Clothed with These

He puts this on, Every. Single. Day.  Monday through Friday, it gets wet, weathered, well-worn and washed (occasionally).  Without change or hesitation, its versatility lends it to always be the top article of his daily at work attire.  This regifted treasure has graced his studly physique for approximately 6 years and counting.  With wisdom, another similar article was purchased as backup however, the sentient remains that this first-string player has more years of wear and tear before it is retired to the hall of fame. 

In the normalcy of routine, Father spoke this uncanny parallel.  Just as Daryl routinely clothes himself daily with this irreplaceable Under Armor sweatshirt, so should I clothe myself with these … Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.  Clothed in this wardrobe God picked out for us, leads us to take action to meet another’s need which in turn opens doors to share love, specifically Father’s love.  Reality is, as I walk with Jesus every single day, I should routinely – without hesitation or second thought – finish off my attire with these … just as Daryl routinely – without hesitation or second thought – finishes off his attire with the comfort of said item.  Unfortunately, being clothed with these doesn’t mean a selfless, stress free, worry free, anxiety free, life.  No, it simply redirects my direction to another closet.  A closet filled articles that indicate the peace of Christ dwells in my heart.  

The absurdity of this parallel spoke deeply to my soul in my role as hospitality coordinator (a.k.a. need-meeter).  If I am clothed with anything other than these, I will attempt to meet their needs out of pride, worldly wisdom, and an ‘I can do it’ mentality.  In my daily routine, it is a vital necessity that I first meet with Jesus, clothe myself with these and walk confidently by His side trusting that He will meet the needs around me … for His glory!  

I’ve been pondering the fact that it would appear easier to clothe myself with these if yours truly were not such a slave to fashion and my closet had fewer resources.  However, I’ve come to the conclusion that even in routine, clothing myself with these basic, all-purpose garments is still a choice.  Made easier only as I walk intimately with my Clothing Designer.  

What are you clothing yourself with today?  Would you care to join me in refreshing your closet so that the peace of Christ dwells in your heart? 

Choosing His attire ... Their needs are met ... Filled with His peace.

Life on the Mountain

They came - 3 Vida220 coordinators, 3 team leaders, 9 staff (old and new), 13 students! And, we are learning to know, love and disciple them!  This is what community, relationship and challenge are all about.  The first two 'new people' weeks are always full of medical questions, advice and challenges. (He is our need-meeter!)  There seems to not be many quiet moments as we spend our days at Casa Vidanet.  Little Caesars has blessed our bellies and wallets at the end of these busy weeks for our Friday pizza and movie night! 80's day costumes; Parades, lanterns and a week off school for our beloved CR independence day; Staff orientation and updating job descriptions; Youth group for Jedidiah is once again in our routine; Jump center birthday celebrations; A visit with our favorite ER doctor, Dr. Jenkins, for a sprained thumb; New staff driving lessons;  Life-giving shopping buddies; And ... making a closet choice in the routine of life to clothe ourselves with these. 

Praise

Staff who desire to serve Jesus in the routines of base maintenance, hospitality, administration, communications and community service.  

Friends to share life with

Sprained not fractured thumb

Students who desire to grow with Jesus

Jesus' presence to meet simple and complex needs

Prayer

As we look to another term of service, December 2023 - August 2026

Would you prayerfully consider financial support for our family?        

https://www.emm.org/support/djhoover/

Clear direction for school options for Jedidiah

Wisdom for Micah and team as they coordinate life for our Vida220 students

Adam's tender heart to process as his best neighbor buddy moves to another house

Jedidiah to be a leader in our home and outside our walls

Joseph connections and friendship

Lean into the Everlasting Arms as we face challenges with family life, leadership and mentor relationships. 

To clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.

80's themed school day ...
Reliving my Jr. high and high school fashion statements! 
Collars up and peg your jeans!

Celebrating Kids Day ...
He was seen only by his blue shoes and stripped socks!

Kids day is always more fun with a buddy! 

These mighty men have stolen Mama Jen's heart
 with grandmotherly affection!  

Adam representing the role of Adam!

If this picture could talk ...
stories and laughter with every expression! 

He ran the torch from the center of town to school
to kick off the independence festivities! ...
Proud mama moment!  

Lantern parade with school friends.

Another year, another independence day parade ...
His musical ability is amazing!
To God be the glory!

Our beloved Professor and 2 brother duos!

Jump Center memories ...
Bruise/abrasions from jumping and landing on his back learning to Wall-walk!

No caption needed! 

Two Jedidiah's!!!
Ones first name, the other's middle name! 

For the love of learning ...

The Cabin and the 70 ... two of his favorite things! 

Colossians 3:12–14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Settled in Ambassadors

I have felt 'off' recently.  As to what that off feeling is, I've yet to figure out.  A full of life summer followed by a very quiet August? Stress, a Lupus exacerbation or menopause? Micah living under our roof for a few weeks or Jedidiah being old enough to process next steps? Transitions and hard goodbyes or the anxious thoughts of new people I will grow to love?  Contemplating the mirrored image of greyer hair, deeper wrinkles and a wider waistline, is it my lack of feeling youthful? ... Nah, the slow whistle from my studly sidekick as I walk out into the day tells me that can't possibly be it! 

As I processed with my bed warmer during a night away from normalcy, I realized the following ... Seven years ago we were planning, packing and prepping to leave life as we knew it in Lancaster Co., and finally, seven years later, I feel settled into life.   

Feeling settled in somewhere is what makes leaving so hard. One can feel settled in for a weekend, a week, a year or a lifetime.  But the feeling of being established, connected and having people who know us personally brings a very settled feeling to my soul.  Reflecting on life in Lancaster Co, we had position, purpose and a daily plan. We had neighbors we loved to connect with and family "just down the road". Normal life was routine and often happened without thought. Our purpose and plan for life was to be representatives of God's love in our jobs, school, neighborhood, and wherever we journeyed throughout the day.  If you will, we were ambassadors: a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified person or activity.  Our plan was to raise up disciples of Jesus to openly display the power and love of God, starting first and foremost with our Mighty men.  Even as I write this, reflecting on the normalcy of how we lived our lives, felt supernatural in the way God opened doors for us to share Him. Living as ambassadors for Jesus felt comfortable and enjoyable, conversation flowed and connections were deep.  And in His tender hearted fashion ... in the midst of feeling settled, established, and connected, He moved us to move. Out of our comfort zone, to gain a broader world view and into a more mature intimacy with Him.  

While we are not leaving Costa Rica, quite the opposite as we just renewed for another term, I'm realizing this off feeling I have is perhaps the settled feeling of the normalcy of life here.  We are established, connected and have people who know us personally. Our purpose and plan hasn't changed much from Lanc. Co ... We are ambassadors sharing God's love and grace with Flor at the pharmacy and Minor at the hardware store. We continue raising up our Mighty men as well as those the Lord places within our reach to disciple, mentor and counsel to be representatives of Jesus and take God's love to the nations.  

It would appear that being settled in as ambassadors looks like normal life, right? We live life in behind the scenes roles, figuring finances and hosting the masses, supporting and collaborating with our leadership team, affirming and caring for those we give leadership to and being a home base for those the Lord sends out. As we gallivant through normal life, God's grace allows us to use our roles at Vidanet as a platform to share why we do what we do so that wherever we go our attitude and actions are held accountable.

This should not be a guilt-evoking thought but rather one that walks in the freedom of His grace ... being a "settled in" ambassador for Jesus Christ is taking advantage of every opportunity that tugs on our inner spirit.  Greeting Carlos at the meat counter and asking about his family even when I don't have meat to buy, speaking a blessing over Victor as he brings recently harvested mango from the back and picks the two best ones for me to purchase, helping a dear one learn how to confront in love to aid in her healing process, letting go of 'my' plans to be part of completing His, saying no because 'that' would not be honoring to Jesus, relying on His boldness to share the Good News with a heart that is destitute, and perhaps the most challenging, adjusting my attitude while living normal life to reflect The One who I am representing.

As you represent Jesus in the normalcy of daily life, 

how is He prompting you to step out of the normalcy of your comfort zone?  

Ambassadors through normalcy ... Settled in ... Challenged out of our comfort zone. 

Life on the Mountain
We've had three weeks to organize, reorganize, and figure out a new way to organize our beloved Casa Vidanet while our staff had time off.  It was time to wash, clean and throw out that which didn't hold enough value in certain eyes;  We were blessed with a weekend at the beach to recharge; We enjoyed  quiet moments with friends listening to their hearts;  Late night conversations and afternoon at the movies; We enjoyed time for a few extra ice cream outings;  Birthday parties and welcoming another precious wee into our Vidanet tribe; Micah bought a motorcycle and had his impacted wisdom teeth removed (we're 3 for 4 ... Adam declares his will not need to come out!); Joseph started his second year at Thad. Stevens, camped with family and went backpacking; Jedidiah worked diligently on homework, and exams and continues to fill our house with conversation, worship and song; Adam won first place explaining Rocket Science in his school science fair; We celebrated 22 years of wedded bliss graciously covered by Father's grace; and ... we are resting in the peace of being settled in as ambassadors for Jesus Christ! 

Praise

Healthy baby

Staff connections 

Healing on Jen's joints

Connections with church and community

Time with Micah

A job for Joseph

Time to organize and rest 

Settled into normal life as ambassadors of Jesus, reflecting Him.

 

Prayer

As we look to a third term of service:

Would you prayerfully consider financial support for our family?        https://www.emm.org/support/djhoover/

    

Quick healing for Micah's mouth

Wisdom for Micah's new role

Connections for Joseph in PA

Health, strength and grace to start a new Vida220 school year

Heart connections with new staff and students 

Safe arrivals for new staff and students Sept 12 and 22 

Sensitivity to HS as we represent Jesus to the world around us! 

Birthday shenanigans and celebrating another year of life!

Joseph on vacation mode ...
Can he spend a whole week with nothing pressing to do?
Yup, he did! 

Thankful for family who surround Joseph!

My happy place ... 
The sun, sand and surf where I can think and process clearer.

Big boys play ground ... 
Where laughter and exploring fills this Mama's heart!

Another year in love ...
Practicing his whistle ... 

He needed his own mode of transportation ...
When did my little boy get so big?

El Nido Moms and babies ... 
Always full of chatter and little baby squeals!

Cleaned up for a night out with Adam as our photographer ...
He actually took a decent 'non selfie' picture this time! 

First Place in the Science Fair!
His explanation of Rocket Science was highly inspired by his big brothers!

Jedidiah got second place in high school science fair ...
He loved explaining Rockets to the youngsters!

Chipmunk cheeks ... thanks to 4 impacted wisdom teeth!
How to help this one rest and be less active ...

But I will sing of your strength in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  
Isaiah 59:16

Anchored in the Chaos

Big boys and big toys!

Four outfits.  I changed my outfit 4 times in one day.  And, one of those changes had two sweater cover up options.  Does that technically make 5 outfit changes? Reflecting on the absurdity of this I've come to the realization that this week, I had time (in my mind) to change and therefore I did. These past 10 weeks have been Full. Of. Life! The only change pondering in my mind was which pair of dangly earrings would bring life to the party of my daily physique clad in my grey or navy blue Vida Missions t-shirt and jeans.

We hosted and hosted some more, three groups of youth totaling 200+, then 'we were hosted' for 10 days in PA for a retreat with EMM and two church sharing events.  Returning to CR we entered party planning mode.  In the span of 7 days we successfully accomplished a bridal shower, a civil wedding, a family vacation for 30+ people, welcoming and hosting family and friends of students, Vida220 graduation and airport runs, and Micah came home.  We breathed deep for 2 days and then it was wedding time.  The beautiful story of God's redemptive/restorative love in the wedding celebration of two of our beloved staff.  And finally yesterday ... it was a 'holiday' to celebrate Costa Rica's Mothers day so I took the day off.  

There have been many stormy, wave tossed moments in my mind over the past 10 weeks.  Organizing, buying and calculating food amounts and finances to send with teams. Praying for, welcoming, pouring into these teams and 10 days later, sending them home again. Celebrating our students and mourning the loss of their presence on base, the hug filled hellos and the tearful goodbyes while sleeping in 3 different beds in 10 days, washing countless loads of laundry after teams left, the beauty of a wedding and new beginnings and the stressful moments making sure everything was taken care of.  All the while, family life continued through every wave of these transitions ... school and vacation from school, sickness, soccer, braces, wisdom teeth extraction, and pizza movie nights.  

Dear friends, I could continue filling this blog with the organized chaos of our lives these past 10 weeks.  Lest you be swept away with the "need to/want to/don't want to" do list, let me refocus on our Anchor in the midst of these storms.  This image of a boat being tethered to an anchor has settled deep in my minds eye over these past weeks.  I am that tethered boat.  Whether drifting peacefully in the warmth of the sunset or bobbing buoyantly in the wave tossed surf, I am tethered to The Anchor. This tether used to be long and I would wander away from The Anchor for periods of time trying to keep myself afloat.  However through the maturing process, that rope has shortened by the tug of the Holy Spirit. I don't wander (in worry filled wavering) as far before the inner tug of the Holy Spirit pulls me back to the peace where my center is Anchored. 

As we graduate our students after 10 months of Vida220 we trust their tether to The Anchor has shortened as they take their next steps.  As we mentor and disciple our staff towards Jesus, we trust God and the work of His Holy Spirit to shorten their tether through daily life.  Glory to God for these life changing moments of trusting the tug on our tethers.  I encourage you to testify of His goodness and trust the Holy Spirit to use you as a vessel for others who are adrift.  

Adrift in the waves of worry? ... Anchored to His Presence ... Trust the tug on your tether.

Praises
*we found a new storage place for our furniture in PA, thanks for praying!

200+ youth from Vida Missions grew more intimate with God, got out of their comfort zones, and broadened their world view.
Safe and peaceful travel all summer long.

Life giving connections for our 10 days in PA.

Feeling loved and cared for by our MST and readjusting their roles.

A supportive community in and out of Vidanet.

Time to rest and be refreshed during the month of August.

Prayers
New church speaking engagements for our upcoming home leave.

Trust Father in fundraising so we can return to CR fully funded next February.

Healing for our weary bodies, specifically Jen's joints.
Family communication, to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Connections and listening to HS promptings.

Micah, wisdom in a new leadership role.
Joseph, heart connections and future direction.
Jedidiah, wisdom and direction for future school options.
Adam, peace through lots of transition.
Spend time anchored to His Presence and trust the tug on our tether. 

Life on the Mountain ... enjoy the view!

This one turned double digits in the midst of Vida Missions ...
He got to celebrate 3 different times! 

These are a few of his favorite things ...
Coffee and a fuzzy warm blanket.

A 10th birthday party complete with Mini golf in the rain!

How does one feed 140 youth, students and staff?
45 pizzas ... yes that is 45 pizzas from Little Caesars!

A taste from home! ...
Thanks Weaverland church for blessing us with the delicacy of whoopie pies! 

Another taste of home ...
Hugs from our people at Strasburg MC!
Thanks for coming to share life with us at Casa Vidanet!

Two reasons to celebrate, 13 and 51 ...
Love celebrating with my birthday buddy!

Arrived in PA in time for dinner at Mom's ...
First things first ...
Jedidiah is officially taller than his older brother!

Cycle riding 101 ...
Stay off the front yard, watch out for cars and
please shift out of first gear!

"Random" ... nah, God ordained breakfast.
PA, CR, OH ... kindred hearts. 

Thankful for foundations that Father laid in my life 25+ years ago ...
And, the gift of our boys building a friendship! 

Thanks Aunt Slushy for some cousin connections! ...
Someday Adam will catch up to them! 

Sharing hearts, tears, laughter and life ...
God knows what my heart needs!

It wouldn't be a visit to PA without a visit to Chic-fil-A!

"Random" ... nay, God ordained evening catching with these dear ones!
When the kids are away, the adults eat ice cream!
I love how God connects our hearts!

How to end our 10 day adventure in PA ...
Sunday night soft serve at Freeze and Frizz ...

"Random" ... nah, God ordained run in with Mr. Stamp,
Jedidiah's kindergarten teacher! 
He wore (and still has) green pants that matched Jedidiah's green shoes
on the last day of kindergarten. 

Monday night 10:30 pm arrival in CR ...
Tuesday morning 8:00 appt to have his wisdom teeth removed! 

Celebrating the bride to be ...

She's not my biological daughter ...
God connected our hearts and I love her like one!

Civil ceremony ...
We affirm and testify of God's goodness!

Vacation mode ... 
Took a ferry ride to arrive at the resort for rest and relaxation.

And finally, after 10 long months, it's time for graduation ...

Could not be more proud of these amazing students!
Trust the tug on your tether and go change the world!

Found this furry little critter at the end of our road! 

CR Mother's day ... it's a national holiday!

And the next day, they were married before God and these witnesses! 

Psalm 62:5, 8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 
Trust in him at all time, O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.