December, 2023
I hope this season of life has been one filled with joy and gratitude as we exit Thanksgiving and find Christmas upon us. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t take the time to slow down then I can often miss the important things the Lord has placed right in front of me. So much has been going on and it’s so easy to be so consumed with tomorrow that I miss out on today. Planning and preparation is needed, but Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Just one verse before He tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The remedy for my busy and distracted heart is always more of Jesus. I pray in this season that He would help you to keep your focus upon Him and that He would help you to find joy and rest in the midst of all the chaos that life can bring.
It can be so easy to get caught up in what needs to get done that I my focus can easily begin to drift. It’s so easy to be distracted with all the good things that come up. The Lord is continuing to show me the areas that I can be moved (Acts 20:22-24), and is continuing to teach me to trust Him and take me to new heights. As always, sanctification can be a much slower process than we might hope for or like, but He is not in a hurry and He tells us not to despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10). I want to be able to say, like Paul, “but none of these things move me…” (Acts 20:24). The Lord is at work, and no matter what I might feel He is making me new each day, and He will continue to take me from grace to grace. I am excited for all the He is going to do!
Things back in Sonoma County…
As you know I recently passed off the middle school group over to a family and it’s a blessing to see how the Lord is progressing the group already. It’s been growing a lot and I’m excited to see the growth that takes place as the Lord uses Mike and his wife Leslie! Please be praying for them as they continue to oversee the Middle School youth group! It’s been a whirlwind of a season. Time is short before our departure and January 17th is approaching rapidly. Between work, teaching, serving in other capacities at church, and trying to be intentional with the time I spend with family and friends it has been somewhat overwhelming. Even in the face of feeling overwhelmed I know the Lord is with me and using this time and season to prepare me for what’s to come. I’m thankful for His strength and renewal and I want to have a trusting, learning heart to receive what He is teaching me in this season. It’s all prep, and Jesus said, “he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.” Please pray that I would be faithful and finish well. Last week I had two speaking engagements, both were a first for me, and one of them was my first Sunday message up at Calvary Chapel Willits. It was such a blessing to see some longtime friends and family in the Lord, and what a blessing to see the growth that is taking place since they planted it around 7 years ago. I got to share on our purpose as the church to go and make disciples. Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide them with opportunities to be a bold and shining light in a dark place. Every Wednesday we have missionary training with one of our pastors to prepare Andy (the guy that’s also going to Peru) and I before we head out. This has been a blessing and has provided a lot of practical reminders to help prep us for when we leave and how to get ready to go.
Peru-bound!
Right now I’m working on getting all of my paperwork ready to apply for a visa in Peru. Documents need notarization and to be apostilled (that’s a new one for me: it’s kind of like an international notary). Outside of some of those practical things for immigration, I’m trying to take time where I can to get my belongings packed up and sold/donated before I leave. I’ll be keeping some things, but much will go, and I will be trying to pack as lightly as I can when I go. I’ve got a lot to do, please pray that the Lord would continue to clear my path and make clear to me what doesn’t need to get done that I’ve unnecessarily added onto my plate. Please pray that I would finish well!
Here’s what’s left to do:
- a few different cabinet/construction style projects
- passing on or selling anything that I’m not taking (or putting what is staying in storage)
- getting everything else filled out and returned in time before we leave (all the legal documents for immigration)
- clearing out my residence and getting it ready for rent/sale (minor construction involved there)
- getting any final things that need to be packed and ready to leave
How to get involved…
My greatest need is prayer! Would you please pray with and for me and for the ministry the Lord has set before me?
- That Jesus would always remain my greatest priority—especially when busyness and necessity wants to draw me away from the secret place
- That I would be intentional in my times of prayer and seeking Him
- That I would have eyes to see the needs He would have me fill and how I can get others involved
- That I would have His heart in all He sets before me
- To finish things well
- To enjoy time with loved ones before I leave
- For continued financial provision
- That I would notice and utilize discipleship opportunities
- That I would be a blessing and help to the ministry in Trujillo
Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! I cannot express how appreciative I am! It’s amazing to see what the Lord has been doing and I just want to thank you for being a part of it.
As the Lord leads you, if you feel led to partner with me financially, the greatest need is for monthly support. One time gifts are always appreciated and are also a huge help as there are a lot of upstart costs and other things that can come up. Thank you so much!
