Sent as Senders

Advancing The Kingdom one player at a time!

I am One who is Sent, thanks to many of you. In my youthful years my appetite was wet to be a Sent One. I asked Father often; when, where, how, and with whom?  As being sent in my pre-wedded bliss years morphed into The Hoover family of six being sent long term, these questions have lingered often in my mind. In July, participating in parts of the Kairos course I hesitantly (a.k.a. can we handle another major life transition) asked Father, is there more? More that I can be part of in the 'normal' life we are living as Ones who are sent? I sensed His tender prompting that 'the more' is simply that I am sent to be a sender.  Intrigued by the concept and wanting to foster this prompting, I casually perused our library and came upon this treasure: "Serving As Senders" by Neal Pirolo. And, 'the more' took root in my soul. Advancing The Kingdom is a team effort. We need Senders (behind the scenes) and Sent Ones (goers) and there needs to be a balance in our thinking to see the value in both. Each one has a critical part in advancing The Kingdom where they are planted and we can't have one without the other. 

Let me indulge you with an analogy that has filled our living room and occupied our evenings for what feels like forever ... So much so, that it may actually be making a fan out of yours truly! "Here we go boys, play ball!" ...

The Kingdom as it relates to the sport of Baseball!  Lets start with home plate, I’ve said often that everyone needs a home base, a place to start from and return to. Thus I present to you, Casa Vidanet as our home base.  At Vidanet, we have an owner, that would be God, not Wendell nor was it Delynn. We need a pitching coach, hitting coach, first base coach, third base coach, a bench coach, a general manager and a manager, a starting pitcher, relief pitcher and closer, base runners, batters, designated hitters, a catcher, a pitcher and all the rest of the field positions, we need a water boy, a bat boy and a ball boy!  And of course we need fans, the unique camaraderie, cheers and chants, face painting and jersey wearing loyalty and their eager willingness to be part of the team.  These faithful fans bring us undying hope, we need fans! And we can’t forget the grounds crew. There wouldn’t be a playing field or neatly prepared home plate without the grounds crew.  I'm sure I’ve missed a few but you get the idea.  

We at Vidanet are certainly not a perfect team. Sometimes we strike out, miss a catch and make an error.  But we all know the celebration that comes when all the practice pays off and we get on base, hit a homerun or feel like we’ve won the World Series. The best part about maintaining home plate (being a sender) is that we get to see the start and the homecoming!  There’s always an anxious nervousness as one steps into the batter's box, gearing up for a hit.  That bat swinging, leg twitching, hand out - digging a toe hold, nervous energy that comes as one is ready to hit and run. Running home typically has two options: A casual sauntering across home plate knowing you’ve scored a run.  Or the heart pounding intensity as one sees the third base coach signaling you to keep going, running full speed, sliding into home base with a face full of dirt, praying you make it home safe. 

 
At Vidanet, everyone (the senders and the sent) needs to be a team player because everyone has a position to play.  The team rulebook speaks of living in community, building intentional relationships and having a dying to self-mentality which is naturally a bit challenging. In summary, one needs to find out what pleases our Owner and make a choice to obey him. On this team, there is equipping, training, coaching, accountability, character building and behavior modifying routines. The athletically strong learn to humble themselves to be a team player and those who don’t believe in their own ability learn their value and importance as a chosen team player. Oh the joy of being a sender for Team Vidanet! 

A month ago, we sent our players (graduating students) into the field (home, missions, work, school etc.).  We couldn’t be more proud of them. They’ve worked hard, trained diligently and anxiously await the adventures of said playing field. Together we 've learned the value of waiting on and asking Jesus what we should do.  We've connected them with Jesus, His local church and broadened their world view enabling them to dream about their next steps.  These are the amazing perks of being a sender! 

We, the Hoovers, are sent to be Senders. What an amazing position to play on The Kingdom's team! My deep, heartfelt desire is that you all would know the depths of gratitude we have for each of you as Senders who have unashamedly cheered us on as Sent Ones who send!  We appreciate your moral support.  We affirm you as teachers of The Word and worshipers who raise up more to send.  We are grateful for your logistical details and the way you create a Godly society around your daily lives at our home field. We know your work as Senders at times feels monotonous and routine, but to God be the glory, He has called you such and His Kingdom is advancing because of each of you!

What position is He asking you to play on The Kingdom team? 

A team effort ... Advancing The Kingdom ... Sent to send! 

Life on the Mountain

Today we are celebrating our family's birthday! We thank God for the gift of celebrating the story of US which began on that joyful Sunday afternoon in the park, 23 years ago today!  But first ... August. It has been a beautiful month to quiet down Casa Vidanet as we allowed ourselves the time to engage in things that refresh our soul and bring us life! It's been a month to regroup, refresh, and recover, as we've only hosted 3 weekend groups. We've read books, rested in the hammock, celebrated CR Mothers day, painted some walls, honed our skills with the gift of a new math program, binged on Star Wars (guilty pleasures of a Boy mom!), 1/2 of us traveled a bit to visit Joseph which titled Adam as the Man of the House for a few days, one of us officially became a licensed driver, we've utilized video chats to encourage those in the playing field, connected with neighbors, frequented the outlets looking for cheap treasures, cleaned and polished vehicles, puzzled, feasted on firepit fondue, slept more, gazed at sunsets, and reflected on the gift of you, the Senders who have sent us to be Senders! 

As September begins, we shift our focus and turn our hearts toward the start of a new year at Casa Vidanet.  Rest has been good as we await with anticipation, a new team of players to train, raise up and send out into the playing field! To God be the glory!

Praises 

Senders who have sent us.

Patience of the paint store staff.

HS prompting as we sit quietly in His presence.

Health and healing.

23 years of wedded bliss.

New life, birthing grandbabies of Vidanet.

The gift of being sent.

Prayers

Choosing God while living in the world - rendirme.

Focus for Jedidiah in school.

God's guidance for the start of a new year at VN.

A miracle of financial provision and medical wisdom for Dorita, our cook.

Bonding for our staff.

The gift of hearing and seeing God for our new students. 

Complete physical healing from respiratory colds.

Holy Spirit wisdom as we coach the new team. 

The beginnings of an amazing team of Sent Ones ... 
Happy 23rd family birthday! 

Celebrating CR Mothers Day with my 3/4 of my MM

Firepit Fondue ... Jedidiah's latest family night creation!

The smoky smell and "would you rather laughter" 

lingers in our household for days!

These 3 mini Mighty Men have captured my heart ... Adam is a big brother!

Date with Dad ...
"You're the man of the house while I'm gone, take care of mom!"
 
On the verge of tears ... "This green is NOT the right shade of green!"
(I wanted olive green not celery green to cover up the terracotta ...)

Returning to the paint store, I discovered his name was Jesus ...
And appropriately so as he literally preformed a miracle by
changing the color of paint in my can!

Repairing couches Costa Rica style ...
They completely disassembled the couch, replaced the supports and reassembled it ...
right on the garage floor! 

Token picture of Joseph working for mom's benefit! 
(PC - Micah)

Summertime visits in PA are synonymous with ...
Freeze n Frizz soft serve
Motorcycle excursions
Spruce Lake Hoover family week
Phillies game
Golf with dad 

Look out world ... This Tender Heart is legal on the open road! 

3/4's of our MM can legally drive Mom to town! 

August Sabbath Rest ... Refreshing our soul, be still and know ... 

"You are sent to be Senders"

 

 

A Sweet Sound to His Ears

Savoring the sound of this ones words ... 

I've hidden in the bathroom (door locked, shower running), ducked around the corner behind the door holding my breath, gingerly tiptoed up the carpeted stairs, and even slipped out the side door to the back deck in the middle of winter. But to no avail, the tribe of mini detectives I seemed to be raising knew exactly where to find me in middle of my "needing a mom moment".  Maybe you know the feeling, to many demands on your time and attention and you hear one more ... "Mooooooom!" Your shoulders tense up, you flinch at the sound of the voice calling, with an eye roll you let out a frustrated huff, and respond with less patience than the caller deserves, "WHAT?" I wish I could say I always had time for my precious, angelic children and answered with loving affirmation each time they called my name, but that is not humanly possible! Thankfully, as these mini detectives grew into Mighty Men, they learned that the "wait a minute mom finger coupled with pursed lips and the eyebrow raised glance" meant, Mom's in the middle of something, and needs a minute to pull it together before responding. Take a deep breath. 

In the midst of Vida missions chaotic activity, Father beckoned my spirit with the simplicity of this statement ... I love when you call My name, it is actually a sweet sound to My ears. "What?" I said out loud in my needing a mom moment mentality, "That's absurd!" But as I contemplated the depth of that simple statement, I imagined it like this.  When I call His name, it brings the same sentiment as new parents encouraging their wee one to babble ...  "Come on you can do it, ma-ma-ma-ma." Or when Declan and Kai get my attention with "Hey Mama Jen ..." Those moments when Adam, with a twinkle in his eye, calls me Jenny to get my attention. Or when my own MM say "Mother" sort of in eye-rolling exasperation because I did or said something ridiculous that brought them peels of laughter.  And, the melt-my-heart question, "Mama, can you tuck me in and tickle my face?" 

No matter if we utter His name in childlike trust or cry out in desperation, our voice warms His heart.  And unlike my motherly humanness, He doesn't hide away so we can't find him. When we call, His attention is ours and it brings Him so much joy to answer.  In a world that finds normalcy in abusing His name, when His children call His name, I believe it is a soothing sound to His ears! And not only is it pleasant to His ears, whispering His name restores our awareness of His Presence ... as simply as a child needing to know Mom's presence even when she's having a mom moment! 

The sound of our voice ... Sweet to His ears ... Summoning His Presence

Life on the Mountain

Vida Missions teams have all successfully returned home; we've prayed our students through one more mission experience that pushed them to trust completely in God as Provider; enjoyed 24+ hours relaxing in sand and surf; And just like that, our beautiful Vida220 students from 23/24 have graduated! We said our 'see ya laters and good byes' through tears and rejoicing, they are equipped and ready for what's next! Taking time to sleep and rest, we are finally on the mend from a nasty respiratory virus that has plagued our family (thankfully minus the nurse) for the last 3 weeks; And ... taking time to restore our awareness of His Presence as we speak His name. 

Praises 

Restored health

Joseph has a job and it's fun!

Time to breath

A school plan for Jedidiah

Our voice is soothing to His ears

Prayers

Adam missing friends and having anxious thoughts

Rest and refreshment for Micah

To rest well in the presence of Jesus

Wisdom as we mentor our staff

Family connections during a quiet month

To speak His name with boldness

Translating for a team at our church ...
His Spanish has far surpassed my chronologically advanced brain! 

It's official, he graduated and has entered the world of adulting! 

Time for a new look ...  
His neck hasn't felt a breeze for a few years!

  

Protective gear for the epic pillow fight of the century!

Here's the faithful crew ... sun up to sun down, 

the hands of Jesus serving the masses!

This is one way to feed the '5000' ...

Debriefing after the last VM ... 

can you feel the love?

On the look out for a person of peace and 

seeking God as their complete Provider. 

Ice cream ... the perfect way to celebrate ... 

Sadly, you can't see the rest of the 40 that filled this little corner store!

Here they are ... 15 beautiful souls graduated and ready to change the world! 

So thankful for life shared with this beautiful daughter! 

Thankful it's a 'see ya later' (and not goodbye) as she heads off to college.

 

He's such a neighborly dog ... he visits us multiple times a day!

This one is always welcome to clean up under our table!

 

Meet Marty, the newest member at my table.  

And ... Some of my favorite pic's from the summer!

Our worlds intermingled as a Vida Missions team served at our home church!

The sweetest Presence ...
"I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
over every heart and every mind
'cause I know there is peace within Your Presence, 

I speak Jesus!"

  

Secondhand Saturated Table Cloth

When it comes to buying, I love second hand bargains.  There's nothing quite like the thrill of finding that treasured bargain at a smidgen of the price and knowing it's exactly what I was 'digging' for through the racks of mismatched, unorganized articles.  When it comes to writing, is there any consideration for second hand bargains (a.k.a. ramblings worth repeating)? I know there are a few of you out there who could probably repeat this blog back to me verbatim because you blessed us with your supportive presence at our multiple church presentations this past year!  We shared this about 15 times over the past year and ... glory to God, He faithfully answered our prayer each time to bring a fresh word through our repeat ramblings to someone specific. Not only that, but He continued to nurture our hearts as we reused it over and over like a second hand bargain!  As I reread this recently published blog in EMM's Missionary Messenger, I sensed Father's prompting that I should share it once again through this forum. I am trusting Father that this repeat sharing will not feel like a "second hand bargain" but will leave you captivated by the intimacy of His invitation to dine at your saturated banqueting table. His invitation is unending and never second hand. 

I invite you to our dining room table … Our table is two 6-foot-long black folding tables stuck together. It is an ample size for a family of six, rather large for the 4 of us that live under our roof, but perfect for hosting friends. Our table is where people and things have gathered for many different reasons. It’s where family life is shared, meetings happen, prayers are prayed, homework is done, wash is folded, games are played and puzzles are completed, arguments happen and celebrations commence, life is contemplated and Dad jokes laughed at, it’s a place for tears to fall and for people to linger over coffee, and of course … food, a rich supply of nutrients are shared around our bountiful table.

Reflecting on the table in Psalm 23, specifically vs 5.  Father God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, He anoints our head with oil and our cup overflows.

Imagine as you will, your table that Father has prepared for you. My banqueting table catches the morning sun, has plants on a 1/3 of it, a candle in the middle, two chairs and one stool for Adam if he joins me in the morning. This table is where I feast on His Word, savor His promises, and devour the instruction He serves up. It’s where I can hear Him the clearest, it’s sacred and holy ground. But the beautiful thing about this table is that it is prepared in the presence of our enemies. I imagine it like a snow globe effect or the powering up of the “Deflector shield generators from Star Wars”, everyone can see through it but no one can touch what’s inside!  Whether chaos and tragedy ensues all around us or we are peacefully mesmerized by hummingbirds and the sunset, His peace awaits us at the table that He has prepared for us.

At my table, there is always a cup of creamy warm coffee. And, my cup of coffee is overflowing and saturating the tablecloth! Now, to the seasoned coffee connoisseur, this is an absurd image but let me explain … This image of the overflowing cup comes from the days of David and was a symbol of invitation, welcome or dismissal. If a host kept the cup full, the guest knew they were welcome. If the cup was empty, not refilled, the host was indicating it was time for the guest to leave. However, if the host really enjoyed the company, he would fill the cup to overflowing and let it spill over the rim saturating the table ... Let this sink in before reading on … Dear friends, He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, and our cup is overflowing!

Over the past 4 years our journey has been marked with deep pain, sadness and loss.  Had it not been for our time at this table, I’m quite certain we would not still be serving in Costa Rica. July of 2020, right in the middle of Covid, the founder and former director of our ministry died suddenly from a heart attack. While we were scrambling and trying to pick up the pieces, six months later, our dear friend and our boy’s youth leader died from Covid complications. We spent the next year trying to keep the ministry ship afloat and trying to look to Jesus as the captain of that ship. But by August of 2021, we were nearing burn out and needing a rest. We returned stateside to spend time resting in the arms of Jesus and regaining the ground the enemy was trying to steal. Praise God, as we spent time at our saturated table, and sought counsel, He restored our souls and we returned to CR in November of 2021 ready to serve where He has placed us.

At Vidanet, I have the amazing privilege of mentoring and discipling our staff girls. My personal time at my table is a vital necessity as I shepherd their hearts toward Jesus while working through hurts from their past and present. One of my favorite things to do is spend time on the rocking chairs (my office) with them sharing coffee, conversation and Jesus.  Demonstrating the simplicity of taking time to listen and care, my hope is that they see, learn and experience the value of communing at their table. I can hardly express the deep sense of peace and joy when they understand their value and that their personal cup is always overflowing! The realization that they have a welcome invitation to remain at their table with Jesus through their daily lives is life changing! Oh the beauty of Jesus’ transforming work. And, I get to enjoy delicious coffee while He does it!

Soaking in His invitation ... Lounging at the table ... Anointed peace. 

Life on the Mountain

In a family of 40, we had a few birthday's to celebrate; Vida Missions weeks 1 and 2 wrapped up and was stretching; Entering into week #3 of Vida Missions organized chaos - tomorrow we welcome 112 youthful souls ready for a life changing adventure - Jesus, lead us to the cross! A week of Kairos dramatically changed our mission mindset - Praise God!  Adam is enjoying 2 week of vacation and unending adventure with friends; Jedidiah is preparing to be Jr. staff and give leadership to work projects; Joseph just returned to PA after a 17 day westward adventure; Micah is learning the balance of rest and work, leadership and friendship and seeking heavenly wisdom for student's next steps; We've binged on The Chosen and we've been enjoying Little House on the Prairie marathons (no, I don't twist their arms, they willing say yes!) and ... savoring the intimacy of our table with our saturated table cloth. 

Praises

Sensing the presence of Jesus during Vida Missions

Changed lives in the routine of Vida Missions

Peaceful sleep

Sweet connections with students, they are amazing!

Physical strength and spiritual insight.

Emotional ups and downs but grounded in His sweet presence.

Prayers

Direction for next steps in school for Jedidiah

A job for Joseph

Adam's focus in school

Physical healing over Micah's body

Balance for rest and work 

To receive strength, fortitude and vision as we feast at our saturated table 

My banqueting table ...

A saturated invitation ...

Relishing my "full" table as a family of six!

Brotherly love ... 

One more, "Act like you love each other!"

What happens IF you don't follow the rules ...
He's a man with a manchette!

Celebrating dad with homemade soft pretzels and
a video call with Joseph!

Celebrating #11 for Adam ... 
We found a bowling alley in Costa Rica! 

A taste of the journey Joseph and buddies were on ...
Captivating sights! 

Legos in the Library ...
A perfect spot on a rainy afternoon! 

When your friends are away and you say to Dad
"what can I do, I'm SO bored!?" ...
Why, organize receipts of course! 

My handsome breakfast date to celebrate the start of vacation!

Kairos graduates ...
A perspective altering week! 

The "sick" bench ...
While the rest played futbol, the injured kept Mama Jen company!

Celebrating July and August days of birth ...
can you believe there's even a few missing!

The stinging, cool ride when you take the cycle home 

and can't beat the rain ...

And, gathering around our table to celebrate #52 a few days early
before the chaos ...
Savoring the gift of these moments when we can all be together!