85 degrees and sunny!

Hello All!

Since our last blog entry we've moved out of our 4 bedroom house into DJ's parent's home for 6 weeks, then packed a 26 ft. truck with our belongings and memorabilia and started our long, 3 day journey to California. Our first day traveling was about 16 hours, the second was 13 hours, and the last day of traveling was about 8 hours. There were many bathroom breaks (for the pregnant lady!) and stops to stretch our legs, and every once in awhile, we'd trade from bouncy truck to calm, smooth riding car. We saw a lot of beautiful sights and at one point in the second day we were in 4 states (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). We very much appreciated DJ's parent's, Dennis and Sheryl, help with the move! It could've been a difficult move on our own. We arrived safe and sound and had help moving into the apartment, which made a big difference. After a good night's rest we started unpacking and even ventured out to find a grocery store! We are close to everything we need, but are looking forward to finding our way around (thanks to our GPS!).

DJ and I had our first California OB appointment soon after arriving. Everything is on schedule and moving along nicely. My doctor also happens to be pregnant and will be due the same day as me, so I will have another doctor delivering our baby. Our next appointment is November 19, which is our 18 week marker. Either this appointment or the next we'll find out the sex of the baby- and we can't wait for that!

Before DJ's parents left to fly back to Iowa, we were able to meet up with some Steen relatives and see the sights of downtown L.A., Hollywood, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, and Venice Beach. We had a really nice time and got some great pictures!

Our adventure has begun here with meetings and getting to know everyone who we'll be working side by side with. Soon we'll be beginning the process of assembling a task force which will put together a plan for a Child Restoration Center in the San Gabriel Valley. This will not only be a learning process for DJ and I, but also for the group we are working with. We are looking forward to seeing what it's like to pioneer something this important and crucial, especially in the L.A. area.

Many of you reading this have supported us financially and/or have committed to supporting us financially on a monthly basis and for that, we are so thankful. We depend on you more than you realize. And we are always looking for more partners to help us accomplish the goal of opening a Child Restoration Center in the LA area in 2011. If you would like to support us, you can mail your donation to CRTEC PO Box 296 Hiawatha, IA 52233 and put DJ and Nicole Steen on the memo line. We also covet your prayer support during this time. Here are three things you can be agreeing in prayer with us about: 1. That Nicole and the baby would be healthy and there would be no complications with the pregnancy 2. That all of our financial needs would be met 3. That the process of building a Child Restoration Center would go forward despite any unexpected surprises or obstacles.

Thanks again for everyone's support! We love all of you! Feel free to contact us at steen3@live.com for any reason.

DJ & Nicole

New chapter

In April, DJ and 2 others went to L.A. for a meeting with some people who had contacted us about CRTEC and the trainings we do. Just before leaving I had a dream that we were packing up our things in the attic and that we were moving. Nothing too impressionable, so I set it aside. I mentioned it to DJ, but he was busy getting ready, so we just chalked up as a "good one" and left it at that. He returned a couple days later. I was excited to hear all about it and of course to receive my usual L.A. Airport gift shop trinket! I let him settle in and he started to tell me about all his conversations, more specifically one. He told me that the people he met were really interested in starting a CRC, a facility to house rescued victims of human trafficking. My mouth hit the floor. This is an amazing step for CRTEC.

He told me that Ric asked him if he thought we'd be interested in moving out to L.A. to staff and facilitate the CRC. He also said he told Ric about my dream and that Ric was serious...so there we were...and our lives were about to change!

We've accepted the positions and are praying about it. We've had peace about moving and look forward to seeing what's next. The group in L.A. are in the process of a task force and will be until the middle of September. We've told our employers and look to move around the end of Sept/beginning of Oct.

Winds of change might be a little scary, but I have breezes that come and go that fill my heart with excitement and great expectation! Thank you Lord!

Matriarchs and Patriarchs

We have received bad news about DJ's grandma, Peggy. About two weeks ago, she went into the hospital feeling sick and after doing some tests, they told her she had a form of aggressive leukemia and would only have 4-6 weeks to live (best case scenario). She's been at home, not receiving treatment for the leukemia, by choice, for a week now. After hearing from a couple family members that she's being moved to hospice so that she can receive 24 hour care, it's starting to become more real....

I can't believe that DJ and I are losing our 3rd grandparent in a year, 2 of which were caused from cancer. I'm struggling to believe and keep hope. The world would tell me my fate, but I know Jesus and His ultimate plan is what I'm strongly urged to keep after. My Nana and Grandpa French knew Jesus and are walking with Him today, completely healed. Grandma Steen knows Jesus and is peaceful about what comes next. Knowing that we'll see them someday helps ease the pain, but it's the memories that haven't been created yet and stories we won't hear for the 30th time and just being able to call them up for advice that I'll miss most.

Like DJ said at Nana's funeral, "[She] was a true matriarch of the family and of her faith and it was a priveledge to have known her." They have gone before us, but we will reunite one day...

And I asked the Lord...

This morning on my way out to meet Dani to pray, I asked the Lord,"Why have you called us to pray in the morning?" Partly out of frustration having to get up so early and partly because every time he's called me to pray, it's in the morning (early morning!). I finish my drive and settle in to pray (still waking up), and a song starts...my attitude fades away when the musician sings, " his mercy is new every day, his mercy is new every day, every morning, every morning..." Feeling a little ashamed that I even had to ask the Lord "why" to begin with, I repeat that over and over..."His mercy is new every day, His mercy is new every day, every morning, every morning" Today is a new day and I WILL start it off with prayer...Thank you Lord for reminding me :)