What can I say?

I suppose the question should be...how can I say it? So many times I've sat at my desk, contemplating how to describe the happenings of the past few months. But to my dismay, nothing happens. Here I am again, attempting to post but with success my fingers start typing...


Summer came and went with a blink of an eye. Summers go by faster and faster if you ask me. This year marked 15 years of Summer Volleyball Ministry for me and 18 for my beloved. Sad to think that there's going to be an end to that ministry for us soon. :( This year's summer camp was extra special for me because my little sister was there. My prayer for her is to cling on to Christ no matter what! I was able to share my testimony in front of all the students, shared things that I've never shared before. Got to see my beloved as the Commandant for the last time. Witnessed lives changed, souls saved....I'm really, really going to miss this!!! If you haven't already, click here (or just scroll down) to view a slideshow of Summer Camp 2009.

Throughout the summer months, hubby's work had him assigned in the southbay. He spent most of the summer in the San Jose then Fresno area. During volleyball season, he'd drive up for practices and games. During the tournament he'd have to leave a little bit early so he can make it back in time. Some thought it was crazy for him to drive back and forth, he didn't. To him, it was just a small hurdle to climb as served the Lord. He'll do anything to serve our King, if that means driving back and forth then he'll do it (that's what first attracted me to him. His desire to do whatever it takes to serve our God)! The children and I supported him all the way.

Daddy made extra effort to spend lots of time with us. I really appreciated that, so did the children. Lots of drive-in nights, water park visits, things like that made our week with him special. Thanks Daddy!

This biggest event, I suppose, this summer is MOVING! Yes, we just moved into this house a year ago but this move means that God is working to bring us closer to Hawaii. It is both sad and exciting (I should add exhausting) to go through your house, sort through our belongs and keep ONLY what is neccessary. It's absolutely AMAZING what we gave away and sold at our yard sale! We really didn't need all these things that we thought we needed! I'm thankful that God has been showing me not to be attached to worldly goods but to treasure Christ, ONLY Christ!

I'm floored when I look back at all the prayers that God has answered this summer! HE IS GOOD!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6~

Summer Camp 2009

I'm thankful that God would use us to be able to serve these young adults. Many lives were changed that week. I pray that God would continue to work in their lives and that they would continue to walk in a manner worthy of the calling!



(video courtesy of Vevystefana)

The Season is Upon Us!

Every summer, for the past 26 years, our church's Youth Ministry holds a volleyball outreach tournament.  My beloved and I both had the priviledge to participate as students many moons ago.  The last 18 years (18 for him, 14 for me) we've had the honor to serve as volleyball coaches, teaching our team...1..2..3..CROSSCOURT!!!...the "way of the volleyball" but most importantly, we're able to build relationships with our team with the hopes of leading them to Christ. 

This morning was, what I considered, the kick off of our volleyball season.  At 8:30 am (Yes, Saturday morning!) we had our annual Coaches Clinc.  My beloved was able to lead the coaches with drills, rotations, skills and what nots.

BTW, great job hon!

It was a cold, blistering morning.  But we were determined to get through the weather in order that we, as a staff, would be excellent in the duty that God has called us to do.  I'm excited for the summer!  Really excited to see God work through the lives of our students (and through us!).

Here's to another year of CBC V-ball!  SERVES UP!

Encouragement for Homemakers a.k.a. "Stay at Home Moms"

" You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."

I saw this quote the other day. I was treamedously encouraged when I read that! It comes from "The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit" by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

As a stay at home Mom (interesting...didn't that title used to be referred to as a Homemaker?), I would often get discouraged because I wasn't able to be invloved in "the ministry" as much as I was before we had children. Just because I wasn't "in the trenches" I felt unused by God. But I know now that ministry opportunities comes to me everyday when I wake up to pray for my children, feed them, bath them, serve my husband by washing his clothes, trying to keep the house clean, etc. Don't get me wrong, though, we ought to still serve the church body to advance the Kingdom of God. By the way, one of the greatest ways we can serve one another is to interced for one another through prayer. So back to my point, my "missionary field" doesn't start out there, it starts here in our home.

I hope this encourages all you HOMEMAKERS out there. Keep serving the Lord!

God's Googly Part 2

In the game of cricket a "googly" is a pitch which is thrown with baseball's "curveball" grip.

I first heard this term while visiting our sister church, The Cornerstone Bible Church in Natomas. It was such a sweet time of worship and fellowship there. Even though it was our first time visiting, it felt like home.

God allowed us to sit under Nick's preaching that morning. The title of his sermon, "Trusting Christ when Life gets Confusing - Part 1", his text John 13:18-30. I won't go into full detail but the meat of the sermon was to stay trusting in God, when you're given "curveballs" or "googlies" in your life. You may have a plan for your life to go one way, then God allows something else to happen that directs your path somewhere else. Often, we're not content with just knowing God has a plan for us. We want to know what that plan is and we want to know it now. God does not give us anything we cannot bear (1 Cor. 10:13), so is it possible that He doesn't reveal His plans for our lives because we can't handle it? Sure! God protects us from what we can't handle. I praise Him for that.

I can go on but it's probably best to visit their website and hear Nick for yourself. I'm sure you'll be encouraged too.

I'm so glad we were able to visit them. We were so blessed to be there. I hope God would allow us to visit again. Let's not forget to lift these brothers and sisters up to the Lord. If you're reading this, let's take some time right now to ask God to bless their ministry. I'll be praying with with you.

Battle of the Bands

Every summer our youth ministry hosts a Summer Camp for Junior High and High School students. For at least 8 years now (probably more), other churches from different cities join us. We've met some great brothers and sisters in the Lord this way.

I'd have to say, this is the highlight for our youth ministry. We get to spend a whole week hearing from the Bible, fellowshiping with other believers, enjoy some super fun games, build relationships with new people and draw closer to the Lord without the everyday distractions of life. What REALLY makes this week worth all the months of preparation and labor is to witness a young adult give their life over to our loving Savior!

God granted me the priveledge to witness a young lady who started off the week as one who's life is on the path to eternal seperation from God, to one who will inherit the Kingdom of God. Her original intention was to go to summer camp for the fun experience. Little did she, or anyone else, know that God had other plans for her soul. As she sat there in the chapel, listening to another student give her testimony, she couldn't help but to think of the sin that separated her from God and the freedom she has in Christ. After our discussion group time, we sat outside and talked more about the Gospel. With tears of joy streaming down her face, she prayed her first prayer as a child of God. I'll never forget her words, "Lord, please don't ever leave me! Please!"

PRAISE GOD! This is what our ministry is all about. I'm not just talking about the youth ministry, I'm talking about the ministry that God has given all His people. He's given us a command to go out and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). May we never lose sight of our purpose here on earth.

1-2-3 CROSSCOURT!!!

Last Friday (June 13th) was the first night of our Youth Ministry's 22nd Annual Summer Volleyball Outreach. ALB has been coaching Crosscourt for 17 years now and I joined him when we got married back in 1996. This year we have the honor to, once again, coach with fellow Youth Staffers, Cindy and Mario.



During the summer months, our Youth Ministry holds a volleyball tournment for the youth of Solano and Napa Counties. "It is the desire of this Youth Ministry to challenge the young people in our community spiritually, socially, and physically. It is our purpose this summer to tell of the good news of Jesus through Bible studies, make new friends, and provide a competitive volleyball tournament. " (that comes straight out of the letter we send out to the players parents.

Every year the players play on the same team. Once they graduate, though, no more volleyball (at least in our tournament). Last year we "lost" a lot of players because they graduated. So we were anxious to hear which 7th graders was going to be placed on our team. That's done to give balance to our tournament. So that one team isn't always having to forfeit due to lack of players and another team has too many players. Anyway, I'm really excited this year because we got students who aren't familiar with the game. That means there's opportunity to teach them. If anyone can coach a rookie to play volleyball, it's my beloved! In my opinion, He's got to be one of the best (if not the best) coach!

More importantly, we have an opportunity to build relationships with these students. Again, our desire is to see them to come to a saving knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. That's why we do this year after year.

Busy Bees

What a busy weekend we've had. It was jam packed with Youth Ministry events. For over a month now Jennie, Liz, Janine M. and I have been planning our 2nd Spaghetti Feed fundraiser for our Youth Ministry. So Friday night was set up of the tables, Saturday morning at 7:10 am was our Discipleship meeting (that we ended up not being able to go), then we had staff meeting at our house, then Saturday afternoon til the evening was filming for our annual Movie Night. Of course when Sunday came we had service then the Spaghetti Feed. So you can imagine when we got home Sunday afternoon we were wiped out. But you know what? Since Al and I are on staff break, this weekend was a wonderful reminder of our purpose here. We here to give up of ourselves (which includes our time) to serve our Lord. Al and I got to talking after everything slowed down and said, "What a great weekend!" What an honor it is to serve our King!