Deceptive Feelings

Have you ever had those times when you "feel" as if you are doing nothing right? As if everything you have ever done has been of no consequense. That even those things you are doing are so half-hearted that you figure it will produce absolutely no good fruit? You continue to pray and seek God's face, because without this you crumble, but you wonder, "is it making a difference in the lives of those around you?" Well, let me tell you, don't go by feelings. Our feelings come and go. Our feelings can be so deceptive.

The Lord knows me so well that I guess He figured (He knew) I needed encouragement. He has been encouraging me through precious people whom I love. Comments have been made that have obsolutely touched my heart and made me realize that nothing I do for My Jesus is ever in vain - inspite of my feelings. Proverbs 15:23(b) says, "a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" And Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Our Words can tear and build. How beautiful when our words build and encourage.

So often when we are hurting or discouraged we isolate ourselves and have ourselves a grand pity-party. The enemy of our souls loves this, because then he has us all to himself. He can tear us up and make us miserable. When we isolate ourselves all we hear is our flesh and the enemy telling us how good for nothing we are and how nothing we've done matters. Proverbs 18:1 says, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment." Isolation is devastating. God wants us to fellowship and invest in people who will encourage us or exhort us when need be. By ourselves we are left to our own whim. I love the scripture in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 that says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

As of late I've experienced this "lifting up his companion". People around me have encouraged me and have blessed me. So don't isolate yourself, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. HE is the one doing the work and HE is the one who is going to complete it. HIS word is the one that goes forth from HIS mouth; it shall not return to HIM void, but it shall accomplish what HE pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing for which HE sent it. HE who calls you is faithful who also will do it.

Abide in HIM and don't trust in your feelings. Trust HIM and HIS word to us. God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? TRUST HIM...HE IS FAITHFUL, we are not.

Congratulations Son!

On Saturday my son took a written test for the Sheriffs Department. HE PASSED the written test, so he went on to the oral interview, which he also did well in. On November 5th he is scheduled for a background interview. My husband and I are so proud of this courageous step our son is taking. Don't ever give up Son!!! I ask that you keep him and this step in prayer that God's will be done.

Women's Conference

The Lord gave me the opportunity to attend the first Inland Empire Women's Conference. My wonderful husband agreed to stay and watch Mom AND to take care of her breakfast and lunch. I am such a fortunate woman. Thank you Lord, bless my husband. I was so excited and expectant to hear what the Lord had for me and all those who were to attend. Calvary Chapel Chino Valley was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. I got to see allot of ladies that I'd met while we attended this fellowship and I also saw ladies from Calvary Chapel Rancho Cucamonga. It was so exciting to see all the smiling faces and how much we ladies love to talk with each other.

The first speaker was Sandy Macintosh, she challenged me to "invite suffering in my life". It took a while for me to swallow this one. I thought, "more suffering, you got to be kidding." She encouraged me not to settle for less than what the Lord has for me. The second speaker was Carrie McDonnall. Talk about inviting suffering into your life. She is a missionary to Iraq. She is 30 years old and has suffered and endured more than I can fathom. She totally encouraged us to live for Christ. She had so much to say that I can't do it justice, but I can tell you she totally challenged me to look beyond the here and now. Jean McClure was very practical and encouraged us to keep a devotional life. The last speaker was June Hesterley. She too was very practical and brought all the earlier points all into focus. She encouraged us to go deeper. One thing she said was, "God breaks a person not to let good out, but to let good in".

So as the Lord gave me this opportunity to attend such an incredible event, my prayer is that it is not just another event with lots of notes on paper. That I would take to heart all that the Lord spoke to me personally and that I would be encouraged in those areas that He encouraged me in. Thank you Jesus for these women. May we be women that impact others for YOU.

100 Workouts!

Okay, so I am totally excited about getting my first Curves T-shirt - 100 workouts! God has been so gracious to allow us to have the budget for this. When I first started I thought, "okay, here we go." I can tell you that I didn't think I would keep at it. Somedays, it takes more than encouragement and desire. God has given me the ability to use this as a means to keep me flexible and mobile. When I first began my journey with fibromyalgia, "exercise" would have been a four-letter-word...no way, no how. Bend how? Pull where? Do what? And so to be at this stage, I can't help but rejoice in My Jesus who has given me this avenue to keep myself mobile in order to do those things that He calls me to do. Thank you Jesus!

Let's Go Shopping

Yesterday, Bek and I went shopping. It was her 3rd birthday on Tuesday and this day was our day to go shopping together for her birthday gift. We went to, now, my favorite store K-mart. Bek wanted to ride on the purple car, but we opted out for the Van since the purple car had no gas. Bek is now in her car seat teaching Auntie Leti how to properly buckle her in...okay, we managed and off we go. We had a nice conversation on our way there. We are here and in we walked with a skip on our step. We picked out a cart and off we went on our fun-filled adventure. Auntie Leti got a little distracted by the nice clothes, but was reminded of our goal in this shopping trip - TOYS! Once on track, off we go to the toy department. As you can see from the pictures Bek had a ball going from one thing to another...until she saw what she wanted, picked it up and her face lit up and said, "I want this one!" and into the basket it went (a toy train). She also picked a "princess" set. We lined them all so that she could pick the one she wanted. She picked Cinderella and herself, put the rest away. Okay, we are done. I had to pick up some things (I always do when I am at K-mart). She walked besides me and at times helped pushing the cart. We ran into a huge spider...she was quite taken by it and a really ugly cat. Then she saw a cute cat and went to hug it and pull it's ears. We walked some more. She giggled and chuckled all through our trip. My heart filled with wonder as I saw how happy she was. We are finally at the checking stand and she saw "lollipops!" "I want a lollipop" she said. "Okay, what color?" "Pink". I told the lady at the check-stand that we were there for Bek's Birthday and so the lady asked Bek how old she was and Bek put out her 3 fingers with a smile. Of course, the lady was taken by this cutie. We got home and guess what was her favorite part of the trip...the lollipop. Laura opened it up for her and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

I would have never thought of doing this...Laura, thank you for suggesting it. This was so much fun to see things from a child's perspective. Not rushing, not being concerned about what she did or did not do, but simply enjoying her JOY.

Contentment

This morning as I awoke and went about my daily morning routine, it was business as usual. Move, stretch, ouch, I can't, just do it, etc...As I was taking my morning shower a thought hit me, "I'm taking a shower, in my own shower, with hot water. I will go out and have a clean towel, then I will go choose what clothes to wear from a closet full of clean clothes..." Why these thoughts you wonder? Well, you see, as of late the Lord has been speaking to me that "godliness with contentment is great gain." My girlfriend and I were talking about this the other day and we agreed that in the grand scope of things we are pretty content with our lot in life. And yes, there are those times that I can get on the bandwagon and start to find kinks in everything and everyone that surrounds me. However, the reason these thoughts were so overpowering this morning is due to the enormous damage that the fires have caused. I thought about those people that have been evacuated and are in shelters, or someplace else, not knowing what they will find when they return home or if there will even be a home to return to. And those that have the fires coming their way. How your life and circumstances can change in an instant without any warning. So today I will choose to be thankful. Thankful for my family, my home and all that surrounds me. Thankful that even when I think that life isn't fair, God tells me in His word that ALL things will work for good to those that love God and that are the called according to His purpose. Lord, thank you for your grace, thank you for your mercy. Forgive me when I am ungrateful. Give me a grateful heart. Be with all the people affected by the fires. And give the firefighters strength to endure and protection in the midst of the fires. In Jesus Name-Amen

Happy 3rd Birthday Bek!
We love you, sweetie.

Wow! We have been busy around here - a good kind of busy though. On Thursday Herlinda, Isaiah, Angie and I went for a whirlwind of a shopping spree. We had shower gifts, retreat toiletries, etc. to buy. We had a wonderful time and in fact even took a break for lunch. Friday was more preparation for Angie's Retreat and then she was off to Hemet. Thank you all for your prayers. She had a wonderful time with the Lord and making new friendships. God truly did above and beyond all that was asked and prayed for (He always does!). Saturday Annie and Bek came over the house. We had a wonderful time. The girls love Angie's room and thoroughly enjoy playing the keyboard. I sit and watch them how they are so alive and so full of joy. I laugh at their antics and their creativity. How wonderful to be a kid! Sunday was packed. In the morning we went to church. And truly this is the highlight of Sundays. Reminds me of Psalm 122:1 that says, "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Our Pastor gave another encouraging message. One that encouraged, comforted and exhorted me. I love how God's word is so alive and when it comes out of men's lips it truly cuts to the heart. In the afternoon we gathered together at the Becerra's house for Maribel's baby shower. Monday, nor wind, nor fire kept my Lulu from coming-down-the-mountain to enjoy a Pho lunch together. We had a wonderful time. Although, I think she came more for the Pho noodles than for me. If you look at the pictures she is mesmerized by the soup. All joking aside though, we truly enjoyed our visit. I don't seldom get to spend time with her and her girls and so this was a treat for both Angie and me. Come over more often Lulu!