Running Ahead of God!

Isn't it odd how we seem to pray as if everything depends upon God but the moment we say "Amen" we act as if it all depends on us? I have always preached that God answers all prayers. The answer can be "Yes!", "No!" or "Not Now!". I suppose that we are not that far removed from our actions and emotions as children. You know, "I want it! and I want it NOW!"

We all have a tendency to forget that Our Heavenly Father knows best. Perhaps I should say I have that tendency. The work in the vineyard here in Paso Robles has certainly been filled with periods of joy, frustration, elation and discourage-ment. It is hard at times to hold on to the truth that God is always dancing in the shadows. He knows not only what we need but WHEN we need it. He knows when the ground has been properly prepared and is ready for planting and will yield the crop that will glorify Him.

We are overjoyed that our Father has been patient with us and that we now find ourselves overwhelmed by His blessings. In recent weeks we have seen an increase in attendance. A number of families are visiting with us and if their compliments, smiles and attendance at all functions of the church are any indication of their desire to be part of this body...then we say "Praise God!" A number of families with children from 18 months to 11 years old have indicated that this is exactly what they have been hungering for. A place with conviction and a people dedicated to the Word of God. We have other families that we find ourselves engaged in Bible Study who are making that journey of "knowing the way of the Lord more perfectly". We ask you to rejoice with us for this is an extension of your love and ministry. Thank you for your support and prayers.

We are saddened that our plans to travel to Woodinville, WA needed to be changed. We were so looking forward to seeing our brethren and enjoying the family. Our pet miniature schnauzer, Schatzi, is struggling and we just hope she will make it through the holidays. She is still eating. Appears to be in little or no pain but has lost 25% of her body weight and is growing more feeble day by day. She has been and is a joy to our lives. Even weakened and blind she still insists in trying to fetch the newspaper every morning. Keep us all in your prayers at this time.

We could not end this posting without wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember your prayers are coveted and your visits welcomed. We love you all with the Love of the Lord.

In HIS Service,

Steve & Cheryl

Blessed and Highly Favored

In trying to think of a title for this post we tried to think how we are feeling at this time in our lives AND we believe that the words of the title are most descriptive of how we see our life. God is SO good!

The ministry here in Paso Robles continues to be challenging and yet God continually reminds us that lives are being touched and changed. The congregation has a great desire to be more, do more and share more. We are small in number (presently) but mighty in spirit. Please come and be with us as your plans permit.

We will be celebrating 39 years of marriage this December 12th. Our daughters are faithful to the Lord and are blessings to their friends and church. Our sons-in-laws love God more than our daughters (as it should be). Our grandchildren are being raised in the Lord and love Jesus. What more can we ask for?

The blessing of serving our Father fills our lives with joy and a peace that is beyond description. Never would either of us imagined that God would bring us to this place. Having grown up in homes that acknowledged the existence of God but knowing little of serving him it amazes us that our Father has brought us to march under the "Banner of the Towel".

Sometimes life is difficult and disheartening but we are sustained by the knowledge that God is still in heaven, Jesus is still at His right hand and the Holy Spirit continues to guide us. Your love and prayers bolster us and lift our spirits. Your participation in the ministry God has appointed us to has touched the lives of many. There are those who have a relationship with God that would never have had that opportunity were it not for your love for us and the desire to see His love shared with those who know Him not.

We are overjoyed that every day we learn more and understand deeper the love of our Heavenly Father. Many of you have become "Jesus with skin on" in our lives. Angelina, Allen, Christine and Brandon in many ways have come to be numbered among our teachers. We see in them the glory of our King! Their spirit of hospitality and love for the saints makes us want to do more.

It is our deepest prayer that we have been a blessing to our family and to you. Pray that God will continue to use us and that we will bloom where we are planted. We miss you all and love you dearly.

In HIS Service,
Steve & Cheryl

A quick update

Just a quick few lines to let you know that all is well. The church continues to struggle through the challenges of the California economy. Many of our members, neighbors and friends work for the state and have been severely impacted. We seem to have had a lot of people relocating because of work related issues. We just learned today that we will be losing another family of five as they relocate in order to have jobs to sustain the family.

On the brighter side we are being blessed with a couple from Bakersfield who have found employment in Paso Robles. They are strong church members and have been intimately involved in the outreach ministry for the congregations they have been involved with over the years. They are just approaching age 55 and bring a strong level of maturity with them. We, selfishly, look forward to the fellowship of someone who still remembers vinyl record albums.

We have been praying for years that the Lord open up the door to enable us to reach out to the Hispanic community in Paso Robles. We had no idea that He was preparing someone to serve as an stimulus and encouragement to proceed ahead. While we were trying to persuade others to come, The Lord sent someone from Paso Robles to Southern California to hear the Gospel, be obedient and then return to Paso to encourage us. His family are all English speakers and his English is about 40-50%. We have decided we are going to be teaching some in our community “English as a Second Language”.

We are looking forward to being in Woodinville, WA in October. We give God thanks for you all and make mention of you in our prayers! We rejoice that we will be able to be with our beloved brethren. Please continue to pray for the work of the Lord here in Paso Robles, CA.