Today was tough....

And the funny part was that it started yesterday afternoon. Chartity showed me my mother in laws blog and the emotions started to rise to the surface. Then last night while packing up some of the kitchen I had what can only be called a mini melt down, luckily I kept it together and tried not to reveal my momentary weakness to the family. Not that I don't believe in being able to be vulnerable, it's just at this juncture there is a lot of weeping and emotions in our home and I did not want to add to the flow of tears. I did my crying in front of the church before I preached this morning...yeah!

Just something as taking Dillion (our resident College age whom is living with us) to work got me all choked up. Dillion has just recently come back to the Lord and we where talking about what God has done in his life.

Anyway this week will be amazing and everything will work out in JESUS name....Yes!

1, 20, 70, 80, and 99!

It's weird that all but two of the towns, cities or hamlets that I/we have lived are found on one of these four main road ways.

I was born in Big sir and lived in Monterey for the first 6 years of life, both on old Hwy 1.

We moved to Grass Valley and lived there until 6th grade....Hwy 20.

Then we moved to Point Arena, Hwy 1, and then Fort Bragg for Jr. High and High School, also on the old 1.

I attended Bethany Bible College although it was not on any of our listed road ways.

Then a short stay in Lake Wild Wood and then back to Fort Bragg, Hwy 20.

Then Marysville/Linda Hwy 70.

Yuba City, 20 Marysville 70.

Then I married Charity and we moved to Vacaville Hwy 80.

Oakley which was way off, then Vallejo Hwy 80 again.

Then we moved to Gridley Hwy 99 and Now Stockton Hwy 99.

Wow...ok so see its kinda weird...

lol...later.

Here is where we stand!

I have always felt that God has something in store for Charity and I. New Life Assembly in Linda, Harvest in Vacaville, and Christian Life in Gridley, all have had a major part in developing who we are in ministry. It's hard to put a finger on, but one of my mentor Pastor Joe said to me once "ministry is not a destination, but a journey".

All the faces of all the people that we have had the honor to work with join together to form the big picture of the calling on our lives. And the journey is not over. The next chapter is about to open.

We have moved nine(9) times in thirteen(13) years, seven(7) cities, five(5) churches, everything from college age ministry, youth ministry, senior pastoring, more youth ministry and jacks of all trades.

We can honestly say that we have given every opportunity in ministry 100% and have been loyal and integral at every stage. We have never taken anything lightly, and have enjoyed ever step, good and bad.

But now, with another chapter just about to start, here is where we stand!

More excited than ever.

Again, please keep us in your prayers.

Well.....

what do you think?

balance!

Don't wanna start sounding like an old rerun of the hit TV show Kung fu with David Carrdine (circa 1972–1975) or even the great Karate Kid with Ralph Macchio (1985).

But, you must have balance in life, for example. The balance between having faith for something like....um...lets say a certain house at 8720 Hacienda Court in Stockton Ca. and the over hyped "name it and claim it in Jesus name" doctrine.

See I believe God has a perfect plan, and if a person is willing to submit them selves to the Will and plan of God then everything will work out in due time.

Then there is the peace of God, and when you feel that leading you in a certain direction like 8720 Hacienda Court, then the balance is to "pray in faith believing".

So I said all that to say this.....please agree with us in prayer that God would allow us to have the perfect home in Stockton, which we believe to be 8720 Hacienda Court.

check out the link on Charity's blog for pics.

I have got to slow my brain down.

I have been loosing sleep the last few days because my mind is racing with idea's and vision for the College age/Young adult ministry in Stockton.

Joey....err excuse me, Pastor Joey keeps saying that it's a smorgasbord of potential ministry down there, and I for one can't wait to grab a plate and some silver ware and dig in.

Hard work? Sure thing, but hard work never scared us before.

Rewarding? Yeah I think so.


keep us in your prayers....K?

So hello there fine readers, first off let me say that I was whining about my blog, sorry.

Second, today was amazing, praise and worship was awesome and then Pastor announced our plans to move to Stockton to pioneer a college age ministry. I was still playing guitar and holding it together until pastor said "if you appreciate what the Hartmans have done here in five years and are excited about what God is going to do with them in the future, lets just show them some love and give them a hand."

Needless to say the standing ovation caught me off guard and choked me up.

The one thing that has marked the peace of God through out this is the response of Pastor and the church body here in Gridley, it feels nice to know that this is family and that we can come visit without any ill feelings.

With over 12 years of ministry under our belts, this last five years have been the best yet.

thank you Jesus!

Like never before.

So we are looking for shelter in our new village, and as we travel the county side looking for said shelter, we are finding new and exciting ways to trust God. Now for you reading this you are probably saying to yourself, "self, why are these crazy kids concerned about finding shelter?" well interested reader we have spent the last five (5) cinco years living basically rent free (housing came with the job). So it's kinda like the first jump back into the pool right after a long winter.....shocking!

Our needs and wants have changed since the last time we looked for shelter, and so the challenge begins. So friend, keep us in your prayers....thanks!

What?.....your kidding right?

So this is our new city, Stockton Ca. We are shocked and awed at the possibilities of what's to come. For those that are reading this blog and have no idea of who i am or my wife, welcome to the asylum where crazy is an everyday thing. We live by the code go big or go home....it's how we roll. And when God says jump we say how high.