Baby J

Ah, I love this kid! Baby Jeremiah is up & walking! Not in these pictures, but he really is...pictures to come one of these days.

DP House - sign your life men!

The Lord is good! This last Monday we just signed up the men to live at the Del Playa House for next year...this will be the the 9th year that the church has had this home on the main party street in Isla Vista.

This duplex of 7 women on the top and 7 men on the bottom is the same home we serve the Jesus Burgers from every Saturday night. The home is a sign and a wonder to many in IV and we know it is only by God's grace that this home is still serving both the church and the city of IV in numerous ways.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!" (Romans 11:36)

Taking risk & learning to love...

This is an email from a guy named Bryce who lives at the DP House...I love hearing about people doing stuff that requires Jesus to show up or nothing will happen. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is always asking us to do stuff that we can't do unless He shows up...what a fun way to live life!

Hey J,
Chris, Daniel and I went out through Valencia today on a treasure hunt. We found a little bit of treasure too. We started out in Wal-Mart after waiting on the Lord to see who he wanted us to find and didn't have much luck. So we then went to the mall and ran into a guy who we recognized from Wal-Mart and got to pray over him and Daniel got words for him. That was sweet. Then we talked to a girl selling gym memberships or something for like half an hour. She was a really strong Christian who fell away and just doesn't feel like she can come to the Lord and repent. So we prayed over her too it was great. Chris also prayed for a lady with a cane. Today was good no miracles or crazy healings but we got to share some of Christ's love. Just thought you might like to hear we are putting the stuff we learned from you and IVC into practice. There is no way we would have done this without your encouragement. We love you Jason. Bryce

Samuel & Daddy Time

Today the rain stopped long enough for Samuel & I to have this incredible adventure through the Elwood area in Goleta. I should include that Barnabas, our Golden Retriever, came along for the fun too!

We almost got stuck a few times as we maneuvered through the trails that were saturated with water. At one point we had to cross this stream by using a tree log that had fallen over, since there was no other way to get across...Samuel thought it was the coolest thing that both of us had to crawl across it to get to the other side.

Our Creator is amazing! I was stoked to enjoy Him today with my son.

Funny Kids

These are a few pictures from the last couple of days. The first is the look Hope went with for church today...we changed it out before 4pm, but quite classic.

The second was a birthday party that took place at our house this week for our friends daughter Noah who turned 3, Samuel was an army tiger!

The next is Jeremiah and Hope's new activity..."push me Jeremiah!" Both think it is hilarious, literally baby J pushed Hope around our house like x7 in one day this week. He should be walking soon!

And the last is Samuel making orange juice...he picked the oranges, peeled the oranges w/a knife and goggles, and juiced the oranges himself. Goggles were his choice.

If you say go, we will go...

This past Wednesday I spoke at a campus ministry at UCSB called Asian American Christian Fellowship...it was a great time of being with these young students who are eager to learn and grow in Christ. The text they had me speak out of is a life verse for Holly and I, Matt 6:33: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." I concluded the talk by showing a video about a missionary named Jim Elliot, who, along with 4 other men, lost his life in trying to reach a tribe in Ecuador with the gospel...later their wives and children visited these people and saw the tribe come to know Christ. The call to follow Jesus is the call to go when he says go.  I am grateful for all the lives like Jim and Elizabeth Elliot that have said yes to the call to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTFa9px9Lc

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

Joanna Joy

Most of you know probably know this, but if not...Holly is pregnant!

We are expecting Joanna Joy sometime in mid-May, so stoked for her arrival.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." (Psalm 127:3-5)