A Little Us Time

Hello All,

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, I have focused much of my energy lately on news relating to the new Bible study that I am teaching in Colton. Unfortunately, that has taken away from the family focus. So, in the spirit of balancing things out, here is a little update on what's happening with the family.

The Cat's Pajamas
We have been living with the Finfrock family over this last month and in that time, a new litter of kittens was born. There were six. Now there are three. Of course, that means that each of the kids has their own personal kitty. Renae has "Golden Rivers." Elizabeth, lacking a little in the creative department, chose to name her kitty "Salara." And my personal favorite, Caleb's is named "Army Droid Cat!"

The names have changed quite a bit, but they names of reflective of the solid gender line between the girls and the boy!

I will say that these kitties have brought great joy to our kids and have provided them with some great recreational time. Unfortunately, the kitties are traumatized and cannot wait for us to find a new place to live, in their little cat minds, preferably a non-cat friendly environment! Otherwise, the cats may be in for some prolonged exposure to our children. Good for the kids; bad for the cats!

Home Meet School
Since we are currently in another transition, we felt that it would be a bit unfair for the kids to have to begin school somewhere, only to be ripped out again when a more permanent solution was found. As a result, Lela checked online to see if she could find free home school for the kids and as always, my resourceful wife found it! She got the kids signed up and registered just in time.

For the most part, this has been a great decision. Both Renae and Caleb are doing really well. Lela works with Caleb and my mother-in-law, Debbie, works with Renae for several hours in the morning.

When we move, we may opt to return the kids to school, which would be great for their social needs, as well as our needs for sanity. But, one thing has been clear: We love to see our kids growing and doing well. That has been the trade off at this point, and we are happy to make that trade for now.

Renae Just Keeps Getting Older!
This last month, Renae celebrated her 8th birthday! It's hard to believe that she is 8 years old. I still remember when...oh, I sound like an old man! She continues to be a very thoughtful, bright and insightful little girl, who always has her Daddy's heart in her hands. I have loved watching her recover from all the little physical maladies that she suffered at infancy, as well as the mental difficulties of the upheaval that she has experienced. Today, she is much more well adjusted, laughing easier and trusting more. I have even watched her embrace the performer's limelight, something that had been anathema to her not that long ago.

On her birthday, we were granted entrance into Disneyland by a friend from Kingsfield Church. Renae got to enjoy her birthday, Caleb got to be trained by a Jedi Knight and Lizzy got to enjoy all the fast rides! It was a perfect day, made much more so by the wonderful smile of my little 8 year old!

Phone Home
We are beginning to look for a place to live and are looking in the Loma Linda area. Suffice it to say, there are a million little dynamics involved. Please pray that the Lord would lead us as we begin our search. Over the years, I have watched God answer my wife's prayers for places to live with great specificity. (He seems to really love her!) When we were in Spain, the place we got to live in was in perfect accordance with Lela's requests. I am sure that He will have no problem meeting those desires again. He has yet to fail us!

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

...Go!...

Hello All,

Last night, we began our Bible study at the Gonzalez Center in Colton. I admit being completely overwhelmed the day of, mostly due to the anticipation. I had no idea what to expect. How many, if any, would come? Would they be young or old in the faith? How would the room feel? What songs would be appropriate for a group that has never worshipped together? Believe it or not, not knowing the answers to these questions really made it a difficult assignment. Usually, you at least know who you are speaking to, which is helpful in penning sermons. I was completely flying blind and the questions loomed large as the night quickly approached.

The answers came fairly quickly. 15 people joined us for the evening, spanning the spectrum from young and old, single and married, young and seasoned in the faith. It was a blessing to be there with them, most I have known for many years. A few were students that I met while they were in Junior High. A few I met when I married their daughter/niece! One couple I met in the first seconds of my life, though I do not remember that! One couple drove out from Cherry Valley, a healthy 35 minute drive, to be with us. Their presence, as well as the rest, encouraged my heart to know that we are stepping in the right direction.

We worshipped and then we studied Genesis 1:1. I had prayed and wondered about starting in Genesis. I wondered if it would be the right book. Once we got going, I felt that the choice was perfect and it set the tone for the weeks to come. (For those interested in the notes from the study, you can find them right here.) As I was teaching, I felt such joy and excitement to be able to share the Lord's heart, knowing that barring some extreme circumstances, I will not be interrupted in having the opportunity to continue week by week. There are no visa issues here in America as there were in Spain, and this is not a guest teaching experience! With the Lord's help, I will be able to build week by week with a group of people that God desires to sow His Word into.

At the end of the night, I was glad for what God had been doing in our midst. This morning, as I woke up, I began praying for each one, that God would allow His Word from last night, to soak deeply into their souls and that He would meet them in every one of their situations. I prayed specifically when I could and generally otherwise. It amazed me to experience the joy that that discipline brought to my heart, as well as the earnest desire to add to it next Thursday night.

What happens from here is a mystery. Will this be a long term Bible study or will this become a church body? I do not know. One thing is for sure : The ball is rolling! We have begun something that we pray will be a blessing to as many as God intends. With each passing week, we pray that the Lord would confirm that His hand is upon this. I am not worried about how many God brings, as that will always be His business. He is in charge of bringing increase. I'm just the farmer, sowing the seed. My concern is that those who come to the Thursday Night Bible Study will find an undershepherd waiting to feed and care for them. My bible college professor, Pastor Larry Taylor, said it best when he said, "Make sure that your sheep are the best loved, best fed sheep in the world." That is what I hope to live by.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Both prayer and encouragement continue to be welcome!

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

...Get Set...

Hello All,

Somebody's mother once said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I want to amend just one part of this. "If you have nothing to say, then say nothing!" In many ways, that has been the story of these last few weeks. Everything has been behind the scenes, waiting on phone calls, studying for messages, scouring the internet for jobs, etc. Thankfully, as of Friday night, I finally have something to report.

As mentioned in my most recent post, I asked for your prayers regarding a meeting place for the Bible study that we feel led to begin in Colton. Initially, I had believed that my families home would suffice for a good meeting place. However, due to the size of the group that has talked about coming, we knew that before we even began, we would have outgrown the place. So the hunt was on.

Thankfully, with the help of a great friend, we came into contact with the folks that run the community center in town. As of tonight, we have been given permission to occupy! They have agreed to rent a room to us, and we are thankful to have the opportunity to use their facilities.

As a result, we are beginning the Thursday Night Bible Study THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st. It will begin at 7PM at the Frank Gonzalez Community Center in Colton. The building is located at 670 Colton Avenue in Colton, 92324. I am grateful to watch and participate with the Holy Spirit, as He begins a work that I pray will be a blessing to many and blossom into whatever the Father intends it to become. It seems only fitting to begin at the Beginning...We'll begin in the book of Genesis, a book (really, the entire Bible would work!) that I have a great affinity for.

Many have asked over the last several weeks about how or if they could give toward this work. This was a question that I needed to uncover myself! Last Tuesday, I received the answer. This Bible study is an outreach of Kingsfield Church. As a result, Pastor Chris gave his permission to officially exist under the umbrella of Kingsfield. If you are reading this and are one of the people that have asked, or you are wondering, checks can be made out to "Kingsfield Church" and in the memo, simply write "Colton Outreach."

Finally, as most of you know, this has been our families blogsite for the last several years. I want it to continue to be that and continue to invite any who would like to visit and see our family as it develops, to continue to do so. As a result, in the next few weeks, I will be separating this blog back toward my family and creating a separate blog for the Bible Study. I may merge the Bible Study and Bible notes page that already exists into one new blog. Eventually, perhaps an entire website will be in order, but that will come in time. For now, most of the "news" will be here until a different blogspot can be determined.

Thank you all for your prayers, your encouraging notes and you pledges of support, either financially or in the promise of your physical presence. I hope that all of you will continue to pray for this to be a special part of the fabric of Colton, as well as the Inland Empire.

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

On Your Marks...

Hello All,

I meant to blog this a little earlier in the week, but computer problems have arisen over the last day that have delayed this. Perhaps this falls under the "better late than never" labels for this blog. Nevertheless, as my good friend Kim says, "I must needs" get this to you.

As I have previously announced, I am about to begin a Bible study in the city of Colton. I have said on more than one occasion that I have no idea what to expect, but that I expect to teach the Word of God and worship Him with whoever God intends to bring our way. Tonight, September 10th, we begin the process in Spirit and even in practice. Over the course of the next several weeks, I will be meeting with family and some mentors on Thursday evenings, for the purpose of prayer and worship. We are asking the Lord several specific items. For those who read this blog, or who have been directed here through Facebook, please take some time when you can, perhaps even this evening at 7PM, and pray through this list of items with us.

One of the main items of prayer is a suitable location in Colton to meet. We have a few "feelers" out there, but are currently unsure as to a good, solid location to congregate. I had originally believed that my family's home would suffice, but have become quickly convinced that the space would be too constrictive. I am hopeful that there is a much more suitable place, and will focus my attention on that aspect next week when a good friend of mine returns from his vacation (you know who you are!!). I pray that he might be a big help in that regard.

For now, here is the current list of items that we would love you to join us in prayer over. This is by no means, exhaustive, but it gets the prayer fires stoked. I consider it a launching pad toward even more effective prayer. Feel free to disseminate this to any prayer warriors that you know, especially those who know us. We can use all the prayer we can get!

• Strength, wisdom and clarity for Frank as he attempts to follow the Lord's leading.

• The annointing of God's Spirit to rest upon Frank, as he proclaims the Word.

• The strengthening of Frank and Lela's marriage and family.

• The stirring up of hearts in Colton and surrounding areas for the Word of God.

• Strong, supportive partnerships would develop.

• The casting down of spiritual strongholds within Colton.

• Spiritual protection from the attacks of the enemy for Frank, Lela and the kids.

• A smooth adjustment for our kids as they acclimate to new pressures.

• A strategic, inexpensive location to meet on a weekly basis. Either is Colton proper or Cooley Ranch...

• Redeeming relationships in the community among Colton's Pastors.

• Opportunities to make friends and evangelize inside of the city.

• Employment and financial provision for the Sanchez family.

• A devoted team of leaders and elders would be identified.

• God would draw the hearts of those that He would like to touch.

• God's name would be magnified and lifted high, leading to unprecedented blessing.

• God's vision of what this should be would be realized.

That is it! Feel free to leave what you feel led to pray in the comments section of this blog entry. We would love to see what the Lord stirs in our friend's hearts.

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez