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| Beholding His beauty ... |
Behold: see or observe a thing or person, specifically a remarkable or impressive one. To gaze upon or observe with pleasure, to look and see ... As a wee one squawks its first breath, we BEHOLD the beauty of the miracle of life. Once a curly haired little boy, now sharing the depth of his heart, we BEHOLD he is growing in wisdom and stature before God and men. The thunder booms, the rain pounds, the lightning streaks, we daily BEHOLD the strength of these storms ... My once upon a time 4 year old son, insisted on donning the same color scheme from head to toe, he was a sight to BEHOLD ... eye roll! ... As I BEHELD the array of warmth in the luminescent colors of the setting sun, the peace that enveloped me was one to BEHOLD. (2 pts for that one!) ... and one last one, as my Grammie used to say, "low and BEHOLD dear girl!" Uncertain of her meaning, we'll leave it at that!
If what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal, if I want to become more like Jesus, I need to behold that which is unseen. Assuredly, there is a deep peace that comes with the simplicity of this train of thought ... Beholding the unseen.
If I am beholding - gazing upon, contemplating, observing - the overwhelming list of 'to-do' projects on base, orienting new staff in finding their place when everything feels new again, the need for a full time worship leader, the forgotten treasures that need to find their proper homes, the "you're still dealing with this" thought, the magnitude of souls needing discipled, sickness, imprisonment, storms, despair ... If I am beholding these, I will become like these, an anxious bundle of unpleasant company, not unlike the tangle of last years Christmas lights! However, and you know where I'm going with this, if I am beholding -gazing upon with pleasure, observing a remarkable or impressive thing - my Provider, my Sustainer, the One who clears my clouded thoughts, the Changer of surrendered hearts, the Lifter of my weary head, the Light in my dark moments, my Sovereign Liege and BFF ... let me tell you, there will be joy in the house of the Lord today!
Dear Ones, this is not about choosing joy in the face of despair or always getting it right. It's like a mother cupping the face of her chubby cheeked cherub and beholding his innocence even as she knows his intent to tantrum throw and disobey. She speaks truth in the beholding so that said cherub's focus is averted. It is a journey of choosing to behold Him face to face, and being beheld by Him, so that the temptation to avert our eyes in defeat becomes less and less!
Live as children of light ... find out what pleases the Lord ... Choose what you will behold!
Life on the mountain
August graduation feels like a year ago already! Weekend at the beach with Micah; 10 day mother son trip to the States filled with sweet fellowship; Welcoming a precious wee one into the world; Celebrating 21 years of us; Rearranging rooms to accommodate the blessing of 15 staff and 10 fresh Vida220 students; Adjusting to life in a multi-cultural community filled with new faces and hearts waiting to connect; Lots of goodbyes and just as many hellos; Independence day parades and festivities, complete with Jedidiah playing his newly acquired talent on the saxophone; A week of staff development on being an intentional Transitional Leader; First week of college in the books, First week of being a Vida220 leader in the books; and fixing our eyes on what is unseen to become what we are beholding!
Praises
The freshness of a new Vida220 school
Sharing life and hearts with sisters
Dorita, a gift from God in the kitchen
New staff are figuring out their roles
Jedidiah's gift of leading worship is growing
A community of prayer warriors
Prayers
The attack from the enemy feels strong as we choose obedience
Financial wisdom and help for Katy, one of our staff
Daryl as he navigates steps to wholeness
Daryl as he navigates the financial world at VidaNet
Micah: wisdom for leading from Fathers heart
Joseph: his college world at Thaddaeus Stevens
Jedidiah: to find his sense of purpose
Adam: to live as a child of light and not worry
To trust Father's provision and not spread ourselves thin
As we choose to behold the unseen
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| It's a practical Uncle's gift, right? |
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| They are never to old for old toys ... hours of fun! |
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| While Mom's away ... Burgers with the boys! |
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| Reenacting ... what a difference 5 years makes! |
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| Token first day of school pic ... Look out Thaddeus Stevens, his mind is ready to learn! |
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| Sweet fellowship ... |
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| Saying goodbye to Joseph ... Some of us were more awake than others! |
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| Look Mama, I got good scores even when you were away! |
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| Saying goodbye to Micah once again as he moves on base for Vida220 |
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| Celebrating Us ... 21 looks good on Us! |
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| One of our favorite teachers and band director ... Celebrating 15 de Septiembre, CR Independence Day! |
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| 14 of September tradition ... The parade of lanterns for Independence day. |
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| A week off school provided opportunity for an early birthday gift ... Golf with Dad! |
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| Ice cream ... the perfect celebration for a new school and new staff! Pray for us as we learn to BEHOLD Him with this precious community! |
Those who look to (BEHOLD) Him are radiant
and their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5
