I Am Loving The Process!

Bean Bag Chairs For the kids to sit on!

When I first got to San Felipe I was sure I was in the right place and knew that God had called me here. Although before I got here I thought we would have children within the month. When I got to San Felipe I found out it could be a couple of months. I questioned the timing of things and whether I made all of the right decisions. About two weeks into this journey I got so homesick and lonely. I just wanted my family and friends.

Through prayer and encouragement from family and friends I am much better. Now that I am living out at Sonshine and working on a daily basis on what Sonshine Hacienda is going to look like, I am loving it. I love being able to be a part of what God is going to doing here. Right now we are finishing the painting and furnishings in all of the room and organizing the daily schedules, policy, and procedures that Sonshine Hacienda will have in place. I have daily devotionals in the morning and afternoon planning meetings. I think that this is the first time that I like being a part of meetings, because this is the first time I am at a meeting that is about something I am truely passionate about. I love that Sonshine is becoming a part of me even before kids get here. It's so funny how God knows what we need even before we know what we need. While I was questioning the timing of everything, God knew that I needed to be here at this time for these decisions so that not only would I be a part of taking care of the children, but God wanted me to be a part of building Sonshine Hacienda. He loves to take us through the process of things so that our hearts can align with His heart and really seek what His will is. Going through the process builds character and I know that my character in definitely being refined and I am being molded. The more I am part of the process and part of praying and seeking God for guidance in the process the more passionate I get about the children of San Felipe and the more confident I am that I am going to see God's kingdom come at Sonshine.

We Got Our Mattresses and the rest of the beds are on their way

All of Our Wardrobes Have Arrived :)

Part of the Great Room: Preschool Section

God Has Me Right Where He Wants Me :)

When God called me to San Felipe. One of my biggest fears was that I wasn't ready. Then I remember that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. So I spent some time trying to get ready. I felt like God stripped some things off of me during the preparation Now that I am here I know that He just starting to equip me. There is a training process going on.  He has already taught me and shown me so much in 10 days that I have been here. He is teaching me about patience (a consistent lesson I am learning). He is teaching me about how to be dependent on Him. 

I had a very comfortable life before now. One where I was in control. I would love to say that I gave God control but I didn't completely. I am now so dependent on Him to show up. It's not a comfortable easy thing for me yet. I wish I could say that I have this great faith and I have no worries, but I still do at times. However I can am so thankful that I can cling to God's word that says the righteous will not be forsaken and it also says that when I call on Him He will answer. I can also hold on to what God has done so far in my life. I don't want to forget about the times when He has so provided for my needs and more. This reminds me of the children of Israel and how they doubted God after He brought them out of Egypt. The children of Israel's biggest problem was that they forgot. They ended up wandering around the desert for years because they were afraid to step out. They forgot about how God had chosen them, loved them, and had delivered them supernaturally. They choose not to remember how powerful He is.  God has me in a place where I can strengthen my faith muscle. I have to make the decision to believe His word and His record of never failing me. He will show Himself. I realize that if He had fully equipped me before I got to San Felipe, then I wouldn't have to call to Him daily to help me. I wouldn't have to look to Him for guidance. God has put me in a position where I am dependent upon Him right now for everything. I must trust Him with my finances, my relationships, my Spanish skills, and the work that I am going to do with these children. He has me right where He wants me so that I can see miracles and His name will be glorified. GLORIA A DIOS :)

Sonshine from the Front

Opening the door to my apartment

Beautiful San Felipe! Still by the water :)

Good-Bye San Diego :( Hello San Felipe :)

My last Sunday at Urban Church, Pastor Ben talked about prayer, and one thing he said during the sermon really hit home for me. He said that some of us settle for a camping trip when God wants to give us a cruise. This is so true. When he said that I felt like the Holy Spirit said that San Felipe is one of my cruises. The past two week has been a roller coaster ride for me. I moved out of my apartment in San Diego, left almost everything that I owned (which was not much), and moved to another country. Even though I have been preparing for this for about 8 months now, it seems like everything ended up compacting into these two weeks and I have to say it is overwhelming. I loved the people in San Diego and my church and San Diego. Everyone there has loved and supported me throughout this whole journey. I have been so amazed at how much God loves me and how He has shown His love for me through the body of Christ. I have been so thankful for those people who throughout the past 8 months, who have encouraged me and supported me. A community like that is hard to part from, but I knew that I had to because its what God has called me to do for this season. Throughout the 8 months, I was offered a couple of opportunities to stay in San Diego and work, and as I look back now, those were camping trips being offered. You see camping trips don't cost as much, are fun, but once you get there it is still a lot of work to have the bare necessities (food, shower, etc). Now on a cruise takes a lot more work to get there because it cost more money, but the experience is far greater because it is all inclusive. Everything is at your finger tips.  I am starting of experience of a cruise. San Felipe is an amazing place. Everytime I go to Sonshine Hacienda I feel like I am home. I know God has called me. I know I belong here. Right now we are still preparing for children but I am so happy that I get to be a part of this process. I get to welcome the first set of children into this home. God has shown me as hard as the process was spiritually and emotionally getting here, I am now on the cruise. I can tell you I have never felt so at peace and joyful.  I don't believe that means hard times won't come and life won't happen, but if I am in the will of God, His sufficient grace will carry me through. 

The God Who Called Me

I have been nervous about leaving San Diego and embarking on a new journey. Part of my nervousness is that I am doing what I believe I was called to do and getting that glimpse of my promise land, and I am scared that I am not ready.  I would say I have not only been nervous but scared. Which I know is normal, however I want to go into this season really trusting God. I struggle in the area of faith and believing God for what I believe to be impossible or outside of my human capability. It's sometimes hard for me to wrap my brain around his supernatural abilities so I tend to not ask for the things that are a stretch of faith or I ask and doubt. I know these are things that everyone can relate to but in this next season I need stronger faith and I need to really stand on the promises and character of God. As exciting as this next season is going to be, I know it will not be a walk in the park. 

The past couple of weeks God has just been speaking to me in the most gentle and loving way. He is constantly reminding me of His love for me, a love that took His son to the cross. He also has been reminding me of His character. He is good. He is a refuge and strong tower. He promises are real and true. He is not a man that He should lie. His thoughts toward me are as numerous as the sand.  Psalm 91 talks about how God is a protector and a savior to those who take refuge in Him. This scripture immediately reminds me of stories in the bible of how God saves and how God protects His people.  He parted the Red Sea to save the people of Israel from the Egyptians, the same God that caused mannah to fall from heaven to feed the Israelites, and He is the same God that made the sun stand still for Joshua to fight. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means my God is the same today as He was when He did all those miracles.  He is a God that moves and fights supernaturally on my behalf. As long as I have Him on my side I don't have to be nervous or scared because He will intercede on my behalf. He is a passionate God and He is passionate about His people. So when He provides for us or saves us He does is passionately and with style. 

If I remember these things about my God daily then I will not be fearful of the things to come. If I understand that this is the God that has called me, then why should I be nervous? If I believe that God is the same today as He was in the bible days then why should I stand in fear. Today I am choosing to stand in excitement. I am eager to see God's salvation, protection, and provision during this next season. I am going to have the privilege to see God' s supernatural power in my life. It's going to be awesome :)

I'm Getting Ready!

I have approximately 7 weeks left and I have so much to do. I am still learning as much erSpanish as possible and just trying to stay prayful and seeking God at every turn. I am still a little scared but God has been speaking to me. That still small voice continues to remind me that He is in control and He is a faithful God. I spent this last weekend God has just been speaking to me about His grace being sufficient. I believe He is going to show me things in this year that I never could have imagined. The scripture that immediately comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 2:9- That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do through Sonshine Hacienda and through me in this next year. 


Sonshine Hacienda is a children's home in San Felipe, Mexico. The home can house up to 48 children. The staff is passionate about God and children and I am so honored to be able to work along side them. Right now Sonshine Hacienda has almost everything it needs to start taking children. They are preparing for the process of licensing, and once that step is completed children will start coming in. (YAY!)  If you go to this link (Sonshine Pictures) you will be able to see some pictures on Sonshine's facebook page. The home is beautiful.  I know that children who are broken and lost are going to meet Jesus at Sonshine Hacienda and  have their lives transformed. Most of the time I cannot believe that God chose me to be a part of this. I don't feel ready but God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. I know that this summer God is stripping away things that I don't need and filling me with things that I do need. I feel like the adventure starts here. So here I go... 


Thank You so much for all of your support. The prayers, words of encouragement, and your willingness to give to the Kingdom of God has built my faith through this journey. I really appreciate you being the Church. I love that I am able to see the body of Christ at work.  I pray that God will give back to you pressed down shaken together and running over for your obedience. To make giving a little easier, I have attached a link to Urban Church where you can give online. If you click this link, GivingDonation, and then click on the designation MEXICO MISSIONS, then your tax deductible donation will get to me. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank You again.


In Christ Love, 
Erin