Seeking

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...

With my Husband's bible training complete, the follow up question we have been getting the most is: so what's next, followed up with, will you guys be sent to the mission field now? The short answer is we do not know what is next, only God does  ( James 4:13-16 ).  I will never forget when we visited Cornerstone and spoke with the missions pastor for the first time. He said 'the church will disciple you, but there is no guarantee we will send you. Missionaries do not send themselves - churches do . Root yourselves here, and let us get to know you. We want to see how you respond when the sheep bite and if He will confirm this desire.' That was sobering, but we were confident in the Lord's leading us.  If you had asked me then, are we ready to be sent? I would have confidently exclaimed, YES!!! But four and a half years later, I am so thankful He did not allow us to go, when we had the opportunity. We were not ready. Are we ready now? That would be a question for our...

With Husband wrapping up school at the Training Center , we have been giving much of our attention for him to finish well, as the Lord supplies. Thankfully, this past weekend, he and Jacob were able to attend a men's retreat, "Men of Conviction," with others from our Church. Here are three quick takeaways and some photos he wants to share. Ladies, these are good exhortations for us, too. Cultivate genuine friendships within the church. Friendships that will be free to share the good and the bad. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:6). Stand firm to my convictions  ( full assurance ) and not fear the approval of man. "Let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3:18). Do not rely on self. Rather, continue knowing and understanding God, daily . His person, character and practices - these are the things worthy of...

This past month, our church sent a team from our missions support group to the 1-day "TMAI International Symposium (pictured above)," live-streamed the 3-day "Shepherd's Conference" (pictured below) and hosted two "Missions Sundays." It was "fast and fierce," as my husband says, but in a good way. We were immeasurably blessed, encouraged and convicted by the word. I am still basking in the good of these last few weeks. But one thing that has been rising to the top for me is the sufficiency of the word and how tempting it is to get comfortable - though we are dependent on the Lord, we are responsible to walk in the truth we have been richly provided.  In a Q & A with pastors John MacArthur and John Piper, they were asked: why expository preaching? MacArthur started by stating something that can be taken for granted - ' the word is inexhaustible and covers everything .' Piper shared, 'God wrote a book and gave it to us, and He ...

Happy February, beloved! This month, I want to take a moment to thank you and ask for your continued prayers for my husband as he is in the final stretch of his 3-year  bible training  program. He graduates in May, and is toiling to finish his 60-page thesis paper by April on 'welcoming one another, as Christ' ( Romans 15:7 ). I also want to take a moment to affirm him and our fellow brothers and praise the Lord for them . I have adapted  Proverbs 31:10-31, NKJV , to put this to words.  Who can find an excellent husband?  For his worth is far above a pension. The heart of his wife gladly submits to him; So she will have no lack of gain. He does her good and not evil All the days of his life. He seeks employment and training, And willingly works with his hands. He is like the cargo ships, He brings his goods from afar. He also rises while it is yet night, And provides money for his household, And a portion for enjoyment. He considers a venture and pursues it;...

At the start of each year, my husband and I sketch out annual goals, and the anchor verse that has been rising to the top for me is  John 15:5 : " I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." Throughout my life, I have found myself asking and being asked, what is God's will in X, Y or Z? Can you relate? It is a good question to ask, because believers desire to glorify the Lord with their lives, in response to the Father's love in sending His Son for us . But I confess, I can get so fixated on what is uncertain and my action, I lose sight of the big picture. This month we hope to encourage you as you rest and walk in the finished work of Christ. In two recent conversations with young adult students, we discussed ambitions and what should I do with...? Oh how I remember my college days drawing to a close and the anxiety over choosing " the right path " from what seemed like a...

Happy December beloved!!! How many times have you been asked: are you ready for Christmas? I get caught off guard, and I wonder, what are they asking me? This month, I had the privilege of getting together with women from my Thursday morning bible study group in our home. We discussed one question: what do you look forward to and what do you dread about   this time of year ? It was helpful as I examined my own heart, and it also provided specifics on how to pray for these dear sisters. Wherever you find yourself this season: in sickness, suffering, loss, estrangement, pressure, disappointment, etc., we pray that you would remember what the angel said to the 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 ). Our payer is that you would find great joy in the good news that Jesus came to rescue sinners, as we celebrate  this Christmas . May the Lord guide your time, expectations, conversation and he...

It was an ordinary Sunday in Galilee...or so I thought. I was on my way to the priests and expected all to be calm in the city, because of the Sabbath. I was in search of a lamb. I noticed people were gathering in the streets, and I heard a man shouting, "He who fed the 5 thousand men has arisen from the dead, as He said. Two women went to the tomb this morning, and an angel of the Lord told them He was alive." When I arrived to the temple, there was a board on the doors with the words: "Do not believe the tales: the man who says He is the king of the jews was crucified on Friday. His followers stole the body." Later, I witnessed a wealthy young man throwing coins, fine linen and valuable items from an upper room crying out, "I am ready to give all that I have to follow the one who called me to Himself."   It was near dusk, and I had not found what I was looking for. I stopped by a well for a drink of water, before returning home. A woman who was rejoicing...