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| Firepit fondue, cheese filled nuggets! |
I've been lovingly placed in the feline category in my preparations to sleep. I mean who doesn't love a good curl-up-on-a-sunny-rug kind of afternoon? At times I've been known to circle around my sleeping habitat until my physical being finds the perfection of comfort needed for the sweetest of slumber. Pillow plumped but not to much, covers tucked exactly right, soulmate wedged perfectly to the contour of my physical position, and no mosquito buzzing shall be heard least we want to spend the next 20 minutes trying to hunt it down and settling into the perfect sleep position all over again! I covet the ability, like that of the aforementioned soulmate, who can enjoy the comforts of slumber in any place, position or pillow posture.
I've slept with my phone by my bed more in the last 2 weeks than I have in my entire cell phone possessing life! It started with one of our dear ones laboring through the night and morphed into an intense week of health challenges with sleepless nights and multiple trips down the mountain to the pharmacy, clinic and hospital. Caring for half of our family at Casa Vidanet through the stomach virus is not for the faint of heart! Our daily goal was to slow the intensity of liquids leaving the body and increase what was going in and pray the balance tipped in favor of the intake direction. I repeatedly raised awareness with the "sir, yes sir" mentality, "stay hydrated, wash your hands, use extra soap on the dishes and keep your distance." We created a documentation process so everyone knew who took what medication and when. And we all dreaded that feeling in the pit of ones stomach that just didn't feel quite right! I've not fought alone in this battle, our fearless leaders, coordinators and team have fought valiantly even while some of them succumbed to the virus as well. And WE have not fought alone ... Friday morning we called on many of YOU to join us in prayer over this battle and declared the powerful name of Jesus over every heart and every mind. Glory to God, He summoned some of you to begin fighting for us even before we asked! Psalm 121 We lifted our eyes to the hills to see where our help comes from - Our Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth! 2Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood at our side and gave us strength ...!
With the start of week #3 of the Vida220 school year, we are gloriously on the mend ... the lingering fevers, snot and congestion are a welcome reprieve from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Which brings me back to sleep.
Today, I've sensed Father making me curl up on a sunny rug and rest (you know, like He made David lie down in green pastures). I remember making my mighty men take an afternoon nap ... I can still hear that glorious sound of afternoon silence! In the midst of needs to nurture, plans to perfect, lists to look at and should do's to schedule, learning how to rest is essential for our well being. It's a practice that doesn't come easy for yours truly (nor did it for 2 year old Jedidiah), but one God is asking me to obey. As my book and cozy sleep position awaits me, I wonder ... What is Father asking you to rest from? ... Can you feel the lush green softness on your bare feet and smell the sweet grassy sent wafting through the air?
Today I'm claiming rest as a spiritual discipline.
Praises
Health, healing and restorative naps.
Father prompting you to pray before we asked.
New life and newborn sweetness.
Jedidiah's school routine.
Father leading worship through willing hearts.
The gift of ministering with an amazing team!
Prayer
Complete physical healing.
Students to claim truth over believing lies.
Brotherly love and patience between brothers.
Sustained health through a busy season.
Focus our minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Learning to rest even when there's a list.
Life on the Mountain
September rains are upon us with afternoon downpours. We celebrated CR Independence Day and the start of a new Vida220 school year. We retreated as a staff and enjoyed the laughter and challenge of 'icebreakers'. We are learning about our new students and enjoying time with 'old' staff. The routine of Vida220 is a welcome reprieve however we're still waiting to settle into that routine! Jedidiah officially joined Barefoot Academy homeschool which has been a gift to all of us! And, learning how to practice the discipline of rest in the midst of chaos.
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| Science Fair inspiration from his brothers once again ... How airplanes fly. |
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| The calm before September's storm ... Taking time to celebrate our family's birth! Happy 23rd to Us! |
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| We have another guitar learner in our house! |
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| Leading the pack ... Wearing his Stars and Strips sunglasses ... Celebrating our beloved Costa Rica! |
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| Every once and a while I find a donated treasure for myself! |
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| Such a sweet joy to celebrate the miracle of new birth! |
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| Just my chauffer and I, sometime after midnight ... Waiting for our student to return from the OR after an emergent adenectomy. Only my second trip to the ER in 5 days.  I know there is peace within Your Presence, I speak Jesus. Your name is power. Your name is healing. Your name is life." |
