Seeking

I cannot believe it has already been five years, [yes, since the COVID shut-down, but also,] since Husband and I attended our first annual TMAI (The Master's Academy International) Missions Symposium March 2020. We had just started attending Cornerstone in December of 2019 and shared our missions interest to (missions) Pastor Mike. He invited us to join the church's missions support group (AKA MSG) and to attend the annual TMAI event . The conference features many missionaries from around the world sharing wisdom on different topics. There are also opportunities to ask specific questions and get to meet them, personally. Many come this time of year to attend an annual 3-day conference that follows this one. TMAI Conference 2023 The first year we went, there was so much that went RIGHT over my head. Our second year attending, we met team members serving in Rome. Last year, our fourth time attending, was the first time we actually understood most of what was shared. This is a te...

Happy Spring Beloved! We pray you are growing in understanding of and fullness in God. The Lord has been doing much work growing, watering and planting this past month. Our update will be brief, sharing four key highlights - please join us as we praise Him - thank you for your faithful prayers and love. First, Johnny Gravino, the director of the Italian Theological Academy , ITA, taught at Cornerstone on a Sunday. He came to attend the annual  Shepherd's conference  at Grace Community Church, and our elder board invited him to preach (pictured below with one of our elders). It was a blessing for our brothers and sisters to meet and get to know him, especially as we continue praying about another opportunity to come alongside the work he, his wife and others are doing in Rome. This is the same gentleman we visited last summer. Husband was also able to spend some intimate time with him over coffee, and he shared how blessed he was.  Second, Husband and I were able to attend...

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...

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...

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...

Happy New Year Beloved! To start off 2022, Husband and I would love to hear from YOU :D What is one area we can be praying for you and what can we give praise to the Lord for 2021 , together? You can respond directly to this email or "enter your comment" at the bottom of the blog post. Also, we would like to share our vision, too. For those that do not know, several years ago, Husband and the boys started writing out their annual goals on a poster board. Since getting married, we now get a little more creative and hang them on the wall as a reminder and encouragement. (Enjoy the PJs :D) Top priorities for us include our relationship with the Lord, each other and others . We want to better use our gifts, resources and time, to the building up of His bride and kingdom . And I am reminded Christ and the Spirit live in us, to carry it out . You and I are precisely where He has us for the good work before us.  As you may be aware, we leave for Rome this Sunday, January 8. This wee...

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 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...