Thinking again...

Sometimes you run into some pictures that simply leave you speechless. You simply sit there and reminisce. Pictured here (from left to right) is Meño, my older brother, My Dad, Mom, and Guille, my older sister.

Dad's face says it all...he loved being with his children. Dad and Sis are gone now...

God is my comfort and assurance. One day it will all make sense.

God's Fierece Love for Me

From Elyse M. Fitzpatrick’s book Comforts from the Cross:

Day 16 – SEE HIM!
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

…the story of redemption is, in its purest form, a love story, but it’s a love story unlike anything you could ever imagine. It’s the story of God’s love for you, but this love isn’t just a sweet sentiment inscribed on a greeting card destined for next week’s garbage bin. It’s deeper and richer, and honestly a bit frightening. It’s love that is
willing to afflict itself and its beloved for a greater good.

…Fierce love pours from the tip of the pen of John…let me encourage you to push past detached facts, which can anesthetize the soul, to hear this breathtaking message. Picture him jumping up and down, waving his arms, seeking to awaken us from our stupor, while we muse, “Oh yes, God’s love…la la la…I’m his child. Isn’t that nice,” and then sink back into our comfy recliner, revisiting fantasies of how pleasant our lives would be if Santa really did visit us this year. “No, no! You’re missing it!” he would be yelling. “This love is the most important thing about you; it changes and will change everything!”

…Shake off your boredom and apathy. God’s love for you is fierce, self-afflicting, white-hot, life-transforming. The goal of this love is that you may be called God’s
daughter, God’s son. All this pain and grief is bent on one primary goal: your adoption and his eventual praise. Your relationship with the Creator of all there is has been secured in the blood and tears of love’s delight…

This whole concept of God’s fierce love for me struck me and paralyzed me. It made me push past the facts, past the boredom…what manner of love is this? Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, left all perfection and glory to come down and dwell amongst us and pay a price I could not ever pay – all for LOVE! This should not be boring. This should not be yesterday’s news. We should not read this as, “o yeah, I read this already – check. What will my reading be for tomorrow?” For GOD SO LOVED…that HE GAVE…

Thinking of My Brothers

Humberto
Oscar

Charly

I've been thinking allot about my brothers. I heard this song by Leeland called Tears of the Saints and my heart just broke for them. I tried to put the video, but had trouble so I just put the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg1jBuInMqA

Let us keep watching and praying. Let us not give up.

A Student - Me???

The writing juices have not been flowing lately. Actually I have been reading so much that I am on information overload (good information overload).

We are preparing to begin our Women’s Bible Study. This year we will be starting in September and so there has been lots of preparation for this. Also, in a month my daughter, Angie will be flying, once again, to Pennsylvania.

In the midst of all this I have decided to start school – yes, school! A year ago, when I attended my first Women Discipline Women Conference, something happened to me. Something was stirred within me and hence, this wild ride into going to school has begun. It has been an interesting thing – from the application process, to the assessment test, to the student orientation, etc. There have been times that I shake my head and think, “this is crazy!” There have been apprehensions, doubts, questions, and on I could go, but somehow God continues to lead me on this direction. I also have wonderful family and friends who have been encouraging and lifting me up in prayer. Thank you all!

Yesterday I went to get my “Student ID” – the feelings are so crazy. Thank God I am not to rely on “my feelings”. Once again I think, “This is crazy!”

On July 6, 2009 I read the following on Sue Cramer’s blog:
Dare to Dream Big!
If your dreams don’t scare you…there’re not big enough! (Hab. 2:1-3)

So here we go. All I have is today; tomorrow is in God’s hands. Don’t know what or where all this will take me, but I know that God is My Good Shepherd and He will not lead me a stray.

Women's Bible Study Fellowship

The Body of Christ

As of late I've been more and more aware of the many afflictions that are assailing The Body of Christ. Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." According to God's Word these afflictions are not uncommon. I read two posts from a couple of blogs that I frequent that resonate in the same light as what I have been experiencing. You can visit them at Gina's Blog and Julie's Blog.

In all this turmoil, in all this affliction it is wonderful to have those in the Body of Christ who are Christ's hands and feet. Now, please understand that in no way does it mean that if "someone" doesn't minister to you or does something special for you, it means that God is not ever-present, ever-caring for every single one of your needs. All I am saying is that when God chooses to use "someone" and that someone chooses to obey then there are blessings all around (Isaiah 35:3 - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees).





One day, as I sat on my couch - depleted, unable to think or move - the door rang. I thought, "great! who can this be...I don't need this right now." I mustered up strength and went to the door only to find a beautiful sister with this gorgeous box in hand. This sister had absolutely no idea what all was going on. All she knew is that she was supposed to deliver this box to my house and give it to me. This particular ministry is called "The Joy Box Ministry". These beautiful boxes are packed with 7 small gifts with a Scripture on them. You are to open one gift a day for the next seven days. Had I had it my way I was tempted to open this box on the spot and open every single one of those promises. I was so "needy". The thought that this was a special gift for "ME" from the LORD, was beyond my comprehension.



Look inside, isn't it beautiful?

Everyday I would pick up my special gift/promise for that day with such love. Everyday God's special word to me was exactly what I needed for that day. These days were so incredibly hard that I did not have the mindset to sit and read at any length, but God knew. He knew that all I needed was this "tiny, but powerful manna" - just for the day. What an awesome God we serve!!!


On another day I received this beautiful post card. My daughter and I laughed because she said, "Look Mom its hair looks like yours." Actually this little critter looks better than I did when I received it - lol!!!

Another time, I was at the hospital with Mom having had an extremely rough night. Wondering, questioning, maybe even on auto-pilot...as I sat there gazed, watching Mom finally sleeping, my phone rang - I precious sister who moved to another State called me. My goodness, what an incredible comfort! It reminds me of a time I was in Mexico with Mom. We had had an incredible go at it with a few nights with absolutely no rest, nor sleep. When the phone rang, once again the thought came, "I don't want to handle another call." I picked up the phone only to hear the sweet voice of my pastor's wife. She spoke and prayed for me. All I did was cry. At the end of that call, I could barely audible say, "thank you."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Praising God!

I feel as though I can finally "BREATH".

When my daughter came home for summer vacation she went to the Doctor for a physical. Amongst several minor issues we also heard something that simply floored me, "I feel some lumps in her breasts. We need to run some tests."

All I can tell you is that unless God had carried me by His Awesome Presence and His Powerful Word I would have folded. In the midst of an array of doctor's appointments there were so many other "minor issues" compared to this one. However, these minor issues made things more difficult and frustrating.

Can I just say that since I heard these words from the Doctor I feel like I've been holding my breath. Between this first visit and today God has carried me and sustained me and reassured me.

Psalm 119:92 - Unless Your law (God's Word) had
been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

I could fill pages and pages of His Awesome Powerful Word that He spoke to me comfort and reassurance - regardless of the outcome. I also had incredible sister's in the LORD carrying us through prayer and friendship - thank you all. May the LORD refresh you in the manner that you refreshed and comforted us.

Tests, tests, tests, surgery, biopsy...today we received a report that IT WAS NOT CANCER! Just typing these words shake me. Now, I am fully aware that had it been the other way around, God would still sustain and carry us through the end for His glory and for His purpose.

For now - I will breath, I will thank, I will praise.

God's Promises are Comforting

Today I will cling to God's incredible promises:

2 Timothy 1:7 ...For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.

v. 12 - ...I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed unto HIM...(italics mine)

Also, Psalm 121; Psalm 91:1-2

I will trust and cling to HIM.

Angie will trust and cling to HIM.

What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. Pray for us.

Happy 23rd Birthday Angie!

(Sahara and Angie)

Today we celebrate our daughter's 23rd Birthday.

We are blessed to be able to have her home for the summer to celebrate with her.

Happy Birthday Angie!!!

We love you tons!!!

Leadership Retreat

The LORD allowed my husband and I to be part of a retreat for Pastor and Leaders of all the spanish calvary chapels. It was held at Twin Peaks. These are pictures of the couples from our church that were able to be part of these retreat...including our Pastor and his lovely wife. We all went for a walk in the woods and had a wonderful time.