obedience and made it possible for VidaNet to have a home ... "Welcome home VidaNet".

-Everyone working together to accomplish the goal of having the base ready for the Dedication.

-A close parking space at the mall and a strong helper to carry the box of 50 gift mugs to the van.

-Sharing s'mores and tender tears with new friends.

-Hugs from home, pretzels and a surprise birthday gift sent with the Ebersoles.

-God's provision for Martha when there was no food in the house ... her needs will never exhaust God's supply!

-Opportunity to share God's story and what He's doing through VidaNet with the cashier at Price Smart ... because my ID (licence) was from PA.

-Being complimented on my Spanish.

-Seeing God design and use our gifts to compliment the leadership team.

-Delynn, Gloria, Liz and Manuel ... their gift of friendship.

-Daniella's desire to be baptized ... she was baptized as an infant and wants to know more of Jesus!

-Mariachi band singing "How Great Thou Art"

-Beautiful, blessed and abundant Celebration for the Base Dedication.

-Sharing God's faithfulness with the gas station attendants and being encouraged by them.

-A Friend to take the boys to co-op when my day was too full ... her day was even fuller!

-God's wisdom and grace in forming the outreach teams ... Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador ... Look out, here they come!

-Hearing our boys laughter, thanks Carmelinda and Vincent!

-There's another barber in the house! Thankful for Alex, one of the students who is a professional barber. We teamed up to tackle the multitude of haircuts this week.

-Feeling God hold me through the storms as I melt in my hubby's arms and hear Him say, "Be still and know ..."

Praise

Thank God with us for these gifts!

Prayer

Which youth group to pursue

School options for Micah

Health for the students

That our lives would overflow out of the abundance of God, not us

Jedidiah starts school this Wednesday

For Daryl as he does some teaching this week

*How can we pray for you?*

Helping Wilbur ... everyone helped get the work done!

EAGLES ... Monday night football, a taste of home!

Dry beef gravy from Joseph's deer he shot 3 days before we moved to CR ... A birthday gift from Mimi and Pop-pop!

"A Nail in a cage" ...
Adam insisted we keep this snail because it didn't have a family. He eventually found another 'nail' and decided it was ok to put this one outside.