Rice and Beans of Life: Context Matters

Mama's heart is full!

"Do we need to rent a mixer?" It was a simple question, really. Asked in the presence of 3 individuals who processed said question very differently. "Why do we need a kitchen mixer, does ours not work?" ... "Where are we going to be mixing such a large quantity of cement that we need a mixer instead of doing it by hand?" ... "With groups coming and needing a sound system, does our mixer work or will we need to rent one?" After a second scenario presented itself yesterday, my attention was captivated for the better part of the morning pondering how context matters.

Taking the boys to school, a neighbor asked us to 'give him space so the plataforma could leave his driveway'. We couldn't see said plataforma and were confused. One's thought went to a school plataforma which contains learning material for our boys. Another's thoughts went to the bank, and the question if they are in the line for the plataforma or the caja (I'll save this translation for another day!). As we sat pondering what his intent was for asking said question, a plataforma (flatbed or platform tow truck) was backing out of his driveway! And so you see ... Context matters!

Father has called us to GO and make disciples. Out of context that 'go' causes my mind to be in movement. Go, per the worlds standards involves, scheduling that next meeting, planning the next big event, who should I be mentoring, wondering if I am adequate for said command, where will I be most useful, will my gifts/talents be useful, who needs to know Jesus today ... While these may all be with good intentions, what I've been pondering is this ... "What does it look like to put that 'Go' into context?"

Without regard to context, Go is like spinning ones wheels in the mud or driving through a downpour with ill working wipers. In context, Go starts with the stillness of soul, seeking Him in the stillness of my hiding place. Go starts with being filled with Father's Presence so that HE radiates through gifts and talents, not me; HE makes me adequate, not my abilities or words; HE speaks to my heart who needs discipled, not me seeking out of necessity; HE leads our future plans, not my anxious thoughts. In context, Go starts with being settled in the sweet spot of my soul where love is love, truth is truth and peace is peace. A place where I don't need to wonder if He loves me, if what He says is true or explain the peace that is present. To Go and make disciples, I need to first Be discipled. The context of Go matters. Would you care to join me in putting the Go into context?

Relish the beauty of your hiding place ...

Breath deep the simplicity of His presence ...

Know when to Go.

Life on the Mountain

We've hosted teams and sent teams out, tore down and built up, scraped, repainted and redesigned, cared for the sick and remained healthy, recalculated numbers and witnessed God's faithfulness, started a new school year and finished one, spent a week celebrating 20 years of Us, walked through trials and learned the depth of grace, said joyful hellos and tearful goodbyes, the call to Go has been relentless, only sustainable by keeping it in context!

Praises

Weekly 1 on 1 connections with various staff

Joseph has full time summer work and was accepted at Thaddeus Stevens College

Physical health, spiritual growth and emotional peace

Micah's heart towards God and the community in Siquirres

Friends and connections for the boys

My residency card processed

We received CR our drivers license

Peace to our living environment due to peace in our neighbors families

Teams that have come and blessed our lives and casa VidaNet in abundance

God's wisdom, peace and grace through tough situations

Each of you that He has called to walk alongside us!

Prayers

Trustworthy friends who affirm and support Jedidiah

Communication in our marriage

To know the true joy of the Lord as our strength

To hear His voice and know 'this is the way, walk in it'

Launching Joseph from our home

Adam processing Joseph's anticipated departure (he absolutely adores Joseph as a faithful playmate!)

Micah's anticipated return to our family in August and his future plans

To keep the Go in context

Picture overload ... so much life to share!

El Nido blessing!

They came, they worked, they blessed and our hearts are full of life!

Lancaster Co. delicacies ...
Friends first, lawyers second ...
Thank you from the depths of our hearts!

Built to fly ... waiting for a non-windy mountain top sort of day!

Celebrating 20 years of us ...
So many to thank for this gift,
Feeling deeply grateful for each of you!

While we celebrated Us ...
These dear ones celebrated our boys!

Newest playmate ...
No, we didn't ...
New neighbors are great!

Mighty men in braids!

No, Mom is not shrinking yet ...
This one is growing in wisdom and stature ...
Shorter than Mom last December!

Sharing two blessed weeks of life with this crew (and below) ...
Our hearts are fuller because of them!

Before ...

During ...

After ...

Which one of these is not like the other ones? ...
Context matters ... the girls love his hair!

And that's a wrap for 11th grade! ...
Finished home school high school ...
Thaddeus Stevens College, here he comes!
Chocolate Snickers, chocolate Oreo, yes please!