Speaking His Name

He's got purpose! 

Sometimes I feel like David. There's a giant in front of me. I know those stones in my sling (a.k.a. promises in His Word) will slay any giant, conquer any fear and dispel any darkness that tries to destroy the warrior in me. I feel small, insignificant, incapable and like giving up before the fight even starts ... As I hurl that first stone I hear a whisper ... "you belong to Me" ... the faintest hope arises as I fling the next one ... "My thoughts define you" ... deep breath of growing confidence ... "I have called you by name" ...

These last few weeks one of my giants has been parenting "That one" ... you know, the one who all our decisions seem to be based around. I have hope! However, I was not feeling hopeful in regards to the giant of parenting This one. Let me back up a few years to set the stage ...

I was resting in Father's presence while listening to a challenging message how Father wanted to give me a new name.   A name He was calling my spirit.  During a time of waiting and reflection, I gingerly asked Father on behalf of our 4 Mighty Men ... "What do You want me to call them?" There was no doubt, no question, no hesitation ... as I said each of their given names and waited, He spoke to my spirit a new name for each of them. "That one," was to be called Tender heart.

Return to present day ... We've been walking the waters of a bullying situation at school which has caused a cascade of other issues.  We heard his side, talked to the 'powers that be' at school and then he met with the school psychologist to talk some more. A plan was set, the process started and Father stood to fight this giant for me! Here's what He did ...

As my Tender heart met with the school counselor this is what she saw ... She was impressed that he was able to express himself completely in Spanish, without hesitation. She gained a better understanding of who he is and what his hopes and dreams are. The one thing she felt lead to share with me as an encouragement about him was ... "He has such a Tender heart."  Of course I cried.  A week later HE continued to fight that giant for me.  The Art teacher pulled me aside during a 'random' encounter at school.  "He is such an amazing student, he has future plans, goals, dreams and ... he has such a Tender Heart." Did they know they were calling out Father's name for him? Even in another language, HIS name is clear for This one.  I may not feel victorious in my parenting of This one. However, He has called This one by name and it is HIS heart that beats in him ... giant defeated! 

Defined by His thoughts ... Calling out his spirit ... What is your new name?

Life on the mountain
Full on attack, wrestling not against flesh and blood ... Donning the Armor ... Thank you for standing in the gap! ... "Effortless" border run, thank you Jesus! ... Sharing life with Sisters at a church ladies retreat ... Being refreshed by the constant chatter from a week of hosting our Akron neighbors in CR ... Feeling life and joy listening to Angelica's heart ... Celebrating Micah's 13th Spiritual birthday ... Guys/girls night ... Sharing Saturday Stromboli with friends ... Flinging stones and watching HIM topple those giants!

Praises
Decisions made ... after a home leave (date and time tbd) we're returning to CR for another term!
An English speaking counselor for Jedidiah
School administrators who listen, care and seek the best in situations
Sharing laughter and life with "The Kids and their Mom"
Long term Akron renters ... Father's faithful provision
Support, counsel and prayer from each of YOU
Exec leadership team who cares for each other
Stones in my sling ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIWvbD-8X8Y

Prayers
Micah's future plans
Random health 'stuff' for me ... In quietness and trust is my strength!
Housing for our home leave
Changes within El Nido
Kitchen, cook situation needing Father's wisdom and provision

Frisbee in Nicaragua ...
Passing time at the border to please the authorities! 

Two and a half years makes a big difference! ...
Sharing life in the Pacific Ocean.

5 Fingers, 5 Butterflies!

A view from the clouds ...
"The cross before me, the world behind me!"

Hiking Tres Cruces (3 Crosses) ... 

Of course they asked him to play the part of William Walker ... (He is the only gringo in his school class!)

Frappuccino and friends ...
Adam crashed the girls night party!

They're not Mimi and Pop-pop but a pretty close comparison! 

They speak English ... you know, that other language!
Teaching the girls how to play car mat!

In quietness and trust is your strength ... Is. 30:15
"It's going to be ok" ...
The simplest prophetic words spoken to my soul for "This one" 

Wrestling with Flesh

My heart is full ... and so was our table!

Since it's been a few weeks, I was reading my last post and I'm curious ... How many buts have you
looked for? : ) I've also come to the realization that it was easier to blog during Football season when our male infested household was occupied for a few hours allowing me the precious time to savor a warm cup of coffee while sharing life with you all!

So I've been contemplating my need of the Trinity. I know, elementary right ... bare with me. Jesus is my daily companion, God is the Father that watches over my coming and going and ... and there's the Holy Spirit. If I could separate them, it feels like the groanings of my heart needed to be addressed by the H.S. because it's not God or Jesus' department! It sort of feels like a light bulb came on in my spirit prompting me to cry out to the H.S. for guidance, help and direction. What I've come to realize (or re-realize) is this.

We need Holy Spirit empowered change. I remember when knowing God was religion. When I was 20, I began to experience God with all of my senses, and the Holy Spirit became alive to me. This was life changing to say the least. Fast forward 26 years to a life raising 4 Mighty Men cross culturally. I had this random thought as I was reiterating the perpetual line of any mom of boys. "Can you choose to love your brother instead of fighting, hitting, body slamming or arguing? ... Stop being mean, choose to love and put others first! ... You need to ask God to help you change your attitude." ... And that's where the light bulb came on. These in the flesh, human beings need Holy Spirit empowered change!

No amount of positive thinking, change your attitude, putting others first, mom nagging and choosing to love is going to change them (or me) from the inside out.  It's a heart change ... the prideful, stinky, me first, stubborn this is who I am attitude that He wants to change. In the flesh we will always fight, tussle, lie, rebel and want to be right. The groanings of my Mama's heart have been "H.S. change us from the inside out!" We need a daily living in the supernatural while surrounded by the flesh ... Not living in the flesh while surrounded by the supernatural. I've also come to the realization that it would be so much easier if the H.S. acted like the chorus of neighborhood dogs at 5:00 a.m.!

Invite, Allow, Obey ... Change me from the inside out ... Have brothers, will wrestle! 

Life on the Mountain
People coming and going ... Saying good bye to Byron's Mama after an emotional 2+ weeks ... A new kitchen just in time for a weekend rental ... The beauty of rain showers and rainbows ... 2 nights away with 'old' friends celebrating 18-20 years of marriage, laughing, crying, encouraging and spurring one another on ... Volcanic heated natural Hot springs without kids, thankful for a cloudy day ... Exploring delicious fruits and cocoa from bean to mug ... Blessed by Kara's love in caring for our boys ... Riding home from school on the bus ... Laughter and Frisbee golf ... Thoughtful conversations and decision making  ... Visiting the library and bringing home 31 books! ... School meetings, ministry meetings, to many meetings therefore we enjoyed Jump Center and Pizza to end the week! ... Groanings that words can't express, change us from the inside out!

Praises
Decisions made
Life giving time with friends
Last minute lunch dates
A God ordained counselor
Morning walks
Life in our souls
Jump Center laughs

Prayers
A soul mate and counselor for Jedidiah
Situation at school with Jedidiah, Holy Spirit guide us!
Direction for Micah's future plans
Wisdom and unity for leadership as we process acts of rebellion
Holy Spirit change bringing love and forgiveness
Direction to know when we'll hug you all in the flesh
El Nido: a new director for Heredia center, the start of a new center at Casa VidaNet

**The battle rages on ... please intercede for us! We are feeling like we've been dealt seemingly random attacks from the enemy over this past week. I say random but we all know they've had a purpose to kill, steal and destroy. Please intercede for the ministry, interns, leadership, families and health of all as Father gives you wisdom through His Holy Spirit.

Double date night with Dad ... And, the Lego store of course!

Hey, we match! ... 2/3 of the 3 Amigos

He's guarding a bag of bags of Goldfish ...
The calendar is merely a distraction! 

They arrived ... And thus began our 3 day, 2 night vacation!

Going down was the easy part ...
 Shaky legs, huff and puff, almost 500 steps later,
we made it back up!!

The steps were worth it! ... 

Pools of Natural Hot Springs to sooth our tired muscles ...

Not D.Q. but it's real Ice Cream and real delicious!

One last stop ... Ox Cart Wheel Art

Granizados ... relaxing in the park

Greasing the wheel bearings ... Shad's mechanic school ...
On the job training!

Kids club and a sunny afternoon at Casa VidaNet

We match ... greens and browns ...
Of course he dressed first!

Releasing the tension of the week
with Jump Center laughs!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1

His banner over me is love...
 Resting in His promise that any who lack wisdom
need only to ask!