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
Monday, June 01, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
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
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)
(One of the deers at my parents house. Sniffing the camera)
Hey How are you doing sweet thang?
Friday, May 22, 2009
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!!!
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!!!
The Butlers!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
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
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
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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!!!
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)
(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)
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.
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!!!
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