eight months.

EIGHT MONTHS!

Yes. It's undeniable. An inexcusable, un-defendable (?) fact. I have not posted in eight months. But, I'm not here to apologize for it :-). I am sorry for those of you who have waited for an update and have not received one, I wish I could see you on a regular basis and fill you in in person. Yet, I'm not apologizing for not posting for posting sake. The Lord has been doing a lot and there simply has not been space in my mind or day for a blog post. UNTIL NOW! WOOHOO!

It has been over a year since I've been out to the desert. WHAT?! Yes. Over a year. It has definitely been an overflowing year of heart swells, waiting, frustration, confusion, peace, excitement, sorrow, and unceasing joy. Our Father is so good. If there is a phrase to come away from the journey the Lord has had me on this past year it is that: Our Father is so GOOD. And none is like Him. Okay where to begin...

So last post I mentioned there was a couple coming out to Indio to be part of C3. Not only have they come as of August 18th, the Lord has provided a job for Margaret, strength for David and his schooling, and a place for me in their home!! Amazing. Upon coming out to the desert for the 3rd or 4th time, David and Margaret felt like they should look for houses with space for me to live with them. What. Ridiculous, I know. :-) They were looking for a house with enough space for their three nephews they are pursuing adopting. Many larger houses out here in the desert have mother-in-law type suite attached to the house called a casita. With their price point for rent, finding the right house was a long shot for man's efforts, but not at all for our God. We found a house close to church with plenty of space and a casita whose landlord lowered the rent for us by $200 a month. Now David and Margaret are paying LESS for this house than their apartment in San Diego! Long story short, I'm living in their casita and am so blessed by it. It is such a sweet, perfect space for me and the Lord.

Living with David and Margaret has been both easy and challenging. They have been going through a LOT since being out here; transition after transition after heartache after heartache. In this, I know that this living situation is of the utmost purpose. The Lord has placed me here to battle with them, and I am blessed to do so. It has been easy in that they are wonderful and I love spending time with them.

C3 has been growing so much in the last several months! We have about 20-25 people coming regularly, which has been a huge encouragement for Mark. We have four, yes four, new people on staff!

Tim, who is David's mentor, moved out to Indio to be near David and Margaret. He and David and Margaret have felt strongly about living and serving the Lord near one another for a long time and it seems the Lord meant it to come to fruition in Indio! Tim has come on staff as our Communications Representative and we are blessed to have him! He has such a sweet and tender heart for the Lord and for others.

Dan and Dianne, a married couple from Indio, have also come on staff. They felt strongly that the Lord desired them to serve as missionaries in their own community, and they have walked obediently in that. Following the Lord's steps set before them, they found themselves at C3! I can not tell you how much of an encouragement and support they have been to me and everyone at C3. They are intentionally living in a retirement community seeking ministry opportunities daily. Dianne has come on as a Administrative Assistant to Mark, as well as the curriculum organizer for kids' stuff. :-) Dan has come on as an assistant to Mark in finances, as well an all around support for any task that needs to be done.

Last, but certainly not least, Salomon has come alongside C3 to serve as our music worship leader. He and his new bride, Kristen, just moved out here after the new year and have found promising employment opportunities in the community where Dan and Dianne live. The Lord is so good in bringing them to us. Their presence is such a blessing to me and to our whole group.

Just in case you haven't been overwhelmed by changes yet, we have also moved locations! We are now meeting at a place called Kids' Party Central, which is a party rental facility. The set up is working out very smoothly for Sunday mornings.

Phew! A lot? That's just a paint-covered tip of the paintbrush to this whole piece of artwork the Lord is doing in the desert. There are changes everywhere I turn. Work has been anything but easy. The lovely desert family I have walked into is going through so many new challenges. More have moved, some are moving, new babies are coming again. The Lord's processes are unending. I am so grateful.

I thought He had already defined Himself for me before I came out to the desert. how wrong I was. He is definitely uprooting any thought or preconceived notion that had/has established itself in my mind and heart about Him that He has not established Himself. Destruction has come to my fleshly understanding of things, graciously in the form of Love. He has romanced me, is romancing me, in a deeper way than I have ever experience. A deep romance, that has no resemblance to a love affair. This is a romance that my Husband intends to keep burning. He loves. Over and over. This is how He has destroyed and rebuilt. In love.

This does not mean it has been easy. OH NO. Or not painful. Having parts of you torn out is brutal. Sometimes it has me seeing nothing but sorrow and chaos. Yet. At the end of the day, He is the Overflow of joy and peace that more than sustains me.

There are many parts of this mystery we call the Lord that I have yet to even lay eyes on. But I know He is good. SO good. Not by our definition of good that often denotes wealth and "provision". By His definition. He is who He is. What comfort we can take in that! He simply asks us to look at Him, with single vision. He teaches us and loves us into not wavering at circumstance.

"Just look at me, Beloved one."

I promise more updates to come as the Lord desires. For now, be blessed and love the Lord, for He LOVES.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
- David and Margaret and their continued journey with the Lord.
- C3. That we would surrender all to Him.
- The desert in general. That the Lord will be seen for who He is. That His precious ones would sit at His feet.
- Work. My job is taxing, exhausting, and difficult. Please pray for the Lord's protection and peace. Also pray for my kids' hearts; that the Lord would capture them.