Finally - an update!

Sincere apologies for my blogging absence....I have been reprimanded by many, and it is totally fair that I have! After all, my last blog asked you to pray for us during the fires....then NOTHING....

Anyway, thank you for praying. My "temporary" residence was spared, as was the home of my friends Andrea and Jim. In fact, with the winds slowing on the day I blogged, the firefighters were really able to make significant strides to save so many homes.

I am now at the airport on my way home for a quick weekend visit with Sean (it's American Thanksgiving), and the lady I am visiting with has just been here to spend time with her sister who lost her home in the fire. The reality is overwhelming as you hear about the homes that were lost and the challenges people are going through emotionally to recover.

So since I last blogged, I had a wonderful visit at home and was able to connect with some friends, enjoy TWO weekends at Uptown and successfully lead a real estate conference. Then I came back to San Diego and got sick....ahhhhh. Anyway, I spent 2 weeks in bed, but am feeling much better and am incredibly grateful to the Director of my program, as well as my professors and classmates for being so supportive. There is lots to catch up on, but it feels feasible. Most of all, Andrea, Jim and the kids took great care of me - often giving me a place to go and be loved when I wanted to get out of bed.

Overall right now, I am so grateful for the people in my life.....I wish more people were as blessed as I am to have the love in their lives that I have. Thank you to each of you who love me.....you make my life better.

Please pray!

As I am sure most of you have heard, there are severe fires in the San Diego area right now (actually, from Malibu all the way to Mexico). The fires in San Diego are are the most severe, and I have just heard on the radio that my friends Andrea, Jim and I are among 500,000 in the area who have been evacuated. The fires have destroyed over 1000 structures, the majority of which are homes, and they are estimating another 1500 homes are likely to be lost today. At this point, they have 0% containment of these fires.

Those are the statistics, but what is most important is that people have been able to get to safety. Us included. We (the Moriarty's and I), left Solana Beach Monday morning before the evacuation request/demand had been made in our area. The smoke and ash in the air was already terrible and the fires were getting closer. Fortunately Jim's wisdom encouraged all of us to get out early, before there was panic or wall-to-wall traffic to exit the area. Jim was also organized enough to touch base with a hotel owner he knows near his office in San Clemente and was able to get a room with a kitchenette for the 5 of us, out of harms way. Praise God!

We watched the news online and on television yesterday, prayed, talked....and mainly prayed that the Lord would stop the winds as only he can do (yesterday they were measured as high as 40-50 miles/hr which was making the fire spread faster). We prayed again this morning before turning on the news, fearing the Moriarty's may have lost their home...and God answered our prayer!! Literally, the weather man reported the winds in our area were at 0 MILES AN HOUR!!! God lifted our spirits and gave us such hope in such a helpless time.

The winds are increasing again, but gave the fire fighters enough time to get helicopters in necessary areas and start dumping water, which at this time, allowed them to slow the fires for now, which were heading directly toward Solana Beach.

To see the current status of the evacuation and where the fires are, please see the Relevant Link on the right hand side of our blog.

We are continuing to pray and ask that all of you join us in our time of prayer.

Studying as a Principle

This week I am in the midst of midterms and it has shocked me into reality!! I am almost 2 months into my program, have had one quick visit home, and Sean is here visiting right now. The sun is shining, and I wear a t-shirt and jeans most days....life is great........and then there is the other aspect of my life!

I have been procrastinating in doing my school studies, and suddenly it has become ridiculously apparent to me how much I still need to learn....AHHHH....I love what I am learning, class invigourates, me, and I seem to understand what the professors are talking about. HOWEVER, the details required for full understanding have still escaped me because I have not been diligent about reviewing the details. So this week, sadly while my husband is visiting, I am cramming and praying I will know what I need to know for each of my exams.

Sooo...I am looking for motivation and inspiration to make different choices for the 2nd half of this first semester - fortunately, the Bible is always a great place to go for encouragement and opportunity to change our ways.

"Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off." (Proverbs 13:11) That was the beginning for me. A clear message that nothing of value comes easily, and that working consistently and diligently, even in something as eternally insignificant as my studies is honouring to God. It builds character. Ruth knew that! When she was out in the fields gleaning sheaves after the harvesters, it was evident that this young Moabite girl, from the moment she was given the opportunity, had "...been at it steady ever since, from early morning until now, without so much as a break." (Ruth 2:6) Ruth was a woman who lived out the consistency of working hard consistently and steadily. What a woman to aspire to imitate!! The words on each page I am studying can be my sheaves to glean....a great challenge for me each day.

God's character also leads us to know how much he values the commitment of steady hard work. Romans 15:3 tell us "God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. " Not only is He steady and constant, but in order for us to stay close to Him, God encourages us to stay alert to what He will do through studying Scripture. God encourages us to study!!!

I could write about this in more detail, but instead, I NEED TO GO STUDY. First, I would like to encourage each of us to take time to medidate on these 3 verses of scripture (I used The Message), and others, to hear God's call to study Scripture, be committed to whatever it is in our life that is challenging and overwhelming, but significant in our lives. I'd love to hear about how God is speaking to you - feel free to email me with thoughts - carla.wood@yahoo.ca.

I miss you all and will be home at Uptown October 28th....I can't wait!!

The Gift of Time Together

I'm sure many of you have read the book The Five Love Languages. Well, if you haven't, ask someone who has, or read it yourself the next time you have a minute to better understand this Blog entry, and of course to better understand yourself and those you love.

MY love languages are quality time and physical touch. So this weekend I was filled up with love - I was able to spend some time with Sean!!! What an incredible gift that was for me (and for Sean, but I won't speak for him). First to have my husband scoop me up in his arms and hold me felt exhilerating - and we hadn't even left the airport!! But holding his hand in the car, looking into his eyes when he smiled, and of course talking and laughing in person gave me a renewed sense of energy and made me feel so loved and special. The entire weekend was that way - seeing him working on his laptop felt great - I could SEE him!!! Taking long walks holding hands was amazing. Cooking together, sharing meals together, or just praying together while holding one another....nothing in my time away from Sean has made me feel as loved as this weekend did!!! And Sean shows me he loves me constantly when we're apart - cards, music, emails, webcam chats, text messages.....his love is so apparent to me daily, but being in his physical presence was awesome.

A few years ago 3 of my Uptown girlfriends and I went to the Dominican for a week away, and even though we had all read The Five Love Languages, we read it together again as one of our books to read and chat about. We decided (all being single at the time), that these love languages were important even as single women....we wanted to learn how to love one another better as friends. It was wonderful. Of course, with physical touch for me being significant, the ladies asked for clarification on how to care for me - hugs are always treasured, but from a distance, I explained, the best way for my friends to love me is to follow the old AT&T adage "reach out and touch someone" and just call me. It was the long distance hug for me.

I am blogging about this only because it strikes me as I am revelling in my time with Sean and anticipating his visit to California in October, that understanding and prioritizing YOUR OWN love language, AND that of those around you, can completely transform relationship. It can turn difficult times in a marriage around, it can reconnect friends, it can re-bond a parent and their teenage child, it can stretch you in a dating relationship. Sean and I are already conscious of our love language needs, but experiencing the blessing of them in abundance this weekend really reminded me of how God created us uniquely as individuals, but also blessed us with the ability to learn about one another and give to each other as we need to be.

Pause and consider your love language.....physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, or acts of service....and now pause and consider the love language of 3 or 4 people you love the most. How can you better show them love this week in a way that is meaningful to them? How can you encourage them to love you in ways that are meaningful to you? Consider how God takes time to show you how much HE loves you, by communicating in small ways to you through your love language.....if you haven't paid attention before, you will be amazed at how he is loving you constantly!!

A great weekend!!

What a wonderful weekend I had! It mainly entailed work, but it was the location of my studies that made it such a great few days. Since I am studying in California, it seems ridiculous to stay indoors and work, so I have been going to the beach, sitting at cafe's near the water, or hanging out on the bluffs watching the surfers and reading or writing. INCREDIBLE!


I even took a break tonight to hang out with my friends, Andrea, Jim, Allie and Reid....it was a great end to an energizing weekend....here is a quick image mentage of our evening...


Allie, Andrea and Jim (he broke his wrist on Friday night skateboarding....not HIS greatest weekend)


Here's Reid drying off after a great boogie boarding session!


Allie loves to read....Andrea is sneaking a peak at the literature-du-jour...


I just love this picture....goodnight!

God works through the homeless

Today was an amazing day and tonight was even more incredible! After an emotionally difficult weekend (I miss Sean the most on the weekends), God showed me so much love, and corrected my selfish attitude so gently but clearly.

This morning I was able to power walk with Andrea (we are trying to fit that in daily), then we pulled out some scrapbooking stuff and challenged ourselves to do some work on it....I completed my first two pages of scrapbooking ever and I was sooo proud of myself! I felt like I had accomplished something and it felt great. It sounds trite writing about it, but it meant so much to me. We polished off the first half of the day by providing delicious nutrients to our body with this sensational salad Andrea made us....I was energized and ready to go!!

God and I had some quality one on one time after that, and I went into my class tonight with a new attitude. I decided that even though I am "new" and don't know anybody, doesn't mean I can't try to know people and try to get them to know me. We don't need to know one another inside and out to make it worth while, but I wanted those around me to experience me and give me the chance to experience them. I felt like myself again - I was friendly!! And I reminded myself about the challenge of meeting people at church....it was because no one approached me...so how dare I fail to approach people everywhere else in my life? Nothing earth shattering happened at school, but I felt better. Thank you Lord!!

Right after class I drove downtown San Diego where I met up with a group of people from Flood who meet on Monday evenings to provide food, drinks, friendship, and the love of Jesus with those who are homeless in San Diego. It was a very stretching evening for me, as I knew it would be. I believe in this sort of ministry, but have always supported it from a distance because it was so far out of my comfort zone....and so that is why I went tonight. As I felt invisible at church last weekend, I KNOW the homeless of any city feel invisible to people constantly....and that is wrong. These men and women I met tonight have hopes, have dreams, and for the most part, have just fallen on some difficult times. I met some great people. I felt soo incredibly blessed by their kindness back to me and thanked so many people for just letting me hang out with them. As car after car drove past us, I was struck by the fact that at age 32, for the first time in my life, I really paused to get to know a person who was just sitting or sleeping on the streets I drive every day! How many people have I ignored or missed? Too many....and I know I will miss many more. But just as my previous blog reminded me....Jesus wants us to be inconvenienced, and stopping to care for those who need care is a great reason to be inconvenienced.

I pray I will have the courage to go back next week. It was definitely uncomfortable for me. I saw bugs I didn't want to think about...I smelled things I didn't want to smell, I felt dirtier than I have felt in a long time....and I felt so cleansed by their humanity. The contrast is stark. The reality was emotionally overwhelming. The need to pray continues to intensify as I spoke with these people, and as I reflect on them now. I pray for Lee, for Stanley, Leon, James, Victor, Keith, and so many other men and women I met tonight. And I am grateful for the group of Flood members who keep this Monday night ministry going. These men and women on the streets wait for them each week.

Thank you Father for convicting me of my selfishness in wanting to be visible while I overlooked so many who were invisible to me! Thank you Lord for reminding me that being friendly and warm and open are gifts you have given me, and that it is ALWAYS my responsibility to use those gifts. Thank you for your patience with me as I slowly learn your will and start to apply it to my life. I pray you will continue to correct me with your gentle way with a fervency that reminds me of the passion you have called me to have in how I live my life for Christ.

Being THE NEW GIRL

It seems almost impossible to believe it has been nearly 2 weeks since my last entry - so much has happened around here. That is the reality of being "the new girl" I suppose! Everything seems like a big deal.

Quickly, my first intensive week of school went well, I had a wonderful Labour Day Weekend relaxing with my friend Andrea, her husband Jim, and their kids Allie and Reid (I can't imagine being away from everyone without having them so close by!), and then jumped in to the first week of my fall semester. PHEW!! What's even crazier, is today, I won't be blogging about any of that.

In addition to school and social adventures, I have found a great church to attend while I am away from The Meeting House. It is called FLOOD, and has many similarities to TMH. Last Sunday was my first weekend service, then this Thursday I went to my new Community Group (equivalent to our Home Church model), and I am signed up for the newcomers lunch, have asked to be put on the list for Welcome and for Growth Group Leadership Training (to lead a small group of 4-6 women for 4-6 months in prayer and accountability). Sound like I am all connected?

I'm not! I showed up last Sunday, a little nervous, but mainly really excited to meet new people and start to connect with a community of believers again. I asked this cool looking guy (turns out he's an ex-navy seal!) if I could bring coffee into service....much like at TMH, he laughed and said they would go down in attendance by 50% if they didn't allow it.....and suggested I enjoy some of their complimentary coffee by the Welcome area. GREAT, I thought....a friendly guy and free coffee....he showed me the coffee, and I was surrounded by about 5 or 6 more really cool looking guys and girls. YAY, I thought....MY PEOPLE!! I wasn't wrong - they all seem really great, but unfortunately, they were so busy connecting, getting caught up on each others week, and setting up for Sunday service (they are also a portable church model), that not one person welcomed me, smiled at me, introduced themselves to me or acknowledged me in any way. I waited around as people started filling in to the general area waiting for the doors to open for service - again, it felt like TMH - young, great people with lots of energy, loving Jesus, each other, and drinking coffee in shorts or jeans.....but they weren't talking to me. I felt invisible.

I entered the theater (in a school) for service, and officially received a smile and handshake from the first greeter and then a bulletin from the next greeter and sat by myself. I did not feel greeted. We paused after an AWESOME worship set to welcome one another....obediently the people in front and behind me and those seated 4 or 5 seats away from me all leaned over, smiled and shook my hand....but no one asked later if I was new (after all I was sitting all alone), or struck up conversation.

The message was terrific - Daniel 1, 1-16....we are talking about Transformation. Loved it!! More worship during offering, closing prayer....and then out to the Welcome area again for juice, muffins and social time....so I took some juice and looked around for people to be social with....they were all doing a GREAT job socializing...just not with the new person.

Not one to be ignored, I went up to the person on Welcome Duty, told him it was my first time, signed up for some stuff and asked a bunch of questions....he never asked my name or offered me his.....

All this to say, I think Flood is an amazing community and am soooo excited to be there! What it drove home for me was how at The Meeting House Uptown we are also an AMAZING community, but I am certain there are new people who are experiencing what I experienced on Sunday. Because I have my TMH Uptown family and know I am loved and because I understand how easy it is to be preoccupied on a Sunday morning, I was not upset or angry...but I am sure there have been people who have come, excited and nervous to Uptown for the first time, and never returned because no one noticed them.

Jesus noticed everyone - significant and seemingly insignificant. He interrupted his scheduled plans or intended direction constantly to pause and connect relationally with someone new. This is also what he calls us to do...not just when it is convenient, but ESPECIALLY when it is INCONVENIENT! When people you haven't seen all week are milling around and you want to see them, when FAST has to get done and a new person is in the way, when Prayer is starting before service and you don't have time to say hello to the new person, when you are in service and don't know the person to your left so you talk to the person on your right, when you are hungry and want to arrange lunch plans with friends after service and see a guy or girl out of the corner of your eye just standing around, or when you are working the Welcome desk and someone asks a generic question so you only answer that and avoid getting into a relational conversation. THOSE ARE THE TIMES JESUS WANTS US TO STOP AND BE INCONVENIENCED!!!!

I challenge all of us, myself included, to pause this Sunday, and next Sunday, and look for the unfamiliar face, and make time to connect. Some people may keep coming out without knowing anyone, but eventually, if YOU don't reach out, they will give up. This Sunday, even though it is only my 2nd week at Flood, I am going to look for someone who seems awkward and try and connect with them.

I continue to pray for Uptown and miss our community. Thank you for your prayers, they are reaching me in abundance!!! God is pouring love on me daily here and I am sooo grateful.

San Diego Arrival

I made it!! Sean and I took a road trip from Monday to Thursday from Toronto to San Diego, and it was a really special time. We had a lot of fun, chatted, listened to music, listened to some sermons, admired State after State and God's incredible sense of variety and creativity, but most of all His awesome ability to make so much beauty. We even stopped in Las Vegas, and were able to

appreciate God's mercy and grace in such a place....not to mention all the unbelievable hotels!

We drove our cute new Honda Fit into Solana Beach, CA, to my new Studio, and met my landlady and was given the keys on Thursday evening. It was wonderful to have Sean with me to unpack and set up my place and have memories of us in this temporary home before he flew back for the weekend. There were lots of tears, but we have been chatting a lot on Skype and using our calling card, so we are optimistic about the communication opportunities we will have. Here are a couple of pictures of the house where I am living - I have my own entrance and am completely separate from the rest of the house....but the house is ADORABLE! Check out the fountain beside my door!!

My friend Andrea and her family have been so great hanging out with me and offering support in such practical and emotional ways...I am so grateful to have them so close by. And this morning I was able to go to church with them at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, where I used to attend when I lived in California years ago. How fun that they were wrapping up their summer series on Phillipians, just as we are doing at TMH!! God really spoke to me in Phillipians 4: 8,9 when Paul reminded us to be about what is true, noble, right (just), pure, lovely (loving), admirable, excellent and praiseworthy and about not just studying it but putting it into practice. The message was of such value as I am leaping into a year full of unknowns and all kinds of great opportunities to live out my faith as an example to the strangers whom I will soon come to know so well. My prayer is that I intentionally focus on these standards set by Jesus and strive to live them out as He did....I'll fall short, but I'll aim for perfection.

With that encouragement from God this morning, I set up my Studio so it felt more like home and then set out this evening to a "meet and greet" with my fellow MSRE students.....I was praying while I was there visiting and meeting people, that they would see something different about me and be my accountability this year as they learn about my passion for Jesus and then watch closely to see how that sets me apart from those who don't know Him. I prayed for a loving, open heart towards the people around me, and for reminders that this program is only part of my purpose here....God's full plan is yet to be revealed and I need to stand fast and be ready.

Class starts tomorrow, so please be praying for me and my class, that we will learn from this program, but also from one another, and about more than just Real Estate.

Craigs List

Things are in motion for the big trip South....I have my Visa process almost complete and am now getting everything sorted out to order a new passport before I go. It even looks like this coming week is when Sean and I will go to the car dealership to trade in one of our cars for a more economical option (I'll keep you posted on what we choose!).

What I am excited about discovering during this journey is Craigs List. Never heard of it? Well get on Google and explore - it is a world unto itself. Basically it is a posting/message board that allows people to advertise what they need/want or what they have to offer. I am using www.craigslist.sandiego.com to find a furnished place to live, and there are hundreds of new listings daily. We have a Craigs List here in Toronto as well - one of our Uptown community leaders is on there frequently finding great buys and she turned me on to this exciting new realm of opportunity...thanks Kim!!

As I am preparing for this journey and making sure all the "stuff" is organized, and thinking through budgets and costs and what to TAKE and what to LEAVE, I have paused frequently to remember that life is about so much more than all this. Because I am in this world, budgeting and thinking about money is important, so is packing enough clothes and having a safe vehicle, but it is not the TRUE priority. Christ and what He did for us by dying on the cross and being resurrected has changed that for everyone....if we choose it, all that really matters is Him. We can go through the motions of living with material things, but what defines us is our relationship with Jesus, and how we allow that love and reality to seep into our hearts and pour out in our actions. What is it people see when they look at me? Do they see someone who cares about stuff? Do they see someone who is edgy and irritable from the stress of life's business and demands? What I want them to see is love. I want them to see gentleness and patience. I want to exude joy. I want to experience self-control in my actions and my thoughts. I want ME to show people Jesus!!

I am so grateful for this time of preparation. The practical side of me is glad for all the "stuff" getting done. But the even MORE practical side of me is rejoicing for the pause this time is giving me to see how much more I need to intentionally and consciously choose Jesus in my thoughts and actions....I need to let Him lead so I can be MORE of love, MORE of joy, MORE of all that He gave His life for.






Thank you for your prayers as I am in this pre-sabbatical phase of the journey.

Planning has begun

Sean and I are fully under way with the planning of my San Diego Study Sabbatical and we are very excited about the entire journey. For those of you who missed our big announcement, I have been accepted to a Masters of Science in Real Estate program at the University of San Diego. I am already Alumni of USD, as that is where I completed my MBA in Marketing back in 2001, and it was because of my affiliation with the school that we even discovered this program....

When Sean and I were visiting friends in California in May, I was eager to show my husband where it was that I had studied for my MBA - it is a beautiful campus! As we entered the Business building, there was a large sign promoting this MSRE program the school has been offering for the last 3 years, so we were intrigued and went to find out more about it (just for fun and out of sheer curiosity)....long story short, they offer this Masters degree as an 11 month cohort program, and if I wanted to apply I had 2 1/2 weeks to get my application in. We dreamt a bit, talked and prayed a lot, then flew home to our wonderful Toronto life. My mom picked us up from the airport, and as she is one of my closest friends, and my business partner, we shared with her this exciting information....and quite unexpectedly she was as motivated by this opportunity as we had been. So lots of praying, lots of seeking counsel and wisdom from friends, family and colleagues, and I applied to the program. I WAS ACCEPTED!! More praying, more seeking, and a few adjustments to our original plan, and it was decided. I am moving to San Diego the end of August for 10 1/2 months to complete my MSRE while Sean continues to serve The Meeting House Uptown and work on his M.Div...we have worked out a great visit schedule that gives us about 110 days together out of the 10 1/2 months, with no more than 3-4 weeks between times together.

It is big news!! And we can't wait....

So I am looking for a place to live - preferably a furnished apartment, or a guest house, and have friends in the area who are helping me look and will give me shelter until I find something. We will also be selling one of our cars and buying a smaller, more economical vehicle for me for the year. My mom and I are planning some retreat time for she and I to do some planning for what the 2007-2008 Real Estate year will look like with me on the West Coast. And beyond some of these bigger things, when the time comes, I will pack a couple of suitcases and be off on a great adventure.

Thank you for sharing in this excitement, and I ask that if you are praying for me, that you continue to pray for me to honour God in my preparations for this year, and trust Him and His plan for Sean and I as we step out in faith for our new adventure.