Waking Thoughts

Auntie Anne's in CR!

Life as we know it offers many things to occupy our waking moments.  I'm curious, what is the first thing you think of upon waking in the morning?  (This is where you stop reading and think). Perhaps you went to sleep with blissful thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner and wake to the delicious aroma of said dinner.  If your week involves a check list, it is hardly conceivable that you wake with none other than the mental list and pen in hand.  Before my body morphed into that of life bearing mother, a.k.a before I accepted the title of responsible adult ... my waking thoughts as I contemplated life were about daisies, bell bottoms, my 'mom-mom sweater' and 25 less pounds of me to love.

There was no such foolishness that a day starting with dreary rain clouds was made for burrowing deeper into my downy abyss. No way! Sleeping in especially when on vacation was forfeiting lost moments basking in the love of the sun! (I kid you not, just ask Peg!) It was His promise from Psalm 17:15 that roused my said hippie self from peaceful slumber ... And I, in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Who wouldn't want to wake up and see His face?! I had this posted by my bed and subconsciously would speak it to my soul at times before being fully aware that the day had dawned. He's given me other promises to wake with ... one of my favorites has been Psalm 143:8-10 "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You ... show me ... rescue me ... teach me." My soul waking to His tender promises has been life-giving to say the least!

Fast forward 17 years ... wife of one, mom of four, lover of The One ... and He decides to remind me of aforementioned lifestyle because I've made the choice to carry my burdens to bed with me. Oh He's tried before, it's not like He's waited these entire 17 years to remind me. But somehow, in His customary fashion, He's posted this little note on my bulletin board in our house in Costa Rica ... "What are your first thoughts when waking up in the morning?" I remember when and where I penned this challenge. However, I haven't the faintest idea how and when it was posted to life in CR and I most certainly did not see it before this morning!

I have a choice ... Prince of Peace, I choose what You are offering ... How about you?   

Life on the Mountain
Predominant thanksgiving for the week ... Adam got his cast off and pin out of his arm! Thankful for neighbors who help carpool ... Moments of an unguarded heart with a dear neighbor ... Laughter with the girls at a ladies Tea while the Boys went to the mall ... Tender moments of hearing my soulmates heart ... receiving the challenge to listen, love and be accountable ... A Friday night at home and laughter with The Cosby Show ...

Praises
Gift of attending graduation for Martha and her daughter
6 teams chosen and appointed ... look out Central Am., here they come!
 https://www.facebook.com/122887907733455/videos/2046642412022663/
English conversation when Spanish just doesn't flow
Jedi's grades, he doesn't need to take his final math or science exam!
Wendell and Mel for asking and listening
A sister to hold me accountable

Prayers
Inner healing week for staff and students, pray for Father's heart to be revealed
Daryl as he participates in this week
Gloria and Delynn as they lead this week
Ema's health

4th Grade Science project, model of Cell structure ...
Ironically, Micah in 10th grade wrote a report on Cell structure ...
I should have read the report before helping make these models!

He's at it again ...
this time he climbed a tree to 'rescue' a fat,
possibly pregnant lizard

Yeah, Cast is off! ... 
Brave boy as he got stitches out and patiently let the Doctor remove the embedded pin from his wrist! 

Fall pictures can't be all serious ...

"George of the Jungle"

"hey ladies!"

Trying to look cool ... no words for this boy!

Oh the weather outside is DELIGHTFUL! ...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... 

A shot of dessert  ... a fraction of the calories!

The three amigos ... constant chatter ... boundless energy ...
what one doesn't think of, the other one does!

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You ...

Releasing Tears

I woke today with tears just under the surface of my being ... a gentle rain was falling, our household had a restless night after awaking to a power out that left us in the darkest night without even the sound of neighborhood dogs to break the silence. It was one such morning that I needed His presence to physically lift me out of my downy abyss I defiantly clung to. "Just one more hour" I pleaded. I find it ironic that the youngest cherub I bore life to 5 years ago feels just as strongly to the opposite spectrum of this activity ... "Just one more minute" he pleads as he defiantly refuses to climb the stairs to the downy abyss that waits to envelop his angelic form.  Both activities, 12 hours apart evoking the same emotions, leaving both sets of eyes brimming with tears in their wake.

Crying in the shower brings such healing as the warm water pours over the mix of emotions flowing from my eyes. However, today being Sunday and not wanting puffy eyes to accompany me to church, I willed the tears to hold fast in their borders. He would release them in time and with their release would come the healing balm for my soul. These tears were not ones of sadness or hopelessness, on the contrary, with each profession and confession, their healing trickle brought hope, peace, release and freedom.  Sometimes you just need to cry!

Tears for hurting relationships, tears as life ends and for when life begins, tears for decisions made and yet to be made, tears for words spoken in frustration and for words held captive, tears of confession, tears of reconciliation, tears of understanding and tears of laughter ... Today was a day of knowing His sweet presence through those who helped release these tears. As the sun surrenders my day to the peaceful solitude of night I'm peacefully reminded ... In His presence is fullness of joy.

 Have a good cry ... Joy unspeakable joy ... Releasing the valve

Life on the Mountain

I'm tired ... not physically, just mentally. Extra guests brings the joy of community, refreshment for my spirit, and the gentle reminder that solitude is also a necessity.  I'm continually humbled at the gift we receive from living here ... so many nations to interact with and the gift of sharing Jesus with each one.  As the week ended I blissfully sat on a porch swing ... enough said on that, it was a peaceful gift! Birthday parties, an abundance of sugar, really loud music and the peaceful gift of Daniella's friendship. Guiding Jedidiah on his 4th grade science project, creating an animal and plant cell ... can't believe I remember these parts! A Sunday filled with life-giving conversation, heart connections and healing tears.  Anticipating a sound night of sleep, He is restoring my soul!

Praises

Sharing our hearts in English

Being surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses

Life bringing tears

Our boys open hearts to share how they are processing life in CR

Nellie's family coming to church

Prayers

Discerning our next steps

Healing Care next week that Daryl and I will participate in

Make a choice to put each other first, pray for "Us"

Steve's heart to let go and trust Father's love for him

My matching grocery helpers ...
bringing joy and laughter to my shopping experience!


ONE picture ... that's all I took this week! 

Unexpected

Filling my heart ... Jakol!

In the midst of the chaos of our lives, each week He carves out a few sacred hours for my soul to be encouraged. My day starts by getting mentally ready, the list is checked off, my phone is turned off, I'm focused, attentive and ready to give counsel where needed. It's a beautiful thing to see how my role has morphed over the last year from one who listens, encourages and councils to one she desires to share life with. She seems to have come alive in the sacredness of our time together. Although she hesitantly shares her tears, her giggles flow freely filling my soul. Her sweet cherub, Jakol reaches for me and snuggles into my embrace taking my mama's heart heavenward.  I'm quite certain if these times weren't scheduled, our worlds would not have connected. Father knows best ... He knew that in the scheduled routine of our meeting, a friendship would bloom that my soul desperately needs. She listens expectantly and contemplatively responds which brings life to my soul. I see hope by the light in her eyes, hear confidence in the tenderness of her voice, and feel friendship in the deep recesses of her heart. Her need is great, she has hope, and she's found a place to share the intimacies of her life. Quite unexpectedly ... so have I.

We've planned for weeks ... at least my mind has been planning for weeks! Contacts made, menu and schedule planned, temporary cooks in place to feed the guests, flight schedules and airport pick-ups organized.  Most nights my sound sleep was interrupted only briefly as my mind woke me to remember one more detail. The day arrived to meet and greet those I've known only by email. My heart was full with anticipation to know their purpose for joining VidaNet's Vision Tour.  In the midst of these full days, seeds were planted, vision shared, hearts have been left yearning to know His will and intimate connections were made. I expected to pour out, be hospitable to our guests and provide for their physical needs while staying with us at Casa VidaNet. What I didn't expect were the intimate moments of prayer that the Lover of my soul used to breath life to my weary soul. Quite unexpectedly ... their obedience to come refreshed my soul.

Finding unexpected life ... Prayers of the saints ... Sacred ground 

Life on the Mountain
I've had lots of "God HELP" moments this week ... and He did! The over arching themes that robbed us of patience with each other this week were preparing for the Vision Tour and finalizing the Budget for the board meeting. We managed a date in the chaos of the week which left me bluntly aware of our lack of communication for way to long ... Orienting our new cleaning lady ... chauffeuring our guests around town ... a sleepover for Micah and Joseph ... A Talent show to lighten our hearts ... Jedi and Adam getting alone time with a tired Mama ... A send off for our beloved William, Laura and Willie moving to Spain and ... the sweet bliss of a cloudy, rainy Sunday afternoon nap.

Praises
Delmys, our new Cleaning Angel
Fresh words and affirmation from Father ... "Everything is going to be all right!"
Strangers becoming kindred spirits as they touched heaven with prayers for our family
Gloria, our temporary Kitchen Angel
Allison and crew who 'joyfully' filled in for kitchen duty
A leadership team who cares enough to bluntly speak the truth

Prayers
Our marriage ... built on a firm foundation that the enemy of lies is trying to crumble
That we would take time to listen to each other 
Parenting Jedidiah ... reference back to blog post "The Dance" 5/7/18
Vision tour guests as they take Fathers vision for VidaNet home with them
Board meeting happening this week
Central American church leaders meeting at Casa VidaNet this week
Our next steps ... wanting to remain in the center of His will ...

Sunday supper ... missing pretzels!

EMM child care worker (a.k.a. Tortuga) ...
watching our little angels so we can have a date ...
I'm not sure who had more fun!

Vision Tour guests ... resting in His peace at Casa VidaNet

Talent show laughter ...
Zuercher Bro's standing in for our missing Mighty Men ...
Singing "our song" ... "Mom, this song is getting old!"

Spending his birthday money from grandparents ... 

This happened in our driveway ...
Practicing for the birthday party next weekend : ) 

The beauty of La Paz Waterfall Garden 

The gift of chauffeuring our guests around CR

Some of the faces that grace our days with
love, laughter and challenge ...

more of them

and one final one that fills my soul!

Unexpected ... 

Reveling in the countless ways Father cares for our souls!