As many of you know, our time (nearly 13 years time!) here at the Conference Center/Bible College is coming to an end. Cisco and I have been praying for some years now, for the Lord's timing and direction on where He'd take us next. Not that we were unhappy here, but neither of us have ever felt this was "home" and somewhere we would be forever. We had our desires and ideas of what we thought would be next (those would change, pretty much monthly!) but we also knew most of those depended largely upon emotions. It was never anything constant that we knew we could move on. So we've been waiting...and waiting...sometimes not even knowing what exactly we were waiting for. Cisco was SO MUCH better at this than I was, I might add. That man has more patience than anyone I know and I love him a bunch for it!
What we thought would be a move that would take us closer to family (we have family on both sides of the continent and don't live near any of them) quite the opposite happened. I truly never thought I'd be ok with this, but it really is amazing looking back and seeing how He so gently and slowly worked it in my heart to let go of this desire and be open so that when the time came, I was fully prepared and held nothing back. I had no idea this was what was happening and isn't that always the case. If we knew what He was doing, and He just revealed large chunks instead of each step, it would probably be so much more difficult for us. IF we didn't turn and run the instant we knew, we'd probably fight it so much more! I know I would and would have. We hate the process and the waiting so much but it really is necessary and better for us! So during this "process" and the months leading up to our decision, we felt the Lord pressing certain things upon our hearts and giving us a strong desire to be somewhere there was a need for Jesus and there wasn't a solid Bible teaching church on every corner (basically anywhere but Southern California!). We began to dream and continued to pray and by the end of January the answer came. To sum it up: Some friends of ours from here are going to plant a church in Denver, Colorado. Through a series of random and unexpectedly life changing conversations and events, we will be joining them and quite a few others in this venture! Never once did I think the Lord would take us to Colorado. Never once would I have expected this leading to bring about such tremendous and unexplainable peace and excitement. We really have no idea what our future holds, but then again, do any of us? Many are excited for us and (I'm sure) just as many think we're nuts...I don't blame them since I go back and forth between the two as well ha!
Back to the blog. I really don't enjoy it...I am a naturally long-winded storyteller and it takes a lot of effort to sum up a story without giving EVERY SINGLE UNIMPORTANT DETAIL. But a few have asked that we do something to keep everyone updated and we figured this would be the best and easiest way. We covet your prayers, we truly do, and would love to keep you updated on those prayer requests as well. The church is called Pilgrim City Church and they are working on a blog and website. I will get the URL on here as soon as it's up. Right now, you can "Like" the Pilgrim City Church page on Facebook and updates are regularly posted on there. We have been meeting every Wednesday night as a home group and it has been incredible. We just love everyone in the group and are so excited to get to know them all. It's amazing seeing the Lord knitting our hearts together even now and just constantly re-confirming to Cisco and I this is where we're supposed to be. Here's what you can pray for now:
- This Friday night, March 22nd, the group will be driving in 2 vans out to Denver for a prayer tour. Please pray for traveling mercies, direction, vision and unity for the group.
- I will be flying out on Tuesday, with Violet, & back home on Friday, so please keep us in prayer for safe travels and for Violet to be verrrrry sleepy for the flights. ;)
- The boys will be staying home and in the care of our friend Genesis, so please pray for all of them as well. We went back and forth on whether or not to bring them, as we really wanted them to be able to see Colorado and to see it all as a family, but in the end decided that it would probably be best to enjoy it all together later on. Considering the nature of the trip, they will have much more fun at home!
Thank you so much for praying and for being a part of our lives. I can't wait to let you know how the prayer tour goes and will be sure to post when we get back!
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the JOY of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You"....."O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:10-13, 15-17
