Territory of My Heart

My favorite delivery boy ...

The soil is resting, seeking sabbath, being watered by tears, lying dormant, feeling useless and uncertain of its next steps yet hopeful that the seed buried there will one day sprout to life again. 

January of 2012, I remember it often. I was at a point of sadness so deep, my soul felt saturated with despair.   I grudgingly opened my Bible to Deuteronomy with an annoyed eye-roll thinking - "What life could He possibly speak from this book"?  My disgruntled action of  opening The Word, allowed His sweet presence to pour in through the open door and He began to water my scorched, barren heart ... Father spoke, regarding the territory of my heart.   "I am bringing you into a good land ... " Deut 8:7.   And, the seed of hope began to grow.  I've held onto that promise since then, specifically in times of uncertainty and when my soul was feeling battered ...

but recently, I've needed a reminder.

Over these last several months, despair had settled in my soul again and I felt like the fight in me was gone.  The mere thought of mentioning this despair/lack of fight, felt like a failure for who Father has called me to be and where He has called me to be.  "Put your hope in God ... Trust ... He is your strength ... He will never leave you..."  His promises screamed at my soul in a rescue attempt yet my soul felt like it couldn't even reach out for their life-saving properties.  As the feelings of failure pelted like rain and the waves crashed, my soul was sinking and sadness, was its welcome guest.  

He did not push, He did not discredited my pain.  He has simply been holding, being present, and waiting.  And when He sensed my grasping for life again, He spoke.  "I am with you and am watching over you wherever you go and ... I will bring you back to this land" Genesis 28:15.  And with that, the seed of hope laid deep in the depths is sprouting.

Maybe you need the reminder too?  In this year of seemingly utter chaos, despair and loss, when you feel surrounded by clouds or waves or whatever it is that is obscuring your vision of a good land ... His promise still stands, He desires to bring you into that good land.  It doesn't mean life will be easy, full of joy or merrily dancing through fields of wild flowers.  It simply means that one has hope, He is still on the throne and His promises are still true.  Why don't you ask Him for a glimpse of your promised land ... He can't wait to show it to you! 

He is good.  He desires good.  Bringing good into focus. 

Praise & Prayer

Father's patient love, faithful presence and everlasting arms that have held & carried us these months

Each of you, your prayers have been Father's presence to us

Friends and neighbors who listen to our hearts, invite us to coffee and cry with us

Health and healing

In spite of Covid restrictions, ministry at Casa VidaNet looks a bit different but continues

Central America as it recovers in the wake of hurricane Eta

To infuse our worry filled minds with the peace of Father's presence

Three more weeks of educating at home. God help us to finish well, it's been a very long school year.  

For schools to open next year ... please God!

Times of refreshing, we are weary 

We continue to grieve Delynn's death and the impact its had on the ministry

Help us be real in our grief and lead others to Jesus in our grief

To extend grace to those we spend 24x7 life with ... quarantine and restrictions continue to feel stifling. 

For our hearts to rest, return and remain in the land He has called us to

Life on the Mountain

It seems easiest to do this in photo form ... 

Youth group and Current events "Social Bubble" ...
minus a few.  

MOM, help! ... 
Cousin Jess Weaver to the rescue when
Mom's scissors are oceans away!

Jedidiah's 6th grade graduation pictures ... 
Of course we had to take a few mask free pictures!

Simulation exercise ...
So this is how you practice for an emergency via zoom! 

Father - Son worship team at Casa VidaNet

Joseph had a rough month ...
Four wisdom teeth cut out with local anesthesia ...
And random episodes of Hives lead to allergy testing!
(Below)

A rainy day at the beach ... 

Celebrating life ...
Happy 3rd Declan
Happy 16th Joseph
Happy 13th Jedidiah 
and ... 
Happy BIRTHday sweet baby Kairo!

My heart is full ...
I had the privilege of being part of an amazing team for this precious little ones birth at home! ...
Mama Jen loves you baby Kairo! 

Whoooo is watching me? ...
A visit to Zooave brought some laughter.

Look who's behind the wheel ...
Not yet legal in CR but thankful for friends with long driveways! 

"What I want to be when I grow up ..." 
Celebration of Dia del Nino

Three lost teeth in 10 days ...
 That's what being 7 is all about! 

Two boys baking in the kitchen ...
Our bellies have been filled with delicious treats!

Mohawks, masks & Sunday morning sweet bread ...
Quarantine life!

We miss Micah's presence in our home while he's in the States for his senior year ...
He enjoyed cutting wood at a youth work weekend!  

Date night with Adam ...
Soaking up Dad and Mom's attention and
enjoying the delicacy of Pizza Hut!  


I am still confident of this,
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13