Sunday mornings...

This last Sunday was a treat! On my way to Bakersfield, I stopped off in Frazier Park and headed to my old church, Calvary Chapel Frazier Park. The church gathers each Sunday in a little community center and has no more than 40 people in attendance at either of the two services. There are so many reasons why I love this church. I will name a few (or 12!) to informally introduce you to this church family I love so much:

1. The church is built on the Word of God and this is evident in all that the church does. Nothing is done from tradition but thought out and conducted according to God's Word.

2. The Word of God is taught! Pastor Rich is faithful to take us through books of the Bible and teach us not only doctrine but practical application of that doctrine.

3. The focus on the gospel. Each week the gospel is preached and the invitation is laid out. I love that this church lives out and believes the importance of the gospel message!

4. The emphasis on evangelism. There is not a week where we are not being exhorted to go and proclaim the good news. Pastor Rich says it should be so much apart of what we do that we hardly think about it--we just do it!

5. The way they deal with sin. They are gracious and loving but they do not turn a blind eye. They speak the truth in love and desire always to see Christ glorified.

6.. Our pastor knows his sheep and takes time to truly care for them. Case in point: on a recent visit, Pastor Rich spent 45 minutes talking with me after servie--and I'm not even a regular attender anymore! The time was such a sweet blessing filled with much encouragement and exhortation. He even took the time to pray for me right then! Thanks, Pastor Rich, for taking the time to care for me and to know the happenings of my life. I know I speak for many who agree!

7. The church body. At the beginning of each service, we take time as a corporate body to share praises and prayer requests from the week before and actually spend time praying together through what is shared! This time is so encouraging to my soul. I love knowing what is going on in the lives of my church family and to be able to pray for them throughout the week.

8. Church potlucks! These remind me of my childhood. I just love them--the food, fun and fellowship! It seriously doesn't get much better than this.

9. The kids! I spent my summer teaching the 3 and 4 year-old Sunday School class through the life of Joseph. The time with these kids was so precious! We acted out Bible stories, learned our memory verses through song and worshipped the Lord through dance, shouts and our hand-made instruments. It was a treat to see God move in the hearts of these young children!

10. The authentic faith of the church body. These people live out their faith! It is real, raw and life-giving!

11. The worship. I am blessed every time! Thank you, Anne, for your humble and Godward focus each Sunday morning. I am so thankful to the Lord for you! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.

12. Jodie and Michael Zicker and their 4 kiddos! More to come on them later...

If you are ever in Frazier Park on a Sunday morning, be sure to check out Calvary Chapel Frazier Park. Services are at 8:30am and 10:30am. Cuddy Hall is right off the main road a couple miles past the only blinking red light in town! All are welcome!

The Blessing of Bakersfield

Today I had the privilege of heading to Bakersfield. I know that many people would not consider that a privilege, but I most certainly did especially knowing that I was headed there to see Gabe, Staci, Reese and Hudson Woodward!

This family is so special to me! I have known Staci since I was 19. We met when she was the college intern at Bel Air Presbyterian Chuch and I was a sophomore at UCLA. She began discipling me each week and as the years passed, our friendship grew and she has become a dear sister in the faith to me.

This last summer, I had the opportunity to live with her and her family right after Hudson was born. It was such a sweet time! I learned so much from watching Gabe and Staci love and serve one another, watching them raise their children according to God's Word and watching them put Christ first above all things in their lives. Gabe and Staci, thank you for your examples of godliness and Christ-likeness. It is my prayer that you would continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May your love for Chirst and your love for one another continue to testify the gospel message loudly to a lost and dying world!


Here is my most favorite recent picture of a little Reese-y. She called me at work 2 weeks ago and said, "Auntie Summer, come to play at my house today?!!" It was the cutest thing! I am thankful that today I am able to be here with her and the rest of the Woodward family.

Trials in the Life of a Believer...Part 2

I have been fixed on this verse the last couple of days so I thought I'd share.

"For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

As I was reading this morning, I came across this commentary: God promised none of us carefree lives. What He promised is His faithfulness in forgiving our sins and preserving us through the trials of this world...What God is preparing for us through our trials is incomparably greater than the things we long for in this world. We could gladly settle for mere happiness in life. But God is determined that we should be holy, and through holiness partake of His own glory. It is for that cause that God ordains our trials in this life.

Often through painful trials, God is working an incomprehensible gift: eternal life and the hope of glory. Realizing this, we can rejoice in our trials and sufferings to the glory of God!

Paul knew that the future glory he would experience with the Lord far outweighed any suffering he would experience in this world. I want to live with this perspective!

Trials in the Life of a Believer

I have been reading Ruth and Warren Myers' book 31 Days of Praise the last two weeks and have been so encouraged by what I have read. Each day's entry includes praises to our sweet Jesus and focuses my heart and my mind to its rightful place.

Just the other day I read the following quote and was struck by what was written. The truth was not new to me; however, I had not been mindful of it recently. I pray it encourages you as it did me.

"I magnify you O Lord, I exalt your name. You exercise your gracious authority over all nations--and over each individual in the World. There is none like You the true God, the living God, the everlasting God.

I praise You for Your soverignty over the broad events of my life and over the details. With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted. You hold in Your own power my breath of life and my destiny. And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on. Thank you that I can move into the future nondefensively, with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age and all through eternity."

Our Lord, in His great wisdom and out of His great love for us, allows trials in our lives that we might know Him more fully and depend on Him more completely. (This love is unfathomable to me!) These trials are also not only for our growth but for the good (and growth) of others in our lives--that they might know more of His character, His tender mercies, His great love!

Nothing happens in our lives for naught. Our Lord watches His children closely and knows just what is best for each of us. Our job is not to always understand. Our job is to trust and to continue to keep our eyes fixed on Christ no matter the circumstances! May the trials we experience in this life help us to know and see Christ more clearly!

15-Minute Chili

I have decided that every Thursday will be Recipe Thursdays--that means a new recipe for you to try each week! In the last year, I have discovered this new found love for cooking and often find myself scouring magazines for what appear to be good, fun and easy-to-make recipes! I love good, easy-to-make recipes!

This past Christmas, I was able to spend four days at home with my whole family (the first time in 3 years!). The time was sweet but far too short as always! On Christmas Eve, my mom, my brother's roommate (Jon) and I tried a new recipe. Jon and I added some modifications which gave the final product a little kick. The recipe is below for you to enjoy! We also made a batch of cornbread to go along with the meal--a perfect compliment!

Bon Appetit!

15-Minute Chili

1 can of kidney beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of ranch style beans
Hamburger meat or turkey meat seasoned w/ Hot Taco Seasoning for an extra kick!
1 Tablespoon virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin & ¼ teaspoon turmeric or 1 Tablespoon of chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 15-ounce cans of tomato sauce
½ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish

Put the beans in a strainer and give them a quick rinse with cold water. Put the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot, then add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes over medium heat, then add the beans. Add the cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes, letting the flavor get into the beans. Add the tomato sauce and meat and the let the chili come to a boil, stirring often. Simmer for 5 minutes then serve in bowls with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Serves: 6

Stay tuned for next Thursday's recipe...

Merry Christmas!