Seeking

During a meeting with Israel Contreras, the pastor at Iglesia Biblica Misionera (IBM church), he encouraged our Short Term Missions team of 7 to ask the Lord why He would send us to Queretaro, Mexico and consider the impact would outlast the week. Every time I pause to consider, there is a new facet for which to remain in awe! But one thing we want to highlight about our trip is God's gift to peel back the curtain to see a glimpse of that future day by witnessing  unity in the body, in service and in the hope & need we all share today .  STM Team + Pastor Isra (blue shirt behind wife Maru) & wife Maru (pink pants) @ IBM church on Sunday Our team stayed in 4 different houses of IBM church members, and we were welcomed like family - given their bedrooms, time and love. Before we even arrived, our host husband reached out to mine asking if I preferred almond or coconut milk, since I am sensitive to dairy. Late on our travel day, I was eager to get "home" to rest, tho...

In the event we have not spoken, my Father-in-law, Jose Valadez, went home to be with the Lord on November 3.  I was listening to an old message from my pastor saying, 'anyone can point out someone's failure; it takes spiritual eyes to see that which the Lord is doing in their life.'  This mont h, we want to share a bit about Apa’s life-how he loved, served and grew [in the Lord]-because telling his story, brings glory to God and points us to Christ.  First, during his memorial service, more than one person stated, "he loved in his own way." As I was trying to process their words, this phrase did not settle well with me. Thankfully, the Spirit brought to remembrance 1 Corinthians 13 . While individuals express love differently from one another, the word sets a perfect standard and Jesus demonstrated it perfectly in real life. Though I cannot recall a single time Jose told me, "I love you," I know he loved me; he was patient, kind, was not easily provoked...

During a time of discouragement, a dear sister gifted me, "Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, Discovering the Grace of Lament" by Mark Vroegop. As our family enters a season of growing in lament, we would like to share a few encouragements with you as we tread this broken world together: "...turn, complain, ask, and trust" (29). "... every lament is a prayer. A statement of faith ...the honest cry of a hurting heart wrestling with the paradox of pain and the promise of God's goodness...how you live between a hard life and God's promises" (26, 84). When suffering comes, my desire is for it to pass, as quickly as possible, but this, "...can circumvent the opportunity afforded in lament - to give a person permission to wrestle with sorrow instead of rushing to end it. Lament provides a place for both feelings and truth" (19, 165)." We do not ignore or pretend our pain away; we must learn to see through and respond to it properly. Acknowledge our...

Good day Beloved! Husband and I would like to share a bit about how our last week has gone and give God all the glory (video recap here ). As you know, we set out for Rome on Sunday, January 9 to attend a conference and meet a missions team. We were compliant with travel regulations and documents but were detained in Zurich by customs. We did all we could practically to get through but were sent back to L.A. on Tuesday, January 11. It is with sadness we share this news, coupled with hope, encouragement and greater faith. This week, we would like to highlight three ways the Holy Spirit has been moving in strangers, the church and us . On Our Way to L.A.X. L.A.X. Airport Line for Document Check & Boarding Passes Zurich Airport, On Our Way to Customs & Connecting Flight Once the Chief of Police said, 'It's not going to happen folks,' referring to us passing through to Rome, tears began to pour out, and I began to sob, processing the reality that our trip would not go a...

  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...