Washing Machine Whirl

Listening to His melody ... 

In that one, amazing moment of complete silence, I became keenly aware of all the noise around me. One doesn't have to be skilled in rocket science to know the truth of that statement.  The constant buzz, humm, whirl, chirp, chatter, breeze, drip, drop and dog are so ... well, constant.  So constant in fact that I don't even realize the barrier it builds to truly hearing.  This whirl (white noise) fills our lives every single moment and we are accustomed to living with it.  And, not until the electric goes out and I have that one, amazing moment do I truly realize, I'm not hearing.  

The same holds true to That relationship, The One that really matters.  The constant weight, burden, fear, uncertainty, anxiety (a.k.a. whirl) creates a barrier to truly hearing the heart beat of my being ... Father's sweet voice.  I know He desires to quiet me with His love, to rejoice over me with singing.  However, the struggle to truly hear His melody through the constant aforementioned physical or spiritual whirl, leaves me throwing my hands up in surrender ... sweet Jesus! 

My hiding place ... I usually walk hand in hand with Jesus, surrounded by wild flowers, the sun is just perfect and the breeze an even more saintly accompaniment.  Today, as my hiding place invites my blank stared presence, as I numbly try to listen, the whirl is present, the worship has started.  My minds eye pictures it differently today ... He is carrying me.  I cling to His neck, the tears flow both physically and spiritually, and the sweetest melody starts to pour over me ... His melody.  The anointed plucking of ... a banjo.  I know right, couldn't He use a more soothing instrument or melodic voice?  The truth of the matter is, my weary soul was longing for His sweet presence and as the tears flowed ruining my makeup ... His anointing love, through a banjo, flowed over me. 

The constant whirl makes it challenging to hear my next thought.  However, He promises, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest!"  He may have used the pause in our electric to get my attention.  However, He doesn't say get away from the whirl, He simply says, "Come".  And when my soul obeys in spite of the whirl ... there is an inexplicable stillness, a breathless silence, the whirl fades and He speaks.  "What whirl is silencing the sound of His sweet melody for you?"  

He carries me ... He sings over me ... He uses the whirl  

Life on the Mountain

These weeks feel surmised by late night meetings and early morning awakenings from our youngest mighty man; A beautiful mountain to hike and friends to hike it with;  The directors house was cleaned by a host of angels from Oregon and CR;  Enjoying ice cream and laughter with these angels;  A successful week of exams for J & A;  Grading 4 months worth of 10th grade;  Afternoon rains, clear nights, stargazing;  Listening to a sisters heart and sharing mine;  Joseph working diligently to finish his year before Micah returns;  Birthday pool party, Haircuts and meatball subs were huge highlights of our week;  And ... trying to listen in spite of the whirl. 

Praises

Angels who clean, organize and reconfigure furniture 

Land borders open, this makes for easier travel

Dr Carla's care of Adam and free medicine

Camaraderie in our leadership team, sharing the load

Friends who listen again and again

He speaks to our heart and sings over our weary soul

Those coming 

Prayers

Those traveling

Healing for our family, colds, ear infections, allergic reactions

Our physical, emotional and mental health ... ask Father for specifics : ) 

Wisdom and direction for Vida Missions Teams

Transition with our new directors

Father's call to Vida220

"Let me see redemption win, Let me know the struggle ends ..."

To hear His melody in the midst of the whirl. 

Slow and steady ... buckle up boys! 

He couldn't wait for spring like weather! 

Angels from Oregon

PVM floats to celebrate a days work

Three historical icons ...
Jesse James, Albert Einstein, Christopher Columbus ... 
Make your Mamas proud boys! 

The 3rd cross ... a view worth hiking for! 

Feeling safe at home! 

"I'm running away" ... 
At least he remembered his deodorant and kitty!  

Sunday morning smiles and eggs ... 

"You can feel secure even in the midst of cataclysmic changes,
through your awareness of MY continual presence."
(Sarah Young, Jesus Calling)

Nestled

Breath of life ... Nestled

We are in the midst of a torment.  Physically, the wind is literally swirling with seeming gale force strength, threatening to topple even the tallest tree with deep roots.  I've even questioned how our tin roofs can possibly remain attached.  Emotionally, the toll of this torment has ravaged us to the depths of our soul, threatening (albeit not succeeding) to strip away our peace as the tin on our roofs, attempting to upend our banqueting table with its feast of promises that He has nourished us with since long past.  Spiritually, the gale force winds have thrown their heart and soul into taking our eyes off the Maker of these winds.  The lies pelt like rain, "where is the hope for tomorrow ... I'm not sure it really will be ok ... YOU have seriously called us here for this?"  

I've come to this hiding place feeling bashed, battered and blubbering.  He tenderly wipes my tear stained cheek, tips my chin toward Him, I'm pretty sure there was an eye roll on His part as once again ... He's asked me to choose trust.  To choose, "the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something" ... specifically Him.  

In my minds eye, I stand on the precipice of this cliff, arms spread wide, the sun on my face. In reality, I'm tucked in the yellow corner of my hiding place as the winds whip around me.  I'm safe.  I'm nestled against, I'm rooting deep, I'm feasting on and ... trying to choose trust.  The peace that ensues is the cushion of calm at the center of my being, that place I've nestle into that enables me laugh in the face of my tormentor.  Yes, there is bright hope for tomorrow. Yes, it really will be ok.  Yes, He has called us here for this ... 

1Chronicles 16:11 

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."  Not just when the storm rages, it's a daily resting in His radiant presence.    

The peace of the hiding place ... The storm rages ... The choice to trust.

Life on the Mountain ...

School is currently 2/3 at school and 1/3 zoom at home.  Last night's sentiment is felt by all, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually look forward to going to school tomorrow!"  AMEN son! The fact there are 4 new girls in his class might be of slight significance! ... Cleaning out and preparing a house for our new directors ... Sunday's sabbath rest ... Heart felt conversations with staff ... breathing in the sweetness of sharing life briefly with El Nido Mama's (Covid protocol slightly enforced, hugs permitted, snuggles welcomed) ... The boldness to investigate new possibilities for banking ... Hand shaken, homemade ice cream ... Video calls with Micah ... Sharing the culture of Costa Rica with his school class ... Dreaming with our boys about their futures ... and ... Choosing to walk forward in trust when the temptation to curl up and cry feels more inviting.  

Praise

Physical protection, health and strength

Mental fortitude - we know where it comes from!

Hearts willing to open up and share their pain

Restructured family devotions

Friends near and far who desire life for us

Sharing life with the Ebersols, a highlight for all

Grief is a journey, it comes in parts not all at once

Those moments when His spirit floods mine and a song comes forth

Peace as we trust

Prayer 

The Transition - there's a huge weight in those words

To find the missing pouch

Nofzigers as they come to VN to learn, love and lead

Peace in Joseph's heart, for future plans, for hope

Miracles of healing for Richie, Johnny, Nathan

Restful sleep, healthy bodies and peace over our minds

God's increase over Vida Missions teams and Vida220 students

To choose trust

Putting his energy to good use!

Trying his hand at homemade bread ... success!

Dig in ... delicious Cas mousse.

Then came, they played, they worked ...
Our lives are fuller because of their Love for Father ...
The spontaneity of their visit was a gift from Father.

A cherished visit with Dylan and Don Samuel ...

Plant sitting ... my heart is SO happy!

Yup ... it's dead. 
Really God, you don't need to keep
crossing my path to get over my fear! 

Those we love to share life with ...
His good gifts to us!

While this laughter was happening ...

This was happening.

Here's to Us.

He calls me ... 

Feasting on this promise ... 

Exodus 33:14
My presence will go with you and I will give you rest. 

Letter of the Day ... T

Trust ... Tranquility

Trust: the firm belief in the reliability, ability, truth or strength of someone or something.  We are faced with a daily barrage of opportunities to trust.  In my weakness, it’s easier to worry and have anxious thoughts, they come naturally.  Yet in His goodness, Father continues to speak this challenging word to my spirit, TRUST.  If I truly trust Him, as I say I do, there should be no worry, fear, or anxious thoughts (see definition above!).  Psalm 112:7 He (the righteous man) will have no fear of bad news.  He is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Is this even possible in our human state?  

Tranquility: the quality or state of being tranquil; calm.  (In other words, peace, but for the sake of theme, I chose the ‘T’ word.)  Peace is the byproduct of trust.  It is really that simple.  I make the childlike choice to trust and His peace floods over me and through me and settles deep in the pit of my being.  If trust’s reward is so great, why is it so hard to choose?  Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to His people; The Lord blesses His people with peace.

Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.  Transition (and loss) are a part of life.  We have felt the torrential pounding of these two for the better part of the year.  While we may scream and cower from its impending change, we know He has called us here for such a time as this.  He nourishes us at His banqueting table, He picks us up and pats our backside urging us forward,  and He hides us in the shadow of His wings when the tears feel too overwhelming to face one more transition.  Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. 

Thanks for reading the process, here is the official update:

We appreciate your prayers as we walk through this next transition.  This week Gloria Hoover, cofounder of VidaNet, will hand over the Directorship of VidaNet to Wendell and Melanie Nofziger.  See their bio here: VidaNet.org . This transition also includes a move to facilitate a season of healing and restoration for Gloria.  She is moving to the States for an indefinite period.  See her story here: Gloria's story  .  While we grieve these losses, Father has graciously provided, and we receive His good gift! 

Your prayers continue to hold our arms up as we journey through life in Costa Rica.  The peace Father provides is in part due to your constant prayers.  We are eternally grateful for each one of you.  He has called you for such a time as this!

Choose to trust ... Receive His peace ... Surrender the transition.

*questions?  Please ask, we love to hear from you!*

 

Treasure Hunting

He is a treasure! 

It may seem irrational and near impossible to give thanks in the midst of hardships and adversity.  However, there's this little grown up voice inside my head that reminds me ... For one who knows the intimacy of Father's love, one knows the blessings that follow from this simple act of obedience ... give thanks.

This week, I'm treasure Hunting.  I'm looking for the little sprigs of color in the barrenness, looking for the blooming bud in the parched soil, looking in the eyes and hearts of those around me to find the treasures Father is planting for me to discover!  Intentionally treasure hunting for Father's love and choosing gratitude in the midst of barrenness, softens my soul and starts to turn the corners of my mouth upward.  A grateful attitude make it easier to communicate with Father and everyone else ... However, why is it so dang hard to consistently practice thankfulness?

You see, no matter what life altering illness, loss, death or hurricane we see in front of us ... there is the most beautiful treasure of Father's presence in the midst of these.  "Give Me thanks regardless of your feelings and I give you joy regardless of your circumstances."  

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in perfect peace, for You alone O Lord make me dwell in safety. This promise is one I've prayed over my boys, over myself, over anyone who desperately needs to sleep in peace.  What I didn't realize was the treasure that precedes this promise ... verse 7 YOU have filled my heart with greater joy ... for this simple reason I will lie down and sleep in peace!  This treasure of joy comes from a grateful heart. 

He is asking me to give thanks for the treasures I collect during the day and then to reflect on them as I lay my weary mind down to rest ... His end of the bargain, these treasures will blanket me with the coziest, sweetest sleep one could ever imagine.  Want to hunt treasures with me?    

Treasure hunting ... Giving thanks ... Blanketed with peace

 

Life on the Mountain

Traditional thanksgiving meal prep, lots of food shopping;  we are in our last week of educating at home for this year!!!  I can't believe we've been at this since March.  This also indicates I will now have time to grade Joseph's 10th grade work from the last 3 months!  This mental check list and this fog of grief leaves us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed however ... we are hunting for and finding His treasures!

Treasures

Adam being my shopping helper and randomly praying for people!

Jedidiah working at the base 

Joseph's laughter and memes he so freely shares with me

Micah's messages

Roast in the crockpot

Cashier commenting on "the precious picture" of our 4 MM on my cloth bag

Don Jose's friendship and caring attitude while I shop the aisles at Price Smart

Laughter with Staff

Smiles and snuggles from Declan and Kairo

Girl time at the mall

Lost photos recovered

Morning walks and kisses in the kitchen

Answered prayers

Neighbors to share life with ... they see and hear our humanness and love us regardless!

Prayers

Friends throughout Central Am. whose lives have been ravaged by 2 devastating hurricanes. 

Miraculous healing from covid for a dear friend and father figure

Physical, mental, emotional fortitude

Giving ourselves permission to grieve because it's normal, natural and necessary

Future direction for VidaNet

Open communication and time to share our hearts as we meet with VidaNet's board next week

Choosing to be grateful even when we don't feel like it

Sunday afternoon activities ... 
Football and a walk! 

A thankful tree

Thanksgiving prep ...
5 kilos of green beans and a blister to show for the work!  

Breakfast date with dad ... 
This ones smile is a treasure! 

Youth group game night ... they are each a treasure!

Final science project ... electrical connections ...
"Mom, of course it will work, it just has to lift the tree!"
And, of course it did! 

This boys ... he was determined to ride in this car even though he could barely get in and I only needed 2 things!
He was my BIG shopping helper this week! 

Sportin' their new Christmas glasses
Los tres amigos!

They were sent from Honduras to work with VidaNet ...
Now VidaNet is sending them back to Honduras
to help clean up their community.
They lost their house and everything in it.
We love you Antonio y Meli, may your joy from a grateful heart spread throughout your community!

Territory of My Heart

My favorite delivery boy ...

The soil is resting, seeking sabbath, being watered by tears, lying dormant, feeling useless and uncertain of its next steps yet hopeful that the seed buried there will one day sprout to life again. 

January of 2012, I remember it often. I was at a point of sadness so deep, my soul felt saturated with despair.   I grudgingly opened my Bible to Deuteronomy with an annoyed eye-roll thinking - "What life could He possibly speak from this book"?  My disgruntled action of  opening The Word, allowed His sweet presence to pour in through the open door and He began to water my scorched, barren heart ... Father spoke, regarding the territory of my heart.   "I am bringing you into a good land ... " Deut 8:7.   And, the seed of hope began to grow.  I've held onto that promise since then, specifically in times of uncertainty and when my soul was feeling battered ...

but recently, I've needed a reminder.

Over these last several months, despair had settled in my soul again and I felt like the fight in me was gone.  The mere thought of mentioning this despair/lack of fight, felt like a failure for who Father has called me to be and where He has called me to be.  "Put your hope in God ... Trust ... He is your strength ... He will never leave you..."  His promises screamed at my soul in a rescue attempt yet my soul felt like it couldn't even reach out for their life-saving properties.  As the feelings of failure pelted like rain and the waves crashed, my soul was sinking and sadness, was its welcome guest.  

He did not push, He did not discredited my pain.  He has simply been holding, being present, and waiting.  And when He sensed my grasping for life again, He spoke.  "I am with you and am watching over you wherever you go and ... I will bring you back to this land" Genesis 28:15.  And with that, the seed of hope laid deep in the depths is sprouting.

Maybe you need the reminder too?  In this year of seemingly utter chaos, despair and loss, when you feel surrounded by clouds or waves or whatever it is that is obscuring your vision of a good land ... His promise still stands, He desires to bring you into that good land.  It doesn't mean life will be easy, full of joy or merrily dancing through fields of wild flowers.  It simply means that one has hope, He is still on the throne and His promises are still true.  Why don't you ask Him for a glimpse of your promised land ... He can't wait to show it to you! 

He is good.  He desires good.  Bringing good into focus. 

Praise & Prayer

Father's patient love, faithful presence and everlasting arms that have held & carried us these months

Each of you, your prayers have been Father's presence to us

Friends and neighbors who listen to our hearts, invite us to coffee and cry with us

Health and healing

In spite of Covid restrictions, ministry at Casa VidaNet looks a bit different but continues

Central America as it recovers in the wake of hurricane Eta

To infuse our worry filled minds with the peace of Father's presence

Three more weeks of educating at home. God help us to finish well, it's been a very long school year.  

For schools to open next year ... please God!

Times of refreshing, we are weary 

We continue to grieve Delynn's death and the impact its had on the ministry

Help us be real in our grief and lead others to Jesus in our grief

To extend grace to those we spend 24x7 life with ... quarantine and restrictions continue to feel stifling. 

For our hearts to rest, return and remain in the land He has called us to

Life on the Mountain

It seems easiest to do this in photo form ... 

Youth group and Current events "Social Bubble" ...
minus a few.  

MOM, help! ... 
Cousin Jess Weaver to the rescue when
Mom's scissors are oceans away!

Jedidiah's 6th grade graduation pictures ... 
Of course we had to take a few mask free pictures!

Simulation exercise ...
So this is how you practice for an emergency via zoom! 

Father - Son worship team at Casa VidaNet

Joseph had a rough month ...
Four wisdom teeth cut out with local anesthesia ...
And random episodes of Hives lead to allergy testing!
(Below)

A rainy day at the beach ... 

Celebrating life ...
Happy 3rd Declan
Happy 16th Joseph
Happy 13th Jedidiah 
and ... 
Happy BIRTHday sweet baby Kairo!

My heart is full ...
I had the privilege of being part of an amazing team for this precious little ones birth at home! ...
Mama Jen loves you baby Kairo! 

Whoooo is watching me? ...
A visit to Zooave brought some laughter.

Look who's behind the wheel ...
Not yet legal in CR but thankful for friends with long driveways! 

"What I want to be when I grow up ..." 
Celebration of Dia del Nino

Three lost teeth in 10 days ...
 That's what being 7 is all about! 

Two boys baking in the kitchen ...
Our bellies have been filled with delicious treats!

Mohawks, masks & Sunday morning sweet bread ...
Quarantine life!

We miss Micah's presence in our home while he's in the States for his senior year ...
He enjoyed cutting wood at a youth work weekend!  

Date night with Adam ...
Soaking up Dad and Mom's attention and
enjoying the delicacy of Pizza Hut!  


I am still confident of this,
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13