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Sunday, February 25, 2018

In Light of Eternity

Celebrating with Heaven!
Nothing seemed to matter today, eternally speaking.  Of course I still fussed about the hot chocolate stained upper lip after breakfast, thought one of their shirts was to 'pilled' and old looking for church and I wondered if anyone would think Adam's shirt didn't exactly matched his shorts of choice. Why do my eyes look puffy today, my hair didn't go just right ... Daryl got dressed before I saw what he was wearing causing that little nagging thought to rear it's ugly head ... Will our family look put-together, presentable and adorable to go to church today?  The absurdity of my obsession (aka self-centered pride) in making sure my boys look presentable has often caused me to speak unnecessary demands of them.  Maybe I should have titled this "Confessions of a Missionary Mama."

Today, all heaven stood still in hushed anticipation listening intently to Micah and Joseph publicly share their testimony and profess "I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in the Holy Spirit and that He's given me new life!" My tears of joy at their bold profession mixed with tears of repentance for allowing my human desires to rear their ugly head.  Today, in light of eternity, there on the river bank the only things that mattered were ... Father's compassionate embrace, the rebirth of two of my mighty men and His tender reminder ...

I am His beloved ... Washed by the water ... Confession is good for the soul

"The River" by Jordan Feliz, this song says it all ... 

"We're going down to the river ..."

"Down to the river to pray ...
Lets get washed by the water and rise up in amazing grace"


Joseph, "I'm going to wear my bathing suit and ...
I guess I won't wear my goggles." ...
Could not stop laughing!

*See the video of his testimony*
https://www.facebook.com/dnjhoover/posts/10213867191768431

Oh joy in my soul ...
Our dear Daniella (the one Adam invited to church)
chose to make Jesus Lord of her life today as well!
All heaven rejoicing!

The face of pure freedom, sanctification and new life!

*See the video of his testimony*
https://www.facebook.com/dnjhoover/posts/10213867191768431



Presenting their certificates ...
Daniella, Micah, Joseph, Vicki, Hazel (their teacher) and Iliana

So many rocks to throw ... Andres is hiding ...
Adam's and the sweeties!

Boys being boys ...
it's a miracle the only thing that got wet were their feet!

He looks so handsome and innocent! ...
thanks to Anita's amazing talent ... 

It's gym day ... 

Making our house feel like home ... 
Date with Dad getting sweeter every time! 
Delicious ending to a beautiful day ...
Celebration supper at Smash Burger!

"Lord, that they would feast on the abundance of your house;
as You give them drink from your river of delights."
Psalm 36:8

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Never Say Never

It's Thursday ... and it's a perfect day to celebrate the sweet gift of alone time my hubby gave me 
Never Say Never ...
3 years ago Jedidiah met Austin (from Ohio) in Costa Rica. 
"Some day I want us to be neighbors in Costa Rica" he said ...
3 years later, they are!
today.  Alone time with the annoying fly that is buzzing around my head! When our alarm beckoned me from my morning-breath stupor, I contemplated pulling the covers over my head.  However, in the foggy recesses of my brain I had a sudden awareness that today, I don't have to go anywhere! So much for sleeping in ... my brain had already kicked into high gear with the mental list of what I could get done today!  It's now 10:30, the wash is drying outside, my list is far from complete, I'm contemplating having another cup of coffee, I'm yearning to share my rambling thoughts of life with you and ... he took the van.  It's the easiest way to keep me at home.

Spring of  2014, we were married for 12+ years, our boys were 11, 9, 6 and 10 months, we had a house, stable jobs, 2 cars, a motor cycle and a cat. "What, you want us to check out 'this' ministry in Costa Rica with our tribe of Mighty Men?" ... July 2015, we embarked on our exploratory trip to CR.  The first 24 hours I told God, "No, we're not moving our family to CR." ... November 2015, we said, "Yes God, we'll follow YOU to the ends of the earth" ... January 2018, we are working along side Austin (from Ohio) in Costa Rica ... Never say never.

There have been a many "NEVERS" in my life.  To name just a few ... never going to marry a Mennonite boy from Lancaster CO. (best never I said yes to) ... never going to home school my boys ... never going to own a van ... never going to blog ... never going to touch a snake or spider unless I'm killing it with a 10 foot pole ...  never going to go deep sea diving (I might run into JAWS, child of the 80's scarred for life).  Anyway, you get the picture, I've said never to Father quite often.  However, He has a way with words. His gentle wooing of my spirit causes me (sometimes with great difficulty) to give up my 'nevers' and say yes to His perfect plan for my life ... except for the aforementioned spiders, snakes and deep water activities. What could they possibly do to better my character anyway?

What "NEVER" is Father asking you to say yes to? ... 

                 Say yes to your nevers ... His perfect peace ... Taste and see that the Lord is good 

Life on the mountain
The sun will come out tomorrow ... thanking God for tomorrow and beautiful sun! ... normal school schedule ... good bye party and birthday blessings for dear friends ... finding life and hope in El Nido ... receipts, receipts and more receipts, they are getting organized! ... futbol at the park ... late night's, early mornings, a day at home ... soaking up the sun, sharing life and laughter with our sweet 'land lady' ... 

Praise
Safe return of Manu, Liz and Declan
Sharing life with our executive leadership team
Casa242, a new beginning
Micah and Joseph have made the decision to be baptized this Sunday!
Paintball birthday party fun
Feeling loved, affirmed and supported by each of YOU, thanking God for the gift of each of you!

Prayer
Finances for VidaNet ... we are fully funded however the ministry of VidaNet is in desperate need of monthly supporters.
Please consider being a monthly donor for VidaNet, contact us for details!
Parenting ... specifically Jedidiah.  
Adam, as he continues to adjust to being away from Mama at school
Me, as I learn the "language of Spanish School."
Three amigos ...
heading into the big world of school!
  
My faithful shopping buddy ... his load is always bigger than mine ... loves to organize, hates to shop

Never say never ... Mimi played soccer with us!

Casa242 plus a few ... Soda Lobo delicacies 

Gift of Qixels ...  brotherly love

After lunch siesta ... Soaking up some vitamin D ...
he naps like Pop-pop

He's in the doghouse ... Dug's new home ...
Pop-pops project

Valentines day treat ...
Picking Adam up from school on the Mo-mo!

Co-op friends ... Can Mennonites play Paintball? ...
Lots of laughter for the soul

When you give your house keys to your son ...
Pop-pop's saves the day ...
Bathroom window acrobatics of a 68 year old Pop-pop ...
Of course Mimi was taking pictures!


Waiting in line ... My work never leaves me

No, it's not our pet ... neighborhood cat ...
"Him's name is Luna but I call him Violet cause I miss Violet!"


Grilling with Don Papi and Papi ...
Chillin' and grillin' with our family

Creative talent ...
He made a VR screen out of cardboard and plastic bottle lenses ... slipped Dad's phone in the 'pocket' ...
went on a virtual reality roller coaster ride ...
made him sick!

"WOW, I'm going up and down!"

Valentines day creations from Rosario









Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Friends, Family and February's Work Frolic

The month of January was one of few photo opportunistic moments ... It's now half way through February and it's taken me 3 days to finish and send this post that contains more photos then I've ever posted! February dawned upon me before I was ready for it and came full blast, bringing with it friends, family, work teams, new adventures and sleep deprivation.  You know those days when you wish for 4 more hours just so you can sleep?  We just lived through 2 weeks of them ... really, has it only been two weeks? Yesterday, we returned from church, ate lunch and ... I took a nap!  It was the most luxurious, peaceful gift. When I awoke, I laid there listening to the silence in my mind. Tomorrow's to-do list would come soon enough but for the rest of Sunday I wasn't going to think of what I had to do next. As all of our houses inhabitants slowly awoke from their dreamland stupor, the energy quickly surfaced. It was a beautiful sun filled day, the perfect day to play futbol at the park with Pop-pop and Mimi ... yup, she played too!

Praises
Physical laborors
Prayer warriors
Tender hearts and joyful spirits with a desire to serve
Positive start to a new school year for Jedi and Adam
New friends that blessed our mighty men with camaraderie, friendship and encouragement
Hugs, tears, words of affirmation and encouragement that Father knew our weary soul's needed 

Prayers
Casa 242 and it's new beginnings. A program that follows Vida220 to help them work towards "what's next" in life.
Finances for VidaNet
Preservation of our family life
Jedi and Adam (and Mama) as we adjust to a new school routine.


Life on the Mountain
Once again I find myself wondering how to concisely share life with you from these last two weeks ... February 1 - 10 Casa VidaNet hosted: Hollinger family of 7, Horning family of 4, Bethel Church team of 9, Erb Church team of 10, two youngin's from Florida and ... a Pop-pop and a Mimi! The job list to start the week was overwhelming ... no, it was awe inspiring!  The energy, strength and desire to serve that each one of these guests brought to CR was a gift from Father.  I was tired just watching them work! Destruction, construction, paint, concrete, grass, dirt, wind, sun, good food, cold showers, weary muscles and happy hearts. These pictures, as always, have a story behind them ... sit back, relax and enjoy our journey over the last two weeks!




Big boy Adam holding baby Declan ...
Does this classify as the first time Joseph "held" Declan?

My dear hubby bringing some sunshine to my day ...
Never a dull moment ...
Stealth selfie photo bombers!

Dentist Adam and his drill ... Jedi was a willing patient ...
"Listen for the beeps and I'll be done" 


We found the end of the rainbow! ...
No pot of gold ...
The sweet satisfaction of  HIS peaceful presence

Hollinger - Hoover Carpet Ball tournament

Hollinger - Hoover crew ... 
"Please, just one more game of Grey Wolf and Piggy wants a motion"

Every little boy needs rain boots ...
there are just to many puddles in life not to have them!
Horning work team ... Faithful friends ...
Feeling Father's love ... Sweet blessing to share life

February 2nd, Joseph's Spiritual birthday ...
Extra large cookie monster cupcake ... He ate the whole thing!

Cleaning toys at El Nido ... Many hands make lite work!

Work with Thome makes the work easier! ...
"Mom, we're not working, we're posing for a picture!"


Mama's helper ... moving mattresses ...
Getting the job done anyway he can!

Pounding out a wall ... he loves destruction!

The work begins ...
rebuilding the cabin a tree fell on

Surveying the land ... So many rocks ...
How will it ever be cleared?

Moving the rocks and debris one bucket at a time!

Painting continues ...
Jedidiah loved the variety of jobs offered this week!

Dona Vilma was so pleased that we had matching pants : ) !
Absolutely love this precious woman of God ...
Words of encouragement every Sunday!

Delicious food ... Plenty to share ...
Have you ever seen a plate so big?
Super Bowl activity ... "Yo gane!" ...
They couldn't care less who was wining

View from the sidelines ...
Food, fun and fellowship cheering our EAGLES onto victory! 
The gift of Eagles shirts ... simple things ... of course I cried!



The morning after the big game ...
Late nights, early mornings ...
Needing some extra snuggle time!


And then ... Mimi and Pop-pop came!

Of course they brought Legos!


Laying the foundation ... CR style!

Mighty Men ... first day of Kindergarten and 4th grade ...
Of course they started smack dab in the middle of our week of chaos! 

laying grass ... they were like little ants all over the dirt ...
I've never seen grass 'planted' so quickly!

Cleaning out the laundry room and storage area

Rolling the grass? ... I don't know, I just take the pictures!

At work and play ... Adam loved helping everywhere!

Adam translating ; ) ...
or at least trying to explain what Pop-pop was saying!

YEAH, new, soft, green grass to roll and wrestle on!



Working hard ... this boy went from one job to the next and loved all the attention from his new friends!

Showing Mimi where to put the trash

Who filled their bucket first!

No, you can't keep him for a pet!
Decorating crew for El Nido's Valentines Cafecito


two little peas in a pod ... Adam and Dylan ...
playing turtles


Erb's crew enjoying one last bite of CR pizza before flying home to warm showers : ) 

So much fun destroying things!


Angelica's sweet little blessing ...
one of our El Nido Mama's

Does she know how to hold pink?
Of course she does ... Enjoying sweet baby snuggles!


El Nido Mama's making cards at the cafecito


He didn't want his picture taken ...
then he got ice cream ... the smile says it all!


Puzzles with Adam and Santiago
"I'm learning how to read" ... time for school!


Weary bodies ... peaceful souls ...
thanking God for the gift of this week!