Canceled Plans, Health Concerns, & God's Hand at Work #OneLoveSkate
Sam & Josh’s New One Love Leader Training Video Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2nqNlq-3-6wbyMr1ou-JvIAzc1MaZjI58n1n3dCKOFIXZxwoTmeIfjDAs&list=PLTS-zCM4rQkpJm-MTxneRpbmM7eWqhXpA&v=7RK6vLQ5Oc0
Canceled Plans, Health Concerns, & God’s Hand at Work #OneLoveSkate
Wednesday evening we canceled our trip to NC that was supposed to begin this week. Monday evening, we had received some unsettling news from Nic's doctor.
We are thankful for all God has done this year, and we appreciate your prayer as we look ahead…
Today, my devotions included writing down the vision and making it plain so that those who read it can run with it, so I wanted to send an update before we start our vacation.
We’ll be on vacation as a family this evening until Tuesday, December 15.
”Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”-Habakkuk 2:2
Thanks for reading this reflection, and we’d love to hear from you!
Thankful for weekly Life Groups in Pukalani this year!
Last Wednesday, we gave away a bunch of hoodies, shirts, and stickers during our conversation about letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and being thankful (Colossians 3). The group has been learning about how to know and show God’s love, and we hope these products will be used for people to have great conversations about the One Love of Jesus.
Sam Peralta & I just finished a new, short, leader training to help equip 1L reps to lead life groups at skateparks near them.
Thanks Josh Sutherland (@wavesandgrain) for filming and editing these videos for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2nqNlq-3-6wbyMr1ou-JvIAzc1MaZjI58n1n3dCKOFIXZxwoTmeIfjDAs&list=PLTS-zCM4rQkpJm-MTxneRpbmM7eWqhXpA&v=7RK6vLQ5Oc0
Last weekend, my bride and I had the privilege of speaking together at Waipuna.
You can listen to the message on Waipuna’s website here:
https://waipunachapel.com/media/80878-538044-2796402/living-love-the-call-video
She shared her: “Pandemic Pax” and urged listeners to: “Make this pandemic your pax romana. Use this common ground to point to Christ. Redeem the time and be the light.”
I shared from Isaiah 6:1-8 about living God’s love, and it was such a privilege to REFLECT and RESPOND
(Cool to look at this Old Blog from 1L with printable “Isaiah Road” cards and know this message is still being shared: http://oneloveskateoutreach.blogspot.com/2012/11/one-love-skate-111212.html )
It was a great time sharing together at our home church, and it was cool to see God’s hand at work in the response. So thankful for the One Love of JEsus and opportunities to be a team with my bride.
T- “NutTING to be afraid of.”
Since September, Nicole has had an ongoing health issue. In the last two weeks we have had 7 appointments with the doctors for tests and evaluations, and Monday, they called with results.
She has “suspicious cells” and “precancerous cells” that they have detected, and they are treating Nicole for DCIS breast cancer unless they can prove otherwise…
One of the bills we received this week on Wednesday for an ultrasound said that “the type of cancer you have been diagnosed with has a 90% survival rate…”
Thankful for hope and peace through this process, but WOW what a ride a it’s been already.
Yesterday, while Nicole was at the mama's life group at Waipuna Chapel and Silas was at preschool, Caleb and Paul and I went on a hike to a pond in Makawao Forest. While hiking we praised God through the letters of the alphabet. I always learn so much from our 3 boys, and on the hike Paul encouraged me with his praise on the letter "T."
"T we have nutTING to be afraid of!"
Lol. Thankful to know God's in control, and we've already seen his hand at work in some cool ways through this process.
Stay the Course (Hebrews 12:1-2) and Deeper (Philemon 1:6) have been our family themes for the year, and it's good to know God doesn't waste anything!
Thursday morning, God provided us with an amazing surprise: Friends from church booked our family a condo on the south side to enjoy as a family over the next two weekends!
We will miss seeing family and friends in North Carolina, but we are so looking forward to some good time away as a family next week with the new plans God has for us.
Can't wait to spend some time reflecting and responding to ways God is working and enjoy some quality family time without work responsibilities! Plus the condo has a dishwasher and 2 bathrooms:) God spoils us!
One last prayer request: Nicole is scheduled to travel to Oahu by herself (because of COVID response) in the next couple weeks to meet with a Kaiser Surgeon. After this appointment, we will hopefully have more certainty about how to proceed...
Please pray we can remember: "T" we have nutTING to be afraid of."
Thanks for joining us in prayer and for all the ways you help us live love!
In the One Love of Jesus (1 John 4:9),
Josh & Nic, & Boys
Thanks all who join us in our mission to live the One Love of Jesus in the skate community and beyond!
