Johnny and Co.

Johnny and Co ... fillin our tank and more!  Our travels are long, Olaf's tank is small ... therefore we frequent the local gasolinera multiple times a week.  Sometimes we visit this gas station various times in one day with different base vehicles. It was evident the first time we met Johnny that he was full of Christs love and bold in sharing his faith. Johnny was an easy friend. His curiosity probed him to ask about all the vehicles we visit him with.  We briefly shared our testimony and the ministry God has called us to work with.  The rest is history ... no matter the time of day or night, Johnny faithfully pumps our gas tank full and fills our hearts with words of life and encouragement  ... "the mouth speaks what the heart is full of!" (Luke 6:45). The "Co." part of this gives testimony to Johnny's bold faith. Because of his boldness, tender spirit and kindness, we are building relationships with many of the other workers at the gas station. They see us coming and greet us with a welcoming smile, kindness, and words of encouragement as they fill our tank. Wait ... aren't we the ones who are to be bringing encouragement, hope and life to CR?  Father's faithfulness ... He is filling our tanks to continue bringing life to those we meet where He has planted us! 

His ways are higher ... Humbled by His love ... Filled up on The Word

Life on the Mountain

Hoover G'parents are here to visit ... Grammie is caring for the house and the boys while I'm currently in Ecuador for a week of El Nido training with Gloria ... we've enjoyed showing them CR! ... We had a delicious family Thanksgiving celebration with Turkey and all the fixins ... Date night for Daryl and I, thanking God for my soulmate and that our hearts that long to connect! ... A week full of balancing 'normal' life as we know it while visiting and viewing CR together. 

Praises

Thanksgiving ... Thanking God for each of you who read my ramblings, support us in prayer and have partnered with us!

Johnny's boldness and blessings

Safe travels to and through CR

Safe travels to and through Ecuador

Prayers

Healing for colds, sore throats, fever and body aches

Strength for Daryl as he parents alone this week ... thankful for Grammie Hoover's help around the house

Laura's marriage

Anna's healing, a dear "grandma" from church recently diagnosed with Cervical cancer

VidaNet activities in December: strength, unity, sharing God's love and faithfulness with the community.

Finances for VidaNet vidanetonline.org/friends-vidanet  

*check our FB or ask us how you can sponsor a Vida220 student!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens ... In the rain

The rain stopped ... the sun came out ...
and they made it the whole way!

A taste of home ... Cookies baked for our Thanksgiving feast

Turkey all the fixins and ...
homemade bread!

Our family Thanksgiving ... almost like the Diener crew!

"It's too early mom and they're still sleeping!" ...
Adam's 'redecorating'

Helping Samuel blow the leaves and dirt away ...
He loves to be by his side!

"How much longer Mom?" ...
The temptation of homemade bread ...
the gift of bread rising to perfection!  

A tree to climb ... if only I were making Christmas cards ...
missing Jedidiah

Joseph?? ... these two, full of laughter ... 
so good for the soul!

Tis' the season ... even when it's 70 degrees!

Brothers entertaining each other ... 

He found Reiny's backpack! ... 
"Going to school Mom"

Homemade Shoe fly pie ... straight from PA ...
no words necessary ...

Pausing

 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim YOU, who walk in the light of your presence O Lord! Psalm 89:15

Mama's arms grow tired, 
HIS arms are everlasting!

Ummm yeah, I want to be one of these ... Hand reaching as high as it can go, bouncing up and down, "Oh me, me, me.  I want to learn to acclaim YOU and walk in the light of Your presence!" This has been my challenge, to walk so confidently in my Father's presence that when the stress, strain and struggle surround me, I can pause, acclaim who You are in my life, peacefully refocus and ..."Be still and know!"

Recently I witnessed 2 events that caused me to ponder the validity of their actions.  This particular day was sunny, beautiful and blessed with a balmy breeze.  I didn't care about or ponder the absurdity of the action I witnessed however in the days that followed this crazy picture kept coming back to me. A man was washing his big Rig.  He stood facing this soap covered, giant armed with nothing but a small cup of water. He was throwing one cup of water after another to eliminate the sudsy lather! To this day, I have no idea what scenario was taking place, but it caught my attention.  A few days later we passed a garbage truck with workers hurling bags of trash into the mouth of the smelly beast.  They were throwing them with such force and at a significant distance. As I drove by I felt like I should duck just in case one missed it's mark and nailed our van. In the midst of these two events came a beautiful song that reminded me of being in the light of His presence ... "What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms ... What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms, I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms!" ... His gentle voice reminding and asking ... 

"Am I tossing my cares at His feet like this the man splashing his big Rig, feeling overwhelmed at the enormity of them? Or, am I heaving and hurling the weight of them with all my might like a putrid bag of garbage?" 

Acclaiming Him as I learn to walk in the light of His presence gives me the privilege to throw, not just splash, my praise, petitions and pondering into His everlasting arms.  Take a moment to pause ...

Throwing water ... Hurling trash ... Leaning on The Everlasting arms

Life on the Mountain

Excitement, fear and trembling, nervous bellies, inability to sleep, awestruck wonder at God's mighty strength and a whole lot of creaking and shaking going on ... these were all due in part to the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that shook us up last Sunday night! ... El Nido Cafecito with lots of littles to love ... Healing care for the students this week, God continues to work mightily in these students lives ... "God, what am I holding onto from the past that's preventing me from walking in freedom?" ... I had two full days at home this week with a huge 'to get done' list ... He knew I needed this! ... Planning for worship, schedule change, having a family night instead ... date night with Joseph ... Jedidiah's 10th birthday sleepover and fun day ... Micah and Joseph cleaning the house while I was gone ... Learning to acclaim Him and walk in the light of His presence as we: wait in line, drive the city streets and mountain curves, relate to our neighbors, spend time and pray with the students, do housework, enter receipts, encourage friends and, live life in Los Angeles de San Rafael de Heredia ... so that "All may know"

Praises

10th birthday surprise a success

Financial provision for Martha

Health

Hang out time with M&J as J&A go to bed an hour earlier

Unity in leadership team

Martin and Delores being sensitive to our hearts

Prayers

Finances for VidaNet http://vidanetonline.org/friends-vidanet *ask us how you can sponsor a Vida220 student!

Van is in the garage again ... God, you know our needs

Safe flight for Dad and Ginny 

Daryl as he learns to balance ministry, family and me : ) the overwhelming, anxious thoughts are a battle

Miracle of reconciliation for Laura's marriage 

Daniella's heart to open completely to Father's love

Parenting Jedidiah

December events for VidaNet

Onward and Upward, Mighty men!

Blessing Mama's heart ...
washing the supper dishes ...
every night ...

El Nido Cafecito ...
Games for the Mamas ... 

Face paint, balloons and love for the kidos

 

Sanding his woodworking project at Coop

Reminding me of life in the states ...
 Costa Rican Beauty

He refused to nap in his bed ...
Sit quietly on the couch ...
Slept for an hour!

Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight ...
School project ...
He did it in Spanish!

Let the surprise begin ... He didn't have a clue ...
sleepover success!

Practicing their aim with a slingshot!

"I'm good right over here!"
You're the birthday boy, you can hold it!

Mama even held these!

He's the quiet one, remember?!

My Blankie

Wrapped in His embrace ...

Sometime about 30 years ago, I made myself a soft, blue plaid flannel robe.  As evening would fall, I'd wrap myself in it's warmth and feel the security of it's soft fibers.  And, as I wearily clambered out of bed on frosty mornings, my trusty blue plaid flannel robe was the first thing I'd reach for. Over the years this robe would at times be substituted with a favorite shirt, sweatshirt or my Dad's robe. However, it hung faithfully on the hook behind my bedroom door waiting for me to turn my love and affection back to it once again.  When I found the one my soul longs for (a.k.a Daryl), my blue plaid flannel robe moved with me to Landisville and then to Akron all the while providing the same warmth and security in it's feathery fibers. During the night, this robe wrapped me in it's warmth as I sat and nursed my wee ones. Early mornings, it dried my tears as I poured out my heart sharing coffee with Jesus.  As all earthly things eventually come to an end, my precious robe was becoming tattered and thread bare. For memory's sake, I kept holding on to it and despaired in our parting.  Until ... that glorious day at Goodwill when my eyes beheld the radiant warmth and velvety softness of the pale blue bundle that I was quite certain was hanging there just for me. Behold ... my warn and tattered blue plaid flannel robe was officially being rendered inactive.  Without debate, I knew this new robe was a treasure from the Giver of all gifts.  It took it's rightful place on the hook behind my bedroom door like a sentry awaiting it's duty.  Whether being summoned in wee hours of night, or beckoned from my dream state by the morning light this robe wrapped me in it's tenderness as faithfully as did it's predecessor. The plushness of it's velvety softness was of no compare.  However, for the sake of practicality and the shear plumpness of this pale blue treasure, it did not make the cut in our move to CR. Although I debated our parting and questioned my loyalties, I knew there was not an inch of space in our 18 itemized pieces of luggage for my beloved robe.  In the past 11 months of life in CR, I've thought often of my comforting companion and have even longed for it's security and warmth. When the sun descends and the coolness of evening cloaks the earth up on this mountain, or in the freshness of morning when I share coffee with Jesus, I've often desired to snuggle up in the love of my blue robe.  I've contemplated the frivolous purchase of one such treasure, but could never give in to this guilty pleasure as it seemed unnecessary and ... I have friends who can't even afford rice and beans.  And then, in all the great, mighty and awesome things God is doing through VidaNet and throughout the world ... He cared enough to send me a blankie! Why would she think of 'throwing in a blanket or two at the last minute' for a weekend in CR? Why? Because HE knew this week I needed the sweetness of this blanket's embrace, HE knew those silly, frivolous desires of my human heart, longing for the comfort and warmth of my robe and HE chose to love me this way. Last weekend was the celebration of our New Base Dedication and one of our guests felt lead to give this plush, velvety soft blanket to me as a gift.  Oh, she had no idea how much this gift would me to me ... but He knew! Can you see Him, tossing His head back and laughing in delight? ... This week my world seemed a bit off balance, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world in my shoulders ... And then, in the simplicity of the way He loves me, he gave me a blankie!

His good and perfect gifts ... Rest in His embrace ... Simplicity of His love

Life on the Mountain

Big news for the week, Jedidiah is attending a bilingual school ... this boy had too much energy for home school! ... Leading worship when Spanish seemed to flow as easily as English, it's definitely a God thing ... Dentist visit ... Doctor visits with some students ... Daryl had opportunity to teach on quiet times ... Friday night photo scavenger hunt at the mall with the Vida220 students, "You ask, you're a Gringa and they will always say yes to you!" ...Driving to the English library, getting 'lost' and finding our way ... Mama killed two spiders! ... More opportunities to share the Story of His Glory with the Price Smart cashier, who is this Gringa that buys all this food each week? 

Praises

Angels surrounding our vehicle and Holy Spirit guidance

Saturday - Sunday Sabbath

Holy Spirit lead teaching and worship

Unity in leadership

Luis's back healed

Prayers

Discernment on who to send to school and who to home school

Laura and Daniella, freedom in Jesus

El Nido Cafecito this Saturday

Healing for Roxy

Health for students

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

Choose others above ourselves

Brave boy ... "I'll help them learn English!" ...
When will he get tired of the uniform?

Learning the trade of an electrician ...
next up, mixing concrete!

The song on their hearts ... Music to my ears!

"Can I keep him Mama?"
Every boy needs a dog ... So adorable ...
I didn't cave, sorry Adam!

Photo scavenger hunt ... team photo with a yellow car ...
Toy store chaos ... No tengo verguenza!
(I'm don't get embarrassed!)

Birthday money purchase ... constant buzz ...
keeps him entertained for hours!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas but it feels like summer!
Tis the season ... Lights adorning houses ...
Reindeer and snowmen on rooftops!