God Is Not Finished With This Guy!

July 24, 2016

Here’s what I’m thinking today.  The last thirty days have gone by fast.  I went to San Diego three different times.  I got back last Monday, went back to work on Tuesday and a wedding yesterday.  For someone who’s supposed to take it easy I’ve been on the go a lot.  I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped make this difficult but exciting month possible and memorable.   I cannot ever say my family is not loved.  Many have gone out of their way to show their love.  We’ve had two cars given to us.  Meals have been lovingly prepared for me while I was gone and away from my family.  Places to stay were provided for me and my family while in San Diego.  The use of a vehicle and a car rental were provided for us.  Several reached into their wallets and gave financially to make sure we had what we needed.   Several purchased t-shirts and hoodies to help fund our pending trip to NYC in September.  I had several lovingly lay hands on me and asked God to bring His miracle working power in my body.  I had the privilege of being used of God to help someone have peace of mind before going home to see Jesus face to face.  Gianna and I were used of God to help my brother Indio get ready for his meeting with the Savior by singing several songs of praise at his bedside, ushering in the peace of God just days before he died.  Gianna was used again to help bring peace to a dear saint of God who went home to be with Jesus just a couple of days ago.  I’m so proud that my kids use the gift of music to glorify God.   I know He is well pleased and my soul is glad today.

I want to mention someone who has been by my side the last 23 years.  She not only is my wife she’s my best friend.  She’s the one who prepares all my special meals.  She gets my nearly 200 supplements a day ordered and packaged so they’re ready for me to use as I need them.  She loves Jesus and it shows in how she loves me and our nearly grown kids.  “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no more spoil.” Proverbs 31:10-12.  We have had our share of heartaches and many more joys throughout the years and my intention is to enjoy many more together with you.  You are my hero, Lulu.   I have never regretted the day I said “for better or for worse in sickness and in health” to you in front of all those witnesses.  I love you more than life itself.

Health update:  We are getting close to having to book our flights for NYC in September.  Please continue to pray and ask God how you can help.  We still have some shirts and hoodies available for purchase.  Look in the “Other Fundraiser’s” tab on this blog site as to what’s available.  You can also order them directly from us.  Facebook message me or Lulu and we’ll tell you what we have.  https://www.youcaring.com/david-garcia-515242 (giving site)

By the way, I’m feeling great these days and looking forward to complete healing.  Keep praying and believing with us.  God is not finished with this guy!

Much love,

Dave  

Heaven’s Gain

July 10, 2016

Hello everyone,

Summer is upon us and thankfully here in Idaho the temperatures are in the 70’s and low 80’s.  My heart is drawn to talk about an unsung hero of mine who recently passed away.  John Pinkney was a man that God used to change the course of my life.  I met John in the summer of 1980.  I took on a job at a company that made tennis rackets out of graphite.  John was a black man so I was automatically drawn to him because I figured we’d have music tastes in common.  John had a radio he listened to while he worked.  I figured out right away John was different than most guys I had ever met.  He listened to family radio and what I would call “old lady church music.”  I laughingly asked John “Is someone making you listen to that?!”  He slowly and methodically said to me, “No, I only listen to what glorifies Jesus and I don’t care what other people think of me, they can take it up with God if it bothers them.”  I was floored by John’s very strong and confident statement.  At first I thought “This guy is weird and I need to keep my distance from him.”  But as God had planned I ended up working right next to John and was forced to listen to his station of “old lady church music.”  I began to ask John about this Jesus he loved so much and after a few months I was a believer too.  John later told me that as soon as he met me God told him he was to pray for me.  John was a man of prayer and spent many hours in intercession for whatever and whoever God laid on his heart.  John told me that he battled in the spirit for many days before he felt a release.  The very next day I told him I was ready to commit my life to God.  John prayed with me and I had a glorious conversion; I was 16 years old.

 John spent the next two years discipling me and I have never been the same since.  John and I parted ways but kept in contact over the years until I moved my family to Idaho.  Some years ago, thanks to Facebook, we reconnected.   I will never forget how much John loved Jesus.   Several people thought John was a bit extreme, but I didn’t.  He unashamedly loved God and wanted the whole world to know Jesus like he did.  I loved that about him.  I was drawn to God because of John’s complete and unashamed love for Him.  I wanted what John had.  John would always tell me I was his son in the Lord even though he was only a few years older than me.  The last time we spoke John told me God is not done with me yet.  I believe him.  Every day I long for a deeper walk with my Savior just like John.

John has now met his Savior face to face and I know he is in awe of the beauty that surrounds him.  Whenever John spoke of Jesus, with a big smile on his face, He’d chuckle and shout “Halleluiah!  What a glorious day our meeting will be!”  Thank you, John for listening to God and fighting for me through prayer.   I will never forget you.  I hope I make you proud. 

A couple weeks ago while in San Diego for my brother’s funeral I had the privilege of meeting Larry and Sharon Lindstrom.  I was literally on my way to the airport to catch a flight back home to Boise. Sylvia Payan and Lawanda Uribe asked if I’d mind going and praying with Larry.  They explained Larry has cancer and may not have much time left.  He and Sharon were a part of their home group.  Honestly, I was not in the mood to talk to anyone else that was ill and didn’t know what I’d say to him or his wife who I’d never met.  I just wanted to get home to my family.  I remember thinking to myself and praying to God and asking Him to give me something for Larry and Sharon.  I walked into their home and right away felt God’s presence.  Sharon was very kind and told me Larry was in the room down the hall and would love to meet me.  I followed Sharon and the rest of the gang to the room where Larry was in bed.  I immediately knew that I was there to help Larry let go.  After introducing myself and quickly telling Larry my story I asked him what worried him the most.  What did he want me to pray for?   Larry told me with tears in his eyes that he was worried about Sharon being left alone.  As soon as I began to pray the presence of God fell on that room.  I told Larry that God hears his prayers and not to be concerned about Sharon.  God loves her like He loves him and will never leave her nor forsake her.  There were several other things God gave me for Larry that afternoon.  I’m so overwhelmed at God’s goodness that He would use me in such a profound way to speak to this couple that needed to hear from Him.  Larry passed away this last week and is in the presence of the One who is able and willing to care for his family.  Larry and Sharon it was an honor and privilege meeting you both and my pleasure to be used by our God to help Larry find the peace he so desperately needed.  I love that we serve a living God who cares for our every need.

On a lighter note, I and my family have been granted an all-expense paid family vacation back to San Diego to attend our family reunion.   An organization here in Idaho called Wish Granter’s is blessing us with this trip.  Please pray for us as we go and have some fun. We’ll be in San Diego July 14-18.  Looking forward to spending time with family, some I’ve not seen in many years. 

Continue to pray for our pending trip to NYC in September.  We’ll need to book flights and hotel accommodations late July or early August.  Funds are very low, so please pray about how you can help.  Here's a link to our giving page: https://www.youcaring.com/david-garcia-515242 

Much love and gratitude,

Dave

He Loves Me As I Am, Period!

July 2, 2016

My heart is full and I’m happy.  I marvel at the grace and love shown towards me and my family by so many.  Every day is full of practical expressions of love by people around us.  It’s like we’re in a bubble where God’s peace that passes all understanding abides.  I’m not saying we don’t struggle and fears don’t exist.  It’s about seeing the blessings rather than being gripped by fear of the unknown and what tomorrow will bring.  God promised to never leave us nor forsake us and I can say; He has not!  I’m not pretending, I’m stating a fact.  I constantly feel Him around me and my family.  I see Him move in our daily circumstances and am simply aware that God cares for me.  I’ve chosen to place my complete trust in Him who is able to sustain me under the most difficult circumstances.  I’m not a perfect human being, far from it.  If you spend time with me you’ll quickly see my flaws and failings and that I’m like everyone else.  I’m no one special and yet I know God’s love for me is if I were his only son.  I know He loves me unconditionally and knows what I need.  He is no respecter of persons and loves you the same way too.

I’m beginning to understand that God’s love for me has nothing to do with what I do or don’t do.  He loves me as I am, period.  In fact, I can’t do anything to earn God’s love and neither can you.  I for sure know this; He is also the Potter and I am the clay.  He chooses what I’m to become and my life takes on many shapes and forms in the process of becoming who I’m meant to be.  Who more than God, being the giver of life and all perfect gifts, has the ability to make something beautiful out of a lump of clay.  My life is in the palm of His loving hands.  I’m being molded into something beyond my wildest dreams.  At times the pain is unbearable and I feel as though I won’t survive, but I choose to see the bigger picture and have faith in knowing the Master Potter knows what He’s doing and what I’ll become when He’s finished with me. 

I’d also like to take a few moments to say thank you for all your prayers and support over the last few weeks.   My brother Indio is walking on the streets that are golden and living in the presence of His savior. The Bible tell us,” for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8. The services and burial were beautiful and God’s presence was very much evident the whole day.  I’d also like to express my deepest gratitude to Gary and Sandy Cass for once again stepping in and filling the gap so beautifully.  Your love shown towards my family in our deepest need is beyond words.  I love you both deeply. 

I continue to feel great and my treatment is going as planned.  The costs are what they are and God always meets our needs.  Each month when we get ready to order my supplement there’s always what we need, but not much more than that.  Going to California twice in the last month almost wiped out our savings account and thanks to some of you we were able to place an order of supplement and buy the food I need for this month.  Thanks for letting God use you to bless us.  In few short weeks we’ll need to purchase airline tickets to NYC to see my doctor for my six months follow up appointment. Besides the tickets and hotel accommodations we’ll need to pay the doctor $900.00 for the visit.  Please start seeking the Lord as to how you can help.  Always difficult for me, but the needs are very much real. 

Respectfully,

Dave