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
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| The Splash ... a perfect way to cool down at the park! |
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| The boys and "la belleza del LT" ... One more beach adventure ... These dear ones are gonna be hard to repot away from! |
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| Happy Mama's day to me! |
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| Pastor Micah shared an inspiring word on Missions. |
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| Yes he did! ... A 5K to support life! |
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| So proud of our Tender Heart ... And, so excited to celebrate his graduation! |
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| 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! |
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| Exactly who was he transporting? ... Whoever they were, they were important! |
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| 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 ... |
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| Happy birthday to this handsome guy ... Of course we ate at Lena y Carbon!  Birthday Pina Colada CR style! |
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| I heard the jingle, Adam flagged him down while I went to get money ... There was an ice cream truck in Costa Rica!  Of course Mama Jen thinks she really is this sweet! |
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| Fresh Strawberry - Mango smoothies ... Yes please! |
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| Saturday morning adventure, hike, and hangout with friends ... Good for the body, mind and soul! |
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| He covers us with his feathers, and under his wings we find refuge ... (wherever we are repotted!) Psalm 91:4 |
