The Coghis, a multicultural family

Multitasking

2012-02-04T19:18:00.005-06:00

Only two more days and another year will begin. I know we have already been in 2012 one whole month, but on Monday the year will begin for the children to go back to school.

A new school year in 1st and 3rd grade. This means a new beginning for me also. As Giacomo gives leadership to the base I will throw myself more into helping the children with their schooling. Where I can't do it, Giacomo will help, especially with the Spanish and Costa Rica social studies.....but I feel very clear that this is part of my call to start school myself.

No, not taking a course, but jumping in with the kids is like starting

school all over. I have never studies American history so that will be a first, I have never studied Costa Rica history, so that will be a first. Never had kids in an era where computer classes might go beyond what I know...although I try to stay up to date with all the latest...

All in all, this Monday will be the new beginning of a multitasking mother.

Gioela is real excited about going back to school, it seems like she has grown during this "summer" break into wanting to learn. She still doesn't like reading, but there seems to be a bigger interest in learning and she has been counting the days.

Luca is more aware of the fact that 1st grade is "real" school now and I think it scares him as he keeps saying that "he can't read", which he can and is getting really good at, but there is a sense in him that 1st grade is the "real deal", so he is not so excited abou

t school as much, but we are sure he will soon let that go and just go with the flow, that is the kind of boy he is.

Will you pray for this new season as they enter into new times of learning, of walking into new adventures with other children, each other and God. As a family we are committed to standing with our kids in their learning and this year I am going to spend some more time in helping them move forward in understanding the dreams of God for their lives through education and using it as a tool to become the young woman and man that God is calling them to be.

I feel challenged, but encouraged. We need your prayers and support!!!!

In the middle of it all....

2012-01-27T21:58:00.004-06:00

As I returned with the three kids to Costa Rica this last Monday reports were coming from everywhere about the Bible Distribution that had taken place in the Southern part of Costa Rica in a city called Golfito.

A bible in every home has been embraced by all YWAM ministries in Costa Rica and it is starting to happen not only in Nicoya, but now the Lord has opened the door in the south, near the border with Panama.

This photo was taken by Julie Coss, one of the staff members of the September DTS and it shows so well the vision and dream of God for this nation "the Word of God brought to every home in Costa Rica".

As Giacomo will return this Sunday from a time in Tijuana Mexico where they were having a conference for the ministry of Homes of Hope we are walking into the middle of what the Lord is doing through staff and students in YWAM San Jose. It is such a joy and honor to serve with the YWAM San Jose family and we so much appreciate everyone who is a part of this family.

God is at work and we look to Him for guidance, direction and give Him ALL the glory for what the lives that are being reached, changed and transformed.

Let's keep praying and seeking the Lord for His guidance, for His word to us as a family, as His body. We can't live without Him. I count everything as a loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

This is the prayer of my heart these days, that I can count everything a loss, just like Paul, but one thing I will never let go of and that is that I want to know Jesus more every day. He is our example!!

Thank you for your prayers and support for our family and ministry.

Family Fun in San Antonio

2012-01-18T18:20:00.008-06:00

Here we are at the Alamo, what a special thing to do a as a family!!

God is just so good and all we can say is THANK YOU JESUS!!! We are having a wonderful week here with friends in San Antonio. Yesterday we visited the zoo, today we were able to visit the Alamo and take a boat ride along the famous San Antonio Riverwalk. We are having so much fun, tomorrow Giacomo and Luca are going fishing, because as Luca says "I love fish and love fishing".

While they are doing that, Gioela and I will have a mommy daughter date which will be very special. Anyway, just wanted to share with you that God is just blessing us with great family time, thank you for your prayers.

Saying goodbye to Tyler, Texas

2012-01-16T09:51:00.007-06:00

The last few days have just been so refreshing and a huge blessing for us as a couple, as a family and as leaders. We had our annual regional leadership meeting for Mexico & Central America. Being part of this amazing group of leaders is such a blessing to our lives. They are true heroes in the faith for us. Most of them whom have been in Youth With A Mission over 30 and have served this region of the world (Mexico & Central America) during that time.

We have already learned so much from them since we have been part of this team since 3 years ago and it is truly a privilege to serve alongside of them and under them as well.

If want to take a look at the different ministries of those represented in this team check out these links:

YWAM Guadalajara (Mexico)

YWAM Mazatlan (Mexico)
YWAM Pachuca (near Mexico city)

YWAM Nicaragua

YWAM Tyler

and there is our base, that you can find the link on this site for.

Christmas is all about revelation through Jesus

2011-12-25T23:34:00.003-06:00

After not celebrating Christmas in the Netherlands for many, many, many years I finally realized something.

Trying to make Christmas what it used to be at "home" is just not possible, at least not for me. So many things are just too different to even come close to what we used to do. For years I tried hard to keep tradition going or making it at least close to what I had growing up....I have given up....

Don't worry it is not a sad thing, I realized something this year....as I looked at the photos of our YWAM San Jose, family Christmas dinner (of which two are posted here), I thought to myself....THIS IS CHRISTMAS TRADITION....an International family coming together to share the same heart, the same faith, the same reason for coming together "Jesus being born into our hearts and minds".

I realized that next year I want to do more, and put all my energy in THAT Christmas get together and not try to do something "at home", when YWAM San Jose IS my home. The YWAM San Jose family is my family. Yes I have family at home as well in the Netherlands and Giacomo's parents here and sister and brother in law in Hawaii, but they are also part of that YWAM family.

Jesus, I thank you this year not just for Your birth, which is the One that really counts, but also for giving me a family, so big, so special, so diverse, so multicultural, so fantastic, so amazing.....all of those who make up this amazing family I am a part of here in Costa Rica. Thank you for each and every one of them and here I am trying to make something out

of Christmas and almost missing the things You wanted to show me this year. I got it God, thank you for allowing me to see beyond.

Looking into the faces of these young girls who are growing up in YWAM, our kids who were so little when we started together and now look at them, dancing during our Christmas celebration, sharing their talent...just love it....so here I will share another one with you so you can smile with me. I pray your Christmas was also special and revelation came to you as well whether it be about Jesus being born into this world, or the fact that He speaks to us new things into our hearts. He is alive and it excites me to think about Jesus as my personal friend whom I can get revelation from and speak to whenever I want.

Christmas is about personal revelation about Jesus!!

Giving thanks....

2011-11-24T08:03:00.003-06:00

I join the millions of people giving thanks today. I give thanks for....

* my husband for being an amazing leader, man of God, loving, patient, kind, and so much more...I love you

* my kids, they are the cutest, handsome little ones that God gave me. I rejoice when I see their faces, their blue eyes, curly hair, amazing smiles....thanks God for giving me these princesses and this prince

* my ywam san jose family. All of you staff members of YWAM San Jose each of you has been a huge blessing to my heart, your love, your passion, your fun, your sacrifice, your smiles, what a privilege to serve with you, thank you

* the San Jose leadership team, you are amazing leaders, your servant hearts, your wisdom and passion has made YWAM San Jose what it is...I love you dearly and thank you. It is an honor to serve the Lord with you

* YWAM San Jose mommies, you are a blessing to my heart as a mommy. Vanessa, Elizabeth, Grethel, Leslie, Karen, Rachel, Gaby and all those mommies to be :), I love you for what you give to my heart, for the example that you give me in so many ways. You are an inspiration to my life.

* my inlaws, they are truly an example of loving parents, amazing pioneers in all they have done, leaders and special grandparents. Thank you for taking me into your family.

* To Jesus for giving Your life for me, for loving me without condition, for providing our every need. There are too many words to describe who You are for me. I live for You alone!!!

The old and the new

2011-11-21T12:56:00.002-06:00

When we think of the "old" we think of the past, the days before, way back when. The "old" was somebody who you used to be and now you are different. The "old" is the one up there in age, but I discovered something. "Old" is last week, the week before, even yesterday when Jesus showed me more about the things I need to change to continue in His footsteps.

Old is that which you once carried with you, the thing you did, the idea you believed, but now the new has come. Today I walk in the new and there is nothing more precious than walking in the new. Guess what I keep discovering that I can get the new every day. The old is gone, the new has come, every day!!

I want my day to be filled with the "new" Jesus has for me. I want to leave the "old" in yesterday, the new in today. Jesus has something new every time and the moment I decide to leave the old behind, whether that was a year ago or just yesterday, then NEW things happen. A new view on life, a new level of patience as a parent, a new love for the world, a new vision for our lives, a new appreciation for my husband, kids and the people I serve with.

I want the new, every day. His mercies are also new every day....so let's go to the throne of grace together and get the new, which means the "old" is not even there anymore....

Bring on the new Lord...

Panama

2011-11-16T14:57:00.008-06:00

Panama is the last country of Central America and part of the region we serve through Youth With A Mission.

In 2013 there will be a YWAM staff conference for ALL of the Americas to be held in Panama City. So the YWAMers in Panama are getting ready to prepare this event where they expect around 4000 or more YWAM staff. Giacomo went there to help as part of the regional council so these next two days they will be looking at which venues would serve well for this.
Pray for Panama today, for what God is doing through YWAM in Panama city, at the Chilibre base, the Bocas del Toro base and the newest base close to the border with Costa Rica, called Chiriqui. Will you lift them up in prayer with us that God will increase their influence in this nation that Gods name made be made known. If you want to read more about the YWAM work there, visit these pages: www.ywampanama.org, http://davidandcerrita.webs.com, www.ywambocas.org, www.ywamconnect.com/sites/ywampanama/Homepage.

Visit one of these pages to find out more about the work in Panama and read some amazing stories of what God has done through these amazing YWAMers!!

Nicoya, Panama and Texas

2011-11-13T11:00:00.003-06:00

Today is Giacomo's birthday...37...Marjolein had her birthday this last Wednesday...35...

We are thankful for our special days and celebrating it with friends and family, what a tremendous blessing to have so many special people around us, Gods special gift to our lives or sure every day not just on our birthdays.

These coming weeks Giacomo will be sharing in different places and will need your prayers as he travels from north to south and back to the north.

First he will be traveling to Panama this week for a few days to help in the pre-organization of the YWAM Americans staff gathering that will be take place in 2013, but is in full preparation even now.

Then he will go to the YWAM base in Nicoya to teach on Biblical Worldview with the DTS there and from there he will travel up north to Texas with two other ywamers from our base, to drive an ambulance as well as a ministry van for the children's ministry to Miami to ship to Costa Rica together with a bunch of donations such as washers, dryers, engine...and more I am sure.

So he needs your prayers for travel safety and for our family as we are finishing up school with the kids (summer is in December and January).

Summer is almost here and this season is busy, but very good!!!! Keep us updated on how we can pray for you!!

Teaching in Nicoya....

2011-11-09T22:55:00.006-06:00

Three hours drive to the north part of Costa Rica to share in the Ywam Nicoya first DTS and what an adventure it was.....

What a privilege it was to be able to teach and share the heart of God with these 8 students. Sharing about the love of God, a deeper relationship with Him and then continue to share that love with others I just love to do. So last week I spend 5 wonderful days in Nicoya with the students and staff there, had some interesting car adventures there, but was blessed to be a part of this ministry.

Giacomo will have the opportunity on the 21st of this month to share on the topic of Biblical Worldview and how a biblical worldview is the way to see our lives and our communities transformed. Will you pray for the DTS in Nicoya and for Giacomo and his teaching time.

We also have a month full of birthdays. Today was mine and this weekend Giacomo will be celebrating his and his mom's on the same day. We celebrate what God has done in our lives and praise Him for His faithfulness in our lives.

We love serving Costarican communities with teaching about who God is and how His truth changes us.

The car adventure include driving my car into a muddy ditch, then 10 locals showing up to try to get it out and eventually a school bus having to pull it out by dragging it 15 meters through the mud....

It is exciting to see lives touched and changed by the power of the Holy Spirit!!! You are part of this.....!!!

As the wind blows..

2011-10-10T14:16:00.001-06:00

On a day like this when the air is cold and sky is gray

when the mist is among the trees and rain is on its way

on a day like this when the wind shows itself like no other

that is when I often realize the wind blows like my heavenly Father

On a day like this I stare out the window with my mind going places

reminding me of all the things He has given me and all with which He amazes

even though it is cold outside and there is no sun in the sky

I still know that He is there, His faithfulness, He is the Lord on high

Even though no warmth from earth is felt, no sun to shine on me

there is no doubt in me that as the wind blows it makes me see

see and sense the presence of my Lord, His assurance of His love

nothing can separate me when He sends His rain, His wind from above

As the wind blows, may Your Spirit blow on me and fill me anew

and with me, those who hunger and thirst for You, even if there are few!

Be blessed today!

Typical DUTCH day... Zierikzee...

2011-07-11T16:19:00.000-06:00

Famous spot where I took a picture with my parents and grandparents when I was 6 years old...

My dad with Ruben, Gioela and Luca

Typical Dutch view of the harbor in Zierikzee and a Dutch windmill in the background

Just beautiful

Dutch ships

Typical Dutch roof of a house "trapgevel"

yet another windmill

Gioela on a really old tractor

Luca on a very old lawnmower

Luca the little farmer, milking a cow

Me and my older sister in a old fashion bakery

My two little Dutch farmers...don't they look Dutch!!

At the beach....only 18 degrees en windy

2011-07-01T02:16:00.000-06:00

Luca can't help but get in the water....

Run Luca, you might get wet....

More typical Dutch things...

2011-06-28T08:56:00.000-06:00

Luca for the first time on the back of a bike while daddy takes him for a ride around the Dutch bikepaths!!

Fun in Oma's backyard with cousins!!

Luca and Tessa in the kiddie pool...it was 29 degrees today!!

Fun with all the cousins together...

Sem, Julie, Ruben, Tessa, Gioela and Luca

Funny faces...

I mean Soldiers!!!

2011-06-25T06:33:00.000-06:00

One more SOLDIER....spelling was wrong in last post....

Roman souldiers...are they real???

2011-06-25T06:29:00.000-06:00

We had to take this photo....Luca loved it....are these real Roman souldiers mom??

Just having fun....

Oh, Luca didn't want to be forgotten....

Welcome to Italy....

2011-06-25T06:18:00.000-06:00

Hi there, these last few days we have been on many trains in and through Italy...from Milan to Bolonga and from Bolonga to famous Rome. Quite the adventure with 6 adults, 5 kids and luggage...you can only imagine...but we made it...

Giacomo and Luca sharing a moment on the train together over pizza and a coke!

A girl moment with mommy and her two girls...

Our cousin "Abigail Rice"....isn't she the cutest, she was having so much fun in an open air bus touring the city of Rome!!!

Welcome to the Colliseum...yes the real one....we saw it from the street, from up close, but decided not to go on, line was too long...Ezra and Gioco did make it in and we will have steal their photos.... *_*
Another view of the colliseo....as they say in Spanish...amazing structure...you can almost hear the chariots and horses rushing down the main street into the colliseo..
Ezra and Gioco (my brother and sister in law) Giacomo's sister...we had fun touring Italy together!!

Another one of those famous buildings in Rome that I forgot the name of, but it is impressive...do you see the statue in the middle, it is a horse with a man on it..well you can fit 12 people inside the belly of this horse...you can't appreciate the size of the horse, but it is pretty incredible...

Luca wants to get wet

2011-06-22T01:52:00.000-06:00

Family Fun....

2011-06-22T01:50:00.000-06:00

Swiss hospitality...mmmmm

2011-06-22T01:33:00.000-06:00

I was in cheese heaven on Sunday and Monday......swiss hospitality is just the best...

Cheeses to choose from and all delicious!!

Fresh fruits from the garden, berries were the kids favorites!!

My son Luca went and picked Swiss wild flowers and they were for me...isn't this too cute..

The whole family with the Wiedemars in Switzerland!!

More cousins and YWAM Lausanne

2011-06-18T15:41:00.000-06:00

We have made it to Switzerland and so have our other cousins....in this photo one is missing, the little smily Abigail...but Luca, Tessa, Joshua and Gioela are here sitting on a bench at YWAM Lausanne...

Tessa and Abigail just getting to know each other.....

Ok says tessa I think I know her well enough, I am going to hug and kiss her now...

Here all 5 of them...tessa, gioela, abigail, luca and joshua!!

And here is the whole Coghi/Rice clan in front of the YWAM Lausanne base.
This is where the first YWAM trainnig School started in 1969.

We love serving with YWAM, love the vision that God has given, love the dreams and most of all love the way God works in YWAM. What a privilege to be part of this tribe and show this to our family.

4 generations together

2011-06-17T08:34:00.000-06:00

What blessings to have these photos....this is my grandmother she is 80 years old...

I just had to take this photo for Tessa. Four generations of vanderwerf/onwijn/coghi women..

Tessa, Marjolein, Riet and Marie
June 16 2011

Typical Dutch...

2011-06-17T08:22:00.000-06:00

Hanging over the bridge in my hometown "Dordrecht"

Using a typical "skelter" that he wants to bring home now...mmm...how are we going to do this?? Giacomo will find a way i just know it...

Gioela has found her love for biking and is asking every day to go for a ride...with daddy of course!!

Well Tessa had to try the skelter thing...of course with her big sister...can you tell they are having just too much fun...what a big blessing this trip already is!!

Parties and more parties

2011-06-17T08:16:00.000-06:00

Kids are just having too much fun......

Cousin Ruben had a bday party...the day after we got here...

Luca went bowling for the first time...looks like he doesn't really know how to do this....

yes Gioela seems to get the hang of it...loving the competition..

Luca and his cousin Sem at his other cousin's bday party!!

Meet the cousins....

2011-06-16T05:03:00.000-06:00

The last few minutes on the airplane

Meeting the cousins....these are all 6 of my parents grandkids...Tessa is the smallest one. SO half of their grandkids are living abroad...so nice to have them all together.

Gioela and Julie they are 4 months apart, but julie is almost a head taller than Gioela

Luca with his cousins, who are both 7 and 8 and Luca is 6, so they are getting along really well!!

On our way...

2011-06-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

Ready to leave with all our luggage...

On Saturday June 11th, we started our 2 day journey to Holland, where we safely arrived on June 13th in the morning, 2 hours later than planned, but it was better to arrive safe then not arrive at all.

The kids were so happy to have finally arrived, they slept some on the plane, but it is always a long trip.

Luca asked which hotel we were staying in and I told them that we are staying with my mom and dad. After one day of staying there, he asked when at the store, are we going back to the hotel now?? He really thinks my parent's house is like a hotel....I just think that is too funny....

One day away.....

2011-06-10T13:49:00.002-06:00

Ok, so we are about to hit the road......on a trip that I have been dreaming and praying for in the last years.....now it is here...

Our family goes to Europe for a REAL vacation!!!!! Seeing family and friends, visiting different countries with family and getting to spend quality time together on a train, a plane and by foot.

What an adventure we will be on. I will try to keep you as posted as I can with all the traveling that will be going on, but we want to share this with you.

So, tomorrow we will board the plane to Houston Texas, spend the night and hop on the plane on Sunday towards the Netherlands...where we will be picked up by a BIG group of family, friends, cousins and maybe even a dog (maybe not).

Lots of fun stuff await us as we arrive, birthday parties of my nephews and niece.....

come back and check we will pictures up very soon!!!

Texas May 2011

2011-05-19T12:35:00.000-06:00

From May 12th till May 17th we were able to visit the state of Texas where we met in 1996. We were able to meet up with new friends and also see friends that we have known since 1999. God was so good to us on this trip and Tessa did wonderful. We were able to share about the things God is doing in Costa Rica as well as what is happening in our personal lives

We walked downtown Houston for a little bit and Tessa had a lot of fun on daddy's shoulders!!
It is always a joy to share our hearts with others and have some wonderful time of fellowship with the body of Christ around the world.

This is just too cute, little Tessa is Big City Houston!!

We had a wonderful lunch in the Spaghetti Warehouse...what a fun place to eat and meet with friends!
Thank you Lord for Texas and our friends there, bless Your church there and also the YWAM ministry in downtown Houston!!

We were able to stay at the YWAM base in downtown Houston and were so blessed by the leaders there. Also we were able to catch up with previous DTS students at the Houston First Baptist Church and attend the wonderful Sunday morning service.

Meeting up with Jorge was a extra bonus, we enjoyed hanging out with him before he returned back to Montana with Rachel and the kids.

What a wonderful blessing it is to share this amazing fellowship with each other around the world, we need to treasure the gift of friendship and fellowship that God gives. We counted our blessings this past few days in the wonderful/amazing people we met!!

YOUTH with a MISSION

2011-02-26T08:23:00.000-06:00

Right here in Costa Rica this is a group of YOUNG people with a MISSION!!

On February 10th we had yet another group of 19 students celebrate the finish of a 5 month Discipleship Training School in which they saw God change and transform their lives, in which they saw His faithfulness in miraculous provision both in lecture and on outreach and they were forever changed.

From this school they passed on the torch of the flame of God to the next group of students in our January DTS, 30 lives that are being transformed as we speak. Above here is a photo of those groups together with staff included....an amazing group of young people ready to go into the world to preach the Gospel and make disciples of ALL the nations.

From this team we have people going to Honduras to serve with YWAM in la Mosquitia, which is the jungle of Honduras, we also have a couple coming back to serve right here in San Jose with the next Backpacker/Extreme Adventure DTS and reach out to the deaf community, another person is reaching out and serving at a kids camp right here in Heredia called Roble Alto and ALL went home with a message that burned their hearts forever, the Love of Christ!!

So we are sending another 19 "missionaries" into the nations to reach others for Christ. Amazing fruit and now in this quarter yet another 30 students being changed and made ready to run with the message of the Gospel.

Thank you for your prayer, your financial support and your so much appriated friendship!!

Yours in Christ,
Giacomo & Marjolein

YWAM Kona 50th anniversary

2010-12-15T13:47:00.000-06:00

What a joy for us to have attended the 50th anniversary celebration in Kona Hawaii. It was a total gift from God and we have felt so incredibly blessed by God's miraculous provision for this trip. The celebration was just wonderful and seeing so many people that we know made it all the more special.

The view in the evening from the Go-Center at the UofN

The last morning of seeing the stones of the nations represented at the "Plaza of the Nations"

This is at Kings Mansion the first aquired YWAM property about 20 minutes from the Kona campus

The big white house on the hill that is described in one of Loren's books!! It is still there, recently renovated and benig used to gather leaders from around the world and send them into the world!!

Books as Christmas present

2010-11-05T13:09:00.004-06:00

If you want to give a Christmas present and haven't thought of any yet, can we give you an idea? How about a biography of Loren Cunningham, or Corrie Ten Boom? Or maybe one of the books of the heroes of the faith that includes the above mentioned people and many more.

Maybe you are looking for a book on hearing God's voice, Spiritual warfare or other amazing topics. Well than you should look at ywam publishing. You can follow the link below and the amazing thing is if you follow this link through our website you will actually be supporting our work in Costa Rica as well!!

Amazing prices, amazing books and supporting missionaries at the same time!!! Please follow this link to check out the books offered!!

Naughty faces

2010-11-01T13:26:00.000-06:00

Just thought these were cute to share....naughty faces...our little Coghis

Luca my jungle man

2010-10-27T09:37:00.000-06:00

Luca is our "jungle man". A few weeks ago he went to the "farm" with daddy and his grandparents and had a blast to day the least.

Luca with his "opa" and "oma"

Looking for bugs in the mud

I think I found one grandpa!!!

And ofcourse we had to go pick the bananas and bring them home!!
It was such a fun day, but the best part was Luca bringin home flowers for mom...my sweet "jungle" boy!!!

Our three little ones

2010-10-21T12:17:00.000-06:00

Gioela born October 12th, 2002 in Diriamba Nicaragua, Luca born December 30th in San Jose Costa Rica and Tessa born July 14th 2009, our three little gifts from heaven!!

The last days and weeks I have been impacted with the amount of influence we have as parents over our children. I know our parents told us we look like them when they were little and we remember the days they told us "no" and we really wanted to hear a "yes". Now we are in that place and some days go by without anything in particular happening, but then there are those days where you as a parent sit down, look at your child and think "am I doing a good job? Is he/she learning what I want them to learn? Am I messing it up?"

Maybe I am the only one with questions like that, maybe not, I just know that my influence reaches much farther than I could have imagined before I had children of my own. My little girl, she is a spunk of fire, got zeal to live and now that she turned 8 it seems like this whole new world has opened up to her (and to mommy) of exploring new things, writing little secrets in a special book (yes I see myself in that). I saw her sitting behind her little (mommy made) desk, writing away in her "secret book" and I saw myself in my room when I was little writing in my diary those things that I was feeling, thinking and hoping for.

I asked my daughter if I was allowed to read what she wrote, at first I got an obvious "no", but then she allowed me to read the first page which I will share with you, but only this one:

"God I love you so much, mommy I love you so much, Daddy I love you so much, Luca I love you so much, Tessa I love you so much"

My heart ofcourse bubbled over with emotion to know that this is what was on her mind to enter on the very first page of her secret book. Peace flooded my mind and heart as I felt the Lord whisper into my ear "you are doing just fine, now continue to express your love to her and me and she will understand what LOVE really means".

My little boy just gets sweeter every day, he has energy for 10, but has the sweetest, most gentle, generous heart I have ever seen in a little one (then again he is mine so I am a little proud). Two weeks ago his daddy and grandparents went to visit the farm and after walking, picking bananas and bugs ofcourse he also picked very delicate flowers and made sure he told daddy "do not touch these flowers they are for mommy". When he came home running with these few precious flowers in his hands telling me he picked them just for me, my heart was filled once again with emotion and thankfulness and hearing the whisper of God "you are doing just fine...".

Little Tessa at 15 months is just the cutest little thing ever. Her smile, hugs and little being just fill my day with joy. Her little jumpy curls in the back are just too sweet. Her kisses are filled with love and purity and I hear my Father in heaven whisper to me "I love you Mar, keep trusting Me and they will be just fine, do not do anything in your own strength, but rely on Me every day".

Our three little ones.....what a gift from God!!

It has been too long...

2010-10-20T12:30:00.000-06:00

So I realize it has been too long that I have been on my site....no excuses other than we have been having some busy months especially with moving into our new place, having surgery, birthdays and just the normal things of a housewife....mother, wife, daughter, sister....friend!!! You name it...

But I will start getting a REAL schedule together for my life soon....which means the time to do our blog and keep up with it!!

Soon soon I will post something interesting that I have been pondering on, so check back quickly....in the mean time check out the new family photo!!!

Love,
The Coghi family

Baby Tessa

2010-10-02T19:36:00.000-06:00

Baby tessa is no longer a baby. She is becoming a little girl who is chatting away in her own language and wabbling around the house with her cute little legs.

Time does fly, look at her little naughty face, having just emptied Gioela's toy bin....and loving the fact that you can sit in it!!!

We are enjoying our little ones so much, but they are growing so fast. Gioela will be 8 years old this month and we see her becoming a young lady every day. We recently cut her hair and we both felt we had just cut away her little girl years and it made her a young lady right away.

At the same time we are seeing how the Lord is growing them as well into getting to know Him more and listening to Him and learning how to obey Him, which is very special. We are learning with them every day how to teach them in the way they should go and pray with faith that they will hold on to these values for the rest of their lives!!

Thank you for your prayers for our children, they surely need it in these years in which there are so many things happening in our societies that could influence them, but we believe the Word of the Lord in them will stand strong!!

Our children are a gift from the Lord and we cherish them!!

Our 1 year old princess

2010-09-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

Here she is....now almost 14 months old, she is officially walking and loving it.

She loves getting into the garbage picking out little things or putting non garbage items in there. She smiles the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes down. She is such an adorable little princess and we and others are truly enjoying here in every way. What a gift from God to our lives. She has spoken her first word in Dutch already "nee", which means "no" and tends to lean more towards listening to mommy speak Dutch more than anything else...what a blessing for mommy's heart!!

Plants and Air

2010-09-03T08:27:00.000-06:00

My 5 year old during his science fair

My mommy heart is struggling...why you may ask when you look at this precious photo of my 5 year old son presenting what he has memorized for this years science fair at school. Well actually is just that....the memorization part....he has no clue what he is talking about, nitrogene, oxigen, helium, etc....all the elements that are in air. I don't even know those, little do I think about them when I breath the air God gave me on a daily basis. Lord is it my pride I need to deal with or is it really that important that my son remembers the basic elements of air to be able to breath in an out and know that the breath of God is the most life giving element there possibly could be to "air".

I guess I am just being challenged in this lifetime what my children are taught in school and most of all WHY they are taught this. Ok, we all go through school, learn our things about science, etc...but I have recently been challenged to teach my children that the most important thing of the science part is that they believe God is the creator of the Universe and that this amazing intelligent being named the "Almighty God" has taken 6 days to create this amazing place with all its scientific particles, elements etc....and that we can get to know this Creator God on a very personal basis and know that He asks of us.

I guess I am overreacting, am I? Let me know what you think if you are a mommy that has kids doing science fairs....I just pray that Luca will remember one thing "God breathed life into us....the most important element of AIR is GOD!!!

It has been a month

2010-07-29T21:09:00.002-06:00

I know, it has been too long, a month to be exact and time just flew by. The reason being...the kids were out of school for 3 weeks starting early July and just returned back to school this last Monday. Then also we have this amazing event coming called "YWAM 50th celebration"...which our base is hosting for Central America and so there is a lot of work going on, which we are very very excited about and the base is looking so good, so wonderful, so amazing....!!!

God you are amazing by bringing the people you do, servants who are standing with us to make this celebration an honor to You!!!

But this means long days, full head and depending on Jesus. On top of this we are MOVING!!! Yes, we were able together with Giacomo's parents to build an apartment and in one month is is almost move in ready :). Well, YWAM style that is....unfinished in regular housing terms...but we can move...no hot or running water yet, but parents are living next door so we have a shower there, kitchen is being poured as we speak, yes concrete, way more durable than wooden cabinets at least in this humid climate.

But the one thing we will have, lower monthly expenses and an amazing view of the city which gives us an amazing place to pray and intercede of our city and nation!

So all in all it has been a very busy month, but we are moving right ahead and we feel that we are right in the middle of God's will for our lives. We are seeing His hand in everything and we are holding on to His promises to see more young people get to know God, fall in love with Him get to know Him and obey Him in making Him known in this generation!!!!

Until all have heard for His glory until eternity!!!

Tessa almost 1

2010-06-24T12:25:00.000-06:00

Little Tessa is getting so big...her brother and sister really know how to make her smile as you can tell in the photo. She will be turning one on July 14th and so I need to get going on this bday party. Their first bday is always so fun as they have no idea of what is going on and why everybody is having fun and singing to them...she is blessed by having lots of friends, little and big and lots of ywamers to celebrate with her!!

If you are still interested in sending her a 1st bday present you can click on this link and go to her wishlist at amazon. It will be delivered here so you don't have to worry about mailing it..http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/160B40O7B6A7S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl

Thank you for your friendship and support!!

Just thought you might like these

2010-05-28T10:35:00.000-06:00

Our kids are growing so much. Here you see Tessa had a fun day just crawling around the house...she loves that

Luca wanted to make a carrot cake with me so we did...it turned out really nice and yummy!

And Gioela she is my big girl who loves to color and paint

I feel so blessed with my kids, even though I have no idea what to do sometimes...they are our precious gifts from God!!

Tessa is growing

2010-05-22T17:28:00.000-06:00

Our little "baby" girl is growing so very much and so is her hair...we had to do something fun with it!!

We also had to think of something fun for her birthday which is coming closer as the weeks are going by so quickly. On July 14th we are celebrating her first birthday and because we did so bad with Luca on his first birthday (not celebrating it) we need to improve and have since then also with Luca's birthday.

Because the first one is so special we have put a special wishlist together for Tessa on amazon. Thank you for those who have already bought her a present, she is going to feel so very loved and special that day and we (daddy and mommy) want to say thank you for your love.

The present will be delivered right here in Costa Rica so it saves you a trip to the postoffice and there is still plenty of time to choose the slowest delivery option. Just follow the link below here if you would like to get her something:

Tessa 1st Bday wish list
Each item was chosen directly by the wisher. Take a look and help make a wish come true.

Thank you again friends, it will be a special day and we look forward to share it with you!!

Tessa says thank you already!!!

Old and new kitchen

2010-05-14T18:55:00.000-06:00

This WAS our YWAM base kitchen and it served us well since October, but now the new kitchen is almost finished. Bigger, better and will function a lot better and more hygenic as well!!

Another photo of our old kitchen

And here it is...a little dirty still, but this is our new kitchen, tile on the walls and floors, a real walk in pantry, we will have a walk in freezer and fridge, a washroom and lots of space for cutting and prepping!!

I will post another photo when it is all done and looking clean...but at least this gives you the idea!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND PRAYERS....WANT TO COME AND SERVE HERE??? You are more than welcome to come join us for a summer to serve the average 80 people eating here this coming summer 2010!! We need cooks who would want to serve as missionaries for 3 months...feel called to Costa Rica, serving other missinoaries and witness about Jesus to the people of this nation? Then email us at gmcoghi5@gmail.com and we will tell you how to do this!!

Looking forward to hearing from you!!

Tessa's birthday plan

2010-05-10T09:11:00.000-06:00

Well, I have to confess I am a little excited about Tessa's first birthday that I made a gift wish list for her at amazon. When Luca turned one it was such a busy time and a terrible date (Dec. 30th) that the day came and went and we never had a real first birthday part for him. He doesn't know that and will one day find out, but I do not think it is going to matter much (I hope). So I guess I am trying to find some healing for this mommy heart by making it a special one for Tessa. Every party for Luca has been a blast afterward that first one and Gioela's has also. I have so much enjoyed doing theme parties to where it was possible within a budget and it has been fun.

So here we go it is May and only 2 more months to go until Tessa's party, but you can't ever start on time right especially when it comes to presents. So I am starting now. Would you like to help making this a special one for Tessa by getting her a present then you can click on the link below and buy her one. It will be delivered here in Costa Rica, but it might take about 2 weeks from the time you buy it.

On behalf of Tessa we would so much appreciate this and thank you from my heart also. I know it will be special for all of us, including the two oldest ones...they will enjoy helping Tessa unwrap her presents. Knowing this will be the last "1st" birthday party we will have in our family.

Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/160B40O7B6A7S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl

Dutch fair in Costa Rica

2010-05-09T17:01:00.000-06:00

Aren't they the cutest little "Dutch" kids...well not fully Dutch, but at least some. Every year after "Queens Day" the Dutch club here in Costa Rica organizes a Dutch fair with lots of wonderful goodies from holland including a good old fashion "flea market". This year our kids picked up Dutch books and a rabbit. I don't think the rabbit is from holland, but it is cute anyways. Of course Gioela was the one who bought it as she LOVES animals.

The little rabbit already bit mommy and Luca, but wouldn't do Gioela any harm. Now they are trying to sell popcorn and other things so they can have the money to feed the rabbit and keep its cage clean. Extra expenses that we didn't plan on spending, but what a joy to see the kids happy with their first real pet!!

I think it is part of a kids life to have a little animal to take care of. Gioela helped mommy today cleaning up the cage and all that comes with it, feeding it and letting it run outside.

THank you for sharing even in this fun moment of our family life!!

Luca's dance video!!

2010-05-03T20:08:00.002-06:00

Here is a fun video of our son dancing when he found this radio and found out it was working. So he turned it on and well...here is the result of his reaction!! Have fun...click on this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/gmcoghi5/Movies#5467226487820817874

YWAM Kids

2010-05-03T19:42:00.001-06:00

These are some of the YWAM kids who love to share their cookies while daddy and mommy are in the staff meeting every Friday morning!!

Here are Tessa and Sarayu (from Holland/Costa Rica and Sarayu from Germany)

Here is our Mexican little buddy, Lemuel and next to him Jude Freeman from California

Little Tessa growing

2010-04-24T11:47:00.000-06:00

Our little baby girls is growing every day. She is almost 9 1/2 months old and we are enjoying her so much. Soon we will be putting up some photos of the other two little Coghis also!!

Some YWAM Family photos..

2010-04-23T07:40:00.000-06:00

The faces of change, of life, of wanting to live for Jesus and do whatever it takes to make Him known.

Grethel and me (marjolein) on her 32nd Bday!!

Some of the DTS guys while we were on our walk to Cartago the former capital of Costa Rica!! This picture was taken by the most famous church in all of Costa Rica!!

Just a classic....Anabel from Mexico working hard in the maintenance department and for a new ministry called "Homes of Hope"

We love what we do...

2010-04-23T06:52:00.002-06:00

It is just too exciting not to share. We love what we do. You know why? Because people are excited about getting to know Jesus. When we start looking at our lives in the light of the Truth, the Way and the Life, our lives become brighter, our lives start making more sense and our lives are filled with hope. You see, when you put your life against the mirror of the life of Jesus, your every day frustrations are nothing compared to what He went through. He came to give life...Christ in us the hope of Glory!!!

Our new DTS students are a great group. The first DTS from January is on outreach and God is just using them in different areas of the country to see people come to know Him. Costa Rica is being reached. And just this last Monday this new DTS with 9 students came with a hunger to know more about God, to know His truth, to know Jesus and follow in His footsteps. Their special focus is backpacking and extreme adventure and well let me tell you God is already speaking to them about the REAL adventure with Him. This journey we find ourselves on into the heart of God, getting to know Him, following Him and letting Him lead our lives.

We are just too excited for what God is doing and had to share this with you. In the next few days I will share more about what God is doing!!!

Luca and daddy home again...

2010-04-11T14:00:00.005-06:00

Luca's first trip with daddy was like a world trip for him. Going on an airplane, a boat, swimming in a pool, playing, eating lots of "fun" food...and learning the new song about a mosterd seed. As you can tell the trip of his life.

The boat trip was a great adventure and Giacomo realized he doesn't have sea-legs. He was still moving in bed that night, he said. On the other hand, Marjolein has worked on the Anastasis for a year on which they had the most terrible sail ever in the famous "Bay of Biscay" near France.

Giacomo was encouraged to have taught in the DTS there and to see the ship that the students will sail to Haiti with. Lots of work to be done, but with vision and our big God, who can be against us. So let's pray for those guys in panama!!!

When they returned Giacomo took the skaters helmets to the base and showed them to a bunch of the young guys at our base who will be serving the skateboard community here in San Jose and they were all too excited to be wearing those helmets.

Of course Luca was one of the most exciting ones as he is slowly, but surely becoming a really good skateboarder (of course I am a proud mommy speaking here :)).

So here enjoy this photo of our kids with the skateboard crew of YWAM San Jose!!

A need...

2010-04-08T12:47:00.000-06:00

Hi there, can we share a need with you? Marjolein works a lot from home and has been using a laptop computer all this time. Unfortunately this computer is going bad and we use it for a lot of work for the ministry as well as personal use. We are praying for a desktop computer with bigger memory and more disk space. We do not have the finances right now to purchase this computer, so can you pray with us for this need??

Thank you so much, we are seeing as part of our ministy, not to do computer games. We are using it for all the training administration that Marjolein is overseeing for the ywam base, making our newsletters, keeping up this website, and lots more that you can only imagine as many of you have a computer for lots of things.

We appreciate your time to read this and pray over this need!!!!

Reaching out to the homeless...

2010-04-06T10:55:00.004-06:00

Life on the streets in San Jose!!

Last night I was talking to one of our staff members who is just an amazing young woman. Last year together with other she was able to get in touch with the Salvation Army in San Jose. They told us that they had to close down their building because of health reasons and the fact that the building was so run down. Well that is all we needed to hear to get started.

Youth With A Mission San Jose started getting teams and staff members to go downtown and help clean up this building so it could be used again.

When the day came that it was finished, the doors were once again opened and "soldiers" of the Salvation started receiving people who lived on the streets of San Jose. Now they have 8 people that live there full time, whom they are discipling.

Our team, under Christy's leadership is serving there every day, cleaning, doing devotionals and personal discipleship with the homeless.

One of the ladies that comes to the devotional is pregnant and will soon have a baby. Our next project will be to arrange a small baby shower for her. God is changing people's lives one day at a time and God is using a young woman from Mexico to lead this out and she is doing an amazing job!! Pray for her as she faces danger every day on the streets and even gets threatened every now and then by the homeless themselves. Thank you!!

He is alive!!

2010-04-04T13:11:00.001-06:00

Have you heard the good news today??
Just in case you haven’t…..Jesus is alive, He rose from the dead on the third day. Death couldn’t hold Him, He overcame it. It is a miracle. Today is the day we remember that Jesus was resurrected the day that we can live through Him. He promises us that He would never leave us or forsake us.

Just like Mary ran back to the village as she had an encounter with the angel by the tomb where Jesus was placed. He was no longer there, so ran back and went to tell the disciples…He is gone, He is alive, some ran back with her to see for themselves.

What an amazing day that must have been. In my heart I sensed many things last night and I cried out to the Lord saying “I want to follow You Jesus, I want to see the power of Your resurrection in my life tomorrow when I wake up”. This was the prayer of my heart last night and today I sense an amazing excitement as if I were mary who just walked away from the tomb, empty, meeting up with the gardener who happens to be Jesus!!

I feel there is an excitement and that is what I want to live, what I want to share. HE IS ALIVE!!!

Traveling with daddy!!

2010-04-03T22:08:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago Giacomo felt to bring Luca with him on his next teaching trip and so this week as we told Luca that he got to go to Panama with daddy, he was asking everyday if it was THE day!!
Today, was the big day....Luca was so very excited, you can tell on his face on this photo that is why I had to share it. He didn't even bring any toys with him or at least didn't care what mommy put in his backpack.
The most important thing was going on an airplane with daddy!!

Will you pray for them this week? I pray that God even uses our little 5 year old boy to preach the Gospel, to share Jesus in his very own way. Pray that this will be a moment of remembrance for him. We miss them already and Gioeal really had to cry when we left them at the airport, which made me cry of course and so we both drove home from the airport crying, but it was all good when we got home. Ofcourse all three of us girls are sleeping in the same room this whole week. Tessa in her crib next to my bed and Gioela and me in the big bed!!! So fun!!!

2010-04-03T19:53:00.000-06:00

Gioela with two other girls at the ywam base, they are all 7 years old and good friends!!! Love this photo!!

And my boy is becoming big...skateboarding like a pro, so we had to have a helmet for him!!! He likes to fall on purpose now!! Just had to share these with you!!

Enjoy!!

His sacrifice gave us our life

2010-04-02T13:38:00.004-06:00

It seemed to be just an ordinary day. Jesus had just finished praying for Himself, His disciples and those who would believe in Him in the years to come. He took his disciples across the Kidron Valley to an olive grove there. I am sure the Angels were watching and looked at this scene as if it was just the normal time of the day to go there with His disciples, although one was missing, Judas, why was he not there?

The disciples didn't seem to notice anything different until there are some loud noises coming up the hill, it sounds like a lot of people talking and they are carrying torches. Soldiers, pharisees, the Chief Priest and they are holding weapons. What is going on, even the angels were asking themselves as they looked down.

"Who are you looking for?" Says Jesus with a calm voice (He already knew what was going on). We are looking for Jezus of Nazareth, I am He. They couldn't believe Him and as a result they drew back and fell to the ground. Disbelief that this would be Him made them fall to the ground, so they asked again and again Jesus answers that He is the one they are looking for.

Before they can take Jesus away Peter decides to take matters into His own hands, but Jesus looks him in the eye and lets him know that He will have to drink the cup that His Father has given Him.

The heavenlies are quiet, the disciples do not know what to say, they don't seem to understand. Could it be like this. Jesus starts His journey passed the places of judgement, but even in the end the governer of Rome can't find fault in Him and want to release Him.

But the people yell as loud as they can, CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!! (john. 19:6)

Have we understood what He did for us, the road that He walked, the sins He took on Himself.

This week I was once again realizing, but maybe even for the first time to a deeper extent that my short comings, my daily mistakes, my insecurities, my behaviour that causes me to make the wrong choices, everything, really EVERYTHING He took on Himself on this day. He did it so I can go to Him today freely, so He can wash me clean and start all over.

Today is the day of a sacrifice, THE GREATEST sacrifice of all times, for us, so that we might live and have life everlasting and be free from the things that hold us in bondage on a daily basis. He wants us to be free, but to be free we need to understand the sacrifice, receive the sacrifice and in reponse we kneel before the cross and give ourselves back to Him and say "Lord not my will, but Yours be done in my life today. I want to be free".

His Sacrifice gave us our life!!

Late nights....full of thought

2010-03-29T23:24:00.000-06:00

Another late night for me. It is 11:15pm and I should have been in bed a long time ago, but my thoughts are going around in my head and I can't seem to quite them down. But I am actually happy about that, questions filling my mind that are presented to my Jesus. I am sharing my heart with Him and I am telling Him that I want to be used by Him in whatever way, but that He needs to give me insight and wisdom on where He wants me to do that.

Giacomo is keeping busy with the general leading of the ministry and I know at this season of my life my young little ones are very important, but at the same time I know deep down that God is in the middle of preparing me for the next thing that He would have me do. I am learning every day what it means to be a good mother, wife, friend and co-worker. What it means to lay down what I think I should be doing and do just that which the Lord is asking of me that day, no more no less.

Jesus I know you must be thinking that I should get some rest, which I should. I just needed to share my heart with friends and let them know that eventhough things are busy and there is lots to do I am listening for your quiet voice that leads me besides still waters, that leads me in the way everlasting and that leads me in the way I should go, just for today...well I guess at this hour of the day I should say tomorrow!!

I am ready for what you have tomorrow....this week is special here in Costa Rica, Holy Week. Well I proclaim this week Holy in my own life and that of our family. May we once again be reminded of the beauty and sacrifice Jesus did for us. No words can describe it, no mind can fully comprehend the depth of the meaning, but I want to look for it, receive it and dwell upon it. Will you dwell upon His sufferings and beauty with me this week. I would love to hear what you are experiencing this week. May we all be once again fully overwhelmed and fall on our knees before Him in thankfulness for the sacrifice. Have a wonderful week!!

Change is good....

2010-03-26T20:51:00.000-06:00

Ok, so you already noticed the changes in our blog. I realized that we needed this site to represent more of what we do as a family. I will still write a lot of personal things, but will label them "Marjolein's writings", so that you know what to look for if you are more interested in some more personal insight into our lives and especially in my life as a mommy of 3, missionary and wife of a latino man!!

Hope you like our new blog look, we will post our new newsletters every month, so keep on the look-out for those as well!!

You can always email us if you have a more specific question in regards to our ministry, we would love to hear from you through comments on this site and your prayers are so much needed as well!!

With love, your friends in Costa Rica

News March 2010

2010-03-25T20:30:00.000-06:00

Pura Vida News March 2010

Newsletter February 2010

2010-03-25T19:59:00.000-06:00

Pura Vida News ENG Feb 2010

Snapshots of our daily photo album

2010-03-24T20:23:00.001-06:00

My friend Sarah Dawn wrote on her blog how she is livin life and putting up snapshots of the photo album of her life. Well Sarah this is for you, I took your advice and I decided today would be a great day for those snapshots of life.

This is my lying in the yard with my 3rd little one. Her name is Tessa and she is 8 months old. The sun was out, the day was just beautiful and the photos are a snapshot of the beauty of life. She is a true blessing to our family and my two oldest kids truly enjoy her and she just belongs in our family.

So thanks Sarah for encouraging us to splash during the day and take a moment for those snapshots...I enjoyed them and the shots came out amazing!!

The one below is from our 5 year old son who really wanted to plant something, so we went into the yard and found all we needed and planted the seed of an apple. I am not sure if it will actually come up, but for Luca it was a perfect moment with mommy, planting apple seeds.

About 1 hour later he was asking me why the tree hadn't come up yet and when it was finally going to show...well...just like the things we learn in life, it might take a while before we see the fruit of our labor!!!

So patience is required here my dear Luca, but sooner or later you will see something come forth!!

Had so much fun I even played monopoly today with him, then a game of Uno-attack, then we did a monster-truck computer game, destroying everything we encountered, which seemed to really really get his attention.

Then when my 7 year old daughter, Gioela came home from school, we actually read her reading-homework and she decided to go on reading because mommy was listening so well that she read about 10 pages and past her homework for this week and she felt so proud and excited about it.

Then this evening in bed we read a great book with pictures about the history of Beijing...yes China...she was truly fascinated when I told her that there was a forbidden city!!

All in all I have to thank you Sarah Dawn for encouraging others and I had an amazing day with my kids and God just showed me how wonderful this can be and I am totally rested as I sit here writing about it...

He is so faithful and I am so grateful!! How was your day, let me all about it when you read it, leave a comment if you like!!!

Love, a mommy of 3

Tessa first time swimming!!

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-06:00

This was Tess's first time swimming in a pool. She loved it and just sat there to enjoy the sun and the water!! We all enjoyed some good family time, isn't God good!!

My bunches of joy

2010-03-17T09:42:00.000-06:00

Just some photos I had to share with you. I know I have been gone for a while, but I was visiting friends and family in Holland...which was very good. Soon I will write all about what Jesus has been teaching in the last few weeks...too much really...I can hardly keep up...I was I had a better storage system in my mind and not feel so overwhelmed, but at least it is a good things. Hope you enjoy these pictures of my little bunches of joy!!

Tessa eating while Gioela put these hearts on her head

My three little bunches of joy. I love them just way too much and still loving them sometimes means discipline, which I do not like to do, but it is so necessary...Lord help me today to do it right!! At least do it YOUR WAY!!

2010-02-17T07:48:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to share these photos with you!!

2010-02-17T07:42:00.000-06:00

Can you remember the last nigth you slept a good night and really rested!! I truly didn't remember and was just asking the Lord to help my little 7 month old baby Tessa to sleep through the night. After trying every single thing possible I finally decided at 10:30pm after I heard her wake up a little to completely wake her up, change her diaper and feed her some more....altough she had had enough to eat that day, but I just wanted to try......WELL GUESS WHAT??? She slept until 5:30AM......YES....I got to sleep 6 1/2 hours straight. Wow, I feel so good, the last weeks have been maybe 5 hours of sleep, broken up in 3 and 2 hours segments...not enough and my boby was starting to feel it....!! Wow, sleeping 6 1/2 hours has never felt so good. You should try it some time!!! Thanks for those who prayed...I guess she was hungry all this time, silly me and this being a third time mommy...I guess we all forget what things are like when your oldest two are 7 and 5 :)!!!

A bowl of water

2010-02-09T12:35:00.004-06:00

In prayer one day the Lord showed me this picture of Himself standing in front of me with a bowl of water and I heard Him say: "Drink of the water I give you and you will never thirst again. Just seek me and I will give you Living water. Take the water, all that comes with it, My Spirit and it will not be about what you DO, but it will be about what I say and give to you".

Then these words flowed out of my heart as I kneeled before Him!!

" Kneeling down I ask of You that You pass by me
that You give to me that which I need most
Kneeling down I lay it down, my own thoughts and expectations
my desires and wishes, I surrender them to you and I say:
Give me living water, give me the freshness of the spring that You take from.
May I drink and never go thirsty again, but if I do get thirsty again
I will run to You, I will know where to run,
to the One walking around with the bowl of water.

I will be poured out and You will be given
All of You will be handed in and shared with those who will hear
and those who will kneel in humbleness before you
in reverence.
You gladly give and I my Lord, gladly receive"

The throneroom

2010-01-03T12:02:00.003-06:00

I was reading Vonnette Bright's book "The woman within" and felt compelled to share it with you. As a mom, wife and friend I found myself meditating on what she was writing about the Holy Spirit. Do we truly let Him guide us in everything, who is seated on the throne of our hearts?? Are we there with our selfishness, our attitudes, our behaviour with our own self?? Or is the Holy One guiding us through the moments of frustration with ourselves, our spouses, our friends and yes our kids also.

I had to ask the Lord to once again forgive me for so many times taking over and it is actually "I" that sit on the throne of my own heart and thoughts, not Jesus, not His Spirit. Do I pause before I react, not enough for sure!!!

Holy Spirit I need you so much more than I have realized. I need YOU every day. I need you in the moments when my attitude doesn't show an example to my kids. Cleanse me, sanctify me in your presence, in your throneroom. May I come before you today and get cleansed so that I may represent you to those around me and especially to my children.

It is a sin not to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you if you say you belong to Jesus and want Him to lead your life. I recognize my sin...my shortcomings, I want renewal I want this gone out of my life. Holy Spirit guide me into ALL the truth every day, every moment!!

The throneroom of my heart needs to be filled with your presence and YOU alone, come in and take over!!

A call to Jesus

2009-12-29T21:00:00.002-06:00

The page is blank I feel empty. The words in my heart are many but none seem to come forth. I feel as if the waves are washing over me, but I am still standing, left with nothing but a drenched soul. Jesus, I need the wave to be YOU, I need YOU to drench me, to quench my thirst, to satisfy my hunger. Jesus YOU and YOU alone. As I stand my feet on the ground, it feels as the ground beneath me is about to shake and I am not sure if what I need to do is run or stand firm and let NOTHING shake me.

My feet are ready to stand firm in YOUR word, YOUR truth and still I feel like I am bear, there seems to be nothing to hold to, no shoes that fit my feet to stay on the ground. Lord, YOUR truth will keep me standing, YOUR wave of mercy will wash me clean, YOUR strong hand will hold me from falling over in the midst of the world that is coming at me so fast. The world with its worries, the do’s and the don’ts, the what is right and what isn’t. Only YOU are RIGHT, only holding on to YOU is what needs to be done.

In my day today I need YOU, hold on to YOU, nothing but YOU. You are my strength in my weakness, YOU are my source of hope, my source of energy, my source of reality. Jesus YOU are real, there has never been anybody like YOU. There is power in YOUR life, there is power in YOUR death, there is even more power in YOUR resurrection. I need YOUR life to ignite my heart, my soul, my body, my inner being. Without YOU I feel lost, without YOU there is no purpose. Without YOU I do it all wrong, I go the wrong way, I make the wrong choices. JESUS YOU came so you can understand me, my hears cry, my desire, my hopes and dreams, where I am at today. I come to YOU, my KING, my GOD, my SAVIOUR, my DESIRE.

In your life I want to live, through your life I want to walk, through YOU, only YOU. Be the fire in my heart, be the fullness in my soul, be the treasure in my chest, be the source of energy, be the moonlight in my darkness, be the sunshine in my day, be the fragrance of my surroundings, be the wind in my face. Be my ALL, BE MY ALL, BE MY ALL RIGHT NOW, this very hour, be my all, hold me Lord, cause I feel like falling, restore me Lord for I am failing, teach me Lord for I made mistakes, forgive me Lord for not allowing YOU to guide me when I needed it the most.

Clear my wrong doing, make it whiter than snow, make it disappear so that tomorrow will be new, will be fresh. May I know that You took me, my hand and my heart and as I laid it on the alter it was washed clean, mended and restored so that when I speak, when I share, it will only be what YOU have done, what YOU gave me, ONLY YOU. Never will there be anybody that can do what YOU did, so I come to YOU to give to ME what nobody else can give me. I don’t have to say it with words, because YOU already know. YOU know me so well, I am YOUR child, I am YOUR servant, I belong to YOU. I need to belong to YOU, my heart needs the covering, my soul needs to fulfilling, my whole self needs to be held by none other than YOU, JESUS!!

I am calling onto YOU, I need of YOU, come to me, hear my call, I need to hear YOU speak, like a daughter hears her father. The longing of my heart is to understand YOUR heart, may I come to you in all reverence and sincerity as I step before YOUR throne, I stand in awe of YOUR glory, of YOUR strength and I ask of YOU, Father give me today what I needed yesterday, give me today what my heart needs the most, give me today what I missed, give me now the peace that will surpass all understanding so that what I don’t understand will become clear as the light of day. YOU are ever holy, ever glorious, ever majestic, ever sincere, forever near me, for me and before me. JESUS your name is wonderful, amazingly great and never ending, forever I will praise YOU, forever I will call on YOU to fill me and renew for I call to you Jesus!!

In response to revelation

2009-12-15T21:24:00.002-06:00

Remember Paul, the one who was after those who belonged to Jesus and suddenly he has an encounter with the One he persecutes?

Yes, that Paul, who encountered the cross, stood still and received revelation from Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11-12

Revelation from Jesus is what makes us change our way of thinking.

Revelation from Jesus is what makes us walk the other way.

Revelation from Jesus is what grips our heart and changes our motive.

Revelation from Jesus is what brings us to our knees to lay down our own self.

Revelation from Jesus is what makes us speak, nothing of our own, but that which He tells us.

Revelation is what makes us get up and move our feet in the direction He tells us to.

Jesus my heart is to respond to Your revelation, so that my life, my heart and my will may do what You desire.

I want to walk in response to Your revelation, just like Paul.

Boys will be boys

2009-12-09T20:08:00.006-06:00

This last monday was the day of his life....my son, Luca. He will be 5 years old this 30th of December. He is the most energetic kid I know...well he takes after his daddy, who also goes and goes and doesn't stop until his head hits the pillow.

Monday was the day that between all the going and running he took a few hits. The first he asks me for in the morning is if he can play outside. After finally eating breakfast, getting dressed and brushing his teeth he goes outside with his older sister. About 30 minutes later, Gioela comes running back inside telling me that Luca fell out of the tree. I fell out of a tree once (climbing with wooden shoes) my teeth folded back into the roof of my mouth and my dad had to pull them back into place. So you can imagine where my mind went after hearing that Luca fell out of the tree.

I ran over and saw that he was standing up, climbed over the little wall and seemed to be ok...although he was limping a little bit and hurt is back, but he was still standing!!

Then about 2 hours later as we were over visiting with grandpa and grandma they brought over the skateboard, ofcourse with all the padding for arms, legs and head...

And by now Luca is doing some really good balancing on this scary thing. Well he decides to show "oma" and sliding through the garage when he pushes it forward, but his body doesn't go and he lands on his side on the garage floor (cement). He looks at me and "oma" makes sure to let him know that is what would happen. He walks over to me with his hand on his side as if to say "I am really in pain here, but I won't cry". He kind of makes some funny noises and I know he is hurting, but he doesn't show it and just goes right back at it.

Once back home all the kids are playing outside (again) and minutes later "kai" comes over to my house and tells me that Luca is stuck in the tree and he can't get out.

I couldn't believe my ears...or could I? So I ran over to the (other) tree and by then Luca is hiding behind the tree. Another neigbor teenage boy had rescued him out of the tree as he was quite high up.

I walked over and realized that he felt really embarrassed that somebody had to rescue him. So I took him in my arms and he embraced me and didn't let go as he quietly let go of some tears. Then as I said "let's go home Luca" he gets down and says "no I want to stay here and play some more".

You can imagine by the end of the day this little boy was so wiped and bruised that he went to sleep without any problems. He is still as cute as ever, but oh my little boy will always be a boy. I can only pray that as he gets older he understands the danger he sometimes puts himself in and that mommy just prays that nothing bad will ever really happen. I have to let go and I have to learn now, because it will only be harder later!!!

My hearts desire for today!!

2009-11-17T09:27:00.003-06:00

If only I could better express what is in my heart and time stood still to be able to ponder it long enough. I feel today that time is running by and I can't catch up.

I feel my heart is racing to give love, to show appreciation and not be able to have enough to give away.

I feel I need more of Jesus to be able to give and still lacking the time to soak Him all in.

My hearts desire is for Jesus, receiving from Him, hearing from Him and soaking in His presence all day.

I have to learn how to do this while going about my "normal" daily tasks, which seems so time consuming and some of these things unimportant.

And still, the majority of those daily things can so glorify God. I don't live for me, I love for Him, I live to give love to those who need it.

Lord, my hearts desire today is that You be my all, my everything, my friend and the One who sustain my soul and my life, just for today!!

Learning to Love

2009-09-12T08:09:00.006-06:00

Somtimes you think when you see a cute little face like this (tessa at 1 1/2 months), that it shouldn't be so hard to love a human being. No, it shouldn't when I look at my little ones and especially now the little new baby, I experience a love that is almost hard to describe with words. So pure, so full, so real, so deep. Then all of a sudden they get a little bigger and loving them seems a little difficult at times when they do things we don't like or we don't want them to do and we have to get upset with them. No, Mar that is not true, I still love my child when I have to scream at him when he runs across without watching, almost getting killed by the oncoming vehicle.

I know I understand, I do this daily sometimes. My son Luca is wonderfully adventurous and sometimes decides to cross the street without waiting for me and I can guarantee you that the worst voice in me comes out, but I still love him that is why I do that!! I love my kids unconditionally, but at certain times this motherly unconditional love is being "tested".

Do you ever experience this? Do we really "love" one another (or our kids), or do really still have to learn on a daily basis how to love. There is no doubt in my mind that the love of God is the most incredible love there is. What He did for us, there are no words for that. His love gives hope to hopeless nations, brings enemies together, restores a broken relationship, unites churches, renews a broken life and this love gives us a reason to live.

1 John 4: 9-10 says:
⁹ Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.

¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Wow, this is incredible, not because we loved God, because He loves us, we can live through that love.

When I think about my kids and the love I have for them I know God through that is taking care of them. They feel safe when they feel loved, not necessarily when they give love to their parents first. This makes me look at things different, we love them first and (hopefully) receive this love in return. But even when we do not always receive this love in return (from our kids or other adults) we are still able to love through Him.

It seems so easy to say doesn't it. I know that I can't do any of this by myself, I have to ask God every day to reveal to me His love so that I can live through His love and give it away.

Learning to love sometimes is a daily activity and when I skip a day I know that with the next day that comes there is hope to continue to learn how to love, everybody!!

My family

2009-08-26T07:08:00.006-06:00

We call ourselves "the Coghis"

August 26th, time just flew by. My parents came to visit from the Netherlands so the last two weeks were full of so much love, joy, being spoiled and a small vacation!! To much to write about, but as I was thinking on how to update my blog the Lord brought this mind "my family".

So I am going to share with you a little bit about every person you see in this very new first photo of our little family of 5!!

Giacomo - the man of the house, amazing daddy, loving husband, incredible pioneer and visionary, sees something new in every situation even when it looks like disaster :), I love him for that. Hard worker, strong in character and patient as ever, very slow to anger (what a biblical virtue) and I am just so grateful God sent this young (34) man my way back in 1996 when we met!! We have been walking this life together now for 11 years this September.

Me - who likes to talk about themselves (?), well I don't either, but if I am going to share something about our little family I have to include me. I am grateful the way God has strengthened me to carry the daily things. I love what we do, who we are and what God is making us to be. I am learning how to be a better parent and wife every day, I love watching my kids grow and learn, I love spending time with all the different people God sends our way on our YWAM base. When I look at myself I am thankful for what God has done over the last 13 years since I stepped into YWAM. My little international family blesses my heart every day and gives me the greatest challenge at the same time...but it helps me to see Gods heart in every little thing

Gioela - my little princess who will be 7 this October. I remember waiting for her for almost 4 years. It was well worth the wait. Her precious smile, blond hair and spicy personality bless me. She is creative little lady and very very social. She loves sharing her mind with everybody she sees, can speak a thousand words with her face and has shown herself as an amazing little helper with the baby. She even changes her diapers and does a great job. She loves Jesus and loves to sing, especially making up her own songs. She would love to spend the whole day playing with her friends and socializing with every person on the ywam base. She is our little princess, slowing becoming a young lady!!

Luca - oh my boy!!! He is a ball of energy, but I know it is not ADHD...he just loves to express the wonderful personality God has given him. Spunky, vibrant, detailed, very loving and gentle with his new baby sister, expresses his heart very easily to me and he tells me often that he loves me, which of course makes my heart melt, especially when I am having a hard day. His little curls make me smile and as I watch him grow I pray he will grow up to be a man after God's own heart just like his daddy!!

Tessa - at 6 weeks old you are just as precious as ever. You look like your sister and brother and still I see the uniqueness that God created. Your own little self...precious and daddy especially is happy about you having blue eyes!! We love having you in our family, you make us complete!

Jesus has a mommy heart....

2009-08-03T09:45:00.004-06:00

As I finished nursing our new little one I kept on looking at the beauty God has once again created. How can someone not be full of love and adoration of who God is when you look upon such a small human being, so fragil, so real, so fine, so pure.....so perfect. Of cours all mothers say that there children are the most beautiful in the world...and let me tell you they are all RIGHT!!!!

All our new little ones are precious in His sight, but in our sight also, which means we are learning to see through His eyes. We are understanding what it means to see something that is precious, to love it, to want to cherish it, to protect it. This is what makes you do crazy things as a mom just to be able to protect your children from harm!!! And let me tell you don't we do crazy things sometimes???

But nevertheless God forgives us for making mistakes in parenting, but teaches us how to show that love and protection in the appropriate way. Our hearts sometimes just bubble over with that care that we don't really know how to respond the right way or should I say that there is so much love and care that it is the right way to respond (anger maybe), but it seems to shock the other person (or our children). Ok, there is a right way to speak, but I was just thinking of Jesus.....

Out of love for His temple He was angry, He was offended, He threw the people out...He was jaleous of the place that was supposed to be a house of prayer, a place to meet with God, a place to be in intimacy with Him. How can it now be a place of yelling and screaming in greed which is a market place.

Sometimes our homes can become just that, a market place, where we tend to raise our voices to make our point known, to sell our point kind of...sometimes when our kids are in a riot and we are hurt by them fighting. Our mommy heart just jumps (I feel like Jesus in moments that like) and I become angry and hurt and although I don't turn tables upside down (hahaha, :))...I do feel a jaleousy for my home and think, this is not the way I want it. We are supposed to have an intimate time here, where little brothers and sisters dwell together in unity, in harmony, in love.

Well there is much to learn isn't there about showing love the "right" way, but you know every day I rely on Jesus as my leader, my example, even in parenting...He has got the right answer.

Ponder on Him today, ask Him about that feeling of not knowing what to do where there doesn't seem to be peace. Or when you look at your children (big or small) and you see the precious little ones that He has created, ask Him to give you a bigger amount of love for them then you already have. Wow, it is overwhelming what one can feel and how it leads you to do things "right".

I am learning every day and I am enjoying every day. Our new little one is almost 3 weeks old...time all of a sudden just flies and I am enjoying seeing my other two kids just loving on her like crazy. My Luca just wants to hug and kiss her and calls her "she is so beautiful". My Gioela just wants to hold her all day long, walk around with her and be like a little mommy to her....how precious these moments, nobody takes those away from my mommy heart ever!!!

Jesus has a mommy heart, let's learn from Him today!!

Photos...

2009-07-20T16:21:00.007-06:00

Daddy's new little girl

Proud grandparents Opa & Oma Coghi

Very proud big sister

Very proud big brother

Hours after her arrival into this world

Pain, Tears and true Joy

2009-07-18T20:06:00.009-06:00

My heart is stirred as I look at this photo that I am sharing with you today.....this is our little baby girl "Tessa"....

She was born this last Tuesday, July 14th 2009 at 10:39am.

With her cute black hair, little nose and mommy's chin she is the sweet new addition to our family.

Minutes after she was born my heart was stirred within me. While my husband was taken photos and I was listening to her cry in the background while they were checking her, I couldn't help but let the tears flow freely. The doctor looked at me and asked me if I was ok or if I was in pain. Pain, no that was no longer there, there were tears of true joy and gratitud. I was crying, because I was thinking of the privilege of receiving another little one into our family, another little one to love and hold tight. I was overwhelmed at the goodness of my God who gave this to us and the joy of just receiving this little one was expressed with tears.

Then my husband walked over and I was able to really take a good look at him holding our third precious child. The photo to your right is what I saw. My heart once again was overwhelmed with the beauty of life, the gift of a child to its parents!!

Yes, there was pain, no there were tears, but they were tears of true joy. Realizing I might make mistakes in the years to come in her upbringing. I will fail as a parent some days, but what really spoke to my heart in that moment was the "love" that one has for a little one when you look at your baby. So innocent, so precious, so free, so pure.....how can you not "LOVE" with all that you have.

Once we were back into our hospital room and we were able to take a good look at our precious new little girl I knew that things would never be the same again, they would be better. More challenges, for sure, but more love to give away, knowing that our Heavenly Father will walk with us every step of the way and that He will teach us how to love better, more and in every way this new little person should be loved.

The pain was so worth it, the tears are still flowing and the joy will be completed every time we see her smile!!!

The Bible speaks of a woman in childbirth that when she has given birth she will have forgotten the pain. The Bible is right, the joy and love that you feel outweigh the memory of pain. That is what true love is. The pain it cost to give life, is nothing compared to the joy and love experienced by receiving and holding this life!!

Tears of relief

2009-07-11T12:34:00.004-06:00

No, this photo does NOT mean our little girl is here, we are still awaiting her arrival with excitement. The photo more so represents what I want to share with you from my heart.

Have you ever cried? Well ofcourse you would say, that is not even a real question. But have you ever cried just because you knew that it was going to make you feel relieved and you just had to get it out and you also didn't try anything to stop the tears from coming. Sometimes we cry, because there is a reason to cry, like a sad movie, or because somebody we love is ill, maybe even passing away, or anything else that you can think of.

But have you ever had a moment where you just sit in your chair, think about the things that are truly going through your mind and you just decide to let it all go and let the tears just flow down your cheeks. I mean a choice where you just don't care what anybody else thinks and because you knew that those tears were going to bring you great relief. Maybe this is only true for women, I don't know, I know I speak for myself for sure and that my tears in moments like that have brought me a great relief of my own thoughts, worries and concerns.

That is what happened to me one of these days in the morning when I was sitting on my bed and I knew that the tears had to come to be able to feel relief. Sometimes you can feel a battle inside yourself going on saying "Shall I let it go? What will my husband think or what will my kids think, or in my case are these just over emotional tears because of the last days of pregnancy?" Maybe they think I am sick or perphaps going into labor, well neither one really. The tears just need to come and I am going to let them fall down at the feet of Him who understands my tears.

In a moment like that I hold on to my Heavenly Father and let the tears roll down and I say "Father, I can't do it by myself, sometimes I just don't have the answers, I just want to crawl onto Your lap, as a daugther, just to sit and listen to what You have to say about me, that which You wish to wisper into my ear!! That is all I need right now, His love, His shoulder to cry on without having to explain why the tears are rolling".

That is how simple it is with God, you don't have to explain yourself, some of those things you yourself don't even really understand. Just to come and let the tears run and knowing you don't have to do anything or be anybody is the answer to that moment. You come as you, His daughter!!

Isn't that wonderful and after about 10 minutes I get up to face the rest of the day and I know that just had "my moment" with "my Father", nothing over magical and still "very special".

Try it, tears of relief without having to explain why you have them even when they come quickly and you can't seem to stop them. Don't worry it will all be ok!!!

Step by Step, He carries me

2009-07-02T17:08:00.004-06:00

I love these words as they are an encouragement to my heart and soul on this day. He summoned me by name I am His. There are days when I need to be reminded of the promises of God and as I look at this photo I knew that God was reminding me that I am not walking those "river walks" and those "flamy moments", He is carrying me through them all.

As I am patiently awaiting the arrival of our third baby I am reminded that He has summoned me and my family by name, we are His. I picked up a photo album that was sitting on my bookshelf and opened it up. It was the birth of my son, who is now 4 years old. As I looked at this small, fragile, innocent little baby tears started rolling down my face. What a beautiful thing and to know that God looks at him and has summoned him by name, because He loves him, He loves me, He loves my family.

God you are so good, You are with us and now we are receiving another little one into our family and I wonder sometimes if I have enough love to give. I feel so priviledged and honored to receive a new child as I feel how You look at us and are overwhelmed with love for us it amazes me once again.

May the new life that You are about to bring into our family be a testimony of Your love to all of us. How we as your little children, fragile sometimes are summoned by name and we are Yours.

May the birth of a new little one be a reminder to those around us that when we were born again in You, You surrounded us with Your love and embrace, we are Yours forever!!

Step by Step, I ask your embrace!!

His wisdom...a straight path

2009-06-27T21:15:00.013-06:00

There she is, my little girl...she will be 7 in October, although it seems like yesterday she was born and now another little princess is on the way. I realize the last few days I am sharing a lot about my kids, which I guess has to do with the fact that we are about to have another one and so my thoughts are filled with my feeling of inadequacy as a parent.

We went fishing, my little girl loves to do things that are challenging, but gets upset when they don't work the first time..mmm..sounds like me when I was young!! Have you ever had that when you either look at your own kids or a circumstance and it reminds you of when you were little and sometimes those moments can actually be a little confronting!!

I have much to learn and I have much learn about how to get wisdom and pass it on to my children. I love the first few chapters of Proverbs where it talks about wisdom, how to get it, how to keep it and how to see God make paths straight or direct your steps.

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"

What a tremendous promise "He will direct our steps, make the path straigth"....well Lord I need to trust You more and I need your wisdom. When I get confronted with my own errors, my own failures help me to teach my children how to do it better.

This is my son, Luca, he is 4 and a half...he loved the fishing trip and had no fear in holding those fish with his hands. I need wisdom with him also. When I see him running around all day with his energy that seems to have no end, his need to just let it all out, but when we get to the end of the day and I lay him down to sleep all he wants to hear is a bible story, a prayer and my good old Dutch good night song.

As I finish up the last few lines of the song he closes his eyes and puts his lips out as if to say "mommy give me a kiss" and I say goodnight Luca, I love you!! Within minutes he is asleep, all that energy just comes to rest and he lays himself down in the most peaceful way I have ever seen a 4 year old sleep.

My heart just melts when I see that, it makes me sit down next to him for a while just to look at him sleep and say "God despite of my mistakes, my short comings, my failures, You go a way with my kids. You have Your eyes set on them and even when I don't know anymore, I know that You know. My kids are Yours, not mine. They are given to us, entrusted to us for a little while, but one day I will have to let them go and trust that You will continue your way with them.

"May I receive from You today what I need to go through tomorrow. Give me the strength to discipline Your way. Help me to train them up in the way they should go, so that later they will not depart from it. Forgive me where I haven't been right, where my decisions didn't reflect Your ways. These little ones are given to us by You and I treasure them and love them with all I have, but they are all Yours also. Today I want to trust You and not my own understanding and I acknowledge You, so that my path and theirs may be straight"

Their eyes ask, their heart seeks...

2009-06-24T22:02:00.004-06:00

As I look at this picture of my two kids, ages 6 and 4 there are a few things that come to mind. Look into their eyes for a moment, what do you see? What I saw was a question like the on I wrote next to the photo...

"Would you please teach me the way to go, because I am desperate for solid answers, answers that give me firm ground underneath my feet, answers that will help me walk through life, to be sure of what I know!!! All of a sudden I realize the depth of responsibility that washes over me as I look into these beautiful, yet such mysterious eyes. They don't question right now whether something is right or wrong (well sometimes they do, but not really), they just see it being done through us as parents and then believe that to be the truth.

Again I find myself overwhelmed at the thought of seeing them do things that they saw me do and that is truth to them. What am I doing?

* May the fear of the Lord come on my life as I take these precious lives into my hands and teach them the way to go...

* May the fear of the Lord come on my life as I present them with the way to walk, the way to respond, the way to behave

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. Do I need this today.....Lord more than anything in the world. These precious ones have been entrusted into our care and You are trusting me to be the mother that You want me to be. Show me what it means to walk in this fear so that when I show them the way, it will always be YOUR way.

Look again into those eyes....I see innocence, I see joy, I see the assurance of their child like faith that says: "Mommy, daddy, whatever you say must be the truth, so I trust you".

May I be found worthy of their trust and find myself always surrendering to Jesus from whom all wisdom flows so that these little ones may understand Him and understand the truth that sets them free. May they know Him, not me, but through me learn the way they should go!!

If you are a parent I ask you, with me, to look into the eyes of your children and ask the Lord: "Lord, what are these eyes asking for today, what does their heart seek"?

Walking together daily...

The Hope of Glory..

2009-06-21T17:24:00.003-06:00

As I was expressing my heart to the Lord and once again laying things down at His feet on this Father's day the following words came out of my heart as a cry to finish this day in order to start the next tomorrow:

"May You in me be the hope of glory"

"May You in me deliver me from my worries & concerns"

"May You in me life me above all things I cannot change"

"May You in me give me a new perspective on everyday thing"

"May You in me be everything I need to go through the day"

"May You in me be the answer to my toughest question"

"May You in me give me what I need today so that I can rest about what comes tomorrow, which only You know"

JESUS IN ME THE HOPE OF GLORY

Our little harvester...

2009-06-20T17:11:00.004-06:00

Can you believe another life is being created and formed right now. Our new little girl is about to arrive and as you can read her name will be "Tessa", which means harvester.

Our prayer is that our little Tessa will reap the harvest of the seeds we are sowing and that God will use her in mighty ways as well as our other two world changers. I will write more later on how much God has already taught me in the last weeks about new life and how to be more purposeful with my parenting so that my children will pick up a great harvest for His Kingdom..

Yours,

Daily rainfall

2009-06-19T14:48:00.003-06:00

The rain is falling out of the sky as if it has an urgency to water the earth. It seems like one moment there is no sign of rain and the next the sound of drops are crashing on my roof and make me wonder whether it will stay dry inside. Do you ever know those moments where you feel God is far away, there seems to be no sign of Him and all of a sudden like big drops of rain He comes pouring down on you and all you have to do is "listen".

That is how I feel now. The Lord is quietly saying, just like those big drops of rain that make so much noise when they come down, that is how I want to be today. I want you to listen and know that I am there. Even when there is no sign, I just decide to pour down on you and all you have to do is just be there and soak it in.

Thank you Lord for being my daily rainfall!!

Our Daily Walk - Thursday April 30th 2009

2009-04-30T19:07:00.002-06:00

Is the world really in crisis?? The economy is bad, virusses going around the world, should we be concerned that humanity is soon coming to an end? As I look at these questions I ask myself....Lord what is it that You are doing in this time? What should our response be?

I find myself taking care of my little family, my 6 and 4 year old and the little baby girl that we are expecting to receive into our family by July 2009. I am not almost 28 weeks pregnant and at least a minimum of 10 more weeks to go and I am feeling good. I feel safe, I feel without fear and I trust that the One we follow is in control over everything. I have to let go, I do what I can, I follow His guidance and then I let go.

I feel so at peace in the midst of crisis in the midst of having to take precaution (which I am), but I will not let anybody or anything take my peace that comes from above and lives within!!

ANOTHER BABY!!!

2008-12-01T21:14:00.003-06:00

We just found out we are expecting another baby. We can't tell you how excited we truly are....and the kids are totally thrilled as well!!! If all goes well the baby will be due at the end of July 2009!!!

Our Daily Walk November 22nd 2008

2008-11-22T17:01:00.002-06:00

We just finished the first YWAM DNA conference here in Costa Rica with around 250 people attending. It was an amazing time where YWAM'ers from all over North, Central and South America came together for an incredible time of impartation and vision from God through our founder Loren Cunningham and the provost of the University of the Nations David Hamilton. We had amazing times of worship, intercession of a map of 15x10 meters that was laid out across the floor. From the nations we went to all the nations symbolically. It was truly an amazing week.

We finished, tired, but very very encouraged, with new vision and strength to continue and be part of making God's dreams come true......making sure that everbody in this world hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!!

Thank you for praying!!! We don't have photos yet as we lost our camera right before this special conference, so we will have to wait on some photos from other people!! Soon...

Our YWAM San Jose Staff team

2008-11-04T11:04:00.001-06:00

This photos is the most recent one of our staff team here in San Jose, but soon it will change again with new staff members!! We are growing!!!

Our Daily Walk - November 4th 2008

2008-11-04T11:02:00.003-06:00

Let me tell you that the internet is going to fast for me. There are to many sites, to many ways to communicate and I can't keep track anymore. I did realize that this blog thing really is a great way to communicate quick messages, so since last year we haven't written about our Daily Walk. There are no excuses other then that I lost the password and forgot we even had a blog, but I think we are going to update this a little more often now...:)

So keep coming back as we will try to put more info on it in the weeks to come!! Thanks for standing with us!!

Our Daily Walk - Oct. 7th 2007

2007-10-07T15:32:00.000-06:00

Is time going as fast for you as it is for us...our daily walk seems to go quicker every minute. There is so much to do, to see, to be involved in and still we feel we haven't started scratching the surface..

We are excited though about what God is doing...the DTS is on outreach in Peru, the Community Development School started one week ago and in December we get to home to Holland for Christmas. The kids have never been in Holland for Christmas so we are super excited.

Thank you for your continued prayers....we need them...the kids need your prayers for the health, we need God's protection always and the work needs Gods wisdom and guidance!!!

Thank you friends,
Mar & Giac

Our Daily walk - August 12, 2007

2007-08-12T21:21:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Today was the day my parents from holland were to come in.....well you guessed it..plane delayed and so they are stuck in Atlanta right now...at least that is what I hope. They have been traveling since 7am (Dutch time) and won't be here until Monday the 13th at noon, which would be 8pm Dutch time. That means 36 hours on the road to get to Costa Rica.

We are ready for them to get here...and are looking forward to an exciting time. The kids are definetly looking forward to sharing time with Opa and Oma Holanda!!!!

Walking daily in His grace!!

Our Daily walk - July 24, 07

2007-07-24T22:24:00.000-06:00

Well, our daily walk got greatly disturbed last Wednesday as Giacomo was in El Salvador teaching in a DTS with YWAM and Marjolein and a friend from the base were watching a move. Two armed men came into our aparment that Wednesday evening around 7:30pm and came to take away our laptop.

Praise the Lord the children were sleeping and didn't notice anything. The only things they took were the laptop computer and Marjolein's cell phone, no money, no passports, no bank cards. They truly came for the computer and they knew it was there. This was an inside job, since no doors or locks were forced to get in, they had a key.

So now we have another padlock on the main gate of the house and yet another key to our keychain, it just doesn't stop. Pray for angels around us and for God to guide us if we are to move out of this apartment to another house, which just isn't available right now, but God can release anything!!

Thank you for standing with us in this moment of battle!!! We are more than conquerers and hold the victory in our hands!!

Your friends, Giac and Mar

DEVO TIME...YWAM San Jose

2007-07-10T16:03:00.000-06:00

This is during one of our morning devo meetings at the YWAM Base in San Jose, Costa Rica!!! Most mornings we start with great sunshine, sharing, praying and worshipping an awesome God!!!

The Daily Walk no.3

2007-07-10T15:57:00.000-06:00

Has it really been that long.....almost 3 weeks since I last wrote!!

I am sorry it took so long, the days seem to go by faster than the time it took for me to learn Spanish!! Here we are July 10th. The kids are doing great, although we are all getting over this terrible flu that was going around here for a good week. Most of the people at the base were battling fever, sneezing, coughing and feeling drained. But God is good and we are making it through with lots of medicine that we can drink, eat or swallow...!!!

Yes, lots of prayer as well and so God is faithful in sustaining us. So despite the fact that our daily walk has been a little weary we are looking forward with great hope for the days, weeks and months to come.

We are seeing that God is doing great things, lives are being touched and changed in ways only God can do and it is causing more and more people to see who created them and what their purpose is in live.

THank you for standing with us in this battle against sickness, but also for standing with us seening God's Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!!!

Your friends,
Giacomo & Marjolein

The Daily Walk no.2

2007-06-17T20:49:00.000-06:00

Language choice
I guess it doesn't make any sense to me having been primarily raised on 1 main language, what my children are going through having to learn 3!!!

What goes through the brain when they hear their parents (us) speak all 3 languages at different times. I must be confusing. Well it is for me (Mar) at times. I get confused which one to use because I am not sure whether they understood what I said.

Today Gioela was on the phone with my father in the Netherlands and as I stepped away from the phone for just a moment, Gioela decided that she would tell grandpa that mommy couldn't come to the phone right now. First she starts her sentence in Spanish, but soon realizes that this is grandpa in the Netherlands and he doesn't speak Spanish, then she quickly switches to English, but realizes that perphaps he doesn't understand that either, but what now...she knows the Dutch is the other option but can not find the vocabulary needed to tell "opa" what she wants to she and I see the question on her face, why did I have to look for the right words??

Wow, what an interesting thing to watch as a parent. Gioela will be 5 years old in October and sometimes I wonder if she will ever truly speak Dutch (I hope so). I know she understands it fully and I think it is in there, but Spanish and English are more often spoken!! That is only understandable...we really do not have that much Dutch around on this side of the world...mommy is the Dutch world for Gioela and Luca....!!

So should I call it confusion, maybe not. I think it is more a trying to figure out which words to use when and I guess we all tend to have that challenge sometimes whether we speak 1 or 3 languages!!!

2007-06-12T17:38:00.000-06:00

Coffee with a Mission

Do you love to drink a freshly brewed, high quality cup of coffee and would also like to support our ministry? Then here is the way you can do that:
Follow this link:
http://www.kafesguatemala.com/coffeemission.html and read how Kafes Guatemala is coffee with a mission.
Our good friend Pablo Castaneda is from Guatemala and his family has been in the coffee industry for a long time. He has now started his own company is selling high quality coffee to all USA, Canada and Hawaii residents. But the coffee has a special purpose. First of all to give you a wonderful cup of fresh Guatemalan coffee and second to support missions around the world through your purchase.

So if you buy a few pounds of coffee through Kafes Guatemala you can fill out the online form and say that you would like that purchase to support Giacomo and Marjolein Coghi. You would have to fill out all of our information which would be as follows:
Giacom & Marjolein Coghi, working with Youth With A Mission, San Jose, Costa Rica. Postal address in the USA for the Coghi family: Interlink 828, P.O. box 02-5635, Miami, FL 33102

That is all you have to do and then just wait for your coffee to be delivered and enjoy that great cup while reading the book you bought through our website as well!!
Enjoy your cup of great coffee today!!! Thank you for considering!! Unique ways of supporting missions!!

The Daily Walk no.1

2007-06-12T17:13:00.000-06:00

Hi Friends,

As technology is advancing so are the different ways to publish writings on the internet. We know we have a website, but we figured, the more we explore through different "free" venues, the more people can find out what is happening in our daily lives here in Costa Rica.

So here it is, the Coghi Family blogspot!!! It is sort of fun to know that we can explore these ways to share with you as so many of you are daily surfing the world wide web....we thought we would give some more readings!!!

I have decided to call these writings the Daily Walk as this is where the Lord is taking us every day. A daily walk of trusting Him for our needs, wisdom, understanding, grace, patience and lots more. A daily walk to discover more of Him and walk in His ways. It doesn't seem to get easier, but it gets more enlightening!!! He is truly worth our time, our lives and our whole being!!!

So, enjoy these daily walks with us and we hope they will be of an encouragement to many!!! Your friends,
Giacomo, Marjolein, Gioela & Luca