 |
| Saturday morning family time - PA, CR, Kenya! |
Our lives are filled with nudges and prompts. You know what I mean, those subtle or direct suggestions that influence us toward a desired outcome, to choose 'their' product or to guide our response to the more favorable choice. Every second of every day our lives are filled with nudges to indulge or practice self control. Recently Father has nudged my heart to ponder how often I ignore vs. obey HIS nudges and promptings that fill my day ... There's a lot of nudging going on!
Adam went on a Vida Missions outreach this summer. The last day I stopped by the church to drop off meds for some sick participants. I thought about "mothering him" by taking his backpack and sleeping bag with me so he wouldn't forget anything. Not wanting to steal his desire for independence, I ignored the nudge. Fast forward 5 hours when the team, minus Adam's backpack, returned to base. Video surveillance confirmed, someone walking by the van as they were packing up, had reached in and stolen his backpack off the top of the pile. What would have happened if I had obeyed that nudge?
A week ago I was buying 22 pizzas for our last Vida Missions group and I had the nudge to buy 2 servings of fried chicken in addition to all those pizzas. One portion had an anticipating consumer, but the second left me wondering for whom I would be buying it. Fast forward 1 hour to 110 overjoyed consumers receiving their prized pizza at the end of 9 days of rice and beans. Passing through the line, she humbly asked, "do you have anything that is tomato free?" My stunned expression stated the obvious, "I forgot about your allergy!" As I turned to see what leftovers we had in the refrigerator I saw the second box of fried chicken I had felt prompted to buy an hour before. What would have happened if I had ignored that nudge?
I was exhausted from a long day in the kitchen and wanted to go home, ignoring the nudge to pray for her. "And besides God, I can't find her in the dark, firelit night." As I turned to go, there she was, as if He had placed the star of Bethlehem over her. Obeying the nudge, she received the reality of Jesus' compassion and friendship.
And this one ... I shake my head in disbelief every time I think about it. He lived just around the block from our Akron house. His quirky nature endeared him to us and at the same time made me want to avoid him. The later was difficult due to sharing a bus stop, being in the same grade as one of our MM and the simple fact that he would show up at our house unannounced. His visits typically involved his asking for a snack of chicken nuggets rather than joining us for supper, his constant chatter became endearing information and his need for attention grew on us so we began to invite him along. A few youth groups, a church fall fest and then we lost touch after moving to Costa Rica. Fast forward 10 years and Jedidiah has moved back to the states and is attending youth group with a friend. Following the not so subtle nudge to give this boy some chicken nuggets (and subsequently invite to youth group), has come full circle to him serving in the youth group Jedidiah started attending! What would have happened if we had ignored that nudge?
My dear friends, the humbling part about writing this blog post is that I DON'T always obey these nudges! But I'm learning, and obedience to these random nudges is growing in me. If I hesitate or contemplate, I typically end up ignoring the nudge ... "someone else will say it or do that." Choosing to act on said nudge immediately, (you know that heart pounding, don't think twice, moment that jolts you out of your seat?) has been awe-inspiring! As He has led, I've walked away from each "obeying the nudge" situation with a spring in my step, a smile in my soul and an imaginary high-5 from The One who nudges. In a world focused on my time, my agenda, my plans ...
Where might He be nudging you to stop, look, listen and obey?
Life on the Mountain
Six weeks ago, my last blog, seems like last year! SO MUCH LIFE has been lived with SO MANY PEOPLE in these weeks of constant movement! Orchestrating the life-altering program of Vida missions for just under 200 youth and leaders is always life altering for me. God in his faithfulness moved us out of our comfort zones, broadened our world view and because of these, we grew closer to Him. Jedidiah's move to PA has felt touched by the Holy Spirit, although not without difficulties, Father has provided friendship (in the unexpected), community, a mentor and connections for this one who thrives on connections. Outside of VM, life consisted of celebrating 2 birthdays, playing lots of Skyjo, visiting a volcano, nursing many back to health, processing next steps with students and our own, Daryl is currently on a 2 week trip to Kenya, we're in the midst of a week long Kairos course on missions, and in two weeks we'll celebrate graduation and send them out to be the hands and feet of Jesus trusting they have learned to follow His nudges.
Praises
A growing friendship between brothers (J&J in PA and M&A in CR)
Health, stamina and connections during Vida Missions
Unity in marriages as we served separately
Connections with friends from a hometown church
Family and friends to care for our MM across the ocean
Nudges that give testimony of Jesus' work in our lives
Prayers
God's call to be a team leader, we need 2 more
Recuperation and physical rest
Staff traveling in August to see Jesus in all circumstances
Family connections in August
Wisdom in home schooling Adam
Sensitivity to HS to obey nudges and lead others to Father's love
 |
| Can you believe it? We actually had hail on our mountain top! The closest thing to snow in CR! |
 |
| Ice cream & movie night with sisters ... because everyone else was away! |
PA summers, corn hole and Dad's front yard ... my heart misses this peace!
Celebrating Father's Day!
Giving thanks for the foundation he is built on which subsequently our family is built on!
 |
| Adam's early birthday gift! |
She was my constant companion cleaning up the evening kitchen piles.
This isn't even half of it!
We entered a new season with our Bringer of Light ...
He picked the songs and boldly sang his heart while strumming along with Dad!
 |
| Happy birthday to these two ... June 22! She's our Joseph : ) same age, similar personality, and a great friend for Adam! |
One of his dreams coming true ...
Thankful the J. Hoover can be used again!
Joseph's weekend adventure with friends ...
So thankful he finds life in the beauty of God's nature with friends!
Yup, 24 ... just in case you're counting!
Yup, 24 ... just in case you're counting!
This is how one feeds 135 youth, young adults and staff!
Leading them to the cross to listen to Father's nudges ...
Leading them to the cross to listen to Father's nudges ...
This will always be my favorite moments of Vida Missions.
Yes, he's legal ...
Yes, we named the bus Clarence ...
Yes, he drove through town for airport pickups ...
Yes, mom is proud!
Love these beautiful hands and feet of Jesus ...
They serve with a smile and have lots of English practice!
One of the many pastoral heart connections Father blesses him with.
A taste of Kenya ... more to come!
May you be a reservoir of God's Spirit from which His joy spills out to others
Watching the energy of the kids and remembering our once upon a time youthfulness!
 |
| Look Mom, Red, White and Blue just in time to celebrate July 4th! |
Filling my heart with sweet Eva snuggles ...
Father's gift for this one ... friends to hang out with!
as you live close to Him and give attention to His nudges.
