While packing up my life, I've been reminiscing a lot about how great this past year has been. God's given me the chance to really reestablish a relationship with my parents, and to build close bonds with my brothers, who were incredibly young when I left for college. While sifting through my old things, it's so clear how much God has changed my life since high school, for the better! He's blessed me & my loved ones with amazing people and amazing opportunities. I'm inexplicably nervous about moving across the country tomorrow, but I know that God will take care of us. PTL. -Elaine

Lately things haven't been going according to our plans. We had to reschedule a meeting with someone regarding buying a house, we didn't get to donate the clothes we had in our car to goodwill, and we are being forced to move to another place. With all these unscheduled things happening and of course at that time things that seemed annoying...God had his plan and it was totally for our good. PTL. - Geneyem

Last Saturday I was at Silverwood Park in Idaho with some of my family. As we were headed back to our motorhome for lunch, we noticed a lady who appeared to be sleeping in her car. I wouldn't have given it a second thought, except for the way she looked. Sitting in the drivers seat, she was humped over the steering wheel with her hair hanging down in her face. Still, not wanting to be intrusive, we passed her by.

After a short while passed though, my father-in-law & a family friend went over to investigate further. The driver's side window was rolled down, so they tapped her & called out to her but got no response. They could tell something was just not right. `To be on the safe side they called 911.

The park security/EMTs or whatever they were showed up shortly & started trying to wake her up, but to no avail. We watched as they continued to try to assess her condition, and as things unfolded everyone was wondering if she was in a diabetic coma. She seemed mostly unconscious, except she did manage to tell the EMTs her name.

Her oxygen stats dropped from 94 to 74 in just a few minutes. They knew something was very wrong but couldn't tell what. An ambulance arrived after a few more minutes & they were still working on her when we left.

As I replayed the whole scenario in my mind, I realized that she may have been there in that condition for a while. The parking lot was huge, so it's hard to tell how many people would have ended up in that particular section of the lot while she was laying there possibly struggling for life. I'm so thankful to God that he put us there at that particular time, and that my father-in-law had the foresight to call 911 and not just assume she was sleeping. It could have saved her life. Thank you Jesus for always looking out for us. PTL!

Yesterday, Kathleen, Kristine, Lidia, Melissa, and two of my other friends came over my house to have a bible study. We sang, shared the Gospel, and shared blessings. The Gospel never changes. PTL -Joanna

Today my brother ticked me off,but i realized i was not being patient or loving at all. God is really testing me with my brother being home alot. PTL for Gods trials and his own love towards us because i'm pretty sure we are horrible. - EJ

OH SNAP! one of brothers told me he is interested in the bible.
a possible friday guest! been praying about this, PTL.. -a. phu

God has been teaching me so much lately about patience, forgiveness, kindness, and love through my relationship with Julian and growing friendships with others. With every interaction, I am reminded of the value of having Christ-centered relationships. PTL! -Melody

God has continously been reminding me how sinful I am through my loving husband's reminders and through my little daughters. I'm so blessed to have these people in my life. PTL. - Geneyem

Today, my dad and I got to talk about our relationships with the ladies in our lives. My prideful heart shuts him out by second nature at this point -- I'm glad I got another chance to break that sinful habit and commune with him over $2.50 hearty meals from Church's chicken. PTL. - Julian

Today, I received a phone call that my sister from my 2nd family was ill and in the hospital. I praise God for supplying our needs and that she is getting better. It reminded us that our life on earth is not permanent and we should be treasuring things eternal! PTL. - Jigger

My son was in a minor-fender bender with our van last week, and the insurance company called it a total loss. Neither him nor the other party was hurt, and with the insurance money we were able to go out & get another van on Saturday & have a little money left over PTL!

Today, some CFBC family and I attended the last night of Harvest Crusade 2009. It's been many years of age and maturity since the last time, and with more seasoned eyes I got to see God's amazing work in the lives of literally thousands of otherwise strangers. Never have any of us been with so much of the universal church at once, led in song by none other than Chris Godgiven Tomlin. Greg Laurie's message about heaven renewed my mind and allowed so many of us to get a clearer glimpse of what heaven is and what that means for us believers. Plus the Uy family made sure I was always eating. PTL. - Julian

Through God, i know i can learn to forgive, and love the way he loved me. CCV's service was awesome this morning! PTL. -Audrey

Today marks one year with Melody Farol Cruz. God has done amazing work in our lives and He continues to daily. PTL. - Julian

The anatomy of animals, their behaviors, their diets, and practically everything about them I find amazing. Even though some of them are super wack looking (like the sea kitten, for example), God is so creative in how He so intricately designed each and every one of them in their own unique way. PTL. -RJ

Today, my baby girl is one month old, God so good. PTL. - Geneyem

I watched Facing the Giants for the first time today. I don't usually cry... but I felt a tear rolling down my cheek during the end of the movie. I was reminded to give the honor to God and that he is always in control - PTL! - Marlo

VBS 2009 has finally come to a close. There was something extra special about this year, debuting many of our former students as now first-year staffers. They revitalized the morale and energy of our team as a whole -- I truly believe it.

The gospel is really an amazing thing. It can flex and form to be digested by children so young, yet remain compelling and convicting to adults so old...that's the nature of something that can only be true. PTL. - Julian

My grandma passed away yesterday afternoon. Even though it hurts, I am thankful that I got to be there with her. What was encouraging was just seeing my mom and how even though her heart was breaking soo much and she was just crying and kissing my grandma's face (even though she was already unconscious), my mom was just praising God for preparing the best for my grandma, the best timing, and saying to her that she can go in peace because there is nothing on this world that is worth her clinging onto, and just saying hallelujah, how she is going to be with Jesus and the angels are picking her up and everything. It is so sad when you see your mom like a little girl and saying ma ma just like you say it, but so touching that in such pain she can really praise the Lord- Shaina

In my attempt to vacate a very tight parking spot and not dent a car with the front of my own vehicle I ended up rear-ending someone else with my spare tire, resulting in a dent the size of my fist. (not very fortuitous). But anyway, I was freaking out thinking in my head what this would mean to my insurance when the owner, plus all the witnesses, came over to comfort me, telling me that it wasn't that big of a deal, it was an accident, and not to worry. (thank you CICC members for the encouragement) But it didn't get rid of all of my disappointment. I was still very stressed and upset with myself; trying to pull it all together for VBS graduation when I got a call from the guy who I hit. He told me that the dent was gone.

"What?" I said, "Are you serious?"

And he told me, "Yeah, it totally popped out by itself."

PTL for God's amazing gift of providence. How a completely devastating situation for me was totally erased and is now brought forth for the glory of God. -Aarika

My wrist has been hurting since Monday and the doctor said I could'nt go back to work till Saturday. I didn't work that many hours last week and I didn't work at all this week. PTL I don't have to work this week and that I can rest in the afternoon. I would be so tired and it would be a lot harder to take care of the babies at VBS if I had to go to work. God is great. :] PTL! -Bhianne

God is sending me to lunch with a neighbor in the community. Pray that I get to share the gospel with him and love him as I love myself. PTL. -PJ

I came home from work, and found my parents texting and Facebooking. Happy days. PTL. -Jacquie

(I was listening in on Eric's first real teaching gig at VBS)

eric: Peter soon became afraid and He turned away from Jesus causing him to begin sinking in the water. He cried out to the Jesus to help him and Jesus came, pulling up and bringing him onto the boat. What if that happened to you? What if Jesus saved you from nearly drowning? What would you say to him?

matthew: I'd ask for his autograph.

8-9 year olds have a humour that never ceases to make the Bible more exciting because it is a valid, honest, and logical humour that makes you think, "Why didn't I think of that?"

In all honesty. Jesus is much more famous and much more important than any other celebrity this world could ever offer.

PTL for the reminder of fresh faith and how we should always fight for our faith to be like that -Aarika

My parents have given me so much more than i need, and have provided for me in ways i forget about everyday. Like buying the detergent so i can have clean clothes, ketchup & mayo for my sandwhichs, clothes when i need new ones, camera memory cards, a lap top, milk for my cereal...the list is endless. I know i need to show them the same generosity they have shown me, cause compared to most people in America, i've got it good. God truly gave me some amazing parents that love me more than i can tell. Thanks mom & dad, i love you! PTL for you! -Audrey

Today we had our first day of our VBS and we had about 97 students...wow God is great and can you imagine 97 people are going to learn about Jesus!! PTL. - Geneyem