Slowing Hurry

These youngin's celebrated their
 25th "glad I met you day!"

I've been slowing down. Possibly due to age, but I'm not old enough for that! However in my
younger years, these were common scenarios ... Walking the boys to school at a brisk exercise pace while 4 year old Jedidiah jogged to keep up. While pushing a pregnant mama in a wheelchair over carpeted flooring, one needed a speedy momentum at a steady pace to roll easier. To avoid a possible meltdown while cruising through Walmart or Goodwill with 3 little ones playing garbage truck off the side of the cart, an efficient pace was of utmost importance. Moving to CR, God has allowed me to be physically slowed while driving due to traffic, potholes and narrow roads with big buses. A Pura Vida lifestyle necessitates a slower pace, casually enjoying a daily cafecito, taking time to ask about ones family before discussing business, walking at a slower pace and accepting the gift of Latin time.

 

I've been contemplating the Spiritual discipline of slowing. Not your usual spiritual discipline but one that has caused me to, well, slow down and ponder! My mind has been in need of a traffic stop with police officers to stop its speeding. It's one thing to slow down your overall pace of life by walking slower, driving slower, or to simply mosey along as if you have no place to be - like a Sunday afternoon drive. However, due to the transition that is upon us, my mind has felt like a speed train on its way to multiple destinations, never arriving at one before it diverts in another direction. And so, I've been attempting to practice "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" (by John Mark Comer). 

"Quietness and trust. Living from a center of abiding." 

This quote has become the sign post (traffic stop) reminding my mind to slow down. Quietness is a state of being with a calm, free from inner turmoil, mindset. Trust is essentially relying on God's faithfulness rather than one's own understanding or strength. Contemplating these two encourages my mind to think "pura vida" to slow down in the hustle of daily life. Quietness and trust is letting go of the need to control situations that govern my daily routine and focusing on abiding ... think walking casually and calmly through green pastures by quiet streams with Jesus while the weed eater buzzes next door, the kids are yelling over the music, messages summoning my response, he's not understanding math and we had to leave the house 10 minutes ago! Jesus, teach me to abide. 

Can I quiet my mind in the routine of the day while the packing/purging/selling list is always in my subconscious? Do I trust Father, who knows every hair on my head, with the details of this transition? Can I slow down enough to patiently respond to that question, this need, one more urgent dilemma and the expected late starting of the event? Can I smile when the lines are long or when adversity slows my pace? When the Spirit interrupts my agenda, when sickness stops my physical movement, when uncertainty clouds my thinking ... Can I breathe in quietness and trust while slowing my pace to reflect His character? Jesus, teach me to abide.

Abiding with Jesus, slowing my pace, looking and listening for where He leads.

Life on the Mountain

Filled up February - hosting, exploring and sharing life with multiple friends from PA; Tis the season for weddings, 2 done, 2 more to go before summer! The sweet gift of seeing her grow up and become a Mrs.; connecting hearts with EMM retreat, staff retreat, and Honduras staff; Snuggling Eva, Amanda, Cruz and hugs from Rowan to fill my "Mama Jen" heart; Driving out of the clouds and into the sunshine is something everyone needs to experience; a weekend visit sharing life with Jedidiah; sickness, rest and healing; feasting and friendship with those who we have history with; Job posting of our current positions and Father's faithfulness; packing, purging and regifting has begun as people offer to take bags to PA for us; the joy of processing life with the dear women He's entrusted me with and seeing them choose Jesus first; And through it all, practicing the spiritual discipline of slowing as we learn to live from a center of abiding with Jesus. 

Praise

Finance position filled

Healing from the flu

Everyone working together for a beautiful wedding celebration

Celebrating our 25th "Glad I met you day"

Every 50 lb bag arrived in PA with "no problemo"

Tuesday afternoon prayers answered!

Prayer

A good used car, washer, dryer (more needs to come)

Students as they come back for mid outreach break - working through conflict resolution?

Jen's medical mission trip to Honduras in June 

Trust through transition 

To practice slowing down, moment by moment abiding. 

God's creative design and deliciousness!

Sharing life with this two feels like home ... 

Here we are, the whole lovely Vidanet crew ... 

Costa Rica and Honduras staff minus one.

And, our EMM Central American team ... 

we've lived A LOT of life together!

Adventure awaits ...

The boots, the boys, the bosque and a machette!

A "little" rain just added to the adventure!

Sharing life and history with these dear ones fills our heart! 

And meeting sweet little Cruz was a highlight!

We've had the privilege of watching this dear one grow up 

into a beautiful woman seeking Jesus first! 

Vidanet as a wedding venue! 

Austin and Jedidiah and the Montecito crew ... 

These two knew 10 years ago they would be friends for life!

"The Moms" at the wedding ...

These beautiful souls stand with me in prayer Tuesday afternoons! 

I had two handsome wedding dates ...

And, they both danced with me! 

A weekend visit deserves Cosechas! 

Robotics class at the community center 

fills his heart and his Saturday mornings! 

A taste of home with 'Mrs. Hoover'

Hinkletown Menn School explores Costa Rica ...

And they started our moving process by taking our first 6 bags to PA!

In quietness and trust is your strength ...

Stopping to smell the roses. 

The Practice of Apprenticeship

December winds and rainbows in January!

Last fall I started an apprenticeship. An apprentice is one who takes a position of student or trainee to learn a trade from one with experience in order to gain understanding of a skill and then replicate it. We are all an apprentice of something. That which we are devoting our time and attention to and being with in order to become like and do as. Apprenticeship requires discipline, attention, patience and humility as one learns. 

If you apprentice as a baker, you hope to become better than the master baker so the world loves your flavor better than the most loved corner bakery. If you apprentice under a musician, you want your songs to be known and sold farther reaching than say, The Beatles. If you apprentice under a Jedi Master, the goal is to be a guardian of peace and justice in the galaxy, protecting the Republic and one day sit on the Council with other Jedi Masters. In all these, the goal is striving for excellence while exhibiting humility in the process. One can not harbor pride, contempt, or envy toward the teacher as one is learning or one will succumb to the Dark Side and misinterpret the heart of the Master. (Sorry, mom of boys, couldn't resist a good Star Wars illustration!).

The world's view seems to strive to go further than or become greater than the teacher of said apprenticeship. In Bible times a young apprentice learned trades, skills, or spiritual leadership through close, hands-on mentorship under a master. A life of daily, long-term following, allowing the apprentice to adopt the master's knowledge, character, and methods. One would eat, sleep, breathe and walk as the master did. 

Those of you who I share life with, have heard my latest 'soapbox' declarations ... the goal is: "Be with, Become like, Do as ... Jesus." However, as a human vessel apprenticing under my Master Jesus, I can never out-love, out-give, out-grace, nor out-shine Him. The goal is not to go further than or be greater than but simply to replicate Him. My hope is that those I interact with daily and those who read from afar, will note the effects of this apprenticeship. The difference in my countenance, response, attitude and demeanor - a.k.a. the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart. As I 'adopt the Master's knowledge, character, and methods, He will receive the glory, the church will be edified, and the world will be introduced to His heart of love and grace. 

Fashioning my heart to His. Would you care to join me in this apprenticeship? 

Life on the Mountain
This past month we've been catching our breath, relishing God's beauty in almost daily rainbows, renewing or starting new rhythms of life, retreating in a silent retreat, focusing on community, lingering over coffee on the rockers, sharing sacred moments in prayer, enjoying sweet company with Alli and Eva, hosting a few weekend events and persons who want to explore Costa Rica, Adam has passed the halfway point in 7th grade homeschool, we welcomed our dear Salas family back home, started the purging process with the goal of sending some suitcases to PA with groups this spring, refreshing in the routine of the office, piled on blankets, started the fireplace and cranked the space heater as temps dipped to the high 40's on our mountain top over the weekend and continuing the practice of apprenticeship with Jesus. 

Praise

The gift of homeschool

Living in community - we are made for this.

Elba's visa approved and she's returning to her team in CR

Sisters that pray together and for one another

Growing excitement and peace for the transition ahead

Micah's connections at Rosedale

Connection and conversation with our boys across the ocean

The gift of practicing an apprenticeship with Jesus

Prayer

A marriage miracle for dear friends

Oriana's visa approval from Colombia

Financial provision as we extend our term 4 months

Wisdom as we purge accumulated life from the past 9 years

Direction for Adam's future schooling

Our teams on outreach

God's divine appointment for our role replacements

Life in Ohio ... cold and peaceful morning walk to the cafeteria.

Life in PA ... with big boys toys!

Life in PA ... No thank you.

I'll take tropical breezes and sunshine please!

Life in CR ... this is how we do cold!
Missing the mugs of hot chocolate!

And this is how we do tropical ...

Our favorite way to do History. 

Page 67 when we are halfway through 6/7th grades!

Retreating to reflect over the past year ...
And enjoy the solitude in God's creation!

The gift of friendship and a loaned car
when you're a college boy for 6 weeks!

Friday night at the movies ... minus 2.
Disney Princess movie marathon with the sisters!

Oh the freedom of sunshine, running around the park,
neighborhood dogs and throwing ball!

No English allowed ...
Afternoon Spanish class with friends.

"Jesus did not invite people to Christianity nor to become Christians.
He simply invited people to apprenticeship."
('Following the Way' by John Mark Comer)

"Come follow Me, take My yoke, learn from Me, be transformed."

"Look At Me"

It was the normal verbiage I used to get my wee ones attention. In essence, I needed their eyes "locked in" on mine for assurance they heard said request and were moving in the direction of obedience. Occasionally there was the hands-on approach of moving their shoulders towards the direction of obedience. Sometimes I held their chin, making them repeat my request while looking at me. And if needed, there was full contact - hold their hand, walk them through the motion - when there wasn't any hint of conscious choice displayed to obey. Even now, with the maturity of my hearing, I find myself saying, "Can you look at me when you're talking?" 

Rambling through my mind recently is this process of obedience. Obedience starts with stopping to listen (coffee with Jesus). Obedience involves trusting the person asking for it (I need my Shepherd). Obedience is a choice (ignore or acknowledge the voice speaking), one that behooves us to ... well, to obey. There is something simple about looking at, giving attention to, for the purpose of obedience. Obedience seems to be my unofficial word for this season. 

The simplicity of obedience, when I am walking in a holy fear, (think deeply, completely in awe, every ounce of my being absorbed by His awesomeness), becomes second nature. While the "I wanna do it my way-stubborn-toddleresk-stance" of disobedience, leaves us flailing with anger in a cornered timeout ... even as an adult.  However, as I'm learning to take His easy yoke, I learn from Him and obedience happens before He even pulls in the other direction. Occasionally He must square my shoulders and face me toward obedience. At times He tenderly cups my chin as I repeat His request to settle it deep in my soul. And quite frequently I sense my hand in His, as He walks with me, redirecting my gaze toward the next step in obedience. 

Jesus said, "Follow Me" - do as He did, does and will do - obedience. Here's the challenge to consider ... Follow Me - obey - not just in visible, prideful, nose-held-high situations when "mom is looking", but Follow Me - obey - when nobody is watching in the simplicity in my thoughts (no one will know if I do/don't), facial expressions (I see that eye-roll), holding my tongue (I am right!) or speaking the truth in love (pray with me for them).

"Leave the outcomes to Me, follow Me wherever I lead, concentrate on keeping in step with Me." 

Where might He be asking you to walk in obedience?

Life on the Mountain

Lots of Christmas festivities enlightened the season with joy, El Nido snuggles to warm our heart, white elephant gifts filled our souls with laughter, and then all the planning and partying was done. The students left for break, our boys came home and we were a family of 6 once again in CR! We took time to bask in the beauty of sunsets, rested in His peace in the hammock, played Minecraft and games, puzzled and stayed up late talking, increased our food budget for the month (4 adult sized boys eat more than I remember!), lots of friend get-togethers, Current Frisbee Theorists reunion, a minor cycle accident, church with friends, one more game of Rook and celebrated the gift of Emmanuel. Our students returned and after 2 beautiful, full of life weeks together, three boys flew to the States. Joseph and Jedidiah back to work, school and normal life, Micah to Rosedale Bible college for their 6 week winter term. Our house is quieter once again, routine has returned and we are looking at HIM as we choose to obey. 

Praises

Boys arrived and returned without problems

Family time was full of life

Direction in relationships

Protection and healing for Micah's knee

Peace in our souls as we walk in obedience

Prayers

Connections for Micah as he studies at RBC

As we transition out of our roles at VN and move to PA

Healing for Jen's back

Visas for Oriana and Elba to return to Vida220 for outreach

Direction and wisdom for homeschool

Peace in our souls as we walk in obedience

Hospitality team ...

Just your average beautiful hands and feet of Jesus!

Feeding the family ...

Tamales made with love and laughter!

This is Us ...

The whole, beautiful, culturally diverse crew of Us!

Bilingual Christmas carols ... 

Not for the faint of heart!

Sweet El Nido snuggles ...

No, these were NOT for mom!

Where are you heading with those beauties?

Customary stop en route to the beach ...

POPS with Pop!

Never a dull sunset moment with these MM!

Boys, show me your muscles ...

Nah, we've got something better in mind!  

Why does it always end this way? 

Love my peeps!

The one and only Brothers cycle adventure ...

Short and sweet ... looking forward to next time!

Thankfully, this did not happen on the brothers ride!

Thankful for many things ... 

specifically Father's faithful protection!

My favorite Christmas picture to date! 

Some day boys ... some day you can have one too!

Their home, time and affection is just what he needed to relax ...

Thank you Familia Salas for receiving Micah on that side of the ocean!

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me (obedience) all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (Follow ME), 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

The Art of Casting

Grateful to celebrate with these MM!

The highlighted section in my Bible indicates it must be circa mid 1980's. Those Jr. High years when literally everything was touched by said highlighter because it made me feel important. As I reflected on the words deemed important at that time, I let the weight settle in my soul as I contemplated the cast. 

Perhaps it was a dark, moonlit night with clouds passing occasionally. I imagine the sleep deprived movements of casting the net in these wee morning hours were routine enough they didn't require much thought or precision. Was his cast throwing caution to the wind or was there an expectancy that 'this would be the big one?' ... As we cast off, can you feel the sea spray on your face as we set sail in the open seas? Ones smile indicates there is a sense of deep-breath-freedom and eyes-to-the-horizon new adventure ... As the castaway hides in the bowels of the vessel, hidden in the deepest, darkest corner, is there hope for a new start as he abandons, discards, or throws aside that in which he has been trapped? ... Casting on/off in the art of knitting most certainly brings a sense of joy in the starting, satisfaction in the ending and an ordered calm to ones OCD tendencies in following the repeated pattern of over-under-through ... At days end, the setting sun casts a soft, warm glow on my salt-dried complexion as I welcome His peace in my soul. 

Our daily lives are filled with a variety of anxiety producing processes and situations. Giving credit to those thoughts, take a moment and name what we're casting. "Next steps, uncertainty, fear of unknown, transition, __________." This art of casting should bring a sense of life-giving freedom as we release our human desire for control.  As I've been pondering the cast in 1Peter 5:7, I've been drawn to practice the simplicity of casting. Mentally releasing what's held in my clenched fist of control for said situation, and trusting He cares for me, I'm filled with hope and expectation not dread for said situation. Oh I know, the list won't complete itself. But in casting, I'm declaring He will direct my steps in peace. No matter what situation you're facing, there is a beautiful simplicity in the art of casting, a freedom in the release and a thrill of hope anticipating His Presence! Would you care to practice the art of casting with me? 

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 

Life on the Mountain

An attitude of gratitude feeds the soul with peace, patience, understanding, and hope. The fullness of life leaves us wondering, where did November go? I remember writing about "them" coming and here we are with 2 weeks of training left before we send them to outreach; We celebrated #21 and #18 with our Mighty Men across the ocean; hosted a Florida work team; filled up on Yoder girl's laughter and fellowship; welcomed, hosted and feasted on the friendship of the VN Board and teachers; renewed our residency and saw Father's provision where the way seemed stuck; processed our next steps out loud with trusted hearts and shared the subsequent announcement of our transition to PA next August; shared in the joy as he asked for the hand of our spiritual daughter in marriage; completed Ancient history and started Medieval history - 7th grade is so amazing! Feasted on the sweetness of the Holy Spirit's presence as our students continue learning how to listen to His voice; cooked 4 turkeys to share a traditional Lancaster Co. feast of gratitude with 78 dear ones; celebrated our 9th year anniversary in CR; and ... practiced the art of casting and releasing with expectancy. 

Praises

Moist turkey and traditional Thanksgiving treats

Healing and growth in our students

Knowing Father's will with certainty and being unified in the decision

The sweetness of walking with the Holy Spirit

The process of discipleship and the beauty of growth

The thrill of hope as we practice the art of casting

Prayers

Six Hoovers will be under one roof in CR for 2 weeks! 

A clear call for someone to fill our roles at VN

Transition, training others, timeline

Micah as he attends RBC's winter term

God's guidance in relationships for each of our boys

To practice the art of casting

Helping each other with the casting ...
I love my 'office'!

Rainy soccer Saturday under our vintage umbrella!
This camo umbrella is older than Jedidiah ...
Yes, it still keeps the rain out!

Visit with the kitchen crew ...
These girls fill my soul with joy and laughter!

A little rain didn't stop the adventure ...

OH, PA converge in CR ...

Life-giving, life-long friendships!

Yes, it really does get this cold here!

Perks of Board meeting ...
I get to revel in the sweet fellowship of these dear friends! 

Boots, machete and nature ...
These just might be his favorite things!

Senior pics ... Really?
How did he survive those preschool years : )
PC Joseph! 

Awe ... he really does miss his brother!
He came for a quick weekend to renew his residency card!

The pug shirt lives on ...
Many precious things pass from one MM to the next ...
None as treasured as this threadbare, 9 year old, $3.00 Goodwill bargain!

El Chamo ready for a beach adventure with the students!

The dear ones that fill our days ...

The joy of friendship ...
I can't even remember getting to know them, it seems we just did.

The diversity in our environments ...
Snow adventure, the beauty of creation and 4-wheel drive!

The peace and serenity of setting up the tree
and Peppermint mocha.

Happy 9th anniversary breakfast ... 
What do YOU remember about that day? 
The blue bags, Father's faithfulness and Stacy's calm.

The art of casting ...

The freedom of the release ...

The thrill of hope in Jesus...