TRUCK COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU . . . . ..

YEAH YEAH AND YEAH!!!!!

Just to update you Supplying Needs has been donated a refrigerated box truck!!! Can you believe it. Thank you Jesus. A dear friend of ours that we met through Friend Ships emailed us and asked if we would want a refrigerated box truck. We said YES!!! We really need one. WE just needed to get it to Stockton. So through months of researching and talking with the owner we came to the agreement for Joel to fly to Lake Charles Louisiana and drive it back to Stockton. Yeah yeah and yeah.

Joel is leaving this Wednesday December 16th. He will be gone for over a week. Joel and I decided that I should stay back to be on call. We still have a grocery store that is thinking about giving us food on a consistent basis. Which is fine with me. I mean I am super sad that I cannot go and see all my friends and loved ones in Lake Charles (where we did mission work with Friend Ships for 4 years.) But I have peace and know that it is for the better good of our ministry.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS (for us getting this truck)? It means we can ask wholesalers for donations. That we can pick up pallets of donations instead of just boxes of donations. Either way we say Thank you Jesus when we do get a donation no matter big or small. But with this we can go to the bigger companies.

Okay so all we need now is a warehouse. Please be praying that a warehouse (with refrigeration) would open for us.

We love all ya'll very much.

GLORY TO GOD,
The Butlers

Our newest addition to Supplying Needs!

PS. The dog on the truck was put on there by the owner in an email. We told the owner our desire to stay behind the scenes (incognito) and he photo-shopped the dog on. It is pretty funny!!!

It's like the Cash Cab but you can call it the Jesus Cab

So Joel and I believe in helping people because God helped us and loves us. And one way we like to do this is to pick people up on the side of the road that are in trouble. Don't get me wrong we don't pick everyone up but we do it when we feel lead by God. This past week we have picked up two people that have just made us smile.

The first one was the day after America Thanksgiving (just so you American's know Canadians have a different thanksgiving, Any way) so Joel and I were driving to the mail to drop off a package. On the side walk in downtown Stockton we saw a young man wave his arms frantically trying to get someone to pick him up. Both Joel and I thought he may have to go to the hospital. Joel pulls over and asked what is up. He said he needed a ride but it was an hour away. We agreed. (I was for sure praying silently that God would protect us, because I mean come one who is this guy) Turns out he didn't need to go to the Hospital but (get this) TO HIS WEDDING!!! Can you believe it. He flew to LA to do a skateboard show then drove up to go to his wedding. He stopped in Stockton (for who knows what, Joel and I still do know what) and he parked in a Cops Car only zone and got his car towed. He asked the cops if they could take him to the wedding but they said they are not a cab. He went out to the side walk and started to have a panic attack for his wedding was in 3 hours. And he didn't know how he was going to get there. He actually lives in New York and flew for his wedding. Any way needless to say he wasn't a killer and was really a nice guy. He goes around the nation and world to skateboard. He said he is not a famous one but does open acts for the famous professional skateboarders. He was taken back by our kindness and we explained that it was the God in us and asked if he knew Jesus. He said that he knows Jesus and that his Dad is a real example to him.
We got him to his destination and he emailed us and said thanks and will send us Pics of his wedding later. Pretty crazy eh. It is funny because of a few reasons 1) Joel and I have been praying that God would use us to help people 2) I actually slept in that morning and felt it was okay by God to do so. 3) We stopped at the library and we were going to the post office 4) the guy had only been standing on the corner for 10 minutes. Our paths crossed at the perfect time. So God's timing is so perfect.

My next adventure was without Joel. Last night I went to women's group. I was waiting in the car for the church to be unlocked and had this huge urgency to go the Laundromat to see our Friend John to talk about Prayer. The urgency just would not leave me. So I bailed women's group and went to see John. When I got out of the car and at the Laundromat this women startled me. She was bawling and said her daughter was dropped off at a person's house and she just had to get there. She seemed frazzled yet not frazzled. It was weird. So I talked John into going with me because 1) I had no idea where the streets were and 2) I just didn't trust her.

When we got in the car she reaked of alcohol. On the way there I get this boldness that I don't experience very often and asked very boldly if she knew Jesus she said yes that she prayed to him every day because it was good or the right thing to do. The boldness came after she said that and I said no you need to have a true relationship with Jesus because he has a purpose for you. YOu were not made by accident and you have to ask Jesus what He wants you to do in life because he has something just for you. She started crying more and said started saying things about her life and how it wasn't so good and I said that doesn't matter God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you where you talk to him and he talks to you.

She said she understood.

When I took John back to the Laundromat it didn't seem so important what I was going to talk to him about any more.

On the way back home I started to think that when People got in Joel's and my car they didn't know what they had just gotten themselves into like the game show Cash Cab. But with Cash cab the money they won would be gone in no time. (Oh the cash cab is a cab that is New York that is a game show in the cab and you don't know you are getting into it. You have to answer questions until you get to your destination and if you miss 3 they kick you out at that spot you missed the last question and you get no money. If you answer the questions correctly you get the money you earned from each question you answer right.) But What Joel and I have to offer people can last for all eternity. So I was thinking we need to be called "The Jesus Cab"


Life is just too much fun with Jesus. There is never a boring moment.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

The Jesus Cab,
The Butlers

What is REAL FAITH??

Joel and I have been discussing today "What is real faith" and are we acting on faith or our resources that we have in front of us? Are we believing God or will we truly believe God when our provision runs out?

It is really quit frustrating with no clear answer for those questions at the moment.

As of now we have been to three cities/towns and have approached all the grocery stores we can get our hands on. The number keeps going up with the grocers that are throwing away good food that could feed people. It is really heart breaking. We know that God could move on the hearts of the grocers and wah-lah we would be getting food coming out of our ears. But we have realized with God giving us the revelation that He is trying to teach us something or somethingS.

WE got a yes yesterday from small grocer that doesn't have much in the way of product but they would like to start giving us Dairy, deli, and other refrigerated items. YEAH!!! Lord please let them call soon!!

By the end of December we will officially have a refrigerated box truck in Supplying Needs name!! YEAH GO GOD!!! WE just need to get it here (because it is in Louisiana). It is complicated. SO there are many ways we could get it here but at this point we are wondering if it is by faith we are trying to get it here or by our own hand. Ahhh all frustarting. We have a lot of options but still we are praying and seeking God. There are a few options we don't have peace about and there are others we are tossing about. So hm GOD WHAT DO WE DO? WE really don't want to do it by our own strength but we don't have an abusolute clear direction.

Today we might approach a grocery store for the ump-teenth time. I am nervous, Joel is determined. WE make a great team don't we. :) heheh

SO that is about it. We love all ya'll very much.
May you have a wonderful American Thanksgiving remembering all that God has blessed you with this holiday. And as a song from VeggieTales goes:
"Because a thankful heart is a happy heart. I am glad for what I have THAT'S AN EASY WAY TO START!!!"

Love all ya'll,
the Butlers

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen;
it gives us assurance about things we can not see.

SUPRISE!!! Love, God

HELLO EVERYONE,

This month my mom and I surprised my Dad and sister for their birthdays. I won't tell you the age but both were celebrating a new decade. (Well they didn't want to celebrate it but at this point they didn't have a choice) I was pretty excited and with Joel's permission left for Washington State. My Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport. The cool thing is Dad didn't know I was coming. He was waiting for a "friend" of my sisters to bring a package at the airport. All was the truth. There he was waiting at the bottom of the ramp and shocked as all get out when I walked down.

Then the next day we went to my sisters, made dinner and a cake, decorated the house, and waited for her to get home from work. My parents and nephew started singing happy birthday then I popped (not from a cake) but out from a room. She was shocked as well.

It was a great 9 days of being with my family. One of my favorite parts was the days my sister had to work and I had the house to myself to spend with GOd. Aww those were the days. And I loved the time I spent with my parents, sister, nephews, and brother-in-law.

The biggest surprise was as I was coming home. I had a flight where I stayed on the same plane but had one stop. Before I get on planes I pray that God would set up divine appointments and He would be able to use me to talk to someone about Him or what Joel and I are doing for Him.

This girl came and sat beside me. We didn't talk the first leg of my flight. When we landed the first time she then asked if I needed to get out because she was staying for the next flight. I told her I was staying too. We then got to talking. I found out she is a children's pastor which I found intriguing. I started asking her more questions and discovered her dad and I went to the same high school, crazy. Then we found out she and I went to the same church every Christmas eve for the Christmas program. She then mentioned her grandmothers maiden name which is my grandmothers maiden name. Come to find out Her grandma and my grandma are sisters. Can you believe it and her dad and my mom are cousins. I was blown away. After getting off the plane she called her mom and her mom knew about my family. Shock shock shock.

Joyce and I only live about 30 to 40 minutes away from each other. I am going to go help her with her churches harvest fest this Saturday. I am excited to get to know my cousin.

Isn't God too cool. I love getting "great" surprises from God.

Love,
Dess

Me, Dad and My sista Tammie

Mom and I

My Oldest Nephew and I!!!
YOu love me you know you do!!!

Aunt and younger Nephew Craziness

UPDATE -UPDATE YA'LL NEED AN UPDATE!!!

Hello Everyone,

That is right it is update time. It has been almost a month since writing. Many things have been going on during this month of September. We had Jim and Kristin come up for a week to see us. They were gracious and stayed in a hotel. Joel and I look forward to the day God will give us our own place and people do NOT have to stay in a hotel to see us. WE had a blast with them and they even approached a few grocery stores for us.

During their stay we found out that one of our dear dear dear friends that the four of us knew took his life. It was heart breaking and hard to come to terms with. We all decided we would go to the funeral in LA. So Joel and I followed Jim and Kristin two days later down to LA and met them at the Funeral. Joel and I stayed in LA for 5 days seeing old friends that we knew through Friend SHIps. We stayed with our dear friends Curt and Theresa.

During our stay it happened to be my birthday. Theresa was so kind. She got me a funnel cake, a churro and a birthday cake on my birthday. I was so full by the end of the day.

We went to Matthew Barnett's Church Angelus Temple which Matthew is over the Dream center as well. When Pastor Matthew got up to preach he said "I am not going to give a message today so you don't need your bible" JOel and I looked at each other disappointedly. (Is that a word? disappointedly) Then Pastor Matthew went on to say "It is my 15 year anniversary for being a pastor and I am going to share 3 main things I have learned from my 15 years as a pastor." He went on to talk about how pursuing a calling from God you do NOT want instant success. GOd wants your foundation to be big and sturdy so that it can hold anything that God wants to put on your foundations.
He also talked about how Quiters never win. That if you decide never to give up you WILL have SUCCESS. And the third point was ALWAYS give God the glory. People always ask him what his formula is for his success as a pastor or what they can do to have success in their ministry. Pastor Matthew said that he is messes up, he has staff that are mess up that do things wrong, he has drug dealers and prostitutes who work for him but because of God they are a successful. So give GOD THE GLORY.

During his talk I was thinking does this really apply to any one else besides JOel or I. This message seems just for us. I was blown away.

So in the past month of September we have hit the total of 52 grocery stores just in the city of STOCKTON. And we recieved one yes and they have not given us any food yet. We have approached every grocery store on the map and on Monday I was praying asking God "Okay so what do you want us to do now, we are at a dead end." It was then put on my heart with much much much excitement to go for Warehouse space. The next day we got an email from a dear friend saying He had a Refrigeration truck for Joel and I if we needed it. OH MY GOODNESS WE NEED IT!!! He is concerned it wouldn't make it to Stockton but is having his maintance guys check it out. SO either we will fly and pick it up or we will find a way to get it here. To God be the GLORY.
SO while Joel and I were going from grocery store to grocery store JOel and I thought well maybe we should approach wholesale (info: grocery is retail) I went and asked the Lord about it and he said "If I wanted you to approach wholesale at this time I would have given you a Box truck and a warehouse." Looking back I am like hm well here comes our box truck, Lord may there be a warehouse to follow. THen we can start appraoching wholesalers.

SO that is where we are at now, sending letters and faxes and calls to companies who own warehouses to see if they would donate temperary warehouse space. God did promise we would have a huge ministry to help provide for the church everything they need to outreach in thier local community as well as the homeless, mentally disable, poor, etc. So JOel and I are standing on His promise and knowing He will do what HE said he would do.

We have found in STockton ALONE dozens and dozens of brand new warehouses never moved into and no one is really looking at this time because of the economy. I have found I prefere the warehouses that are used because they have office space in them and are a bit more developed. (And there are a few used warehouses that are vacant, okay a good handful of them) The brand new warehouses have that never been used do not have offices and they are one big room with truck loading docks. Either way they would work but I am asking Heavenly Daddy for a used one.

That is it from us. WE love and miss all ya'll. Keep us in your prayers when you talk to Father God.

Love love love,
The Butlers

I am dreaming of Fall and Winter (Can't wait until it is here)
(Pic at my Parents Cabin, IDAHO)

In Noxon, Montana

Life and Encouragment from God!!!

Hey Everyone,

Our life has been such a roller coaster since getting back from picking up the mini-bus. We hit the ground running as soon as we got back asking grocery stores for their non-sellable products. Or in lame terms for food that consumers will not buy because of the expiration date or it has a little mold on it and so grocery stores throw it away even though it is perfectly good.

Well I had assumed this would be the easy part. I thought I would just walk into two or three or four grocery stores and wah-la they would give and think it was the greatest idea in the world. WRONG. God is sure funny. I am learning a lot about God and how He matures his children or people who are called to do things for Him. So far Joel and I have been to over 40 grocery stores and we haven't received one solid yes yet. Mostly no's, a few I will call you back, and others who just don't answer. It has been frustrating to say the least. Because there are a hand full of stores that are giving and but most are throwing away and refuse to give you the food they are throwing away!! Every day I make the choice to either throw a crying tantrum or trust God. (I tend to choose differently each day, depending on my mood {Hey I am just being honest})

It has been discouraging to say the least. But with each day God either sends a person to encourage us or a scripture. The most amazing part about this is they all say the same thing. I am blown away. And it is not like they talk to each other or they read the scriptures I have put on our walls that the Lord has given to me. But they all tell Joel and I a few things

1) God's timing is perfect. God will do what He wants when He wants and I need to wait patiently for Him to act. (Psalms 37 talks about Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait PATIENCLY for Him to act)

2) That He is maturing JOel and I through these trials and frustrations. That it is testing our faith in God which leads to endurance and endurance leads to character and hope and maturity and all that good stuff that goes with being tested. WOW who knew, NOT IT!!!

3) We need to not give up. BAD IDEA (though I have to admit I have thought about it or at least trying a new vocation) But it says in Galatians: Do not grow weary in doing good. For at JUST THE RIGHT TIME (there is that time thing again) we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

There are other leasons but one of the most encouraging talks I had was with Ray (my old boss at Friend Ships) Ray and I have this understanding about the food ministry that he or I don't really have with anyone else. There have been a few (VERY FEW) people in his life Ray shared the same passion with but Ray and I can talk for hours about the food minstry. I called him up and told him my frustrations. And he said that the EXACT same thing happened to him in LA. He was mad and frustrated wanted to blame it on people or God or who ever. Wanted to go back to Seattle where the food ministry was flowing like milk and honey. But He believes looking back that God was doing someting and Ray said he believes now God is doing something and purposely stopping us from getting a yes. He doesn't know what and I don't know what but God is doing it on purpose for a reason. Ray said that if he were I that he would doubt God. But then he said quickly "BUT WE DO NOT DOUBT GOD, and WE DO NOT QUESTION GOD." (which has snapped me out of doubting God) Then Ray went on to say that after the food started to flow in Los Angeles Friend Ships had the biggest food ministry in the history of Friend SHips. ON a weekly basis Friend Ships was picking up 150,000 pounds of food a week on average. And that I shouldn't give up.

So what are we doing now: NOt giving up. What are we doing now: Waiting (patiently and impatiently at times. Trying harder for patience) What are we doing now: Still knocking on doors.

So that is where we are at now. God is good whether I see his Hand move today or not. That it will come and that I just need to do what Joel and I were called to do. Start a ministry for HIM.

Love all ya'll. Be blessed in JESUS whether you see God move or not.

Dess Butler
God's Property

Our Trip Back from picking up the Bus!!!

Hello Hello,

It has been a while since posting. We had the most wonderful time visiting people along the way back to California. We are so blessed to have such great friends who we worked along side at Friend Ships.

After 4 weeks of staying at Josh and Rebekah's and working on the mini-bus we were finally able to get it on the road. At the end of four weeks we decided to take a quick trip to Canada to see Joel's family. We surprised everyone greatly. Joel and I got to Canada at mid-night and went to Mom and Dad's bedroom window. I whispered loudly: Mom . . . . Dad . . . Mom . . . Dad . . . Butler. Mom peeps her head up to the window and says "YOu have got to be joking me" Thus began our 3 full day stay in Canada. Mom was so excited and not realizing the time of night we came she said "Lets go over to Sarah's." "Mom it is really late" "OH she breast feed the kid she should be up." Mom then looks at the clock and said "Oh I guess it is late and they are probably not up any more"

We had a blast with the Butlers and we are really glad we were able to go.

The day we went to leave Joel was praying "Lord if the bus has any problems please let it break down here" And what happened 3 things went wrong with the bus that day; including the breaks going out. Praise God!!

We finally left the guys fixed it. Josh and all the guys at CMTS were so wonderful. We felt blessed and loved while there.

Joel and I then headed over to Pittsburg PA to spend 2 nights with the Condrons: David, Diane, Nathaniel, and Elise. We had a wonderful time and were blown away by how grown Nathaniel and Elise are. Elise (who is 11) has decided that she is going to come and help us (for summer vacation) when we get settled and are more prepared for short term crew. And when she gets to be 18 or older she wants to work for us full time and be a famous Actoress. We are still working how she can do both? Hopefully by the time she wants to volunteer for us full time we will have that all worked out.

Joel and I then headed to Virginia where we stayed a week with Kippin, Janna, Jennifer, and Debi. We were also able to visit Ty, Joi, and True-Matt and Sara-Clay. We had the most wonderful time fellowshipping and going to the river and just having fun. Joel and I also celebrated our 5 year anniversary!!! Kippin took us out for an Italian dinner. It was very very yummy!!! I was so sad to leave. I wish that we could either have a food ministry their or they could all move out where we are.

(Kippin and I. Kippin taking us out to eat for our Anniversary)

(Our 5 year anniversary)

After a week JOel and I headed to Mississippis where we stayed the night at Jeff and Anne Reed's new house. It was great meeting Anne for the first time and Jeff gave us a tour of the radio station he produces for. It was so great and felt so blessed.

This was after Jeff gave us a tour of the radio station. Mr. Riley works at the radio station with Jeff and is the Dad of a girl (Hannah) who is at Friend Ships. Mr. Riley got really excited about our new ministry.

(Joel, Jeff, and Mr. Riley)

WE then headed and stoppped in New Mexico and stayed with Jason Grevings. Joel and I fell in love with his new home and his dog. It was really great catching up with him and talking about old times.

MAN WE HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS EVER!!!!

Driving the bus was not that fun AT ALL. IT was nail biting to say the least. She has not been driving in 3 years or more and we found out she hates hates hates the heat and doesn't do well being driving for 8 to 10 hours straight in hot hot weather. So the last leg of the trip we decided to start at 6pm and do an all nighter. We drove 18 hours start. Joel and I did 2 hours on 2 hours off. She did a lot better and we are believing she will be great for local runs.

We have hit the ground running with our ministry. We are so excited what God is doing. When we got back we had mail for us and in the mail was an approval from the IRS saying we are officially Tax Exempt. Can you believe it. The IRS said it would take a minimum of 60 days and it took 3 weeks. WE couldn't even believe it. JOel and I feel so blessed.

Another praise report was that we didn't have enough money in our Business funds to make it back to California. We didn't tell any one exept God. Not a peep even. People gave us money out of no where saying they wanted to help for the trip. We made it back with 100 dollars extra that we had not accounted for. God is so good. He really does take care of our needs. Thank you Jesus!!!

Well that is about it. We love ya'll very much and miss ya like crazy.

Blessings, blessings, blessing,
The Butlers

(Our New Bus)
Doesn't She look FABULOUS!!!

Pennsylvannia (Part 2) Pictures ONLY

Here are some pics of our Pennsylvania bus trip thus far. We have been staying with Josh and Rebekah Larson. They have graiously housed us as we work on the bus to get it up and running. Josh is a wonderful machanic that has been spending long hours helping us get the bus in the shape it needs to be in. The other pics are of Dad, Mom, and Tara Butler when they came and saw us!! ENJOY

Rebekah and I with Baby Anna (after church)

Josh, Rebekah, Ruth, Shalom, and Baby Anna

Ruth and Shalom (aka Ruthie and Nomie)

Nomie
Joel and Ruthie

Tara and I at the Crayola Factory

Dad, Joel, Mom, and Tara posing with some Tigerlilies

The Butler Clan minus Joel

Pennsylvannia (GOD IS SO GOOOOOOD)

PENNSYLVANIA: What an awesome beautiful place. I would like to live here some day if God allows. So Dad, Mom, and Tara Butler all came down and saw us for a couple of days. It was wonderful and great to be face to face in the same zip code as family. We had a blast seeing the sites (mostly green), going to the crayola factory, over eating every day and just plain having fun with each other. One of my favorite memories is Mom, Tara, and I going across the street from Cracker Barrel while Dad and Joel chewed the grass (aka had deep conversations) while we went through BRAND NEW RV's/5TH WHEELERS. It was awesome. I picked out one I really wanted and then asked God for it. We will see what God does! :)

Dad, Mom, and Tara left and we were sad they had to leave us but I was glad to lose 5 to 10 lbs after they left. TOO MUCH GOOD FOOD!! WE have been working on the bus for a week straight now. It has been wonderful and fun and hard and dirty and and and. Joel has worked on it the most. I work on it half days the other half I am helping Rebekah with cooking, cleaning, and with her three beautiful little girls. Josh and Rebekah are graciously housing us. And Josh is even helping us after he does a full day of work. They are a huge blessing and so much fun to be with. Most every night we are playing spades and eating chocolate or sweets in some way shape or form.

The bus is turning out wonderful. We are working on it inside and out. One day Josh told us there was going to be a big bus that was being scrapped so we went up to see if we could salvage anything. But they were just about to scrap it and we would of held them up. We were bummed because we saw all the seats had been taken out of it and we really wanted the rubber on the floor. Later I talked Joel into going back up to see if they had completely demolished the bus and to our great surprise they had only taken part of it apart and left it upside down. God is so good to do that for us because the sun beat down on the bus which softened the glue that was gluing the rubber to the floor and with the bus being upside down it made it easier for us to peal the floor off the ceiling. It was a huge blessing. Our God thinks of everything.

So we have been chipping, sanding, washing, fixing, siliconing, and other stuff to the bus. We are excited. Next week we hope to paint the bus. We had some one offer to paint the bus "professionally" and we would only have to pay for the paint. What a blessing that is. The two colors that the guy had were white and lime green. I thought it would be great to have it lime green but Joel made the wise executive decision of white. What a brilliant man I have.

So it looks like we will be here for about another week or a little less. We hope to stop by and see old Friend Ships crew as we head back to CA. We are excited with each pit stop we get to see more crew. SO we will be seeing the Condrons, the Virginia crew, Jeff and Anne Reed, Jason Grevings and maybe another couple depending on time and schedules.

Well that is it from us. We feel so blessed in what God is doing even in the littlest details.

Love ya'll VERY VERY VERY MUCH,
The Butlers
The UPSIDE-DOWN Bus that we took the rubber floor from.
(Can you find JOEL in the picture?)

Joel cutting the rubber floor from the ceiling.

Dess pealing the floor from the ceiling. God is so Good!! He makes life easier for us

The Bus from God!!!

A little less than a week Joel and I are flying to Pennsylvania and picking up a bus that was donated to our new organization, Supplying Needs. We are so excited and can not wait. Things are movin and a shakin. With the bus we will take out most of the seats and then pick up non-sellable food from grocery and retail stores. WE will be able to help churches and groups feed the homeless, the poor, and the hungry in their community.

We were able to get all of our paperwork into the IRS to get a tax exempt status. So since our paperwork is now pending we are able to start picking up donations. We are so excited and can't wait to see what God will do with us.

So here are some pics of our new (to us) bus:





Since we are going and getting the Bus we will be able to see lots of people that we haven't seen in a while. It will be like a mini vacation. We are so excited we can barely wait!!

We will be spending time with Josh and Rebekah Larson and meeting there new addtion to their family Anna as well as seeing Ruth and Shalom who I know have grown since we saw them about a year ago.

Dad and Mom Butler are driving down and spending a few days with us in Pennsylvania since they are only 6 hours away.

We will also be stopping in Virginia and seeing the VA clan. Kippin, Matt, Sara, Debi, Janna, Ty, Joi, Mary and Dan and maybe even Dynamite. Then we will head across and maybe see Jeff and His wife Anne who we have not met yet and then stop in and See Jason.

SO many people to see. We just can't wait. God is blessing us indeed with a bus for our ministry and then being able to see family and old Friend SHips crew.

Well that is it from us. We love ya'll very much.

Have a blessed day,
Dess

APPROVED!! PRAISE GOD!!!

That is right folks. We got our paperwork back Saturday approved. So excited!!! WE are officially SUPPLYING NEEDS!!! But with this comes responsibility, Which might I add only Joel really thinks about. Yeah I tend to forget that side of things like bills and insurance and being responsible for people and paperwork. So I had my weekend of soaking up the excitement with out responsibility but Monday came and we got a new bank account for the business and a cell phone. I was excited about the cell phone up until they gave us the "BILL" yuck. Who knew it would be so much AND on top of that since Joel and I don't own anything, we have never had a bill, we don't have a credit card and because of this we had to pay a huge down payment for the cell phone that we get back in a year. Yuck.

Any way SO I am still pumped and excited and Praise God. Our next step is to get our 501 (c) 3 paperwork pending, head to Pennsylvania to get the mini bus all while helping out around our Church and our friends here.

So yeah for the next steps!!! Thank you for all your prayers they were truly need and appreciated!!

The Lord gave me a celebration song two weeks before our paperwork, it's pretty simple but I love it and it is constantly in my head:
It's time to CEL-A-BRATE, it's time to celebrate.
It's time to CEL-A-BRATE, Jesus let's celebrate.

PRAISE BE TO GOD,
The Butlers

REJECTED TWICE and I am doing GREAT!!!

Yeah yeah we got our paperwork back once again and it is REJECTED. We didn't sign our names in the right spot this time. Goodness. But you know what I noticed is that I am learning patience because it didn't even affect me. It actually made me happier. Happier to know that GOd is teaching me some patience. Last time the paperwork came back rejected I was so upset. I went to my knees and went off about how unhappy I was. Man this time I actually thanked God.

SO yeah please pray we will get it right this time. But if it doesn't that is cool. God is good and has it in the palm of His hand. Just never ask me or Joel to do paperwork for your corporation. We have not a clue as to what we are doing!!!

Love you guys,
The Butlers

I see you
(One of the deers at my parents house. Sniffing the camera)

Hey How are you doing sweet thang?

ONE OF THESE DAYS!!!

One of these days I am going to write a blog that says . . . . OUR PAPERWORK CAME BACK APPROVED. But until then we are still waiting. While we wait we are keeping busy. Joel is almost done with the remodeling of the house/appartment. Today should be the day that he is done (I say this as I cross my fingers) He has done an excellent job and now has a few offers for other jobs but we both just want to work on our corporation!!!

I have been faxing donation request letters for our church. 11 no's and 2 yes's. Thank you Jesus.

Tomorrow I help teach a class to the leadership at the church called Outreach 101 or best said One on One. Our church has shifted from a purpose driven church outline to an equiping culture. Where the goal is to get 80% of the church outreaching in some way shape or form. Doesn't have to be big but the focus needs to be outside the church and not in. I like it. So tomorrow I am talking for about 1 hour with questions about what I observed on the mission field and what groups had a high percent rate of reaching people and what groups didn't and what the common denominator was for the groups with a high percent rate of reaching people for Christ. The three things I have noticed over the years are Consistency in peoples lives, Caring for people, and being apart of their everyday lives.

So while we all wait for our paperwork here are some more of the cruise pics. From our Cruise two months ago. Enjoy!!!

JOEL LOVES LOVES LOVES ICE CREAM!!!

There were 4 guys on the ship and all they did was ice carving or food carving!!!

Street performers in Mexico!!!

Still Waiting on God,
The Butlers!!!

Caught in the Middle of Fantasy and Reality

So I am here at the library wasting the day away. I have things I COULD be doing but I am just not motivated. I am looking at websites of people from the past who are around my age and seeing their lives as they know it. A home, family, stability, what not and thinking HOW ON EARTH DID I GET HERE!!! It is really a crazy life I live and I am looking forward to having things come together.

UPDATE UPDATE!!! We got our paperwork back . . .. . . . .. . REJECTED. Yeah that is right the secretary of state rejected us because JOel and I didn't sign our name twice on our articles of incorporation. Don't ask me, we just redid it and sent it back in. It has been almost two weeks since sending it back in.

For weeks and weeks I was waiting on everything but God. The Mail man to give us our corporations paperwork, the secretary of state, the man to send the title for the mini-bus. THen one day someone gave me the scripture "THose that wait on the Lord will renew their strength." SO I looked it up Isaiah 40:31: Those that wait (or hope) in/on the Lord will renew or find new strength, They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." It kind of woke me up and I realized I was waiting on everything BUT God and freaking out. So now I am waiting on the Lord and have peace. To be honest I freak out every once in a while but those times are lesser and passing faster.

SO As we WAIT on the Lord Joel is helping a man remodel their soon to be new apartment. Joel is just grateful to be working with his hands. He is there every day at 8am and gets done any where form 4 to 7. He is not getting paid but that is fine. Joel just loves to help out.

I myself have gotten my hands into too many projects for the church but I am trying to do them as they come.

1. I am helping with getting donations for the church (since I did that at Friend SHips for a few years) 2. Joel and I are over S.O.S Save our Stockton for our Church. It is a day where churches or christians come together and serve Stockton in some way shape or form. The city hopes to get 1000 volunteers doing some sort of community service on August 1. JOel and I are in charge of what we are doing and organizing it. 3. My friend and I came up with an idea that the church needed to have a class or lesson on Outreach. Yeah me and my big mouth. So I am helping with that and some how maybe got put in charge of it. 4. I am involved in two other departments or ministries at the church.

So that is our life in a nut shell as we WAIT on God. It is crazy all in one breath and as I said at the beginning I will say now "HOW ON EARTH DID I GET HERE" How did my life turn out like this. I know it won't always be like this but just like you can't tell when a storm will pass except if you are looking from a satilite down I wonder when this phase of our lives will end and then next part will begin. Only God can tell.

Please continue to pray for us.

Love all ya'll,
The Butlers

PS. THe Subway diet really works. That is pretty much what Joel and I eat and we have both loss about 10 pounds. WHo knew that there are things on TV that are true!!! :) So next time some one comments about the SUBWAY diet really being true?: it totally is!!!

WAITING!!!

As of now Joel and I are in wait mode. It is really hard. I thought I was going to pass out or something from all this waiting and being patient (or lack there of). We sent in our paperwork for us to become an official corporation. The Secretary of California is supposed to look at it and send it back. Some one said it wouldn't take to long. And we can't move on until we have the paperwork in our hands and approved!!!

Everyday I would look in the mail just hoping it would be in there. But no, it never came. So one day I decided to check out The Secretary of State website and see how our paperwork was coming. Well it was the most discouraging news EVER!!! On the website it shows Different paperwork and how fast it is being processed. There are 17 types of paperwork. And our category is taking the second longest. It could be more than 3 weeks from now before we get our paperwork in the mail. AHHHHHHHHHHHH. I started Freaking OUT!!! So Joel and I talked about seeing my parents and helping them out at the their house and job. But it didn't feel right. Then we talked about going to L.A. to see if we can hang out and work there. Just to do something. Then I said God I would really like to work at the Church we are members of in Stockton. A behind the scenes job.

Well guess what, a few hours later the pastor's wife approaches me, joel, and another lady asking if we can help out in their everyday nursery. THey are getting more and more kids and need the help. It would be no pay but they could really use the help. I was like Lord you have got to be kidding. But Joel and I went today for a few hours to help out and I loved it!!! The kids were awesome and so cute. I guess we will be helping out there until we can have our own paperwork in our hands and approved.

Also, during a meeting JOel and I had with our Bishop about our paperwork He mentioned that they were having a hard time procuring donations. They would get a yes and then all of a sudden the companies would back out. I jumped at the chance and told him I did procurement at Friend Ships and would love to help. He said that would be great but after ALL our paperwork is competed and approved. So today I approached his wife (since he is out of town for a few days) and said HEY we are waiting on our paper work for the next few weeks I would love to procure items for the church, can I help.

It turns out there is an event in a little over a month and they need some items. So tonight I will be talking with two people about me procuring items. I am so excited and look forward to helping out. I love working behind the scenes.

So I guess we are on hold with our ministry but while we wait we are helping other people/ministries out. God knows and is in control. So please pray for our patience, and that in God's timing the paperwork would go through so we can GET THIS PARTY STARTED. And pray that Joel and I would feel purposeful for God's kingdom EVERYDAY as we wait.

Love all ya'll,
The Butlers

This is How I feel on the inside about WAITING:
But God is working on me!!!

Quick UP-DATE for Ya'll

Hey Everyone,

Life in the fast lane is just that FAST!!! We hit the ground running when we got to Stockton!!!! We have been here for a week and half and everyday we are busy busy busy or about our Father's Business. We have mailed in some paperwork so that we can officially have a Corporation "Supplying Needs" We have met with our Bishop who helps churches and groups start a non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation. It is a lot more work than I had ever dreamed but God is helping us through every day as we do the paper work and all of it's challenges.

We took our trucker's written California driving test to be a California Residents and passed. Both Joel and I had to take 4 tests each to get our Class B California Trucker's license. Praise God we passed on the first time.

Joel and I have been trying to get as much involved with the church as possible. And we are excited what the Lord wants to do with us there.

Because of our living arrangements as of now we go out and eat Subway Lunch and Dinner. I love it and hope this phase doesn't end too soon. Those 5 dollar foot longs are off the hook!!! Some times (once in a while) we will have pizza or a burger just to break up the routine but all in all it is those 5 dollar foot longs!!!

Yesterday God blessed us with an interaction at the Laundry Mat. It was the first time ever for me to go to a Laundry Mat and I was nervous. We accidently put our clothes into the most expensive washing machine. 6 dollars a load we later found they had washer machines for 1.50 a load. Joel left to do some work at the library and I stayed back waiting for the clothes. I read my bible while I waited and the owner's son came up to me and asked me what Church I went to. I told him Victory in Praise. We started a conversation and He asked where Joel worked and I got to tell him that God sent us to Stockton California and we stepped out in Faith to start a ministry to help churches and other Christian ministries. He was excited and asked if he could give us a donation. I said yes. He came back with two garbage bags of clothes and said I could come every week and pick up clothes from him!!! What a blessing I was so excited!!!

I talked to Joel and asked where we should give the clothes to or who to talk to in our church about giving out clothes and Joel said that this Saturday at our Church VICTORY IN PRAISE they are having a clothes give out for the first time!!! Praise God!!! Isn't He so awesome! I am so excited.

So that is about it from us. We love you so much. Please pray for us as we continue to step out in Faith and Trust in our God to supply all our needs as well as help us get His Ministry started "Supplying Needs"

God Bless,
The Butlers

Our Cruise and the Unknown

Well hello everybody. Kim asked me write an update of what Dess and i have been up to lately. So, i figured i would post it and not make Dess do it. She's the one who has been writing blogs and posting pictures on facebook, etc. So, i'm taking responsibility and actually writing. Pretty crazy, eh!!

Okay, so Dess and i got back from a Mexican cruise this past Saturday. Dess' parents hugely blessed us with a 7-day cruise out of L.A. down to Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. What a trip!!

(Puerto Vallarta)

The weather was beautiful. If you've seen Dess' pictures, you can see that she did get a little bit toasty in the sun. Dess loves getting color to her skin for some reason. I think i played it safe and did get a little sun, but never really burnt.

The food was amazing. Again, if you look at Dess' facebook pictures you'll get a little feel of what the dishes looked like. They were gourmet meals. It was amazing. I loved dinner the best because that's when we'd dress up and they would put on this wonderful spread. You could order however much food you wanted. One night Dess jokingly told the waiter that she wanted one of everything on the dessert menu. Without hesitation he said that would be fine. We did end up ordering 4 desserts between us two of the nights and usually ordered at least 3 desserts.

(Our Four Desserts One Night)

They also had 24 hour room service if that was what you were looking for, or a 24 hour buffet. There were also a few casual dining options like pizza or burgers/hot dogs that were available at certain times.

(Us at dinner)

The destinations were beautiful. I think i preferred the view from Cabo San Lucas the best, but all 3 destinations had their own beauty and appeal. We typically walked along the beach and did some people watching or sun tanning. We'd also go through the shopping districts and see what sorts of things were being offered. The first thing we did at our first stop in Puerto Vallarta was making a Wal-Mart run. There was a Wal-Mart right near the cruise terminal, so we picked up some needed items and hit the town. Besides our Wal-Mart excursion we didn't buy too many things, but we did buy something off a beach vendor. Most of the people who were selling things were really pushy and just gave Dess and i the "NO" feeling. I know that it's how they make their living, but we just didn't like all the touristy stuff. But as we were sitting on the beach in Mazatlan a guy came by carrying hammocks. Dess said she would be interested in one so when i asked how much and the guy said "$75" we both were like "NO!!! We don't have much money." They guy asked how much we'd be willing to spend. We decided we only had enough cash on had that we wanted to spend $20, so i offered it figuring he'd refuse. But he immediately said yes and started tying up our new hammock chair. This is the type of hammock that only one person sits in, it's not for lying down. After the guy left, Dess and i looked at each other and said "now all we need is a place to live in that we can put this up :)"

We got to see whales and dolphins from the ship. There were tons of pools and hot tubs, so we went swimming daily. There were lots of on board activities like shuffleboard, mini-golf and paddle tennis to keep us active.

(Mini Golf on the Ship)


(Shuffle Board 0n the Ship)

It was a really fun time for us! Our only regret is that there was a television in our room, so we did veg out and watch T.V. that we normally wouldn't. After the cruise was over we both wished that we'd spent more time reading and spending with God.

Now that we're back from the cruise we're spending a week in L.A. with a friend of ours. She graciously opened her house to us while we're in town.

(Theresa and Dess pretending to be fish) THe Lady we are staying with!!!
It's been really good because we've visited with some of our friends from last year that we lived here and we've been able to get some more down time. We've both been reading a lot more lately. A few of the books have kicked my butt about stepping up my walk with God and they have just been really good things to read before starting up our ministry. I'll outline the books i've been reading briefly.

"Final Quest" by Rick Joyner: This is a book written about a series of visions that Rick had. They give a picture of the church in the final battle as well as showing new perspectives on Christ's love, wisdom, grace and forgiveness. It's a really good book, but be warned, it does have the power to convict and hit you deep in your spirit.

"Save Me From Myself" by Brian "Head" Welch: This is an amazing testimony by a guitarist for Korn. It outlines the mess that his life was as he grew up, became a rock star, and then the redemption that Christ brought in his life. It's really a great testimony but as he even puts in the intro, it may be offensive to some people but that's because his life was offensive. It's just a straight up amazing testimony of how God can touch anyone's life.

"Always Enough" by Rolland and Heidi Baker: This book impacted me because it outlines the starting of Rolland and Heidi's ministry to the poor in Mozambique. The whole point of the book is showing how with God, He will make sure that there's "always enough." It's a good book about how God turned up in amazing ways when people step out in faith.

So that's what i've been reading lately. I recommend "Final Quest" to anyone who is accepting of spiritual ideas and who want a kick in the pants in their faith. "Save Me From Myself" is just an awesome book that i'd recommend to anyone who isn't too easily offended and enjoys hearing personal testimonies. And "Always Enough" is a neat book for anyone who is stepping out in faith and needs some encouragement about how God will take care.

Now, this Saturday Dess and i will be moving on once again. We are moving to Stockton, CA and will be starting up our own non-profit organization/ministry. We've started up our paper work and are trusting in God for our needs. Already a short bus has been donated in Pennsylvania (i think Dess wrote this in her last post) and we're going to just have to search around in Stockton for all our needs. It's definitely a step of faith and we are feeling a bit anxious from time to time, but we've seen God moving in this thing already, so we just hope and pray that it will all work out!!

I know this has been a long post, so thanks for sticking it out to the end. I'll see if Dess will write some more stuff about the cruise from her perspective because i'm sure she's got more stories to tell.

We'll keep you updated as life goes on.

PS Dess added the photos!!!

Living in God's Fast Lane

YOu know everyone everyone everyone loves comfort. But as a follower of Christ there are many times He doesn't let us cruise in the slow lane where it is comfortable and well known. And to put a more twist on it (which will be off the subject but it just popped in my head) there are times we will be riding in His fast lane but God wants us to rest and has us set our cruise control on slow. Either way it is not in our comfort zone.

So for weeks and weeks and weeks I have had blog worthy news. The type that you long to write about if you are addicted to blogs/online journals. But with news such as this can come criticism and that is where I swayed from writing such news. So as I write this please remember the wonderful saying from Bambi the movie "If you have nothing nice to say Don't say anything at all" With that said hehehe: . . . . drum roll please.

Joel and I are starting our own non-profit organization. Some of you know this already or know that it has been coming for some time but others may not. SO anyway for years the Lord has put this vision in my mind and heart. He has even sent me two people who have never met in two different states two different times prophesy to me about our ministry. It was word for word the prophesy. For the past four years God has put this idea in my head and has been preparing both JOel and I for a time such as this. We are excited and pumped. And even now GOd is working behind the scenes to get things ready and done for the ministry He wants us to start.

When we got done with the three churches we both thought we would have time to chill and relax but that is not the case at all. JOel and I are just as busy or more busy then when we were doing the churches. We have been doing paper work to get an organization started and to be tax exempt. It is a long process with paper work piled high to heaven. We have been very prayerful and excited with each step.

Joel and I will be moving to STockton California and every time we tell some one this or someone hears about it from friends and Family they always say how bad STockton is crime wise or how bad it has been hit by the economy. It is true Stockton has gangs and is pretty rough in areas (we don't know how bad but we do understand a bit from living there for 6 months and living in a really bad area in Los Angeles) But also STockton (as we hear by word of mouth) has been hit the worst in the nation for house foreclosures. And from a friend who lives there it has been hit the worst economy wise in the state of California. WOw God. SO God couldn't have picked a better time for us to go. TO Go and help with those who can't make ends meet and to share Jesus CHrist who loves them dearly and wants a relationship with everyone.

Another God thing is that JOel has been missing his family like crazy especially since Sarah is suppposed to be having our neice any day now. SO I made arrangements and then woke up at 6am to get a ticket for Joel to see his family. AFter that I spent some quiet time with God and got this overwhelming peace about this idea. What if Joel were to get a bus ticket after seeing his family to a mission/organization that does only vehicles and drive it back. SO I talked with Joel about it and he said I need to start working it out. SO we both did some contacting and they agreed to donate a mini bus to us. Can you believe it. They sent pics and we are so excited it is too perfect. Buses whether small or big have only one door in the back which would have been fine with us a bus is a bus but it is has double doors in the back and on the side by the double doors a wheel chair lift. Which for picking up food is awesome if the food is too heavy. And it is diesel and in California if the vehicle isn't deisel you have to take a smog test every year. GOd is so awesome. SO we are waiting to see when we can pick it up!!! So the bus will be for retail/grocery store food runs. We will take all the seats out except two. Man God is so awesome. What an awesome God we serve.

Before the bus I was freaking out to God where do we start. I mean how do you start a food minstry plus other cargo/goods like construction, paper and other items needed for outreach. Where do you start. I started to panic. Then the Lord spoke and said Dess you start at grocery stores. You know grocery stores you did them for years." WOw I calmed down right away. I did pick up and procure grocery store food for years at Friend SHips. I was firmilar with it. So with the bus all we have to do is pick up food 6 days a week, collect some food for Joel and I to eat and then pass it out the same day to families who can't make ends meet. Well give it to the church so they can pass out the food and share the love of Christ. I am getting pumped just writing this. SO we don't need a warehouse to start or building or refrigerators to start because we pick up the food and give it out the same day. WHen I described this idea to one friends he immediatly pointed out that is sounded just like Manna to him. ONly getting what you need for the day. Day to day provision!! What a cool idea!!!

Our goal is to have a organization that picks up surplus goods (construction, toys, clothes, linens and other needs people would have that can't make ends meet) and food and then give it to Christian groups and churches so they can reach out to their community while sharing the love of Christ.

Joel is leaving Monday and my emotions are kicking in and not very happy but I love him and want him to see his family and if God permits drive the bus and meet me in California. Which means if Joel is just seeing his family then I will see him in a week but if we get the bus this time around then I wouldn't see him for two weeks. Aww emotions.

SO that is life in the fast lane with God. WE are working on paper work, a bus, paper work for the bus, moving to California, JOel going to see his family and being away from me, and everything else that goes on with our lives surrendered to God.

WEll that is mostly it. There are a ton of other things God has done over these past few weeks but it is just too much to write.

If you think about it pray for a place for Joel and I to live. That is on my heart the most and even in my prayers I feel God is hiding what I should pray. But God gave me a verse from Romans today that said something like "WE don't know what to pray for but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us on our behalf to God because He knows the will of God" And I was like that is me I have no idea what to even pray for (?a house, an apartment, an RV, Trailer????) so I am saying "Let your will be done Heavenly Father on earth as it is in Heaven." and "Thank you Holy Spirit and Jesus for interceding on our behalf to our Heavenly Father." What an awesome God we serve not only does He provide but we are interceded for!!! I am in awe.

God has also given the whole Psalms 37 for a time such as this. I love it. It talks about Do not Fret (it says that three times) and after it says do no fret in one part it then says for it only leads to evil. Then it talks about people that trust in God or God's righteous people or those that seek God will inherit the land. THat gives me peace as well. ONe of my all time favorite quotes from that Psalms is Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.

The other Chapter in the bible the Lord has given me is Isaiah 58. Later in that chapter is says "If you spend yourself on behalf of the needy God will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land." And that is where I feel the USA is going towards a sun-scorched land.

SO I just wanted to leave you with that. We love you all. Thank you for your prayers we need them!!!!

IN CHRIST ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE,
The Butlers

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Hey Everyone,

WE ARE DONE WITH THE THREE CHURCHES!!! Yeah. It is exciting to have finished such a big responsibility. It was a crazy three months and Joel and I learned so much about ourselves, church in general, and life as a christian. I feel we have grown in ways we could have never if not for being over these three churches.

I think for me one of the biggest challenges was learning there is a nasty side to religion. That some people go straight by rules and judging instead of mercy and love. Oh they think they are being loving but really they are judging you and condemning you for your walk with Christ. Aww that was hard. Especially for me as a women. I felt really judge and closely looked at because I was a women talking in church and helping Joel lead congregations. I even condemned myself but when I finally studied scripture and went looking for what God thought I was blown away by things. I didn't get all the answers but I walked away feeling better about me talking in church. And that GOd wasn't going to strike me down at any moment for teaching.

For the first two months Joel and I really prayed and put it out there to God that if this is what He wanted us to do for a long season Joel and I were willing to step up if it was Dad and Mom's time to step down. Boy are we glad that God gave us the okay to move on and that it is still Dad's time to be a pastor. That was a huge relief. Joel and I don't feel even the tiniest calling to being pastors. For three months we had no idea what we were doing. But as the bible says where we are weak God is soooooooooooo strong. And both Joel and I felt when we didn't have a clue to what we were doing; God really stepped in, Got the Glory and made us look good.

If you were to ask us how we feel we would tell you that we are so glad it is over. And for the people hearing that they always ask "Oh it wasn't that great?" and we are like no it was great, the people were great, and we had a great time. But when something is not your calling or you are not trained in that thing it is a lot harder.

Then when we told people in the congregation that we are just not good at being pastors they look at us like we are crazy and tell us we are. But where they saw us suceeed and what not It was God all the way. I can't even tell you how many times Joel and I didn't have a clue to what we were doing and it ended up looking like we were called to be pastors. Which is just not the case. God is SO awesome that when He asks you to do something and you are obedient and willingly God will do the impossible through you.

So for these last three months Joel and I did 3 services a sunday, preaching and all. (No one ever taught us how to run a service, the whole service or teach us how to preach but God was there) We did three bible studies and three prayer meetings a week (again no prior schooling for this) WE had three movie night outreachs to the community and we brought new worship music to the congregation. We went to hospitals and loved on the sick. We went to two funerals of church members. I mean these whole 3 months were just out of our league But God is good and enabled us to do the impossible.

I am not saying anything of this to brag I am telling you all this because God is so good that He can use any one of you and us to do His bidding and do the impossible. He will enable you even when you don't have a clue on what you are doing. All you have to do is seek Him out. I would spend time with the Lord almost every day and God would give me ideas on what the church needed in prayer or He gave us the idea of movie nights and He gave us the idea to play one new christian worship song on Sundays. It was all the Lords idea Joel and I would have never thought of it but it turned out great. I thought they would stone us or kick us out with the new "loud and fast" songs we were bringing but they loved them and thanked us for them.

Wow our God is awesome and I am glad He showed me/us if we just step out and obey Him NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

To GOD BE THE GLORY,
The Butlers

Eat your heart out!!! "Giggle Giggle!!!"

Eat your heart out you people who love photo art.

Out by my parents cabin!!!

On the way to church.

The Island at dusk

One of the roses Joel got me.

The dozen roses Joel got me, actually in the snow. You just can't see the snow.

So I just had to share some of my photos that I worked hard on. I love good pics and found me in situations where I just couldn't help myself. So enjoy.