Slave to Fashion

Thorn in my flesh, keepin' it real ... There have been some weeks that I have prided myself in the fact

A sight to behold ... 

 that I wore the same outfit ALL week ... yup, ALL week! I call it practicality, I have one paint outfit ... if my daily activities involved painting, staining and varnishing, I wore that one outfit, all week. Obviously showers were essential and  deo and body splash a necessity.  But truth be told, as morning dawned, my hair got thrown into a pony tail, a flashy pair of ear rings were added for some bling and I would don the same dark grey shorts and black t'shirt for day # ...1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!  As a missionary, it seems trivial to think about fashion when the women I work with don't even have enough money to buy rice and beans ... yet the truth remains, I am a slave to fashion.  Life in Akron provided an easy fix to my entrapment as Goodwill fed my fashion sense for a fraction of the price. CR has many "American Clothing" stores (a.k.a. Goodwill) that could satisfy my need for fashion.  However, living on a more conservative budget has cause me to think twice about fueling this desire to add to my wardrobe, just because. 

God's gift of red skinny jeans ... seriously, let me explain! I've been envying these women who are donning colored pants.  A far cry from my usual bottoms of black, grey or denim.  Not envying enough to rush out and buy my own. However, if I happened to be walking by an "American Clothing" store and saw some appealing bottoms of color, I have definitely been side tracked exploring for treasures inside, but to no avail. 

This desire for colored bottoms isn't something I've shared with anyone, especially not Father. His words keep echoing in my mind, Matthew 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow, they do not labor or spin." I knew these worldly bottoms are a want, not a need, so a dream they remained.   Last week as I was going through a bag of donations that appeared to be directly from my dear Gramie's closet.  Suddenly, my eyes beheld the most beautiful red garment tucked securely among Grandma's clothing.  As I unwrapped this "gift" I thought, "Seriously God, this has to be a joke, You couldn't have possibly hidden a pair of red skinny jeans among these 'unfashionable' garments, could You? ... Oh yes HE did! I laughed, looked around for a hidden camera, thanked Him and tenderly folded this gem as I reflected on the way He loves me.  Father delights in seeing His children laugh, He knows the thorn in my flesh for fashion and at times he even allows me to revel in the absurdity of it!

Slave to fashion ... Heart after HIS ... He's still working on me ... 

Praises

Protection for Adam - gash on his forehead earned him one stitch and a nasty bump

Healing for Micah - Upset stomach, feeling weak and dizzy.  Praising God it only lasted an hour.

Laughter for Joseph - can't describe the joy in my heart to see his spark returning!

Friends for Jedi - his need for attention and friendship is satisfied as the students returned.

Red pants

House - thank you for praying with us, we're moving in two weeks to a cozy little house in what feels like the town of Akron.  

Summer full of activity - as we used to say at work, "get your roller skates on!"

Marriage retreat focusing on communication.

All of you!

Prayers

Health

Healing for Sarai, one of our students

Communication: Daryl and I, Leadership team, boys and us 

Focus on what can be done, not overwhelmed by the big picture

Relationships with our new landlords. Our houses are separated by a front walk. We will look out our Kitchen window at their front door.  Lord, let us be an example of You!

Life at the Base ... El Nido blessings continue as I get to meet the Mama's, nuzzle the babes, laugh with the toddlers and bear witness to the positive changes they desire for their lives! ... The physical work continues, external changes visible daily ... relationships being built spending time working together ... 

Front entrance face lift ... 

Sneak peak at our new house ... 

Animal lover at heart ...
finds critters wherever he goes!

The patience of Angel as he lets Adam "work" ...
AKD Masonry in Costa Rica  

A flower for Mama ...
Shhhh, don't tell the neighbors!

One big gash ... one ouchy stitch ... one brave boy

Getting out frustrations ...
the boy loves to destroy things!

Forehead boo-boo, stitch buddies

From one drummer to another ... 
 the sound of the sticks

December 1st, taller than Gram ...
June 1st, taller than Mom!

Hope

Chocolate makes everything better ...
a boy after his Mama's heart

Hope ... Seeing ones self standing victoriously on top of the ominous mountain that is darkening ones path ...  Steadily keeping ones gaze fixed on the One who is navigating through the rapids of change ... A deep sense of peace that passes all understanding, assuring ones soul that 'everything's gonna be all right' ... The spark of life hidden in the recesses of ones being even when walking through trials ... This my friends is simply, Hope: joyful, confident, expectation.  Without it, life would be despair.

1 Chronicles 28:20 David said to Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished."

When you face a seemingly unconquerable obstacle (a.k.a. building the Temple or learning to thrive in a new culture), in the face of doubt trying to rear it's ugly head, you cry a little, want to throw a tantrum and suddenly ... peace, you have a joyful, confident, expectation (hope) that God has the perfect house picked out for you ... He has plans and a purpose to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future.

Trust and obey ... Mountains thrown into the heart of the sea ... Eyes fixed on Him!

Praises
Feeling supported and surrounded by friends
Double date, laughter
Sweet heart connections
Funds for a vehicle
Hope is taking root

Prayers
Italicized in text above
Wisdom on summer plans
Parenting Jedidiah

Life in the city and on the Base ... a week full of hope

They moved the pile ... sweet reward

It's hard work being a watch dog ...
he makes friends wherever he goes

Daryl's area of inspiration ... it's not Benjamin Roberts
... this cubicle doesn't move!

Olaf ... he's a van and a pickup truck!

English Spelling Bee ... translating into English ...
BEE - utiful job!

El Nido's newest miracle ... Juliannet

Purple Guitar ... lift is good
... singing Happy Birthday

Andy Diener in more ways than one ...
Mom, just cut my hair!

Sunday guest ... sharing life in Lancaster Co. and CR ...
Old friends, new blessings!

Sabbath

Sabbath rest ... when we cease from pursuing our material goals for one day ...

Sabbath meal ... homemade Stromboli

a day of peace and solitude when one chooses to stop, rest and restore ones soul with life giving moments ... perspectives are brought back into order, ones mind is renewed to think clearly, 'favorites' are chosen and sleep is often a sweet reward. Sabbath is a day of being intentional to be unintentional about ones 'to do' list. I absolutely love these days ... it is truly my hearts desire to engage in this gift from Father.  However, I am not the best participant in these chosen days.  While the rest of the family enjoys their quiet time activity, I have a hard time not taking advantage of the opportunity to peacefully get things done. And then ... light bulb moment ... to retain my sanity, I put myself in a 'time out', close the bedroom door and call it Sabbath rest! How does one find rest in the midst of the chaos of raising 4 Mighty Men? 

I am a work in progress ... He tenderly calls me to come away and rest ... I am my Beloved's and He is mine. 

Sabbath Breakfast date

Saturday was to be a sort of Sabbath rest for our family after another busy work week.  7:30 wake up call from our youngest two was not how I wanted our Sabbath to start!  As I laid there silently beckoning my body to rise and dreaming of the moments when I could crawl back under the covers, I whispered ... "Dear, lets sneak out for a breakfast date before we walk to market!"  With renewed vision and the promise of precious alone time with my hubby, I was excited to wake up for our day of rest!  We left a note for Micah to make pancakes, planted our two early risers in front of the T.V., closed the door and walked out into the glorious sunshine! 

Father commands us to "aprovechar" (some things just sound better in Spanish) "take advantage of" these days of rest ... it's His desire for us, He gave us the example and He has plans and purposes to prosper us in these days of Sabbath! Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere ... How do you spend your Sabbath? 

Praises

-We bought a vehicle!  A "small" 12 passenger van the boys tenderly named, "Olaf"

Meet Olaf ...

-Opportunity to reintroduce Jairo to Jesus

-Health

-Safety from Lightening strikes, working with power tools and driving through lots of rain

-"Larry, Moe and Curly" dedicated to restoring our Koinonia room ... the perfect place for community and fellowship with the Students!

Prayers

-A house closer to the new Base

-Determination and dedication for the boys to finish up the school year

-Inspirational family nights

-Obedience to Sabbath rest 

*How can we pray for you?*

Life at the Base ... 

Adam and Dylan ... stick in hand ...
countless hours of play!

One coat of sealer, 2 coats of stain, 2 coats of varnish ...
 150+ boards!

Power washing ... note to self,
don't shoot yourself in the foot at close range!

Can't keep his hands off the power tools!

Mama, Can I help you paint?

Father - son team securing the property

Larry, Moe and Curly ... a.k.a. Larry, Matt and Steve

I clearly don't have this missionary thing down yet ...
"Just buy a new door!"

Beautiful work boys ... What a gift!

Celebrating Friday night at Smash Burger!

Heredia 2017 Summer Champions!!!
Enjoying fun, food and fellowship in our finished Koinonia room!

Life, Death and Gloves

The beauty of God's handiwork ... 

Life ... the miracle of a baby's first breath, the sweet sound of that first cry, the sights, sounds and smells of newborn snuggles ... we cherish these treasures for a life time and often recall them as we watch our children grow.

Death ... I will never understand why the miracle of new life and the finality of death need ever be shared moments in ones life.

Gloves ... Served as a barrier between life and death. Worn by an expectant mother to protect her hands and prohibit the evil spirit of death from entering through them. She was dressed for winter in the sweltering heat of summer, attending the funeral of her relatives newborn babe ... her reason, to prevent the spirit of death from robbing the the life out of wee one in her womb.

Life at the Base ... we didn't spend much time in the City, our days were full of painting, cleaning, organizing, fellowship, and driving back and forth from the new Base.  Our week was full of life ... we welcomed our first work team at the new Base and our Vida 220 teams came 'home' from Outreach for a week of teaching and to work on the new Base ... we said good bye to a couple who volunteered a year of their life with VidaNet ... we visited La Cuenca and shared hope with some of the families there ... we played soccer in the rain ... we worshiped and dedicated the new Base ... we celebrated the end of a week of hard work by taking the work team to La Paz Waterfall Gardens ... Celebrated Mothers Day with Pollo a la Lena (Roasted chicken over the fire!) ... we shared life!  It was also week morning the death of one of our El Nido Babes http://elnidocr.blogspot.com/ ... Amy Danisha was born with complications unable to be fixed by human hands.  The Gloves ... I am forever grateful for the hope I have in Christ, I do not fear death!

We believe in God the Father, We believe in Jesus Christ, We believe in the Holy Spirit and He's given us new life, We believe in the crucifixion, We believe that He conquered death, We believe in the resurrection, And He's comin' back again, we believe!

Praises

Health, strength and a day of rest

Micah's insight into life, his GPS skills and dedication to work

Return of the twinkle in Joseph's eyes

Jedidiah's ability to make friends wherever he is

Adam's hugs, wink and sweet smile

Dedicated work teams getting the job done

Prayers

Vehicle, we found one, praying for favor with the owner

House, we found one, praying for favor with the owner

Jedidiah's heart as he says good bye to teams ... it's ok to be sad.

Unity and a clear mind for Delynn and Daryl as they prioritize what needs done

Wisdom and sensitivity to our physical bodies to know when to work and when to rest

Direction for school, do we utilize a home school assistant, do we send Jedidiah to school

Enjoy these pic's of the life we lived this week ...  

Cuco makin music with Adam

Big tools and the chance to use them
 ... a little boys dream world

Rain boots and watermelon ...
two necessities for his day

Treating, sanding, staining and varnishing the never ending stack of wood ...
thanks for your hard work Kidron Electric Team

A week of no naps finally caught up to him ...
7pm drive home

Using your ingenuity vs. common sense ...
this team knew how to support one another!

My heart is happy ... work day is done ... Futbol in the rain

Words this Mama never thought she'd say ...
 "Yes, you can get a tattoo."

Ice cream treat after a long work day ... 

Our first family meal in our new dining room

Serenading the gringos ... beautiful!

How can something so cute be so dangerous?

'The Beach' at the waterfall

Couldn't get these tiny creatures in motion ...
they move too fast! 

Ready to explore the Waterfall Gardens ... 

Yup, you can touch him, feed him and even kiss him!

I found my happy place ... The Butterfly house!

"Mom, I can actually see him drinking this juice!"

A few more wrinkles, a bit more gray ...
15+ years of growing more in love!

Butterfly Labor and Delivery ward ...
we experienced a few births!

"I see the work of His hand ..."

Perfect ending to our day ...
Happy Mama's Day treats at McDonalds Cafe'