Posts Tagged ‘Proverbs 31’

Celebrating 31 years!
I give thanks for my wife, Dawn!

Today is a special day. Dawn and I celebrate our 31st anniversary today! As Proverbs 31 says, “an excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10). I do give thanks for Dawn and the wonderful journey that we have been on together. Our love for one another has grown through the good and the difficult times.

We have endured more trials than most. I was kidnapped in Mexico City and our car was stolen at gun point. Our daughter Hannah struggled with some tremendously difficult demons for close to three years. The hardest thing for us to endure was when Hannah moved to heaven. We are still dealing with that, which is hard because most don’t understand that grief doesn’t have an end point.

When I think about an excellent wife and this passage, the first two people who come to mind are Dawn and Hannah. I do give thanks for my beautiful wife, Dawn. Our love has grown over the years and she is truly my better half and far more precious than jewels.

Hannah – Our Virtuous Daughter
Our Beautiful Virtuous Daughter, Hannah

I think of Hannah as well. Hannah longed to find a man and be married before she moved to heaven. As one friend, Susanna Schuemann said at Hannah’s funeral that Hannah now is the bride to the perfect Husband.

When Hannah was younger she posted a video about the virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 31. She always wanted to be a positive influence on young women. She hoped to one day write and give encouraging talks. Now that I think about it, this is interesting, because the Lord has brought another beautiful young woman into our lives who was born on the same day as Hannah who does have a powerful ministry to young women. I believe it’s one of the ways the Lord is redeeming our pain and suffering. It’s like a kiss from our loving Father. A reminder that He loves us and that He will not leave us or forsake us. Our loving Papa, God!

Hannah’s video on the virtuous woman

Love Makes a Difference in Mexicali
The happy couples at the Valentine’s dinner

It seems appropriate on our anniversary to talk about love and how the Lord is using the theme of love in marriage to bring transformation to young couples in Mexicali.

One example of friends being touched by the love of Christ happened this past weekend in our church plant in Mexicali. Our church planters Federico and Blanca Muñoz wanted to take advantage of the month of love and friendship, the month of February. They invited some of their new friends that they’ve met over the last few months to a fun meal celebrating love and friendship. It was an event for couples with an eye towards strengthening marriages through the love of Christ.

Federico and Blanca did an excellent job organizing the event, and all the people who came had a great experience. Marriage isn’t easy, and many couples struggle to maintain their love for one another. There are so many things that mitigate against families today. Our friends need encouragement and help to grow in their marriage relationship.

Wonderful Testimonies of God’s Grace
All smiles – One of the young married couples enjoying the evening

Federico and Blanca shared that as part of the evening activities they encouraged the couples to forgive one another for past faults. The couples took advantage of the opportunity. It’s not an easy thing to admit you made a mistake and to ask someone to forgive you, but Jesus broke through!

One of the couples that came has been living together for 14 years. They expressed a desire to commit to the covenant of marriage before God! Wow! It’s heartwarming to see how the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel brings about change and transformation. It gives all of us hope!

I enjoy seeing people encounter Christ for the first time. It’s so good watching the Lord work in their hearts to bring about change. The gospel is truly good news! These gospel encounters happen frequently in the churches that we are planting. It’s one of the principle reasons we are so committed to starting new churches.

We know that Jesus makes all the difference! As the Spirit works in our lives and teaches us to love like Jesus relationships begin to change for the better.

Join Us in Prayer for Federico & Blanca and the Ministry in Mexicali
Federico & Blanco with their children, Junior, Damaris, David & Daniel (from left to right)

For many of the couples that came to the Valentine’s themed event, it was their first exposure to the gospel. It was a step in the right direction for them to see life transformation. We lift these couples up along with Federico and Blanca as they reach out to their friends. We join them in praying that they will come to Christ and grow in their faith. Lord, do continue your good work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Dave & Dawn celebrating on March 5th

Dave & Dawn celebrating on March 5th

A Celebration of 25 Years!

Dawn and I celebrated 25 years of marriage yesterday, Wednesday, March 5th. Wow! It’s hard to believe! I can still remember when my parents celebrated their 25th.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been good. I have to praise my wife for making my life better. She doesn’t let me settle for just taking the easy way. She desires to take the road less traveled. The Lord uses her to push me in a good way to explore places that I might otherwise be reluctant to pursue.

I Give Thanks for My Wife

My wife, Dawn on our 25th wedding anniversary

Dawn on our 25th wedding anniversary

I know that because of her I’m a better man. It maybe somewhat of a cliché to say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Yet in my case I realize that I am who I am today in large part, because of my wife.

We’ve endured together many of life’s storms, and even when we think we’ve had enough the Lord brings more. God has used the difficulties of life, even some of the recent ones that I’ve written about to cause us to grow. The suffering and trials have been used by the Lord to mature us, and to make us more like Christ.

Our children are one of greatest testimonies of Dawn’s hard work to raise them up. We’ve done it together, but I know that a lot of the burden has fallen on her. Since we work in missions I have traveled and been gone a fair amount, but Dawn has been faithful to love on our kids.

Now that our children have become young adults, it’s so wonderful to see how they are following Christ. I love watching them grow and learn how to use the gifts and talents that the Lord has given them.

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find?

Dawn & Dawn with one of the children, Hannah

Dawn & Dawn with one of the three children, Hannah

Dawn often likes to tell other women that they are Proverbs 31 women, and that she is a Proverbs 31 wannabe.

In Proverbs 31:28, 29 it says,

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.

My kids and I do love her and we do praise her. We are forever thankful to all she has done, and continues to do for our family.

At the beginning of Proverbs 31 in verses 10 & 11 the writer asks,

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Why did King Lemuel ask this question? I suppose it’s because it is not easy to find an excellent wife. In my ESV Bible at the start of Proverbs 31 there is a note stating that King Lemuel learned these lessons from his mom. He wants to pass theses lessons on to us.

In an earlier chapter in Proverbs Solomon pens something similar. Solomon writes,

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. —Proverbs 18:22, ESV

I recognize that I am blessed, and I give thanks to the Lord for his favor. It’s another demonstration of his love and his grace.

I give thanks for Dawn and I praise God for the good gifts that he has given to me.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org 

Hannah & Dave

Hannah & Dave

One of the benefits of my ministry meetings and preaching in Colorado this last weekend was that I was able to see my daughter. I praise the Lord for my daughter and the relationship we have.

We had such a good time together. She went with me on Sunday when I preached at Sky View Presbyterian. When she wasn’t working or in school we got some good father-daughter time in.

I remember when my daughter, Hannah was born that I was afraid to raise a girl. I grew up with two brothers and no sisters. My first two children were boys. I thought I had guys figured out, but I didn’t know what to do with a daughter.

Hannah as the baby in the family and my only daughter always has had a special place in my heart. She surprised me in that I realized what a joy it is to have a sweet little girl. Even though Hannah is now a grown young woman, she will always be my little daughter. I like to call her, my beautiful little daughter that I love!

My Beautiful Little Daughter that I Love, Hannah!

My Beautiful Little Daughter that I Love, Hannah!

One of the many things that gives me joy as Hannah matures is to see her tenderness towards others, and things of the Lord. She has a strong desire to know God better, and to grow in her relationship with him.

The only bummer is that Hannah lives in Colorado and we live in Southern California. It’s too far away, and I miss her dearly. I’m glad that the Lord provides opportunities for us to visit one another. I am so grateful that she loves Jesus!

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.                       Proverbs 31:30,31 (ESV)

It is so hard to say good-bye. I can’t wait to see her again.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Hannah and friends singing during her graduation ceremony

Hannah and friends singing during her graduation ceremony

Yesterday our daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Diaso graduated from high school. It was a wonderful time and a joyous celebration!

Hannah’s grandparents, Chivis from Mexico City, as well as some dear friends enjoyed the ceremony with us. I thanked my dad for coming out from Fresno, California. He said, “I couldn’t miss my granddaughter’s graduation.” Thank the Lord for loving and faithful family and friends.

The kids, young adults that Hannah graduated with are all very creative. They worked with some of the parents to plan out a touching, meaningful and fun program. One of my friends who has younger girls said it was like a whole year of Sunday School. His girls look up to the graduates and they saw their faith and love for Christ shine through in living color.

Dawn and I gave a short charge to Hannah. Dawn received many positive comments about how articulate she was. She shared some very heart warming blessings with our daughter and all who came.

Here’s an excerpt from Dawn’s speech,

Proverbs 31 states, “You are a young woman of noble character. Your worth is far more than rubies!” The character of the Proverbs 31 woman very much describes you: You are faithful, generous, creative, caring, gracious, virtuous, a woman of moral strength of character. You are diligent and disciplined. You are elegant and beautiful. You are respectful and respected. You are clothed with strength and dignity. You speak with wisdom and faithful instruction.

I applaud you Hannah for having as your main goal to glorify God in your thoughts, attitudes and actions. Bringing glory to God through loving and serving others is more important to you than the achievements that bring you praise from man.

In closing, as you continue to seek God’s leading in your life, remember the wise words of Frederick Buechner, “The place where God calls you is the place where your deep happiness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

The Graduates leading us in Worship - Hosanna!

The Graduates leading us in Worship – Hosanna!

I broke down a little as I shared. I was afraid that was going to happen. Jeff Siebert, a friend who has three girls warned me a couple of years ago, “wait till your daughter graduates.” I remember thinking he did a great job getting through his speech when he shared about his love for his daughter, Mackenzi. He got emotional during the speech, but he made it through. As a side note, I think MacKenzi just graduated from college at Patrick Henry College yesterday.

Well, I must admit it was hard to get through my speech, and maintain my composure.

My little daughter graduated. She’s grown up before my eyes. It’s hard to believe. She’s the last of our three children to graduate from high school. It’s the end of an era. The end of the homeschooling chapter in our lives. Wow! I can’t believe it. At times I didn’t think we’d make it through, but in God’s grace we did.

Congratulations Hannah!

Thank you, Jesus for the wonderful godly young woman Hannah has become. Thank you for the community of friends and family that stood with us, supported us, prayed for us and helped us along the way!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org