A Salty Influencer

I don't cook with salt. The salt shaker sits beside the stove, not on the table, because that's where my mom keeps it. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bag of salty, plantain chips and I've indulged often in  "Don's" satisfyingly, salted treat in the red cardboard 'envelope'. My preferred tortilla chips are slightly saltier than the cheaper bag; my gallo pinto comes alive with a dash of sea salt and bacon; and salty, fresh cheese holds no comparison to any wanna-be rival. I have faint memories salivating my tastebuds of Longhorn steaks, perfectly salted and seasoned, Grandma Utz chips in their brown bag of delicacy and perfectly toasted and salted Martin's Pretzel pieces at the bottom of the container. As a maturing heart or blood pressure status changes one becomes shockingly aware of how many consumed foods are packed with the often desired NACL.

I've been contemplating what makes salt so unique compared to the family of spices in my pantry. Simply stated, I think Salt is an influencer. Bear with me ... an influencer affects or changes someone or something in an indirect but usually important way. I don't consider myself an influencer, however as a writer, I believe Father uses my ramblings to influence the opinions and thoughts of the reader. Media, the most obvious influencer, is far-reaching yet not all-reaching. The world is full of influencers yet we continue to longingly look for more satisfaction. Let me influence you to turn your gaze toward what I'm titling, "Father's Favorite Flavoring", salt. 

Salt is a pure, uncontaminated mineral that influences the flavor of food, softens water removing its hardness, preserves dead and living things, produces thirst, melts ice, and has to leave the shaker to do its influencing. I'm sure Father destined salt for so much more, however ... let's contemplate His invitation/command to be the salt of the earth in regards to the aforementioned qualities. We are all privy to this command used often in Christian circles. One that is heavily considered yet easily ignored. Least we lose our saltiness, let us spur one another on to be a salty influencer.

How am I seasoning those around me? Is my saltiness melting hard hearts, preserving truth and preventing moral decay? As I leave the shaker, is there a thirst in my own soul that leaves others thirsting for His life-preserving Presence? O God, (Col. 4:6) "That we would make the most of every opportunity, that our conversations would always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how to (influence others) answer everyone" ... for Your glory!

Father's favorite flavoring ... Be an Influencer ... To glorify God!

Life on the Mountain

As June jumped into Vida Missions our lives were full of influencing others to move out of their comfort zones, spend time with Him and open their eyes to a different world view. And, 6 weeks later, we're getting ready to send them back to be salt in their 'normal' lives. We've celebrated another year of life x 2 (#13 and #54) - one with a sleepover and the other with a day alone; We gave thanks for and celebrated Dad's presence in our lives; Calculated team funds and recounted at the end of outreach; Spent long hours in the kitchen cooking for the masses; Created and used imaginations during endless afternoons with friends; Shared tears of gratitude and words of appreciation with goodbyes; Joseph relished in the beauty of our Creator while traveling out West and back; Jedidiah started full time work; Micah and Adam are each on outreach teams, driving, translating, and salting the communities around them; We celebrated America's birthday with friends and fireworks; Officially sold all but our van as we prepare for our transition to PA; And ... daily abiding with Jesus to be a salty influencer to the communities He leads us to. 

Praises

Vida Missions outreaches to glorify God.

Healing of Daryl's back.

Adam is confirmed and registered for 8th grade at HMS.

Laughter around the Wisdom table.

Time of reflection, gratitude and goodbyes.

Father's amazing provision as we anticipate life in PA, He cares about the details.

His Presence with us to be salty influencers!

Prayers

Transition ... to walk in obedience (not uncertainty) every step of the way.

For financial partnerships to continue until the end of our term, December 31, 2026.

Complete healing of the nerve affecting Daryl's leg.

Luke 10 activity and graduation as these dear ones head off to influence the world around them.

What to pack and what to regift.

Intentional abiding to be the salty influencers He invites us to be!

"Ain't no mountain high enough" ...
Hardest climb to date, but they succeeded!

Admiring The Creators creation ...

 We have a teenager in the house again!! 

Celebrating the Captain of the Hoover ship ...
So thankful he takes his orders from The Captain of the Seas!

Translating, leading, driving the bus or on Amanda duty ...
Salting the world around him!
 
Sweet Eva trying on Mama Jen's regifted rain boots for size ...
Maybe some day sweet girl! 

How does one say goodbye to friendships we put down roots with? ...
With tears and "see ya laters", right?

She's titled Doctor ...
but really she feels like one of Father's faithful Angels!
Her friendship, counsel and wisdom will be sorely missed.

Dear Clarence ... the bus behind the truck.
I wish I could say you've faithfully carried us over mountain and valley but ...

The rhythm and beauty of Vida Missions ...
 
Serving the rich ... 
attempting to influence their world view.

Sun up to sun down and then some ...
Kitchen crew with a smile on their hearts!

He faithfully steps out of the office to teach on Abiding time ...
Creating a thirst in them to be the salt of the earth.

Celebrating another year of life ...
Here's to salting the world!

Co-workers, friends, raising our kids together crew, leadership team ... 

call us what you will ...

We're just over here salting the world together!

Influenced by AI ... Wow, we look influentially important! 😁

Lord, teach me to abide ...

Honduras and 9 Airports

In the chaos of my days and the busyness of my moments, I depend on YOU, Jesus! Honduras was all and more than I anticipated it would be. Father reminded me why I chose nursing, that He cares completely for the least of these, and not a need is hidden from His gaze. Jesus, I depend on YOU. 

Our days were full of adventure and nights (thankfully) full of sleep. Four FULL clinic days serving 800+ patients in the remote communities of Tejeras, Ciruelito, Monqueta, and Igualato in Gracias de Lempira. We witnessed God's faithfulness at work in providing basic medical attention, encouragement, and hope in Jesus; 2 minor surgeries using a classroom table as a makeshift operating table; follow up appointments set up with Dr. Stefanie as needed; eye exams and donated reading glasses gave the gift of sight and multiple ear lavages gave the gift of hearing; smiles of gratitude, baby snuggles, and basic medications were plentiful; laughter filled, heart connections with my dear cousins (there may have been some preplanning for next year!); four trucks filled with our mobile clinic supplies traveled daily on edgeless, pothole, rut and rock-filled, winding mountain roads to 4 different locations; churches and schools opened their doors to us and gave us special treats (Montucas, Pastalitos de perro, baleadas) as tokens of gratitude; a relaxing evening at a local hot spring followed by a rain-pelting ride home in the back of the truck; Tuk tuk laughter and arriving safely at our destination; feasting on the delicacies of Honduran cuisine prepared by Daisy and Co.; truck bed travel accommodations are as normal as the street dogs - neither of which I engaged in; evidence of God's favor was the unity and camaraderie in our team of 13 unique individuals; torrential downpours didn’t deter the needy, made travel interesting and thankfully cooled the air a bit; Honduras is hot, the wind is hot and the coffee is hotter; The people are pleasant and grateful; the kids are adorable with their toothless grins, and the medical need in these communities is endless!

 As I reflected on this trip, my heart rested in this image … My arm is casually linked with Jesus. It’s a comfortable position, making my breathing even and placing a peaceful smile on my face. As my heart grieves the leaving, joyfully anticipates the reunions, and asks “how do I hold both these worlds?” My head rests on His shoulder and there is a tender knowing in my Spirit ... He holds the balance, I just need to obey. 

Thank you for walking this journey with me!

Your prayers and financial partnership have ministered to the underserved communities of Honduras.

To God be the glory, great things He is doing. 

Life on the Mountain ... sort of!

Traveling from Costa Rica to PA to Honduras - between the 5 of us, we visited 9 different airports in these two weeks! Nine days before Honduras, we traveled to PA to celebrate Jedidiah's high school graduation and our nephew's wedding; bought a used car; finalized some plans for our house remodel; feasted on freeze and frizz with friends and our 4 Mighty Men; relished time with family and friends, hugging many of you; Adam did placement tests for school; basked in sunsets on the rockers; rolled on Mimi's amazing carpet multiple times a day; stayed up too late sharing life; and celebrated our beloved Phillies. As I flew to Honduras, Daryl, Jedidiah and Adam returned to CR; Micah stayed in PA for EMM training; Joseph left on a road trip west with friends; back in CR we had a relaxing 24 hour beach trip celebrating Jedidiah; Adam got his wisdom teeth cut out and it's time to dive into Vida Missions already in process ... We serve with an amazing team here at Vidanet! Through it all, He holds the balance, we just have to obey!

Praises

We bought a car

Traveled safely and in good health

House plans coming together

Micah's decision to serve with EMM

Adam registered at school in PA

His Presence as we walk in obedience

Prayers

Two families facing the difficulty of brain injury, Father knows both situations

Jobs for Daryl and I

Healing for Daryl's back, he has had significant pain

Healing for Adam's wisdom teeth surgery

Safety for Joseph's travels

Jedidiah adjusting to life outside of school

A new home for our current PA renters

Obedience and the balance of grief and gratitude

How can I possibly choose 'a few' pictures from this month? ...

The whole beautiful bunch of us ... Kairos Medical Missions Team 2026

Life in PA ...

Rolling on the carpet, playing with tractors and just being brothers!

This is NOT the car we bought ... although they tried! 

It's official! 

God's grace and favor over this one! 

Springtime on Creek Hill road ...

Practice makes perfect ... in 4 years this may be his car! 

My puzzle date while these 3 Phillie Phanatics went to Philadelphia!

Mimi is officially the shortest member of our Diener-Hoover Family! 

Just a normal early summer day shelling peas with the cousins!
Sometimes normal life feels so refreshing ...

Freeze n Frizz soft serve ... 
It's what summers were made for! 

Life in Honduras ...

Clinic set up in a new church

He never heard his heart before.

Baby weights and smiles ...
of course she had everyone's attention! 

4 year old identical twins ... the Mama confessed that she can't always tell them apart!
And, their names are one letter different! 

Lined up outside a school for clinic day #2.

This tender heart was going around giving everyone hugs! 

So happy with his new blanket! 

The gift of mirrored sunglasses and a new hat ... 
smiles all around! 

Transportation ... This doesn't do these roads justice! 

Surgery on the classroom table ...
Sterile per local standards, of course.

Young Miss models ...
Of course we were giggling!

And, life back in CR ...

One last hug ...
I don't think she is shrinking.

A few of my favorite things ...
Pina colada at sunset and these amazing MM! 

Homemade ice packs ...
And of course the 'thumbs up'!

The song on my heart these weeks ...

"Where the Spirit leads as I'm following, I depend on You, yes I depend on You. 
For the victories still in front of me, I depend on You, yes, I depend on You.
You're the way, the truth and the life, You're the well that never runs dry. 
I'm the branch and You are the vine, draw me close and teach me to abide.
Be my strength, my song in the night, be my all, my treasure, my prize.
I am Yours forever You're mine, draw me close and teach me to abide." 

Uprooting and Repotting

I recently repotted my plants. Some were root bound, some needed fresh nutrients and some just needed room to grow. I’m still in the ‘watch, water and wait’ phase to see how they adjust. Some leaves have yellowed and dropped off; some are thriving earlier than others; some are acting like nothing ever happened; and some, specifically my long ivy vines that framed all the other plants, had to be pruned back to start over with 5 small twigs! But glory be, a bright green shoot is sprouting!

Ten years ago, we uprooted from PA and were repotted in CR. I remember my first grocery adventure; I cried walking through the aisles wondering how I will ever feed my family. Now, tears flow thinking about not being able to buy that bag of refried beans. Repotting in our first real home in CR involved evicting cockroaches. Repotting in PA will involve a house remodel with the ease of familiar communication and hopefully no cockroaches. We were placed in ministry pots to grow, cover and fill in where there was barren ground. In time, ministry in PA will bloom as well. Repotting friendships has felt like my plants: watch, water and wait. Some I don’t remember not knowing, and some have developed like bright green sprouts over time. Repotting in PA, some will have been pruned, and some will continue growing like nothing ever happened. That first year in CR we had hearts of explorers; researching, reading about and wanting to touch, taste, see, hear and smell everything in our new pot. Repotting in PA involves a vaguely familiar old flowerpot filled with fresh, new soil for our roots to explore.

One should expect that repotting involves pruning, death, new life and blooming. I mean, the goal of repotting is to provide fresh nutrients and room to grow, right? In 7th grade science we’ve experimented and proven our hypothesis that plants won’t grow without nutrient rich soil, water and sunlight. A repotting doesn’t have to be as drastic as uprooting across the ocean, but repotting is necessary for growth. 

As our initial three-year uprooting and repotting morphed into ten, our roots grew deep, our leaves turned toward the sun and our hearts blossomed in our new pot. And now, it’s time to uproot and repot again. Even as I write that, my physical form becomes guarded, my roots cling tighter and my leaves curl inward. We know this is what obedience looks like and we know His peace is uprooting and repotting us. Repotting has not been and will not be a quick process, but if the soil of our hearts is ready (obedience), fresh and nutrient rich (abiding), we will thrive and bloom through His repotting. 

Are you feeling root bound, in need of repotting and fresh nutrients? 

His soil and pruning shears are waiting for our obedience.

Life on the Mountain

April’s adventures and May’s retreating in preparation for Summer’s activities; taking advantage of time to explore CR with friends; teaching and training in the art of spreadsheets - training Steven to walk in Daryl's footsteps; planning, prepping and preparing her to fill my role for 2 weeks; time to enjoy heartfelt connections, movie nights and dinner conversations with staff and friends; Micah shared the morning message on Missions; Joseph ran a 5K; Jedidiah presented his Capstone speech for his upcoming graduation; Adam completed a whole year of homeschool; Micah's chauffeuring caravan adventure for some very important people (picture secret service detail!); hosting their group and relishing time with Alli and Eva; Another international border crossing (quickest one yet!) for Micah bringing the students back from outreach; Hearing their testimonies and sharing their joy is refreshing; a boys beach day and galivanting around Parque Diversiones was a highlight for all; And, loosening our roots for the repotting that is upon us.

Praises

The gift of a washer and dryer!

Jedidiah’s high school graduation and career

Honduras trip fully funded, THANK YOU!

Beach trip with the boys

Heart connections as goodbyes have started

A mini vacation exploring Guanacaste province

The beauty of repotting and new life

Prayers

A good used car for us to purchase

Health and wisdom for Micah

Adam’s transition and goodbyes

Travel to PA for graduation and a wedding

Honduras medical mission trip June 7-13

Provision of a Hospitality coordinator for Vidanet

Unity in making decisions for life here and there

Grace and peace in the repotting

The Splash ... a perfect way to cool down at the park!

The boys and "la belleza del LT" ...
One more beach adventure ...
These dear ones are gonna be hard to repot away from!

Happy Mama's day to me!

Pastor Micah shared an inspiring word on Missions.

Yes he did! ...
A 5K to support life!

So proud of our Tender Heart ...
And, so excited to celebrate his graduation!

For the serpent enthusiasts among us ...
It was a venomous Side-striped palm viper ...
Casually hanging out on this roof ledge right outside Daryl's office door! 

Exactly who was he transporting?  ...
Whoever they were, they were important!

He's back at it ...
Can't wait to watch this "young Daryl Hoover" play!

These are the dear ones we get to spend daily life with ...

Happy birthday to this handsome guy ...
Of course we ate at Lena y Carbon! 

Birthday Pina Colada CR style! 

I heard the jingle, Adam flagged him down while I went to get money ...
There was an ice cream truck in Costa Rica!

Sweet Eva ...
Of course Mama Jen thinks she really is this sweet!  

Fresh Strawberry - Mango smoothies ...
Yes please!

Saturday morning adventure, hike, and hangout with friends ...
Good for the body, mind and soul! 

He covers us with his feathers,
and under his wings we find refuge ...
(wherever we are repotted!)
Psalm 91:4