So... Everytime I am about to sit down and blog--Life seems to get ahead of me! The last two weeks have been great and also a little trying... Isaiah turned 2! My baby turned 2!! That's amazing... Well, and to add to the fact that I was feeling a little older--I found my first GRAY HAIR! Ok, so I am not going to have a mid life crisis or anything--but I was a little shocked to find that sucker! Ha! Then on Thursday, Buck and I went to the Mayor's Prayor Luncheon--which was rather timely since about 10 minutes before the lunch I found out my father is being retested for cancer. I hate that word! Now, we have been here before and he has survived colon cancer --and I KNOW that God will move again and he will be healed 100%. I do ask that you please stand in prayer with us during this time and agree with us that he will be healed~

What an amazing week we have had!! Buck and I just got back from the ARC conference in Birmingham, where we got to hang out with about 1000 other people who have a vision of changing the world for Christ! The key note speaker was Brian Houston from HillSong Church in Australia. We had an opportunity to hang out with some great friends and make new ones along the way. We are so fired up we can't even stand it. Then we got home Wednesday night and got to spend all of Thursday with Pastor Mark Stermer from HPC--he got a taste of El Paso and gave us an encouraging word for the work we are starting here... He even left with a little of El Paso on his feet--the brother bought some awesome snake skin leather boots to take back to the swamps!! Here are some pictures of the ARC conference...

"Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see."

We had our first team meeting the other night, and we are so honored and feel it is a privilege to get to work along side some truly exceptional people! I am so excited about what God is going to do through all these willing hearts. The Lord is truly teaching me patience through this process--I am ready to start tomorrow... but I am learning to work through the process. We are learning to take one step at a time, and have faith that God will meet us in this city and bring a new hope for the hurting and a new work for those called according to his purpose. So, please continue to be in prayer with us as we embark on this journey...

Well these last few weeks have been crazy!! Buck has been in and out of town for several church conferences, Elise has been filming a movie... YES a Christian movie for a contest called the 168 hour film project! Well, and my computer has been on the blink. So forgive me for my recent hiatus in posting. I am really excited about our first team meeting for the Church next Wednesday evening. Buck and I have been looking at diferent locations, building the team, and of course getting prayed up!! I am so amazed by how faithful God has been in this process. I am humbled that we are able to serve along side so many great people and just can't wait to see what God has in store as we plant this church...

Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge.Hosea 10:12

Esther does most of the blogging, but today I feel the need to blog! The day was going well when we found out that another couple joined our launch team and is committing to tithing each month starting NOW!! I pray that God will bless them 100 fold for believing us and partnering with us on our vision to plant a life-giving church in El Paso. Planning, building the team, and fundraising are going very well. God has honored our faithfulness and we are truly humbled by His love for us and this city. However, the reason I am blogging is for something far greater. Out of the blue my six year old daughter Elise gave her life to Christ at the dinner table tonight. She was able to fully explain what it meant to do that so Heaven is rejoicing because she gave her life to the LORD! I will have the privilege of baptizing her on our very first day of services. God is so faithful and He loves us so much. All we have to do is love Him back and He creates a life for you that is far beyond what you deserve and even beyond what you can dream. "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" -Jeremiah 29:11
Although we live in an imperfect world and still struggle greatly at times, the LORD is good and worthy of all our praise! Give your life to HIM completely and all of Heaven will rejoice for you as it is for Elise.

So… it’s official! We are planting a church! Wow!! Buck and I are so excited about what God is about to do in El Paso. We are full speed ahead with the birth of this church less that a year away. Buck flew to Baton Rouge a week ago and received the blessing from Pastor Dino (HPC)—with that said we are now building a team! We are praying for God to bring people with a heart to serve this community to come along side of us to build our dream of reaching the lost, the hurting, and the forgotten for Christ! We are asking for prayer; lots and lots of prayer! As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Rom 10:11. God is calling us to a great and mighty work—and as long as we focus on the cross, he will make a clear path! We have sold out completely—and literally—selling stock and possessions to make this dream a reality but sometimes you have to be willing to give up the silver in order for God to give you gold—and gold to us … those precious souls waiting for someone to show them Jesus in the flesh! Wow! Amazing isn’t it?

The Healing Power of Prayer!

This is a picture taken outside the Baton Rouge General Hospital--Inside is a young campus pastor and youth pastor--Amy Stockstill from Bethany North in Baton Rouge. She is fighting for her life--the doctor's gave her 48 hours to live on Feb 5th. 1500 students came out to the hosptial to pray for her... She is starting to show signs of healing in her body! She is still in the battle for her life--Please take time to pray for her. She is a precious child of God who has a passion and desire to bring others to Christ!

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" Matthew 8:13

I just wanted to say Thank You. The body of Christ has been amazing. As most of you know, we are going through the fire, but know our eyes are fixed on Jesus. God has a plan and we are sticking with HIM. Your OVERWHELMING support has been a true blessing to our family. Each one of our friends has represended the hands and feet of Jesus well. We are not ashamed of standing for what we believe and WILL NOT take our hands off the plow. We will begin fasting and praying for an answer to what God has in store next.

One of Buck's mentors gave us this scripture to hang on to at this time:
Isaiah 50:6-9

6 I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
We know that the Lord is on our side! Amen

I think this young lady has it right:

I know, I know... It's been a while since my last post. Life as usual has had me away from my computer. Ya know, the Devil is good at attacking me with "busyness" to try and keep me from the thing of God. SO, here's the deal I have been working full time, my Momma has been having MAJOR health issues and I have been wallowing in my own self pity... Haha ok maybe not self pity--but I have been pretty exhausted. I have tryed to stay up with the Youth Group... which I know I have let down the last couple of weeks--BUT then they come around and do something to reset my priorities (which is serving Jesus by serving them) See, there are some changes happening at youth that has them all up in arms... and I have been so busy with my life and "priorities" that I haven't realized how tough things have been for them. They left us full of post it notes a couple of nights ago ... and a ransom note that well (dont tell them) but makes Buck and I feel pretty special... See they trust us and love us and asked us "Not to leave them"--which we never were... BUT MAN, I LOVES those kids--young adults, and I will NOT leave them... No matter what God has in store for their future--I AM IN IT RIGHT NOW and having a blast every step of the way!! Lord Please allow me the strength and supernatural energy to continue to serve them no matter what! Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Gen. 2:18, 21-24


The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'...and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (NIV)



Today is our 10 year anniversary. As I reflect on the past 10 years its amazing to me how much more in love we are today than the day we exchanged vows. Don't get me wrong we were very much in love on our wedding day, however, life and its ups and downs has brought us even closer together.

I can honestly say that Buck is my sole mate, my God mate, the air I breath. Next to God--I love nothing more. Even on our lowest days I thank God that he created him for me. So today I profess my LOVE to you again... You are my world. Thank you for the last 10 years. I can't wait til the day we are sitting on the front porch in our 80's holding hands and watching the cars pass by on the street just talking about "the good 'ol days..." And even if you still have that sarcastic humor that gets you in trouble from time to time... Our life will be one awesome conversation!

I LOVE YOU!

Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see."

Lord you have given us so many examples of your faithful people: Abraham walked on faith when he took Isaac to your altar to be sacrificed; Sarah had faith that in her barren older years she would conceive a child; Abel walked with faith as he brought you the better offering than Cain; Moses walked in faith that he would lead the Israelites to the promise land. Buck and Esther MUST WALK ON FAITH of our God given calling. That we would know that you would deliver us to our promise land, that you would birth the dream that is conceived inside our hearts, that you would not allow us to actually sacrifice our family at your altar but rather be pleased that we would bring you our best offering we have to give you--our lives fully committed to your will. Jesus we love you. We know our calling and stand on firm ground--we will not take the easy road--but with you the road WILL be fruitful. As long as we keep our blessed hearts and motives PURE--to bring the lost and hurting to you. We will succeed; not due to us but rather YOU through us. In Jesus Name Amen

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

It's amazing to me that God my father, has plucked me out of my own destruction and into a life of mercy, joy and contentment. That he loved me so much, that he saved me and allowed me to serve him. I love how when we follow his law--instead of feeling like we are bound by rules that we are free. Here lately, my compassion has grown so much that my heart is breaking for this world. All of the pain, all the suffering, all of the human hurt just breaks my heart. I cry for those on the streets addicted to drugs, for those women using their bodies to live, for those behind the beautiful homes and nice cars who are broken inside, for marriages that are failing... But what if we could reach out and one by one heal the hurting, mend the marraiges, lift up the falling, and restore our Father's kingdom? What if we did follow his word--and went out and shared the good news of his salvation? What if instead of looking at whats best for "me" we truely lived to serve others? What if it didn't matter if we got the credit or not? What if we didnt look at our own interest but those of Jesus Christ? I believe the world would be different...

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord!

Esther

Ok, so being youth leader doesn't come without its trials... This is what we woke up too yesterday morning. Good thing we have been saved for quite a while or two young ladies would be in VERY big trouble right now. Haha actually they came back and cleaned it up and even baked us brownies to ask for forgivness... and well since I bet my sin looks a hundred times worse to God and he forgave me. I forgive my girls too.

Another Awesome Week Serving the Lord...

Well, as many of you already know--Buck went to Florida for another Summer Camp he had the privilege to work with... While he was away I decided to go with our Youth to build a house in Mexico. Wow What an awesome experience, even though I wasn't able to stay the entire week (I had to get back to work) I was able to spend several days with them. It was the most physically intense ministry I have ever experienced... BUT I think the Kingdom impact it had, not only on the family we blessed but the kids themselves, was even more intense... Things got tough (we had to pour the concrete for the foundation with buckets and wheelbarrows)but when we got to sit down and tell the stories of the impact it had on their lives, as well as our own, it was truly amazing. We changed a family's life forever... and really when that family looks back they wont remember our names just Jesus. Jesus though the sweat, blood, and tears of some teenagers that sacrificed a week of their summer to serve HIM. How cool is that?

1 Peter 4:1-2 "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin."

I was reading a blog of a friend of ours and the question on his mind was this: Are you living a life worth telling stories about? Without a doubt I would say these awesome teenagers I get to serve could answer that question without hesitation... But what about the rest of us?

As I am sitting here writing this, tears are streaming down my face… I just am so overjoyed at the absolutely awesome power of GOD… We have really been strengthening our walk—of course with some small bumps along the way… But I have been crying out to GOD for him to show me his plan for our lives. Sometimes I think I have our plan all figured out—but then God does some amazing things that just open my eyes to HIS perspective…

Buck and I have been hanging out with the youth A LOT lately and I have seen transformations that could only come with the strength of GOD. We have seen many of them sober up, quit jobs with bad influences, break up with boyfriend to spend more time to serve, etc… Amazing!! At the average age of 16 or so, that they would make such strong commitments… I count it a blessing that we are here to see these transformations. I am overwhelmed with so much love for teenagers I met less that a year ago. I look at them through GOD’s eyes and see their hurts, frustrations, and challenges… But even more awesome seeing they joys, their success, and their love of Jesus… I am excited to see each and every one of them reach their full GOD given potential

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

SUBMERGE 07 was off the hook!

God showed up BIG time in Florida. Over 1000 kids came out from churches all over the country to meet up with God and have a blast at the beach. I am still on a holy ghost high! It was amazing to see the transformations that took place in a 3 day period. So many decisions to serve Christ, 100's of kids baptised in the ocean... WOW! Much love to our home church St Marks UMC from El Paso--you guys rock. Buck and I are so humbled to serve with you. I am so excited to continue to see the work that God is going to do through you here in El Paso.

Love you all!!!

Hey all,

Sorry for the time in between posts! We have been running like crazy the last couple of weeks... Well months really... Buck recently helped support a celebrity golf tournment where he passed out bottled water and bibles to many pro-athletes. Totally cool--he said everyone took one except 2 men. We have been supporting the youth minstry quite a bit recently--in fact I have taken on a more constant role with the senior high kids. I LOVE it! I never thought I would say that but we even went as far as to help host a sleep over/kidnap with over 30 kids (seperated by gender of course!) We didnt sleep for over 24 hours--filled with pranks, fun, and most importantly bible study.
I will have to say--the girls--under my guidance out did the boys in each and every prank we did! Haha... We even bought cookies covered them in shaving cream, food coloring and sprinkles and fed them to the guys! Life has been a blast--and Jesus has been in the center of it--whoever said Christians are suppose to be boring or subdude never met the wonderful group of men and woman we have the privaledge to serve with... Let the good times and kingdom building roll!

My little Elise graduated today. It seems like just yesterday I held her in my arms for the first time--scared I wasn't holding her right. It feels like it was just last night that I was holding her at 3:00 o'clock in the morning giving her a night time bottle in awe that God had given us such a precious being care after. I can remember her first word (OK so it was our dog's name!) but we were so excited that she communicated with us. I know, its just kindergarten, but I am so proud of her. She has blossomed so much and learned not only how to read books and add and subtract, but she has learned to be patient, tolerant of others, and self control and most of all her savior Jesus Christ. I can't thank her teacher Mrs. Wise enough... Congratulations my little princess! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you

Isaiah had is first birthday a couple of weeks ago. I am so blessed with an incredible family. Although we have had some struggles lately, we have an incredibly rich family life. Esther and I have sown a lot of seed, in fertile ground, over the last four years. Our journey being sold out to God has been an amazing ride! We keep looking to the horizon for a harvest that is about to come while enjoying the many blessings we have in our life. With God you still will have pain in this fallen world, but our joy exists in the middle of it. Other than time with the family, nothing is better than laying your head on your pillow and going to sleep with a clean conscience. Not perfect, just washed clean with the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Esther and I passionately love God and are sold out to Jesus. Because we suffer and die with Jesus, we also rise with him to life eternal! An abundant life, life that has meaning, life not so focused on ourselves anymore. The more we serve others, the more God brings back to us. We stepped toward our destiny when we went into full-time ministry, we now boldly step into our time of harvest. John 4: 35-36 “ Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life.” May the harvest overtake the reaper.—Fully committed to serve, Buck