Rice and Beans of Life: August 2022

Celebrating Micah - missing Joseph

How do I summarize life for an anticipating audience? What is one word that describes life as we know it? How do I give a 5 minute summary of 2 years? While attempting sleep in the rooster crowing, mighty men snoring, wee morning hours of our hotel room in Honduras, these thoughts droned on like the hum of the air conditioner. I covered my head and tried to not think ... "don't think, don't think, don't think", I mentally quoted scripture, prayed for others, I mentally turned my brain off like a light switch, and finally succumbing to the possibility that sleep would be evaded, I allowed my mind to process. One word ... Intentional. There, my life is summarized by the word intentional, now go to sleep!

This one word continued to slosh around in my mind as we joggled through the pothole laden roads of Honduras. Why am I intentional and what is my goal? To shine my crown and secure my seat at The Banqueting Table (pride)? To make others like me and feel good about myself (Fear of man)? To check off my 'discipleship to-do' list (works mentality)? Why do I have conversations with my meat guy, greet our taxi driver and start conversations with our seatmate on the airplane? Why do I have so many questions in this blog?

Isn't that what discipleship is about, intentionally building relationships to share Jesus? This is the stuff that life is made of, intentionally sharing Jesus. One can't be casually intentional. Being intentional has a plan, a purpose, a goal in mind. I intentionally kiss my bedwarmer good morning, I intentionally have coffee with Jesus, I intentionally speak words of life to my boys as they exit the van for school, I intentionally put the phone down and look them in the eye as they are speaking. I intentionally meet with 'my girls' to process life with them ... (really though, I simply love them and love coffee with them!). I intentionally ask, "Lord, lead me today as You see best. Use the gifts You have given me to encourage others on their journey. Help me not to compare myself with others but to be content." Being intentional is simply seeking Jesus first. Ephesians 5:8-10 says it like this ...

But now, you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and ... find out what pleases the Lord!

What or Who is He asking you to be intentional about?

Life on the Mountain

Remember those 8 busy weeks? Life hasn't slowed down much! We celebrated the end of Vida Missions with a weekend beach trip for our family of 39; Prayed our students through their Luke10 experience; Celebrated graduation with our beloved students; Hosted 4 friends overnight; Savored coffee and conversation with Micah in person; Video called Joseph in 2 different countries; Explored VidaNet's Honduras base while celebrating a weekend wedding and Memorial service; Visited the Mama Project in Honduras where Father confirmed in my heart why I wanted to be a nurse 20+ years ago; Spent 12 luxurious hours overnight in Panama enjoying the sights from the top of our hotel instead of from the airport windows; Said goodbye to dear friends moving back to Honduras; and ... took a 2 hour nap after returning home yesterday morning!

Praises

Safe, no issues weekend travels

Hotel in Panama

Austin and Griselda are married!

Renewed connections, & celebrating Delynn's life

Our students safely home

Prayers

Healing for Micah

Students transition home

God to fill vacated staff positions

Family dynamics

Refreshment for all of us