Life's Journey

Last week we celebrated Daniels birthday and had a great dinner together at Outback! Time sure flies and I must say I have enjoyed every minute of his past 27 years. Not to say they have always been easy but I have sure tried to learn along the way. Daniel is about 5 years old in the picture here and was as blond as could be! We were living in South Africa at the time and worked with Durban Christian Center running their missions program. Daniel was a huge hit among the little Zulu guys as they loved messing with his blond hair! I know that God has His hand and call upon Daniel’s life and enjoying watching it unfold. I a thankful for the awesome children that God has blessed us with and know that His best is still ahead for each one of them.

It is has been a exciting few weeks with lots of fun and exciting things happening around here.  Our dedication service was a great success and here is a picture of our praise team leading us.  When I went up to share i was really surprised to see that the building was nearly full – Yeah!!  Last weekend 23 of us ladies went to CFNI Ladies Conference in Dallas, which was a great success.  I learned so much and was very refreshed, not to mention, getting to know so many ladies better.  The next big thing is our Ladies Bible study that is starting this Thursday night! We are doing a Beth Moore study on the Tabernacle and everyone is really looking forward to it.

Here is a picture of our ladies (and Joe Davila who goes to school there) while attended the CFNI Conference and enjoying the dance team.

It has been a very exciting few weeks with lots of good things happening in our lives.  Last week-end we had our dedication service for the extension on our new building and it was amazing to see the building almost full!  I was a little nervous as i thought we would feel very empty but that was not a problem.  We had the Henderson’s minister and it was a blessing.  For me, I had a friend come to visit for 3 days from Houston, Susan Feinhandler.  It was so good to see her after 8 years!  We first met 29 years ago while attending CFNI in Dallas and have been friends ever since.  I am hoping that she moves here so pray that she finds a job 🙂  We are also in the process of buying a new home and it looks like all is a go. Pray for us that all goes well with us and the buyers of our home. This is very exciting as we really would like to live in a one story ~ we have to plan for the years ahead you know!  This past week was also time to visit with Sarah’s Rheumatoligist, who is her main specialist at this time.  After her contribution of many viles of blood for testing,  we were all anxious to hear the results.  On Thursday when we went in and visited with Dr. Carrasco, he was so elated with her blood work.  She is in range for all levels except one, which is expected to catch up a little slower, so no worries there ~ this is amazing and a miracle.  Sarah says that she feels the best she ever has since about the age of 11, right before she became ill.  Praise the Lord and now we are waiting for the complete healing as we walk through this season.  You can read Sarah’s full story here ~ you can also share your story here too!  Sarah also obtained her drivers license and has been gainfully employed at Sonic on 620!  Not sure if I could handle anymore excitement but try me!!  Daniel’s job is going well with Apple, he was the second highest in sales and customer service this past month and has managed not to be late for work, having to show up at 3:30 am everyday!!  Yeah God, He is so kind, faithful and merciful.

Whatever you scream into life, will come back to you.  What you sow you will reap – what you put into, you will get out.  When i think about this, it challenges me on how I speak and what i speak, life is really in the tongue and so is death.  I guess it comes down to knowing the Word of God.  If we know what the Father has said about us, spoken over us and desires for us, that determines how we live our lives.  In other words, your ignorance of the word causes you to miss out on the fullness of God for your life.  Know what the Word of God says and you will know Him ~ We only get to do this once so let’s know Him!

Reading this scripture the other day was rather inspiring.  Psalms 127:1 ~ “Unless The Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it: except the Lord keeps the city, the watchmen wakes but in vain.” At this time we are literally expanding our sanctuary at TOLC and it has reminded me how our lives are also being built.  Expansion seems to be in our lives right now in many areas so watching and being involved closely with all these projects, I have been reminded how we received the blueprint in life when hearing about the plan of Salvation.  How exciting as we trusted the Lord with Jeremiah 29:11 ~ “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you a hope in your final out come.”  Along the way while building, we have had to have the plans submitted, corrected, we get inspections done, weather delays and even change of construction sometimes!  Just like our lives, when we have obtained the blueprint and established a strong foundation, off we go and start the process of growth and expansion in our lives.  Sometimes things happen that we don’t expect, diversions, corrections, losses, change, additions, subtractions and different seasons, even inspections!  All this is for the good as we grow in the Lord, mature in our faith and press on to be complete in Him.   He is still working on me, to make me what He wants me to be…..  We are building a physical sanctuary for the people of God at TOLC to dwell in and grow in love and unity.  Just like our lives, He is making us to be a habitation for the Lord to dwell in richly, a place where the Spirit of the Lord dwells and enables us to be a person that can then reach out to others in love, grace and blessing wherever we may be.  I am so glad that the Lord does not quit building and expanding our lives and making us to be the habitation of the Lord!!

Port O’Conner, TX – know as POC too….   We are enjoying our visit so much down here at the end of Highway 185.  Literally you stop at the end of the road and end up at one of the most quaint and enjoyable beaches in Texas.  Not many people seem to know that this place even exists but we do and love it!  God’s creation is amazing with porpoise and dolphins swimming by and fish jumping way out of the water all around!  Just found out that this is a Sportsman’s beach, the sport being fishing!  Amongst all of us here, many fish have been caught and released plus a crab or two ~ even a competition for who could catch the biggest crab in one hour!  It has been a great time of relaxation and friendship over the past 4 days – thanks for making it possible.

Even Jesus submitted Himself to earthly authority and by doing so submitted to His heavenly Father.  Learning obedience and submission is probably one of the hardest things to learn in life.  I was reading that even Jesus had to to do this and guess what He received from it – “He went down to Nazareth, with his parents and was obedient to them…and Jesus grew (increased, matured) in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and man.” Lk. 2:51-52.  Wow, even though Jesus had all authority and knew that He was the son of God at this point in His life, he still fully submitted to his parents, who were not sinless and faultless! What an example of obedience and because of His obedience and submission, He grew (matured, increased) in wisdom and stature, and in the favor of God and man!  I guess the key to growing in wisdom, stature, and the favor of God and man is to learn to be obedient and submissive. Doesn’t sound hard but is a challenge every day as we learn to die to the flesh and follow Him daily. Obedience must be a lifestyle and not an occasional event! (Philippians 2:12-1)

After 5 months of being unemployed, Daniel was hired to work at Apple. After arriving back from CFNI and not having employment, the first thing he said was that he wanted to work at Appple! After applying continually and us all praying for the last 5 month, today was the day – Go God! One of the toughest things is letting your children go and allowing God to show Himself faithful in their lives. “Let go and let God,” sounds easy until you have to do it!! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.

Woke up with Daniel taking a fall but all is well. Off to the hospital for Sarah to have an infusion and no appointment, now scheduled for Friday and yet the morning is early so things can only get better!!