Fixation

Eyes on ME ...
especially on a high ropes challenge!

As I stood on the mountainside porch, the clouds were close enough to touch. I gazed across the valley and my eyes caught something that the sun's only ray of the day seemed to be spotlighting.  As I squinted to see what appeared to be a white cross, I heard His simple whisper ... "Fix your eyes on ME".   I blinked a few times to make sure I really was seeing said cross in the suns spotlight and then pondered His words to my spirit.  Fix your eyes on ME ... like a mother gently tipping the chin of her wee one to get their full attention, I felt Your gaze on my soul. Medically speaking, my gaze felt like the pins, screws, and plates of the external or internal fixation device used to hold something in place so that it becomes unwavering, unmoving. Yet I realized Jesus isn't like that.  While He has captured my gaze, even in my longing for perfect peace, He knows my eyes will still struggle with those sideward glances to the world.  He offers no physical fixation device that prevents my worry filled wandering.  Distractions will try to pry my gaze and avert my eyes.  If I fixate on ... the future, what next, will they really be ok, what about this or that ... my gaze shifts, the clouds cover and I lose the vision of the cross. Oh how I long to see my eyes permanently fixed on, locked into, superglue sealed, and tunnel visioned onto Him.  The result of such fixation is what my soul longs for, His perfect peace.  Subsequently, the chaos in our rapidly changing adventure of life is replaced by a steady, steadfast, hand in hand walk at sunset.  

As I turn my squinted gaze once again to the white cross in the distance, I ponder the gift of His faithful fan-fare, constant companionship, and lavish love ... it's the intricacies of our relationship that have fixed my eyes on Him even in the midst of distractions.  Can you picture it? ... A sweet cherub's nursing gaze set only on his mama, the blurred peripheral as you catch the spark in ones eye from across the room, the mesmerizing flames as a campfire draws your gaze to it, the color of a flower in a barren, desert wasteland, the glow of a lighthouse beacon in the darkest night ... What are you fixated on and does it ultimately bring perfect peace? What does it look like for you to have your eyes fixed on Jesus? 

Fixated on Him ... Distractions abound ... Receive His peace

Life on the Mountain ... 
Registering Jedi and Adam for in present school once again;  Preparing for our first work/vision teams of the year; Reconnecting with dear youth group friends; Weekly English sessions with one who speaks slow enough to understand; Navigating Covid isolation and quarantine for our teams; Sending Micah and teams to outreach locations;  Hannah was in Costa Rica and we were blessed with fellowship at our annual EMM retreat after 2 years of not being able to have it;  and probably the biggest news of the month ... after a two year process, receiving our official residency cards! 

Praises

Residency cards in hand!

Vida220 teams connecting on outreach locations

Micah is adjusting and enjoying connecting with his community

Returning to in present classes for 3rd and 8th grades

Our neighbors have dogs, Adam can enjoy their companionship without all the work!

Peace in challenging life situations when we look to Him

Opportunities to reconnect with El Nido work when school restarts

Life giving one on one connections with staff

Prayers

Focus on His call, why are we here

God clear direction for Joseph: work, school when and where

For God to heal my migraines

Parenting Jedidiah

Fix our gaze on Jesus and not on temporary things

Open hearts and deep connections that bring God the glory

Scrapbooks, it's what causes them to pause together! 

The newest neighbor ...
Adam absolutely loves her! 

The Mud Run ...
working together to get everyone safely across! 

The focus and concentration of this young man! 

Hannah came to Costa Rica!!!!  
No, Jedidiah is not taller! 

He's at it again, Vanilla peach cake!

This crew ...
they certainly feel like God's perfect gift to us! 

First Kids Club of outreach ...
Lots of energy and excitement! 

Yeah ... he really bought this! 
Thanks CR for bringing Amazon returns to a store near us! 

The peace on my face was ONLY because I was taking my last steps on this anxiety filled high ropes challenge ... 

The joy of connecting hearts across countries ... God is so good! 

Yup, here they are ...
Two year process is finally in hand.
We are official Costa Rica residents!!

These pictures capture a 1000 stories of our lives ...
let's have coffee sometime!  

Jeremiah 29:13 

You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart. 

Fix your gaze on ME!