Lingering

Sunday Sabbath, my favorite days ...

Today is a dishes will wait kind of day.  It's a favorite pair of jeans with the coziest sweatshirt I own kind of day.  It could essentially be a no makeup kind of day, but my worldly self insisted on its masking.  Yesterday I lingered on the rocking chairs with a 'daughter' and another cup of coffee.  Today I lingered on the back porch talking to my plants, giving them fresh water and a bit more dirt.  As I lingered under the warm shower, I sensed ... it's a lingering kind of day.  Lingering: caught up in the moment, not having an agenda, just being present.

We're sending our first VM teams home and welcoming the second week of teams (132 people) next week.  In some respects, today feels like the eye of the storm, the calm after the flood and before the earth is repopulated, the pause at the end of a full of life school year and before summers activities consume us, the end of Holy Week in CR when everything shuts down, its half time, if you will or a timeout, time to regroup, pause and refocus on our strategy … Today I'm lingering in His presence ... and it's SO good!

I'm lingering on being poor in spirit from our boy's morning devotions ... it's an acknowledgement that my need of Him is SO great, not just in the busy, full of life times, but also in the pause of the in between times.   It's in the lingering that He speaks so that when I'm going ... Isaiah 33:6 He will be a sure foundation for my times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.  The fear of the Lord, (acknowledging my deep need of His Majesty and lingering in His Presence) is the key to this treasure. 

It's in the lingering, that my humanness - fear of man, seeking man's approval, wanting to be affirmed for what I do - dissipates.  It's in the lingering that mountains are moved.  Lingering is not coming with MY agenda on how to move said mountains, it's a knowing that He is enough for me.  Not by any effort of my prayers or faith, but because He desires that I sit at His feet and be in His presence, resting and trusting.  It really is the simplicity of seeking Jesus first.  It's unfortunate my physical body can't linger all the time, that would be heaven, right?!  

I'm lingering on the song by Kari Jobe, The More I Seek You  ... "The more I seek You, the more I find You, and the more I find You, the more I love You ... I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand. lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heartbeat, this love is so deep, it's more than I can stand, I melt in Your peace, it's overwhelming!" 

Linger in the aisles of the grocery store or while cleaning the house.  Linger as you walk the halls of school or drive to work.  Linger as you wipe counters and little butts.  Linger while cutting grass or hammering nails.  Linger before sleep or in the middle of the night.  Linger as you drink coffee on the porch or as you do dishes (uggg, I had blissfully forgotten about them). The point is ... 

Let His presence captivate you as He invites you to linger. 

Life on the Mountain

We are officially a household of 4!  Micah is living at Casa VidaNet and has co-led his first Vida Missions team with more opportunities to lead this summer.  Joseph has transitioned to life in PA working fulltime and driving solo in his car!  Jedidiah has left us awestruck that he is playing songs on 'Micah's' saxophone in less than a week, thanks YouTube (and God for this gift)!  Adam has started freely worshiping and loves to stand next to Mama belting out the songs!  Birthdays in community is a constant celebration ...  Staff outing to the theme park ... Lots of 'lasts' and 'firsts' for Joseph ... After 10 days of intense preparation, we dipped our toes in the sweetness of hosting VM teams ... We are so grateful for the presence and strength of our students leading these teams ... oh how we have missed the life and energy from these teams! ... Normal life continues, sickness has racked our staffs energy but not their joy for serving, intentional discipleship is a daily gift, and rainy season has been refreshing and cold! 

Praises

Joseph's transition to the States

Sound sleep at the end of FULL days

God's grace in discipleship

Youthful hearts that desire to hear from God

Full of life days

God's presence that leads us 24x7

Prayers

Health and strength for upcoming teams

Protection against covid for staff and these teams

Sad hearts as we miss our older boys presence at home

To be a light in our community

Wisdom on when to rest and when to serve

To hear His invitation to linger

Sabbath lingering ... "Didn't we already go on this trail?"

It wouldn't be his birthday without sticky buns!

The boys think I should market it! 
"Better than Chick-fil-A sauce"

One last pic for my Mamas heart ...
Victorious Leader and Strong Tower are off to face the world with Jesus!

How many times can one ride the bumper cars?
Never enough times ...

Costa Rica's beauty ...

Sometimes you use a ladder ...

And sometimes you don't! 
Trust building exercise among teammates!

Sometimes it's just about showing your muscles ... 

He was dreaming of this day! 

A gift from Father ... 
Cease your striving and searching and see what I will do!

Representing the Caribbean coast ... 
Not a likely representation!

Kitchen crew of kindred spirits ...
Work is more fun with friends!

Youth group prayer of blessing as we send them off ...

Teaching brothers without sisters about life with sisters!
What do you mean you didn't learn about this before? ...

One more hug ...

 Lingering ...

Isaiah 33:6 He will be a sure foundation for my times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.  

The fear of the Lord, is the key to this treasure. 

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.  

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! 

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!