Life Changing Weekend with Marked Men for Christ

This past week, March 8-12, I headed out to San Luis Obispo, CA for a day of solitude and then to hook up with a Marked Men for Christ weekend near Pismo Beach, CA. After months of transitioning from Mexico back to the U.S. and getting settled into what God is calling us to be it was a good time to process and be alone. Immediately God began to shower me with His blessings. The connecting flight from Los Angeles to San Luis Obisipo (SLO) was the first part of heaven I experienced that that weekend. The reason I headed to SLO and not just up to some mountains in CO was that I went to school at Cal Poly SLO from 89-93 and it is by far my true love of CA. The coast, the green hills, the small town feel and community surfaced a dream to live there again.

Immediately I headed to Pismo Beach for some time on the pier. It was so healthy for me to just sit on the pier, pray, journal and praise the Lord for His love and goodness. Also in Pismo is my favorite clam chowder in Bread Bowls at the Splash Cafe. I found this little and growing hole in the wall in '89 after a morning of surfing and since then try to make an annual trek to soak in the sites and clams.

After that I cruised up the coast 10 minutes to downtown SLO, drove by my old college homes and then up to Paso Robles to stay at Tobin James Vineyard for the night. About two years ago Christine and I did some wine tasting here and have been wine club members ever since. They have a wonderful guest house out in the middle of nowhere. I did some wine tasting, sent some wine back to CO and then just read and took a nap. God was giving me the rest and process time that I needed.

One of the reasons I wanted to head out a day early was to experience the world famous SLO farmers market. There is nothing like it on the planet. It is small town America at its finest. Some of the best brisket, tri-tip and baked beans on this side of heaven. Every Thurs night there are about 3-4 thousand people just hanging out buying their farm fresh strawberries, veggies and almonds. I just love it. I remember sitting on the street eating my tri-tip kabobs sandwich and baked beans just praising God for the experience. Too many good memories to take in and in such a pretty area.

The next day I slept in and decided to drive from Paso Robles through some of the wine country to the coast near Cambria. This ends up on the world famous highway south of Big Sur and north of Morro Bay, Highway 1. I stopped by some surf spots we would frequent in college and then back into SLO for lunch on the creek; maybe even a nap.

I only had about 3 1/2 hours to eat, read, rest, shop, pray and I did find time to take a quick nap. The past month my boys have been memorizing Ps 23 and I felt like God was giving it to me specifically during this time in the central coast. What a blessing!

That night I was warned to show up to the Marked Men for Christ retreat no later than 5pm. I didn't know a soul and entered the weekend on the advice of a good friend, Michael. I didn't know what to expect but what I can say that God used the weekend, the other men and the power of His Holy Spirit to do some serious work in my life. The Holy Spirit poked and prodded and did some good healing on my heart. I am so thankful for the staff and other men for the weekend. I was even blessed to see a friend, Johnny, I haven't seen in 14 years and didn't know he was going to be there. I would encourage you to take a weekend in CO and many of the other places that Marked Men for Christ hosts their weekends to do some work with the Lord and let Him bless you beyond your greatest wishes.

Off to the airport. I arrived only 3o minutes before my flight because I forget to change my watch for daylight savings time. But the Lord blessed me again. I sat on the left side of the 30 seater plane for the flight to San Fran. Again I was blessed to see the coast. Only about 15 minutes into the flight I saw the spot I proposed to Stine in Big Sur. Then over Carmel and Monterey. The layover in San Fran allowed me to inhale some more clam chowder but also another quick view of the bay area.

I'm so grateful to the Lord for His Kindness, great mercy, love and beauty. This weekend reminded me that I love Him more than ever.

Categories: Family, God

New Family Photos

Here are some recent shots of the family. Click Here

Categories: Family, Photos

Going Home

Last Sunday on February 25, I (Christine) sat and listened to the words of praise and love from friends and family about my beautiful mother at her memorial service in the Presbyterian church that I grew up in. My mother, Pamela, was honored by so many and we were all there to celebrate her life. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people from all walks of life there to show love and support. Mom fought so courageously in her battle with lung cancer which ravaged her body for the past 2 1/2 years. Mom never complained or gave up. She had an incredible attitude of humility and perseverance. She also had a smile that was infectious to those around and portrayed her inner strength.

My mom was 60 years old and touched and impacted every individual that came across her path. My mother embraced the outcasts and would give the shirt off her back or the shoes on her feet to someone in need. My mom was attentive to the needs of everyone around her. My mom's neighbor Mr. Ali spoke at the memorial service and said my mom was his family’s best friend. Mr. Ali and his family are from Pakistan and they have lived next door for 18 years. Mr. Ali said my mom was the kindest person he knew and was the best Christian he had ever met.

My (Christine) prayer in the 2 weeks prior to mom's death was that I wanted to be with my mom holding her hand when she died. I kept asking the Lord, begging the Lord when is the right time to go and see her again. How long did she have left? After speaking to my twin sister, Jennifer, Mom's husband Larry and the Hospice nurse, I realized that mom didn't have much time. My mom was unable to speak, eat or move. After I got off the phone , Isabela and I were on our way to the airport. We arrived Monday night and mom passed Wed. noon. I am grateful that I was there on her bed holding her hand just as I had asked the Lord. It was surreal, but so peaceful and intimate. There were about 5 of us in the bedroom when mom took her last breath and finally went home.

My mother loved the Lord. I know she is with the Father in Heaven singing, dancing, laughing and loving and being loved. That comforts me. Mom's precious body was ravaged by the cancer but now she has a new body. I will miss her so but the precious memories and the strength of her character and legacy will always be alive in me.

Categories: God, Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Waiting on the Lord

We are extremely grateful to the Lord and our Campus Crusade leadership for giving us this time to rest, restore and ultimately wait on the Lord for our future. We are seeing God poke and prod in our hearts, relationships, leadership and passions. At first it was super difficult to come home from a dream and vision that God gave us in Mexico but we see the hand of God develop us through His grace and mercy. God is restoring us, His children.

We can't say "Thank You!" enough for praying for us, your encouraging notes, phone calls and continued generous support. Your commitment to God's Kingdom work is evident in your faithfulness and love toward us. We know that apart from your partnership, encouragement and gifts and God’s presence we could not have transitioned as we have.

Gordon MacDonald says this, "The freest person in the world is one with an open heart, a broken spirit, and a new direction in which to travel." We believe that describes where we are. We are experiencing a depth with the Lord that has been so good. Just as Simon Peter was transformed through his broken world experience after denying Christ 3 times, Peter later became a rock for the Lord. We are learning that in pain and brokenness, God is defining our character and courage. It is humbling but restorative and good. Please know that you are a blessing to us and We Love You!

Steve and Christine
Categories: God, Family, Newsletters

Please Pray

Please Pray:

• That we will wait on the Lord’s direction for our future.
• That we will grieve and trust the Lord with Christine’s mom’s death.
• That we will see the great opportunities for growth and outreach to those we interact with while in Greeley, CO.
• For Christine during her last 12 weeks of pregnancy. Pray for health and comfort.
• For our kids as they develop in homeschool and their friendships with kids around our neighborhood.

Categories: Prayer, Family, Newsletter, God