Seeking

During a meeting with Israel Contreras, the pastor at Iglesia Biblica Misionera (IBM church), he encouraged our Short Term Missions team of 7 to ask the Lord why He would send us to Queretaro, Mexico and consider the impact would outlast the week. Every time I pause to consider, there is a new facet for which to remain in awe! But one thing we want to highlight about our trip is God's gift to peel back the curtain to see a glimpse of that future day by witnessing  unity in the body, in service and in the hope & need we all share today .  STM Team + Pastor Isra (blue shirt behind wife Maru) & wife Maru (pink pants) @ IBM church on Sunday Our team stayed in 4 different houses of IBM church members, and we were welcomed like family - given their bedrooms, time and love. Before we even arrived, our host husband reached out to mine asking if I preferred almond or coconut milk, since I am sensitive to dairy. Late on our travel day, I was eager to get "home" to rest, tho...

Happy July, beloved! This month, Husband and I would like to share more details on our wedding anniversary trip to Cancun, Mexico and one on the horizon to Queretaro, Mexico, in hope to stimulate praise and prayer.  At the beginning of June, Husband and I had the blessing of traveling to 'la jungla' - the jungle in Cancun - to celebrate our 8th year of marriage (May23rd). One concept Husband has been learning at the Training Center , and I have been reaping the benefits of, is for the man to take the lead and ' get away with his wife' (Song of Solomon 7:11 ) . With uncertainty at work since January 31, fiscally, it seemed unwise to proceed with our travel plans. Below that, I did not want to go so far away for so long just the two of us. By God's sovereign grace, I received counsel from a sister that exhorted me to submit to and rejoice in my husband's leading and trust the Lord for the provision of emotions to follow. My heart continues to melt under the warmin...

While I was in high school, one of my favorite songs was, "Come What May," from the musical Moulin Rouge. The sum of the song and film is this: this man and woman are changed and can overcome anything, because they are "in love" and now have each other. As a 16 year old teenager, this appealed to me; I, too, thought I could find myself in other things, experiences and people. I had yet to discover fullness being in Christ. But the Lord was and is so good to reveal that in order to know ourselves best and be most satisfied, is to know Him  ( John 4:13-14, 6:35 ). As believers, the reason we can face anything the Lord allows in our life, is because our sure and steady anchor is Christ alone. And while we are more than conquerors and have no reason to fear...believers still fret. Thankfully, we do not have to do this alone. This month, we want to share a few family updates, praises and ask for your faithful prayers, as He continues growing our confidence and trust in H...

As I recall lent season while growing up in the Catholic church, I remember fish filet Fridays, soup on Wednesdays and giving "something" up for 40 days. If asked why? I was told. Today, this season is bittersweet. It is sweet, because now I understand the goodness that was secured at the cross and tomb for all who believe in Jesus. It is bitter because many have yet to receive this truth, and others (including ourselves) that have received it sometimes forget. Husband and I continue praying for compassion, patience and opportunities with those in and outside the church - by God's providence, we are sharing three below.  On Good Friday morning, I had a chiropractor appointment. I have been seeing this doctor for a few years and have been able to build trust sharing about family, vacations and business. I have come to learn that she is a compassionate and skilled woman, and her family is from the Middle East. While I had been unable to share the gospel with her, a door ope...

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...

February brings much celebration to our home - me, Husband and both of our dad's have birthdays. I'll admit, I play the birthday card, because I enjoy spending time with people :D But as my D.O.B. neared, I was reflecting on my life as a whole, and especially since coming to Christ. The one thing that stands out is: the mercy of God - saving me, refining me and loving me.  To start, here is a bit of my testimony . I was raised catholic and attended church with my mom and older sister. Because of what I knew about God and what I did, like go to church, I believed I was going to heaven when I died. I thought I was a good person, or at least, good enough. In 2002, my dad who practiced no religion put his faith in Christ and "shared" Him with me. Shortly after, I prayed the "sinner's prayer," but my life was unchanged. Quite the opposite, I continued enjoying and walking towards sin. Another moral ritual, I now thought believing in Jesus and doing some of wh...

Happy New Year, beloved! To start out the year, we want to highlight a missionary couple: Art & Emalou Norris, as told by Juanita Fike in, "The Hand of the Ancient One." They served the Navajo people faithfully at various reservations for 42 years as husband and wife (plus their time as singles, prior to marriage). This couple has spurred us on, and we pray their conviction, unity and humility spur you on, whether single or married, as you press on where the Lord has you to minister to those around you. If I can sum up this couple in one word, the word is: conviction. When sobered by the reality that many natives had died without hearing the gospel, Art prayed, " 'I can't do anything about those people, but as long as You [God] give me life, I'll do everything to make sure the present generation of Indians know about Jesus' " (3). On his way to Prairie Bible Institute at 23 years old, facing logistical "setbacks," he thought, "Unce...