Seeking

"But the angel said to them [shepherds], 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" ( Luke 2:10, NASB ). Beloved, when you think of "great joy," what comes to mind? My prayer is that your great joy is in Christ alone . This advent season, Husband and I rejoice as we reflect back and look forward to visiting Rome on January 9-23, with the privilege of sharing this precious gift with others in Italy. We need your faithful prayers more than ever, as this could potentially be the location where God is calling us to serve long-term (to be confirmed). As such, this month we will share on: 1) past events, 2) our upcoming trip, 3) the need in Italy and 4) ways we are at looking to the Lord for practical provision (for the formal approved support letter, click here ). 1) past events: when Rick and I began courting in May 2014, there were no discussions or desires to be missionaries - where we are today is a testame...

Happy November beloved! I recently read an article by Al Mohler on Thankfulness , and I was so encouraged by a practical apologetic. When someone says I am thankful for x-y-z, a great follow-up is: 'to whom are you thankful? ' In the Psalms alone, the word, "thanks" comes up 50 times in 49 verses  (NASB).  Everyone says thanks, but not everyone directs their thanks to God (even Christians): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples" (Psalm 105:1, NASB). This month Husband and I would like to share three items we are thanking God for.  (Conference: The Church, 2022 - An Urgent Appeal to Strenuously Contend for Our Common Gathering) First,  we are thanking the Lord for giving us the green light from our church to travel to Rome January 9-23  to visit a new mission's agency and team. We are excited to meet the brethren serving in Italy, their families and local church. Husband will attend their 3-day men's c...

Happy October beloved! This month has been both slow and fast for our family. Main highlights include Husband turning in his first essay for TC, Hacob had his first live performance at CBU and Zachary helped out at a church cleanup. Also, with the exception of Zachary, we all got COVID (he had it in January), so that has been what a lot of this past month has looked like for us. Our Father has shown us three things: one, He is faithful to provide; two, all things are working together for good; and three, how to serve and be served. We are thankful, the Lord is faithful (even if we are faithless) to provide just what is needed for the day. I am home and was able to take care of Hacob, when he was sick. And then my husband was able to work from home to take care of me for two weeks. We also had ten meals, a flower pot and sunflowers delivered. Also, eight different people brought us groceries, necessities for the house, vitamins or medical support items (humidifier, oximeter, etc). We we...

  Fall is in the air, and my Valadez men are loving it! I am a summer girl myself, but the change of colors and smells humble me to God's creativity and wisdom with seasons. This past month, our church has resumed various ministries, Husband continues with TC and we have been enriched by various interactions with the body of Christ and time in scripture and prayer. We are still praying about attending the bible conference in Rome, January 2022, because travel restrictions continue changing. Additional praise reports and prayer requests are noted below. Please let us know how we can praise with or pray for you. Also, we would like to share three  encouragements from John Bunyan's classic, "The Pilgrim's Progress," published in 1678: 1. the life of a believer is transient, 2. provided for, and 3. tested by sin, but God is gracious. Husband and I had the pleasure of reading this book with others from our church earlier in the year, and we highly recommend it (and I w...

Happy August beloved! This month, Zachary started 11th grade; Jacob is about to start band camp and his second year of college; Husband begins the Training Center (bible training) on August 30; and it feels like I am back in high-school, because I have been experiencing anxiety (more below). Also, Rick and I continue praying about, planning and asking our church to support a potential visit to Rome in January 2022 to: 1) attend a bible training conference, 2) visit the Italian Theological Academy (ITA), a biblical training center we are exploring for a long-term place to serve (click ITA  for more info) and 3) meet others serving the Lord, in the region. We request your faithful prayers for these items (and others below).  [ Asking the Question ] In May of this year, I spoke with a sister about my ongoing health challenge with allergies, fatigue and insomnia. In June, she called me on the phone and asked, ' Is it anxiety ?' Quickly, I said no - I had that before as a (lost) te...

  Happy July beloved friend and lover of Christ! While there is much to celebrate from the past month alone, I have been tested in faith, thought and walk. But in that, the one thing the Lord has continued to teach and exhort me in is faithfulness - towards me & that which he requires of me.  Psalm 23 ,  1 Corinthians 4:2  and  Philippians 4:4-7  (among SOOO many others) are ringing through my ears and spirit. My prayer for you is that you would be encouraged that  God is forever faithful towards you, without change or diminishing in supply, because of who you are in Christ, even when faithless  - and that this truth would motivate you, out of love and gratitude to  run the race that is set before YOU !  Recently, I have been  anxious  about my  unemployment and redeeming the time well .  Ironically, one prayer has been for me to stay home for work, but we have not been in a position to do so. Yet, since our engag...

The year continues racing by, and Husband and I would like to share four items: 1) Bible Training, 2) Anointing, 3) Praise report and 4) Prayer requests. At the beginning of the year (2021), we shared some of our goals here , and a big prayer has been answered - bible training . About a year ago, Husband researched , applied for and was admitted to the Training Center at Faith Bible Church in Murrieta (the "TC"), even after the deadline was closed. However, one requirement is to be a member of a church for 2 years and monthly attendance by a pastor or elder - at the time, we had only been attending Cornerstone for about 6 months. After reviewing the application with our missions pastor, Husband was told to wait , and he withdrew his application to the TC. I remember how conflicted his spirit and flesh were - discouraged yet remembering God's perfect plans and timing . Shortly after, we met and befriended the missions pastor and his wife from Foothill Bible Church in Upla...

I have a friend I love dearly but does not know the Lord . Is there someone that comes to mind when you read that? We have been friends since we were five, meeting through MVGSA – Murrieta Valley Girls Softball Association. Different circumstances through the years resulted in physical separation and even ended communication, but for reasons only the Lord knows, the relationship has continued to ebb and flow. In high-school, I understood the gospel, and in college I believe I was called to Christ. Shortly after, spiritual conversations came up and were politely declined . As time passed, 8 years in fact, and I grew in my walk, I kept praying for an opportunity to share the full gospel. Last May, I sent my friend a 2-for-1 birthday and Mother’s day card, and, to my surprise, I received a very long email reply. This was the opportunity I was waiting for (reply below). While communication remains sparse, and there is no indication of a change of heart, I rest knowing God has allowed me to...

After becoming members at our new home church in 2019, I looked into, submitted an application and began my first ever one-on-one discipleship program. My mentor told me we would start by reading, “A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God’s Love.” My prideful and wicked heart thought, but why? I already know the gospel. I am saved. In fact, I have experience evangelizing…leading others to Christ. Can we read something more hands on to disciple others? The first chapter and lesson went in one ear and out the other. And in the way God does, a light turned on, and, one by one, many blind spots were exposed. I realize how much I did not and still do not comprehend the depths and beauty of the gospel. I am so thankful the Lord is generous and faithful to complete the good work He begins in each of His children  ( Philippians 1:6, 2:13 & Ephesians 2:8-10 ). Providentially, over the last year, I have gone through the book at least two times and an accompanyin...