Seeking

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...

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...