Student of The Week

Just wanted to share a wonderful honor Faith received today at Ocean Beach Elementary - Student of the Week! Of course, we are very proud parents. Faith told me last week passionately, she loved school and wished she could go everyday.

Michelle has had a much better week and was downtown today with all the other harbor wives. My mother has been in town this past week helping hold down the fort. She picked up a bad sinus infection and has felt pretty bad for the past two days. Please pray for her as she flies home tomorrow.

I was able to surf a few times this week. Tuesday, I paddled out at break called The Cliffs, it was magical. The beauty of San Diego is such a gift!

We are now blowing up balloons and making posters to welcome Greg Langley who flies in tonight. Please be praying for Greg during this transition. He has two days to catch his breath then begins his new job. I think he works five out of the first seven days.

Earthquake...by M Huster

Something we all know about California is that they have earthquakes. Ever since we moved here, I knew that this experience would take place. My first earthquake was not without a little drama.

September 10th was my best friend's birthday (Katrina) and she came out for a long weekend from South Carolina. Unfortunately, my health was not good at all and she had to help me just like old times. I was having really high blood pressure and a sustained high heart rate. This made me a little edgy and very uncomfortable. About 6am I woke up on Sunday and remembered that the planes were going to be taking off at 6:30 am; we live near the airport. I went into Katrina's room to close the window so the planes would not wake her. I was about to go into Faith's room to do the same when I got this really strange feeling. Things were just a little "too" quiet and the air seemed really thick. I then got nauseated and felt like something bad was getting ready to happen. Jim startled me and told me to get back in bed. About 30 seconds later, our bed began to shake! I sat up and said, "Did you feel it? Was that really an earthquake?" Jim agreed and the next morning we found out it was a 3.4. After the earthquake, I slept like a baby. Later that day, our friend Lois came over and I told her about my experience. She said I was better than a dog at predicting earthquakes!! Kinda spooky but if I could make some money predicting...well that would be cool. I don't think they are going to sign me on just yet at USCSD. Katrina slept through it and was really bummed that she missed out. She asked me what it was like. I told her, "Do you remember how it felt when your water broke before you went into labor?" That was what it was like. You know it is going to happen, it just takes you by surprise when it does!

PS: Thank you for all the prayers. My health is improving!

OB Prayer Walk

“If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.” Isaiah 58:9-11

On Thursday evening, a group of Ocean Beach and Point Loma locals who are actively involved in other Harbor congregations, met for a prayer walk down Newport Ave (OB’s main drag). It was so much fun to begin to a pray for our community. We prayed through the verse above from the prophet Isaiah. There are some great promises to hold on to.

As most of you know, Michelle’s health has been sketchy for a few weeks now. Her heart rate and blood pressure have been super high. Her doctor has her on some medication to lower her BP and heart rate and that has helped. She is a little frustrated that they are only treating the symptoms and not really getting to the root of the problem. However, her doctor does communicate well and is easy to get in touch when needed. It is hard to transition to a new Endocrinologist when they really don’t know your history. She is very grateful for all the support she has received from the other Harbor wives. They have given their time, support, and prayers. Her spirit remains strong and she just “rolls” with whatever comes. God has truly sustained her.

School Daze...by Michelle Huster

It's that time of year again! School has begun and so life starts a more structured routine for school age children and their parents. I just love the rows and rows of crayons, paper, notebooks, glue, and every other school supply you can think of at your local Target or Office supply store.

Last week, Faith and I had a "girls day out" of back to school shopping. Our main goal was a new backpack and a few pencils and paper. We went to three different stores and found everything we needed. Something else I found that afternoon was not school supplies but a hard look at myself and my heart. As we went to a new store, I could not help but notice all the street people hanging out in front begging for money or food. Some would be standing but mostly sitting with all their worldly possessions in a small grocery bag. By the time we had reached our third store, it seemed as if they were EVERYWHERE!!! I began to hold Faith's hand a little tighter and walk a little faster. Then fear set in and I became angry that these people were interrupting my day with my daughter. The Holy Spirit quickly convicted me of my arrogant, superior attitude and I became ashamed of my fear and the truth He had revealed about myself. I asked the Lord right there and then to forgive my attitude and to give me courage. Just then, a long bearded man approached us wanting "spare change." I told him no. When Faith and I entered the store, I pulled her aside and we talked about what had just happened. I shared with her that there are people in this world and right here in our neighborhood that don't have a place to call home. Most of the time it is not their fault and even if it is, God commands us to love all of our neighbors and our enemies, those with homes or not. I told her that I didn't give him money because that is not always the right answer. We talked about what we could do and decided to buy a bottle of water and Snickers bar. As we left the store, he had already moved on to another store front. We looked up and down the sidewalks hoping to find him. We promised to give the water and candy to anyone else that day who looked like they needed it.
Some of you may be thinking, what a great teaching moment but the truth is I was the one learning a new lesson. I have been praying for God to open my eyes to the down and out of our community. On that day He showed me!!! I had not noticed them before. It was no coincidence that the previous night I had been at a Bible Study entitled, "Sharing God's Heart for the Poor." This past week, I have started to discover God's heart for the poor through His Word. In Psalm 68:5, God is described as "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His Holy dwelling." It is only by His mercy that I am not standing out in front of a store holding a grocery bag of all my worldly possessions. As God's daughter, He has clearly laid out His desire and will for me to care for the poor. Not just by writing a check but really getting to know who they are and loving them! My prayer now is that He will show me specific ways to reach out to those in need without fear and with compassion that only Christ could give.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. --- PROVERBS 14:31