Big Bear Lake

Take Nothing for Granted

God blessed my husband and me with all that was needed for us to get away for a couple of days. I want to share how this trip came about in order to encourage someone out there that might think, “I could never do this.”

My husband and I try to get away at least once a year. However, there have been circumstances and situations that have made it difficult, if not impossible to do this. One of my weaknesses is that I have a tendency to think, “we can never”, or “that will never happen to us, etc.” But, the LORD, always amazes me and humbles me with His love and care for me.

Back in 2006 the LORD provided for us to get away for a couple of days. I didn’t know where to even begin looking. He led me to a beautiful Bed and Breakfast up in Big Bear Lake. It was the perfect spot to relax, sleep and spend time with each other and with the LORD. We absolutely loved it! I remember being aware of one of the other rooms (a pricier one) that had a Jacuzzi and its balcony sat right on the lake, my thought was “we could never.” Well, three years later that is the room we stayed in.

First a friend of mine gave me a gift and said, “The LORD said this is for you and your husband to get away.” I immediately thought of Big Bear. I started praying. At this time we could not possibly get away given all that was happening in our family and home. I asked the LORD if it was possible for Him to grant us to go to Big Bear in October (the Fall in the mountains is absolutely gorgeous). I also asked Him if we could stay in that Bed and Breakfast, and if it wasn’t too much to ask, could we stay in The Shores (that’s the name of the room I had looked at previously). I looked up all the information and “it just happened” that the Bed and Breakfast was having a week day special and The Shores was the price that we could afford! And the rest my friends is history.

Allow me to back track a little. A few days before we left I was privileged to meet a precious woman that stirred me up and made me think a whole lot. She has had two brain aneurysms. She understands that “today is all we have; tomorrow is not guaranteed.” I believe some of us “quote” this, but really don’t live like we believe it. She reminded me that what I have can change in an instant. She reminded me that my husband, my children, my family is there now, but don’t take them for granted. She encouraged me to live each moment as if it was my last. As we were together she received a typed note, nothing fancy, from her husband and her son – her face lit up with joy and love. She even shared her note with everyone. She was so touched by her little note, that meant so much to her. (There was much more to this encounter, but for now this is all I’ll share.)

I thank the LORD for this encounter with this precious woman. Because of this encounter my husband and my getaway was so much more precious and meaningful. My time sitting with my husband, looking at his face, looking into his eyes, touching his warm hands, feeling his warm embrace, was so special. My thought was, “this can change in an instant.”

The LORD also reminded me that HE loves me and has good plans for me, not to harm me, but to mold me and shape me into the image of His Son.

Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love. Thank you LORD for your blessings, may I never take them for granted. Help me to focus on whatever is true, noble and praiseworthy. May I not cloud your love and your blessings with my self-pity and unbelief. Touch that person that feels like they will never get “rest”, like they will never get “a break”. Fill them with an expectant hope and with a joyful heart. In Jesus name – Amen.

Breakfast at Diana's

Today I had a chance to spend the morning with some wonderful friends. How good and pleasant it is when we gather together with the brethren or the sistas, as Diana would say.

We shared breakfast together - Diana made some yummy buttermilk pancakes. Thank you Diana! After wonderful food and fellowship, Diana shared a wonderful devotion – I just love God’s Awesome Word! We were well fed in body and spirit. We then went to the kitchen to make cookies for Angie and Richard, one of Diana’s sons. Diana had pre-made three kinds of batter, so all we had to do was roll the dough and put it on the cookie sheet. It was fun to see our individual cookie-making-styles coming out. Ida, was ever so careful – was she actually measuring her dough balls? It sure seemed that way. Meg was making one ball and eating the other (I saw you Meg – he!he!) My dough was just not behaving. I think there was more dough left on my hands than the actual cookies made. Once all these yummy cookies were made, they will be packaged and mailed out to Richard and Angie – I wish I had a camera to see their faces when they get their yummy cookies. I know Angie will be very happy – she loves sweets!

We all had a wonderful time. Then it was time to come home.

I am on my fourth week of school – wow, who would have thought! I am indebted to my nephew who has been there for me to encourage me and to help me walk through this unfamiliar territory – thank you Jose.

I’ve always liked to write my thoughts and ideas. In fact, that is one of the reasons I started blogging. However, when you have a deadline and someone else is giving a topic, it just doesn’t seem as fun. I remember working at a law office and having to be so specific and yes, wordy. I had to type in every detail; I had to dot all my i’s and cross all my t’s. Then came the computer and e-mails, and Facebook – now I had to get myself used to abbreviations and short thoughts – not easy, but I conquered it. So now I’m in my English class. I take my first quiz and what happens? I am asked to be specific and yes, wordy. I am not supposed to use abbreviations or fragments of sentences (wow, I am retaining something :) ). And so it goes…actually I am enjoying being a student.

We have also began our Women’s Bible Study. We will be studying the book of Romans. What an exciting journey this will be. Our first meeting was Thursday. The women were excited and eager to get into the study. Looking forward to what God will shows us through His Awesome Word.

My son, Jaime, began the process with the California Highway Patrol. He passed the written test and the physical. He then had the face-to-face interview – we are now waiting for the results of the interview. Please keep him in prayer. We only desire God’s perfect will and what will bring Him glory.

My daughter, Angie, is back at Mt. Zion School of Ministry. She is loving it. I will, as I mentioned in my previous post, keep up her blog in order to keep you up to date on what is happening in Pennsylvania. We are excited for what God is doing in her life and what He will continue to do.

My spiritual son, Jose, has begun teaching on Sundays (check out Laura’s blog for more details). We are so excited for him. Sunday was his first service. My husband and I sat in the back to pray for him and to take it all in. As I sat there, what kept coming to my mind is a picture that my sister had of him when he was little. A beautiful little face with pouting lips and tears in his eyes – if I remember correctly, he wanted to cry. My thoughts went to when my sister was pregnant with him – unexpected pregnancy because my sister’s tubes had been tied. God had a plan for him even before he was formed in his mother’s womb – Glory be to Our Awesome God!

Also, when I watched throughout that meeting room I could see the faces of many of my family members. O, truly God has done above and beyond all that I could ask or pray for. Many of my family members wonder through this life without a loving, personal relationship with Our Awesome God, through Our Savior Jesus Christ. I will hold on to what God has already allowed me to see and be a part of, knowing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever; just like He has done with the ones that were already in that room, He can do with those who are still in the clutches of the enemy. My hope and my trust is in you, LORD.

I continue to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. When my body and mind don’t want to work, I will look to Him who will enable me for that which He has called me to. I am humbled and rejoice in seeing all that He has already done for me and my family and I look forward to what is up ahead.

Update

It has been "interesting" around here. As you know I have started school. I also started a more challenging workout. My daughter left to Pennsylvania for her second year of school...and on the events go. The other day I had a melt-down and wanted to throw EVERYTHING out the door. I haven't though - the love and encouragement of family and friends has kept me going. My quiet time with My Saviour has been rich and encouraging; He holds me tight and gives me WORDS of encouragement, and of discipline. He tells me self-pity is not of Him. He tells me that if He calls me then He will provide all that I need to make it to the end - whatever that end will be - I don't even know(tired of trying to figure it out). I haven't been writing much on my blog because I am writing for my English Class - I guess I only have so many words (some people would laugh at that; some say I am very "wordy"). I also wondered about keeping up my daughter's blog. My thought was that I would just update people through Facebook, but that has changed - I will keep up her blog too. With that come over to Angie's Blog and read the latest. I'm rambling to catch you up. Still believing and clinging to the hem of His garment. To God be the glory!

Motives

This morning I heard a song by Chris Sligh (Empty Me).

Through the lyrics one thing that stood out was “empty me so that I can be filled with YOU”. More of Him and less of me:

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

John 3:30 - He must increase, but I [must] decrease.

Then the LORD brought to mind something I had read, sometime ago, in Chuck Swindoll’s book, "Improving Your Serve":

“WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVE?”
Why are you planning this?
What’s the reason behind your doing that?
Why did you say yes (or no)?
What is the motive for writing that letter?
Why are you excited over this opportunity?
What causes you to bring up that subject?
Why did you mention his/her name?
What’s your motive, Leticia?

Wow! Truly lots to pray and meditate on.

Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his
ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Then I remember something my nephew told me (I don’t remember who he was quoting): Maintain integrity in the message (The Word); Purity in the motives (no flattery, no greed, no self-glory, never work to be appreciated); Credibility of service (we are being watched by the sheep and the wolves).

Motives check everyone. I am asking the LORD for purity…with that some things will burn and some will stand. May it ALL be done for the glory of My Heavenly Father and ONLY for His glory.

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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.