The Catchphrase of Living with Purpose

That's my question! 

Purpose: Knowing the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. In the grand scheme of things knowing ones purpose, enables one to look outward.  Not knowing ones purpose, causes an inward destructive thinking, the downward spiral we all fall imprisoned to.  Catchphrase: A small group of words that are combined in a special way, and is often repeated so that it becomes connected with the identity of a particular person or item.  Understanding my catchphrase helps me to live with purpose! 

If you've spent anytime in the last 3 weeks listening to my ramblings, you've heard me ask, "What do you think your purpose is/was?" Said question has become a space filler for me.  Moments when frustrations want to erupt volcanically, misunderstandings in relationships, restless minds that won't rest at 2:30 a.m., shoulders so tense you could build a house on their foundation, pain and sickness, flights canceled, roads detoured, schedules altered ... I ask, "what do you think is/was your purpose in those moments?" 

Having a catchphrase that exemplifies the reason for my existence, should enable me to see my purpose when I find myself involved in the aforementioned situations - the menial tasks of life. For example, if my specific purpose is to live out the hope of Jesus by speaking His truth, no matter what situation is happening around me, this catchphrase should draw my focus (and others) to Jesus. Simple right?  Do I truly believe that He created me to live out the hope of Jesus by speaking His truth? If so, it should hold great place value in my interactions and reactions! 

Dear Ones, it's not just knowing ones purpose in the big picture (a.k.a. the titles we hold) ... Hospitality coordinator, Sender of disciples to the nations, Raiser of mighty men, Mentor and discipler of women ... it's also asking and knowing my purpose in the simplicity of the menial tasks.  How do I live out the hope of Jesus by speaking His truth while ... taking down the cobwebs, cleaning up the kitchen, caring for the sick, redirecting an obstinate child, refocusing the drifting gaze, encouraging the uncertain, patiently listening to the ridiculous excuse, sharing life at the meat counter, and _____________, fill in your blank.  Quite simply, it's keeping in check that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart are pleasing to Him.  It's asking, believing and knowing my purpose (the grand and menial) so that my gaze is fixed on my Solid Foundation, not the situation.  

I may never understand the purpose of pain, heartache, devastating loss, sickness, insomnia. altered plans etc. However as my catchphrase directs my gaze to the Planner of the purpose, I can understand my purpose in each situation. It's the simplicity of living out Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord (know your purpose), lean not on your own understanding (don't try to figure it out), acknowledge Him (catchphrase), and He will sustain you. Grasping the practicing the simplicity of this will inevitably lead to purposeful living.

What's your purpose? ... Redirecting catchphrase ... Living with purpose 

Life on the Mountain

An abundance to celebrate, birthdays, babies, graduations, decisions made, God's hand of favor!  Proud parent moment listening to Joseph's Capstone speech. God's faithfulness in giving us wisdom.  Thankful for Dr. Carla's wisdom (and friendship) in treating Adam after a long week of sickness. Precious hours of communication time with our boys living in other countries.  Date with dad and porch time to hear the hearts of those under our roof.  Moments of rest as we plan and wait for the chaos to come!  Creating a catchphrase, believing our purpose and fleshing it out through the mundane tasks of life. 

Praises

Healing for Adam

Micah's team redirecting their gaze

Healthy friendships for boys

Future direction

The gift of growth from a year ago

Understanding Spanish in critical moments

Knowing our purpose

Prayers

Joseph navigating through finals week

Micah direction for the future

Jedidiah future school options

Adam missing his brothers

Hoffert/Peterson families, Emily, Robyn, Eli, would you join us in prayer for these friends who are walking through unbearable changes in life?

To live with purpose through the grand and menial tasks

Date with Dad AND the return of wooden spoons ...
What is the purpose of cardboard spoons with ice cream?!

Teaching Alpha course ... it may have been 100 degrees!

Sticky buns to celebrate this one ...
sharing life and food with staff!

Shoo fly pie in CR? Yup, thanks to Grammie bringing Molasses to CR!

My turn for a 'small' trim! ...
50 needed a fresh look!

Celebrating "Dia del Libro" - book day ...
A Greek god wearing avocado socks and a Pirate!

Wishing we could be present but oh so proud of this Mighty man
as he gave his Capstone speech with poise and clarity!

Could this be any more perfect? ... : ) 

Soccer Saturday action ...
I can still picture his mop of blond hair running around the field at 4 years old!

After a week of nausea/vomiting and a double ear infection ...
This brave one got an IV and 'butt shots' from mom!

Philemon 1:7
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,
because you, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people.

Live with purpose as you refresh the hearts of those the Lord
places in front of you!

The Constant of Change

50+ years HE is our Constant in the change.

The only constant is change.  I say it often while resigning myself to the fact that today will most likely not unfold like the "perfectly planned whole day at home alone" I crafted in my mind.  Said perfectly planned day started off with my taller than most of us Tender Heart croaking out "Mom, I don't feel good, my throat and head hurt and I feel nauseous."  ... Dig deep for the cheerful smile and reply with patient love - I coached my inner persona.  Why don't you start with a shower and see how you feel after that ... please God, I really need a clear head day to think, process, plan and most importantly blog!  Resigned to the fact that the shower didn't help and I would have a wordy companion today, I reminded myself of the concept I felt led to blog about ... The only constant is change.  No, it's not.  

I sat quietly fixing my gaze on the unseen, as the seen - birdsong, clouds, sun and raindrops - ministered equally to my soul ... Pondering the worlds view that change is the only constant, one must resign oneself to the fact that you will just have to adapt.  If we rely on our attention to detailed planning, trusting in the world as our accomplice to execute perfectly planned day or event, we will inevitably be handed 2 options when change comes ... we can fume, be irritated and stumble our way through OR focus on The Constant of change.  When my day or life goes upside-down or in reverse, what is the unseen, driving, force that motivates me to do, be, stop, go, act, wait, listen, speak with aforementioned cheerful smile and patient love?  When life comes at me hard and fast, what is it that enables me to saunter gleefully anticipating the next mountain peek of change or peacefully carries my tear-stained self through the dark valley of change ... HE is The Constant of change!

This isn't about choosing a good attitude, although that helps, says the glass half-full, cheerleader that I am.  No, it's about knowing in the depths of your being who and whose you are.  It means that when I mess up with an irritated response, lash out in frustration, give room for anxious thoughts, or give a steely-eyed stare at change, knowing whose I am, redirects me to the time out chair at the core of my being.  Find out what pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:8).

My dear friends, my only Constant has to be Jesus, not change.  Knowing without a doubt, trusting without faltering, believing without a backwards glance, He is my Rock, my Shield, my Firm Foundation through the constant of change.  Regardless of the tears that fall, regardless of the fist shaking, frustration, regardless of the pain that seems purposeless - I must center in the peace of His Presence, in the lavishness of his love, in the fierceness of his faithfulness ... so that He becomes my Constant in change.

Change is not my constant ... Believing Whose I am ... Captivated by my Constant

Life on the Mountain

March was full of life and work!  We feasted, celebrated, shared beautiful life, joys and sorrows with an amazing work team, dedicated staff, inspirational students and our life giving leadership team as we looked to our Constant during a month of change.  Our students came 'home' to share the life they've lived and learn about conflict resolution before we sent them off once again to share Jesus with the world.  A visit from a childhood friend and daughter, celebrating the resurrection with friends that feel like family and the joy of running from the tomb with Mary to tell the world about Jesus,  AMCA youth retreat brought life to Jedidiah's soul, LT retreat brought refreshment and refocus, the work project continues to take shape, taxes are being tackled, friendships rekindled and deepened through the pain of loss, we rejoice with the gift of a communications director, some more long hair to donate, brace free his pearly whites are beautiful, and the beautiful life of mentoring, discipling, and coaching others to find The Constant in the change that surrounds us. 

Praises

We made a decision to stay in CR! Thank you for covering us in prayer! 

Gadiel, our new communications director

Morning walks to share our hearts

Jedidiah's gift of music as he leads worship

Micah's team making changes to honor Jesus

Starting an El Nido center in Honduras

*If you want to receive our email announcement with details of our term renewal, 

please let us know: dnjhoover@gmail.com

Prayers

Housing in PA for 4 of us July 21-24

Micah's team as they navigate a very busy season

Family rhythms that bring life to the 4 of us

Connections for each of our boys

Hoffert/Peterson families, Emily, Robyn, Eli, would you join us in prayer for these friends who are walking through unbearable changes in life?

To choose first The Constant in the change

He is a sure foundation for our times ...
A visit from a friendship built on this sure Foundation!

From sunny Florida to a cool Mt top in CR ...

They worked ...

And more work they did! ... 
Check out this list of 'done' projects this mighty group of Florida friends conquered! 

Pouring out His love on those who serve in love ...

So sweet to reconnect with this one ...

"Mimi, look, I got a 100% on his Spanish exam!"

One more musical challenge ...
This makes 5 instruments for this talented one!

Before ...

During the process Joseph was 'present' to watch ...

And ... 12 inches ready to donate!
Don't cry Mom, it's only hair, it will grow again!  

Happy 5th spiritual birthday to this Mighty man! 

Pearly whites ...
Sorry Joseph, this was the only picture I have to document! : )

This tradition can't change!  

Peanut butter and Coconut cream eggs ...

"Mom, I want to make one of those garden things to show
Jesus in the tomb and on the cross!"

Ever since he was a wee one,
this boy has been passionate about EVERYTHING he does in life ... 

Thank you Amazon outlet!
From PA to CR, this $1.50 find is a treasure! 

Who are these babies? ... 
From the simplicity of life to the challenge of change,
He has been and will forever be our Constant!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away (change), yet inwardly we are being
renewed day by day (The Constant).  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory (The Constant) that far outweighs them all (change).  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (the change), but on what is
unseen (The Constant), since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

A Hard Choice

A 9 year old perspective ...

Making the choice to forgive is hard. So is being nine years old and going to bed the earliest.   Perhaps Mama needed more grace and understanding.  Not realizing the futbol game was almost over, I instructed my Bringer of Light to brush his teeth and march upward to bed, already a half hour late.  "But I NEVER get to stay up late and I ALWAYS have to go to bed the earliest!"  As he lashed out in anger and harsh words at the one in front of him, I stepped in to soften the blow.  Grownup as he tried to be, his sleepy little red eyes couldn't hold the flood of tears at bay any longer.  Not making excuses for either party's behavior, I began to refocus his attention, stroke his brow and speak life over him from Colossians 3 ...  Adam is God’s chosen, holy and dearly loved, Adam chooses compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Adam forgives others as God forgave him and Adam doesn't hold hurt against them. Over all these good things, Adam puts on love ... like a cozy blanket.  

His eyes were closed, his breathing relaxed and a blanket of peace enveloped him.  I quietly waited thinking he was sinking into the downy abyss of peaceful sleep ... nope, just concentrating on my words!  His eyes fluttered open, "Mama, how can I do that when I don't feel it?  I HAVE to say I forgive even if I don't feel like it or I maybe might get a discipline."  Oh my precious son, that is a great question!  

In his victorious attempt to stay up later, I tucked him in with this sermonette. Ephesians 5:8 -10 says, You are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord.  What pleases Jesus in this situation? "to forgive." Even when it's hard and you would rather stay angry, right? "I guess".  Sometimes we need to make the choice (forgive), do the action (say I forgive you) and trust that our heart will follow.    When we make that choice, our heart softens to the other person and Jesus smiles at us.  If we choose to say no and not forgive, holding those hurt feelings like a prized possession, our grumpy attitude grows and we make other people around us unhappy too.  

I'm convinced David spoke the words, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine (Goliath) that he should defy the armies of the living God?” before his heart was in agreement to the challenge that lay before him.  He made the choice: to stand for God.  He did the action: stood before Goliath (without doubt, quaking in his sandals!) His heart followed: he boldly spoke - "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, for this battle is the Lord’s!"  

In the depth of this mighty nine year old's question, and the simplicity with which Father answered, I sensed the gentle nudge that I too needed to make the choice, do the action and believe my heart would follow.  Let go of expectations that the world has piled on me (like Saul's armor), use the tools (stones) in my bag, and trust that He will guide us, satisfy our needs in a sun-scorched land, strengthen our frame, making us like a well-watered garden.

Once again, thinking he was settling into his dream world, I quietly turned to leave.  "But Mama, just one more thing, can you tell me what the score is?"  Yes my son, God: 1 and Satan: 0! 

Make a choice ... Act and trust ... See the deliverance of the Lord

Life on the Mountain
We've hosted and hosted again.  Isn't January - April to be a quiet time for the ministry?!  Cheering our beloved EAGLES on in the Super Bowl.  Enjoying the blessing of family and friends who travel to spend time sharing life with us.  A new school year started in the midst of hosting and preparing for the next guests. Tree trimmers created quite a ruckus as they felled the mighty protectors around Vidanet.  Lots of movement preparing our laundry/storage area for a remodel from a group of 20 that arrive today.  Defining new family rhythms, reinitiating morning walk/processing time, weekly communication time with two of our mighty men, El Nido events and sweet baby snuggles, mentoring, discipling and lots of facts and figures in the midst of life.  And, making the choice, doing the action and trusting our heart will follow. 

Praises

Positive start to 4th and 9th grades

Joseph loves what he is studying

Micah's team, wisdom in unexpected teaching opportunities

Family and friends safe travel and connection

Choices that honor God

Prayers

Wisdom and clear direction for our future

Jedidiah to make choices that build our trust

Staff for specific roles that need filled

Planning for Vida Missions

Wisdom for Daryl with taxes

Housing in PA for 4 of us July 15, 21-23

I stand amazed at moms who daily mix children, long hair and school!
One week of pre-school brushing and ponytail whining and this became the
"Before" ... 

And 18 months without a haircut this is the,
"After" ...

A boy with braids and a talented Belizean friend!

Moments with Mimi ...

Pop-pop reliving his youth! ...

His newest blessing for Casa Vidanet ...

Yes, this is Costa Rica ...
It's just a volcano, 9000 feet above sea level and unfortunately covered with clouds!

Pre-game excitement!

He made chicken melts for supper!

The long awaited hike with friends ...
The view did not disappoint!

4th and 9th grades, here we come! 

Beloved teachers at White Dove school in Santa Clara Honduras! ...
The Lord has given you an instructed tongue!

Tree felling is not for the faint of heart!
And, No, that wasn't an earthquake ... 

El Nido team ... sharing the hands and feet of Jesus.

Sharing life with "old" friends ...
It was a short two weeks!

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16