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Sunday, July 2, 2017

The Simplicity of Light

His light shining upon us!
And then, there was light!  Things in life I take for granted ... light!  It was 1:30 in the afternoon, there was no storm, no loud crash, no reason for the event that just happened ... all of a sudden, my world was silent.  The constant hum of 'life' in our house had stopped. My mind was a buzz with questions as we soon realized we were not alone in our world of silence. Not alone indeed, we were keeping company with all of Costa Rica, parts of Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.  Finding ourselves in the midst of a major power outage throughout many parts of Central America questions raced through my mind "what will we do about ...?"  The battery life on our phones, kindles and computers would run out soon enough and with no wifi, we found ourselves unable to connect with much of the outside world.  The feelings of anxiety soon gave way to the glorious sense of peace with the realization that we may need to play games by candle light tonight!

My thoughts turned to the simplicity of a lifestyle without electricity and the feelings it evoked within me felt much like Jonah in the depths of the belly of a whale... dark, quiet, time to think, silence! Except for the fact that I have 4 mighty men in this "belly" with me, "Uh, God, what do I do now?" As I mixed up Stromboli dough and set it to rise I thanked God we have a gas stove and not an electric one.  As the silence ensued I started a mental list of "The simple things in life to thank God for".

The simplicity of His love - Peace ... Felt in the recesses of my soul - Faith ... I am my Beloved's and He is mine - Pure Love 

My thoughts of today on the simple things of life seeped into this past week and thus birthed ...
Life on the Mountain ... Keeping it simple! It's all about the little things that have kept our eyes locked on the one who made Heaven and earth ... "Where can I go from your presence ... even "there" your hand will guide me, your right hand will keep me safe!" ... A light above my sink seemed simple in my mind ... not so in my "fix-it" hubby's
He knows my heart ... 
mind.  However, Father took care of it for us, of course He knew just what I wanted! ... Meeting Andrea at the park and receiving valuable information:  the name of the kids futbol coordinator and where the local Zumba class was held! ... Laughing with Sonya, our neighbor, about the fact her dog Tara must be bilingual because she responds to her in Spanish and Adam in English! ... Diego's blossoming friendship, he is our local bread stores owner and loves to share all God is doing in his church ... Laura, our mechanic's daughter, sweet, encouraging, understanding and full of God's love ... Feeling ready for the long trip to renew our visas in Nicaragua, with the comfort of Liz's hand drawn map! ... Delicious Milkshake treat to break up the long drive home ... Micah's gift of companionship traveling with dad through the hills and valleys of CR ... an hour of quiet time for this Mama while the boys worked at the base with dad ... Micah getting his shoes green by mowing the lawn ... a yard full of plants, trees, flowers for me to enjoy ... Angels working overtime, protecting the students from harm when they were involved in an accident that totaled our van ...

Prayers
2 vans in good working order
Decisions for school
Vida Missions team in Honduras and CR
Samuel and Dylan as they return to the base and make a decision on "what next"
Unity, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification

Praises
Electricity returned after 4 hours instead of the projected 24 hours
Health
Neighbors and a community to interact with
He knows our every need and provides His best for us



And, for those who prefer viewing instead of reading ... my list of simple things continues in photo form ...
Adam's birthday gift from Rosaria

He painted the expanse of the sky for little ol' me ...

A boy and his swing ... such a gift

Completed pantry shelves ...
thank you Gabo!

Candle light dinner ... home made stromboli ...
Herr's chips on sale for $1.25 ... the lights came back on

wrapped in the warmth of a blanket fresh out of the dryer

the refreshing gift of dew ... Mt Dew

Milkshakes shared with a T-Rex ...
their eyes were sparkling with excitement

eggs for breakfast anyone?

ummmm, what can I say?

his energy relinquished ... he stopped moving ...
snuggles from a sweet little kitty

The simplicity of a child's perspective ...
the sweetness of making our house a home!



Sunday, June 25, 2017

Internal Processing ... A Window to His Soul

Yup, he's mine!
A deep sigh, one arm crossed in front, the other hand goes to his chin, the intensity of his furrowed brow that supersedes the far away look in his deep set eyes is only a mask to what lies deep within.  Silence ... Internal processing, his mind is processing, filing, reorganizing the data received.  Silence ... sometimes it's easier to just be quiet, sometimes a tear falls, other times the intense stare remains.  Silence ... he's not ignoring me, just processing where to store the data and how to respond.  Strong, steady, stable ... he is exactly the kind of Mennonite boy I  did not want to marry!  His organized thoughts bring my world into order, his contemplative thinking prevents me from making irrational decisions, the depth and intensity of his soul and the mischievous laughter in his eyes are what cause me to love God more for the perfect gift he's given me in a soulmate.

A question I've been pondering ... who provides the stability when the one who stabilizes is off balance?  For someone who functions best with order, routine and stability, a move like one we're living through can be stretching to say the least!  How does one who is stable and prefers structure thrive in a lifestyle that is constantly changing and uncertain from one day to the next?  The struggle to remain hopeful is real when you can't calculate, process and predict the outcome of the task.  His call is to serve God faithfully by supporting Delynn and the work of VidaNet has not changed ... however, in all honesty, his vision is cloudy and his heart is heavy.

His commitment, unwavering ... His determination, unfaltering ... His strength, worshiping the ONE who has given the Call. 

A year ago Father gave us this passage in preparation for this move.  The faithful Father that He is, gently reminded us again this week... 2 Chronicles 20:15-17  This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'  ... The key to this victory was Praise and Worship. vs. 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated!  God, fill his heart with praise once again ...

Life on the Mountain
It's cold ... relatively speaking!  We've added another blanket to our bed, the boys actually cover up at night here and, we're only 20 minutes up the mountain! ... Daryl: work projects at the base, giving direction to the workers, doing the manly things to make our new house a home, shopping (had to highlight that one) for new pants, size 36 down to size 32 - if only I could be so lucky! ... Jen: unpacking - the students left for El Salvador so I took the week to settle in, finding a place for everything, finishing school with Jedidiah, I've had to use our dryer which I haven't used in 6 months! Boys: taking walks to the futbol field, helping dad at the base, helping mom at home, finishing up school projects ... Adam: growing into 4T clothing, spending his days outside in the grass playing with the 2 neighbor dogs, making friends with Matias, 2 year old neighbor boy and "sharing" his riding toys, speaking more Spanish each day!

Praises
-Our new house
-Jedidiah's 5th spiritual birthday, 21st
-Celebrating Adam's 4th birthday, 22nd
-Peaceful sleep, no loud trucks
-A husband who fixes things around the house
-Last week of school

Prayers
-Hope and encouragement for Daryl
-Our gaze fixed on things above, not on earthly things
-Students and staff traveling to El Salvador and Honduras
-Witness and relationship with our landlords
-Samuel, Dylan and Vidanet as we pick up the pieces since Margot's death
-Jedidiah vomiting and diarrhea - pray he doesn't share!
-Direction as we process the best school options for the boys


Our cozy yellow house!

Talent show ... Adam singing "Where ... Donde?"

Adam's constant playmates this week ...
loving the fact he can play outside!

personal touches ... it's beginning to feel like home 
Banana Split to celebrate his life in Christ!



In a family of 25+, there are a lot of hairs to cut!

Smash Burger ...
there's good reason we don't have a TV in our dining room!


"Sharing" Mati's toy while he's at school!

Mr. Fix-it ... "Mom, I fix things like dad!"
Happy 4th sweet boy

Sitting on our window seat, beautiful sun, tropical breeze ...
I may not know what the future holds,
but I know WHO holds my future! 





Sunday, June 18, 2017

Akron ... a.k.a. Los Angeles de San Rafael

As I write, I find myself once again surrounded by boxes and piles of our earthly possessions that need to find their place in our new home.  Yesterday, we moved into a cozy house that is painted with rustic Costa Rican colors.  I've often said, "If my house could be painted with cozy fall colors, I'd feel so happy." Well ... He's done it again, He's blessed us beyond measure and given us this beautiful rental property to make into our home.  So blessed by all your prayers and petitions on our behalf for this endeavor! We've moved out of the city and up the mountain to be surrounded by fruit trees, at the end of a quiet street (no loud mufflers and no Jake brakes), in a small community with a futbol field, park, bread store and small grocery store and ... our roof doesn't leak! After living in transition for the last year and 1/2, it feels so good to unpack all the boxes and suitcases and call this place, home.  In many ways, Los Angeles de San Rafael feels like Akron, PA.

Tonight, we celebrated Fathers Day and christened our home with Root beer floats, (vanilla ice cream for $8.00 1/2 gallon ... there's good reason we only buy it for special occasions), Herr's Kettle Cooked chips and pretzel rods from PA.  

My eyes are weary ... Our week starts in T minus 6 hours ... No inspirational thoughts ... A pictures worth a thousand words ... welcome to:

Life on the Mountain ... 


Animal lover ... always finds a pet

Why is there always water in this lamp? 

Supervising the work ... entertaining the workers.

Smile and act like you're working

Sanding, sanding and sanding ... 

Talent show ...
Ventriloquist telling jokes with Gary!

Don Papi, Grillin' 100 hot dogs! 

End of School celebration ...
foot long hot dogs and stacked burgers!

El Nido Cafecito ... Cooking show ...
Microwave Cake in a Mug!
Calling their imaginary friends in "Spanglish"

Libre para correr, danzar y cantar ...
te extrano mucho Mama Margot.
securing the gate ...

Cuco, with the patience of Job!

He was in Heaven ... pressure washing every inch!

Hanging curtains ... no rods, no worries ... staple them up!

Lizard hunt success!

Makes sense ...
mix the concrete right where you're going to use it!

Commemorating graduation with a dress and heals ...
so proud of you Carmelinda!

Micah, can you move the van? ...
Ok!! Teaching manual transmission ... Dad's turn!
 
Moving ... Moving ... Moving


This is how a family of 25 moves in one day!

I'll hold the mattress up for you ...

And, when there's no more room inside the van!

Rustic colors ... peace in the chaos

Mom, this floor is dirty ...

God's handiwork ... Costa Rican Caterpillar 

Fathers from the Bible ... Adan y David!

Adorable ... 

Blessing the Fathers at church ... 
Too much energy ... doing exercises before bed!

Dirty knees ... Soccer cleats ... Happy Mama!