Tuesday, June 3, 2008

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

God does give us the opportunity to come to Himself and to recognize and acknowledge to all that everything is indeed from Him and to Him.

I am grateful for our friends, Dan & Ashley Matteo. I lived with Ashley for 2 or 3 years before she met her permanent roommate and hubby, Dan, who I absolutely love as a brother! He and Ashley have only been good to me...Actually, they've been better to me than I have ever deserved.

I praise the Lord for His new gift to them - a new home! - as they continue to seek HIS will for their lives and now for the life of their coming son, Nathan, too! They invited friends and family over for Saturday night, and, in a casual, but also intentional setting, hosted a 'House-Blessing Party,' in which we were all invited to come, celebrate, indulge in yummy foods, always-needed fellowship and the opportunity to pray...we were encouraged to choose any room and pray specifically over it, as they passed out type-written, specific prayer requests per room.
"Dan & Ashley, thank you! And may God continue to bless your hearts and home that you may continue to bless others through it and to HIM!" What a yummy spread of foods! Fruits, veggies, chunky salsas, creamy dips, pizza, ham & cheese mini sandwiches, Eclairs...YUM!

Amanda Blake and I look like twins!Walter Arroyo holding little man Isaiah Drake, catching up with Russell.Thomas & Stacey Picardy with their newborn daughter, Sarah Kathryn. Angela Arroya catching up with Ashley's mom, Mrs. Mack.

We also had the opportunity to listen to James & Heidi Drake, as they briefly shared about their involvement with campus ministry at our local UAB. I actually went to UAB, and it was upon graduation that I accepted Christ as my Savior. I praise God for His placement of specific people and circumstances in my life at that particualar time so that I now know and love Him for myself. I am thankful for the Drake's hearts for God and for people to come to know and love Him. It is so often at this crucial college season of life that we are vulnerable and open to whatever seems of right guidance. If interested in learning more about the Drake's ministry, please email drake@jamesandheidi.com and visit http://www.jamesandheidi.com/.

God calls us to fulfill the great commission, and I'm excited that we can do that right here in our local hometown community!

The Great Commission:
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20

1 comment:

Ashley Matteo said...

great post and thanks for your continual love and encouragement. i love you and russell both
ashley