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!!