Speaking His Name

He's got purpose! 

Sometimes I feel like David. There's a giant in front of me. I know those stones in my sling (a.k.a. promises in His Word) will slay any giant, conquer any fear and dispel any darkness that tries to destroy the warrior in me. I feel small, insignificant, incapable and like giving up before the fight even starts ... As I hurl that first stone I hear a whisper ... "you belong to Me" ... the faintest hope arises as I fling the next one ... "My thoughts define you" ... deep breath of growing confidence ... "I have called you by name" ...

These last few weeks one of my giants has been parenting "That one" ... you know, the one who all our decisions seem to be based around. I have hope! However, I was not feeling hopeful in regards to the giant of parenting This one. Let me back up a few years to set the stage ...

I was resting in Father's presence while listening to a challenging message how Father wanted to give me a new name.   A name He was calling my spirit.  During a time of waiting and reflection, I gingerly asked Father on behalf of our 4 Mighty Men ... "What do You want me to call them?" There was no doubt, no question, no hesitation ... as I said each of their given names and waited, He spoke to my spirit a new name for each of them. "That one," was to be called Tender heart.

Return to present day ... We've been walking the waters of a bullying situation at school which has caused a cascade of other issues.  We heard his side, talked to the 'powers that be' at school and then he met with the school psychologist to talk some more. A plan was set, the process started and Father stood to fight this giant for me! Here's what He did ...

As my Tender heart met with the school counselor this is what she saw ... She was impressed that he was able to express himself completely in Spanish, without hesitation. She gained a better understanding of who he is and what his hopes and dreams are. The one thing she felt lead to share with me as an encouragement about him was ... "He has such a Tender heart."  Of course I cried.  A week later HE continued to fight that giant for me.  The Art teacher pulled me aside during a 'random' encounter at school.  "He is such an amazing student, he has future plans, goals, dreams and ... he has such a Tender Heart." Did they know they were calling out Father's name for him? Even in another language, HIS name is clear for This one.  I may not feel victorious in my parenting of This one. However, He has called This one by name and it is HIS heart that beats in him ... giant defeated! 

Defined by His thoughts ... Calling out his spirit ... What is your new name?

Life on the mountain
Full on attack, wrestling not against flesh and blood ... Donning the Armor ... Thank you for standing in the gap! ... "Effortless" border run, thank you Jesus! ... Sharing life with Sisters at a church ladies retreat ... Being refreshed by the constant chatter from a week of hosting our Akron neighbors in CR ... Feeling life and joy listening to Angelica's heart ... Celebrating Micah's 13th Spiritual birthday ... Guys/girls night ... Sharing Saturday Stromboli with friends ... Flinging stones and watching HIM topple those giants!

Praises
Decisions made ... after a home leave (date and time tbd) we're returning to CR for another term!
An English speaking counselor for Jedidiah
School administrators who listen, care and seek the best in situations
Sharing laughter and life with "The Kids and their Mom"
Long term Akron renters ... Father's faithful provision
Support, counsel and prayer from each of YOU
Exec leadership team who cares for each other
Stones in my sling ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIWvbD-8X8Y

Prayers
Micah's future plans
Random health 'stuff' for me ... In quietness and trust is my strength!
Housing for our home leave
Changes within El Nido
Kitchen, cook situation needing Father's wisdom and provision

Frisbee in Nicaragua ...
Passing time at the border to please the authorities! 

Two and a half years makes a big difference! ...
Sharing life in the Pacific Ocean.

5 Fingers, 5 Butterflies!

A view from the clouds ...
"The cross before me, the world behind me!"

Hiking Tres Cruces (3 Crosses) ... 

Of course they asked him to play the part of William Walker ... (He is the only gringo in his school class!)

Frappuccino and friends ...
Adam crashed the girls night party!

They're not Mimi and Pop-pop but a pretty close comparison! 

They speak English ... you know, that other language!
Teaching the girls how to play car mat!

In quietness and trust is your strength ... Is. 30:15
"It's going to be ok" ...
The simplest prophetic words spoken to my soul for "This one" 

Wrestling with Flesh

My heart is full ... and so was our table!

Since it's been a few weeks, I was reading my last post and I'm curious ... How many buts have you
looked for? : ) I've also come to the realization that it was easier to blog during Football season when our male infested household was occupied for a few hours allowing me the precious time to savor a warm cup of coffee while sharing life with you all!

So I've been contemplating my need of the Trinity. I know, elementary right ... bare with me. Jesus is my daily companion, God is the Father that watches over my coming and going and ... and there's the Holy Spirit. If I could separate them, it feels like the groanings of my heart needed to be addressed by the H.S. because it's not God or Jesus' department! It sort of feels like a light bulb came on in my spirit prompting me to cry out to the H.S. for guidance, help and direction. What I've come to realize (or re-realize) is this.

We need Holy Spirit empowered change. I remember when knowing God was religion. When I was 20, I began to experience God with all of my senses, and the Holy Spirit became alive to me. This was life changing to say the least. Fast forward 26 years to a life raising 4 Mighty Men cross culturally. I had this random thought as I was reiterating the perpetual line of any mom of boys. "Can you choose to love your brother instead of fighting, hitting, body slamming or arguing? ... Stop being mean, choose to love and put others first! ... You need to ask God to help you change your attitude." ... And that's where the light bulb came on. These in the flesh, human beings need Holy Spirit empowered change!

No amount of positive thinking, change your attitude, putting others first, mom nagging and choosing to love is going to change them (or me) from the inside out.  It's a heart change ... the prideful, stinky, me first, stubborn this is who I am attitude that He wants to change. In the flesh we will always fight, tussle, lie, rebel and want to be right. The groanings of my Mama's heart have been "H.S. change us from the inside out!" We need a daily living in the supernatural while surrounded by the flesh ... Not living in the flesh while surrounded by the supernatural. I've also come to the realization that it would be so much easier if the H.S. acted like the chorus of neighborhood dogs at 5:00 a.m.!

Invite, Allow, Obey ... Change me from the inside out ... Have brothers, will wrestle! 

Life on the Mountain
People coming and going ... Saying good bye to Byron's Mama after an emotional 2+ weeks ... A new kitchen just in time for a weekend rental ... The beauty of rain showers and rainbows ... 2 nights away with 'old' friends celebrating 18-20 years of marriage, laughing, crying, encouraging and spurring one another on ... Volcanic heated natural Hot springs without kids, thankful for a cloudy day ... Exploring delicious fruits and cocoa from bean to mug ... Blessed by Kara's love in caring for our boys ... Riding home from school on the bus ... Laughter and Frisbee golf ... Thoughtful conversations and decision making  ... Visiting the library and bringing home 31 books! ... School meetings, ministry meetings, to many meetings therefore we enjoyed Jump Center and Pizza to end the week! ... Groanings that words can't express, change us from the inside out!

Praises
Decisions made
Life giving time with friends
Last minute lunch dates
A God ordained counselor
Morning walks
Life in our souls
Jump Center laughs

Prayers
A soul mate and counselor for Jedidiah
Situation at school with Jedidiah, Holy Spirit guide us!
Direction for Micah's future plans
Wisdom and unity for leadership as we process acts of rebellion
Holy Spirit change bringing love and forgiveness
Direction to know when we'll hug you all in the flesh
El Nido: a new director for Heredia center, the start of a new center at Casa VidaNet

**The battle rages on ... please intercede for us! We are feeling like we've been dealt seemingly random attacks from the enemy over this past week. I say random but we all know they've had a purpose to kill, steal and destroy. Please intercede for the ministry, interns, leadership, families and health of all as Father gives you wisdom through His Holy Spirit.

Double date night with Dad ... And, the Lego store of course!

Hey, we match! ... 2/3 of the 3 Amigos

He's guarding a bag of bags of Goldfish ...
The calendar is merely a distraction! 

They arrived ... And thus began our 3 day, 2 night vacation!

Going down was the easy part ...
 Shaky legs, huff and puff, almost 500 steps later,
we made it back up!!

The steps were worth it! ... 

Pools of Natural Hot Springs to sooth our tired muscles ...

Not D.Q. but it's real Ice Cream and real delicious!

One last stop ... Ox Cart Wheel Art

Granizados ... relaxing in the park

Greasing the wheel bearings ... Shad's mechanic school ...
On the job training!

Kids club and a sunny afternoon at Casa VidaNet

We match ... greens and browns ...
Of course he dressed first!

Releasing the tension of the week
with Jump Center laughs!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1

His banner over me is love...
 Resting in His promise that any who lack wisdom
need only to ask!

The Big But

Family bowling day

The mention of this word alone brings a camaraderie like no other in our testosterone filled residence. Ornery smiles light up their faces with the commencement of unimaginable bodily noises as this word alone evokes and endless string of jokes about that body part ... The big BUT ... However, that butt is not the but I'm endeavoring to draw your attention to.  Lest ye be alarmed, let me explain ... I'm not joining ranks with said testosterone clad humanity I've been called to mother.  The but I'm referring to is the one David declared countless times in the Psalms. Now that I've regained my dignity in your eyes, let's continue ...

Two weeks ago I was challenged to write out two pages of "buts" from the Psalm.  In more dignified terms it's seeing the positive outcome in a somewhat negative situation. As I pour out my heart to Father with "this and that and this again or that again" I was challenged to follow these 'outpourings' up with a "but" ... A but is, something Father is or does for me.  I've been challenged to read a Psalm a day and look at buts!

BUT ... The Lord watches over the way of the righteous (1:6) ... You are a shield around me, You bestow glory on me and lift up my head (3:3) ... The Lord will hear when I call to Him (4:3) ... You give ear to my words, consider my sighing, listen to my cry for help and You hear my voice (5:1-3) ... You accept my prayer (6:9) ... You are my shield and You save the upright in heart (7:10) ... You are a refuge and stronghold in times of trouble, You have never forsaken those who seek You (9:9-10) ... You see trouble and grief and take it to hand, You hear the desire of the afflicted, You encourage them and listen to their cry (10:14, 17). Be encouraged fellow warriors, these are just the first 10 chapters! It's challenging to be a Mary when there's work to be done BUT, I need His word to be a lamp for my feet, a light on my path!

Looking at buts ... Life for my soul ... Giggling Mom of boys!

Life on the Mountain

Decisions, decisions, decisions ... Another ER visit for Adam, fractured radial head (elbow) needing a sling for two weeks or until the pain stops, Counseling appointments, dentist appointments, hair cuts, labeling and covering all school supplies, a new Co-op semester, Bowling and Smash Burger fun, super bowl party, basking in a life giving work team week, destruction and construction in multiple areas of Casa VidaNet, A new school year WITHOUT tears, opening a new El Nido, sharing life and praying for families in La Cuenca, a life giving day out with the team, finding time on the rocking chairs and looking at buts!

Prayers
Byron's mom (Jasmine) had a brain aneurysm, join us in praying for a miracle
A soulmate for Jedidiah
Patience and understanding as Dona Alba and I work together
Communication, honesty and grace as we embark on counseling for our family
Finances for VidaNet
El Nido: a new director for Heredia center, the start of a new center at Casa VidaNet
As God grows VidaNet, prayers to discern what to grab hold of and what to let go

Praises
Adam's arm healed and no sling for the start school
Seeing Father move mountains around the world in the lives of friends
Insight from the Holy Spirit
Community, relationship and challenge with a ministry family we love
Heart connections that bring life to our soul
The joy of hearing Adam translate for the work team

Who could resist such a sweet face selling delicious cookies! ...
He just wanted to make money like Jedidiah

Mom, can you buy me a stuffed animal? 

Oh the giggles ... Bat girl,
when did you get so tall and your voice get so deep? 

Happy 9th Spiritual birthday Joseph!

Covered by The Blood!

"Mom, tomorrow I think I'm going to get up and go to work!" ... and he did!

Really, he is doing school ...
it just looks like he's playing with technology!

The beginning of El Nido Montecito!

Poas Volcano is open (and puffing) once again ... 

Encouraging and supporting one another ...
All for His glory!

KFC ... the gift of takeout and Little House on the Prairie at the end of a busy week.

The Lord is my Shepherd ... He restores my soul!

Doing vs. Being

Dear Blog, I've missed you.  It's not that I haven't thought about you. Quite the contrary, you've been on

The peace of being in His presence ...

my mind a lot!  The rambling thoughts passing through my mind these past 4 weeks that usually find their outlet through your tender 'listening ear' have instead been scribed on the sacred pages of my journal. You know how it is, sometimes you need that private contemplation with that One trusty friend who listens without prejudice. Oh dear blog, you know I love you, but pouring out my heart to you sometimes feels like being center stage, surrounded by an audience. I am extremely grateful for the sacred friendship we've built over the years. I have found such freedom in our common ground in which I write, you listen and Father leads. My absence from this relationship was nothing more that needing to be alone with Father ... I wrote, He listened, peace ensued.

So now that we're on speaking terms again, I'd like to share with you what I've been contemplating.  Martha and Mary. It came as nothing more that a mere suggestion from a dear sister, I think it was what Father had been speaking to her. Well, we all know how that goes. 

If I am even entertaining the idea of studying these two women, need I say more? My mere contemplation of these two indicates I'm in need of sitting at my Father's feet. I mean, why else would one choose to study the differences between these two? It's absurd to think I need to do more work instead of being in my Father's presence! But ... like Martha, I'm good at Hospitality. I absolutely love to be hospitable, love to make people feel welcomed and comfortable. "Welcome to Casa VidaNet. I make sure you have a bed to sleep in, food to eat, savory hot coffee and a cool refreshing shower." Hospitality is like the thorn in my flesh. It's my gift however the constant motion can cause that side stitch that leaves me breathless. I've come to realize, taking care of everyone else has left me lacking in taking care of me. My dear Blog, as you know, all this Doing and not simply Being does not end well! The Thorn is when I over-focus, stress and anxiously twist my stomach in knots instead of rocking on the chairs in front of the bunk house with our recently arrived guests. You know, Martha vs. Mary. 

My gift ... My thorn ... learning to rock with Jesus

Life on the Mountain

A month in brief ... A week between Christmas and New Years with puzzles, games, movies, food and coffee ... New Years Eve morning wading through the medical system for care of Jedidiah's two fractured fingers ... Two New Years celebrations with friends new and old, near and far ... Date nights to hear from the hearts of our Mighty men ... A relaxing week at the beach ... this is hardly a truth with 4 action packed, energy filled mighty men! ... Orienting Dona Alba, our new cook ... "Here's the kitchen, here's the food, have fun!" (and she is!) ... Welcoming a new season of Interns and family the same day ... A week showing family the sights, sounds and savory Costa Rican culture ... And finally, this past week was 'catching up on life', catching our breath, prep work for the start of a new school year, receipts and family. A month "off" is hard work! 

Praises

Six Vida220 teams on outreach locations sharing Jesus

Dona Alba, our angel in the kitchen

Sunsets on the beach

A peaceful week with family while in constant motion

Dr. Rebecca (dentist) and Dr. Jenkins (Ortho Dr.)

Neighbors to share life with
Life with Interns

Prayers

Taking time to relax with Jesus

Emotional health

Our first appointment with a counselor this Wednesday 

Our next steps, discernment and decision

Safety in travel and work for February work teams ... see you soon : ) 

Understanding as I learn to work with Dona Alba

As God grows VidaNet, prayers to discern what to grab hold of and what to let go

Visiting the new mall ... Santa came to Costa Rica!

"Pop-pop, HELP!" ...
It's not Christmas vacation without a puzzle

Crepes and Christmas ... delicious! 

Proud owner of two fractured fingers ...
a.k.a. brotherly love in the form of a Karate kick!

This is what vacation looks like on us

This little guy loved Adam the best ...
especially when Adam had snacks in his hand!

"Come closer so I can hold you!"

Don't think for a moment this stopped him for more than a few seconds!

Sunset selfie while contemplating life with my
handsome young man

They made it ... refreshing Cosechas to celebrate the arrival of family!

Little boys and big toys ... hold on tight Mama!

Learning the art of soap making ...
How much can I sell them for and how much money can I make?!

Being in His presence ...
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 
Psalm 119:35-37