An Open Letter

Hi,

We have some news about Linda. Before her and Richard left for their honeymoon two weeks ago she was looking quite jaundice. The doctors warned this might be a sign that they would need to clean out the area around the stint or replace the stint again. When they returned from their time in Maui the doctors admitted her for that purpose. Since then she has had several complications. Her bilirubin count would not decrease, they could not do this procedure, high pressure, etc. And really she just doesn't look good - weak and thin. She actually weighs less than me now. Last night the doctors told her and Richard there is nothing else they can do. She is being transferred to hospice care and was told she has two weeks.

Prior to yesterday's diagnosis she had been discouraged-but still singing hymns, quoting scripture, and talking about things to do in the church. Mom is in Mississippi, but Linda called her yesterday and they cried together. Mom is flying in tonight.

Please pray for Richard ( this will be his second loss of a wife in two years), the Flach family, and for Linda in these coming days. On Tuesday I was hanging out with her in the hospital and as I was leaving I gave her a kiss and said do not be discouraged. She opened her eyes and said softly, "Our God is an everlasting God". The Holy Spirit is present and we rest on his will, trusting that He is in control. 


Love,
JJ


P.S. I know many of you would love to visit. Please refrain unless you have heard it is okay otherwise.

Whispering these words,
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lam 3:22-24

Momentum 2010

The last few years I have been working with many people to bring a vision to life. That has been my job -to create a conference where we are actively seeking to identify, develop, equip, empower, and send young leaders out to bring people to Jesus. This past weekend God showed me that our vision has been brought to life and that we are in the midst of changing the culture of the conference to one that is alive in the Holy Spirit.

110 young people gathered together this past weekend in Ventura, Ca. for the PCJC Young Leaders Conference - Momentum 2010. Pastor Larry Walkemeyer from Light and Life Long Beach Church came and taught (more like exorted) us to BE BOLD for Christ. When I was seeing Larry off on Saturday night I could not find the words to express my thanks for what the Lord had done through him that weekend. I just stood there with tears falling down my cheeks and God bless him, Larry's eyes just filled up too and he just gave me the biggest hug. He knew what I could not say.

Jesus, thanks for sticking with us all these years, bringing clarity and vision to many people, raising up leaders, and giving me a soaring hope that your divine hand has got some major plans for us.

"Get 'em down der by the watershed son!"

I've been working on putting together Grandpa Miyabe's Life Summary and I ran across this picture of my dad and his little sister Ruth playing cowboys back in the day. I couldn't resist sharing it with you. I love the seriousness to which dad is playing and the length they went to be authentic in their dress. =)

Get 'em!

A Daily Post-It With a Bit o' Naming

Oh yes, and for those that were wondering, we have officially named Mr. Giraffe,
 Charles Willis McDonald III - and you can call him Charlie. Welcome to the family.
(see mom, the family name carries on, just like you wanted.)

Hilary Duff

Argh! Hilary Duff is apparently engaged and I can't read about it. Dang you lent!

___________________________________________________________________

This is my text conversation with Josh about it... (please pass over the misspellings. I chalk it up to excitement)

me: OMGOSH hilary Duff is engaged nd I can't read about it!!

Josh: Haha. Who cares. 

Josh: It's Hillary duff.

Josh: Haha

me: Josh!! I care!!

Josh: Haha

Yes, my name is Julianna. Yes, I'm an avid people.com reader. Yes, I gave it up for lent. Yes, it's killing me. blah blah blah, don't judge me people. 

Happy [belated] Valentines

Seeing the Fruit

149 of us from the PCJC were up at Oak Glen for our 4th Annual Midwinter Youth Retreat this past weekend. A used the perfect word to describe the weekend, solid. The staff, the teaching, the growth, the heart of the kids, the weather... everything. Just solid.

1. David Gaulton leading worship with the new youth band. Watching them learn, grow, lead, and love it just makes the process of getting it to that point so worth it.
2. Brandon, Phil, and David for making gooning so entertaining.
3. The Lord for blessing us with no extra snow. =)
4. GymAttic Wifi
5. Cory for leading our first MS/HS split and getting down to it with the MHers.
6. Ryan, for his heart and the way he expresses that.
7. Kimi, for having such a great attitude about the "sickness aura".
8. Kats bringing the Word in a new way that makes its understandable, interesting, challenging, and applicable all at the same time.
9. For the 5 who stood to accept Christ on Saturday night.
10. For the tons who stood to see Christ as more than what He gives to us.
11. Michelle for mobilizing Anaheim. Bless her.
12. My 180 team - Lauren, Lindsey, Arin, and Sydney.
13. Shawn and Pat - wowza, anxious to see what God has in store for them.
14. Brandon for organizing Sunday morning deportation. Perfectly executed.