tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37265150933015276862024-03-13T00:15:25.746-07:00Hobbs Mission CatalinaThe Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-74179005257147547802013-05-27T16:03:00.002-07:002013-05-27T16:12:59.744-07:00Summer ThreeDear Friends & Family,<br />
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Welcome to a long overdue update on the Hobbs Family! To those of you who enjoy getting regular updates, I apologize for the delay. So, obviously, there is much to tell...we will start with ministry:<br />
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The "Wildmen West" have been going and growing strong since beginning a year ago. They most recently studied the book <i>Resolutions For Men</i>, a book that outlines in great detail how to be a man of integrity in every area of life and deals with real issues that men deal with. It has been a powerful tool that God has used in the lives of many men as several have personally reached-out to Andrew for help, prayer and accountability. We are so grateful as we watch God work in the lives of men on this island where addiction and apathy often rule people's lives.<br />
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Shelli has recently wrapped-up a small-group study that was meeting on Monday nights. The four ladies who attended were a unique group in that they were all single! It was so cool to watch God come to them in places where they have felt pain and rejection and confusion. Each lady was blessed to come to a new understanding of the way God pursues our hearts and loves us UNCONDITIONALLY! The great news is that they are continuing to meet together, as they have decided it is a healthy option for them to continue to grow together in their pursuit of God. <br />
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We are going strong with Young Adult ministry, which is always more busy in the summer! We have regular activities lined-up every Wednesday night that include dinner at our house, movie nights, game nights, comedy nights, trips to Shark Harbor for sunset & campfire, etc. It's been great to have many that do not claim to know Jesus, but like what we have to offer and love being around our family. Some even have kids, whom we always welcome. Last week, when we were back from our Shark trip and all getting out of the van, one of the little girls said "can we please pray before we leave." It was refreshing everyone and we promptly held hands and prayed together! Speaking of young adults, we presently have 3 living in our home with us. They are great guys, and it's been challenging and a blessing to have them. We have one more who has requested to stay with us, at least temporarily, starting middle of June. We presently have a great set-up where we are living so all of us "Hobbs" live upstairs, and the boys live downstairs. So please continue to pray for us as this ministry has come very close to home :)<br />
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As far as family goes, all is well. The kids have 2 more weeks of school. They have all had a great year, and have faced challenges in some new areas. They have done great in their respective sports and all maintained straight A's the entire year. We are all looking forward to the end of this week, when Alex comes to the island for a 3 week visit! We are doing a 3-day hike from one end of the island to the other next weekend and have a camping trip to the back-side planned for Father's Day weekend. We love our family time together and look forward to having our oldest join us for a little while!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harrison is adjusting well to island life! Eating them was almost as fun as catching them.</td></tr>
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Thank you again for all of your faithful prayers and support! We hope you will always feel free to contact us through our email hobbsmission@gmail.com with any prayer requests. God Bless your summer!!<br />
<br />The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-69969407226752047042012-12-01T15:42:00.000-08:002012-12-01T15:42:00.710-08:00December 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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December 1! Doesn't that give you chills? It does me - time flies and I just can't fathom how we are already in December and we have almost been on Catalina Island for 2 years! Some of you have been following and supporting us all along and we sure are grateful. <br />
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Some interesting things have transpired this month. We found out that our landlord is selling the condo we currently live in, so we are on the lookout for some new place to move our home. It's VERY challenging to find housing here in Avalon, especially with 3 bedrooms that allows pets. This is another opportunity for God to stretch our faith for sure. We appreciate your prayers with us on this matter!<br />
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Thanksgiving was a special family time for our family this year! We created a new memory by camping at the Isthmus for 2 days. We had chicken kabobs on the grill along with several other semi-traditional sides (sweet potato fries, sweet hawaiian rolls, chocolate chip cookie smores, etc.) for our Thanksgiving Dinner. It was quiet and stress-free, a lovely little break from crazy schedules and "to-do's". We hope your Thanksgiving day was special too! <br />
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Now on to Christmas. We had the tree up, lights strung, decorations out and Christmas music blaring before Thanksgiving day this year. I guess you could say we are a little excited about this festive time of year! The greatest thing we are looking forward to this Christmas is Alex coming home for 2 weeks - hooray! We miss him so badly!<br />
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Ministry is going strong and God continues to teach us so much. About patience, unconditional love, missional ministry and His faithfulness through the good times and the hard times. We find ourselves saying to each other a quote from the movie Facing the Giants - "if we win we praise Him, if we lose we praise Him." Not that we feel like we are ever really losing, since we know that Jesus is the Victor, but some days are just tougher than others. Again we say, "thank you for your prayers, letters, financial support and encouragement - we couldn't do this "mission" without you!!"<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
Shelli, Andrew, Alex, Maddi, Harrison, and Grace<br />
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<br />The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-77998963705832788902012-11-02T14:28:00.001-07:002012-11-02T14:29:12.096-07:00Happy FallHappy Fall! We are officially in this amazing season of cooler temperatures and cozy gatherings. It has been a while since I posted so I want to just update you all on what's going on!<br />
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October was a fabulous month! We did so much and God blessed SO much. I (Shelli) got to take 4 other women to the Captivating retreat in Colorado. I cannot fully explain to you how powerful this time was for each of the women including myself! We bonded together, but more importantly, each experienced God in very intimate, fresh ways and will be forever changed because of it! It was particularly fun for me to get to share this awesome experience with women who were not familiar with hearing from the Lord in the deep places of their hearts and to experience healing in those places. I'm so thankful to Jesus for providing and answering a multitude of prayers that were surrounding us!<br />
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The following weekend was the Catalina Island Women's Retreat where women from all over the community meet out at Campus By The Sea for "camp". It was really special, and because some of those who shared went to the Colorado retreat the weekend before, so we were able to speak out of healing - about life and freedom - and women were blessed and changed by Jesus! It was so powerful and since then we have continued to experience women seeking us out to ask for prayer, Bibles, etc. We are starting a Bible study on Monday evenings for many of these women who asked to go deeper and want to continue learning and experiencing the LIFE that Jesus offers. Most of these women I am writing about have not been to an actual church service in years (if ever). They represent different "religions" and have varying views on doctrine. But they experienced LIFE and got a glimpse of the LOVE God has for them and they want more - praise Jesus!!!<br />
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Andrew continues meeting with men on Monday nights and they are now meeting at another hotel conference room. It's a great location and the men are enjoying their time. There is a cost to meet there, but we are trusting God to provide. The room at the church where they were meeting became unavailable on Monday nights, so this hotel is a provision and we will watch how God meets the need. Andrew is taking over 10 men to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp in Santa Cruz in February! Men all over Avalon are being renewed and refreshed as a "band of brothers" that encourage and speak life into each other. Thank you for your continued prayers for these vital ministries!<br />
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On a personal note, Andrew was recently able to go to Florida for a short visit to see his oldest brother get married. It was such a sweet ceremony performed by Pastor Jeff Iskra and Andrew was so blessed to be with family for a couple days! Unfortunately he wasn't there long enough to visit with many of you, but hopefully next time God allows a visit we can catch-up!<br />
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Kids are all doing great in school. Maddi is about to transition from volleyball to soccer at school (which she is very excited about!) and Harrison will play high school basketball for Avalon. Grace is learning to play saxophone in middle school band and LOVES it! She is definitely following in her big brother Alex's footsteps with her love of music. Alex continues to enjoy living in St. Augustine, Fl. where he is currently renting a little house with 2 other guys and working at the Surf Station along with ministry with Christian Surfers.<br />
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May you be blessed this coming Thanksgiving! We pray for you as we become aware of requests and we always thank God for people who continue to pray for us. Thank you! Bless You!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-6305642728357025152012-09-12T13:50:00.001-07:002012-09-12T13:54:37.456-07:00September UpdateHello Friends! We come again to communicate to you what is going on in our little corner of the earth...Catalina Island. Do you ever marvel at the huge-ness of our world and yet the small-ness? It's so amazing when I am waiting tables and I happen to meet someone from another place that I have been to or lived or someone who has a connection with some part of my life in some other location, whether it's an actual location or maybe a mutual friend. I remember right after we first visited the Island and met Santa and Enrique - the people we lived with for the first four months of being here - Santa mentioned that she was from Buffalo, NY. I kind of quickly threw out the fact that I had a friend that lives in Buffalo. As we got a bit deeper in conversation we discovered that my friend I had mentioned (who was my roommate of 4years in college) was one of her closest friends in Buffalo! It was such a God-ordained moment! After that we just had such a connection that was beyond just the present happenings of our calling to come to Catalina. It was evident that God has such deeper, seemingly impossible connections for His people to discover as we follow Him. Santa and I have felt that He allowed that initial discovery to be a catalyst to throwing us into a very deep friendship that feels like it has a history and we are so grateful! And, by the way, our mutual friend Gloria was as amazed (if not more) as we were! She and her family will be visiting Catalina for the first time next summer and we can't wait!<br />
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On other subjects...the children started school last week and are all getting settled and seem very happy with their classes, teachers and friendships. Thanks to God for such an easy transition so far. It's my first time in 16 years not to homeschool at some level! I think we were all ready as God has been preparing us for this time. Our kids understand their mission. They have been trained to recognize the difference between friends that are more "missional" and friends that are "comrades" when it comes to standing beside them in their christian values and convictions. One of the best experiences they has this summer was attending the Christian Surfer's Prep School Surf Camp. They were taught about "peer care" and "peer share" and were so happy to be given very practical tools for how to talk to their friends about the Lord as well as how to love them. We still discuss these things in our family times together and we are faithful to keep them accountable for every friendship as well as motives for choices they make on a daily basis. It's hard work - actually can be harder than just pulling them home and homeschooling them again - but it's clearly what God has led us to do. We are all committed as a family to being in the "world" but not of it. Thanks to Jesus that He gives us the amazing opportunities to speak into the lives of hopeless, lost people! Please pray that we are all kept strong by His power. I'm not gonna lie and say it's easy or without failures on our parts, but we just want to be found faithful and He knows are hearts so He continues to pick us up and set us right again! <br />
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Last month I mentioned that Andrew needed a place to meet for "Wildmen West". He is still searching, but in the meantime is meeting at one of the churches. Attendance continues to be good and they are going through the book Beautiful Outlaw right now. The men are being blessed as they study Jesus as He really is! Generous, Scandalous, Cunning, Loving and Life-Giving among other things. He is amazing and we are given the opportunity to live the life He lived here on earth through the power of His Spirit within us. Maybe as you read this, you wonder what that means or how you can know this kind of life. Just ask. That's the answer. God promises that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him. Will find LIFE. He came so that we could have LIFE to the full - an abundant and free life is available to us if we will just ask. <br />
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Lord, I ask that any who may not know You and the life You offer may cry out to you right not and ask. Ask for forgiveness, mercy and for Your love to cover them. I pray that Your Spirit would wash over them and flood them with joy and peace that passes understanding or comprehension. I ask they would be pulled-in by Your un-matched love for them and they might gain just a glimpse of living a life committed to You and all that could mean for them. What joy! What hope comes when I <u>know</u> that no matter the storms that rock the world around little me, I am held, I am secure. I will not be shaken or torn. Jesus is holding me now. Thank You Father.<br />
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May you have a blessed month!<br />
Shelli and the "fam" :)The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-67807496242766645672012-08-11T11:22:00.001-07:002012-08-11T11:29:53.221-07:00Endless Summer?Yes, sometimes it feels that way...an endless summer! Although I'm sure our kids would not agree, this summer has been very long and Andrew and I look forward to September when things slow down a bit here on the Island! We have had a fabulous summer very full of epic trips to the interior, deep times of connecting in the Word during Bible studies, meaningful connections with individual young adults and great times as family. We are so blessed to continue settling in as a family here in Avalon, as well as expanding and morphing the ministry into something that will meet the needs of this unique place on the planet! We have found ourselves challenged in our methods and meeting places, but God has grown us and caused us to be ever dependent on Him - which is exactly where we want to be.<br />
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Most recently we have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, company from "overtown". We had friends from Florida come to encourage and work with us, friends from Newport Beach area come to bless and encourage us and family come to visit! We love it! Thanks to all who actually made the effort to come out here - you are a blessing and we are so happy that you came to share your lives with us! <br />
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Please pray with us over a few things: <br />
1. Andrew's "Wildmen West" men's group that is meeting every Monday night has hit a little roadblock. The place they were meeting has decided to charge $75 per week to continue meeting there! That is not an option for us, so please pray that God provides another place for them. We have less than 2 weeks to find another meeting place, so thanks be to God, Who will provide very soon for this need! Thanks to His people for praying.<br />
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2. Our children start school in 3 weeks! Please pray for them to stand firm in their faith and to be lights in a VERY dark school here in Avalon. It's a tough environment and we are blessed to have the opportunity to continue to walk this road with them - but it's not easy, so thank you for praying!<br />
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Some of you have asked what is going on with our oldest son, Alex. He has decided to stay in St. Augustine, Fl. after his internship with Christian Surfers comes to a close. He has a good job and is very involved in his church, River Oaks Community Church. He has a vibrant ministry of his own there in the community of surfers and skaters in St. Augustine and is discipling several young men as well as growing himself. We are thankful God is using him in this way, and although we miss him very much, we want God's best for him! Thanks for your prayers for him as well!<br />
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As we close this blog post I want to challenge you with one simple phrase that I am basking in today...be in AWE of Him. That's all, just notice Him and be in awe. It will change you.<br />
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<br />The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-78883329655989295942012-07-04T10:13:00.001-07:002012-07-04T10:13:06.807-07:00Happy Independence Day From Catalina Island!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfbJpNssN_5pMhBOWyJza3DY_b14FmFI0-1DM01QFOrZLvIWPo4jekmCd7O1zA-Xq3kDTu7z7WJXLoGl6EwTIX8VMVk-cuVYVH2f5zkKgD5_8no7Jy7ZnRpD903Esbe9VjZVlB6UYbNKt/s1600/Rockin-4th-of-july-animated-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfbJpNssN_5pMhBOWyJza3DY_b14FmFI0-1DM01QFOrZLvIWPo4jekmCd7O1zA-Xq3kDTu7z7WJXLoGl6EwTIX8VMVk-cuVYVH2f5zkKgD5_8no7Jy7ZnRpD903Esbe9VjZVlB6UYbNKt/s320/Rockin-4th-of-july-animated-gif.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Hello Everyone! We are excited today to celebrate, along with the rest of this town, our country's freedom. This holiday is, by far, the most celebrated event all year here in Avalon - bigger even than Christmas! Everyone decorates - houses, golf-carts, vehicles, businesses, boats and themselves. There is a parade with the USC band and cheerleaders leading the pack. This town is supercharged today! We hope you have as much fun as we will have!<br />
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As far as news from the Hobbs...there is so much to report! God is continuing to bless this ministry beyond measure. I (Shelli) continue to meet with a small group of women once a week. Most recently we have been sharing our "stories" with each other and it's been incredible. Some of these ladies have NEVER shared their story with anyone. What an incredible gift for them to be known and loved in this way. To have the freedom to share whatever God lays on their heart and not hold back or "edit" anything - and then to be fully embraced, loved and prayed over afterwards - has proved to be very powerful in the lives of each of us in the group. We are planning next to do the study "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore.<br />
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Andrew has recently begun a new men's ministry on the island. As you may know, he took a group of 5 guys to Colorado for a Wild at Heart bootcamp a couple months ago. These guys came back changed and on fire to spread the news of freedom to others on the island. Out of that has birthed "Wildmen West". God graciously provided a place apart from church - a neutral gathering place - where men from all walks of life, who may or may not be associated with the church, can feel comfortable to gather for something just for them. It has been 3 awesome weeks and more men are coming each week! News is spreading and excitement is building. The church is in full support of this effort and it has been so cool to see men from the community who wouldn't think of attending a Sunday service, come to this Monday night gathering. Thank you, Jesus for your provision and blessing!<br />
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As far as our ongoing ministry of young adults all over Catalina, we are continuing to do weekly Bible study in our home as well as a weekly "girls night" at our house where we cook and have time to fellowship like only girls can. Additionally we have continued trips to Two Harbors for gatherings and will put on "Soul Surfer" this Sunday at the outdoor beach theater. They have reported there will be huge numbers in town that day, so we are super stoked about the impact this outreach could have! Please pray, pray, pray!!<br />
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We love you guys and thanks again for reading and following with us on this journey! :)The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-36075681097705696502012-06-01T10:46:00.000-07:002012-06-01T10:56:43.542-07:00Summer is Here!Summer is officially here with the events of Memorial Day kicking it off. We are putting on our seat belts for the ride! Many of our college students have begun to arrive home to the island and we have a full schedule of connecting and outreach opportunities for them.<br />
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Andrew just returned a couple weeks ago from a Wild at Heart Boot Camp. He was able to take 4 other guys with him and it was awesome! From this he is starting a new men's ministry on the island! We would love for you to pray with us for this..."Wildmen West". Here in Avalon there are several women's Bible studies that meet at church and in homes, as well as a yearly women's retreat. However, presently there is nothing going on for men. Attempts have been made in the past, but nothing has "stuck". So we are asking the Lord to bring the men, to disciple the men, to heal the men of this Island! The process began out at "boot camp", so please pray for it to continue!<br />
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As far as personal news from our family, we have had a busy and eventful month! Right after Andrew's return from boot camp, we celebrated with Maddi as she walked down the "red carpet" for Avalon's own Prom Walk. It is a unique event that has been a tradition in Avalon for decades. The kids going to prom get to promenade down Catalina Ave. all the way to the end of the green pier on a red carpet. It's very exciting and the whole town attends the event! After walking down the pier there are many, many pictures taken and then the students walk to their prom venue. Are you thinking what I was thinking? "I hope those girls are wearing comfortable shoes!" Anyway, Maddi was asked by Tommy, and they had a blast.<br />
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Harrison has to get in there and make sure Tommy knows who's boss :)<br />
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The "after prom" party was held at the arcade. So glad the dress clothes didn't hamper this couple's fun!</div>
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Other news in our family...Andrew is starting a new position as a driver and tour guide for the Catalina Island Conservancy Jeep Eco Tour. Any of you that know him very well, know this is right up his alley! He will work the same days that he was working at the Zipline, but will stay at the zipline one morning a week to continue to have a touch there. We are excited about this new transition, and would appreciate your prayers as always!!</div>
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Have a blessed June...and feel free to contact us with prayer requests!</div>
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<br />The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-8715831549883945562012-05-07T13:25:00.002-07:002012-05-07T13:26:24.663-07:00The Action Comes to Us!The Hobbs Family has SUCH a wonderful time on our recent trip to FL! We spent most of our time with family, which was such a blessing. One of the major highlights of our week was Thursday night's picnic at Largo Central Park...so many of our sweet friends stopped by to share a few minutes or a few hours. It was incredible to see how kids have grown-up and adults look the same! But no one is really the same - life has thrown some curve balls filled with heartache as well as brought blessings beyond measure - it was just so good to hear your stories and once again be acquainted with your lives. We miss you all dearly!<br />
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We returned to Avalon to find windy, cold weather the first week back. Kind of a relief after the heat of FL! But this week has been sunny and beautiful - perfect weather for this weekend's mass of humanity that visited our Island! We had the Film Festival, Rugby Tournament, and Longboard Classic - alot going-on for one weekend! The highlight for us was of course the Catalina Classic longboard downhill race. Skaters started at the top of our very long, curvy road that goes up the mountain above the harbor. The racers' last turn was the turn right in front of our house aka "coffin corner" (difficult turn AND in front of the pet cemetary)! So we basically had the entire town up at our place Sunday - it was very exciting. Andrew, being the evangelist that he is, got up at 6am, brought speakers outside and blarred christian music. He also set-up a "for skaters only" station giving out christian surf movies and Bibles! 16 movies were taken and all of the New Testament Bibles. We also got a chance to talk to many of the skaters and event coordinators as they were setting-up for the event Sunday morning. It was very cool. Andrew decided it would be silly to hold the Youth Service down on the flat streets in the church buiding with all this action, so we invited all the youth up to our house for a short devotional and a cookout. Below are a couple of pictures...Andrew has more posted on FB if you're interested!<br />
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All the action came to us this weekend!! Thank you, Lord for the chance to reach the lost :)</div>
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<br /></div>The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-87764552315955930552012-04-20T14:10:00.000-07:002012-04-20T14:10:48.212-07:00Easter Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPS4BeubZXImcoynnXBdIF7orQ7RhO_E5RFQ9SKB-c6ekv_BmNNLW0viJUl8dFxDI446YMEjdSAlmqnitD4Q_NgnYAtllmuM4oLDok36PLSxqehbKFTv9fSbGMW9P5qvkQdE0zXsJizh0/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPS4BeubZXImcoynnXBdIF7orQ7RhO_E5RFQ9SKB-c6ekv_BmNNLW0viJUl8dFxDI446YMEjdSAlmqnitD4Q_NgnYAtllmuM4oLDok36PLSxqehbKFTv9fSbGMW9P5qvkQdE0zXsJizh0/s320/DSC_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Spring from the Hobbs Family!!</div>The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-60331313841720468862012-04-07T23:46:00.002-07:002012-04-07T23:48:40.776-07:00Happy Resurrection Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHTb7cUAgiyQXzVEPzd0ZE4CAwF9lh4-hUtSbxzUl-_d-PGHjnIvvpSE8Ow3WeCLtGG7cElMw81206NDB0Tz3nXMrRoR1mP1CO69juKzKHbWB7RGgHy4HuzjQxQxrNIZ1UtBgQz3ys6Pl/s1600/Cross+in+Blue+Sky+Over+Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHTb7cUAgiyQXzVEPzd0ZE4CAwF9lh4-hUtSbxzUl-_d-PGHjnIvvpSE8Ow3WeCLtGG7cElMw81206NDB0Tz3nXMrRoR1mP1CO69juKzKHbWB7RGgHy4HuzjQxQxrNIZ1UtBgQz3ys6Pl/s320/Cross+in+Blue+Sky+Over+Ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!<br />
This is what the early church quoted to one another. Christ is risen indeed: a fact that we as modern Christ-followers are accustomed to, but that rocked the world of the first followers. Can you imagine watching your Lord tortured and hung in humility to die when you had hoped He was going to claim the throne of Israel and end the oppression that weighed heavily on your people for generations? <b>Such</b> betrayal, <b>such</b> disappointment and confusion. But then Sunday happened - and most were in disbelief. However, in His kindness (and sometimes comical way) Jesus Himself appeared to His loved-ones to prove that He was truly alive. I find it interesting that He chose to show Himself only to His followers during His 40 days on earth after the resurrection. Surely He could have stood before those who put Him to death to prove to THEM that He was truly Who He claimed to be! But He did not. And His purpose in spending time with those who loved Him? We would be too bold to claim to know for sure, but one thing is true - those who deserted Him as He was beaten, tried and crucified, and then hid in fear those days following...NEVER wavered again after spending time with the risen LORD. They were themselves persecuted and martyred, many dying horrendous deaths, but surely not afraid ever again. They now spoke with authority, boldness and unwavering courage. <br />
But, not only had they spent time with the risen Lord, they now had the Holy Spirit. During His last days before His betrayal, Jesus told His disciples this in John 16:7: "It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." They had no clue Jesus was speaking of His death, resurrection and ascension - but they soon realized what He meant when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost- they had power and courage like never before! <u>And so can we</u>...<br />
Francis Chan writes in his book <u>Forgotten God</u> these words: <i>"It really is an astounding truth that the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. He lives in me. I do not know what the Spirit will do or where He'll lead me each time I invite Him to guide me. But I am tired of living in a way that looks exactly like people who do not have the Holy Spirit of God living in them. I want to consistently live with an awareness of His strength. I want to be different today from who I was yesterday as the fruit of the Spirit becomes more manifest in me. I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit's leading on a daily basis. Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true."</i><br />
Friends, we have access to the same Spirit that gave the disciples power to do miracles and the courage to stand for Truth in the face of death...let's "keep in step with the Spirit" by abiding in Him...resting quietly and listening, then acting in obedience to what or where He leads!<br />
God bless all of you - and Happy Easter!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-22952825407830783002012-03-07T14:45:00.000-08:002012-03-07T14:45:08.247-08:00Hello March!Greetings All! Things are going well here on Catalina Island! We are experiencing more opportunities for ministry as Andrew has been able to back off to only 3 days at the zip-line. Thanks to God, Who has chosen to continue to bless us with enough support for this to happen! One example of the blessing of being a little more freed-up is more time and relationships being built at the west end of the island, as well as more time to visit the nearby coves of Campus-by-the-Sea and Toyon Bay. Andrew has been taking guys from the zip (his co-workers, praise God!) to paddle (SUP) out to these coves on Thursdays. It's been such a neat ministry tool because it accomplishes two things...building relationships with the unsaved co-workers and visiting and ministering to the workers at the camps. The zip guys have witnessed some amazing things on the water (including watching a great white shark attack a sea lion!) as well as amazing ministry to the people at the camps - specifically prayer and encouragment. It's a pretty unique opportunity! One thing you can pray for is for boards...Andrew only has 2 functioning paddle boards right now and could really use at least 2 more! Plus, of the 2 that he currently has, one is badly in need of repair. So please pray for provision in that with us.<br />
On another note, we have been blessed to be a part of a study called The Journey. In it we have been encouraged to focus inward with the Lord as our guide. We have heard lectures from John Coe, the director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation out of Talbot School of Theology, as well as from John Lynch, who authored a few books, one being TrueFaced. Both have challenged us to consider whether or not we are submitting to "moralism" - that lovely "ism" that encourages us to "buck up" and "do better" when sin is exposed in our lives. The official definition is: any attempt to grow, fix, transform myself in the power of my "being good". There's SO much more that they go into, but a good question to ask is this: when I am aware of a particular sin, what do I do with it? Naturally, we try to hide (as our first parents Adam and Eve did) - and we hide by determining to "do better", and we put on masks to cover the "issues" that we deal with because we don't believe that ANYONE, including God, can deal with our crap. We can't even deal with our crap. But instead, God calls us to EMBRACE our bad - our sin - and to acknowledge it to Him in honesty and humility and to admit that we can't do a thing about it (we've tried for heaven sake!) and then to sit there with Him in the midst of our "weeds" and simply ABIDE. Wow...that just doesn't seem right, does it? Moralism has had a profound effect on us and we didn't even realize it. Personal awareness of sin is an invitation to walk through the door of love to a converstion with the Lord, not to hide by "doing more or better" because of feelings of shame and condemnation (which are never from God). <br />
Well, that's just a taste of what this "Journey" is leading us through...I pray to write more another day. For now know that God is CRAZY ABOUT YOU!! He couldn't love you more than He already does - even on your worst day! Halleluja!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-23010666140825618552012-02-10T10:42:00.000-08:002012-02-10T10:42:39.802-08:00Love and the Lifter of our headsWow, February is well under way and we are again amazed at God's work on this Island! So often He reminds us that He has led us here. It's so easy, I'm sad to say, to get disillusioned and begin to question your calling as you forge through the daily grind. But God has been so gracious to literaly lift our heads (as Ps. 3:3 "But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.") when we feel low or discouraged or even just "normal" like we are just here living life, not really having an affect on anyone. So many times this week people have voiced to me or in a group setting the fact that our family moving here has had, and continues to have, such a huge impact on the community and in the lives of individuals. I was walking with my 22 year old friend Amy this morning and she voiced that she knows that she would not have come home to the Island and stayed (after recently graduating from college) if it hadn't been for us. Now don't get me wrong, I am WELL aware this is NOT about us!! And that is the marvel of it all...we are just who we are - it is God Almighty Who is doing this amazing work right before our eyes and we get to be a part of it! Because we said "yes". And we continue to say "yes". The month of February often brings the natural tendency to focus on love. One of my favorite things about the Love that Jesus shows us is that it never forces anything. It's up to us to respond! My prayer for us is that we will. AMEN! The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-2762901196408790302011-12-29T12:26:00.000-08:002011-12-29T12:26:16.988-08:00New Year...New BeginningsGod is a God of new beginnings and fresh starts! I always love the beginning of a new year because it gives me a chance to evaluate my life and decide on areas I need a fresh start. For instance, I have definitely decided I need to impliment a better system of chores for our kids! I have been pretty lax and often end up doing things myself because it's easier in the end than keeping after them. However, I was reminded that this is really not what's best for them, so we are going to start fresh with the new year with some consistent job assignments. I wish I could report that my children had feelings of excited anticipation over this new year's resolution, but as you might imagine there are more sighs and groans than singing and grins! :)<br />
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I recently had someone tell me they don't bother with "new year's resolutions" because it's a set-up for failure. Well, I can see how this can be true, but what about the feeling of a fresh start? I think we ARE destined for failure at many of the tasks we set forth to accomplish because, as Jesus reminds us, "apart from me you can do nothing." We strive, try HARDER still, beat ourselves up and ultimately fall to defeat and in some cases depression...all because we are striving in our own power to do things we clearly need the Spirit to do through us. To love more, be more patient with a family member or spouse, to be generous and consistently (and genuinely) kind. These are just a few things maybe you would consider putting on your list of new year's resolutions. But what exactly does Galations 5:22 mean when it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..."? Does that mean that I need to produce joy an peace - and if I just tried harder to be patient and self-controlled, I would be living according to the Spirit? That's totally backwards! I think Jesus clears things up when He spoke about the grapevine in John 15:<br />
v.4 - "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. (v.5) Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."<br />
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So, no more striving this year friends! Simply remain in Him. How? Make time to be with Him - abide. I like to go for a hike and be outdoors to be with Him. Sometimes I like to sit in the sunshine and just listen to worship music to be with Him. I get together with friends and pray and discuss scripture to be with Him. I like to journal and write to be with Him. Whatever it is that feeds and nourishes your soul as you spend time with your Creator, DO IT! And as we abide, as we walk with Him, the Spirit bears fruit - love, joy, peace, etc., through us - no striving.The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-46113945101104460772011-11-05T09:29:00.000-07:002011-11-05T09:29:17.688-07:00Blessing upon BlessingIn case you haven't heard...WE GOT A GOLF CART!! I want to repeat here the exact article in our local Avalon newspaper so you get the story from a different perspective than just mine...<br />
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"It's amazing what can happen when people come together for a cause. Cities can be built, wars started, laws passed...or in some cases, golf carts built. This was the case when a small group of people got together about 2 months ago and decided to start something crazy; something that was going to take time, labor, support from the community, and a lot of help from God. You see, when God wants something to happen, it gets done, and that is exactly what happened. What started with a few people sitting down and throwing around ideas about blessing a family in town with a golf cart spread into a project greater than what was ever thought possible. Countless amounts of people donated their time, labor, and finances to make it possible. Parts were graciously donated by both Catalina Yamaha and Buffalo Motors, the enclosure was generously made by Sal Vega, and an anonymous donor re-painted the body at no cost, and numerous amounts of people from the community stepped in to video the process, create a brush guard, clean and sand the body, and even cook the laborers dinner! This project, code named "Operation Mobility" in order to help keep it under wraps, was all done for a family who recently moved to the Island from Florida, after feeling God calling them to minister here. It has been such a blessing having them here, and being able to bless them in return was an amazing and encouraging opportunity. It was also a chance for people not only to hear about God's love, but see it in action. The secret operation was an opportunity to bless a family in need, who before this had no means of transportation and a family of 6 to try and get around, as well as to show people that God's love is real and tangible. 42 days ago this project started, with a beat up limo-style Yamaha golf cart, a community of caring people, and a God Who can make all things possible. On October 6, 2011, after what seemed to be a normal church service, the Hobbs Family was blind-sighted by the presentation of a completely custom, hand-built, picture of God's provision. They now not only had a vehicle, they had an idea of just how much they mean to this Island. So, to the entire Hobbs Family, congratulations on your new vehicle! And to everyone who made this project possible, we appreciate you so much for your help. God bless you all and your kind hearts! I John 3:18 says, <em>"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."</em> The past 42 days, this small island community has come together and accomplished this. I know that if the Hobbs were being interviewed for this article, there would be no better way to end it than to simply say, "All glory to God."<br />
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So there you have it...it's a beautiful thing when people give and it's very humbling to be on the receiving end of such a project! Thank you Avalon!! Thank you to all of our amazing friends both here, in Florida, and all over the world who love us and support us in so many ways!! May God bless you one hundred fold!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-4302438585536048272011-10-10T06:36:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:46:28.562-07:00We do not lose heartHello Everyone!! My how time flies...I'm sure some of you have wondered "what in the world is going on with the Hobbs!" Well, here we go...<br />
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As I mentioned before in a previous blog, summer is crazy on Catalina Island! We held on tight for the ride and made it to the other side - a little worn out and dizzy, but here we are. Fall is now in the air. We have experienced one day of stormy rain, then a chilly cold front ushered in Fall. School is in and things are beginning to calm down. So now let me fill you in about some huge stuff that has happened in our lives over the past month.<br />
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The day before school started we went "overtown" (to the mainland) for dentist appointments and some shopping. We had not been there long when Andrew stepped down off a curb onto a very uneven section of pavement and hit the ground with a yell. He had sprained his ankle (torn ligaments and all) and that was his first day of not being able to walk for a little over 2 weeks. Who would ever have thought that this guy who works in a physically risky job as a zip guide and never has an injury would step off a curb and be taken out for 2 weeks? It was crazy.<br />
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So, we get home and the kids experience their very first day of public school (Maddi and Harrison - Grace is still Homeschooling with Mom :)). The day was very exciting and quite an experience that would soon be overshadowed. That evening as Harrison is bringing his backpack up to the house - riding his razor scooter - the wheel twists and he falls. All of his weight comes down and his elbow is caught between him and the concrete. An unfortunate position. He runs in the house crying that he thinks his arm is broken so we run him to the emergency room. Xrays reveal that it is indeed broken - but its his elbow and it looks really bad. So the next day we take him "overtown" again - this time to an orthopedic specialist who looks at it and gravely announces that he will need surgery right away. God arranged that we get the best surgeon in the area (the top at UCLA) to do the surgery - we had no idea how that happened, it was truly a gift. Harrison is now our "bionic boy" with seven screws in his elbow! Pretty amazing. He just got the stitches from the incision taken out this past Wednesday and is healing nicely. He is doing therapy and is able to move it, although not fully extended yet. <br />
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So, how to react to all of this? Wow...honestly, it was hard. But God was good through it all to point out to us where He was. We realize that having Andrew unable to work made him more available to his kids during this huge transition into a new school situation. Also more available to Harrison during his pain and questioning. Of course, being 13, he doesn't get "suffering". This accident has been a refining process for him to decide for himself if he actually believes in all of this "God stuff" that his parents hold fast to. There comes a time for all of us to decide if we trust that God is good, or do we walk according to what we see and feel at any given moment - that maybe there really is no God or that He has abandoned me if there is.<br />
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2 Corinthians 4:8,16-18: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."<br />
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We choose - and Harrison has chosen - to trust and believe. To fix our eyes on what is unseen. God is incredibly faithful and continues to rain down blessings on this family. Andrew is back to work now and because his injury happened on the property of a McDonald's restaraunt, they are paying for all doctor's visits AND lost wages! God has used many of YOU to bless us with financial gifts during this time that will be used toward Harrison's costs. We have no doubt that God has allowed hardship to refine us and to cause us to watch <em>Him</em> provide. He is faithful!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-90906564164791971612011-08-23T13:39:00.000-07:002011-08-23T13:43:38.497-07:00A Raw ConfessionOk, well, I feel God calling me today to share with you a page from my journal from a little while back. Maybe He has one of you in mind that needs to hear His words to me in a time of sadness and seeking...<br />
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"Why am I crying Lord? I'm scared and I don't think I'm up for the role you have for me! I just don't do well - I'm weak and unfaithful...<br />
...Lord, You spoke directly to my last words written to You - "I don't think I'm up for the role" - You are giving me an invitation to <u>come</u> - Lord, how am I hindering your story? Why am I stomping my foot and saying "NO, I am not worthy!" What do <u>You</u> say to me? John 11 - when you saw Mary weeping at your feet, you were moved in your spirit and troubled and YOU WEPT! When you see ME weeping Lord, you are moved. You care, you LOVE. You see through me to my core and yet you call me - invite me to arise. <b>Song of Songs 8:14</b>: "Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains." Your words to ME. Thank you my Father, my Lover - Lover of me, my soul, my brokenness. <b>Song of Songs 7:10</b>: "I belong to my lover and His desire is for me!" <b>Song of Songs 8:6-7</b>: "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." <br />
So, Shelli, don't go looking elsewhere - wasting time, energy and money on "less wild lovers" - only come to ME, the Author and Creator And Finisher of LOVE and of <u>you</u>."<br />
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So there it is - I still read it and find it amazing. Does God's word really say those things? YES it does - Yes HE does. He is pursuing us and wooing us and HE LOVES YOU. Whatever you are struggling with today, believe HIM!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-67033714349821453302011-07-16T11:21:00.000-07:002011-07-16T11:31:49.080-07:00SummertimeAs I sit here to write I am reminded of why it's so hard to sit here and write! The birds are singing their hearts out outside, the warm sun is shining, the breeze is gently blowing and I have to be at work in a couple of hours. Ah, summertime in Avalon. But I have SO much to share that I must come into this dark little spot to spend a few minutes to update our friends.<br />
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God continues to affirm to us His calling here to Catalina. Every week another life is affected and through it all, our lives are deeply impacted as we watch Him work. Some of the most recent things include a camping trip to the Isthmus, a cool group of seniors that visited from Huntington Beach for a retreat, a huge graduation party for Alex and our last young adult Bible study that had 24 show up! I will expound on a couple of those...<br />
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Last weekend a group of about 16 recently graduated seniors came over to Avalon for their "senior trip". They got connected to us through Alex who met their leader at a Christian Surfers camp a few weeks ago. They stayed at the church and they studied Wild at Heart and Captivating while they were here - sort of a "mini retreat". They came over to our house a couple of different evenings and it was super neat to talk with them about their goals and dreams and the Lord. We shared scripture and songs and stories of faith - it was awesome. We look forward to getting to know these blessed kids (and leaders too) better through the years to come since they live close, only "26 miles across the sea"!<br />
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Sunday night we had a graduation party for Alex. As most of you know, Alex, as a homeschooler, finished up his last few credits here on Catalina this past semester and was able to be declared a high school graduate! We are proud of him and although he didn't want us to at first, we threw a party in his honor. It turned out to be one of the biggest blessings since being here! We had over 60 people show up at our house (thankfully with the help of a couple friends we had plenty of food!). We enjoyed hours of awesome fellowship, delicious food and lots of fun. The highlight was toward the end of the evening...in an official Avalon School cap and gown, Alex walked up the sidewalk through the crowd (which was humming the "graduation march" song!). He ended up on our front porch where Andrew and I met him. We then had a chance to share some words - a "charge" - with him. Then people gathered around, laid hands on him and prayed for him. It was INCREDIBLE! Truly the best graduation ceremony I have ever attended! The prayers were all so blessed, the people who came to show their support were amazing and the fellowship was sweet. I still am in awe, a week later!<br />
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Every Monday night we have the young adults to our house for Bible study. This past week was particularly cool. 24 kids showed up, some of who are not believers, but seeking truth. We are studying Philippians. Just walking through, verse by verse and picking it apart - discussing the meanings of certain phrases, and most importantly asking the question "what does this mean for me in my life right now?" It's so cool to hear the students open up and share in our group time. It's also cool when afterward we have the chance to go deeper with individuals. We usually stay and hang-out by the fire outside or around the living room inside and just talk together, pray together, laugh together and eat together. That night I was able to talk with a girl here from Iowa for the summer, that I work with. She shared with me that she was one tiny step from going to Indiana for the summer, but at the last minute decided to come to Avalon and stay with her aunt and uncle. She said after that Bible study, she knew why she was here. She said every summer in high school she saw God reach out to her. She had been to christian camps and mission trips even though she didn't grow-up in church. She was able, through friends, to attend. It has been a few years since high school and one of her closest friends that was a believer, has since turned his back on Jesus. She has no one in her life to encourage her toward Christ and had recently decided that maybe christianity was not for her. Then she came to Avalon. She said she has met several christians and after being exposed to the Word again, wants to come back to Jesus. She is going to college in the fall in Orange County and so I was able to hook her up with the group of students that were here from Huntington Beach - many of whom will be attending the same school and truly love Jesus! It was a great night and, again, I just marvelled at watching God work!<br />
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Well, I could go on and on, but I gotta go to work! Thank you all for reading and for continuing to pray for us...we feel it!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-26115197475427077762011-06-19T09:41:00.000-07:002011-06-19T09:41:14.297-07:00Summit to Sea ConnectionsIt's official! We have officially launched the new Young Adult Ministry here on Catalina Island. It's called Summit to Sea Connections. "A ministry connecting young adults through discovering God's love and plans for their lives. Exploring both the mountains and the sea, from the windward to the leeward side of Catalina Island." That's it in a nutshell! Some of our gatherings include a weekly Bible study at our house on Monday nights and Summit Praise on Wednesday evenings (where we get in a van and travel a couple miles up to the "summit" to have a time of music and testimony - SO cool to worship under the amazing stars). We also have four 3-day camping events scheduled this summer. We went to an Angel's game a couple weeks ago (the Tampa Bay Rays spanked them, I might add) and have another one scheduled in July.<br />
As great as all of these activities are, we still are well-aware that true ministry to an individual life depends more on one-on-one discipleship than any group activities could facilitate. With that in mind, we continue to meet with several young adults each week one-on-one. Andrew was able to meet recently with 3 different guys and have some real quality time answering questions, and praying together with them. Shelli has also met with 3 different girls for the same purpose. How exciting to see God love on these kids through us. It has truly been AMAZING to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives as He begins to "lift the veil" that has been over their hearts and minds. I love the verses in Jeremiah chapter 1 where Jeremiah is afraid to speak because he doesn't want to blow-it. But God comes down and puts a coal on his lips and says "now the words that you speak will be my words". That is our greatest prayer as we meet with these precious kids - that God would speak and we would get out of the way! And He does, He is SO faithful! <br />
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One of my favorite songs that has been recently introduced at church is called "Restoration". The words are so powerful and remind me of God's goal for each of us...healing and restoration. You can look it up on YouTube - Restoration, by David Brymer. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LcyQOLVS_U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LcyQOLVS_U</a><br />
Here's the lyrics...<br />
<em><strong>You bring restoration<br />
You bring restoration<br />
You bring restoration<br />
to my soul<br />
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You've taken my pain<br />
called me by a new name<br />
You've taken my shame<br />
and in it's place, You give me joy<br />
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You take mourning and turn it into dancing<br />
You take weeping and turn it into laughing<br />
You take mourning and turn it into dancing<br />
You take my sadness and turn it into joy<br />
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hallelujah, hallelujah<br />
You make all things new, all things new </strong></em>The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-29675993067488249272011-05-20T15:36:00.000-07:002011-05-20T15:36:53.208-07:00Working HardWell, I realize it has been a few weeks since our last post. We have been moving in to our condo we are renting and at the same time, Andrew, Shelli and Maddi have all started new jobs! So needless to say, it's been a whirlwind this past month. <br />
We are delighted with our new place to live. It's nestled up in a canyon across from the infamous Avalon Pet Cemetery. It's a bit out of town, so getting down to work, church, or the grocery store takes time without a golf cart. But we are thrilled to be in a place of our own and able to "nest" and get situated. I will say, however, that we miss the Dominguez family dearly! We so enjoyed our time with them and never could have imagined how nice it could be living with another family. We miss our family dinners with them and just the daily access to friends. We have determined to have dinner together as families on Sunday nights as much as possible so we don't lose what was gained during our time there.<br />
As for jobs...Andrew is an official "Catalina Island Zipline Guide"! He worked very hard over a 2 week period to get licensed and certified to zip and in CPR, first aid, etc. It was a very intense training and we are glad it's over. He is settling into his new position and best of all, building great relationships at work. He discovered yesterday that another one of the guys he works with is a new Christian, which is so cool. This week in the Avalon movie theater (our only one) Soul Surfer played. It's pretty cool since it's a Christian-based movie here in our little town. We got everyone we could to go and Andrew was excited that several guys from work, both believers and nonbelievers, attended with him and really enjoyed it. It's a great open door for him to share "the hope that is within" as the Bible says. This weekend he will be camping out at a cove called Howlan's with a number of young adults, so please pray for that as well as his continued strength and witness at work.<br />
Maddi is working at a retail clothing shop as well as the same cafe Shelli is working. The owner of both has grown-up on the island and has introduced us to many of the locals that we would never have met at church because they don't attend. So, we are excited that God has provided yet another area to let our lights shine for Christ and we pray that He woos the hearts of those we come into contact with so they will want what we have. Each day we, like you, find ourselves faced with many choices of how to approach people. We can think of them as just passer-by-ers who don't matter to our lives, or we can ask God to help us to see them as He sees them - with great compassion and love and with needs that He can meet. It's hard, sometimes, to be patient when we see people that way, because we want them so badly to be free and to know Jesus! But they must choose. And so my job is to allow the Spirit to work through me how He sees fit in the lives of the people I am with. I leave the heart-work to Him and I love.<br />
P.S. Thank you to all who are continuing to support us financially and through prayer! We are so blessed that you have allowed God to use you in our lives and we thank Him for you!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-39067032196283716102011-04-20T16:56:00.000-07:002011-04-20T16:56:59.623-07:00A Lover Who ServesI just wanted to share a cool story that illustrates how God moves in a life. For several weeks now I (Shelli) have been meeting weekly with a girl doing Bible study. She has struggled with depression and with what it means to live - really live - as a follower of Jesus, out of desire and love rather than duty. She has been a Christian for a long time and has been recently renewed in her desire to be a "lover who serves, rather than a servant who loves." It's been awesome to watch her come alive and watch the Lord awaken her heart again. Recently she went, with her husband, to the Republic of Georgia (near Russia) for a mission training trip to train young leaders. While there, she noticed a particular girl who seemed quiet and sullen. After a couple of days, she was able, through an interpreter, to discover that the girl was discouraged in her faith. My friend wrote her a note of encouragement and included several Bible verses that have been especially meaningful in her own life these past couple months. The girl met her in the hall the next day and grasped her and held her and they cried together for several minutes. There was a language barrier, but the love of Jesus was clearly communicated and the two hearts were knit at once. <br />
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How amazing that when we share the true Gospel and are faithful to our Heavenly Father's message of loving Him FIRST before anything else, even serving (Matthew 22:37-38), our hearts are set free to then WANT to serve. May Jesus help us to be a "Mary", and sit at His feet and worship and adore Him with no condemnation and to pray against the Enemy's scheme to get us so busy - whether it be in ministry or not - that we become discouraged and disillusioned with what it means to be a believer!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-6631300455118514692011-04-02T20:00:00.000-07:002011-04-02T20:00:52.663-07:00Back in the USA!We are back! For those of you that prayed for us, we are grateful, God blessed in huge ways and we had (according to the founder of the Ban Meata Orphanage) the best week of camp the orphanage has ever experienced! Yay Team Thailand, Yay God!! Every morning was filled with the team teaching the kids a different sport - Monday/Tuesday was basketball and soccer. Wednesday/Thursday was volleyball and American football. Friday was competition day and Saturday was carnival day with water activities. Every afternoon was filled with various clubs the kids were able to choose. Some of the offerings included Bible/arts & crafts, guitar & drums, fishing, board games, active games, golf, wrestling and swimming. The kids absolutely LOVED every club and were so thankful to get to choose from such a variety. <br />
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One very touching story was a little girl about 9 years old, who came forward at the worship service on Sunday to publicly say thank you for teaching her to swim. We thought it was very sweet of her to express gratitude, but what broke our hearts is when Rob, the founder, came up to expound upon her thanks. Last summer she had been found at the bottom of a swimming pool. They had been able to rescue her and resuscitate her, praise God! So all-of-a-sudden her little "thank you" had much more meaning and weight - there wasn't a dry eye among us. <br />
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One more thing - the Dorm Moms had a special encouragement of their own as Anna Rice and I had a couple of hours to share some things out of God's Word and do a craft with them. Also, Andrew had an evening with them, bought them all ice cream and gave them some more encouragement from the Word as well as his experience working with youth. The Dorm Moms were ever-grateful! They have a demanding, 24-hour job. Most people who come to visit are strictly there to see the kids, but this time the "mums" received a special touch. <br />
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I could go on and on, but for the sake of time I will conclude with I Corinthians 15:56: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-20197364741594592562011-03-17T23:22:00.000-07:002011-03-17T23:22:45.607-07:00March UpdateSo much is happening with the Hobbs Family, I hardly know where to start. I think I will begin with...WE FOUND A PLACE TO LIVE!!! Ok, I got that out, now I will expound. I have decided that God likes to play chess! We had been looking at a particular place for the past 2 months, but felt it was too small. After a while, however, we decided that we would just have to squeeze. Well, the owner wasn't on the same page at all. She let us know in her very expressive way, that we were too big of a family to fit in that space, even though it was 3 bedrooms. I was disappointed. Little did I know that God was going to use that in a funny way. So several weeks later we hear by word-of-mouth that a 3 bedroom will be opening up at the end of April. A couple days later we were able to contact the people living in the condo and set-up a time to look at the place. We LOVED it...it is more than we expected and a perfect fit for our family. Come to find out, the people are moving into THE place that we wouldn't fit into! CRAZY! Like chess pieces, God is moving them out and us in and we watch it all take place in awe. This has been a clear expression of the verse in Ephesians 3:20 of God doing more than we could ever ask or imagine! I'm so grateful that we listened to the people around us and to the Lord when He continued to tell us to wait this out...something will come and when it does, "you'll just know." Thank you for your prayers!<br />
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We have had a great few weeks of ministry as well. Andrew has been enjoying exploring the island-always with 2-4 young adult islanders along! It's been incredible for him to have the opportunity to build relationships, particularly through hiking, paddling, snorkling, etc. The other exciting event was to have Cameron Porter, one of our young adults from Florida, visit for a week. There was definetely never an idle moment for Cam! We actually just dropped him off at the LA airport so he could return to cold Detroit to finish his college semester. Good Times!<br />
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I (Shelli) had the wonderful opportunity to share with the women of the island this last Tuesday at the community Bible study. It was a great experience as I was able to share my heart to see women set free as they learn and truly experience God's passionate pursuit of them and interest in their healing and wholeness. It was received well and I was so very encouraged as I was able to see, again, God show-up in such an incredible way. I also shared with them what God has told me is my mission in Avalon..."to BE" (I'll have to explain that in a future blog). And the converstation is continuing...I have received several emails and phone calls from women who want to go farther in learning and exploring what God has to offer in this. It's very exciting and again, I say "thank you" because I know several of you were praying for that morning.<br />
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One prayer need that we would bring to your attention is Alex's health. He has been under some serious attack as he's recently endured one sickness after another. Over the past few weeks we have had him to the doctor a couple times and he's been on several different antibiotics. He is still not back to normal and would greatly appreciate your prayers. His heart is to spend time with the boys of the community that have been spending hours (and meals :)) at our place and with our family. It's been so hard for him to have to explain to them that he can't come out and "play" because he has to stay in bed and away from people because of being possibly contagious. <br />
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Well, we leave in the morning for our trip to Thailand. Hopefully we will be able to post updates from Andrew's laptop, if he has wireless access. Thank you for praying for our safety and health as well as our ministry to the orphans that we will be working with!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-23242388845834136332011-02-23T10:09:00.000-08:002011-02-23T10:11:33.303-08:00Ps.33:22Wow...time flies...it's already been 2 weeks since I last posted a blog update! So let's see...where should I begin? I suppose one big thing on our minds right now is "where?"...where are we going to live? We have looked at several places, just asking God to speak clearly where HE wants us to land. I would say the biggest lesson these past 3 weeks is patience! We are so graciously cared for and comfortable where we are living, but we know we need to get into our own space so we can have our kitties with us and our "stuff" out of storage and begin to settle into life and ministry. We appreciate your prayers for clarity and provision!<br />
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Speaking of ministry...God continues to open doors as Andrew builds relationships with several young adult guys from a nearby camp. These guys work at Campus-By-The-Sea, a camp accessible only by boat or hiking. They seem thrilled to have someone whom God has called to the island specifically for THEM! Many young adults, even in Avalon in fact, are amazed at this - it's very exciting. So keep them in your prayers as we seek open doors to speak into their lives, that God would provide opportunity and that we would have wisdom.<br />
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Also, I (Shelli) have begun to do a Bible study one night a week with a young woman and the first couple nights were amazing - God showed-up in such a big way and is revealing Himself to this precious girl in new and wonderful ways.<br />
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The children continue to do well. Alex had a special week as one of his close friends, Paul, came out and stayed with us. Paul is part of the missions team for Christian Surfers and is a blessing to Alex and to our entire family. He was exposed first hand to the work here and served where he could and encouraged us a whole lot - thank you Paul, we hope you can come again soon!<br />
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Thank you again, friends, for your continued prayers - we feel they are upholding us and are excited and hopeful as we watch things unfold before our eyes! I sometimes wonder at how God works...He's called us to minister to the people of Catalina Island and yet, I think so much of the ministry is in our own hearts as we wait and watch and pray. "May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You." (Ps. 33:22) We pray this for you too!!The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-55111234669238336032011-02-01T17:13:00.001-08:002011-02-01T17:13:16.475-08:00Aha!Wow! Time is flying and it's hard to believe we have been here over 3 weeks now. We are adjusting and doing well. One of the cool things about our life right now is living in community with another family. About a year ago, I seriously considered what it would be like to live in community - that is to have 2 or more families living together in the same household. I wasn't sure at the time why God had laid it on my heart to consider the idea, but I did - for months I couldn't get it off my mind. I asked Him several times if He was asking us to look for a way to live this way. I felt, instead, that He was saying expect to live this way at some point - just consider it for now. I marvel as I realize that the Lord was gently preparing me for where we are right now! Back then we had NO idea we would be here, or anywhere other than our home on Pine Street in Clearwater! Isn't it amazing the way He leads those who desire His will in their lives - and so many times we aren't sure why He is saying something or even what exactly He is trying to tell us. But as time passes, what a blessing it is to be able to look back and realize "Aha, so this is what that was about, Lord!"<br />
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Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek to know exactly where it is God is placing us in various ministries here on the Island. We are realizing that there are a thousand things we could be involved in, and although it is very hard to wait, we want to be sure to plug-in exactly where HE wants us! We have our mission to work with young adults and to go out to camps and coves - and we want to stick by that, but to be strategic in how that happens can be tricky. So we thank you for your prayers!<br />
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We also want you to know a couple of cool things...<br />
Alex continues to minister to the "local boys" through the skate park - only they have followed him back to the church and are now hanging-out here too! They stayed for church last Thursday night and one of them actually came to the service on Sunday - AMAZING!! Alex and Andrew were able to meet with the City Manager yesterday to continue plans for a new skatepark.<br />
Andrew had his first "young adult" living in Avalon call him last week to go paddlesurfing! It was a great connection - his name is Scotty - and Andrew looks forward to continuing that relationship. <br />
I (Shelli) started working with a woman in town helping her with in-home care (cleaning, cooking and such) as she is handicapped and needy. She is a lovely person, although an unbeliever, so we are thankful for this opportunity!<br />
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Gotta go make dinner...blessings to you all from the Hobbs! :)The Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3726515093301527686.post-2815699733593226582011-01-21T09:33:00.000-08:002011-01-21T09:33:06.605-08:00Catalina at LastWe have officially been in Avalon for 4 days - this is day 5. We arrived late afternoon on Monday to an incredible welcome - so many people were at the boat dock to greet us with hugs, smiles an kind words. The rest of that day consisted of "nesting" in our new accommodations. And what accommodations they are! I had brought our air mattresses and sleeping bags, thinking we would be using them and "camping out" in a big room at the bottom of the church. Well, we were surprised by being given 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a "rec room" for relaxing in addition to access to the church kitchen. Way more than we expected! We are really very comfortable. The Dominguez family has been a joy to live in community with! Enrique, Santa, Rico and Azariah have been so gracious and we are blessed to be "house-mates". <br />
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So, day 2 in Catalina consisted of meeting (it seemed) a thousand people - ok, maybe 20 or so...anyway, alot of people! Every day we meet more - it's fun, but remembering everyone's names is gonna take a miracle. But the people have been amazing - so kind and welcoming. <br />
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Yesterday was a huge highlight. After schooling the children, they went over to where there <u>was</u> a skatepark - I say <u>was</u> because it has become derelict and run down and completely unusable. So, any of you who know Alex, know that he was on it right away! He, Mike, Derek and the kids began to move ramps around and clean up the place - it took hours and slowly, but surely, it began to look like a skatepark again. A few people from the community heard what was going on, including the owner of the property. Instead of getting upset, he actually asked Alex to draw-up some plans to design a whole new park! Wow - that was cool and unexpected! It had only been cleaned-up for a few minutes before about 30 kids were all over it! What a blessing and what a huge need for this community! Alex, Mike and Derek had a great time hanging-out, beginning relationships that will hopefully grow into opportunities to share Christ.<br />
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That evening was a church service. Mike led worship and Andrew gave his testimony, challenging the people on taking risks in order to test their faith. It was a wonderful service! The room is small, so the sound of people singing resonated loudly making for an awesome time of worship. The people were receptive and challenged through the testimony. At the end, they all came forward and laid hands on our family and had a powerful time of prayer. What a blessing!! It was so special and reminded me much of our send-off as people had gathered around our family in the youth service at Pathways to do the same thing. So, here we are, circled and lifted in prayer on both ends of our journey, not to mention carried along on the wings of prayer through our entire journey here. It was such a fitting end to an amazing day and we are marveled by God's working in our midst already!<br />
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Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...we love you!<br />
The Hobbs FamilyThe Hobbs Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05531184265927313603noreply@blogger.com