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.

2008 Can you believe what God has done!!!!

Wow so here we are again on the brink, on the edge of a New Year. You can't help but look back on this year as well as wanting/longing to get a peek of what is to come.

Last year at this time I was with my Family while Joel stayed at the warehouse to work.
This time last year God gave Joel the release for him and I to leave Friend Ships in May and start a new adventure in life and it was ABOUT this time last year that Joel and I got an email from Joi wondering if we were keeping Dynamite:

"Hey Guys! Any chance that beautiful dog needs a permanent home? My brother is looking for a good dog. (A dog that is NOTHING like Buddy!!!) let me know if he is a good dog...you can email me cause I don't check blogs very often! Would love to hear from you! -joi"

Before that email we were making all the plans and arrangements to keep our pets. But after reading that email from Joi the Lord spoke to me saying He wanted us to give up our pets.
I bawled like a baby.

So from January to May Joel and I spent our last few months with Friend Ships in Los Angeles at the warehouse. Making arrangements for our pets, getting the warehouse ready for us to leave, and other odds and ends that goes with closing a huge, life changing chapter in our lives.

It was at Friend Ships I became born again and found what having a true relationship with Jesus Christ was all about. It was a Friend SHips Joel and I grew and matured in our walk with God and it was at Friend SHips that Joel and I met, fell in love, and married. Joel had been with Friend SHips for just one month shy of 8 years and I had been a few months over 5 years.

We left Friend Ships May 1st and gave up our three cats in that same day. Wow what a big first step. Joel and I stayed with my family for 2 and 1/2 months. We volunteered for a Women and Childrens Free Restaurant that provided groceries once a week and a lunch 3 days a week. We only volunteered Friday.

After that Joel, Dynamite, and I went to Virginia to visit our dear and wonderful (ex-Friend Ships crew) friends who love God just as much as we do. During that week visit is when we gave Dynamite over to Dan and Mary. They are the best couple for Dynamite and God was so gracious during this transition.

We then headed up to Canada to spend 2 and 1/2 months with Joel's family and seek God where He wanted us next. It wasn't until September with much prayer and tears and joy that we took Mom and Dad Wendles request to take their 3 churches for 3 months so they could have a time of rest and seeking God.

So that is where we are now. Over three churches (one in Idaho and two in Montana) Our time ends after the 1st weekend in Febuary and as of now we are praying and seeking God what is next for us.

I do wish God would give us a little peek for the year to come but we have options and are praying for God's perfect will for our lives. That we would present our bodies as a living sacrfice and that our words and actions would be pleasing to Him.

SO as you rethink this past 2008 we hope that it was joyful for you with some struggles but above all else you will see clearly where the hand of God has been.

May He, our Lord, richly bless you this year with His peace, joy, and love no matter what you go through. For we are all more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

Blessing to all,
Joel and Dess

Just before the 3 Christmas eve service.
(I know we look super pale but it was the flash of the camera.
No really. No really really.)

Joel and Flowers

I totally have to brag on my husband. He is the most wonderful man I know. The biggest problem I have is that since we spend every minute of every hour of every day together I tend to take Joel for granted and forget just how wonderful he truly is.

So this week I hurt my back. I have had back pains in the past but this is and was just to painful to do anything. It was so bad that Joel had to put on my boots for me because I couldn't do it myself.

This brought us to the point that Joel had to do the craft fair all by himself and he was more than willing. Telling me if he didn't love me he wouldn't do the craft fair at all especially by himself. And you know what is even more of a heart twister no one bought anything the first day. (As I write this Joel is by himself on the second day of the craft fair)

Then yesterday Joel brings home a dozen roses for me because he loves me and wants me to get well. What a man. I love that guy.

SO this blog is all about Joel and how great he is and how much I appreciate him. Thank You God for my man whom you have blessed me with.

There are tons of other things that Joel has done that are just awww moments but it would take to long and I am sure you would get bored. SO I will keep it short and sweet.

Thank you Joel for being a wonderful man and treating me like a Queen.

Loved by Jesus and Joel,
Dess

Joel with Smokey the Bear (My brother-in-law, Forrest in the bear suit)

My Dozen Roses (I just couldn't help trying to capture their beauty in the snow)

A piece of pie can bring peace!!!!

Greetings to ya'll,

Since writing the last blog so so sooooo much has happened in events and what God is doing on the inside of Joel and I.

Captain Jake was able to come up and preach at the three churches. He was our guest speaker so we took him around to each of the three churches. Joel and I did everything but the message and it was wonderful!!!! The message was off the hook and it was nice not to have to preach on Sunday. I love being fed the word of God. Joel and Jake had a great time with "GUY/MALE" bonding. Joel and I also took Jake around our cabin to show him the sights and what this part of the country had to offer. Thanks Jake for such a wonderful time. He will be (God willing) back in January to do another round of preaching at the three churches.

Being over the churches is a stretch for Joel and I. WE have never done this kind of thing before, EVER. It really is overwhelming and mind blowing at times but with God leading and guiding us we can look back on each day and see where the Hand of God was in each situations. WHICH IS AWESOME!!!!!

One of the things that makes me chuckle, laugh, giggle and is a challenge all in the same breath is that in Clark Fork across from our church we have a baptist church. Rumor has it they don't like us, which I find fun, funny, and a challenge to kill them with kindness. I love it I love it I love it. I wave to them and say good morning in a very girlly high pitch voice. (Not to make fun of them, I feel if I were to do it in a serious voice and they were to not respond I would feel rejected. I am being very serious on the inside with wanting to greet them!!!) Some have greeted me back very suprised. Others have turned the other way.

The other day was so much fun. WE (the church) after service put up Christmas decorations. on the inside and kind of on the out side. WE put up the tree on the inside and Mary, Joseph and Jesus on the outside. A man from the church started yelling at us or "evangelizing" Saying we shouldn't worship a Catholic holiday, and we shouldn't go to bars and he was going to sit there and preach the gospel to who would ever listen. Well being we were the only one's on the street besides him my guess was he was preaching to us. Hehehe so fun, RIGHT? Me being the adventurous one and wanting to conquer with kindness I went inside grabbed a piece of pie we had had from "fellowship" time and went out to give it to him. Every one else had gone inside by this time. I really didn't know what the man was going to do. He could have thrown it back in my face or threw it on the ground and stomped on it. All of these scenarios were playing in my head as I approached him. I said "Hello sir would you like a piece of pie" He looked at me smiled and took it. Just before I turned away to walk back to the church he said "Thank you and God Bless you" I was so pumped you wouldn't even believe it. A few minutes later both Joel and I got in our car to leave and the man and I waved at each other and said Good bye to one another. I was loving it. Thank you GOD!!!!

Other things have happened with the three churches. Joel and I both felt really really really strongly to start a prayer meeting at each church. We find it so important to cover the church, the people, our loved ones, community, and anything else on our hearts in prayer. There have been a few who have came out. One woman had never been to a prayer meeting and asked what happened at a prayer meeting so we explained it to her. It really is great to pray as one body with the saints!!!

We had a death in the church. A lady lost her life to Cancer. That was really hard. I cried and cried. I don't really want to go into details or talk about it but God is good and has been speaking peace over me as Joel and I mourn. Please pray for her husband as he grieves over her death.

Bible studies have been good. We have homework every once in a while. Last homework we had was "Do good people go to heaven" "Did Jesus sin" "Is questioning/doubting God sin" You know even when Joel and I have answers to the questions we like to have homework so everyone can go and study the bible on our own and seek out God. I love it.

One last thing to praise God for. I was really wanting some girl friends that I could talk to that I knew and they knew me. I prayed to God asking for this and within 30 minutes if not less Kippin my best friend called. We talked and I felt better and over a course of a few weeks I have had at least 5 girls from around the country who I know through Friend Ships email or call me saying that God had put me on their hearts or that they had been really wanting to talk to me. Thank you God for providing what I need when I need it. Thank you for answering prayer!! You are a good and awesome God!!!

Well that is it. The following pics are from being in Idaho and from our "American" Thanksgiving we had at my parents place. I love family. It is so good to be with loved ones.

WE love ya'll very much and miss all of you that are far away from us. May God richly bless your day. And know that Jesus came to give us life and to give us life in Abundance!!! Amen

God's love through Jesus,
Dess

Joel and I

My Sister Tammie, Mom, and I

My Nephew Dean and I