Rice and Beans of Life

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Context Matters

Mama's heart is full!

"Do we need to rent a mixer?" It was a simple question, really. Asked in the presence of 3 individuals who processed said question very differently. "Why do we need a kitchen mixer, does ours not work?" ... "Where are we going to be mixing such a large quantity of cement that we need a mixer instead of doing it by hand?" ... "With groups coming and needing a sound system, does our mixer work or will we need to rent one?" After a second scenario presented itself yesterday, my attention was captivated for the better part of the morning pondering how context matters.

Taking the boys to school, a neighbor asked us to 'give him space so the plataforma could leave his driveway'. We couldn't see said plataforma and were confused. One's thought went to a school plataforma which contains learning material for our boys. Another's thoughts went to the bank, and the question if they are in the line for the plataforma or the caja (I'll save this translation for another day!). As we sat pondering what his intent was for asking said question, a plataforma (flatbed or platform tow truck) was backing out of his driveway! And so you see ... Context matters!

Father has called us to GO and make disciples. Out of context that 'go' causes my mind to be in movement. Go, per the worlds standards involves, scheduling that next meeting, planning the next big event, who should I be mentoring, wondering if I am adequate for said command, where will I be most useful, will my gifts/talents be useful, who needs to know Jesus today ... While these may all be with good intentions, what I've been pondering is this ... "What does it look like to put that 'Go' into context?"

Without regard to context, Go is like spinning ones wheels in the mud or driving through a downpour with ill working wipers. In context, Go starts with the stillness of soul, seeking Him in the stillness of my hiding place. Go starts with being filled with Father's Presence so that HE radiates through gifts and talents, not me; HE makes me adequate, not my abilities or words; HE speaks to my heart who needs discipled, not me seeking out of necessity; HE leads our future plans, not my anxious thoughts. In context, Go starts with being settled in the sweet spot of my soul where love is love, truth is truth and peace is peace. A place where I don't need to wonder if He loves me, if what He says is true or explain the peace that is present. To Go and make disciples, I need to first Be discipled. The context of Go matters. Would you care to join me in putting the Go into context?

Relish the beauty of your hiding place ...

Breath deep the simplicity of His presence ...

Know when to Go.

Life on the Mountain

We've hosted teams and sent teams out, tore down and built up, scraped, repainted and redesigned, cared for the sick and remained healthy, recalculated numbers and witnessed God's faithfulness, started a new school year and finished one, spent a week celebrating 20 years of Us, walked through trials and learned the depth of grace, said joyful hellos and tearful goodbyes, the call to Go has been relentless, only sustainable by keeping it in context!

Praises

Weekly 1 on 1 connections with various staff

Joseph has full time summer work and was accepted at Thaddeus Stevens College

Physical health, spiritual growth and emotional peace

Micah's heart towards God and the community in Siquirres

Friends and connections for the boys

My residency card processed

We received CR our drivers license

Peace to our living environment due to peace in our neighbors families

Teams that have come and blessed our lives and casa VidaNet in abundance

God's wisdom, peace and grace through tough situations

Each of you that He has called to walk alongside us!

Prayers

Trustworthy friends who affirm and support Jedidiah

Communication in our marriage

To know the true joy of the Lord as our strength

To hear His voice and know 'this is the way, walk in it'

Launching Joseph from our home

Adam processing Joseph's anticipated departure (he absolutely adores Joseph as a faithful playmate!)

Micah's anticipated return to our family in August and his future plans

To keep the Go in context

Picture overload ... so much life to share!

El Nido blessing!

They came, they worked, they blessed and our hearts are full of life!

Lancaster Co. delicacies ...
Friends first, lawyers second ...
Thank you from the depths of our hearts!

Built to fly ... waiting for a non-windy mountain top sort of day!

Celebrating 20 years of us ...
So many to thank for this gift,
Feeling deeply grateful for each of you!

While we celebrated Us ...
These dear ones celebrated our boys!

Newest playmate ...
No, we didn't ...
New neighbors are great!

Mighty men in braids!

No, Mom is not shrinking yet ...
This one is growing in wisdom and stature ...
Shorter than Mom last December!

Sharing two blessed weeks of life with this crew (and below) ...
Our hearts are fuller because of them!

Before ...

During ...

After ...

Which one of these is not like the other ones? ...
Context matters ... the girls love his hair!

And that's a wrap for 11th grade! ...
Finished home school high school ...
Thaddeus Stevens College, here he comes!
Chocolate Snickers, chocolate Oreo, yes please!

My sentiments exactly!

Bringing life and energy to Casa Vidanet!

Sunday sabbath with friends ...

Caption that ...
She's got a Tica purse ...
He's young and free ...
Makes my heart happy ...

Isaiah 30:15
In quietness (being with Me) and confident trust (believing I will supply as you go),
this is your strength.

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Still Learning ...

Walking in trust ...

Today I’m enjoying my first morning of quiet in a long time! Today I enjoyed a second cup of coffee and had a peaceful conversation with Joseph in the sun on our back porch. Today is the first day of a new school year. Today is the first day of a hoped for year of in present classes! Today the 'to do' list will wait.

I've been pondering, "How can I feel a fresh wind from His Holy Spirit?" Basically, how can I know the simplicity of seeking Jesus first, not what He can do or the effects of what He does, just simple seeking ...

Today as I was soaking, He knew just what I needed. He reminded me of this word from last August that someone spoke over me in NY. "Cease your striving, He's right here." The person praying had no further insight but felt like he was to share simply that. I immediately felt my face relax and my shoulders relax as I just pictured Jesus. I felt such peace.

Today, this is what He fed me at the banqueting table ... (from Jesus Calling) "Trust ME enough to spend ample time with ME, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to ME. I am able to bend time and events in your favor ... Also, as you align yourself with MY perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not." He then took me to Psalm 31:19-20, something I received at the beginning of the year and have been meditating on ... Today, it was specifically the last part.

"In His dwelling, you are kept safe from accusing tongues" ... He desires above all that we spend time in His refuge, in the shelter of His presence ... not just sitting idly but soaking in, resting in, being fed in, His Presence. So that we are prepared to minister His Presence to whomever we meet. Maybe people will talk, "why isn't she doing, why is she wasting this time?" But verse 19 clearly says: How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You and take refuge in You ... and not only is His goodness great but ... He bestows this on us in the sight of man ... Why? Because we have chosen to be (take refuge) in His Presence, before we do in His name.

A fresh wind of His spirit came as I was seeking Him first more than doing my good 'to-do' list. I mean seriously, how do I expect to feel a fresh wind of His presence if I'm busy doing? A lesson I have a hard time learning! There is clearly a time to be before we do, Mary vs. Martha. What I keep learning over and over (can you see my eye roll?) is this ...

Doing is easier and more fulfilling if we first learn how to be.

Praises

First day of a new school year done - check

Joseph's SATs done - check

Second cup of coffee on the back porch - check

Micah received his residency card - check

The gift of a Cosechas smoothie

Healing of my migraines

Prayers

Wisdom on whether to purchase another vehicle

Jedi adjusting to school without his buddy Abdiel

For my residency card to be available tomorrow

God's anointing over our 20th anniversary get-away

Work teams coming, health and protection

Psalm 31:19-20 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

He's official!

Preparing to fly into space ... creativity knows no limits!

Every single day he can't wait for play time with this one!

National Ice Cream for breakfast day ...
we celebrated a few hours late and enjoyed breakfast for supper ...
Waffles, ice cream, fresh mango and strawberries!

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Fixation

Eyes on ME ...
especially on a high ropes challenge!

As I stood on the mountainside porch, the clouds were close enough to touch. I gazed across the valley and my eyes caught something that the sun's only ray of the day seemed to be spotlighting. As I squinted to see what appeared to be a white cross, I heard His simple whisper ... "Fix your eyes on ME". I blinked a few times to make sure I really was seeing said cross in the suns spotlight and then pondered His words to my spirit. Fix your eyes on ME ... like a mother gently tipping the chin of her wee one to get their full attention, I felt Your gaze on my soul. Medically speaking, my gaze felt like the pins, screws, and plates of the external or internal fixation device used to hold something in place so that it becomes unwavering, unmoving. Yet I realized Jesus isn't like that. While He has captured my gaze, even in my longing for perfect peace, He knows my eyes will still struggle with those sideward glances to the world. He offers no physical fixation device that prevents my worry filled wandering. Distractions will try to pry my gaze and avert my eyes. If I fixate on ... the future, what next, will they really be ok, what about this or that ... my gaze shifts, the clouds cover and I lose the vision of the cross. Oh how I long to see my eyes permanently fixed on, locked into, superglue sealed, and tunnel visioned onto Him. The result of such fixation is what my soul longs for, His perfect peace. Subsequently, the chaos in our rapidly changing adventure of life is replaced by a steady, steadfast, hand in hand walk at sunset.

As I turn my squinted gaze once again to the white cross in the distance, I ponder the gift of His faithful fan-fare, constant companionship, and lavish love ... it's the intricacies of our relationship that have fixed my eyes on Him even in the midst of distractions. Can you picture it? ... A sweet cherub's nursing gaze set only on his mama, the blurred peripheral as you catch the spark in ones eye from across the room, the mesmerizing flames as a campfire draws your gaze to it, the color of a flower in a barren, desert wasteland, the glow of a lighthouse beacon in the darkest night ... What are you fixated on and does it ultimately bring perfect peace? What does it look like for you to have your eyes fixed on Jesus?

Fixated on Him ... Distractions abound ... Receive His peace

Life on the Mountain ...
Registering Jedi and Adam for in present school once again; Preparing for our first work/vision teams of the year; Reconnecting with dear youth group friends; Weekly English sessions with one who speaks slow enough to understand; Navigating Covid isolation and quarantine for our teams; Sending Micah and teams to outreach locations; Hannah was in Costa Rica and we were blessed with fellowship at our annual EMM retreat after 2 years of not being able to have it; and probably the biggest news of the month ... after a two year process, receiving our official residency cards!

Praises

Residency cards in hand!

Vida220 teams connecting on outreach locations

Micah is adjusting and enjoying connecting with his community

Returning to in present classes for 3rd and 8th grades

Our neighbors have dogs, Adam can enjoy their companionship without all the work!

Peace in challenging life situations when we look to Him

Opportunities to reconnect with El Nido work when school restarts

Life giving one on one connections with staff

Prayers

Focus on His call, why are we here

God clear direction for Joseph: work, school when and where

For God to heal my migraines

Parenting Jedidiah

Fix our gaze on Jesus and not on temporary things

Open hearts and deep connections that bring God the glory

Scrapbooks, it's what causes them to pause together!

The newest neighbor ...
Adam absolutely loves her!

The Mud Run ...
working together to get everyone safely across!

The focus and concentration of this young man!

Hannah came to Costa Rica!!!!
No, Jedidiah is not taller!

He's at it again, Vanilla peach cake!

This crew ...
they certainly feel like God's perfect gift to us!

First Kids Club of outreach ...
Lots of energy and excitement!

Yeah ... he really bought this!
Thanks CR for bringing Amazon returns to a store near us!

The peace on my face was ONLY because I was taking my last steps on this anxiety filled high ropes challenge ...

The joy of connecting hearts across countries ... God is so good!

Yup, here they are ...
Two year process is finally in hand.
We are official Costa Rica residents!!

These pictures capture a 1000 stories of our lives ...
let's have coffee sometime!

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart.

Fix your gaze on ME!

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Well-Watered

Feeling complete ...

Since our December newsletter, I've been pondering ... What does "well-watered" look like? Not well as an adjective: good, alright, fine, I'm feeling well watered/hydrated, thank you. Well as a noun: water source, the one you give your camels a drink from, fill your bucket from. What does well-watered look like?

As I close my eyes and ponder this, the sun is fully on my face and I just saw a "30 second reel" of my life from the past year and the words ... "Well-watered = Abiding". While I wasn't always fully aware of Father's presence, it was clearly evident in this 'reel', He was always with me ...

Carrying me, sheltering me, supporting me as I stood on the mountain cliff with my face boldly to the wind, walking peacefully by my side, sharing coffee in my hiding place. He was the air in my lungs when I felt like I was drowning, the offeror of the tissues as the tears seemed constant, the cool drink of water, the warm hug. He was the firm foundation when my legs felt wobbly and shaky. His gaze was for me as He caught my eye with a wink, and invited me to the Banqueting Table. He was the soil in which my roots have dug deep, and the refreshing river in which I stood. His secret service detail comforted my worrisome gaze. He was the laughter - the spark- in the pit of my soul that put a smile on my face when the days were easy or burdened. He was the one leaning over the roped sidelines cheering me on, "Eyes on ME, you've got this!" He was the party thrower as the ministry moved forward, His hand laid the final dollar, and stamped the official Recibido on the receipt to pay off His property on the mountain. He hugged and twirled each of us as the picture was snapped for each residency card, He cheered our perseverance. He was the light infusing my dreams and the giver of said dreams. He was in the beauty of fall and blanketed us with peace as we rested at the Millers. He painted me sunsets, healed my infirmities and surrounded me with people who would mold me into the person He is designing me to be. I heard Him call me Hope, and saw how all the answers to my questions pointed back to Him. In this reel, I saw that abiding is a daily dose of being well-watered and being well-watered is simply just abiding. Taking time to soak in His presence, sit at His banqueting table, risk going out on a limb with Him, take a turn at a major crossroad and, trust ... even when I didn't see, feel or hear.

Being well-watered ... "In the darkness of adversity, you are able to see more clearly the radiance of MY face." Being well-watered ... is the only possible explanation for the peace I have felt while walking through yet another transition back to 'normal' life. Being well-watered ... Does not equal perfection, that I've attained the goal, it simply means I am posturing my heart in a place of deliberate dependence on Him. John 15:4 Remain in me and I will remain in you. Sun-scorched land or green pastures ... His gift of well-water is waiting!

Well-watered ... Abiding ... Walking hand in hand

Life on the Mountain

Celebrating Jesus' birth, Soaking up 2 weeks with Micah before he leaves for outreach, the boys enjoyed a break from school routine, Crossing the last 'T' and dotting the last 'I' for our residency cards, Soaking in the sun, rain and sunsets at the beach, Taking time to reconnect, reestablish roles and reorganize our house.

Praises

Health, healing and hope

School will start in present in February

Time with Micah before he leaves for outreach

Reconnections

Peace in our hearts to return to CR

Prayers

Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things

Practicing His presence, making a choice to be well-watered

Restarting school routines

To shine His light even when we feel cloudy

Micah's outreach team to bless the community they are sent to