Hanging with another Bakersfield Brother and His Fam

So I actually met Allen here in Chiang Mai Thailand, even though he is from Bakersfield.  His family lives in Mae Sot, which is about 6 hours away and borders Burma.  When we heard that his family were coming into town we were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet his wife and two girls.  The boys have had a blast being with the girls and hanging out with them.  Really great to get to know the Ray family and to be able to bless them and be blessed by them.  I wonder if we will  ever be in Bakersfield at the same time.  May the Lord keep and bless the Ray Family.

Zoo and Aquarium for the First Time

So it was Saturday morning and I was outside placing my clothes on hangers.  Then I saw Ice pull up, he came over and I asked him how life was going since he stopped working-Ice is planning on moving 4 hours away to a city called Chiang Rai on January 15th.  He responded that he was incredibly bored.  I spoke with Tracy and we decided to bring Ice with us to the zoo and aquarium.  I found that he hasn't been to the zoo in many years and he has never been to the one in Chiang Mai.  So it was  a family trip with Ice with us.  I was so blessed to see Ice help carry the boys, play with the boys, even help them with their food. I was so thankful to have Ice as a brother in Christ and to see the joy in his face and the love of Christ in his heart.  May the Lord continue to bless him.

Cecil  

Solas...great helper

So I was working on some letters that I needed to pass out and Solas told me he wanted to help.  To be honest my first thought was"come on son, you might just get in my way." Then I had a check in my spirit so I said, "sure son, you want to decorate the envelope?"  As he was doing that I realized this is what my heavenly Father is like.  He doesn't need me to accomplish His will, but because He loves me he invites me to sit next to him and partner in His work and Misdion.  What a gracious Father we serve.  So grateful for His patience and love.

Cec

The hour that changed the world

So I was recently challenged to pray for an hour as I was listening to a message by Jeff Vanderstelt with SOMA Communities.  He mentioned Dick Eastman's "Hour that Changed the World."  After hearing how he uses this method and prays for an hour I was very encouraged and challenged to do the same.  So I have accepted this challenged and asked a few guys to hold me accountable.  Feel free to go on this journey with me.

Cecil

The Flu means an opportunity to serve

So Tracy currently has had the flu, and has been terribly sick and she has needed me to take care of her and the boys for a few days.  So I have been busy getting the boys up, changed, breakfast made, kitchen cleaned, dishes washed, lunch made, washing clothes, hanging them up, having them pick up after themselves...well, you get the picture.  But with all the extra tasks that have been at hand I feel this deep privilege to have this wonderful opportunity to serve my wife.  She is such an incredible gift and I'm so honored that I get to serve such an incredible Godly woman.  May the LORD bless Tracy and heal her with His mighty hand.

Cec

Christmas Outreach

So Tracy and I had the privilege of serving the children here at the local government school with the Owen family.  This was actually our second year doing this event, it seems surreal to think its the second time around and that we've been here for a year.  I teach at this school every Monday afternoon.  It's such an honor to be able to bless the children of Thailand.  During this event I was reminded of how life-giving it is to bless the people of Thailand.  Pray that we'd have many more opportunities to bless these beautiful people.

Cecil

Afternoon Joy Ride

Such a blessing to be on the air.  So it was almost two months ago that I called the radio station.  I had been listening to 88.3 KAXL LIFE FM for awhile and I thought they should know they've been encouraging my family and I all the way here in Thailand.  So I decided to make the call, at first it was difficult to believe, and who can blame them, that someone all the way in Thailand was calling in and listening to them.  But they were gracious enough to have me on air with them.  The. They invited me back a few more time...and before you know it its a weekly event.  Such an incredible privilege and opportunity to be on the air with Matt Pelishek and Aaron Perlman on Thursday afternoon at 5:00 p.m.-which is actually 8:00 a.m. Friday morning my time.  It's a fun family event.  My wife and the boys get ready and go downstairs and tune in as I set up my headset and call the radio station from skype.  It's such a blast to hang out with the Afternoon Joy Ride and give an update about our life, teach a little Thai, and inform them of our prayer needs.  So thankful for this privilege and I as the Lord to continue to bless the radio station, the DJ's and everyone who stands with that ministry prayerfully and financially.

Cecil