Seeking

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...

Happy Spring beloved friend! This March, Husband and I had the privilege of sharing a brief summary of how God is leading us to march by faith in the direction of missions , with our church's "Mission Support Group." We want to share some of these highlights below and request your faithful prayers. Also, upon sharing this with some friends and family, they requested to hear it. On Monday, April 12 @ 7:00PM (PST), we will be sharing via zoom how the Lord continues directing. If you would like to add to your google calendar, you can click  here .  It was a test of faith while getting ready for bed, after hours of working on a PowerPoint presentation, Husband comes knocking on the bathroom door asking, "Did you save the document? Because it is now blank..." But God be praised, who uses all things , [refinement continues, and] we were able to remember and recreate much of what had been drafted. We go through 5 sections: 1) testimony, 2) [re]direction, 3), walking, 4...

It is hard to believe it is already practically March. The days are ZOOMING by! I remember when I was young, my dad would tell me, “Just wait ‘til your my age” – LOL. Rick and I just finished reading through “Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End ,” by David Gibson, alongside a Sunday morning equipping class with our church, and it was sooooo good! We want to share some nuggets of truth, in the hope that you might also thirst more for the eternal and live, in that perspective. “Your death and the judgment to follow- the great fixed points of your life -are the very things that can reach back from the future into today and transform the life God has given you to live” (162). “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Vanity does not mean everything is meaningless, but, rather, ‘everything under the sun,’ is brief and quickly fading, much like a vapor or mist. On earth, there is “nothing to be g...

Happy New Year beloved friend! Rick and I cannot believe how fast January has flown by (not to mention 2020) - wowza! How is God's gift of a new year going, so far? Do you put together goals or resolutions? When then Fiancé and I spent our first NYE together (pictures below 12/31/2014), I was introduced to a new tradition. Each year Rick would purchase poster boards, he and the boys would take time to write out goals, share with one another and hang them in a place they would be visible, year round. I am so thankful this is something we have continued...including the lounge clothes :D  Husband and I are very excited to share our 2021 goals (pictures below) - special thanks to our poster holder. Top priorities for Husband are Faith Bible Church training and growing in knowledge and application of God's word; mine is sanctification and direction with "work;" and Husband and I are also learning Italian and planning to visit a second mission's agency and team. We are ...

Good day family and an early Merry Christmas and New Year to you! Husband and I have so much to rejoice over and be thankful for - can I get an Amen?!?! As this year comes to a close, we want to share one last post, and we hope the truth in God's word continues to prove itself to be profitable to you, in all seasons and places, especially your home ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ). The Summer of 2019, I had the opportunity to hear Rosaria Butterfield share her testimony and exhortation for “Radically Ordinary Hospitality,” at a women’s event. Her story was so inspiring, I told Husband he had to watch the recording – he agreed. Her testimony was part of the initial stirring in our hearts for the gospel and missions. For my birthday this year, a friend of mine gifted me her book, “The Gospel Comes with a House Key.” Referring to her conversion, Rosaria states, “Nothing prepared me for the unstoppable gospel and for the love of Jesus made manifest by the daily practices of hospitality undertaken in...

I cannot believe it has almost been a year since my grandma on my mom’s side passed away, last Thanksgiving morning. I remember it like it was yesterday, and yet, it also seems like so long ago. It was a cold morning, and Rick’s phone, set on do not disturb mode, rang at about 5 or so in the morning. He got his phone, exited the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He returned and asked me to call my mom, and I already knew. She had been sick for some time, so when the news came, there was  relief, shock and hope, but mostly fear and anxiety over her eternal destination , among a slew of others. Can you relate? The day was altogether odd. Zachary was sick, so instead of coming home after school the day before, he stayed at his mom’s house, and we did not see him for the holiday. Our neighbors that had planned to join us for breakfast did not call or show up. And at the two other gatherings we dropped in and out of, everyone asked and said roughly the same: I am sorry for your lo...

Do you remember the scene in “Toy Story” after Andy gets Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, and the song “ Strange Things ” by Randy Newman comes on? You are looking through Woody’s perspective: his friends now side with Buzz, the comforter goes from Western to Space and cowboy posters are covered over by space heroes, among other things. In hardship, it is all too easy for anyone, even a believer, to question God’s love and goodness . Do you see that I am suffering? Can you hear my prayers? Worse, we can think: don’t I get a break here? I’m faithful. This is unnecessary…too much.  From the start of quarantine, I have had some “strange things” happen to me – hives, mosquito bites, migraines, neck strain, allergies, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, parasites and, most recently, job loss. (And if you are wondering if I have COVID-19, rest assured, I am negative.) One reason they are strange is because of their timing. For instance, I woke up from head to toe the first Sunday morning w...