Lord, I pray that the Santos family “Shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” (2 Kings 19:30, NKJV)

During this time as we’ve been uprooted from our previous home and church, I’ve prayed and asked for God’s help many times—that we will again take root downward right where He has planted us and bear fruit upward for His glory!

In context, the above verse is God comforting and encouraging His nation, Israel, in difficult times. 10 Tribes of Israel had already been taken captive and Judah had suffered attacks because of their rejection of God. The enemy, Assyria, was upon them and they feared complete destruction.

Through the prophet Isaiah, their Redeemer let them know that although they’d be chastened for their sins, the enemy would not utterly destroy them. (And history shows how this was fulfilled!)

In this passage the promise is that those who were left should flourish and increase…that all obstructions to their growth and prosperity would be removed.
Barnes Notes on the Bible

Getting to Know the City!

Taking Root in Ministry

1st service-Pastor of English church praying for us and a member of en Espanol translating.

Taking Root in our “New” Home!

After living for a little over a month with a family from church, God led us to the home He had for us. One very different from what we had imagined, but exactly what we needed! And on top of that, we’ll be out of debt in less than 10 years Lord willing!!

Isn’t God amazing?!

In another post, I’ll share more about what God has done and is teaching us through our new home. As well as more before/after photos.

But to sum it up, it’s been a visual illustration of the work that God does in the life of every person who surrenders to Him. He takes out all that is useless, destroyed, dirty and broken and replaces it with the beautiful, new and useful.

For if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  Behold, the old things have passed away, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Praise to the God of Restoration!!

Now…out with the old & in with the new!!

Welcome to the “Restoration House”, the answer to our prayers in a crazy housing market!…

AFTER! We still have some details to take care of & decorating to do (as well as re-finishing the kitchen table, which we’ve never done before 😬), but I’m so thankful to God for our new kitchen!! 💜 💙 💖

HOUSEWARMING (OPEN HOUSE STYLE) AND VISITS FROM FAMILY!

The lovely ladies who threw us the housewarming!

My mom and Jonathan’s parents have come a couple times along with our niece and Jonathan’s sister and her family. But for the younger ones privacy I won’t be including their pics.

Bearing Fruit!

GETTING BACK INTO ROUTINE!

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
John 15:5, 7-8 (NKJV)

To be honest, this transition along with the work at our new house was more overwhelming than I realized it would be and all my routines got out of whack—everything from meal prep to prayer.

ABIDING IN CHRIST

Although I was still reading daily and praying (some), no longer was I slowly relishing and rejoicing spending time in His Word and in His Presence.

At one point I felt exhausted in every way and getting up while it was still dark to spend time with Him simply wasn’t happening.

My good Father didn’t lose His patience with me, but He lovingly and gently led me back into communion with Him. He even used us having COVID recently to draw me even closer and get me to dig in His Holy Word again.

It’s been water to my soul. Rejoicing has returned!

Like David said,

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 
Psalm 63:1