Graced with Grace

One last taste of The States ...
of course it was the
closest restaurant to our gate of departure! 

Transition is exhausting.  Yet again, the emotion of saying good bye, returning to the familiar that still feels different, unpacking the suitcases and treasures, setting up house again, going through the box of  "grow into" clothing because all 4 mighty men seemed to have grown up and/or out during our stay in the States, several hours a day spent preparing stuff for the start of a new school year tomorrow and ... trying to be the adult, patiently walking through the roller coaster of emotions all six of us are going through when I wanted to throw a two year old tantrum!  I teetered through the first two days, grasping tightly to His promises but by day three I was starting to crumble.  On the dawn of day four ... healing tears started flowing.

In Father's goodness, He encouraged me with these simple words from my dear sister ... "Praying that you all can be patient and extravagant grace givers to each other as you adjust and readjust to life in CR."  And just like that, I began to sleep better, my tense shoulders started to relax, mornings in my secret place seemed sweeter and more sacred ... "Grace my child, extended to each other and more importantly, to yourself!" ... Even though we've returned to normal and familiar, it's totally different than what we just lived through the last 3 months.  Her (His) words, were a sweet reminder that we're not walking through this transition and change alone.  We've been eternally blessed with a heavenly armament of prayer warriors, armor bearers, shield upholders and most importantly ... believing we are utterly adored by a King who has established our ways and extends to us His limitless grace. 

Today came the sweet peace of being thankful.  Thank you Father that You have called us, covered us and commissioned us to life in Costa Rica.  Psalm 103:8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  Oh sweet Jesus, I have so much to learn from You!

Girded in grace ... Breath in, breath out ... I am living in the goodness of God

Life on the Mountain
Laughter and tears as we received a loud and boisterous welcome home from 30+ of our Casa VidaNet family hooting and hollering as we exited the airport ... Returning to our morning routine, walking, talking occasionally as we go and quiet times ... Buying, labeling and contact papering a mountain of school supplies, 20 books and 15 notebooks ... Mentally preparing Adam for the idea of all day school while he has limitless play with his little buddies ... Daryl has spent a few hours each day in the office and seems to be stepping back into routine ... Jedidiah's talent on the guitar is getting some good practice time ... The consensus at youth group is that Joseph grew 5 inches ... Micah digging into school and ministry tasks and making Mama laugh ... Catching up, sharing tears and laughter with our neighbors ... Reconnecting with home school co-op friends ... Sunshine, soccer Saturday and sunny afternoons for line drying wash ... Hugs and feeling like we never left in Comunidad Nuevo Pacto church ... Settling in, diving in, walking in and resting in Father's limitless grace.

Praises
Easiest travel experience we've ever had through immigration
Fully funded for 3 years of our 4 year term, THANK YOU!!
Friendships picked up where they left off
Jedidiah's love for guitar and his God given talent
A one stop shopping experience for all the school supplies
My shopping sister, Liz
Daryl's sinus' and my back are doing great

Prayers
School starts tomorrow, pray for peace, friends and for bravery
Fully diving into ministry this week
Friendship to grow between Joseph and Jedidiah
Our neighbors marriage ... so sad to see them struggling again, they need a miracle, they need Jesus!
Leadership meeting all day tomorrow, pray for unity, patience and wisdom

It all fit in our trusty Olaf! ...
Feeling the need to settle in for awhile.

School supplies ...
Every single crayon, marker, pencil etc labeled with their name! ...
SO thankful for El Rey where I could buy everything!

Books and notebooks labeled and covered with contact paper!

Dylan visited from Nicaragua for 2 months ...
So thankful they got to spend a day together! 

Happy 10th spiritual birthday Joseph! ...
Of course it was brownies and ice cream!

Jedidiah's hand-me-down green shoes ...
Adam was just as proud to wear them! 

 

Sweet snuggles from Declan on a sunny Saturday afternoon ... 

Declan, just another boy in our boy band ...
He fits right in with these Mighty men! 

Jedidiah's newest treasure ... bought from the one who patiently encouraged his talent!
Music to Mama's ears!

While in PA, Father painted this picture in my mind ...
Upon returning to CR, He gave me a fresh new hiding place ...
It's the sweetest place on earth ...
Psalm 103:8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.