Waking Thoughts

Auntie Anne's in CR!

Life as we know it offers many things to occupy our waking moments.  I'm curious, what is the first thing you think of upon waking in the morning?  (This is where you stop reading and think). Perhaps you went to sleep with blissful thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner and wake to the delicious aroma of said dinner.  If your week involves a check list, it is hardly conceivable that you wake with none other than the mental list and pen in hand.  Before my body morphed into that of life bearing mother, a.k.a before I accepted the title of responsible adult ... my waking thoughts as I contemplated life were about daisies, bell bottoms, my 'mom-mom sweater' and 25 less pounds of me to love.

There was no such foolishness that a day starting with dreary rain clouds was made for burrowing deeper into my downy abyss. No way! Sleeping in especially when on vacation was forfeiting lost moments basking in the love of the sun! (I kid you not, just ask Peg!) It was His promise from Psalm 17:15 that roused my said hippie self from peaceful slumber ... And I, in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Who wouldn't want to wake up and see His face?! I had this posted by my bed and subconsciously would speak it to my soul at times before being fully aware that the day had dawned. He's given me other promises to wake with ... one of my favorites has been Psalm 143:8-10 "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You ... show me ... rescue me ... teach me." My soul waking to His tender promises has been life-giving to say the least!

Fast forward 17 years ... wife of one, mom of four, lover of The One ... and He decides to remind me of aforementioned lifestyle because I've made the choice to carry my burdens to bed with me. Oh He's tried before, it's not like He's waited these entire 17 years to remind me. But somehow, in His customary fashion, He's posted this little note on my bulletin board in our house in Costa Rica ... "What are your first thoughts when waking up in the morning?" I remember when and where I penned this challenge. However, I haven't the faintest idea how and when it was posted to life in CR and I most certainly did not see it before this morning!

I have a choice ... Prince of Peace, I choose what You are offering ... How about you?   

Life on the Mountain
Predominant thanksgiving for the week ... Adam got his cast off and pin out of his arm! Thankful for neighbors who help carpool ... Moments of an unguarded heart with a dear neighbor ... Laughter with the girls at a ladies Tea while the Boys went to the mall ... Tender moments of hearing my soulmates heart ... receiving the challenge to listen, love and be accountable ... A Friday night at home and laughter with The Cosby Show ...

Praises
Gift of attending graduation for Martha and her daughter
6 teams chosen and appointed ... look out Central Am., here they come!
 https://www.facebook.com/122887907733455/videos/2046642412022663/
English conversation when Spanish just doesn't flow
Jedi's grades, he doesn't need to take his final math or science exam!
Wendell and Mel for asking and listening
A sister to hold me accountable

Prayers
Inner healing week for staff and students, pray for Father's heart to be revealed
Daryl as he participates in this week
Gloria and Delynn as they lead this week
Ema's health

4th Grade Science project, model of Cell structure ...
Ironically, Micah in 10th grade wrote a report on Cell structure ...
I should have read the report before helping make these models!

He's at it again ...
this time he climbed a tree to 'rescue' a fat,
possibly pregnant lizard

Yeah, Cast is off! ... 
Brave boy as he got stitches out and patiently let the Doctor remove the embedded pin from his wrist! 

Fall pictures can't be all serious ...

"George of the Jungle"

"hey ladies!"

Trying to look cool ... no words for this boy!

Oh the weather outside is DELIGHTFUL! ...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... 

A shot of dessert  ... a fraction of the calories!

The three amigos ... constant chatter ... boundless energy ...
what one doesn't think of, the other one does!

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You ...

Releasing Tears

I woke today with tears just under the surface of my being ... a gentle rain was falling, our household had a restless night after awaking to a power out that left us in the darkest night without even the sound of neighborhood dogs to break the silence. It was one such morning that I needed His presence to physically lift me out of my downy abyss I defiantly clung to. "Just one more hour" I pleaded. I find it ironic that the youngest cherub I bore life to 5 years ago feels just as strongly to the opposite spectrum of this activity ... "Just one more minute" he pleads as he defiantly refuses to climb the stairs to the downy abyss that waits to envelop his angelic form.  Both activities, 12 hours apart evoking the same emotions, leaving both sets of eyes brimming with tears in their wake.

Crying in the shower brings such healing as the warm water pours over the mix of emotions flowing from my eyes. However, today being Sunday and not wanting puffy eyes to accompany me to church, I willed the tears to hold fast in their borders. He would release them in time and with their release would come the healing balm for my soul. These tears were not ones of sadness or hopelessness, on the contrary, with each profession and confession, their healing trickle brought hope, peace, release and freedom.  Sometimes you just need to cry!

Tears for hurting relationships, tears as life ends and for when life begins, tears for decisions made and yet to be made, tears for words spoken in frustration and for words held captive, tears of confession, tears of reconciliation, tears of understanding and tears of laughter ... Today was a day of knowing His sweet presence through those who helped release these tears. As the sun surrenders my day to the peaceful solitude of night I'm peacefully reminded ... In His presence is fullness of joy.

 Have a good cry ... Joy unspeakable joy ... Releasing the valve

Life on the Mountain

I'm tired ... not physically, just mentally. Extra guests brings the joy of community, refreshment for my spirit, and the gentle reminder that solitude is also a necessity.  I'm continually humbled at the gift we receive from living here ... so many nations to interact with and the gift of sharing Jesus with each one.  As the week ended I blissfully sat on a porch swing ... enough said on that, it was a peaceful gift! Birthday parties, an abundance of sugar, really loud music and the peaceful gift of Daniella's friendship. Guiding Jedidiah on his 4th grade science project, creating an animal and plant cell ... can't believe I remember these parts! A Sunday filled with life-giving conversation, heart connections and healing tears.  Anticipating a sound night of sleep, He is restoring my soul!

Praises

Sharing our hearts in English

Being surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses

Life bringing tears

Our boys open hearts to share how they are processing life in CR

Nellie's family coming to church

Prayers

Discerning our next steps

Healing Care next week that Daryl and I will participate in

Make a choice to put each other first, pray for "Us"

Steve's heart to let go and trust Father's love for him

My matching grocery helpers ...
bringing joy and laughter to my shopping experience!


ONE picture ... that's all I took this week! 

Unexpected

Filling my heart ... Jakol!

In the midst of the chaos of our lives, each week He carves out a few sacred hours for my soul to be encouraged. My day starts by getting mentally ready, the list is checked off, my phone is turned off, I'm focused, attentive and ready to give counsel where needed. It's a beautiful thing to see how my role has morphed over the last year from one who listens, encourages and councils to one she desires to share life with. She seems to have come alive in the sacredness of our time together. Although she hesitantly shares her tears, her giggles flow freely filling my soul. Her sweet cherub, Jakol reaches for me and snuggles into my embrace taking my mama's heart heavenward.  I'm quite certain if these times weren't scheduled, our worlds would not have connected. Father knows best ... He knew that in the scheduled routine of our meeting, a friendship would bloom that my soul desperately needs. She listens expectantly and contemplatively responds which brings life to my soul. I see hope by the light in her eyes, hear confidence in the tenderness of her voice, and feel friendship in the deep recesses of her heart. Her need is great, she has hope, and she's found a place to share the intimacies of her life. Quite unexpectedly ... so have I.

We've planned for weeks ... at least my mind has been planning for weeks! Contacts made, menu and schedule planned, temporary cooks in place to feed the guests, flight schedules and airport pick-ups organized.  Most nights my sound sleep was interrupted only briefly as my mind woke me to remember one more detail. The day arrived to meet and greet those I've known only by email. My heart was full with anticipation to know their purpose for joining VidaNet's Vision Tour.  In the midst of these full days, seeds were planted, vision shared, hearts have been left yearning to know His will and intimate connections were made. I expected to pour out, be hospitable to our guests and provide for their physical needs while staying with us at Casa VidaNet. What I didn't expect were the intimate moments of prayer that the Lover of my soul used to breath life to my weary soul. Quite unexpectedly ... their obedience to come refreshed my soul.

Finding unexpected life ... Prayers of the saints ... Sacred ground 

Life on the Mountain
I've had lots of "God HELP" moments this week ... and He did! The over arching themes that robbed us of patience with each other this week were preparing for the Vision Tour and finalizing the Budget for the board meeting. We managed a date in the chaos of the week which left me bluntly aware of our lack of communication for way to long ... Orienting our new cleaning lady ... chauffeuring our guests around town ... a sleepover for Micah and Joseph ... A Talent show to lighten our hearts ... Jedi and Adam getting alone time with a tired Mama ... A send off for our beloved William, Laura and Willie moving to Spain and ... the sweet bliss of a cloudy, rainy Sunday afternoon nap.

Praises
Delmys, our new Cleaning Angel
Fresh words and affirmation from Father ... "Everything is going to be all right!"
Strangers becoming kindred spirits as they touched heaven with prayers for our family
Gloria, our temporary Kitchen Angel
Allison and crew who 'joyfully' filled in for kitchen duty
A leadership team who cares enough to bluntly speak the truth

Prayers
Our marriage ... built on a firm foundation that the enemy of lies is trying to crumble
That we would take time to listen to each other 
Parenting Jedidiah ... reference back to blog post "The Dance" 5/7/18
Vision tour guests as they take Fathers vision for VidaNet home with them
Board meeting happening this week
Central American church leaders meeting at Casa VidaNet this week
Our next steps ... wanting to remain in the center of His will ...

Sunday supper ... missing pretzels!

EMM child care worker (a.k.a. Tortuga) ...
watching our little angels so we can have a date ...
I'm not sure who had more fun!

Vision Tour guests ... resting in His peace at Casa VidaNet

Talent show laughter ...
Zuercher Bro's standing in for our missing Mighty Men ...
Singing "our song" ... "Mom, this song is getting old!"

Spending his birthday money from grandparents ... 

This happened in our driveway ...
Practicing for the birthday party next weekend : ) 

The beauty of La Paz Waterfall Garden 

The gift of chauffeuring our guests around CR

Some of the faces that grace our days with
love, laughter and challenge ...

more of them

and one final one that fills my soul!

Unexpected ... 

Reveling in the countless ways Father cares for our souls!

Telling Eyes

The tears in her eyes needed no translation, she hasn't been able to read clearly for years ... His brain

Eye Clinic fun ...
What are my eyes saying?

injury prevented him from communicating effectively. However, the glisten of tears in his cataract laden eyes needed no words nor translation to convey the depth of his gratitude ... At 18 years of age, the only world she clearly saw was no more than 2 feet in front of her ... I took my glasses off to try to grasp the magnitude of what she was saying. At the risk of her embarrassment she welded the lens holding contraption that looked more like a space apparatus than a piece of eye equipment. The sparkle in her eyes that beautifully accompanied the grin on her face as she hesitantly giggled said more than any translation I could mindlessly muster.

These extremes of visual disturbance gripped my soul. Words ... my feeble translation ... failed to convey the feelings of the heart as one received the gift of sight (for free). How fitting that it was their eyes, like a window into the soul, that conveyed the depth of gratitude when words could not suffice.

In the routine of translating, "I can't read small print ... Distance is a problem for me ... I get headaches when I read or study" and explaining the stages and prevention of Macular degeneration, Cataract and glaucoma. These wordless moments left me speechless as I witnessed the beauty of ... Telling Eyes.

Look into my eyes ... Hear my heart ... No translation necessary

Life on the Mountain
El Nido Eye clinic, the gift of sight and hope.  A migraine as the result of my sinful disposition to worry and stress left me incapacitated for 'too long' ... Reorganizing kitchen routine and helpers ... Celebrating the start to Jedidiah's 11th year of life ... Game night for M & J with friends ... Laughing with our boys at a "Toy Story" theme talent show with school ... Grieving the loss of life as two separate tragic accidents claimed the lives of two of Daryl's uncles in 24 hours.  How does one grieve, mourn the loss, let go, cry with, adjust to, this loss when we're living worlds apart?

Praises
Doctor Bob and his Eye clinic team
Healing from a migraine
Nellie's sister and family coming to church
Leaders and Interns who help in the kitchen
Calisha to help us clean
Byron's baptism

Prayers
A Cook and someone to clean for Casa VidaNet
Healing for Olivia Grace, the precious daughter of a friend in Akron
William, Laura and Willie going to Spain as missionaries in a week
Direction for our future
Lots of extra activity at Casa VidaNet the next two weeks ...
 -Vision Tour, Board Meeting, Hosting Central American church leaders

Sharing her heart ... 

Her husband on the far left needed a 'simple' cataract surgery. 

Travel was to difficult for them prohibiting surgery. 

They both received glasses to improve their vision.

Their eyes shared the depth of their gratitude!

She captured my heart ... 

Eye clinic fun with Evan ...

When Mama's away McDonalds to the rescue ... 

Chocolate cake ... Chocolate icing ... Chocolate M&M's
Happy 11th Birthday Jedidiah!

Quesadilla Big Mac ...
The size of a dinner plate ...
We only ate 1/2 of it!

"Sheriff Woody's the name" ...
Toy Story theme talent show! 

Surprise ending to the School Talent Show!

The never ending orange paint!

 "If Jesus is the light in our lives, it's His light 

that shines through our eyes to the world around us!"

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness.

John 12:46  

Strong Tower

"I got dressed first!"

"Finally!" ... He stretched, hoped, waited with great anticipation and finally ... He's arrived at the 5 foot mark on the measuring line! It seems a fitting birthday gift from Father for our deep thinking, contemplative, engineer minded 14 year old.  Although his physical stature might be less than most of his friends, his spiritual stature stands tall.  A few years ago Father gave me a new name for each of our boys ... Joseph's name is Strong Tower.  He is a loyal friend in which many have found refuge, many are drawn to him for his quiet strength and his laughter that invites all who hear it to join in. Last week he shared an insightful devotional which captivated my thought process for the better part of the week and therefore ... I've chosen to share his sacred thoughts here.

"I'm guessing that most of you have heard of the show, "The Biggest Loser". It's a show in which people try to loose the most amount of weight.  So just like them, Christians have to be losers! Now you're probably thinking that I'm crazy, but you just have to hang on here.  So in order to be a Christian, you have to leave or "lose" some things.  In this sense, I am talking about sins.  So what is something that you can lose? ... (wait for their answers) ... Those are all good examples. 

Also, just like the contestants get all the healthy food manuals to stay healthy, we need some of those in our lives too.  For instance, the Bible. It gives us a good foundation for us to work off of.  Another good example is having good Christian friends. They can help you with problems that you may have. So for becoming a Christian, these are some necessities.

I'm guessing that in the show, the people get really tempted to go back to what made them heavy or fat.  This also goes with Christians.  Not the fat part, but the part where they get tempted. Once you become a Christian, you leave sins behind. Sometimes you are tempted to go back to those sins.  So you have to build up faith to endure those temptations.  The way you can build up faith is by reading your bible, praying, and trusting that He will come through. When the contestants finally finish and get through, they are so happy to have lost all the weight they have.  The same goes for Christians. Even though it will take a lot of faith and perseverance, the reward that God gives is better than anything.  It will bring you more joy than anything you have ever experienced. The verse I picked out for today is 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, then new is here!" 

Biggest loser ... Strong Tower ... losing the weight of worry

Life on the Mountain
Pray continually, it felt like a week where all I could do was pray ... The students as the faced Reto Nehemia ... Jessica, Guadalupe El Nido director, in the hospital in Ecuador ... A new cook and cleaning person for Casa VidaNet ... Olivia Grace battling AFM ... Martha's financial situation ... Adam's double ear infection and upper respiratory infection ... friends marital struggles ... my boys ... the El Nido Eye Clinic ... Jedidiah's exams ... Byron ... Luis ... Kara ... Salvation for those close to our hearts ... If a name came to my spirit, I cried and prayed.

Praises
The pulmonary embolism in Jessica's lungs dissolved
Medicine to help Adam feel comfortable as the infection cleared up
Black paint from a neighbor ... one of those Random God moments
A hubby who puts his day aside to chauffeur around a sick boy and exhausted mama
Each one of you ... we're not in this alone!

Prayers
Olivia Grace, the precious daughter of a friend in Akron https://m.facebook.com/Olivia-Grace-341785483056981/
          Complete healing for Jessica and for her to be able to come home to CR
Someone to bless Casa VidaNet with their gift of cooking and cleaning
Healing for Kaitlyn's knee
Healing for Samuel's eye
Lots of extra activity at Casa VidaNet the next two weeks ...
 -Eye clinic, Vision Tour, Board Meeting, Hosting Central American church leaders

When your day feels like this because
staying up all night isn't easy ...

The day looks brighter when Daddy gets Mama flowers and ... 

Buys the best burgers ever for supper!

Wash day at Casa VidaNet ... Praying for sun!

Date with Dad ...
He asked ALL day to go to the fair for his date with dad ... Thanking God, the rain stopped!

My Kitchen Angels ...
Three of the many blessings God has sent my way!

When you're Set Partner plays the Rook perfectly ...
We sunk em!

Trouble ... when little brother knows how to play the game and keeps sending you home!

Reto Nehemias ... They did it! 

Letting Go in His Embrace

My favorite mug ...

I'm holding to much.  Not holding onto ... you can have my new mattress, my plates, my favorite blankie, my butterfly pillows, my 'stuff', my clothing I might hold onto a little tighter but you can have it, my favorite coffee mug ... well, ummm, nope, sorry, I'm holding onto that, it's one of those sentimental things.  Anyway, you get the picture. What I'm talking about is letting go of, Every. Single. Thing ...

In His typical fashion, once again He used my relationship with my earthly soulmate to remind me ... I need to let go.  In the groggy recesses of sleep land my tense shoulders started to wake my brain for the day. He reached over to kiss sleep good bye and hug me with the rising sun of a new day. I didn't relax. Let me say that again. If not for your sake, but to remind me of the absurdity of the moment. I didn't relax in those strong, protective, manly arms Father has blessed me with here on this earth. "I have to much on my mind," my soul argued with it's Creator as if He didn't understand. The arms didn't move, in fact they got heavier as they dabbled with entering dreamland once again. "These are MY arms holding you, Just. Let. Go." My soul started to protest once again, "but this and this and this ..." In that moment, it was as a parents finger quieting the lips of a stubborn child that I felt my shoulders start to relax in His (and his) embrace.  Can you picture it? Stiff, tense, stubborn child who finally gives up the fight and melts into her Father's embrace ...

I can't possibly hold it all or hold it all together. He wants to carry, lead, anoint, and bless the work of my hands. It starts by letting go. In this preposterous way of thinking, there comes a peace in the storm raging in my mind ... 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.”

"Letting go of every single thing, I lay each one down at Your feet. Mighty Warrior, King of the fight. No matter what I face, You're by my side."

Life on the Mountain
Attempting to keep things in perspective! Nurse clinic open for business ... this felt like the easiest way to capture all the medical needs in one place.  With 52 students, staff and interns living at Casa VidaNet, there are a lot of nursing/mom questions.  Trying to care for "Us" in the chaos of the week. The gift of an English library once again. Friday, the glorious gift of a sleep over for Micah and Joseph and feeling connected! Saturday was a day of pampering the El Nido mama's with a spa day. Celebrating Dia de Cultura (Day of Culture) with school and church ... Of course Amish Whoopie pies are the perfect treat to share with Amish Culture! And ... yesterday celebrating Joseph's 14th birthday!

Praises
Micah and Joseph feeling connected, thanks for praying!
Our van is back in action
Cedcas clinic who blesses our ministry with reasonable medical care and answers my many questions!
Adam is adjusting to life as a lefty, running, jumping and skipping like a normal boy!
Celebrating a year of growth and life for Joseph
Laughing with Austin, Evan and Sara ... good for our souls

Prayers
Our cook situation, may we all know Father's will for this situation.
We're in need of a cleaning person by November 7th.
William, Laura and Willie as they embark on Missions in Spain
Healing on our family and students
Safety for all the travels happening this week
Parenting Jedidiah
Resting in His embrace and knowing how to let go

Declan ... Precious little man ... wearing Daryl's Eagles hat!

Adjusting to life as a lefty ... Rocky Raccoon came home from school with Adam because of good behavior!

Date with dad ... flat bread pizza ...
Discussing life as an almost 14 year old.

El Nido Spa day ...

Foot soak and massage for the younger generation

El Nido Spa day ...
One of those professions you take with you where ever you go!

Calzones and Shrimp ... Happy 14th birthday Joseph!

Cake in a Mug with Austin, Evan and Sarita ...
Can't believe we forgot to sing to him!

The peace of letting go in His embrace ...

 He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11