Well-Watered

Feeling complete ...

Since our December newsletter, I've been pondering ... What does "well-watered" look like?  Not well as an adjective: good, alright, fine, I'm feeling well watered/hydrated, thank you.  Well as a noun: water source, the one you give your camels a drink from, fill your bucket from.  What does well-watered look like?  

As I close my eyes and ponder this, the sun is fully on my face and I just saw a "30 second reel" of my life from the past year and the words ... "Well-watered = Abiding".  While I wasn't always fully aware of Father's presence, it was clearly evident in this 'reel', He was always with me ... 

Carrying me, sheltering me, supporting me as I stood on the mountain cliff with my face boldly to the wind, walking peacefully by my side, sharing coffee in my hiding place.  He was the air in my lungs when I felt like I was drowning, the offeror of the tissues as the tears seemed constant, the cool drink of water, the warm hug.  He was the firm foundation when my legs felt wobbly and shaky.  His gaze was for me as He caught my eye with a wink, and invited me to the Banqueting Table.  He was the soil in which my roots have dug deep, and the refreshing river in which I stood. His secret service detail comforted my worrisome gaze. He was the laughter - the spark- in the pit of my soul that put a smile on my face when the days were easy or burdened.  He was the one leaning over the roped sidelines cheering me on, "Eyes on ME, you've got this!" He was the party thrower as the ministry moved forward, His hand laid the final dollar, and stamped the official Recibido on the receipt to pay off His property on the mountain.  He hugged and twirled each of us as the picture was snapped for each residency card, He cheered our perseverance.  He was the light infusing my dreams and the giver of said dreams.  He was in the beauty of fall and blanketed us with peace as we rested at the Millers.  He painted me sunsets, healed my infirmities and surrounded me with people who would mold me into the person He is designing me to be.  I heard Him call me Hope, and saw how all the answers to my questions pointed back to Him.  In this reel, I saw that abiding is a daily dose of being well-watered and being well-watered is simply just abiding.  Taking time to soak in His presence, sit at His banqueting table, risk going out on a limb with Him, take a turn at a major crossroad and, trust ... even when I didn't see, feel or hear.  

Being well-watered ... "In the darkness of adversity, you are able to see more clearly the radiance of MY face."  Being well-watered ... is the only possible explanation for the peace I have felt while walking through yet another transition back to 'normal' life.  Being well-watered ... Does not equal perfection, that I've attained the goal, it simply means I am posturing my heart in a place of deliberate dependence on Him.  John 15:4 Remain in me and I will remain in you.   Sun-scorched land or green pastures ... His gift of well-water is waiting!

Well-watered ... Abiding ... Walking hand in hand

Life on the Mountain

Celebrating Jesus' birth, Soaking up 2 weeks with Micah before he leaves for outreach, the boys enjoyed a break from school routine, Crossing the last 'T' and dotting the last 'I' for our residency cards, Soaking in the sun, rain and sunsets at the beach, Taking time to reconnect, reestablish roles and reorganize our house. 

Praises

Health, healing and hope

School will start in present in February

Time with Micah before he leaves for outreach

Reconnections

Peace in our hearts to return to CR

Prayers

Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things

Practicing His presence, making a choice to be well-watered

Restarting school routines

To shine His light even when we feel cloudy

Micah's outreach team to bless the community they are sent to

Joseph's school plans for the next year

Can I have a puppy for Christmas? ... No!

El Nido cuteness and snuggles below ...

Happy #19 Micah! 

How many crates can one Mighty Man carry? ...

Enjoying His peaceful beauty ...

Cookie batter goes on the pan, not in your mouths! ...
do they ever grow out of this?  

Christmas socks for the win! 

Psalm 92:1 

It is good to praise the Lord ... 

to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.