2 weeks ago, Nathan was given the opportunity to go to the Sundance Film Festival with JR Mahon & the Hollywood Pastor Crew. I would have loved to attend as well, but with a baby and no funds it just wasn't going to work out. So, Novi and I had a weekend to ourselves and accomplished some pretty big things. I drove on the 405 for the first time, in crazy rush-hour traffic and then later in the dark, while it was raining - a very big feat for me! I had to drive down to Long Beach for a Light for the Lost tour at Christian Life. While there, I was able to meet some people, visit with friends, and share the Clarity vision - not to mention another great free meal! And I did this - all by myself - Nathan was proud :)
That Saturday, I must had been in driving mode - I drove up PCH and into Malibu Canyon on my way to the 1st birthday party Novi was invited to - Miss Macy Stevenson. The drive was beautiful, it was great visiting with the Stevensons, and I got to stop at a Walmart. (It's crazy...but Walmart doesn't exist in Santa Monica!) While I was there, I was talking with a friend of the Stevenson's. I found out she worked at the Santa Monica YMCA and told her about Dan, one of the guys on our team, who would actually love working there. She proceeded to tell me she had his resume! Now, I'm not sure if that job is going to work out - but I put in a great word for Dan and he has and interview with the Y tomorrow! (I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the lady I met, but we're so happy for him.) Talk about a small world!
Later that week, Nate and I began to get a little nervous thinking about housing for the single guys. It was coming to the last couple days of their stay at Hope Christian Santa Monica, and they needed a place. They would have been able to stay with friends in Long Beach...but it's so far and 2 of them don't have a car. Nathan was feeling so burdened for them - we spend time praying and asking God to do something miraculous - and of course, He did :)
Nik, one of the guys on our team, had met a fellow pastor at a pastor's prayer lunch just a week before. The man wanted to meet with Nathan, so Nik set up a time for the 3 of them to meet. At the last minute, Nik was unable to attend the lunch, so Nate went by himself. He met with the man (after walking around to random guys and asking them if they were "Lyle") and had a good lunch. The whole time Nathan wanted to bring up the housing situation and see if maybe the man knew of someone or some church that could help us out, but he didn't feel comfortable enough to do so. But by the end of the lunch, Nathan felt like he should, so he asked...and get this - the guys are now living Lyle's house, 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom all their own - for the very small price of someone housesitting for Lyle and his wife while they are away sometime this upcoming spring! Isn't that amazing? We were seriously down the the last day at the Church in Santa Monica, and God came through! What an amazing miracle!
Update on the job situation: Allison has been working at Coogie's...a local place. She walks to work, makes great money, and actually likes it! Katrina was hired at Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt chain, and is waiting to hear back from them for when she starts. Ryan just got a job at Radioshack today! Dan has this upcoming interview, Kyle's been working since the 2nd week we were here, and John and Josh are diligently seeking places to apply. So thank you for your prayers - and please continue to pray! I'm hoping to find a church that needs a secretary/receptionist and has Nursery Daycare that Novi could attend for free - I'm sure God has something in the works!
Nathan and I visited our 4th church last night. It's a fairly large hispanic church in Bakersfield - middle California (Bakersfield Hispanic Church). It was their missions night / faith promise night and their church pledged (in the morning and evening service) over $150,000! Nathan preached while the senior pastor interpreted for him - that was a crazy experience and so awesome! I thought it was so cool that there were people in that room who would never hear Nathan preach because they do not understand English - but they did last night thanks to the Pastor speaking Spanish for Nathan! It was such a blessing to be there. God really moved in the hearts of the congregation - and I think they want to support the ministry of Clarity monthly - praise God!
Can't believe our kick-off service is next week! Check out the flyer and info here!
Well, Novi is up - she is a master cat-napper.
