Monday, November 22, 2010

It's official! We're LIVING in downtown Seattle!


We got the keys to our new pad on Friday, the same night that another couple from DCC, David and Michelle, got their new place in downtown. God is good! Let me rewind a little bit though... Since our arrival Giulian has interviewed for a few jobs around downtown, one of them being a seasonal position at Macy's on Thursday. We found out we got the apartment for sure on Tuesday, and Wednesday we chased a good lead on craigslist that ultimately got us a bed with mattress, a coffee table, and a floor lamp. So the next day while Giulian is interviewing at Macy's, he and the manager automatically hit it off because the manager is also an alumni of Cal State Fullerton!!! Small world (in God's hands)! So this guy offered Giulian a job on the spot!

After we found out the great news, we decided to go up to the food court and celebrate by eating some Mexican food. Recently, I have been praying to the Lord asking Him to give me passion to invest in other areas outside of the Hispanic community. That is where my heart has been in Texas and I just could not see how it would happen here given our location. However, as we were ordering our food we were able to meet Carlos and Rene, a couple of the employees of the restaurant. They told me (in Spanish) that free English classes for them were far and few between and that they'd love to have one there at the mall before work!

Now it's SNOWING and Giulian had to walk to the bus stop amidst the flurry for his first day of work! It seems like each time we move, God likes to give us an extreme weather welcome present. The snow is so beautiful though, I certainly don't mind. So pure white. I'm trying to let it remind me of the Gospel's power to cleanse me of all sin.

"Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."

-Christy

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

"It's time for us to stand."

We want to encourage everyone to go to iTunes and purchase for yourself or someone else the following song, "Actions Speak Louder" by Swoope featuring Lecrae, Tedashii, and Jai (with a snippet from a John Piper sermon). Why? First of all, it's a good song that we know you'll enjoy. But more importantly, because all of the proceeds will go toward building another orphanage in Sudan where needy children will be cared for and the gospel will be proclaimed.

"This past September, a group of 13 from all walks of life including: Reach Records, The Village Church, Red Revolution, Collision Records and HIS VOICE GLOBAL, partnered under “The Village” banner to go and minister to those in Southern Sudan. They ministered through teaching, medical service, music and loving children who were victims of the civil war and now live in one of the three orphanages sponsored by HIS VOICE GLOBAL. Moved by the fruit there and continued need, Tedashii, Lecrae, Swoope (Collision Records artist) and Jai teamed up to do a single to raise awareness and funds for a fourth orphanage in Southern Sudan." -lionsandliars.com


"THAT'S LOVE FOLKS! THAT'S MEGA OFF-THE-CHARTS LOVE!"

Friday, November 12, 2010

We Made It!

We arrived here in Seattle three days ago on Tuesday morning after spending five days in the San Fransisco Bay Area with friends and family. It definitely didn't seem like long enough but we'll be out there again in May for a very dear friend's wedding!!! We were pretty checked out all day Tuesday due to the lack of sleep and travel, but all day Wednesday and yesterday we have been dedicated to apartment hunting in Pioneer Square. We love this area. It is the historical district with many buildings dating back to the early 1900's. It's just a stone's throw from the downtown core and Chinatown/International District, and despite its recent influx of young, hip folk (like ourselves ;-) it still remains a hub for the homeless. We are pumped about the potential that we have to engage this neighborhood and have already begun a friendship with a local park concierge.

Even in this short time, we've been able to look at seven different apartments! So we ask that you'd continue to pray with us because we put in an application for a six month lease at a place in the Pioneer Square area! God totally provided for us because two fantastic units opened up in this building that were difficult to choose between. We totally hit it off with the manager, she was extremely helpful and patient with us in the process. We should know by Monday if everything's good and we can put a deposit on it so we'll be sure to update you here on the blog. Woohoo! Also please be praying because Giulian has two interviews lined up, and we're planning to submit many more applications this coming week. God is so faithful to us even when we are disobedient to Him at times. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)

Love and gratitude in Christ,
Christy

PS: The banner above on our blog is a broader shot of Pioneer Square.

Charming Pioneer Square


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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

"Lord, fill us up and send us out"


We had the grand privilege of being sent out by our church body tonight. Our pastor and very dear friend, Chris Alston, had us share a bit about what we feel God is calling us to before the elders came around us and prayed for us. It was truly a humbling experience as we are sincerely nothing special. We are only doing anything of worth because of what Christ did for us on the cross. His work of paying for our sins gives us the grace and freedom that we have to move across the country and work for His Kingdom. We are merely answering the call to GO. We are so indebted to Clear Creek Community Church for how you have invested in us, prayed for us, supported us financially, and loved us. We will miss you all and will continue to visit regularly in the future. Thank you!!!

If you're seeing this blog for the first time or if you are just not sure what it is that we're planning to do in Seattle, please check out our latest e-newsletter here and check back to the blog as we'll be posting more on that. We're boarding our flight at 9:35 am tomorrow to go visit Giulian's family in the San Fransisco Bay Area, then it's off to Seattle the morning of Tuesday, the 9th!

Soli Deo gloria,
Giulian & Christy

Monday, November 1, 2010

Update on the Move

Well, we managed to ship our five boxes of books and dvd's in the mail today. Thank you Lord for USPS media mail shipping! We recently bought an external hard drive (aren't you proud Jenna?) so I have been backing up our millions of videos and photo (not fun but I know worth it). The Lord has helped us to sell some things for a little extra moving cash.