Zaccaria Summer of Fun, God's Grace Found

 Like most of us, life has changed under the plethora of society and world shaking events. Whether the pandemic, racial injustice, climate crisis, political chaos, or societal humbling, or familial and personal pressures --- we each are under pressure that is calling us to a new sort of life. Though this is the backdrop for our little family too, we have been able to find a new normal which we would like to share a bit with you. For, we know after-all, that you care not only deeply for LGBTQ peoples but those seeking to lay down their lives for them. 

                                                                        Flying Kites

                

                                                      Making Patrick's Best Paper Air Planes

                                                            Waiting For a Harvest

                                Indoor Gym                                               Our Little Cutie, Shalom

                                                                         Driver's Ed 1

                                                                 A Responsible Little Helper                               

                                                                Curious Little Learners

The previous picture gallery is a bit of Esther and I's summer school snap shot. I want to leave those of you who got this far on this post with these last two things. One, we are really appreciative of all you guys and gals who befriended us, supported this Great Commission project, and really just gave your life for this. We are unbelievably blessed to partner with you. Second, I want to leave you with a devotional practice that is bringing me, Patrick, great life as I reflect on God knowing all the days of our lives. It comes from Psalm 139:17-19.

David says there, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came  to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand--when I awake, I am still with you." David knew YHWH grasped all of his life and thought incessantly about him. His redeemed and anointed, though imperfect as we are, have the same opportunity. I encourage you to look for God's thoughtfulness every day you live. Look for confirmation that He knew this day was in mind for you. Look for the little and BIG communication God wants to give you that day so that you can say they same, "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious are your thoughts to me...they outnumber the sand on the sea". May your eyes see, your ears hear, your body sense God near and present to you.

                                                                God's Grace Found

                                

Community Gardens

 Jesus used plant imagery and parables of gardening all the time. The people inherently understood implications for parables that He gave, especially because they were part of their every day experience. One of the most amazing things that the plant world has to offer is the opportunity for connectivity. A neighbor (or 4) may invite you into their community garden and you may be able to naturally share life and the good things God has to offer through the harvest He gives. Our journey to build bridges has become all about relationships with ordinary everyday people of Hillcrest, the garden gives opportunity to work together, to serve others, to give generously out of God's blessing. Here are some potential new connections in Hillcrest.

                                                       Mercy Housing Resident's Garden

                                                            Zaccaria Family Garden

                                                                Kabocha Squash Seedlings

In the Parable of the Sower, the receptive soil bore a multiplicative harvest. May our little gardens bring harvests to cultivate friendship, the friendships planted in the soil of trust bring Kingdom opportunities to share the King, and may the Kingdom come 10 times, 40 times, and 100 times in new hearts yielding their throne rooms to Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit. Will you believe this with us?