Why Blog?

Vacation sunshine ... 

Exactly why do I blog? That's a good question ... Most prominently, it satisfies my incessant desire to stay connected.  It's a safe outlet for me to share my heart knowing I don't have to see most of you the next day ... ummm wait, that is not exactly true this week! My hope is to inspire hope in loved ones from afar as you read my ramblings.  As I find freedom in this outlet of creative expression, perhaps you feel 'connected' too. Of course there is this thing called prayer.  Like all good missionaries, we share prayer requests so our mighty warriors can go to battle, standing in the gap for our family.  It works! And finally ...as with any well polished, dedicated scrap-booker, I blog so that my children, future daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and those not yet born will be inspired by the journey of life Father has lead us on. I used to love when my grandparents told their stories of life as they knew it from the previous century. In the absurdity of my pride, perhaps someday "Life on the Mountain" will be equated to our family's love for watching "Little House on the Prairie" : )

As I read from Psalm 102, He prompted my spirit with these sentiments ... vs. 18-22 "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord ... So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.!" ... What story are you writing for future generations? Don't be shy, we all have a story to tell ... What hope do you have to share?

Today I can hardly contain my joy as I share this story ... again! Summer of 2016 we were speaking at churches to gain financial and prayer support for life in CR.  We were disappointed to hear this particular church we were speaking at was not going to give any financial support. We came away from that time wondering and asking "Why God, why did you lead us there with nothing to show for it?" Quite honestly, it felt like a waste our resources, energy and time. You know, that ugly self righteous mindset just marched right over anything the Holy Spirit had to say to us!  Fast forward 15 months ... The start of Vida220 2017 and who should we meet?  A beautiful young woman of God who just happened to hear about VidaNet and it's Vida220 program on July 31, 2016 when we came to speak at her church ... You know, that church where we felt was a waste of our time? And now ... fast forward to August 2018. she has graduated the program and is returning as a leader because Father has called her "Chosen, beautiful, loved, treasured, His princess" ... She has a story to share because of God's grace and our obedience.

Your Story ... His glory ... Future generations

Life on the Mountain
Our week started with a few relaxing days at a vacation resort with the students and staff of VidaNet ... a well deserved time for these amazing students! We returned to our cold mountain top and right back into work ... banquet plans to finalize, re-entry, graduation plans, room prep for families joining our celebration.  Graduation was a beautiful time of celebrating their stories over the last 10 months.  Saturday was a day to be at home, so thankful for 5 mighty men to help me clean, do laundry, prepare supper for 20+ people!  Today is Monday.  We are excited to welcome my parents as Daryl and I prepare to leave on Wednesday for 12 days in the States ... What are you blogging today?

Praises
17 students graduated and taking Father's love to their nation
Grandparents willing to travel to CR and take care of our boys
Grandparents, family and friends waiting to hug us in the states
Our neighbors went to church on their own when we were away, HUGE praise!
Beautiful relaxing vacation with our VidaNet family
Martha's hope in her desperate life situation

Prayers
Safe travel
Healing for Micah and Jedidiah
Successful banquets, unity in our leadership team
Strength, peace and fortitude as our students return to "their worlds"
Open hearts for Daryl and I as we have alone travel time!
Sweet connections with friends and family even though the time will be short
Healing for Angelica's mom, that the tumor would be benign

We're going on vacation!!!

Night out ... with kids!

Mama's day celebration at school
CR Mother's day, August 15th

They got the memo, grey pants, grey shoes and VidaNet shirt!

 

This box is big enough for 2 or 3 breakfasts for this crew ...
Thanks Shilling and Zuercher families

Ferry ride to our vacation destination

Micah and Declan sharing snacks on the Ferry ride ... 

Mount House School celebration for Fathers

17 Mighty warriors ... off to make an impact on their world!

Scarred for Life

Celebrating CR Mother's Day

It was a simple question. One in my field of expertise that came with an easy answer. My assessment felt natural, non-invasive and this vocabulary from my second language flowed easily as if it were my mother tongue. Our interaction began with familiarity as I gathered the necessary information, oggled and googled over the precious wee one accompanying her, and began my simple physical assessment.

The question: 

"Why do I have pain, a burning pain, on this side of my C-Section scar?" 

The ache this question left in the core of my being brought a surprising flood of emotion. As I shared my advice and walked out of the room, feelings of lament that have been hidden in my depths began to surface ... I left the best job in the world. It began like an old film reel ... The first birth I witnessed, the last God ordained birth I labored with. The affirmation from my L/D instructor that this is what I was created for. Flashes of the Ones I "caught", the Ones I missed, the Ones I handed over to Jesus.  Scenes from the multitude of tears we shared ... tears of exhaustion, joy, apprehension, unconditional love, pain, sorrow, nervous energy, death. Then, the mix of emotion as I 'viewed' the 4 births and 2 deaths of our 6 Mighty men.  And finally, Father gently cupping my face and letting me cry as I said goodbye to labor and delivery. 

Life will always carry with it those circumstances that evoke strong emotions and memories. I don't think I will ever look at a pregnant lady without wanting to know her story.  There will always be a longing to share those breathless moments awaiting a newborn's first cry.  However, my role as an L/D nurse has changed. I've been given me the privilege to share life with the women of El Nido and all that grace the path to Casa VidaNet. I currently hashtag (hashtag - rolling my eyes) myself as a Wife, Mom, Nurse, Hospitality Coordinator, Counselor, Missionary and Lover of Jesus. All encompassing ... I'm a "Bringer of Life".  As said Bringer of life, what I've been challenged with is simply this ... What is my response if someone "interrupts" my concentration?  Are my meditations pleasing to Him if that one more person needs one more thing taxing my last ounce of patience? When my path is graced with a lost and wandering soul, what is my response? Do these circumstances evoke those same strong emotions that make me long to know their story and wait with breathless anticipation as they take their first breath as a new born follower of Jesus? 

Scarred for, Passionate about, Bringer of ... LIFE

Life on the Mountain

It's time to catch our breath ... a little.  Leadership retreat, reviewing our vision and dreaming for more. Praying and sending off our students on an L10 experience ... then rejoicing with them as they shared their stories of God's provision and favor.  Walking through the ups, downs, joys, trials and life with El Nido.  Taxes are ready??!!!! Family evenings at home, Futbol, Field trips, school activities including the CR Mother's day celebration and the gift of sleeping in on a rainy Saturday morning ... Finding life in CR.  

Praises

Safety for students on L10

Healing from all the colds, virus and 'stuff'

Date night to share our hearts ... reevaluating how we listen and react

A new phone

Remembering the precious life of our son, Elijah Zachary ... 8/11/11

Prayers

Vida220 Graduation, Friday 8/17 ... Pray for them as they go out from Casa VidaNet

Clarity and direction for their futures

Martha, as life is desperately hard these days

Healing for Gloria's foot

Safety for our travel to VidaNet Growth banquets in PA and OH

Pray for Mom and Dad Diener as they stay with our mighty men in CR so we can attend these banquets

Raising up another Mighty man ...
Micah hangin' with Declan while we had meetings all day!

Cotton Candy!!!
Treats from a local church celebration.

This boy and his hair ... and NO, you can't dye it black!

  

Can I shave like Micah? ... of course, in 10 years!

Rainy Saturday morning ... playing house

Ready for adventure and
to experience the hand of God's provision!

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You! Psalm 63:3

Quiet Pastures

This may look lush and green ...
not my quiet pasture ...

The tears are flowing.  Possibly a form in which my soul 'de-stresses'. Perhaps it's just the sweet intimacy of His comforting presence.  We just came to the end of a very full week, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Saturday dawned and I was drained of every last ounce of everything .. We stumbled through the day spewing harsh words and hiding behind the mask of smiles. We bore witness to the power of prayer Saturday evening as the walls started to crumble. And then, there was Sunday morning ...

We arrived late to church but in hindsight, it was His perfect timing.  As the crowd was singing, "Psalm 23 ... El Senor es mi pastor, nada me faltera ... en pastos delicados ... El me hara descansar."  The tears started almost as soon as I crossed the threshold of this sanctuary.  His words whispered tenderly to my soul, "This is what I have for you today" ... His gentle reminder came from Deuteronomy 33:12, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” And then I saw it ... It was the sweetest, most peaceful resting place one could ever imagine ... Lush green pastures, small tricking brook, sun and shade, the ground wasn't hard or uncomfortable ... And, He was holding me.

I know we are not alone in this race.  I know many of you come to the end of your day as depleted as I felt.  Do you know that intimate place where the tears can flow freely? Do you know the tender embrace of the One who gives renewing life? To know the power of His love as He holds me close ... This is my quiet pasture.

Communion with The Creator ... Rest in the Everlasting Arms ... Lacking nothing

Life on the Mountain
Communion and goodbyes with our beloved Carpenter Community Church youth group ... Micah and Joseph were blessed to be apart of this VM group ... life at home with two boys was quite different ... And then, there was Sunday morning.

Praises
Sweet connections with our home youth group
Open hearts of our boys
Power of prayer
Reconnecting with El Nido after a long month


Prayers
To finish out this summer glorifying Him
Positive attitudes
Refreshing moments of intimacy
Health

Adam and Ema ... "I have a lot of girl friends!"

Carson and Joseph!

Captain America and Iron Man!

Micah's 'quiet pasture' ...
Where have the years gone?

Cousins and
"Cousin, not a cousin, but really is a cousin"

Taking advantage of the "quiet" moments

The week completed with a vacation day ... 

Micah working and Joseph ...
contemplating his next adventure as Iron Man??

"See ya later" ...

The Familiar

Youth group at the Hoovers ... 

This week Carpenter Community Church invaded Casa VidaNet.  These two worlds colliding has made my heart full, taken my emotions on a roller coaster and the constant chatter has left my voice weary.  The hugs, laughter, and connections for our boys are making memories that will not be soon forgotten.  Having this taste of home brings to reality how much I've changed, they have grown in stature and brings me face to face with the fact that CR is home.  I thought their presence here would leave me longing for the safe and familiar 'home' we used to know and love.  Oddly enough, it's done just the opposite.  Sure I miss those honest heart to hearts with people who have walked through life with me. Quite surprisingly, I haven't found myself longing to steal away in an empty suitcase as a stow-away.  With each 'taste of home' we've experienced, it settles a little deeper in my heart that for now, this is home.  Undoubtedly I will always miss Akron, family and friends and sharing the miracle of birth. Nevertheless, He called, by faith we stepped into the unknown and now ... Our lives have been ruined for the ordinary.  Spending time with "the familiar" here in CR has made me realize the deep seeded peace that has settled in my soul with this acknowledgement ...  CR has become our home until He releases us to go and I can say, "It is well with my soul!"

His perfect peace ... Settled in my soul ... I can say, It is well!

Praises
Safe travel for teams coming and going
The gift of fellowship
Micah and Joseph experiencing the reality of Vida Missions
Pre-ordering groceries at Price Smart to feed our army

Prayers
Sound sleep
Let them see Jesus in us
Jesus guard our boys hearts as friends return to their home
VidaNet Growth banquets in August and September

Life on the Mountain 
Fellowship ... sharing ... praying and crying together ... laying our burdens at the feet of The One who sustains us ... Checking off the lists ... and finally, Sunday afternoon quiet time naps.

The Masked men in a game of Seven Wonders

Joseph playing a game ...
Miracles happen when friends invade your home!

Beach babes ... Awaiting the delicacy
of Rice and Beans for Caribbean night

This crew ... so much life to share ...
Rice and Beans and Patacones!

Cousins in Costa Rica ...
Adam is basking in their affection ...
Where's Bob? Adam hasn't left his side either!

Sharing life and Dominos ...
I still remember the days when we
couldn't leave these two alone!

Together forever, weathering the storms of life ...
Holding the hand of the Maker of storms ...

Adam's Science Fair project on Recycling ...
He made the product, Mama made the poster. 

When you didn't bring a skirt to CR ...
Of course you invade your Aunt's closet!

Familiar faces ... love and laughter

We've had some visitors this week ...
God bless the feet that inhabit these shoes!

My heart is happy ... Feeling the physical love of a Father who loves to bless His children

Just A Number

Brownies and Ice Cream ...
Sunday supper surprise

I celebrated the start to my 46th year of life with a hot pack on my lower back.  I obviously lifted something the day before without listening to the protest of my then 45 year old body. It's a valiant reminder that my waning stomach muscles have chosen not to offer the necessary support to my senescent lower back on such endeavors. I don't like growing old.  Don't get me wrong, I am beyond grateful to receive another healthy year of life, reveling in Father's favor.  I don't usually like a lot of hype when it comes to celebrating my age, sure it's fun to feel special and loved. But truth be told, if I could stop the yearly reminders of this aging process ... I would. Coming face to face with the silvery tresses of wisdom and skin crinkled and pleated from laughter each morning makes me want to slam on the brakes of life and plead for time to stop.  Each year I'm presented with the choice ... embracing the number and celebrating this gift of life, or wallowing in the whittling frame and atrophying muscles of this physical body that will one day pass away. 

One would think as a God fearing missionary, lover of The Creator of life, go where You send me kind of person I claim to be ... I would chose the former. Alas, the struggle is real. It's just that I don't like the effects this yearly celebration has on my physical body.  I know, that sounds so vain. I think He's laughing as I bare my soul to this anticipating audience ...

He's laughing because He knows my heart ... While I may protest and plead for this aging process to stop, He knows that in the intimate depths of my soul, I hunger for wisdom that grows from maturity of years walking intimately with Him. I wait with anticipation to see what heights will we soar, what depths will we traverse in this next year.  He knows that although I despise what sin has done to this aging process, what I long for most is to feel my Father's passionate embrace, to know the intimacy of His breath on my face, to walk hand in hand with Him in the power that causes darkness to flee ... Can you see Him? He's rolling His eyes, shaking His head and laughing with me as I choose to dance gleefully in the arms of the Heavenly hosts while we laugh in the face of Age.

Embracing the wrinkles ... He knows my heart ... Vanity, oh vanity

Life on the Mountain
Another whirlwind week ... 86 participants and 22 staff returned from outreach to join the 31 participants and 5 staff that had inhabited Casa VidaNet while they were gone.  165 mouths to feed is no easy task.  The end of the week we sent them home with hugs, tears and the peace that His presence has moved mountains in each ones lives. Saturday we tried to recoup a bit while cleaning and doing wash ... Sunday we celebrated the joy of having Esteban and Nellie join us at church as they chose to dedicate Santiago to God.

Praises
Neighbors who see God's life reflected instead of our humanness
Life with Vida Missions
Daryl's spirit is resting in the peace of God
God connections at Price Smart ... He is amazing!
Unity in our leadership team ... growing together and supporting each other
Heart to heart with Rosario

Prayers
God's Word to resonate in Esteban and Nellie's hearts
Healing for a lot of Casa VidaNet ...
Healing for Joseph and Jedidiah
Positive re-connection for us as our CCC Youth group joins us this week
Strength for each day
Trust instead of worry

Happy birthday to me ... 

10 Kilos of diced Green beans to feed our army

When you find free girls sneakers in your son's size ...
You spray paint the soles,
 change the laces and sharpie the pink tags ...
"no one will ever know" ... unless they read my blog!

Bagging 500+ pounds of coffee ...
Who wants to place an order? 

Chocolate explosion ... Of course I indulged!

Blessed by Allen and Gloria with FREE birthday Coseches

What are you guys waiting for? ...
Make up or the microwave ...

Laughing in the face of Age with this crew ... 

Trying out the selfie stick

Faith of a child ... praying for Santi