Anchored in the Chaos

Big boys and big toys!

Four outfits.  I changed my outfit 4 times in one day.  And, one of those changes had two sweater cover up options.  Does that technically make 5 outfit changes? Reflecting on the absurdity of this I've come to the realization that this week, I had time (in my mind) to change and therefore I did. These past 10 weeks have been Full. Of. Life! The only change pondering in my mind was which pair of dangly earrings would bring life to the party of my daily physique clad in my grey or navy blue Vida Missions t-shirt and jeans.

We hosted and hosted some more, three groups of youth totaling 200+, then 'we were hosted' for 10 days in PA for a retreat with EMM and two church sharing events.  Returning to CR we entered party planning mode.  In the span of 7 days we successfully accomplished a bridal shower, a civil wedding, a family vacation for 30+ people, welcoming and hosting family and friends of students, Vida220 graduation and airport runs, and Micah came home.  We breathed deep for 2 days and then it was wedding time.  The beautiful story of God's redemptive/restorative love in the wedding celebration of two of our beloved staff.  And finally yesterday ... it was a 'holiday' to celebrate Costa Rica's Mothers day so I took the day off.  

There have been many stormy, wave tossed moments in my mind over the past 10 weeks.  Organizing, buying and calculating food amounts and finances to send with teams. Praying for, welcoming, pouring into these teams and 10 days later, sending them home again. Celebrating our students and mourning the loss of their presence on base, the hug filled hellos and the tearful goodbyes while sleeping in 3 different beds in 10 days, washing countless loads of laundry after teams left, the beauty of a wedding and new beginnings and the stressful moments making sure everything was taken care of.  All the while, family life continued through every wave of these transitions ... school and vacation from school, sickness, soccer, braces, wisdom teeth extraction, and pizza movie nights.  

Dear friends, I could continue filling this blog with the organized chaos of our lives these past 10 weeks.  Lest you be swept away with the "need to/want to/don't want to" do list, let me refocus on our Anchor in the midst of these storms.  This image of a boat being tethered to an anchor has settled deep in my minds eye over these past weeks.  I am that tethered boat.  Whether drifting peacefully in the warmth of the sunset or bobbing buoyantly in the wave tossed surf, I am tethered to The Anchor. This tether used to be long and I would wander away from The Anchor for periods of time trying to keep myself afloat.  However through the maturing process, that rope has shortened by the tug of the Holy Spirit. I don't wander (in worry filled wavering) as far before the inner tug of the Holy Spirit pulls me back to the peace where my center is Anchored. 

As we graduate our students after 10 months of Vida220 we trust their tether to The Anchor has shortened as they take their next steps.  As we mentor and disciple our staff towards Jesus, we trust God and the work of His Holy Spirit to shorten their tether through daily life.  Glory to God for these life changing moments of trusting the tug on our tethers.  I encourage you to testify of His goodness and trust the Holy Spirit to use you as a vessel for others who are adrift.  

Adrift in the waves of worry? ... Anchored to His Presence ... Trust the tug on your tether.

Praises
*we found a new storage place for our furniture in PA, thanks for praying!

200+ youth from Vida Missions grew more intimate with God, got out of their comfort zones, and broadened their world view.
Safe and peaceful travel all summer long.

Life giving connections for our 10 days in PA.

Feeling loved and cared for by our MST and readjusting their roles.

A supportive community in and out of Vidanet.

Time to rest and be refreshed during the month of August.

Prayers
New church speaking engagements for our upcoming home leave.

Trust Father in fundraising so we can return to CR fully funded next February.

Healing for our weary bodies, specifically Jen's joints.
Family communication, to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Connections and listening to HS promptings.

Micah, wisdom in a new leadership role.
Joseph, heart connections and future direction.
Jedidiah, wisdom and direction for future school options.
Adam, peace through lots of transition.
Spend time anchored to His Presence and trust the tug on our tether. 

Life on the Mountain ... enjoy the view!

This one turned double digits in the midst of Vida Missions ...
He got to celebrate 3 different times! 

These are a few of his favorite things ...
Coffee and a fuzzy warm blanket.

A 10th birthday party complete with Mini golf in the rain!

How does one feed 140 youth, students and staff?
45 pizzas ... yes that is 45 pizzas from Little Caesars!

A taste from home! ...
Thanks Weaverland church for blessing us with the delicacy of whoopie pies! 

Another taste of home ...
Hugs from our people at Strasburg MC!
Thanks for coming to share life with us at Casa Vidanet!

Two reasons to celebrate, 13 and 51 ...
Love celebrating with my birthday buddy!

Arrived in PA in time for dinner at Mom's ...
First things first ...
Jedidiah is officially taller than his older brother!

Cycle riding 101 ...
Stay off the front yard, watch out for cars and
please shift out of first gear!

"Random" ... nah, God ordained breakfast.
PA, CR, OH ... kindred hearts. 

Thankful for foundations that Father laid in my life 25+ years ago ...
And, the gift of our boys building a friendship! 

Thanks Aunt Slushy for some cousin connections! ...
Someday Adam will catch up to them! 

Sharing hearts, tears, laughter and life ...
God knows what my heart needs!

It wouldn't be a visit to PA without a visit to Chic-fil-A!

"Random" ... nay, God ordained evening catching with these dear ones!
When the kids are away, the adults eat ice cream!
I love how God connects our hearts!

How to end our 10 day adventure in PA ...
Sunday night soft serve at Freeze and Frizz ...

"Random" ... nah, God ordained run in with Mr. Stamp,
Jedidiah's kindergarten teacher! 
He wore (and still has) green pants that matched Jedidiah's green shoes
on the last day of kindergarten. 

Monday night 10:30 pm arrival in CR ...
Tuesday morning 8:00 appt to have his wisdom teeth removed! 

Celebrating the bride to be ...

She's not my biological daughter ...
God connected our hearts and I love her like one!

Civil ceremony ...
We affirm and testify of God's goodness!

Vacation mode ... 
Took a ferry ride to arrive at the resort for rest and relaxation.

And finally, after 10 long months, it's time for graduation ...

Could not be more proud of these amazing students!
Trust the tug on your tether and go change the world!

Found this furry little critter at the end of our road! 

CR Mother's day ... it's a national holiday!

And the next day, they were married before God and these witnesses! 

Psalm 62:5, 8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 
Trust in him at all time, O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.