Christmas Surprises! by M. Huster

We hope you all had a great Christmas! As many of you know, I have been very sick for about 6 weeks and to tell you the truth, this is getting really old. However, God continues to be faithful in loving me at my worst times. I haven't been able to do hardly anything, including Christmas cards but I finally got them all done last night. I was feeling especially rotten when I cried out to the Lord, "Help me! Is this going to last forever?"(my sickness) I even confessed my sins before Him and continued to pray. The Holy Spirit came soon with an answer, " Just keep writing." I thought that was a strange answer knowing I had over 100 cards to do. But after a few cards, something wonderful happened. This year we didn't put in pictures with our names typed at the bottom. I never got around to that. So I hand wrote a note in each card. All the sudden emotion came over me as I sat and looked at the stacks of cards I had completed. All those cards represented people in my life that are so special. Wow! I am truly blessed by others love, encouragement, and hope! Even in my worst times, God reminds me of the blessing of knowing Him and how He provides for all my needs. I thought those cards would be a burden, but they were the greatest gift!

Another great surprise our family got this Christmas was our dear friends Kahli and Katrina Hubbard showing up and surprising us on Christmas night!!! The kids went wild and they have been such a blessing this week! Faith and Isaac had been asking Santa to bring Kahli and Katrina here for Christmas. We encouraged them rather to pray and ask God for a miracle. Boy, were they surprised when they went into the garage Christmas evening to find one more or may I say two more presents! I really didn't know how Christmas was going to turn out but it has been such a joy being with friends near and far. My precious husband arranged their visit and it was actually my gift this year. He knew I needed my dear friend to help me. I am truly blessed.

I also want to praise the Lord for my new medication, Adult Growth Hormone. I have started replacing it but can't tell a lot of difference just yet. It will take a few weeks. It is very expensive but the Lilly drug company has paid for all my meds! What a blessing!

Our dear friend Benjamin from Rwanda arrives in San Diego January 5th. Please pray for safe travel and for everything to go smoothly in Washington DC.

Today is Richard and Penny Huster's Anniversary! (Jim's dad and step-mom) Happy Anniversary!

Thank you sweet friends for all your love and prayers this year. May 2008 be the year where God uses us all to bring others to Him!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 14th Anniversary! We can't believe it has been that long. We are so thankful that the Lord Jesus put us together and we made our covenant before Him and witnesses on December 18,1993 in Hickory, NC.

This is a photo of our first "formal" date back in college at Lenoir Rhyne (Christmas Social). Oh how we have changed!!!

Count "MY" Blessings Part 2 M. Huster

Well yesterday I wrote about my blessings and struggles. Tonight I have an update about my struggles turned to blessings.

1. I got a call today that my Growth Hormone prescription HAS BEEN APPROVED!!!!!
2. GH usually costs $1000 a month and mine is free with no copay!
3. God controls everything...even HMO's.
4. There are 30+ people in my house and they ate all my food. (I mean they enjoyed my cooking.)
5. I am snuggling with Isaac...he goes to the doctor tomorrow.
6. Even though I felt so bad, I was able to cook and decorate for our party tonight.
7. I am thankful for my nice big bed that I am getting ready to crash into in after this blog!

GO GOD

Count "My" Blessings. M Huster

Do you remember the song, "Count Your Blessings"....name them one by one.... I suppose I should start with my blessings but this week has had its challenges. Let me list a few.

1. I was denied by my health provider Growth Hormone that I desperately need.

2. My double ear infection returned with an upper respiratory infection, so back to the doc and more antibiotics and rest, rest, rest.

3. Isaac came down with a fever and now is complaining of an ear ache.

4. My dishwasher is broken with it full of dirty dishes and I can't get my landlord on the phone. We are having our Monday Night Bible study over for a party tomorrow night. (without a dishwasher) 30+ folks

5. Our babysitter went home on Christmas break.

Now for the blessings

1. My Father is the Creator of the world.
2. I have the most wonderful husband.
3. Isaac and I have been bed buddies and snuggled the past 2 days.
4. Faith has read books to me and we have worked on homework in my bed with all the fluffy pillows around us.
5. My cleaning lady is coming tomorrow.
6. Jim did six loads of laundry and I folded.
7. I have a great "sister" in Katrina (Nana) and a precious "daughter" in Kahli.
8. My neighbors don't think I am strange sitting outside in my pj's soaking up my vitamin D.
9. I am blessed with a wonderful dad (Allen), step mom (Shirley), Mother in law (Nancy), Father in law (Richard) Mother in law (Pen) and all my brother and sisters in laws and step brothers and sisters, my brother Phillip and all my nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.
10. Faith never ceases to amaze me with her love and creativity.
11. Harbor Church has much grace for me and I think they don't regret hiring us with all my issues.
12. The Harbor wives are my sisters and I can share my trials and triumphs with them.
13. Lois Swagerty is as twisted as I am, and you too Liz.
14. I live in the most beautiful place in the world.
15. My sweet Caroline is waiting to come home and working hard on her English.
16. Benjamin is safe and healthy and will be visiting in January.
17. God knows me and loves me anyway.
18. My extended family of the Connor's make me laugh so hard and have passed down a legacy of family and Christ.
19. My Grandfather Connor planted over 40 churches in his lifetime.
20. My mother was the most Godly woman I ever knew. She taught me so much.
She has a homecoming birthday on December 22.
21. My mother's family the Mills are so precious to me. Her sisters take good care of "little Michelle."
22. My cousin David lives 2 miles away!
23. I live in an age of medical technology that has allowed me to live.
24. My house is decorated for Christmas!
25. Our home church Covenant has been so good to us.
26. I got up this morning and got dressed.
27. Jim preached in an inner city section of San Diego today.
28. I am a part of an incredible family of God.
29. My kids think I can fix anything.
30. Our partners in ministry. We could not be here without you!
31. For our friends and family.
32. Uncle Greg lives only 15 minutes away!
33. Both of our cars are paid for.
34. I can't make God love me anymore or any less than He already does.
35. I don't control anything. Thank goodness!
36. I did all my Christmas shopping online.
37. Half of my Christmas cards are addressed.

I think you get the message....I could go on and on.

God is good all the time!

From the wise words of King Solomon, "The End is better than the Beginning."

December Already? by M. Huster

Wow! I can't believe it is already December. We have been here for almost 6 months and up until now it has felt like summer. The temperature is dropping and we have actually had rain! We have no heat, don't feel sorry for us, nobody on the coast does. But we have been using our fireplace and it has been so cozy. The kids are really excited about Christmas. They have seen parades and the lights around the city are incredible. You can go skating downtown, or sledding at Petco park where the Padres play. Everyone is out shopping and going to parties, concerts, special services, etc...

As for me, I have been watching my family come and go as I have been at home a lot! I had the flu before Thanksgiving then after flying home, I go a double ear infection, a sinus infection, and bronchitis. Wow! I am on the mend now but with low energy levels. Going to church tonight was so good. Even though I was tired and weary, my heart was filled with joy worshiping the Lord with my fellow believers. The time I have spent lying in bed has not been in vain. I pray for many of you and the Lord brings folks to my mind to intercede on their behalf. I don't know why my health continues to be a struggle but I know I could not make it without my Heavenly Father and a wonderful husband.

I want to share a huge note of praise. Many of you know that I have a rare pituitary disease which has changed my life completely for the past 6 years. Karen Kline is the wife of Bob Kline and they are church planters with Harbor. Karen is a pediatric endocrinologist. She called me about a month ago in tears knowing about all my struggles. She asked is she could come over and go through my medical records. She had been talking with her colleagues about my condition and they all felt that another function of the pituitary was in decline or full failure. She just wanted to see if my records proved their hypothesis. So, she came over and Karen, myself, and Jim sat in the living room discussing my struggles since 1999. Karen picked up quickly that my Growth Hormone was low and had been declining every time they had taken blood work. She asked if she could call my new doctor and have the test done again. If it showed a rapid decline again, then she said she felt that was the missing piece of my pituitary problems.

The test was done and sure enough the numbers had dropped dramatically!! I am now waiting for my insurance to approve getting GH injections which cost around $1000 a month. I was just blown away that Karen cared enough about me, a person she really didn't know, and took the time to help me. She has such a huge heart and has become a great friend.

I will keep you posted on how things turn out. But in the meantime, I am so thankful that I am a part of the family of God. My sweet sisters here and back east continue to lift me up and the Lord Jesus uses you all in so many ways. I give thanks and praise to the Lord for He is good no matter what my circumstances may be. I serve a great and glorious God! Thank you Jesus for sending your Son to us to give us new life!!

Merry Christmas Friends!
Michelle

Big Wednesday

Today, the largest the swell of the year started filling in. It was a solid 10' to 15', which translates in some huge bombs. I did not venture out this time. Too much water moving around and I am not in the swimming/paddle shape that I need to be with a family depending on me. Tomorrow will be a few feet smaller so I plan to be charging. Enjoy a few photos:

Has it Been A Year?

One year ago, Michelle and I traveled out to San Diego to spend a few days with the folks at Harbor Presbyterian Church. We knew the amazing vision and impact Harbor was having in San Diego, but came seeking God's clarification of his call. It was at there bi-annual staff retreat at Polamar Mountain that we became convinced of our call to church planting with these men in San Diego. These men are a band of brothers, who in messy ways have lives marked by grace.

This week marks our anniversary of sorts. I just got back today from Polamar Mt. It is pretty crazy to think about all of the things that have happened to get to this point. Being a part of the Harbor staff for the past six months has been one of the greatest blessing of my life. Stepping out in this new faith journey has had some tough moments for sure but it has been so good. I am most thankful to the people who have sacrificially partnered with us to enable us to fulfill our calling. The OB Wave should be hitting the net by the end of the week.

Tim Tebow for Heisman!