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...

Happy New Year beloved! It is that time of year again where we sketch out goals and a vision for the year ahead, as God directs. We want to share them as prayer requests. How is the Lord leading you in your current season? Please share - we would love to hear!  "The mind of man plans his way,  But the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).  We pray that wherever His path leads you, you would taste and experience His compassion (love) more (that is my desire for myself, too).  2025 Goals/Vision/Prayer Requests: Celebrate 10th wedding anniversary in France (layover in Boston) Biblical counseling training Ongoing discipleship  Stronger relationships (Phil. 2 think of others more highly) Attend annual TMAI Missions Symposium & IBCD Conference Go to first work conference with UCR in April  Consistent exercise (-Sundays) Debt free (last debt is my student loans) (last but NOT least) repent from & confess sin & extend forgiveness Praise Report: Husb...

Ciao beloved (ciao means hello in Italian)! Thank you for your faithful prayers and friendship. This will be a short and bitter-sweet update. Recently, we were notified that the opportunity for us to serve in Italy is closed. While we are thankful for God's clear direction, it is not without a sting. We have grown fond of the people in Rome, the culture and already started cultivating relationships. But by His grace, we trust the His redirection and timing. Please continue interceding for us and the Italian church (photo below), as there are also some changes and challenges there. We will remain seeking, knocking and serving, as the Lord leads. Ciao Italia (it also means goodbye)! Praise Reports: Husband and I had the privilege of attending the annual IBCD (Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship) conference (first photo below);  He and I also enjoyed a great time with our Caregroup for a picnic (second photo below); and I started working full-time for UCR on June 4th, a...

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...

"There [at Puteoli] we [Paul, prisoners and guard] found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus* we came to Rome" (Acts 28:14, NASB; *see Acts 13-28 for Paul's rugged missionary life). Husband and I are back from our vision trip to Rome and would like to share about meeting the Italian theological Academy (ITA) missionary team, visiting the local church and assessing whether this could be where the Lord would have us relocate to serve. The ITA team consists of three main leaders (+3 associate professors in Genoa and Florence): Johnny Gravino (missionary), Cesare Albanessi (missionary) and Sebastian Mendez (ITA graduate now pastor). The Gravinos and Alabanessis are in Rome, and the Mendezes are in Messina which is near Sicily in the south. The academy serves to build the church by  training and equipping men to understand and properly divide the word (click here  for more info), with a goal to plant a church in Rome . ITA classes have ...

Happy March beloved! While I do not like the rain, I know that that which is watered grows. This month, we have three areas that are bearing fruit: first, Husband, Hacob and I attended a one-day missions symposium; second, Husband attended the annual Shepherd's conference ; and third, the family and I are adjusting to me working 30 hours a week at CBU. Jonathan Jones (elder), me, Husband, Cesare, Johnny, Pastor Mike Berry, Yarislav On Tuesday, March 8, Husband, Hacob and I embarked on a journey to Santa Clarita at 5:30AM. I could not help feeling nostalgic, recalling two years prior, I was a babe in my understanding with missions and only two months at our new church. That was the conference where many had suggested linking up with Johnny Gravino (GMI missionary in Rome). Since 2020, we have grown EXPONENTIALLY; this year we were able to understand much of the topics being discussed. Also, we were able to have lunch with Johnny, two others from his team in Italy, our missions pasto...

Happy February Beloved! Recently, I had a conversation with a sister about the film, "Redeeming Love" and the book of Hosea. That evening, I had a sobering dream that Husband was unfaithful. I woke up, distraught, speaking truth to myself about my marriage and the Lord, but I began to weep. Husband woke up, and we prayed together. He hugged me tightly and told me, "I'm right here. I'm right here." But I could not sleep. There was a stirring in my spirit. I went to the living room, began to write and the Lord showed me a deeper instruction: there are  three types of love 1) imperfect, 2) cheap and 3) redeeming. Engagement November 2014 I pray it goes without saying, I love my husband, and I know my husband loves me, yet I am keenly aware,  our love for one another (& others) is imperfect, conditional and ebbs . At times I find myself believing the false reality that our marriage will endure anything, because of our love for each other. But disappointmen...

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...

"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...