Damaris and I landed in Mexico City on Friday night and joined up with Dr. Joe Jordan, Executive Director of Word of Life, his wife, Melva, Bill and Mary Jo Price from Columbus, OH and Leo and Hirma Di Gilio, directors of Palabra de Vida, Mexico.

Saturday was a (more…)

For years, the most sought-after bassist for recordings in LA was Abraham Laboriel.  A precious Christian, he and his wife Dr. Lyn Laboriel have visited our church on several occasions, and he has blessed us with his music and his even sweeter spirit.

Yesterday at Manhattan Grace Tabernacle was one of those times.  Abraham brought two friends, a Brazilian pianist named Jetro da Silva and a drummer friend named Francisco Mora.  Jetro is a Berklee College of Music professor, as well as a seminary student.  Francisco played with Abraham in his first band in Mexico, 40 years ago.

In an impromtu moment, they asked Dámaris to join them and sing “Great is thy Faithfulness.”  To listen, click on MORE below and enjoy:

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Today was a photo shoot.  Dámaris doesn’t look forward to photo shoots.  Her favorite makeup artist, Missy Vazquez, lives in Maryland.  The photographer we liked a lot moved to Ireland years ago, and wardrobe is always a big decision.  And, unless you are a professional model, the scrutiny of every angle of your face to then be emblazoned somewhere forever is daunting.

But, our hair and make-up artist is up visiting family in NYC this week, our friend, Megan Gomez (a model), has taken up photography, and we need new photos.  So away we went to Long Island this morning.  Not that she needs any help, but after powders and paint and spray and stuff, Dámaris looked EVEN MORE beautiful.  And, we had fun and fellowship with friends in the faith.  We cannot wait to see the actual shots.  A big THANK YOU to Megan, Missy and Jodi!!!

A lot goes into those photos that you see on magazine covers and CD cases.  Even a simple “head shot” takes a lot of preparation and intricate lighting.  It isn’t your ordinary point-and-shoot family vacation snaps of the dog and kids.

Look for the actual photos to show up real soon in a couple of places on this site.

Click below to see a few candids from the day, just for fun.

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Rod and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage the 6th of September.  This year it happens to fall on Labor Day.  Funny.  In a day when many people think so little about separating or divorcing, including Christians, and for reasons such as: “we’ve grown apart,”  ”you don’t meet my needs,”  ”I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore,” and yes, legitimate reasons too, like unfaithfulness, Rod and I are still married to each other.  Do you want to know why?  I love Rod.  Rod loves me.  God has put that love in our hearts.  It’s as simple as that.

What can I tell you?  Are we perfect?  No.  Are we special?  No.  I am very weary (that sounds nicer than SICK AND TIRED!) of hearing people tell each other that they are special.  Jesus is the only one who is special.  So, could it be that we are together because we are too scared to walk away from each other?  No. We simply love each other, we thank God for each other, and we want to be with each other.  Is that so hard to believe?  I guess it is.  It’s as hard to believe as the gospel is to so many.

People have heard the words of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” and yet they choose to believe that that is not true.  How sad because it really is that simple.  God loves us.

The Apostle Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians that he promised them to one husband, Jesus Christ.  Rod and I are not only married to each other, we are married to Christ, and that is why we are still married.  I love Rod.  Rod loves me.  Why?  The beloved Apostle John said it best, “We love because He first loved us.”

Damaris and I were at Word of Life on Fri, 7/30/10.  The staff do a weekly Christian rodeo for the community.  That night, a terrible accident occurred where a horse lost its footing and fell on its rider, Graham Stump, while roping a calf.  The horse and rider were both on the ground for what seemed like a long time.  The horse got up, the rider did not.  He received a severe concussion, but no broken bones, miraculously.

Now, 11 days later, the doctors are saying that his brain injury is “very bad,” although he squeezed the therapist’s hand on command today.  The doctors have braced his wife, Randi, for the worst:  he may never “wake up.”  She is asking everyone to pray and believe God for a full recovery, and thanking the Lord for every small step that she is seeing.  She is keeping up a Facebook page with updates.

Graham and Randi have been married for 7 years, have two small boys (1 just now turning one) and love the Lord, serving in ministry at WOL full-time.

Facebook | Praying for Graham Stump

This last spring, our daughter, Ashley (27), was able to go with us to Word of Life Argentina (Palabra de Vida) and fell in love.

Not like that… with the people there.

They loved her, too, and invited her to come and teach jr. high and high school math for their next semester in the bilingual missionary school.  Click “more” and let her tell you in her own words: (more…)