tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373309892024-03-13T23:03:28.415-06:00The Dixon DiaryWelcome to our journey, our lives. We live in Desamparados de San José Costa Rica and work with Students International. More importantly we are just regular people trying to follow Jesus. Join us on our journey.The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-71538822027372802022016-12-20T13:24:00.002-06:002016-12-20T13:24:44.846-06:00Clearing the Way for the LordIsaiah 40:3-5<br />3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,<br />“Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!<br />Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!<br />4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.<br />Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.<br />5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.<br /> The Lord has spoken!”<br />
<br />
After a year full of activity and ups and downs, personally, locally and internationally, I was recently reflecting on this passage of hope about John the Baptist and the Christ who would come. While these verses are full of many things, here are a couple that I've been thinking about. <br />
<br />
One observation is that our world today is not that different than it was in the time of Isaiah. Wilderness and wasteland are still apt descriptors for many places where there is chaos, injustice, suffering and war. Whether it's our personal lives, issues in our families and communities, or conflict in Syria, (insert place _______), and among world leaders, this planet is groaning (sometimes screaming) for change and help. <br />
<br />
In this passage is the call for God's justice and the invitation to be a part of levelling the mountains and clearing the rough places for the Messiah to be revealed. We believers are all called to the privileged task of actively sharing God's love with family, neighbours, coworkers, even strangers and enemies. I wonder how, exactly, I can remember this task as a privilege when the kids are fighting, and the landlord raises his asking price for the Wood Shop, and our staff don't see eye to eye, local traffic is exasperating, and violence seems ready to erupt around all the corners and in the lives of so many people we work with here. I simultaneously wonder at how much LOVE and JUSTICE are all the more needed in times like these. <br />
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Lord, help us to do all the hard work of love. And help us to count it as a privilege to do so.<br />
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Finally, we are reminded to hope in the promise that God's glory WILL be revealed, and that ALL the people will see it. God is faithful, and in this season of Advent, we remember that faithfulness in the glory-revealed-form of Emmanuel, God with us; Jesus, the gift sent for all the world (universe!). Even in the wasteland, we hope for what is to come. Our call is the same as Isaiah's, as John's, to level the mountains, clear the way, shout about Jesus who came, who still comes to us in the middle of all the messes and loves us, and who will come again to once-and-for-all make everything right. Even in our wastelands, we fight for love, hope, justice. <br />
<br />
God will have the last word, and God will get all the glory. Give us eyes to see it!The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-82270049165093811852016-06-20T22:20:00.000-06:002016-06-20T22:20:18.455-06:00The Pharisee and the Tax Collector<div class="first-line-none" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Yesterday, our pastor, Milton Rojas, preached a sermon on the following passage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><b><u>Luke 18:9-14</u></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Then Jesus told this story to some <i><b>who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else</b></i>:</span> <span class="text Luke-18-10" id="en-NLT-25666" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-11" id="en-NLT-25667" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NLT-25667b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NLT-25667b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Some manuscripts read </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">stood and prayed this prayer to himself</i><span class="text Luke-18-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NLT-25667b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NLT-25667b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">]</span>: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="text Luke-18-12" id="en-NLT-25668" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-13" id="en-NLT-25669" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“But the tax collector stood at a distance and <b><i>dared not even lift his eyes to heaven </i></b>as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘<b><i>O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’</i></b></span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-14" id="en-NLT-25670" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> In light of the </span></span>polarization that I see (from an 'outside' perspective of almost 8 years in Costa Rica) happening in the church in the USA, this sermon was timely. Whether I believe myself to be better than 'sinners' or better than other 'believers' is not that important. Arrogance has no place in the Kingdom of God. God is not impressed with my list of good deeds and accomplishments. I can do lots of great things and be an outstanding pharisee that talks more to convince myself and others how great (right) I am than actually connect with God and love others. And in the polarization of issues, political or otherwise, I must be careful to remember that my citizenship in God's kingdom supersedes my citizenship in any earthly nation. And the mark of his kingdom is <i>love</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Yesterday I was reminded that I need to stop believing in my own righteousness and the 'righteousness' of my opinions. I must lean into Christ's mercy, for I, too, am a sinner. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">O God, be merciful to me. . . .</span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ayer, nuestro pastor, Milton Rojas, hizo una predica sobre el siguiente pasaje.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><u><b>Lucas 18:9-14</b></u></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Luego Jesús contó la siguiente historia <i><b>a algunos que tenían mucha confianza en su propia rectitud y despreciaban a los demás</b></i>:</span> <span class="text Luke-18-10" id="es-NTV-25666" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">«Dos hombres fueron al templo a orar. Uno era fariseo, y el otro era un despreciado cobrador de impuestos.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-11" id="es-NTV-25667" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">El fariseo, de pie, apartado de los demás, hizo la siguiente oración:<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fes-NTV-25667b" data-link="[<a href="#fes-NTV-25667b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="footnote-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Algunos manuscritos dicen <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">El fariseo se puso de pie e hizo la siguiente oración para sí mismo.</i></span><span class="text Luke-18-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fes-NTV-25667b" data-link="[<a href="#fes-NTV-25667b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">]</span> “Te agradezco, Dios, que no soy un pecador como todos los demás. Pues no engaño, no peco y no cometo adulterio. ¡Para nada soy como ese cobrador de impuestos!</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="text Luke-18-12" id="es-NTV-25668" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Ayuno dos veces a la semana y te doy el diezmo de mis ingresos”.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-13" id="es-NTV-25669" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">»En cambio, el cobrador de impuestos se quedó a la distancia <b><i>y ni siquiera se atrevía a levantar la mirada al cielo </i></b>mientras oraba, sino que golpeó su pecho en señal de dolor mientras decía: “<b><i>Oh Dios, ten compasión de mí, porque soy un pecador”</i></b>.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-14" id="es-NTV-25670" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Les digo que fue este pecador —y no el fariseo— quien regresó a su casa justificado delante de Dios. Pues los que se exaltan a sí mismos serán humillados, y los que se humillan serán exaltados».</span></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-18-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> Con todo lo que está pasando en estos días con la polarización de ideas dentro de la iglesia en los EEUU (de mi perspectiva, ya con casi 8 años viviendo en Costa Rica), este sermon llegó en el momento adecuado. Que yo me crea mejor que los 'pecadores' o mejor que otros 'creyentes' no importa tanto. La arrogancia no tiene lugar en el reino de Dios. El no queda impresionado con mi lista de hechos buenos ni mis logros. Yo puedo hacer muchas cosas buenas y hasta ser una excelente </span></span>fariseo que habla mas para convencerme a mi misma y a otros de cuan buena (correcta) que sea yo y realmente no conectarme con Dios ni amar a otros. Y en medio de esta 'polarización' de ideas y asuntos, politicos o religiosos, debo tener cuidado y recordar que mi ciudadania en el reino de Dios sobrepasa mi ciudadania de cualquier otra nación del mundo. Y lo que marca la diferencia en su reino es el <i>amor</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Ayer, me acordé que necesito dejar de creer en mi propia justicia, y en la 'justicia' de mis opiniones. Debo acercarme y dependerme mas en la misericordia de Cristo, porque yo también soy pecadora.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh Dios, ten compasión de mi. . . .</span></div>
The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-68444642541478219482016-06-20T07:48:00.003-06:002016-06-20T07:48:57.216-06:00BIG Time GapAs I opened the blog this morning, I realised just how long it's been since I wrote anything. It was the day before my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The day before. Now it's been well over a year since he went to be with Jesus. I don't know that there's any possible way to fill in all the gaps with the feelings and events that have transpired during this last year+. So, for now, anyway, I'm going to leave it all where it is. And we'll see. . .The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-59117103800243673792015-03-14T16:20:00.000-06:002015-03-14T16:20:35.643-06:00HomeschoolThere is part of me that still can't believe I'm actually homeschooling Sawyer this year. There's another part of me that can't believe I actually <i>like</i> it. We're about ready to start week 6, and I thought I'd share my thoughts so far and give a little update.<br />
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The end of 2014, as the school year was wrapping up here in CR, and even though his report card showed excellent grades, I suddenly had this sense that maybe I needed to homeschool Sawyer for 3rd grade. Those of you that have known me for awhile, and know that I was a <i>public</i> school teacher, know the biases I've had against homeschooling. BUT. . . over the last few years, my heart has softened. I can't exactly say how this happened. Maybe it's because I've met and talked with many homeschooled kids and families and have seen "good fruit" in the way of relevant, poised and deep-thinking kids that challenged my prejudices. Maybe because my belief in the public education system went out the window when we realised we needed to put our kids in <i>private</i> school here, and a door was cracked open that I didn't notice, opening up my mind to a variety of school options. Maybe it was because the first time I really considered homeschool was a few years ago as a way to help our monthly budget. I don't know.<br />
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Anyway, we wrestled with what to do. Would homeschool give Sawyer the one-on-one attention that his teachers couldn't give him? Would we jeopardise his sociability? Should we make him tough it out and have a more 'typical' school experience? Would he grow to hate school if we put him in this year b/c he wouldn't be able to copy things fast enough, read well enough, or write neatly enough? Would he be able to enter the Costa Rican school system in the future without a 'real' school report card? Would the potential benefits outweigh the risks? We prayed and went back and forth. As I investigated the legalities, looked at curriculums, analysed Sawyer's strengths (math, creativity, intelligence, energy, passion) and weaknesses (focus, impulse control, fine motor skills, etc), and prayed, I came to the conclusion that it was 'now or never' if we were going to try homeschool. In short, I decided to go for it, was able to order curriculum and my parents brought it down in a suitcase in January when they visited. (It was nearly 50 lbs. of books!)<br />
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So. . . I'm relieved to say it's been going well. Sawyer asked me the other day if it was possible to homeschool through college; I told him we weren't ready to make that decision yet. <br />
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He does enjoy homeschool, though we have had our moments of conflict. It's been really insightful for me and is helping me to understand the things that must have been a challenge for both him and his teachers in the past!! In the moments where he would give up or tune out and take an incomplete in school, I am able to insist he finish his work. When he needs a break to use up some energy or to refocus, I can let him run around outside, play with legos, or bounce a basket ball. (Can I just say again how THANKFUL I am for this house and YARD we are living in!!?!?) We are able to move around the house for different 'subjects' to keep things new and interesting. I can give him immediate follow-up and feedback all day long. We do science experiments, reading, and I can let him skip a few math problems if he already knows how to do them. I can add or take away curriculum according to his needs. One thing we did over the last 2 weeks was an animal research report that got him writing about something he was interested in (chipmunks :) ), and helped teach the writing process. He's also learning world history (let's face it--I'm learning, too), and geography. We are even going through the Spanish and Social Studies books that his school uses, just to stay in the loop here. Added bonus: he gets to do PE with Thompson at our sports site and Art at the Wood Shop with Joshua.<br />
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So far the biggest challenges for me have been related to schedule and also my role in SI. Sawyer focuses and cooperates much better in the morning, so if we can plow through everything from 7-12 we finish without too many bumps in the road. But when we run errands, or do anything out of the 'ordinary' it's tough to regain focus later on. The other hard thing is scaling back my involvement in all things SI-CR-related. I'm still trying to find a good rhythm for myself in this area. I told Jeff early on that I was willing to sacrifice that stuff if we decided that homeschool was the best choice for this year. I meant it, but I also want to be careful to stay connected with our staff and the things going on in sites. Homeschool can be very isolating, which is probably one of the biggest drawbacks. In the States people have formed well-organised co-ops and schools sometimes allow kids to still do sports or other activities on their campuses. Here, there is very little of that since homeschool isn't recognised. <br />
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I still worry that I will do things wrong, or screw him up somehow, but mostly I have deep peace about homeschooling Sawyer this year. A friend once, very wisely, advised us to take school one year at a time. So here we are in this year. One kid in private school, one in a private preschool, and one in homeschool. <br />
<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-50240169084185309602014-12-24T13:02:00.000-06:002014-12-24T13:04:26.761-06:00Elvis<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFXfqBttNe0/VD7D6gyoQ4I/AAAAAAAAAZk/HxCsGeDgrs8/s1600/10355462_10154691965615445_8520940584035141543_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFXfqBttNe0/VD7D6gyoQ4I/AAAAAAAAAZk/HxCsGeDgrs8/s1600/10355462_10154691965615445_8520940584035141543_o.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have known Elvis for
almost 5 years. He was one of the first
youth to come to the woodshop when it opened.
His attendance at the shop has gone in spurts. He will have months or even a year that he is
at the shop faithfully several times a week, then a few moths in which we won’t
see him more than to say hello. As I am
not at the shop everyday my interaction is limited with Elvis. However, I cherish the interactions we do
have. He may be the most knowledgeable
Tico I know when it comes to U.S. sports such as football and baseball. So of course we often talk sports and he
frequently tells me the Broncos will never win the super bowl.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I enjoy these
conversations about sports but more so enjoy the conversations about life. I frequently ask Elvis about what he is
learning and what God is teaching him.
For a long time if he had not gone to church recently he didn’t know how
to answer, because to Elvis what God was teaching him was exclusively tied to
the last sermon he had heard. And too be
honest Elvis’ church attendance is let’s just say sporadic. However he is receptive to the Lord and eager
to talk about spiritual matters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the last five
years I have watched as Elvis has grown from a squirrely young teen-age boy
into a man. He has grown in patience,
perseverance, responsibility, truthfulness, and grown closer to the Lord. Recently two events have demonstrated Elvis’
growth. First he finished 8<sup>th</sup>
grade. Elvis dropped out of school
several years ago, and went back to night school this year. He stuck to it and was able to pass the year
and advance to 9<sup>th</sup> grade. He
also finished a ukulele at the shop (the photo above is of Elvis with his
ukulele in process). He persevered and
showed patience as he chiseled, planed, and sanded his ukulele by hand. The Elvis I met almost 5 years ago would not
have accomplished either of these.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the time I have
known Elvis God has slowly transformed his life. It has been transformed through consistent
interactions with our staff members at the shop who have faithfully and
consistently poured into his life. Thank
you Jeremy, Dustin, Jehudi, and Joshua for pouring into Elvis! I see great potential in Elvis as he
continues to become the man God is calling him to be. I look forward to watching what God will do
in and through my friend in the years to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-84073320284186772612014-12-24T12:26:00.000-06:002014-12-24T12:26:40.893-06:00La Convivencia
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In October we were
approached by the principal at the school we partner with in La Capri (this is
the school where our Special Education Ministry Site is located and we also
have sports programs at the school) about helping with the “Convivencia” for
the 6th graders. The “Convivencia” is a traditional
year end activity celebrating the 6th graders accomplishment of finishing elementary
school and launching them into high school (here we don’t have Jr. High/Middle
School. It is straight from 6th grade to
High School). Usually this event is done
in conjunction with the school religion teacher and very rarely is an outside
organization trusted with thus event, let alone an evangelical one. As we continued to talk with the principal it
became clear that she did not want us to help with the event, but rather she
wanted us to take charge of the event.
So we politely said we would be happy to do so, but we would clearly
present the Gospel during it. She said
that would be fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the next few
weeks as we began to plan I asked myself several times what we had gotten
ourselves into. You see there are 4 sixth
grade classrooms at the school with over 30 students in each class. So we were in essence planning a party for
over 120 6<sup>th</sup> graders who look forward to this day for years. No
pressure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A local camp connected
to the church we attend agreed to let us use their camp for the day at less
than 25% of their usually fee, since it was during the week and an event
working with youth from an at-risk neighborhood. We also were able to schedule the day during
an outreach so we would have extra logistical help. The team members from Highlands Church in
Paso Robles, CA were amazing as they helped prepare and serve food, fill water
balloons, clean up, etc. We could not
have done it without them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Too be honest I had
little to do with the actual planning of the event as our staff members Diego,
Jana, and MacKenzie took care of the planning and preparation. The rest of our staff joined us for the day
and it was a tremendous success! Our
staff members worked in teams as each team was in charge of a group of about 15
6<sup>th</sup> graders as we moved through 4 game stations in the morning. Each game was debriefed afterward discussing
the values we could learn from each one and how those could help us as we
started high school. Our staff also took
advantage of every opportunity to talk about Jesus, and how we all need him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following lunch the
associate pastor, Roberto, from our church shared a great message about
conquering the giant that is high school and clearly presented the Gospel. After a time of response and reflection each
student received an envelope of letters from key people in their lives
encouraging them during this time of transition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day went better
than we could have imagined. The 6<sup>th</sup>
graders had a great time, a memorable time, and repeatedly heard about
Jesus. It was also a humbling day. Humbling to think about the favor God has
given us in the communities where we work. To see some of the now young adults
whom we have been working with for the last 4 years enjoy this day was rewarding. It is also humbling to reflect on being asked
to do this event. For an evangelical
organization to be asked to do this type of event by a public school is unheard
of. Praise God for his faithfulness and
for allowing us to be his hands and feet.
Please join us in praying that the seed that were planted and watered
that day would grow and flourish into Godly men and women.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a slideshow of
pictures from the “Convivencia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/112337479" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/112337479">Convivencia La Capri 2014</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34619481">SI Costa Rica</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-16886742765576838692014-08-13T17:19:00.000-06:002014-08-13T17:21:20.958-06:0015,000 words more or less<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCKU7_WJ8Zk/U-uCLXlBvPI/AAAAAAAAEsg/KH7yi3uvpPM/s1600/100_3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCKU7_WJ8Zk/U-uCLXlBvPI/AAAAAAAAEsg/KH7yi3uvpPM/s1600/100_3952.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view from the porch. So many shades of green and red!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB3IqNHkEZw/U-uCKkCIziI/AAAAAAAAEsY/8aKimI0OCsU/s1600/100_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB3IqNHkEZw/U-uCKkCIziI/AAAAAAAAEsY/8aKimI0OCsU/s1600/100_3954.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The "chicken coop" that currently houses our trash and recycling. Also doubles as a playhouse. The gate to the right goes up the mountain to the lookout and bonfire pit.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO9XDCjrD3c/U-uCUV-LECI/AAAAAAAAEso/x52lBcr5qAQ/s1600/100_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO9XDCjrD3c/U-uCUV-LECI/AAAAAAAAEso/x52lBcr5qAQ/s1600/100_3963.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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View through the fence where we are going to plant some veggies.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CF_yjIIKU9w/U-uCHqGJMVI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/_P15Cyigo2U/s1600/100_3962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CF_yjIIKU9w/U-uCHqGJMVI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/_P15Cyigo2U/s1600/100_3962.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tucker, who we adopted with the house, and Cici. Thankfully, they get along wonderfully. I think they got mixed up about their beds, however. . .<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itNHyO-Jyt4/U-uCUSjRTLI/AAAAAAAAEss/3gCxi8GHOr0/s1600/100_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itNHyO-Jyt4/U-uCUSjRTLI/AAAAAAAAEss/3gCxi8GHOr0/s1600/100_3966.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The road that runs in front of the house. To the left is Desamparados Centro, to the right Patarrá and Los Guido.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNRIHlETuBw/U-uCZLz3G6I/AAAAAAAAEs4/eprsGwPr4c8/s1600/100_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNRIHlETuBw/U-uCZLz3G6I/AAAAAAAAEs4/eprsGwPr4c8/s1600/100_3967.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bathroom #1. Fun and spacious. To the left is a HUGE closet.<br />
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Sawyer's room which doubles as a guest room. At such times he is happy to sleep on the floor in the other bedroom.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Olivia and Lynnea's room. Check out the perfect bed nook.<br />
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Master bedroom. Windows, windows, windows!<br />
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Bathroom #2, aka master bathroom. Shower and toilet are to the left, but I wanted to highlight the storage area! <br />
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The AMAZING kitchen! It is about 3 or 4 times bigger than each of the other kitchens we've had here, plus tons of cupboards and counter tops. And WINDOWS!!<br />
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The dining room.<br />
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The living room. Beautiful wood, and more windows! The area behind the couch houses books, art supplies, toys, and some boxes that still need to be unpacked.<br />
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From the driveway. The kids now have room to ride scooters and bikes. They also love the basketball hoop.<br />
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Looking up the left side of the house to the patio/laundry area.</div>
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I realized I didn't get a good shot of the actual porch, which is also AWESOME, nor of the mountain or fire pit. But, in order to get some pictures up here, those will just have to wait for another post. . . </div>
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Thank you to all who have prayed (and prayed and prayed) with us about housing! Thank you, Jesus, for this over-the-top provision!! Praise him with us?!!</div>
The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-56276148268805796652014-08-13T07:28:00.002-06:002014-08-13T07:35:14.491-06:001 + Months Already!!Many of you have heard that we moved into the amazing house that I posted about a few months ago. It's TRUE. It all happened quickly at the end, but here we are. God is GOOD. Praise God with us! We were in the middle of hosting teams and other guests, so I hadn't had time to do more than post a few random pictures on Facebook. <i>Entonces</i>, I'm making myself sit down to write a post that will hopefully fill in some of the details.<br />
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Essentially what happened is that the missionaries that own this house really want/ed to sell it. It would have been so much easier for them to return to Canada without a house here in Costa Rica to think about. They all-but-sold it twice, but backed out of each deal for lack of peace and a conviction that they weren't supposed to sell to either of those couples. So, after that roller-coaster ride, knowing that we were really interested in it, but without a way to buy it, they asked if we'd rent it while they took some more time to pray and regroup. So, after a couple of conversations working out the details, we packed our stuff and moved it over. (At the end it all came together in maybe a week or something!?!)<br />
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So here we are. We keep marvelling at the way God has worked things out. "We get to live <i>here</i>? Really?" <br />
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This property is truly amazing. We are still very close to our office, ministry sites, host families, etc. We are on the main road (our only reminder that we are, in fact, still in the city), but surrounded by fruit trees, grass and flowers. There is an amazing 'mountain' that rises behind the house to the bonfire pit and a breathtaking view of San Jose. The house is spacious, has an amazing kitchen, porch, and <i>tons</i> of windows. I'm serious about the windows. Somehow washing dishes isn't so bad when you have a great view. <br />
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We have already had the privilege of hosting Jeff's parents and our nephew Thomas, as well as Nate and Maggie Slabach, as overnight guests. And we've been able to host cultural activities/bonfires with 2 different teams, plus a couple of other activities. Amid the many unpacked boxes and chaos of moving (our guests have all been very gracious!) we have been in awe to see God fulfil this <i>sueño </i>(dream) and allow us to steward such a place as this. May we steward well.<br />
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Olivia, Sawyer, and Lynnea are all thrilled, too. I was watching Sawyer playing outside yesterday, running and shouting and throwing and other boy-things, and it struck me again how much God cares not only about our ministry, but also about our kids. I trust that the years that we have lived without a yard and without amazing windows have been for great purposes, too. But my mommy heart cried out for nature and space for my kids--Sawyer especially--and God has answered in such a big way that my heart spins. I have no way of knowing how long we will live in this house, but for this time I am thankful beyond words. <br />
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God, I was crazy to hope for something like this, to ask you for something so great; you are spoiling us and I don't deserve it, but thank you. <br />
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Please pray for the Hilstad family as they transition back to life in Canada, and that God's will would continue to be done with this house. <br />
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Pictures to follow soon!!<br />
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PS Another great thing that God has worked out of this is that the landlords of the old house were willing to hold that house for our new teammates, the Fasts, who will be arriving this week. They will be cozy as a family of 6, but the location is perfect for them as they settle in and get to know Desamparados, especially without a car right away. They'll be walking distance from the language school, groceries, the SI-CR office, preschool and bus lines. The other advantage is that we can have it set up for them before they get here. Friends, God is a God of details.<br />
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<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-60758247663368404092014-04-03T10:37:00.000-06:002014-04-03T10:43:52.781-06:00More Housing Prayer Requests :)If you've followed our adventure in Costa Rica at all, or have prayed for us even occasionally, you know that we desire to buy a house here. Sparing you the monotonous details, we need to make some decisions about housing again in the near future. Our rental contract will be up soon for this 'new' house we moved into last year. We have also been keeping our eyes open (though not really actively looking) for properties for sale.<br />
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So here's the deal:<br />
Please PRAY! We need direction from God. Pray that we will hear him clearly, that he will open and close doors very specifically. Things like location, finances, hospitality possibilities, and a yard are all important to us. <br />
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*If we are supposed to stay in this house--that we could arrange a new, fair contract, that any rise in rent would be minimal.<br />
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*If we are supposed to keep renting but move somewhere new--that God would lead us to the right place, in the right timing (around team / summer / semester schedules), be for long-term, and close the door to the house we are in currently<br />
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*If we are supposed to buy something--that God would drop the right thing in our laps, provide for a low-intrest rate loan and down payment, etc.<br />
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*If we are supposed to buy THIS house: (Click below and check it out!)<br />
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<a href="http://free2beachristian.wix.com/houseforsale" target="_blank">A House We REALLY Like!</a><br />
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--That we would know, the owners would know, and that all the finances would come together. <b><i>Please pray specifically about this one!!</i></b> Last year there was a house we were interested in and it sold within a week of seeing it. I actually called on it to move forward and it had sold the day before! God gave us great peace about that situation--it wasn't for us. <br />
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We are praying the same for this opportunity, too, something like this, "God, if this is the place, please open the door wide, and provide a way for us to be able to financially make this happen. If it is not for us, please let someone else sweep in and buy it quickly--have mercy and don't let us get our hopes up if it is a closed door." <br />
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So, hopefully you've looked at the pictures and are wowed. :) Let me just emphasize some of the things we love about this property. Of all the ba-jillions of properties we've looked at, this is pretty much what we've been praying for. It is in a great, safe location for us and our ministry sites, has a lot of land (WAY more than we need!), and has great possibilities for adding a guest room/suite (or 2). There is a bonfire pit at the top of the hill, and a great spot for camping out. It's an older home, but the missionaries who own it have done a ton of work on it, so it is 'move-in ready,' which we love because we have neither time nor know-how to do much more than paint and take care of occasional fix-ups. The kitchen is <b>A.MAZING</b>. Go look at the kitchen pictures again. Amazing, right? We would be so spoiled. And there are <i><b>tons of windows</b></i> through the whole house, making for lots of natural light and great ventilation. <br />
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So, what's the catch??? <br />
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First of all, we've been pretty cautious through this whole process to pray and seek God's direction for all the houses we've looked at, so we want prayer and confirmation from those who love and know us, and our situation, best. We feel accountable to all of you who make it possible for us to be here, who support us, pray for us, encourage us. Bottom line is that we want to live where God wants us to live--<i><b>exactly</b></i> where he wants us to live. Just because we've found what we think is the 'perfect thing' doesn't mean it's really what God wants for us. I've written about this before that maybe sometimes God doesn't really care where people live, but in our case, we need to be accessible, not too far away from our staff and ministry, etc. <br />
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The second thing is finances. Real estate in the San Jose area is not cheap. From a human standpoint, we cannot afford this house. The owners are asking $225,000. For as close to the city as it is, as much land as it is, the condition of the house, etc., this is a VERY GOOD price. It appraised for $100,000 MORE than they are asking. Whoever gets this property will be getting a really great deal. There are other houses close to us that are not as nice, with little or no yards, that are also around that price. (The one we are in currently is selling for about $140,000, which is a fair price, but doesn't have a lot of future possibilities.) Anyway, <i><b>if this is the house for us, God will be doing a miracle</b></i>. Plain and simple. And he will get all the glory for that. <br />
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Soooooo, we want to put some feelers out and ask for input. Are we CRAZY to even look at this as a possibility??? Does it seem like a good deal? What is God telling you about it? Does it seem wiser to keep renting? Inflation is so crazy here and rents go up all the time. . . we do not relish the idea of moving every couple of years. . . Is it wise to buy? Would we be able to resell? Should we sell our house in Visalia? Any insights or creative ideas for financing??? Bottom line: Pray for God's will to be obviously clear. <br />
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If you have any questions or anything, please contact us. And thank you. Thank you for praying about these things with us! <br />
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<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-88064519992214579422014-03-28T12:25:00.000-06:002014-03-28T12:27:14.432-06:00Earthquakes and Rocks<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>"For the mountains may move</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>and the hills disappear, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>but even then my faithful love for you will remain. </b></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>My covenant of blessing will never be broken," </b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>says the LORD, who has mercy on you. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Isaiah 54:10</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>The LORD is my rock, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>my fortress, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>and my savior; </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>He is my shield, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>the power that saves me, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>and my place of safety. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Psalm 18:2</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Haven't blogged for awhile. Sometimes too many half-formed ideas and thoughts are swimming around, percolating, in my mind and I can't pin them down enough to write about them. But this is a big idea that God has been teaching me in the last season or two. I think I can write about it now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some things have happened around us this past year that have been really hard. Things that have been both harder and easier for us to watch and be a part of because we live "far away." Many times I have thanked God for his mercy because we have possibly been spared a lot of heartache due to distance; other times I have maybe grieved more deeply because we couldn't be closer to help and be more involved. We have likened these events to many things, but I think the most accurate description would be that they have been like earthquakes. Earthquakes in the sense that sometimes we take for granted certain aspects of our lives as givens, and then something happens to shake it all up, mess it all up, or even just plain <i>change</i> it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>I look up to the mountains-</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>does my help come from there?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>My help comes from the LORD</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>who made heaven and earth! </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Psalm 121:1-2</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How many times have I looked to the mountains for help? Counted on the mountains and the things I considered constants in life to be there, to help me---only to have them be shaken, torn down, disappeared? People, churches, jobs, families, health, hearts--they can all change. Loyalties can shift, things die. Some changes are good and for positive reasons. But usually there is also loss and grieving, even in the best of changes. The things I once thought would always be around seem to be so swiftly shaken up and swept away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, where does my help come from? Who is my Rock? If everything around or in us falls apart, where do we turn? Although I always knew the right words, this last year I have <i>really seen, </i>really been learning, that God is the only rock that will never be moved. My loyalty is to God <i>alone</i>. My trust is in God <i>alone</i>. God is my only refuge, my place of safety, my only shield. The mountains may move--in fact they probably will--but God will always be the constant that does not crumble. God will strengthen, God will save, God will redeem, and God will bless. My hope is in him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>Let all that I am wait quietly before God,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>for my hope is in him.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>He alone is my rock and my salvation,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>my fortress where I will not be shaken. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>Psalm </i></b></span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>62:5-6</i></b><br />
<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-69930684052273086212013-12-16T20:46:00.000-06:002013-12-16T20:46:07.836-06:00Pasantes Especiales/Special Interns<br />
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These two young men helped us launch an internship program this year, and we are so proud of their work. Justin and William are on the soccer team in Los Guido that is part of our SI-CR sports ministry. They had both dropped out of high school, which is pretty common, but makes future job possibilities bleak. Both of these guys had demonstrated leadership qualities, and at the beginning of 2013 we were in need of some extra help in our ministry sites. Hence the idea to start a program to help young people finish high school (or go to trade school) while gaining valuable resume experience, give them an opportunity to be discipled, AND provide real help in our ministry sites. </div>
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We weren't sure how it would go, but we're happy to report that it has been a good year. William and Justin have truly been a support and blessing to the sites they've been a part of, and we are all very grateful for their willingness to be guinea pigs. Of the 4 young men who started the program in January they are the only two who finished the year. William successfully completed a certificate program in basic electronics and Justin took a giant leap forward toward being a professional soccer player as he played regularly for a local second division team. They also served in our sports, social services, and micro business ministry sites. They were a tremendous help!</div>
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As is usually the case, this program would not have been a success without God's faithful hand and many hours of hard work by our incredible co-workers. All of our staff invested in some way in these two lives. I (Jeff) enjoyed getting to know these two guys who are both filled with potential and have many challenges to overcome. Throughout the year I had the privilege to laugh, cry, and pray with them. We had several heart-to-heart conversations as we rode the roller coaster of life together, and as I tried to learn the balance between loving mentor and stern boss. What a privilege it was to watch as both took significant steps forward in their faith journey. In the midst of the business and the to-do lists, working with William and Justin was a reminder of why we do what we do. They are two lives in the midst of transformation. Yet a funny thing often happens when we seek to serve and see lives transformed, as God often does a work in our own lives. As I sought to mentor and to teach I found myself being the student, as I learned much from these two young men. Thank you William and Justin for being good teachers!</div>
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<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-79112368926430780032013-12-05T23:52:00.001-06:002013-12-05T23:52:55.109-06:00That Explains ItSawyer has hated church for as long as I can remember. It's boring. It's loud (he plugs his ears most of the time during worship). It's hot. There're too many people. This has created problems for us, his <i>missionary</i> parents. How embarrassing that this cute little blondie-foreigner cannot sit still on a chair in a crowd of people and ends up kicking them, or shouting out at the quietest moment, or in some other way is at best a distraction for sweet old ladies that want to worship and learn, or for other families whose children sit still and entertain themselves. . . or actually listen and sing and pray at all the right times. So often one of us has ended up pulling him out and sitting in a side room with him. Torture for him. Torture for us. Is he going to hate God because we make him go to church? Hate us because we whisper threats to him, hoping no one around us speaks enough English to understand?<br />
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Some Sundays are okay. There was the one that I let Sawyer play his harmonica down between the chairs during worship. He played his heart out. Many have been the kind where I wonder, "What must they be thinking about us?" Crazy gringos. Horrible parents. Wild, naughty child. All in Spanish, of course. This kind of thinking, naturally, does a lot for feeling nourished.<br />
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We love Sawyer. He is funny, smart, quit-witted, kind. He is creative and imaginative. He loves to 'fix' and invent things. He loves puzzles and figuring out things. When he focuses, there is no stopping or deterring him. He needs to be told 138 times to get his socks and shoes on. . . He loves sports, climbing, anything active. He also loves music and God, just not-so-much in church. He makes huge messes looking for one tiny lego piece, and then can't understand why he should clean them up. He loses all his glue sticks and colored pencils within a week of getting new ones. His teacher staples a note or homework list in his agenda book and sometimes they are lost by the time he gets home--and <i>he doesn't even ride the bus</i>. I finally patched his school uniform pants; now the patches are getting holes. He's an encourager and an optimist most of the time, but is easily frustrated and hurt by things that seem trivial. He will grasp any concept that he is taught, but has a hard time remembering rules and manners. He's loud, but hates a noisy environment. Loves to entertain, but feels better alone or with just a couple of people. He will throw himself on the floor playing and not get hurt, but then flip out when someone touches him. <br />
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For the last few years, we have had meetings with Sawyer's teachers and the school psychologist regarding his impulsivity and the things written above. Every time they said to wait on evaluating him because maybe he would mature (and he has, some), maybe he just needed an iron fist, maybe he was just a normal-active little boy. This year, his 1st grade teachers (who were angels!) finally agreed that maybe it was time to evaluate him. They were amazing, for the record. They knew all the tricks for getting him to listen, cooperate, excel and thrive. They were patient, but firm, and loved Sawyer very much. <br />
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So we took him to a psychologist who met with Jeff and I, then met with Sawyer a couple of times. Long story shorter is that she told us that he has ADHD. We were not extremely surprised and were actually kind of relieved to have answers, thinking, "that explains it. . . ."<br />
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I can't say that a whole lot has changed so far. The psych actually said we were already doing a lot of the things she would have suggested to us, and so were his teachers. We are not medicating him at this point, and hope that it won't be necessary in the future, either. We have cut him back almost completely on screens (computer, video games, etc.) because we learned that the visual stimulation in screens short-circuits the brains of kids with ADHD, making things like tics worse (which Sawyer has sometimes in his eye), and also aggressiveness, even if they don't watch or play violent things. She also said kids with ADHD in particular NEED contact with nature and outside play, which was great to hear since we've seen how much having a yard helps him. I also picked up some massage techniques from a special ed teacher I met here that make Sawyer melt like butter. Massaging his hands and fingers is currently making church (and other crowded places that don't interest him) much more pleasant for both Sawyer and us. Honestly, <i>it's really bizarre how well it works to relax him.</i> <br />
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There's a lot more to research, like diet, weighted vests, supplements. We need some new strategies in our bag of discipline tricks. Because of some of his extreme sensitivity to certain things, I also suspect that Sawyer has some sensory processing (integration) issues, though there is debate as to whether it is simply part of ADHD (and other disorders) or if it is it's own special thing. <br />
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Do I like labelling children? Not especially. I hope this doesn't put Sawyer in some kind of box. Will it help us to know how to help him, and give us more understanding? Absolutely. Will it help him at church, in school, in life? I hope so. Now that we know a little more about how Sawyer's brain works we can find ways to harness the positive things and teach him how to cope with the challenges of ADHD. <br />
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And we can pull him out of church without feeling so frustrated. Maybe church, in the traditional sense, will never be Sawyer's favorite thing, but now we know that it's okay to give him some help to get through it. I know he loves God. Thankfully God understands and loves Sawyer, too, and isn't offended if he plugs his ears during worship! Hopefully the worship team understands, too. . . .<br />
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<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-11967050657978631822013-11-28T15:07:00.000-06:002013-12-06T00:13:59.172-06:00Thankfulness<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Between semester students, the ladies from two classes, and us teachers, we realized that we represented 6 different countries! That's a lot of diversity for a small group, so we decided to celebrate the end of English class with a cultural activity where everyone collaborated and brought food to share from their home culture. We shared a little about pilgrims and Wampanoags, turkeys, etc., too. It was fun--and delicious! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the point I want to make is not actually related to the food or the cultural bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took time at the end to go around and share what we were thankful for. It was amazing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes we wonder if the things we do matter. We wonder if we are really following the Holy Spirit's leading or if we are just inventing ministries on our own in vain. <i>And sometimes I wonder who is ministering to who.</i> (to whom? Hmm.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God used Doña C that day when she shared (again) how her life changed when Maria Eliza and I went and prayed with her one day two years ago and invited her to join the micro-finance group. To be honest, it was all Maria. And I really have done nothing special to deserve her love and loyalty except to push her not to give up on coming to English class. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She has never been to school. Four of her five children have been or are in prison. Her husband left her several years ago. She is raising some of her grandchildren, and she has health problems that she deals with on a daily basis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet, she has learned to read enough to be able to read the Bible. She comes to English class, not to become fluent in English, but to exercise her mind, to get out of the house. She is thankful for all that God has done in her life. She is thankful for the way he has acted on her behalf in the last two years. She said that God has been so good to her, that he has spoiled her, that he has always taken care of her. She is so thankful for the other ladies in the group, how they encourage her and lift her up. So thankful for Diana and Cindy, the leaders of the micro-finance ministry. And she's thankful for me, for praying for her, for helping her learn English. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How did I get included in that list? I hope that I'm communicating this right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doña C has been through some very excruciating situations in her life. She has suffered and has not given up. She has persevered. She is letting God take the muck of her life and form something beautiful. She was so close to giving up (probably many, many times), but she hasn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>She</i></b> is a hero. And she is thankful for (among all those other things) how God has used little-old-me in her life. I am humbled. I am convicted. And constantly floored. <i>Her praise to God cuts my soul. </i>While I see and rejoice with her in all that God has done, I recognize that she is still in the middle of, and reaping, terrible circumstances. How can she be so thankful? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And how can I be so un-thankful sometimes? Who is ministering to whom? (to who??) I am definitely on the receiving end with Doña C. And I am thankful for that. Thankful for her special spirit. Thankful for her example of dependency and trust in the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She lives Romans 12:12. <span class="text Rom-12-12" id="en-NIV-28258" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup><i><b>Be joyful in hope,<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28258B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> patient in affliction, <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28258C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>faithful in prayer.</b><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28258D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></i></span><i style="background-color: white;"> </i></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-12-13" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have found myself saying many times in the last couple of years that I will probably never know Jesus in the same way that many of the ladies in our micro-finance site have come to know him. I haven't really concluded whether that's okay or not. I do, however, deeply respect and admire the strength of spirit, the depth of faith, that has developed in women like Doña C because of clinging to God in the middle of suffering and pain. So, while I might teach Doña C a few words in English, she has taught me infinitely more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-12-13"><br /></span>
<span class="text Rom-12-13">I have much to be thankful for. And I guess I'll keep teaching English class, because <i>I have so much still to learn. </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-12-13"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-12-13">Psalm 103</span></span></div>
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The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-66476618219854381852013-11-13T13:51:00.001-06:002013-11-13T13:58:49.040-06:00My Own UnderstandingYesterday in English class with the "avanzadas" (the advanced group), our semester students shared Proverbs 3:5 with the ladies, which says:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trust in the LORD with all your heart </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and lean not on your own understanding;</span>.<br />
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Verse 6 goes on to say:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in all your ways submit to him, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and he will make your paths straight.</span><br />
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In light of some of the issues several ladies from English class are facing (financial, immigration, health, unfaithful husbands, etc.), this verse was spot on for yesterday's class. (Thank you Cristina and Elina.) And I have been thinking about it ever since, in light of some of the things that friends are facing, that we are, too. Things look very bleak if we see only with human eyes and human understanding. How many times have I said things like, "God wants us to use our brain." Or, "God gave us a brain for a reason." But, as I have been pondering the words above, words that I memorized in my 4th grade Sunday School class, I am struck that I rely on my 'own understanding' far too often. And I 'submit to him', or another version says 'acknowledge him,' far too little. I try to straighten my own paths more than I trust God to do it. <br />
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Let me clarify that I DO think God wants us to use and exercise our brains, our creativity, etc. In fact the scriptures strongly encourage us to seek wisdom and understanding, to grow in our knowledge of God, etc. But even wisdom originates with God, and is given to us by him. <br />
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I have had the luxury of a lot of safety nets in my life, including family, government, the race and class I was born into, my education, etc. Until the last few seasons, I have not really had to depend much on the Lord. (At least I have not <i>recognized</i> my dependency on the Lord.) I can figure a lot of things out on my own, or someone I know will help me. My 'own understanding' has typically been enough for me. And even when it hasn't been, my tendency is to <i>worry</i>, not to take things to God. The culture I grew up in encourages me to be self-sufficient, independent, able to conquer anything I put my mind to. It does not encourage me to be dependent on God, interested in the common good, or submitted to any plans God might have for my life (especially if they do not resemble the "American Dream" in some form). My culture says it's all about me and what I want, what I can do, how smart I am. <br />
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Even the Christian culture in the USA gets these things confused sometimes. . . but I think that's another blog post.<br />
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I have written before about how much the ladies in English class teach and encourage me. Hopefully they learn enough English to balance the scales! As I look at some of the desperate situations they face, and as I have been learning a new kind of dependency on God, much of it from their example, those words in Proverbs take on a new, deeper meaning for me. I might be a smart person (and I may or may not believe I'm much smarter than I really am!), but my knowledge, understanding, wisdom are NOTHING compared to God's infinity in those things. <br />
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The reality is that relying on my 'own understanding' is actually a really dumb, albeit really easy, thing to do. <br />
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So, as the paths get crooked, my current prayer is that God reminds me to trust him fully (and that he helps me trust him fully!), that I will seek HIM for answers and peace and direction, and that I will actually submit to Him when he gives those answers and direction. The rest, the straightening of the paths, belongs to him. <br />
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Also, I am praying for the ladies in English class and all of their tough circumstances. That they, too, will seek and trust God, and submit to him. And that he will straighten their paths, too. <br />
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The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-15498928228319099112013-08-15T22:17:00.002-06:002013-08-16T06:08:12.365-06:00Little Things that Make a Big Difference<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Yesterday morning as I ran errands I stopped by Mas x Menos,
a local grocery store. I walked in to
discover that every senior citizen in Desamparados was there, or at least it
felt like it. It all made sense when I remembered it was Wednesday and that meant
it was it was Miercoles Fresco (Fresh Wednesday), which meant daylong specials
on various items throughout the store.
Half of the time they are nothing to write home about, but the other
half they have some great deals.
Yesterday was one of the days they had some great deals. The best one was fresh boneless, skinless,
chicken breast for 2,950 colones per kilogram (about $3/pound), the usual price
is 5,100 colones per kilogram (just over $5/pound). So since we tend to eat a lot of chicken and
have freezer space to store it I bought 5 kilos of chicken breasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Due to some recent events at our ministry sites, preparing
for our fall semester program, and the constant desire and quest to be more
effective (whatever that means, but that is a blog post for another day) in our
ministry sites I have been thinking a lot about poverty and the various cycles
we see repeated in the communities we work in.
As I drove home from Mas x Menos I started to think about the little
things that made it possible for me to take advantage of a good deal. Little things that make a big difference,
things that I have in my favor that many of my friends, here, do not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was able to get to the store to take advantage of the
sale. Transportation is something we
tend to take for granted until we don’t have it. I like to remind our student teams that being
able to ride the bus is often a privilege.
Owning your own car is a never realized dream for many. But the fact that I drove to the store meant
that I did not have to think twice about how I was going to get the 11 pounds
of chicken home. I certainly would not
want to carry it and the other items I purchased as I walked to the bus stop,
climbed on the bus, fumbled for change to pay the bus, stood up on the full bus,
and then walked from the stop to my house.
After all they don’t make those plastic grocery bags as strong as they
used to!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I knew that we had room in the freezer to be able to store
the chicken until we needed it. I also
knew that while money tends to be tight these days we had enough in our bank
account to be able to make this unplanned purchase that will in the long run
save us money. Forget living paycheck to
paycheck, I have been reminded lately how many of my friends are living moment
to moment not knowing where the next meal is coming from. Many of them would have been thrilled to get
one chicken breast, let alone 11 pounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are probably many other “little things” that combined
to make it possible for me to buy that chicken.
Little things that don’t seem like a big deal like transportation,
freezer space, and a few dollars in a banking account, but that make a big
difference. So often as we walk
alongside people the world has forgotten I want to make a big difference or do something
that will drastically change reality for people I have come to love
dearly. But yesterday as I put the
chicken in the freezer I found myself thinking, “How can we empower someone
with something little, that will make a big difference?” --Jeff<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-61551075888788697032013-07-26T10:05:00.000-06:002013-07-26T10:12:15.492-06:00A Backyard<br />
We have longed for a backyard for what feels like forever. There are not a lot of backyards in the San Jose/Heredia/Alajuela Metro Area. Some city planner realized years ago that this mesa (valley?) we live in had limited space and divvied it up into miniscule plots so as to be able to squish as many people as possible in between all the beautiful mountains. Or so it would seem. At any rate, most people here seem to value more house-space than yard-space, so not many houses have yards left, even if they started out with one. We feel lucky to have the little green patch that we do right now. It needs a little TLC, and we'd love for it to be bigger. But. We love it for what it is. <br />
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It has a cas tree that is about to be <i>laden</i> with cas. And aloe vera--the biggest one I've ever seen. The whole space can be weed-wacked in about 10 minutes. Since our dryer is out of commission, we can hang our clothes out and they dry fast (if it's sunny). It's big enough for a kiddie pool, a rope 'swing', reading books, and a little patch for the kids to throw seeds into. You can even throw a ball back there--though not too high--we've had to retrieve three balls from the roof/gutter so far. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h13kFFWFeOk/UfKbCmd2UQI/AAAAAAAAEoA/3Tov2wj-UFU/s1600/100_2279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h13kFFWFeOk/UfKbCmd2UQI/AAAAAAAAEoA/3Tov2wj-UFU/s320/100_2279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry (pila) area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zYrmH651y_I/UfKbUb2jQYI/AAAAAAAAEoY/PvdK-grLFAg/s1600/100_2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zYrmH651y_I/UfKbUb2jQYI/AAAAAAAAEoY/PvdK-grLFAg/s320/100_2341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roofed clotheslines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8MuMzaj__I/UfKbTxPstFI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/EjgcPSP2xtY/s1600/100_2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8MuMzaj__I/UfKbTxPstFI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/EjgcPSP2xtY/s320/100_2342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I actually like to dry the clothes (but I still miss the dryer, for the record)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKBBtjeOv5o/UfKa_DkwNTI/AAAAAAAAEnw/wXN0jO8Vgd0/s1600/100_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKBBtjeOv5o/UfKa_DkwNTI/AAAAAAAAEnw/wXN0jO8Vgd0/s320/100_2280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makeshift closet/storage area/bodega (red door is to the guest room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTOi3nA6xEI/UfKbCZaPnGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/Y7KnRdtUXZk/s1600/100_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTOi3nA6xEI/UfKbCZaPnGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/Y7KnRdtUXZk/s320/100_2339.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for sun and water!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFO_PAzdr2I/UfKbQ6gDTiI/AAAAAAAAEoI/l7b7dqrNhuo/s1600/100_2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFO_PAzdr2I/UfKbQ6gDTiI/AAAAAAAAEoI/l7b7dqrNhuo/s320/100_2437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading with friends who visited (note the aloe vera on the back wall)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-64172778177706444952013-07-26T09:34:00.000-06:002013-07-26T09:34:46.902-06:00Changes Changes ChangesI checked the blog today and realized it's been about 3 months (!) since our last post. Wow. A lot has happened here since April. I'll give the sped-up version of things.<br />
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In April, the SI-CR office was relocated from our home to a house near the language school that we partner with. It felt strange, but right, to not have the office buzzing upstairs above our heads. God provided just the right place for the new office. It's the one I had mentioned and many of you prayed for, with a big meeting room, a storage room, kitchen, small office space, etc. Thank you for praying with us for this! We are still in the process of unpacking and organizing the spaces in the new office, but it has already proved to be just what we as an organization needed. </div>
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In May SI-CR hosted a training time/retreat for our staff, plus the staff from Nicaragua. We even had a family from New Zealand here that is headed to Fiji! It was quite the international event! Recently, we welcomed two teams (from Reedley, CA, and Indiana) who were both great groups. They were able to help break in the new office and be guinea pigs in how to run things from a place that was not also our home. Both groups served alongside our staff in the five ministry sites, participated in devotions and evening activities, and stayed with host families. We also welcomed two summer interns (Jonathan, and Cinthia, who was a semester student this spring), and five new staff! Three of our new staff are North Americans, two are Costa Ricans. Talk about some quick growth!! </div>
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On June 25th, Sawyer turned seven! 7. I think all I did was blink and my 10.5 pound baby boy turned into a big kid. No other explanation. Here's some pictures of his special day:</div>
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About a week and a half ago (*month ago*), we Dixons moved, too. Yep, it happened. We are settling in, unpacking, trying to stuff our things into two closets and a few kitchen cabinets, and ENJOYING having some green space again! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaHxjiuw-dA/UfKT--piceI/AAAAAAAAEnI/kYXI1vnPz9A/s1600/100_2283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaHxjiuw-dA/UfKT--piceI/AAAAAAAAEnI/kYXI1vnPz9A/s320/100_2283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the side of the front, at night. Parking.</td></tr>
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It is not the house of our dreams. I feel like I have to say that for the sake of being honest. God definitely led us here, we feel we are supposed to be here, and we even LIKE it. But, I can't say that I am super excited about it like I wish I was. I wish God had provided the PERFECT thing for us. Perfect as in <i>my</i> definition of perfect. But he didn't. I know there are lots of things to learn from that, and I'm learning them. Slowly. The house IS growing on me, and I've been praying like crazy about my attitude and disappointment that we haven't been able to buy, that the yard isn't bigger, etc. (I mean, honestly, I have issues). The more we unpack, and the more shelves Jeff builds to put all the things we unpack, the more at home I feel, and the more I can see the benefits of this new place. And, it's funny, because in some ways, God answered some very specific requests that I had:</div>
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*There is a window in every room. The ventilation isn't great, but the natural light is amazing. I can even see green out the kitchen window! </div>
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*We have green! Not a lot, but enough. It's enough for the kids to play, get dirty, plant bean seeds, and hang a rope from the tree and swing. There's a city lot across the street, too, that we can take advantage of. </div>
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*The floor plan makes sense to us, for the most part. </div>
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*The kitchen is big enough for several people to be in all together at the same time. Granted, there isn't nearly enough counter space, but Jeff and the guys at the wood shop are remedying that. </div>
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*We have a guest room. Right now it's a storage area for bins and boxes and random stuff, and it may or may not have a couple of leaks, but it's GOING TO BE the guest room. </div>
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*Our new house is about 5 blocks from the new office--well inside our geographical 'circle.'</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_rdKCy6MtY/UfKS9_8A1II/AAAAAAAAEmc/BK-79-7Xl5k/s1600/100_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_rdKCy6MtY/UfKS9_8A1II/AAAAAAAAEmc/BK-79-7Xl5k/s320/100_2211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Backyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 kids in one room + bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are rich in children's books.</td></tr>
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Overall, I really am thankful. Thankful to be moved. Thankful not to have to scour the internet and run around looking at houses like a crazy person for awhile. Thankful for green. Thankful that the kids are adjusting well to sharing a room and sharing smaller space in general (they've had their moments of needing alone time and space that we just don't have here, but <i>overall</i>. . .) Thankful for our cas tree and our giant aloe vera plant. Thankful to see the clouds and sky. Thankful to be close to the new SI-CR office. Thankful that I can trust God that this home IS where he wants us for now, and that he will provide the next one, too. Thankful for my husband. Thankful for my kids and the work I see God doing in each of them. Thankful for all he is doing in SI-CR. Thankful for new staff. Thankful for <i>all</i> of our amazing staff. Thankful for great teams and the communities we work in. Thankful for all of our faithful supporters and prayer warriors that are so vital to all that happens here. Thankful for a God who helps me be content and thankful and changes my attitude faithfully and patiently. </div>
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***** Now that more time has passed and I am FINALLY publishing this, MORE has happened. Olivia also had a birthday, number 9, (see pics below), we have put our guest room to use 3 times, and are hosting a mixed team from The Well Church in Fresno, and Bellvue Christian in WA. We are blessed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did this 9+ pounder become a 9 YEAR OLD???</td></tr>
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The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-6058385133658354692013-04-10T11:01:00.000-06:002013-04-11T22:23:41.220-06:00His Presence<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exodus 33:12-17</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Exod-33-12"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>Moses said to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2486T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2486U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> and you have found favor<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2486V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> with me.’</span> <span class="text Exod-33-13" id="en-NIV-2487"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">13 </sup>If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2487W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2487X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-33-14" id="en-NIV-2488"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> replied, <b>“<u>My Presence<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2488Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> will go with you, and I will give you rest.”</u></b><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2488Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Exod-33-15" id="en-NIV-2489"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">15 </sup>Then Moses said to him,<b> <u>“If your Presence<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2489AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> does not go with us, do not send us up from here.</u></b></span> <span class="text Exod-33-16" id="en-NIV-2490"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16 </sup>How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2490AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2490AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-33-17" id="en-NIV-2491"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17 </sup>And the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> said to Moses, <b>“<u>I will do the very thing you have asked,<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2491AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-2491AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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I read this the other day as part of the Jesus Calling devotional I've been reading. And here are some of my thoughts about it. It was timely, b/c I've referenced this passage recently while talking about finding a house for us to move into. And because we saw a house with a yard last week that we actually liked at a price we can think about affording. We have been really convicted throughout this whole process that God's hand is, and needs to be, involved in choosing the right place to live. We need God to show us very obviously where he wants us. Until he does, and if he does not 'go with us', it's better to wait. <br />
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I feel like I should add that I don't think God works this way all, or even most, of the time. Most of the time I think God says something along the lines of, "I gave you a brain; use it. I gave you freedom; use exercise it." When we bought our house in CA, we simply looked for 1) something we liked in 2) our price range. Two filters. Yes, we considered neighborhoods and resale, but barely. It wasn't excruciating to find that house. I think we looked at maybe five others (maybe) along with ours. And when we saw it, we <i>knew</i>. I think we moved in within about a month. I think that house was God's provision and blessing for us, and he gave us a lot of freedom in choosing it.<br />
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This time, we have more filters with which to sift the options. We feel constrained. We feel like we could easily make the wrong choice. We are accountable to more people, our ministry, our kids, more responsibilities. Our biggest filter this time is geographic location so that we are not too far away from (or inaccessible to) staff, the communities we work in, the students and groups that come, and the new office (!). <br />
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Defining 'too far' has been a Gethsemane battle, because we <i>could</i> move up far into the mountains, where it is beautiful and peaceful, have a <i>finca</i>, pay very little, and justify the distance and tranquility with finances. <i>Or</i>, we can keep looking within the circle (more or less) that we feel convicted to stay within, which means (generally speaking) few and small yards, expensive properties (to rent or buy), noise, and crime. The pay off for option #2 is convenience. <br />
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Option #2 is where God has called us. <br />
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Anyway, the temptation is strong, folks, and I have had to sacrifice my will to his over and over. And over. What I 'like' seems to be becoming the least important of the filters. . . and so even-more-so, we need God to show us, we need to<i> know. </i>He could lead us to the diamond in the rough (Oh, I hope!), but he <i>might not</i>. Ouch. Then what? He's God. Will I choose to accept his will and be content? Will I <i>trust</i> him? While we have a lot to consider and a lot of responsibilities, we also recognize that we are not more important, or more special, than anyone else who also might prefer to have a yard-and-tranquility-and-a-guest-room-and-windows-in-all-the-bedrooms-and-a-kitchen-that-more-than-two-people-can-hang-out-in-and-, wait--I may or may not be on the verge of whining. <br />
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Will I<i> trust </i>him? Will I trust him if his Presence leads us through the desert? To a house I don't like? Will I trust him if his Presence leads through suffering? If he doesn't do what I think he should?<br />
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I want to say that, yes, of course. But, if I'm honest, I'd rather not be tested on that one yet. . . and, while they go hand-in-hand, maybe sometimes obeying out of sheer grit is easier than actually trusting and having peace. <br />
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This giving up my preferences and the things I have for so long considered my 'rights' is, by far, the hardest part (maybe the ugliest, too) of my USA identity and culture to sacrifice. (Jesus, how did you give up so much??? And how am I ever going to be able to have that same attitude??? Phil. 2)<br />
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It's not called a refiner's <i>fire</i> for nothing.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"My Presence will go with you." Yep, I know I don't deserve it, but that's what I want, too. What I need. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"I will give you rest." Funny that Moses didn't even ask for that, but God knew he needed it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"I am pleased with you and I know you by name." Pretty amazing to hear from The.God.of.the.Universe. Moses was full of faults and humanity, just like me. And God knew him and was pleased with him. So, there's hope for me, too. :) </span><br />
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God, please make your Presence obvious to us. Maybe not the pillar of smoke and fire, but something, so that we know where you want us to go, to live. Help us to trust you while we wait, and help us to trust you when you say to go--no matter what the house looks like, no matter how much it costs, whether it has a yard or not, whether or not it's what I imagine. Your will, not mine. We just want your Presence to go before us. Don't let us go anywhere without it.</div>
The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-16925082478814713332013-03-30T13:46:00.000-06:002013-03-30T13:46:14.870-06:00Programa de BecasIn December, as we looked forward to 2013, we had two challenges that combined to create a great opportunity. We were wanting to have more help at some of our ministry sites to continue to be able to grow and improve. Simultaneously we had several guys on our soccer team who were needing something more. We had guys who were ready for a next step as they considered their education and we also wanted to find ways to have a more intense discipleship and mentoring program with a few guys. Due to varying circumstances many of the guys on the soccer team are in night school or only attending high school a couple of days a week, so this means one of their biggest resources is time. A few of the guys asked us if there was something they could do to work and further their studies. So in conversations with Diego Soto (Our director of Sports and Recreation and also the coach of the soccer team) the idea for the "Programa de Becas" or Scholarship Program was born.<br />
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In January we started a pilot program with room for three participants. As part of the program they would be required to be attending some form of high school, attend the weekly English class we offer for the soccer team at the Tutoring Center, attend a weekly meeting, and work 3 or 4 days a week at a ministry site. As part of the program they receive the use of books for high school and enrolment in a trade school class of their choice. <br />
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The program has gotten off to a great start, although we did have to ask one participant to leave the program as he was not completing the requirements. However, this happened early enough that we were able to add one more from the waiting list to have a total of 3. Rigo, William, and Justin have been incredible! They have been a tremendous help at our ministry sites and helping us host short-term teams. Please pray that God would continue to transform their lives through the formal and informal times our staff share with them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J94821JWZ2Y/UVc6j0ijrXI/AAAAAAAAEfA/HWOoehL1QgM/s1600/DSCN1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J94821JWZ2Y/UVc6j0ijrXI/AAAAAAAAEfA/HWOoehL1QgM/s400/DSCN1192.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rigo signing up children for an activity at the sports ministry site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUI2KrWSZ6A/UVc6nQLlxKI/AAAAAAAAEfI/CY_0BbNj_ZE/s1600/DSCN1499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUI2KrWSZ6A/UVc6nQLlxKI/AAAAAAAAEfI/CY_0BbNj_ZE/s400/DSCN1499.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rigo, William, Justin (on the right), and some of our staff with a team we recently hosted from Mississippi.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1358675928"></span><span id="goog_1358675929"></span><br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-79798929247144000892013-02-06T22:28:00.002-06:002013-02-06T22:28:41.732-06:00A Few More Things1. I never gave a report on my eye surgery last November. (Oh, for consistent blogging. . .) Praise the Lord! The surgery was successful and all my follow-up appointments have shown good scar tissue and no new areas of concern. The doctor ended up sealing up most of the sides in both of my eyes, which was a little spooky, but also good that she caught all the little potential problems. The other great thing is that our insurance covered most of it!! Whew. Thankful on all counts.<br />
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2. In December, right before Christmas, my Grandpa Roub (dad's dad) slipped on some ice and broke his hip. After a successful surgery, he experienced complications that unexpectedly led to his death. I was able to go to Minnesota to be with everyone for his funeral, for which I was, and am, so very grateful. These are the things that can make Costa Rica feel <i>really</i> far away. My grandpa was a wonderful man. A word several people used to describe him was <i>steady</i>. He was a steady example of a follower of Christ, of a husband, father, grandpa, friend. I know he is having a marvellous time in heaven, and am thankful for the hope I have of seeing him again, but for now I miss him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3rd Generation (minus Jeff) at Grandpa's funeral</td></tr>
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3. At the beginning of January our 2nd-ever semester program with Fresno Pacific University kicked off. This spring we are hosting 14 enthusiastic young men and women in our program. They are living with host families, studying Spanish, and taking courses with us on culture and incarnational ministry. They will also travel to Nicaragua for a week this month. We love semester programs for their life-impacting potential, and the chance to mentor students on a longer-term basis. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FPU semester students + some SI staff </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BEACH!!!</td></tr>
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4. Recently, my parents visited with us for about 10 days. We got to take advantage of a wedding near the beach and an excursion with our semester students from FPU to do some 'touristy' things with them. It was fun, and I'm pretty sure they were tired out from playing with Olivia, Sawyer and Lynnea by the end! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7_P0Ehu98Q/URMqtmb21iI/AAAAAAAAEec/dkleC_XGEew/s1600/DSC09964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7_P0Ehu98Q/URMqtmb21iI/AAAAAAAAEec/dkleC_XGEew/s320/DSC09964.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Basilica in Cartago</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa's "surprise" birthday party, planned by Olivia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePoF02De0q0/URMqqQ62M4I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/6RM9Cms-XyA/s1600/DSC09852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePoF02De0q0/URMqqQ62M4I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/6RM9Cms-XyA/s320/DSC09852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the house we rented near Playa Negra</td></tr>
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<br />The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-87648983067842455672013-02-06T16:13:00.001-06:002013-02-06T16:13:17.763-06:002 Things: School 2013 & Office/House Update<b><u>School 2013</u></b><br />
We'll start with the good news. :) Yesterday and today initiated the start of the 2013 school year here in Costa Rica. Olivia and Sawyer both had great first days back, as did Lynnea (though she's been going intermittently to daycare since December). As I dropped the older ones off at their classrooms, met their teachers, listened to the principal share her pep talk and hopes for the new year, and put the students, teachers and facilities in God's hands, I felt confirmed that this is the right place for them again this year. See, this last year I started thinking about homeschooling. Gasp. Yes, I, the teacher who has never had a desire to try teaching her own children at home, opened the door of my heart a little bit to the possibility. The main reason is finances. St. Michael has been getting more expensive every year by about 10-15%, and I would rather <i>choose</i> to homeschool before I am <i>forced</i> to homeschool. But all the positive reasons that we have them there in the first place were right in front of my eyes the last couple of days. Caring teachers, good friends, bilingual education, a great playground (I cannot over-emphasize the playground), positive environment, art/music/P.E./computer/extra-curriculars, organized curriculum--St. Michael is a great place. It's not perfect, but what school is? And we see it as the closest, most economical, best option for our kids. Now, I know that the whole rest of the year is ahead of us, and a lot could happen. But, I am thankful, for now, that we can keep them there. We're going to drive them ourselves to save expenses on bus service--might end up being a frustrating idea since the entrance/road getting in is narrow and gets backed up like crazy--but since Olivia and Sawyer are on the same schedule this year, at least it's only one drop-off and pick-up per day. We'll see how it goes.<br />
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<u><b>Office/Home Search</b></u><br />
In <i>other</i> news, we are hunting for a new office location, and still looking for a new home for our family as well. To be honest, while it's been really <i>interesting</i> to look at so many places, we feel like we've turned over every rock and leaf and come up with NOTHING. <br />
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There is a possible office location on the same street as the language school we work with, and therefore near our host families and near bus lines, that we think would be <i>perfect.</i> It has a big-separate-open room for meetings, devotions and team activities, English classes, etc. And also a small house that we could use for individual offices, storage, a work station for students, cooking/baking for different events, etc. It even has a little back yard that students, staff, people from our ministry sites, etc. could sit and enjoy. The only problem is that the rent is at least double what SI-CR is paying now for the current office that is part of our home. We had the idea of renting one of the rooms to a staff member, but it looks like that won't work out, so the finances are even more limited. We, and the neighbors, feel that they are asking too much for the space, but that probably they have invested a lot of money into it (they just bought it and are remodelling it) and can't afford to go lower. So, we're not sure what to do. In the meantime, we're waiting, I guess. We don't want to cheat them, but we simply can't afford what they are asking. We are trusting that God will show us exactly where he wants the next SI office to be, as well as make the finances work out. . .<br />
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As far as a home for our family. . . more NOTHING. We've looked at a lot of mediocre options that are too expensive, a few good options that are even more expensive or too far away, and a few things that just plain would NOT work for a multitude of reasons. For example, Jeff and I looked at a 1/4 acre lot today that is being sold for about $22,000, only to find out it's located right above the huge stinky dump, and on a steep dirt road that might be impossible to climb in rainy season. No wonder it's so cheap. Waste of time. Sigh. <br />
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So, on the plus side, the search has been <i>interesting</i>, and we've also successfully eliminated half (or more) of Desamparados from all the possibilities. I actually have a notebook that is filling up with big X's.<br />
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Please pray for us. We're really not sure what we're supposed to do, or what God is trying tell us or teach us in all of this--or if he is. Will he find us 'just the right thing'? Or will he teach us to adjust our idea of 'just right'? Should we rent or buy? Should we try to get a loan here after all, even with high interest rates? (Someone recently told us about a law here that says foreign banks can't hold titles on houses in CR, not that we had much hope in soliciting Wells Fargo anyway. . . ) Should we invest money in something we don't like, even if it's all we can afford? Should we try to get a personal loan? From who? Should we pay a ridiculous rent (or mortgage) to get something with a yard and windows that would have room for guests (our desire)? Is it too much to ask for a floor plan that makes sense? Are we asking for too much? Being too picky? Is something else going on that we are unaware of?? Maybe we're just being impatient and not trusting the Lord enough. <br />
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Maybe we're just plain going crazy running circles like these around in our heads!?!?! : P <br />
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Seriously, please, pray for us. We're tired of guessing what would be best for us.<br />
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P.S. I have discussed with the Lord that I'd be much more open to homeschooling if we had a great yard for doing recess. . . I'm sure he loves that. The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-30937317726780910192012-11-06T17:43:00.000-06:002012-11-06T17:43:13.007-06:002 Car Family Skipping over my excuses for not blogging since July (GASP!!), I'm grateful to announce that we Dixons have added a van to our family! We had long prayed and looked for a second vehicle for our family and ministry and had decided on getting a Hyundai Starex. Our plan was to look for one seriously after our trip to the states in September. (By the way, we were in the states in September. . .) However, while there we received a mass email about one that was for sale. Long story short: we bought it not long after our return to Costa Rica. It's a 2001, 12 passenger, was owned by missionaries previously, and was a good price. It fits in our garage with the Galloper (barely) and even has AC. Yes, we are feeling spoiled. There were a few minor things that needed maintenance, but overall it was in good shape. (It did have a head gasket that went bad on the way back from a beach trip with our staff. . .but, all things considered, it could have been a lot worse, and that's another story.) We are so thankful for a second vehicle; it will make life less complicated with our kids' schedules/pick-ups/activities, and also help out with transportation when we host groups and other visitors. Plus, since car maintenance is a regular part of life here, we are hoping our cars will take turns at the mechanic and that we'll always have at least one running! ; ) <br />
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A special thank you to those who donated specifically towards us buying a vehicle. We hope you'll come for a ride sometime!! <br />
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----TraceyThe Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-42883691429717299092012-11-06T15:34:00.001-06:002012-11-06T15:34:45.896-06:00Eye Surgery: BlehIt seems my extreme near-sightedness is catching up with me. In August, I finally went to the eye-doctor, which I hadn't done in the 4 years we've lived here (Big mistake.). I found out that I have 2 thinning spots on my left retina that need to be lasered to my eye to prevent the retina from ripping. Yikes. Thankfully, I haven't really had symptoms of any problems, but I always hoped that eye surgery would mean correcting my prescription. Apparently, I have to take care of this first. So, Monday, if our insurance gives us pre-authorization to cover the costs, I will go in and have my retina secured. Please pray for 2 things: insurance coverage and that the surgery and recovery will go smoothly, without complication. Thank you so much! I'll keep ya posted. . . ---TraceyThe Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-13751356074249979112012-07-28T21:09:00.001-06:002012-07-28T21:09:37.135-06:00JamesThis year in SI, we are studying the book of James, which is one of my favorites! Both Jeff and I have had the privilege of leading different days of the study with our short-term teams this summer, and it has been great to see the wheels turning as the Holy Spirit works in each of our hearts. <br />
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While there are MANY wonderful themes that James writes about (poverty and wealth, faith and deeds, taming the tongue, trials, etc.), one that keeps popping out to me is WISDOM. In James 1 it says that God gives wisdom "generously to all without finding fault." In the New Living it says to ask for wisdom "expecting an answer," and I love that because I seem to need a lot of wisdom. I need wisdom in parenting, in marriage, in friendships, in cross-cultural interactions, in teaching, etc. etc. <br />
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As I've reflected on wisdom, a couple of questions have come to my mind. One is: What IS wisdom? How do I recognize wisdom? And the other is: Why does God love to give wisdom so much? I can't say that I have discovered all the answers to these questions, but I have found a few.<br />
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First of all, I was delighted to discover in James 3:17 a list of wisdom's characteristics. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." Naturally, I had to ask myself, "How often do I evaluate my moment-by-moment decisions based on these things. . .?" Not.often.enough. The opposite of these things are impure, conflictive, inconsiderate, rebellious/non-yielding, judging, bad fruit, showing favoritism (prejudice, unfair), insincere. These are the "world's wisdom," and I can recognize these things in the motivations of many decisions I've made. But, I am inspired to use the positive characteristics as a filter for future decisions.<br />
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The other question that occurred to me about why God likes to give out wisdom doesn't have a specific verse attached to it, but more something that he's been showing me over time: He wants me to be dependent on him. Correction: I AM dependent on him and it's silly to ever think I'm not. The Bible talks about God opposing the proud, but lifting the humble. When I think I don't need wisdom because I already know everything, I am being prideful. . . and foolish. When I admit that I have a need for wisdom (or anything else!), I am telling the truth about the way things are; I am not self-sufficient, I have not arrived, and I need God in my life. He loves that! <br />
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In our bible studies with the groups, we reflected on the fact that we come from a culture of independence and self-sufficiency and how contrary those things are to our dependence on God. In fact, if we believe our culture's message about those things, it could make it difficult to ever realize that we need God for anything. My tendency is to look out for, and depend on "Number 1." But, I have seen men, women and children with nowhere to turn except God because of their desperate circumstances, and have recognized in them a richness of faith that I may never know. While I am praying that my child will <i>please</i> eat her fruits and veggies, another mom I know is praying that her child will have the option to eat at all today. Rather sobering. <br />
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So, Lord, give me WISDOM from heaven, please! Show me how to live, how to depend on you, how to hear you when you speak, and how to recognize your voice! Help me to filter my choices, words, and interactions with peace, mercy, consideration, and sincerity. Please, because on my own I am nothing.The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37330989.post-4382485376192801072012-05-20T22:17:00.003-06:002012-05-20T22:17:58.618-06:00Online Giving!Students International now offers onling giving. <a href="https://www.stint.com/donate.php?id=s45">So if you would like to give toward our support simply click here!</a> (Or past this link in the address bar of your browser: https://www.stint.com/donate.php?id=s45)The Dixonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00132440117310092072noreply@blogger.com0