Rice and Beans of Life: July 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Quiet Pastures

This may look lush and green ...
not my quiet pasture ...

The tears are flowing. Possibly a form in which my soul 'de-stresses'. Perhaps it's just the sweet intimacy of His comforting presence. We just came to the end of a very full week, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Saturday dawned and I was drained of every last ounce of everything .. We stumbled through the day spewing harsh words and hiding behind the mask of smiles. We bore witness to the power of prayer Saturday evening as the walls started to crumble. And then, there was Sunday morning ...

We arrived late to church but in hindsight, it was His perfect timing. As the crowd was singing, "Psalm 23 ... El Senor es mi pastor, nada me faltera ... en pastos delicados ... El me hara descansar." The tears started almost as soon as I crossed the threshold of this sanctuary. His words whispered tenderly to my soul, "This is what I have for you today" ... His gentle reminder came from Deuteronomy 33:12, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” And then I saw it ... It was the sweetest, most peaceful resting place one could ever imagine ... Lush green pastures, small tricking brook, sun and shade, the ground wasn't hard or uncomfortable ... And, He was holding me.

I know we are not alone in this race. I know many of you come to the end of your day as depleted as I felt. Do you know that intimate place where the tears can flow freely? Do you know the tender embrace of the One who gives renewing life? To know the power of His love as He holds me close ... This is my quiet pasture.

Communion with The Creator ... Rest in the Everlasting Arms ... Lacking nothing

Life on the Mountain
Communion and goodbyes with our beloved Carpenter Community Church youth group ... Micah and Joseph were blessed to be apart of this VM group ... life at home with two boys was quite different ... And then, there was Sunday morning.

Praises
Sweet connections with our home youth group
Open hearts of our boys
Power of prayer
Reconnecting with El Nido after a long month

Prayers
To finish out this summer glorifying Him
Positive attitudes
Refreshing moments of intimacy
Health

Adam and Ema ... "I have a lot of girl friends!"

Carson and Joseph!

Captain America and Iron Man!

Micah's 'quiet pasture' ...
Where have the years gone?

Cousins and
"Cousin, not a cousin, but really is a cousin"

Taking advantage of the "quiet" moments

The week completed with a vacation day ...

Micah working and Joseph ...
contemplating his next adventure as Iron Man??

"See ya later" ...

Sunday, July 22, 2018

The Familiar

Youth group at the Hoovers ...

This week Carpenter Community Church invaded Casa VidaNet. These two worlds colliding has made my heart full, taken my emotions on a roller coaster and the constant chatter has left my voice weary. The hugs, laughter, and connections for our boys are making memories that will not be soon forgotten. Having this taste of home brings to reality how much I've changed, they have grown in stature and brings me face to face with the fact that CR is home. I thought their presence here would leave me longing for the safe and familiar 'home' we used to know and love. Oddly enough, it's done just the opposite. Sure I miss those honest heart to hearts with people who have walked through life with me. Quite surprisingly, I haven't found myself longing to steal away in an empty suitcase as a stow-away. With each 'taste of home' we've experienced, it settles a little deeper in my heart that for now, this is home. Undoubtedly I will always miss Akron, family and friends and sharing the miracle of birth. Nevertheless, He called, by faith we stepped into the unknown and now ... Our lives have been ruined for the ordinary. Spending time with "the familiar" here in CR has made me realize the deep seeded peace that has settled in my soul with this acknowledgement ... CR has become our home until He releases us to go and I can say, "It is well with my soul!"

His perfect peace ... Settled in my soul ... I can say, It is well!

Praises
Safe travel for teams coming and going
The gift of fellowship
Micah and Joseph experiencing the reality of Vida Missions
Pre-ordering groceries at Price Smart to feed our army

Prayers
Sound sleep
Let them see Jesus in us
Jesus guard our boys hearts as friends return to their home
VidaNet Growth banquets in August and September

Life on the Mountain
Fellowship ... sharing ... praying and crying together ... laying our burdens at the feet of The One who sustains us ... Checking off the lists ... and finally, Sunday afternoon quiet time naps.

The Masked men in a game of Seven Wonders

Joseph playing a game ...
Miracles happen when friends invade your home!

Beach babes ... Awaiting the delicacy
of Rice and Beans for Caribbean night

This crew ... so much life to share ...
Rice and Beans and Patacones!

Cousins in Costa Rica ...
Adam is basking in their affection ...
Where's Bob? Adam hasn't left his side either!

Sharing life and Dominos ...
I still remember the days when we
couldn't leave these two alone!

Together forever, weathering the storms of life ...
Holding the hand of the Maker of storms ...

Adam's Science Fair project on Recycling ...
He made the product, Mama made the poster.

When you didn't bring a skirt to CR ...
Of course you invade your Aunt's closet!

Familiar faces ... love and laughter

We've had some visitors this week ...
God bless the feet that inhabit these shoes!

My heart is happy ... Feeling the physical love of a Father who loves to bless His children

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Just A Number

Brownies and Ice Cream ...
Sunday supper surprise

I celebrated the start to my 46th year of life with a hot pack on my lower back. I obviously lifted something the day before without listening to the protest of my then 45 year old body. It's a valiant reminder that my waning stomach muscles have chosen not to offer the necessary support to my senescent lower back on such endeavors. I don't like growing old. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond grateful to receive another healthy year of life, reveling in Father's favor. I don't usually like a lot of hype when it comes to celebrating my age, sure it's fun to feel special and loved. But truth be told, if I could stop the yearly reminders of this aging process ... I would. Coming face to face with the silvery tresses of wisdom and skin crinkled and pleated from laughter each morning makes me want to slam on the brakes of life and plead for time to stop. Each year I'm presented with the choice ... embracing the number and celebrating this gift of life, or wallowing in the whittling frame and atrophying muscles of this physical body that will one day pass away.

One would think as a God fearing missionary, lover of The Creator of life, go where You send me kind of person I claim to be ... I would chose the former. Alas, the struggle is real. It's just that I don't like the effects this yearly celebration has on my physical body. I know, that sounds so vain. I think He's laughing as I bare my soul to this anticipating audience ...

He's laughing because He knows my heart ... While I may protest and plead for this aging process to stop, He knows that in the intimate depths of my soul, I hunger for wisdom that grows from maturity of years walking intimately with Him. I wait with anticipation to see what heights will we soar, what depths will we traverse in this next year. He knows that although I despise what sin has done to this aging process, what I long for most is to feel my Father's passionate embrace, to know the intimacy of His breath on my face, to walk hand in hand with Him in the power that causes darkness to flee ... Can you see Him? He's rolling His eyes, shaking His head and laughing with me as I choose to dance gleefully in the arms of the Heavenly hosts while we laugh in the face of Age.

Embracing the wrinkles ... He knows my heart ... Vanity, oh vanity

Life on the Mountain
Another whirlwind week ... 86 participants and 22 staff returned from outreach to join the 31 participants and 5 staff that had inhabited Casa VidaNet while they were gone. 165 mouths to feed is no easy task. The end of the week we sent them home with hugs, tears and the peace that His presence has moved mountains in each ones lives. Saturday we tried to recoup a bit while cleaning and doing wash ... Sunday we celebrated the joy of having Esteban and Nellie join us at church as they chose to dedicate Santiago to God.

Praises
Neighbors who see God's life reflected instead of our humanness
Life with Vida Missions
Daryl's spirit is resting in the peace of God
God connections at Price Smart ... He is amazing!
Unity in our leadership team ... growing together and supporting each other
Heart to heart with Rosario

Prayers
God's Word to resonate in Esteban and Nellie's hearts
Healing for a lot of Casa VidaNet ...
Healing for Joseph and Jedidiah
Positive re-connection for us as our CCC Youth group joins us this week
Strength for each day
Trust instead of worry

Happy birthday to me ...

10 Kilos of diced Green beans to feed our army

When you find free girls sneakers in your son's size ...
You spray paint the soles,
change the laces and sharpie the pink tags ...
"no one will ever know" ... unless they read my blog!

Bagging 500+ pounds of coffee ...
Who wants to place an order?

Chocolate explosion ... Of course I indulged!

Blessed by Allen and Gloria with FREE birthday Coseches

What are you guys waiting for? ...
Make up or the microwave ...

Laughing in the face of Age with this crew ...

Trying out the selfie stick

Faith of a child ... praying for Santi

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Coming and Going

Sunday ... a day of rest
and Monopoly.

I imagine Father watching over my coming and going this week much like one would watch a tennis match or perhaps as one would watch a child on a swing ... back and forth, up and down and all over again. In many ways I felt distant from Father this week, like He was that "elderly neighbor" sitting at the window. I would smile and wave as He sat contemplating ... "There she goes again, I wonder where she is going and what is she doing now?" As any good missionary is keenly aware, my demeanor reflects His countenance. As said missionary, I tried hard to comply with this 'actions speak louder than words' thought process. Sadly, at times grumbling, gritting my teeth and an irritated stare toward those I love most, bore witness to my soul choosing selfish worry instead of trust.

Maybe I should have titled this confessions of a missionary ... This week He was not always the first thing on my mind as I awoke from my dreamland stupor. Instead of the peaceful awakening of gazing upon His beauty, I was rudely summoned by a beckoning bladder. It was usually the "things to do today" that alerted my brain into go mode at these irrational hours. Why? ... Why did I choose tense shoulders and a rambling mind instead of lifting my eyes to the hills? I can rationalize that these things needed done on the day they needed done ... and they did. However, imagine the sweetness of His peace in those "irrational morning hours" when I chose to lift up my eyes to the hills "that surround us" and see where my help comes from! Those blissful moments when I stepped in for worship, prayed for someone and sobbed my way through the Crucifixion once again were gentle reminders that ... The Lord watches over my coming and going and He knows just what I need. I'm humbled at the simplicity of a lesson learned once again ...

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth ... the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 1, 8

Life on the Mountain

Preparing Casa VidaNet for the 86 youth and 46 staff that inhabited its walls and pathways this week ... Life, laughter and Vida Missions energy ... When my meat guy didn't come through with the big order I asked for, Father directed my path to another who I'm most certain needed to know the gentleness of Father's presence ... Feeling the physical presence of Father's love of from hometown churches who have affirmed and supported us on this journey ... Feeling blessed by my soulmate as we walk this journey together ... A heart to heart with Rosario, breaking down walls and building each other up ... the gift of Clinica Cedcas to take care of our mighty men when they get sick and the blessing of free medicine ... It took teamwork to get it all done, bought and organized and Saturday morning at 6 am, they all left for outreach! ... Sons who know we're not perfect parents and offer forgiveness and love when we don't deserve it ... Taking a 'sick day' Sunday to let Adam rest and recuperate but really because we just needed a day to rest and not go anywhere before 2 more teams converge on Casa VidaNet tomorrow ... Lifting up my eyes!

Praises

A day of rest

Good health care and free samples

God connections when my path is changed

Blessing of sharing our hearts in English

Resting in Father's peaceful embrace as we pray for our "kids"

Laughter with Rosario, Rita, Naty and Allison

Opportunity to use the gifts He gives us

Teamwork and common vision

Prayers

Healing for Adam

Healing for all the sickness in Casa VidaNet

5 Vida Missions teams on outreach

Plans and preparations for upcoming Vision banquets

Finances for VidaNet www.vidanetonline.org/friends-vidanet

Adam's choice on how to spend his birthday money!

Vida Missions planning team ...
Ready, Set, Go!

Day 1 ... Typical Night

Day 2 ... Caribbean Night

Caribbean Night ... This would be Joseph,
you know the quiet one!

Day 3 ... Futbol Night
Heredia!!!

Preparing to feed the masses ...

Passing time waiting at Price Smart ...

Who is "Da-Real" D-Hoover?

Two buddies ...
wonder what they're talking about?

The blessing of El Nido donations

Cherishing these moments before they're gone ...
Caused my coming and going to stop ...

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Dancing in the Veggie Store

Fun with Futbol night!

Most of my moments this past week were spent "planning, preparing and purchasing" for the current and five upcoming Vida Missions teams that will grace Casa VidaNet this coming week. M&J were my faithful companions on these adventures as we packed our trusty Olaf (our white van) to the brim with literally no room to spare. In the midst of the flurry of activity I stopped at our veggie store to pick up a few items I forgot to order. It was there I met the sweet presence of Jesus ...

She appeared as one would picture any sweet, lovable Grandma who stepped right out of the 1920's ... Her hairstyle was short and sweet, and so was she ... Her eyes were soft and full of affection ... Her thoughts, words and actions slow and contemplative in their delivery ... She had a tender laugh that warmed my soul with a sweet invitation to converse. As our eyes met, I offered the typical greeting and probed, "Do you remember me?" The eyes searching my face, the deep recesses of her mind trying to remember said Gringa standing before her. I ventured on, probing a bit more, "We had a dance here in this veggie store a few months ago, remember?" Her laugh confirmed she remembered the occasion! Our first encounter was one of "dancing" around each other as we chose the choicest veggies from trustworthy Andres in his little corner store. That first encounter brought belly laughs as she responded to my assertion that we were dancing around the veggies, "I haven't danced in years!" She had playfully lamented. This encounter, tugged at my heart for more transparency. In the sweetness of the moments that followed there in the midst of veggies, we exchanged names, where we live, what we do in life, shared a hug and blessing before saying, "See you next time."

I've thought often of Germania over this past week and have pondered the following ... In the busyness of my days am I to occupied to notice the "dance partners" He places in front of me? Am I seeking first His Kingdom or am I seeking to check off my list?

The challenge He has laid before me:

In the brief moments He gives me to make a difference for His Kingdom ...

make the most of every opportunity I have to dance!

Life on the Mountain...
As always, a lot of life has been lived since my last post ... We had Adam's official birthday party, Traveled to Nicaraguan border and back, sent a team from VA on their way after a full weekend of sharing Father's love with La Cuenca (Kids Club, Roller skating party, day at the amusement park, praying in homes and handing out food), Washed all the bedding and donations left by said team, Trip to English library - 28 books later we returned safely home, Micah finishing 9th grade, Joseph submitting his last project for 7th grade, Jedidiah enjoyed a "leaving for summer vacation field trip", Adam had a "beginning of summer vacation school fun day", debriefed with the students over Pizza and wings, and enjoyed a Sunday without responsibility eating lunch at Smash Burger and letting Adam spend his birthday money.

Praises
Safety and favor during our border crossing
Family night watching Little House on the Prarie
Sweet communion with the students
Celebrating Adam's life and feeling the love from friends far and near
Nellie and Santi joining us for church
Daryl and I learning how to relate to the new Us ... thank you for praying!

Prayers
Making the most of every opportunity
Peaceful sleep in the midst of a busy upcoming week
Taking time to listen to our boys
Healing ... lots of sickness going through Casa VidaNet
Pray for Estaban to join Nellie and Santi at church

Ephesians 6:19-20

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel ... Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.