6th Year Anniversary 2010

It has been oh-so-fabulous. We have a tradition that odd years I plan our anniversary, even years Joel plans the anniversary. As you can probably guess it was Joel's year. And thus far I have had a blast. We drove about an hour and half to San Jose where we went out to eat and Joel rented a hotel room. Then tomorrow we go cruising on the 101 to look at the wonderful view of the coast in hopes to stop at a wonderful beach. It has been fabulous!!! Then the lady we are staying with said to me this week "Dess would you let me bless you with an Anniversary gift." I said sure. "I want to pay to get your hair cut." Oh no I am trying to grow it long but I was going to ask Morgan (Toni's youngest daughter) if she would curl it for me. "HOw about I pay for you to get your hair curled?" SO she called Lisa the lady that cuts my hair and set up an appointment for me to get it curled. I love it. I have never got my hair professionally done like this not on prom and not even my wedding day. I always did my hair. Man this is so fabulous.

I have enjoyed myself so much. So why am I on the internet on our anniversary. Well it is free with the hotel, I couldn't help put on pics we have thus far, and we are just chillin and I have watched all the mythbusters (there seems to be a mythbusters marathon) that I can take right now. So I thought "Hey let's put some pics on the net."

So here they are, ENJOY!!!

Dinner at Macaroni Grill!!! YUM!!

My Curly Hair-Do

In the Car

In the hotel Lobby (taken by the receptionist)

Did you ever just wonder??

Did you ever wonder when a certain season in your life would be over. I am wondering that more and more. Like why I am still where I am at. What is it going to take to get out of this place? What is God doing? I know He is good and everything He does is good BUT THIS SURE DOESN'T FEEL GOOD!!!

SO here are questions that are constantly on my mind:

When do we get to move out of Toni's place?
When do we get a warehouse?
When will food come in constantly?
Why are we still here waiting?
What do I have to learn form all of this?
What do I have to do to move on to the next season?

So Toni's place is absolutely wonderful! I love her family, her kids, our relationship.
BUT I desire with everything with in me to have Joel's and my own place. Whether it is in a warehouse, a 5th wheeler (aka mobile home), apartment, or house? BUt every time I bring this subject up with God he gives me the same anwer I" need you at Toni's. I have a reason why you are there." So pretty much if you are still there there is a reason. Kind of like if you are still breathing God has a purpose for you. At the same time He won't tell me the reason we are there. Maybe because I would speed up the process to do what he wants me to do so we can get out of there. At one point I was thinking maybe he knows we aren't ready to have our own place. You know how parents don't give their child something because they can't handle it. So I came to that conclusion in my own mind. BUt then God corrected me and said "Dess remember how you tell me "What ever you want God I will do, Where ever you want me to go, I will go. This is the result of your prayer. This is where I want you, this is where I want you to go. SO again I, Dess Butler, ask When will this season be over?

Next THE WAREHOUSE. When God when? WHy God Why? He promised a warehouse/building for our ministry. Now it is just the patient game.

THEN THERE IS FOOD? IT comes so randomly. Some weeks we get nothing other weeks we are buys. I just don't get it. AGain what is GOd doing?

The waiting game drives me crazy. Maybe that is what i have to learn. MOre patience, more waiting, more more more endurance.

So I am here stuck in God's will. Did you ever feel like that too. YOu don't really like where you are at but you didn't want to leave God's will for your life either. So I am here recieting to myself. I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of Good and not of harm to make you prosper to give you a hope for the future. Thank you God!!!

So that is it. Please pray for us as we wait on God.

Love,
Dess

Part of My Grandfathers Ponds he Built

Awww Lovin that Thing you Do!!! Thanks God!!

Hey EveryOne,

God continues to blow me away with what He does!! So This week when I was praying the Lord said to start going back to the grocery stores. (You know the ones that said no to us.) I don't know yet if He meant all 64 that said no. But I started and sent about 5 to 6 letters out. We called them on Friday and one Lady from a store said something like this "Oh yes I was going to call you today. We would love for you guys to pick up. A church is already picking up from us. So it will be you and a church. You mentioned that you would like our produce. We have produce that we put on clearance but we would rather give it to you guys. We will call you when we have stuff and we pull food weekly" We went in that hour and picked up so much food that it filled our mini-bus. Juices, dessert mixes, and tons of wonderful bread!!! THis was the same store that said no to us about a year ago maybe a little less and said they were giving to a lot of Groups and didn't want to give to us. God just blows me away.

I am learning that God can do what ever He wants, when ever he wants. He can harden or soften any mans heart. He is in total control. I was watching VeggieTales (Suprise Suprise) with Amiyah and she had picked up Gideon Tuba warrior. And in the song it talks about God making the whole universe and never asking for advice. And I was thinking oh yeah God you really don't need my help. You know what we are going through and what we are doing. All we have to do is follow you. I mean you did make the earth and it is so beautiful and you never once asked how I wanted it done so why would you need my hand in it now unless you ask. Hm food for thought huh!!!

Also Joel and I had two weeks vaca with my family. The first week I was in bed with a fever, soar throat, snot and so much more gross stuff. The second week was so much better. So much quality time with the fam. I just loved it!!! I love my nephews I just adore them. I love Mom and Dad Wendle and my sister and her husband. It was fabulous seeing them. Ew yes and playing a mean game of spades with my sister her husband and a couple that they try and get together with every Friday for cards or what not.

And we had an open house for the Three churches that have loved and supported us since me being at Friend Ships. It was so awesome showing them what God is doing here in Stockton. And they are so encouraging and loving. I just love it.

Well that is about it. Thanks for joining us on this ride we are on. Stay tuned to a JOel and Dess near you. Cause I just love that Thing that you Do God!!! He suprises me all that time.

Love,
Dess

Joel, Me, and Dean

Joel and Christopher

Mom and I

My Sister and I.

At the open house: Mom, Barb, Onum, Joel and Dad