Holiday Vacation-Showin Some Gratitude

WOW- It's been an AMAZING vacation so far. John and I and the kids left La Paz Dec 12. at 6am. We drove 14 hours the first day- VERY LONG DAY! The kids did amazing though (we had the DVD player- Thank you Jesus!!) The next day we crossed the border and made it to my Grandmother's in Loma Linda (which is where we stayed the first week) We had an amazing time with my Grandmother- she spoiled us!! The kids were lavished with gifts and clothes and John and I the same.
From Loma Linda, we then went to Ventura. John and I recently connected with a group of people there who we have fallin in love with. So we stayed there for a weekend- again we were totally spoiled!! I am not sure I have ever had such extravagant dinners like the ones they prepared for us every day we were there. We felt like royalty in their house! It was a blast getting to be with them. We look forward to spending time with them again here in a couple of days.
From Ventura we traveled to Vacaville- where we stayed a night with Garrett and Joanna Davis. Garrett was our nanny while John and I were in School of Ministry- but over the years has become a brother to us- His family is very special to our hearts and we were so glad to have time with them.
From Vacaville we headed to Sacramento- got to see our long time friends, Demetrius and Latrica- We have had a lot of history with these guys and again, they are like family to us. It was good to catch up with them- felt like old times.
From Sac we then went to Grass Valley where we stayed with my second family, the Mains. I have known these people since I was about 10yrs old. Words do not describe what a blessing and a treasure these people have been to our family. They have blessed us not only financially, but spiritually. The Mains are the type of people every time you think of them, you just have to smile because they just ooooz the glory of God.
From there we came up to Redding where we spent Christmas with my Aunt and Uncle and John's family. It was an incredible Christmas!! Not only because of the gifts we were given, but some of the re-connections that were made. I got re-acquainted with some people very dear to my heart, Donna Capps and Graig and Tammy Jones. It was one of the best Christmas presents ever!
From my aunt and uncle's house we then went to Linda Joiner's house. (which is where we are now.) Linda has been a long time friend and mentor to us who's friendship we cherish, love, and adore. Our time in Redding has been very busy, but wonderful. We have had so much fun re-connecting with friends and family.
Relationships are sure an important part of the kingdom. They will teach you a lot about God's character, His love, His loyalty, His commitment, etc, etc. We are so thankful for the relationships God has put in our lives- it's something we take very seriously. We know that a part of our destiny is within each person that God has strategically brought into our lives. Relationships are important and they are important to God.

We head back to Mexico Wednesday the 5th. It's been an amazing trip! We are anticipating all the awesome things God is going to do this year. We really believe it's a season of stewarding the grace and favor God has put on lives. We also believe it's a season for growth (there is always room for growth!!) a season of realizing more and more who we are in HIM. It's gonna be a great year!! We wish you all a great one and Thank You for all your prayers, support, love, and encouragement- words are just not enough for the gratitude that we feel for each one of you.

Bringing Freedom to the Nations-
John and Jess and the kiddos

Ministry in Meliton

About an hour away from La Paz there is a Migrant workers camp in a small impoverished town called Meliton. The pastor of the church in that little town came from our church in La Paz and has been there for almost 10 years. From a very meager beginning, they have built a wonderful work there. They have grown not only in numbers, but in favor with the camps. Where there used to be great restrictions, they now have great freedom to go into the camps and minister to the people. John, myself, our kids, Denny and Danette, and Matthew (a friend visiting from Canada) went out there for the day. John led in some amazing worship, I got a prophetic word for the church body, and Denny and Danette spoke an amazing word on identity. It was a wonderful time of ministering with the church, praying for the sick, playing with the kids, eating lunch together, and enjoying the fellowship.

Serving the Vision of Another

Many effective leaders are shaped by faithfully following the lead of another. Joshua spent 40 years as an associate before leading one of the most notable accomplishments recorded in scripture. He kept his focus; he remained a faithful steward of another man's vision. The vision to conquer the Promised Land did not originate in the heart of Joshua. He was merely called to be a faithful steward of another man's vision. Moses experienced the burning bush and received God's call to lead the children of Israel into their new future; Joshua's task was to help bring that vision into fruition. Jesus said it like this, “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:12)

When God told us that we would be moving to La Paz, he put in our hearts the desire to come to serve Denny and Danette Taylor. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing these people are. Before we left, I wasn’t exactly clear on what that looks like or why God was telling us to do that, but thought it was a good idea to be obedient. Now, we can’t see ourselves doing anything different. The Taylors have deep wells of wisdom that we have not even experienced yet. They have so much to offer and we are grateful that God made a way for us to serve them and their vision. We are learning so much from them. They make “serving” them very fun, easy, and the best life in the world. We are excited to be partnering with them in transforming the nations.

Your not going to pay for my dinner??

So I had a dream last night and then while John and I were praying this morning, God gave me revelation- thought I would share.

Dream:

I was walking up to Outback Steakhouse somewhere in the United States. Kris Vallotton was a ways in front of me and kept turning around and waving at me. Finally, he slowed down enough to where him and I were parallel and he asked me if I wanted to join them for dinner. I did (who wouldn't!!) When we got to the table, there was a lot of people around that I knew from Bethel and it seemed they were a part of his staff or something of that nature. Anyway- I ordered this extravagant meal and LOVED every minute of it! Then it came time to pay. The waiter brought the check to Kris. Kris then proceeded to pass it around so everyone could see how much their order was. So people started laying their money in a pile in the middle of the table. Funny thing about this was that we were in the United States, but the bill and everyone was paying in "pesos." The bill got to me and my meal was $450 pesos (roughly around $40.00) And I remembered that John had my purse in the car and he went somewhere with Kelly. All I had in my pocket was $200 pesos. (Not enough) So Kris wasn't going to pay for my meal, John wasn't there, and all I had was half of what I needed to pay for my portion.........I put my $200 pesos in the pile- then I woke up.

Revelation:

So John and I were discussing discipline tactics for our children this morning. We were not on the same page really. One thing that has really always bothered me with our kids is Dis respect/talking back (I CAN NOT STAND THIS!!) Well, they have been doing this and instead of me giving them choices, I have resorted back to my old nature of control. (which looks like, "YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY, AND YOU WILL DO IT NOW) and that just has not been working out for me really well. In fact, while talking this morning with John things just seemed impossible. I felt like I was telling God," this is impossible for me to change the way this makes me feel. " The whole circumstance, feelings, me seeing that I needed to change- felt hopeless. So while we were praying I got the understanding of my dream.

Kris being a spiritual leader in my life and Outback symbolizing "Good Food"- I felt like God was saying, " Your spiritual leaders are not Your source, your husband (he wasn't there) is not your source, and you can not do it on your own (me not being able to pay completely) So my only source that can bring HOPE into this situation is God. Total Dependency on God, even for change in my attitude with my kids. When things seem hopeless, sometimes people just "aren't gonna do it for you."

Anyway- It was an answer for me this morning and gave me hope! Thought I would share in case there are others that need "hope" in any area that seems hopeless. Reminded me of who my source is and where my Joy comes from when my kids are pushing buttons :)

The Balance of Stability and Flexibility

So yesterday while I was painting, I felt that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. Took me a minute to figure out what He was saying, but I think I got it. He showed me an airplane. Then showed me it’s wings. You know how when you are on a plane with a window seat and you can see the wings? Know how those wings also have other flaps that can adjust to the wind and give more control? Well, the Holy Spirit was telling me that the wings of the plane will never change (all planes have wings) but what can change is their adjustment to certain types of weather, wind, etc.
So essentially I felt He was explaining to me the balance between stability and flexibility.
Stability in who I am in Him and Flexibility with WHERE I am (my environment)
Flexibility:
1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent
2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable
3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable

Flexibility is what changes- adjusts. (the flaps on the plane that adjust to the circumstances with the weather.)Stability is the “wings” to stay in the air. (All planes have wings- that never changes)I feel like the Lord is teaching us (mostly me) how to be flexible and stable at the same time. I felt like the plane represents us in Mexico and He is teaching us how to adapt to our new environment-whether there be “turbulence” or blue skys- learning to be sensitive to the “wind” of the Spirit.

We Made it!

Hola!! We made it here safe and sound. After staying up all night packing and cleaning up the old house we crammed almost everything into places it shouldn’t have fit. Ditched a couple loads in storage for next time, shot a couple “Five Hour Energy’s” and hit the freeway. Fortunately we got to recuperate in Loma Linda with family for a few days before crossing the border. It was a VERY long trip from Tijuana to here though, Approx. 1000 miles from the border to La Paz. It was a miracle in itself that we weren’t harassed at the border for having a van and trailer packed full of electronics and such. Many times you have to pay tax on something if it appears “new.”

Our kids were INCREDIBLE!! We were in the car for two days. The DVD player was a life saver. There was the occasional bickering, but for the most part they were awesome! As we were driving through desert land, Dylan kept repeating “We’re in the middle of nowhere!!” and of coarse the resounding... “ARE WE THERE YET??” It was an experience– one that we’ll take every six months! We have to come out of the country every six months because of the type of

visas we have.

As we were driving somewhere in the desert between here and Tijuana, Jessica was having a conversation with the Lord. She was asking Him if we made the right choice and if He could let her know that we did. She said, “Lord, can you just show me a rainbow or something?” Shortly after this as we were coming over the mountain, there was not only a rainbow, but THREE!! It was AWESOME!! Needless to say we will no longer ask that question. Apparently rainbows are rare in that place.

It’s usually scorching hot down here this time of year but for some strange reason it has been rather cool. Some nights we just leave the windows open and let the breeze come through. The base has a beautiful orchard with cocoanuts, mangos, dates and citrus. A perfect trade off for the cockroaches, scorpions, ants and lizards in the house. We have been unpacking, settling in and getting organized. We’re trying to learn the ropes around here and where everything is located. Grocery shopping is a little different here and the pace of life is A LOT slower. We’re gonna take the rest of this month to adjust, adapt and spend time as a family before the official “ministry stuff” starts. Should be a very fun, exciting, busy year here! We’re still overly excited and have high expectations for a great move of God.

Thanks so much again for all of your support, whether it is prayer or financial. We know we are exactly where God wants us!

Hanging on the Blood

In a dream I had recently John and I were with Denny and Danette (The amazing couple who we are going to serve in Mexico) and a group of people. In the dream I seemed to know everyone, but I only remember Denny and Danette, John and a friend of ours , Brad Nelson. Denny told us that we were going to the top of a mountain nearby for some team building exercises. When we got to the top he gave us directions for what we were going to do. He showed us a red rope and started explaining that he was going to hold one end while we took the other end to run and jump off a nearby cliff!! I was thinking in my head, “THIS GUY HAS LOST HIS MIND!!” I was the only one thinking this way. So people started taking the rope and running off this cliff like it was no big deal- laughing and roaring all the way off the cliff. It got to my turn and Denny handed me the rope. I looked at him and said, “sorry Denny, but you have lost your mind!!” “There is no way that I am going to do this!!” Then I proceeded to tell him all the “what if’s” about going off this cliff. After I finished murmuring to him, he simply looked me in the eye with a soft smile and said, “Jessica, you just need to trust me.”

The dream flashed to the next scene where I was plummeting in mid air!!! I felt something harnessed around my waist. As I looked down at my waist, I noticed that the red rope was tied around it. It was like I finally had a revelation while free falling- I thought to myself, “Well dang, If I woulda known that, I would of totally jumped!! I didn’t notice they were tying it around them. Then I woke up.

The dream is about me trusting God in a step of Faith when I don’t see all the ways things are going to happen. The red rope represented the Blood of Christ, and was tied around my waist (a vulnerable area). That is what’s holding me during the time of Trusting in Him- His word is faithful.

The Christian life is meant to be impossible. The moment we can do everything on our own is when it ceases to be CHRIST-ian. We need to live in such a way that we are constantly dependant, suspended and vulnerable to the Holy Spirit’s provision and protection. The safest place in the Kingdom is to be at the front lines of battle, in the same manner that Jesus sent out the seventy as “sheep among wolves.”