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Sunday, July 28, 2019

HOPE

The picture that brought HIS inspiration ... 
Two weeks living out of a suitcase is two weeks to long! There has been a lot of life lived since I last shared coffee and a quiet afternoon with you all.  As most of you know, we had 2 short, very full weeks in PA being ‘wined and dined and spoiled by the best of em’! Thanks to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends, we were not in want! Our hearts were full on all the sweet fellowship while our physical bodies were weary from all the tasting and seeing what we’ve missed for the past 3 years! We landed in CR in the midst of 2 more very full weeks. And today, I made time to stop and repot some 'life' into our house! ...

Reflecting on Oasis, the reason we had our two week venture to the States ... The FIRST thing I saw when I looked over our schedule for the week was ... "Silence and Solitude." YES, I could hardly wait ... a good nap surrounded by nature was calling my name! Contrary to my selfish obsession with napping, He desired so much more for this time ...

July 10th ... while this date will eventually join ranks in the jumble of other dates, words and soul inspiring moments with Father, the intimacy of His breath on my face on this date, has transformed my soul for eternity. July 10th will forever be etched in my soul as the day Father renamed me. I found my spot, settled in and prepared for my long awaited nap. My spirit waged war against my will ... I tried to justify my physical need for rest while my spirit cried for the intimacy of hearing His whisper during this solitude. And so ... I listened and He spoke, Hope ... May this vulnerability He's asking me to share inspire a deep HOPE within your ragged, bone weary soul as it did mine.

HOPE: A joyful, confident expectation. No matter what valley I traverse, no matter the heights of elation I soar upon ... I have this joyful, confident expectation that Father is still on the Throne, holding me, listening, leading, waiting to dance and He's present with me!

Hope:
-When it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel instead of an illuminated tunnel.
-His banqueting table of promises to feast on is set. He invites and waits for me to join Him.
-When my companion to sleep is anxiety and worry, His feet are still propped on the corner of my bed.
-When the migraine of feeling overwhelmed pounds His comforting presence fills my dark room with the calm of deep blue menthol.
-When I say "I can't take one more step" He calls me to come away.
-Walking through the valley of dry bones of death to the mountain summit of being the bearer of new life. In these extremes of emotions, the seed of bright hope for tomorrow has taken root, sprouted and for His glory, hope is reaping a harvest in once barren souls.
-Standing on the mountain precipice, a new life in Costa Rica loomed ahead ... even in the unknown, there was hope in His presence.
-As I held the shell of what once was my strong, stable husband, I cried out in anger, "Where are you hope?" ... Hope came in human form, took our hand and step by step helped us see the glimmer of hope in a new dawn of our marriage.

I can rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God AND sufferings which produce perseverance causing my character to grow into one of HOPE. I've contemplated, perhaps my personality lends me to be hopeful? "No", He spoke, it's truly MY presence that fills you with hope ... For hope does not disappoint me because Father has poured out His love into my heart by the Holy Spirit whom He has given me.

Hope is always present even when the blinders of loss, change and instability tries to obscure it's radiance.

Hope, it's who Father is and what He represents
Hope, is always present, even when I have to look for it.
Hope, is what He named me that day. 

Life on the Mountain ... 
There is SO much to share from our two weeks in the States, see our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dnjhoover for the highlights! ... We flew home at 6 a.m. Monday the 15th, went to bed by 6 p.m. and jumped right back into action Tuesday morning. It felt good to be home in PA and feels good to be home in CR! ... We finished up the week with Vida Missions ... walked through a week of intense Perspectives class, supporting those who participated ... served on kitchen duty ... started organizing months worth of finances ... carved out precious moments to hear our boys hearts on how different "what used to be familiar," now feels ... and,
held onto the memory of precious moments of life shared with you all in the States.

Praises
The HOPE He spoke to my soul ... the perfect birthday gift from Father!
He is always present!
Hugs and time with those that know us and continue to love us
Safe, uneventful travel
Rest and refreshment at Oasis

Prayers
Housing for our home leave this fall ... end of October - January
Details for our home leave this fall
Complete healing for my back
Our journey with Jedidiah ... change and good byes are so very hard
Parenting, marriage, ministry ... communication, patience and grace
Healing for my parents ... Rotator cuff repair and broken clavicle
Successful support raising for VidaNet's upcoming Growth banquets


Carefree, running wild and free and structured
with defined lines in place ...
the things our marriage is made of!

Oh how he wishes ...
Got his drivers permit and cycle permit on the same day! ...
I'm officially a back seat driver!

Machito x 2 (little blond boy x 2) ...
Puppy therapy

Science Fair project ...
Of course he explained the properties of making SLIME!

Sweet Declan ...
He stopped moving long enough for Joseph to snuggle

Micah's project upon our return ...
Pop-pop's shelves filled and ready for action.

School bus ready ...
They may look different but they sound the same!

When your son wants to color his hair ...
The Mennonite in me doesn't want to waste the rest!

No, mine is NOT black! ...
He spent $3 more to have a more radical change!

Repotting life into our home ... 
HOPE ... joyful, confident expectation these plants will flourish and grow!