What's going on in:
San Diego
&
Aguascalientes
There is a lot going on and I want to keep you all informed with the highlights of each month. Thank you to all who pray for and support these ministries. We are able to bless so many people and we couldn't do it without you. To God be all the glory. Gracias amigos!
Where did the time go??? December has already come and gone! This year went by so fast but I was able to finish 2025 with so many wonderful memories. Family, missions trips, ministry & more. Praise God for His many blessings!
I started off the month by flying down to Aguascalientes, Mexico, on December 1st.
I got to spend lots of time with my "daughter," Elvira. One of the purposes of my trip was to get everything ready for her for Christmas. Since I spend Christmas in San Diego, I bought some gifts and left them wrapped. Everything was ready to go for the 25th. Also while I was down there Elvira finished her 5th semester of medical school. She's at the 1/2 way point of her studying!
I got to see my fellow Horizon missionary, Chevon, a couple of times while I was down there...I just had to break into her house in order to do so. I got a call one morning that one of the nurses had accidentally broken the key in the door lock and couldn't get in. I rushed over with my tools, removed a glass windowpane (thankfully, without breaking it!) and opened the door from inside. Luckily I was in town when it happened. Since Chevon's mobility is very limited, she can't get out of bed without assistance and I don't know how long she would have had to wait for a locksmith to come.
I was able to do a job for my good friend, Miguel, who is also my dentist. I have known him for many years. I have done lots of work in his house throughout my time in Mexico and in return, he has blessed me and my daughters with dental work. It is a blessing to be able to help each other out with our skills. He wanted to convert his upper patio into an exercise room so I put up dry wall and sealed it off. I got the bulk of the work done and referred him to my friend from church to do the plaster/stucco coating to finish the job.
I flew back to San Diego on Dec 9th. This trip to Mexico was shorter than normal but I had to get back because I had another mission trip planned.
I went to Fullerton, CA, with a small group of friends to help out with Samaritan's Purse's annual Operation Christmas Child ministry. Every year, millions of people fill a shoebox full of toys and Samaritan's Purse distributes them out all over the world. We helped for a couple of days and helped prepare so many boxes that will bless children with not only toys but the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was cool to see how this organization operates, and I am always amazed at how well they organize everything. I have volunteered a couple of times with Samaritan's Purse and plan on doing more with them when I can.
We had our Youth Ministry Christmas party. We ate pizza, had a gift exchange and most importantly taught about the real meaning of the holiday - Jesus! David, one of the volunteers, gave a quick message about how the best present to receive is the presence of God (I loved the play on words). And we also taught the kids that salvation is a gift from God that we can't earn. It is only through what Jesus did on the cross and that is why He came to earth to save us.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God"
-Ephesians 2:8
I spent Christmas with my family. My brother & sister both came into town with their families and we all stayed at my parents house. It was such a blessing to have everybody together to celebrate the holiday. I got to spend lots of time with my nephews & niece and since it was raining most of the time, we did a lot of sitting around and eating. My dad, brother and I did get in 9 holes of golf one day before the rain started. We also played lots of cards and did I mention we ate! Christmas morning was a blessing to see the kids so excited for what Santa left them. These were awesome times and wonderful memories were made! I hope everybody had a very Merry Christmas!
New Year's Eve was pretty mellow. I spent the night hanging out with a couple of friends from church and we played card games. We stayed till about 1am and then called it a night. Before we left we all got together and prayed for the new year. I'm excited to see what God is going to do in 2026! Thank you to everybody who follows this blog. I appreciate your prayers & support and wish you all a very happy and blessed 2026! Happy New Year!