Ecuador!

I'm so excited. About 3 weeks ago God laid it on my heart to go to Ecuador. Jim (the leader for this trip) happened to mention it to me one day about praying if I should go. It started something in my heart and I prayed, God said Go, I obeyed. so here I am, a week and a half away from leaving. Some of you probably don't know but I work for a missions organization called e3 Partners. My job is I handle the logistics of sending different teams out on short term missions to work with the nationals and help build up the church body in different countries. I have been here since January of this year and have helped numerous teams and helped team leaders get these trips up and going. Now, God has finally called me by name and told me to go.

I have at times questioned if I heard the Lord and all. I mean, he only gave me 3 weeks to raise support (it costs a bit to go on these trips - airfare can be costly) and I knew that within my own means I couldn't afford it. I am almost there now in my fundraising - only a few hundred to go. :) This has been a real test of faith for me. I sometimes have issues trusting, yes, even trusting in my Almighty God. But I have to take rest in the Lord and know that if He told me to go (which I know He did) that he will make the way.

So, when you all think of me or Ecuador, please pray. I'm leaving my 2 beautiful boys and my husband behind for 8 days. Keep us all in prayer. Thanks!

There's so much in this life I don't understand. I don't deal with death too much. Actually I haven't in awhile. But this last Friday night I got a frantic call from one of my precious kids (I was a youth pastor for 5 years) and she was crying saying her mom was gone. At first I thought maybe she had run away or been kidnapped...but then she cried, "She's dead". I was speechless. I knew her mom. I loved her mom.

But, then she asked me the question, "Where is she at now?" How do I answer? I know she didn't attend church. I knew she wasn't faithful to the Christian faith...but I knew her heart. I knew she knew God was real, and that He loved her. But had she accepted Him into her life? I personally never knew but...who only knows really but God. So I told her "I can't answer that question. I can't say really if she's in heaven or hell. God truly knows the heart and it's not for ANY person here on earth to put her in either place. Have hope that the light you showed her rang true in her heart and that maybe at the last moments, she excepted and will meet you in heaven". I just kept telling her to have hope. I also encouraged her not to let anyone put her in hell...No one knows but God (I said that cause there's a few people who might have contact with her that might try to tell her that bologna!)

Candace if you're reading this, I love you. Have hope that you will see your mom again. She was a precious soul and she will be missed. I will miss her. Have hope in your God. Although we don't always know why or understand (which I certainly don't at the moment), I know our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has sent you a comforter, the Holy Spirit. Lean on Him and surround yourself with those of like minds. Let Logan comfort you and be he arms of strength you need. Call me with anything, I will do as I can. If anything, I will just cry with you. I love ya girl.

Finally got the Ipod to work.. Actually, Christy got the thing to work. I was Mike Garcia til today, now... my Ipod knows me by name... FRANNY. It was so awesome to finally see my name on the screen. And to have my songs in there as well. YAY!! Turns out the silly docking station I bought doesn't work. The Geek Squad at Best Buys were awesome in helping me out with everything yesterday. I didn't even buy it from them and they still helped. Yay Geek Squad!

All is well now in the land of Ipod. Peace and tranquility.....

So frustrating. Can't get this Ipod to work. It was used but still, was promised to work. I'm pretty sure it's the docking station. I plug it all in but it's not registering on my laptop that anything is there to HotSync. And it won't charge either. I'm pretty techy and this all should be easy but I've had such a hard time with it all. I'm starting to feel very very lame. If any of you all have words of encouragement or advise, that would be great. (sigh)

Check it out! This aired last night on the TV show Deal or No Deal. My .5 seconds of fame!!! YAY!

Ok, a little about me...

Yeah, that's about it. Just kidding. Thought I would post a picture here since I can't figure out how to on my profile. I play guitar and drums. I love music, playing it, hearing it, surrounding myself in it. I currently play on the worship team at my church but I have also played at different outreaches here around San Diego. Just was offered last weekend to do some coffee house gigs at a place up in Orange County (oh yeaaaaah, the OC)

There's a lot more to me but, you'll just have to read all the blogs to get to know it all...well, not it all cause I do run deep but, at least it's a start. :)

Today is the first blog I have created here. And what a great day too. My bestest friend Christy Edge's birthday! YAY! Happy Birthday Ukmud!

I totally surprised her yesterday and kidnapped her for her birthday present. I got approval from our work and everything to take the day off and I took her out all day. We had so much fun. I also thru her a surprise birthday the week before. What's funny on that one is that she helped plan it. She thought it was a girls night out thingy... Hehehehehehehehe.

Well, hope you all enjoy this blog. I'll try and keep it hoppin... Just hang on for the ride!