Seeking

In the last two years , Husband and I have asked for your prayers as we have been training with the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship , AKA IBCD, to be better equiped to come alongside of others. IBCD training consists of watching online videos on different topics like the sufficiency of God's word in contrast to psychology, taking exams and interviewing with an elder. We are thankful that we have finished two out of three levels . The third consists of reading two books, writing a response paper on each, another interview and observation hours of counseling. Please continue praying for us as we work toward completing these steps by the end of the year, wisdom on whether to pursue formal certification with ACBC  next and faithfulness to apply what we are learning in our own hearts, relationships and church.   Also, we recently had the blessing of attending IBCD's annual conference and learned so much - over 600 attended! Below are a few of my own encourag...

In February, I attended a high-school parent appreciation dinner at our church. The Leader, Kumi, had students (including Zachary) write and read a eulogy for their parents. Kumi started this tradition several years back after attending a memorial service where a child spoke about their parent, and he thought if only the parent could have heard that during their life. Between January and April, we received the news of 7 deaths, and it has been sobering. As we have been, we want to encourage you to seize three opportunities before you today : 1) forgive one another, 2) redeem the time and 3) fulfill the greatest commandment.  "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity... forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:26-27, 32, NASB). The reality is we get angry and sin against one another. I have heard it said, once upset, the clock starts ticking, to "get over it....

This past month I had the blessing of two weeks off from work at CBU, since my job is active 10 months each year. With some of the time I was able to rest and reflect, quite a bit. For our update, we would like to share some pictures, praises and prayer requests.  Praise Reports: July 1, Husband, Zachary and I toured the Master's University, and Zachary said it was his favorite college tour, so far; he also enjoyed his first time eating sushi, and we had a great conversation (picture #1); July 4, Husband and I celebrated by taking "A," an international student athlete to the airport, before she went back home to Western Europe; I met her at work, and it was a gift befriending her; I gave her a copy of the "Gospel Primer" and pray the Lord continues drawing her to Himself (picture #2); Husband and I had the blessing of meeting up and sharing with two young couples that are courting; Husband and I were able to fellowship with a brother and another family for lunch...