Positioned by Grace

Title: Brothers.
Position: one who ALWAYS has your back!

I've been reading and savoring the book, "The Awe of God" by John Bevere. If you haven't read it, you should. It is simple yet profoundly deep.  This is a reflection on the latest chapter ... 

Do I hold a title or position? 

A title is the name given to something to identify or describe it. I utilize many titles in my life, daughter, wife, mom, hospitality coordinator, mentor, and nurse to name a few. A position can be described as a particular way in which someone or something is placed or arranged. I position myself under God's authority as I mentor and disciple students and staff. 

Using the title of nurse signifies that I might care for people, work in a hospital, freely discuss in detail the miracle of the birth, the disease process or bodily functions without embarrassment, and will most assuredly be asked to evaluate ones injury, rash, recent ailment or bodily discharge. My position as a nurse (a.k.a. on someone's payroll, under their authority) signifies that I obey the nursing code of conduct, adhere to the rules and regulations of my hiring agency, complete the required continuing education credits and as their advocate, will invest in knowing my patients needs and desires to give them the best possible outcome.

A title offers a relationship without commitment. While a position is emotionally invested in and passionate about said position.  I'm a nurse vs. I'm a labor and delivery nurse who walks intimately with families through the most miraculous, beautiful and challenging experience of their lives (stated with passion in my voice and most likely adding a few more descriptive details!).     

My title as a Christian or follower of Jesus might simply be that I believe in or possibly know who Jesus is. However, my position as a Christian or follower of Jesus, reveals that I spend time at my Table or in my Hiding Place where I pursue knowing Him intimately. There is a passion to seek, follow, obey and replicate Him to the world around me. I can't not do what He leads me to do. The difference is simple (and the premise of said book) ... Holy fear. For those who have walked in Holy fear/the awe of God, this may seem simple, obvious, and like I'm redundantly renaming title and position. 

But this ... this is where the veil was lifted. In sharing Jesus, what am I offering? Am I simply offering them a relationship without a commitment to unconditionally obey His Word ... "At least they asked Him into their heart" (title received).  Or, am I willing to walk beside them, inviting them to understand His love, and modeling simple obedience to His Word as together, we seek to find out what pleases the One who offers us a position by grace. 

Discipleship. Who can you invite into position?

 

Life on the Mountain

August rest. Two words that I find challenging to unite. It was restful in that we had no scheduled groups or students on base. Less than a week after the hard goodbyes were complete, three of us traveled to visit family and friends in PA while one of us faithfully provided a stable presence in the office at VN. The hours in PA were not near long enough for my mama's heart ... but it was so good to experience life through their eyes. Laughter, wrestling, a multitude of bodily noises and the challenge to 'lock in' as 4 Mighty Men were under one roof! Time of laughter and sharing my heart with dear girlfriends is equally never long enough! We took 24+ hours away to celebrate 24 years of Us and process life before and after said 24 years. Saturday cleaning was less intense because rest and books in the hammock took priority, games and Little House on the Prairie was a nightly routine and as September started, Adam and I established 7th grade home school routine and we turned our focus to preparing to receive students and staff.  Team leaders have arrived signaling the start of a new Vida220 school year and the return to 'normal' routine which causes us to ponder ... who might we invite into position? 

Praises

Safe travel and full of life connections with family and friends

Home school is becoming routine

Taxes are done

Adam finding connection at youth group

J & J are connected in PA

August rest

Prayer

A female team leader would be helpful

Micah - as he gives leadership to a new school of Vida220

Wisdom - reorganized financial tracking seems like a foreign language

Staff unity as we start a 'new year'

Clarity for next steps

Eyes to see who Father leads us to invite to a position with Him

"Sure son, come on in and see how I fly the plane!"  

I guess it pays to be curious!

Mimi is shrinking ... But her arms can still hold them close!

Summer afternoon rain shower slip and slide ... almost as warm as CR! 

Mimi's kitchen was officially open for business ... 

Eggs MTO, just like Ma-maw's kitchen 40 years ago! 

God was creating space for my Mama's heart! 

The 5 of us 'just happened' to arrive at the coffee station at the same time!

And, these 5 rocking chairs on the porch 'just happened' to be empty 

at the perfect time of morning when they should have been filled! 

It was as if time stood still ... 

Hangin' with the cousins at Spruce Lake!

I don't know who's heart was fuller ... 

Adam's or Mama's!

First, first day ... 

Last, first day ... 

"The world is waiting Tender Heart, go give em' Jesus!"

Just 4 boys launching rockets ... 

Rockets that were bought at an outlet in CR for $1.00! 

"Seriously Mom, this is an AMAZING deal, I'm not wasting my $1.00" ...

Oh She of little faith! : ) 

Not gonna lie ... 

This may be called an addiction!

Freeze n Frizz soft serve is what summer evenings are made of!

Celebrating 24 years of Us ...

Thankful for the gift of time to process life before and after said 24 years! 

Someone is a bit of a fan ...

EAGLES - first Thursday night football in "forever"!

Position ...

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, 

and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders”. 

Deuteronomy 33:12 

Know your position and invite others to theirs. 

Investing To Say Goodbye

Loving, investing in, launching these amazing people!

If I'm being honest, anticipating the month of August, I have thoughts of steeling away from everyone and everything.  Avoiding 'that' cashier because I don't want to talk; waiting until the 'usual' people won't be there to get groceries; going to a different pharmacy because I just don't want to engage in one more conversation; letting Daryl take the van so I couldn't possibly leave the house; even avoiding 'my people' because my heart aches and needs to regroup. "Wait, what?! But you're a missionary, you love to share Jesus by serving and caring for others!"  If 50-somethings threw tantrums, this is what it might look like ... "You can't make me love new people, You can't make me care for them, You can't make me invest in them personally and you most certainly can't expect me to say goodbye with a smile!" ... yup, you get the whole embarrassing picture! As I sat with my Table Companion this morning, coffee in hand, I lamented through tears, all the hard, unasked for goodbyes ... My heart thrives on investing, loving, and walking with these dear ones that He continues to place within arms reach, I just wish the goodbyes didn't feel so deep! As my tantrum-tears slowed, He filled my heart with His peace and gently reminded me of this beautiful liturgy I have read often ... 

Lead me by Your mercies through these hours that I might spend them well, not in harried pursuit of my own agendas, 

but rather in good service to You. 

(even when I want to avoid)

Teach me to shepherd the small duties of this day with great love, tending faithfully those tasks you place within my care and tending with patience and kindness the needs and hearts of those people You place within my reach. 

(even if only for a season.)

Nothing is too hard for You, Lord Jesus. I deposit now all confidence in You that whatever these waking hours bring, 

my foundations will not be shaken. 

(even in the goodbyes.)

At days end, I will lay me down to sleep knowing that my best hope is well kept in You and in all things Your grace will sustain me. Bid me follow and I will follow. 

(even as I love, invest and launch ...yet again.)

In the hard goodbyes or in the gift of continued fellowship with those who are called to return, in the full days or in the not so full days, as I choose to trust His plan and purpose, His peace permeates my heart ... and by His grace, I continue to love, invest, and launch for His glory!

As you choose to trust, who might He be leading you to love, invest in and launch?  

Life on the Mountain

July finished up Vida Missions, took Daryl safely to Kenya and back, engaged us in Kairos, prayed our people through L10 challenge, relaxed 2 days at the beach with these amazing humans, played hide and seek around San Rafael, giggled through an amazing talent show, celebrated a graduation and celebrated the acknowledgement of exclusive relationships (in God's time of course!), then sent them out to be world changers! August started with multiple airport runs and tear-filled goodbye hugs, sharing food and life around our table with dear ones who lingered in CR, washing the mountains of bedding and donations, enjoying sweet Eva snuggles, and letting the tears fall in acknowledgement of the deep joy it has been to love, invest and launch once again.  

Praises

Daryl returned safely from Kenya with testimony of God's faithfulness!

Graduated 18 amazing students and leaders

A future focused job for Jedidiah

Heart connections even as we say adios

Provisions from Father in ways we didn't imagine

Opportunities to share Him daily

Prayers

August 12th travel to PA to see our boys and family! 

Shoulders in need of relaxing

Details of taxes and finances

Seek Jesus first and trust (school, future, raising Adam)

Communication and connection in our marriage

Trust His plan as we love, invest and launch! 

This One was such a gift to share life with, cry with and laugh with. 

"We can't leave yet, we're in the middle of a one on one!"

Teaching them the importance of investing in friendship!

Happy birthday Mimi! 

These boys bought her flowers! 

His new look ... 

Time will tell if it remains! 

Investing in these sisters is SO life giving ...

Cherishing these moments until we will be physically present with each other. 

Vacation mode ...

No, I'm NOT!

No, they did not find me, nor see my grey hair and wrinkles ... 

And, yes, Adam, an "old lady" can look cute and pregnant with the right amount of make-up and a wig! : ) 

These homeboys "hid" at the basketball court hoping no one 

would ask why they were not in school! 

Some of the hard goodbyes ... 

We've walked through a lot of life in the last two years!

I like them A LOT! 

"We part ways not in darkness, 

but in the quiet knowing that Light still leads us forward

- just on different roads." 

   ~ Luke Kramer

The Fantastic 4! Our amazing Vida220 leadership team ...

So incredibly blessed to watch them grow, 

mature and develop into more of God's character as they served!

Always time for one more puzzle with this dear one 

because a week of puzzling over Christmas wasn't enough!

Meeting her people softened the goodbye a bit!

Ohio, Honduras, Costa Rica and PA
Their worlds collided, so why not go thrifting together! 

Kenya ...

Adios amigos ...
"This is the last time we'll see each other until January" ... 
But amazingly Father provided 2 more playdates before they all traveled! 

Launching them with this promise from Isaiah 58:11 ...
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 

Chicken Nuggets, Fried Chicken, and The Holy Spirit

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!  

SO thankful for this one and her tender servant's heart ... 

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! 

This is how one feeds 135 youth, young adults and staff! 

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. 

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!

A taste of Kenya ... more to come!

May you be a reservoir of God's Spirit from which His joy spills out to others 

as you live close to Him and give attention to His nudges.