Christa's 19th Birthday.

Here are some pictures from Christa's costume party at home. I would post more but I need to download them first. Anyway, it was a lot of fun!

Just plain fun and, maybe, a little scary

I like to see teenagers having fun.

Guitar Hero 4 has been a big hit at our house. Just listening to them trying to sing is hilarious. Playing guitar and drums is just as fun.
I'll save these pictures and see what they think in may be, 5, 10 years from now. Better yet, I'll show them to their kids even in a more distant future.

I am truly enjoying these years with my kids and their friends.

As the story goes...

Jesse took his lip ring off yesterday. When I asked him why he replied: "I was done with it." He also said he bit it a couple of times and thought he chipped his tooth. All in all he had it for less than 2 months. Not bad! It reinforces my believe of not making a big deal out of certain things and allowing them to get to their own conclusions. He also got a #2 hair cut and it looks very handsome. Now, Josiah, his younger brother is asking to get an ear piercing... does it ever end? :)

Tio Alberto

Seems that I usually write in this blog when sad things happen, and it may be because I want to record the dates and events as I recall them fresh in my mind. When my dad died at the age of 48 I was only 14 years old, and it made a tremendously negative impact in my life. I was very close to my dad and his early passing still stings. To top that, when I was 17 my mom moved us from the city where we had our social support-friends, and most of family, to another Province where my dad's relatives lived.

And there was Tio Alberto, my dad's brother, a couple years older than my dad. In my grieving I sought his company and guidance as he was a warm, good hearted man. He would tell me stories about him and dad as kids, from his perspective, and I loved listening to them. Shortly after that, after I graduated from high school I started to work in his business. I did a bit of everything, from typing business letters to bagging ponchos. He had a poncho/ski sweaters factory. I understood the nature of his business, and I appreciated his influence in my life. He was the closest thing I had as a dad, and I desperately needed one. As the years went by I moved back to Buenos Aires, my city of origin, and eventually to California.

Fast forward close to 30 years, to 2005 when I went back to Argentina and visited friends and family, and of course Tio Alberto. He was in his 80s, and it is very different to see people as they age on a daily basis than to be thrown 30 years in the future and have this 50 year old person in your memory, and in what it seems like a day, have them age 30 years. What a trip! That, by the way, was my whole experience with everyone I saw. Not to mention kids, who in my mind were 10, 12 years old, to find men and women in their 40s. The "Twilight Zone" has nothing intriguing compared to my visit.

We had a great time with Tio Alberto and his 4 "children." The oldest, Alberto Jr., is now a lawyer, married with 2 teenage kids, the age that I last saw him. Virginia, always running the other way when we had to work together to help Tio Alberto and I had to literally grabbed her and pull her to her duties. She is now married with 3 kids. Julito, born mentally challenged, the sunshine of our childhood. Always happy exploring the town on his bike; he befriended everybody, and I am nor exaggerating, everyone knew who Julio was. He loved all people due to the lack of ability to see the bad on others, always trusting, like a 6 year old would be, except he got stuck to be 6 years old for life. And then Guillermo. He had a special bond and love for his dad, Tio Alberto, and still does as it was evident in my last visit. A doctor now, he prided himself in providing the best medical care possible for his dad.

Tio Alberto died today, September 19, 2008 of old age. He lived a bittersweet life and was a man of integrity, love for his family, and a good man. He died as a Jew. Only the Lord knows what went on between them, but I surely would like to find him and my dad in Heaven when I join them. Tio Alberto was 87 years old.

Empty Nesters

My hubby and I are at our front porch, enjoying the company of my friend Sue who came to visit with their son Andrew and hubby Milt. Sue and I have been friends for over 25 years when we both started working in the circuit board industry of the 80's. We went through our 20's together, dating, meeting our husbands, having our first baby around the same time, moving different directions, literally all over the map, but always keeping in touch.



Before the Internet era, we kept in touch with each other by phone, even when the long distance carriers were pricey back then. There is a certain bond that keeps us together even as we grow in our calling in life, and even when I see Sue for what she is today, a successful realtor, I can't remove from my mind images of her being silly as a 20 something could be silly. I am sure it is the same for her when she thinks of me in some of my worse moments.

Sue is facing the "empty nest"; something that we would talk about as young moms, a far away and almost impossible reality waiting to happen. Well, the time has come for Sue and Milt to bring their only son to San Jose State University from San Diego, and go back home without him :( Time is a priceless commodity, and the more I think about it, the less I understand it. So, I follow my own advise and try not to think too much.

What makes it more relevant is the fact that I see myself facing the same situation in not so long a time. One day I will wake up and realize that my children are gone to begin their own lives. We are definitely in the process right now, where we have become the influencers and not the controllers anymore in their lives. As I watch them grow, I feel the pride that any parent would feel when I see good choices being made, and the sadness of not so good ones. Nevertheless, when I think of my children I am filled with a love that only a mother can understand, and "I am very fond of them" as God, Papa, would speak of His creation in "The Shack."

To Sue and all my other friends who are becoming "Empty Nesters": "I emphatize with you."

Humility and Lip Rings.

Today I took my son to have his wisdom teeth removed, and as I was thinking about that I prayed that his wisdom would increase as his teeth were gone. Two days ago he got a lip ring, and as I contemplated its meaning I was pretty pleased with myself. My son admitted that I am a pretty cool mom compared to some uptight moms he knows, and that made his lip ring worth it. Or may be he just manipulated my feelings.

Either way, I want their hearts, not the appearance of godliness. Isn't that what God wants? Of course, is it what we give Him? Not always. I am reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller and although I don't agree with a lot of his stuff, I really enjoyed his chapter "Confession." In it, he and a very small group of Christian friends who attended this ungodly university decided to open a Confession booth in the middle of campus as they were having a once a year festival/orgie/drug and drunkenness party. This Christian group decided, though, that they would confess their own sins to whoever came in the booth, and ask for their forgiveness for having misrepresented Jesus, for the televangelists, for not taking care of the poor and the needy, for the problems that their own selfishness and pride had caused. The students, mostly unsaved, were touched by this act of true humility, and there were lots of Godly fruit multiplying throughout campus due to these guys' obedience.

Now, next time I see a guy with some kind of piercing or tattoo I will tell myself: "Careful what you think, it could be you son!" And he may be reaching a section of the world I can't.

Downloading my Brain...

Wow, it's been a while. I probably lost all my faithful readers (total of two) because, for no reason at all, I quit posting. Well, maybe I had a reason, and it's the same ol' "I was busy" excuse. Except that it wasn't an excuse, I was actually busy.

Right now I am vegging in my comfy porch, enjoying the cool breeze and missing my kids. They left for a week mission's trip to Mejico, and I miss them. The first day was the emotion of saying good bye, followed by the next day trying to catch up on things never accomplished, which they still remain unaccomplished, followed by my stress class preparation.

Today, we finished one of our 6 weeks classes and I am spent. It takes a lot out of me and at the same time, it revitalizes me. The repetition of the classes help my brain to absorb the truth and firmly set it there. The way to break a bad habit is just that, stop it and replace it with a good one. So my brain is constantly hearing good habits, scripture, fellowship, accountability, snacks, and yet I feel tired afterward. Sleeping cleanses the painful situations that some of our dear ladies go through, it erases the mistaken beliefs that well meaning people buy into, lies from living in this world.

I am thankful for a God that reveals His purpose through the faithfulness of His people, and I am thankful for the peace He rewards them with. I am ready to be entertained by my Netflix collection now... Chau...

Jesse's Graduation

We had a lovely day today in Boulder Creek. The setting was the beautiful mountains, and the occasion was Jesse's high school graduation. It was a nice, short, family style ceremony, cake and punch, pizza later, and then home. I am the proud mama of two high school graduates and one to come next year. Enjoy the pictures. Well, they didn't make it in the blog, but at least you can see them.

Feelings...

Feelings are so deceitful, it is no wonder I need to have God as my anchor to keep me from "feeling" all over the place. One day I'd be singing praises for an answered prayer, the next I'll be down for one of my kid's infractions. I want to be the kind of follower that believes and trusts that God can do all things. Not just a few, but all. I know that feelings follow behavior, therefore I need to keep on working daily on my salvation; not to be saved, but to keep on growing. I know all this too well, so why do I so often forget to apply it? Because I am trapped in this sinful body now, and I can only dimly see what it awaits me when I receive my glorify body and nothing can separate me from the love of God. Specially myself.

Are you worried today?

This should qualify for today's Bible reading.


"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"
(1 Peter 5:7).


Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7


8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Carry each other’s burdens… Galatians 6:2

Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34

The Dung Gate

I enjoyed our service today. Nehemiah is always a fun book to glean lots of stuff from. It is famous for the rebuilding of the wall, but they couldn't just have walls. They needed gates as well to let people, goods, stuff in and out. Just like our lives, we have a wall of protection with gates to let people, situations, sin, stuff, in and out. One of their gates, the Dung gate, was exactly that, to dump the refuse, not having sophisticated sewer systems, people would go, dump and burn. Often, I need to take inventory and dump my refuse at the Dung gate where it belongs, and allow clean, pure, healthy, worthy stuff in my gates. Only then, I can continue my walk in a lighter manner, without carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, where it does not belong. When I get all weighted down it's time to go to the dump and spiritually leave all the excess stuff at the feet of the cross. I am so thankful that I am able to do that through Jesus Christ.

Close Encounter of the Fire Kind.

As Christa was driving home last night, she past our next door neighbor house and saw flames. Immediately she stopped her car and knocked at their door, then pounded when they didn't respond quickly. They opened the door, confused by being waken up by her, and Christa calmly said "Your house is on fire", and proceeded to call 911. As the firemen arrived 4 minutes later and put out the flames, they told our neighbors that 3 to 4 more minutes they would have lost their house as the fire would have quickly spread through the roof.

Our neighbors were so thankful to Christa that this morning they brought her See's candies, Starbucks and Jamba Juice gift cards. A few things had to work together to make this miracle possible. Christa was supposed to be home earlier but was delayed as the movie run longer than expected. She had to turn her car around to park across the street forcing her to go to the neighbors to maneuver, thus seeing the fire. Had she found a spot on our side of the street she might have missed it. The neighbors said that she saved their house and possibly their lives. Not to mention that if the whole house caught on fire, we were right next to them... and we don't need any more fires in our lives. I believe providence was evident, and God's hand was there helping all of us.

Challenging Questions

As I continue to learn about wisdom these closing questions in my study were challenging.

~ Are you becoming a woman of excellence?
~ Are you pursuing specific skills in order to increase productivity and enrich those about you?
~ Do you ponder in order to gain insight into God and His wisdom so that you are a treasury?
~ Is your speech wise so that you are able to invite, petition, counsel, reprove and instruct others with maximum effectiveness?
~ Finally, do you fear the Lord? Do you have a stand-alone inner core of strenght and self-possession based on reverence for God?

Wow! If you answered yes to all these, you are my hero! I am still trying to ingest all these meaning, let alone doing all of it. However, I am moving toward it, and that consoles me: knowing that perfection will come the day I stand before Him one day. Meantime, the best I can do is continue moving, and pray that I won't stand still.

Thank You Lord!

Nothing gives me more joy than to see the Lord answering a prayer and (Him) waiting patiently until I realize it WAS indeed an answer to my prayer.

I would say for the last few months, maybe two or three, I have been waking up at 4:00 am EVERY morning. This has happened to me in the past, and I know better than to fight it. It is the time the Lord wakes me up to pray for certain things that are going on in my mind. I have a tendency to run faster than He wants me to, and that makes me restless inside, full of anxiety and worry about the future.

So, at 4:00 am He has my full attention, and in bed, with my eyes closed, I pour out my heart to Him. If you were to see me, I look fast asleep. There were a couple of issues going on in me that were draining my joy. As I prayed for weeks and walked sleep deprived for a while, I am seeing as clear as water, His hand on the situation. Any body else would be rejoicing, and I am, but it isn't easy being me because I begin to wonder about the next step to the equation instead of rejoicing in this victory a little longer.

Those who knew me years ago would have a hard time believing that I have become so...impatient? or lacking trust? or faithless? in what He can do. I used to rest in his arms and not have a care in the world. He is teaching me to renew my rest and trust and faith in all things. I want to go back to a childlike faith, where my walk is like a new daily experience of wonder and anticipation. I want to feel His love again, not just know it in my mind.

It all happens for a reason, and this earth is what He uses to train us. Life is one trial after another with some reprieve in between. He had taken me places that had I known before I would visit, I might resisted and turned around. But He knew when and how to take me there. And it wasn't always in a gentle way, but it was the way I would listen. And I am glad we went there together. I am glad I wake up at 4:00 am. to chat with my Daddy, and I am glad He loves me enough to tell me my faults and help me overcome them.

I am seeing the fruits of my prayers before my eyes this very day, and I rejoice in that. Thank you Lord, because I matter to you so much. And forgive my unbelief, I am still a work in progress until the day you take me home.

Heart Warming Story

This is a true story from a family from our church. Beautiful!!

"Here is a story of waiting from Tony and Kelsey Thompson, a young couple from our church who have saved money to literally travel around the world for the purpose of giving it away and helping people in need. Here is one of their amazing stories from Tanzania which I've abridged but not edited...

It started off like any other day. Kelsey and I walked over from our hotel room to the tour company across town. When we arrived our tour guide was late so we sat outside & waited for him. We had only been waiting about 5 minutes when we saw a group of about 25 people dragging his man into a side street/ally... they were slapping his face & kicking him... we asked some onlookers what was going on... he had stolen a cell phone & the mob was trying to get it back. Slaps turned to punches & kicks got harder. Soon the man was really beaten & bleeding... the mob size had grown to maybe 35 now... Our tour guide had arrive by now & we asked him to find out more... 5 minutes later he came back..."He doesn't have the cell phone anymore so now they are going to kill him."...at this point we knew we had to do something... We walked over with our guide as a translator & asked the head of the mob, "How much is this cell phone worth to you?" He quickly replied, "$40." I took out $40 & told the mob, "I am paying this man's debt. I want your assurance that he will not be harmed after this." ... the head mob guy nodded, took the money & walked away. The beaten man in front of me broke down, embraced my ankles and wept. I knelt down with him & in front of 40 people I prayed & thanked God for his grace... we prayed... we walked him to a grocery store to get him something to eat... there was a guy sitting next to him about our age. He introduced himself as Julius... is a Christian and would be happy to take in the street person for as long as he could... it turned out his name is Stephen... a kid of 16! His parents died recently... There was a cloths market nearby so we shopped for "all" new cloths for him... went back to Julius' house so Stephen could have a shower...Julius thought it would be a good idea to introduce him to his pastor to see if he could help him get a job...Oh yeah, we we also paid for three months rent for the both of them ($13 a month!)... Stephen spoke up and said he knew how to cut hair... we bought all the supplies while the pastor looked for a business place nearby to keep an eye on him... Business space was $20 a month so we paid for 3 to start off with... we prayed with them and explained to Stephen that it was Christ giving him a second chance and not us. He cried tears of joy & promised that he would work hard & tell people what Christ had done for him. AMEN!

When we met Stephen he had no food, was dirty, was being beaten to death, had no home or friends. In about 24 hours time his debt had been paid, life ad been saved, he was fed & clothed, he had a roommate, pastor & friends & at the age of 16 was the proud owner of a barber shop... All in all to change the life of Stephen it cost about $450 and it was worth every penny.

What would have happened to Stephen if Tony and Kelsey were not waiting outside for their tour guide?

When we wait... we become.

The Question... What are you becoming?"

Life is Getting Busy

It is kinda funny to me because I have worked very hard to have a simplified life. I did just that last year, and now I'm ready to come back to the land of the living. Not that I wasn't living, it's more like everybody else seemed to be busier than me. Anyway, as I am determined to begin a couple of things, others seem to add themselves to my schedule, and it is getting pretty full!! For starters I feel DONE with some things I started last year, and my heart is not in them anymore, but I have committed to them for the rest of the school year. I am ready to move on to my new things that I really want to do.

OK, here are my new things in life:

1) My mediation internship with the Santa Clara County. I am now doing my own mediations, both, in small claims court and victim/offender cases. Learning as I go really. When they tell you hands-on learning, it really means: there is nobody to train you for long, so go at it, make mistakes, and learn from them.

2) My new Spanish class twice a week besides the one I already teach. Yikes!

3) My good friend inviting me to co-teach an Anxiety Management class. This is something I have been praying to do for a long time, am excited about, and I know I am supposed to do, but I wish it had come before I'd committed to more Spanish classes. Oh, well, life will be busy for a few months, then I would need to rearrange my schedule again.

I am getting excited about the future. For a while there I was having a hard time being almost done as a mommy, after having mothered for so many years, a lot of my identity was in that. And even though I am not done yet, I wanted something to look forward to besides grandchildren :)

Good News.

Christa received a letter of acceptance to San Jose City College Cosmetology School today. It took only a year instead of the potential 2 or 3 we were told it could take. She, God willing, will start classes in the Fall. We were all thrilled reading the orientation dates and such, and she is already planning her scheduled new life.

Reality Weekend

I just love it when God brings reality to my life without saying a word. Lately I have been mopping around about my children getting older, and seeing the proximity of empty nesters status fastly approaching. I would reminisce about the good old days when my kids were little, oh that wonderful baby smell, the outings to the park, MOPS, baby showers, birthdays, pink and blue balloons. Little kids's magic world where everything is a new discovery full of laughter and bubbles...

This weekend Christa babysat Friday afternoon through Sunday night for a little boy who is one of her regulars, but first time for 3 days. She came over on Saturday with him and had a wonderful time. He had breakfast with us, then we went to Starbucks -have to teach them young- walked, played, had fun. On Sunday we took him to Church with us and we had to leave the service because he decided he was going to preach louder than the pastor. He cut his little finger on something and shared some of his blood on his and Christa's outfit. I had forgotten that little ones get cranky, dirty, fuzzy, tired, hungry, annoyed, did I say dirty? All the romanticized memories I had of my babies didn't allow for the reality part of the work they took, and would gladly do it all over again, but I no longer have to deal with.

I got up the next day thankful for my teens at the stage they are at in life. I still miss their baby smell but welcome the wonderful kids they are, and can't wait to, someday, be a fun grandma to their kids.

Our Enemy

This Sunday our Pastor talked about the enemy of our soul, Satan. I don't hear much preached about him these days, and as much as I appreciate not giving the devil more than the place he deserves, which is way smaller than our powerful God, I believe that we need to be reminded and be aware of who he is to protect ourselves-"know your enemies." That's one of the many military tactics; to study and know who the battle is against, minimize their strenght and take over their weaknesses. Satan strategies are many: Liar, Accuser, Tempter, Destroyer, and Murderer. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to see us completely destroyed, destitute, and desperate. How sick is that?

One of the many darts the enemy seems to use against us Christian is discouragement. I know for myself that many times I give in to it, and that's exactly where my enemy would like to have me to paralyze me. I need to keep on believing in my heart all the beautiful promises that He has for me, and lodge them there.

"For greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world."

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

And with that, I will rest in Him.

Have you ever felt like, in a matter of hours, you have been transported to another dimension and then suddenly back to your familial surroundings?

That's how I've been feeling with my mediation internship. I step into a new world where people seem almost unreal, where their problems become mine for a while, where I need to sharpen my focus and trust that God will give me insight, discernment, and wisdom as I try to fairly guide people into solving their disagreements, all in a very short time. Boy, I am glad I am not God. I certainly feel for Moses when he was hour after hour listening and solving people's disputes. He might have been exhausted! Thank God for his father-in-law and his wisdom to train and share the burden.

Truth of the matter is, I love what I am doing, and I sense that God is pleased with me by using the gifts he has bestowed on me. Often times I wonder why couldn't He just made me a good singer, or an artist, a writer... something lighter and more popular than helping people carry their burdens and wanting to do it!!! My heart goes out to this lady whose house was burglarized by a male youth, and she is now afraid to go in with her toddler for fear that someone will be there. The fear of being violated is very real and painful. But, I am able to pray (secretly) for her, and that is a powerful weapon that I feel honored to have. I am the daughter of the King, mingling in an unsaved section of the world He has died for also, as much as He died for me and my Christian brothers and sisters.

Life

Interesting couple of days. Yesterday we went back to our "unshaven dentist" and I was considering staying outside but decided I was no coward and faced him. He probably didn't even remember my indiscretion, but Josiah did and got the giggles. We manage to compose ourselves and the visit went just fine.

Today I started my mediation internship with the Santa Clara County, and it was very informative as well as busy. My very first day at the Small claims court co-mediating, more like observing, with an experienced colleague. From there we went to the offices downtown where I was given a cubicle, computer, and phone. And, juvenile offender cases to begin calling to mediate. No time wasted very hands on internship. Pretty much I'll learn as I go with the guidance of a supervisor. I am on overload until I process the information. It was a good day and it felt rewarding. Looking forward to Monday for my second session! Now, must go vegetate on the couch.

Death

I don't like death. Even as inevitable as it is, I still don't like it. It is part of life in this redeemed state we are in, but I still don't like it. I heard that we don't like death because God actually made us to live eternally, and death wasn't part of the original created state He wanted for us. Either way, we are stuck with it, and last night my dear friend's Dad, Atilio, past on unexpectedly after a minor surgery. My friend is devastated, she loves her parents dearly. Her mom was always at her husband's side for over 55 years. They had that kind of relationship that you see in the movies (almost). And last night this loving wife went to sleep on an empty bed. Oh, that sucks my kids would say. As much as I don't like that expression, that's just how I feel. Sorry if I sound down, but I am. I'll be better tomorrow. By the way, I know my friend and her parents since we were 16 years old. They were like family to me.

Ignore any mis-spellings please, my spell check is not working anymore.

Quoting quotes

Some interesting quotes I was reading from a secular Life Management source on "Facing Change":

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strenght undefeatable."
Helen Keller

"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid of standing still."
Chinese Proverb

Any good quotes anybody wants to share?

Humility

I like this quote, I think on day 27 of the challenge we were to pray for humility. I believe it is from The Purpose Driven Life book: "Humility, is not thinking less of yourself...it is thinking of yourself less."

So true. Nothing biggie, just wanted to type it so I'll remember it.

Big Foot in my Mouth

I like to think of myself as a good listener, I don't speak a lot, and don't interrupt people when they are talking, and I try as best as possible not to offend anyone. I also speak "men" language when needed. Like today when I took my son to the dentist. Instead of giving a bunch of explanations for the problem at hand I simply said: "Jaw popping, not good." The doctor understood perfectly and immediately went to work on the problem without me having to elaborate.

As I was sitting in my chair facing both doctor and child, I looked at child and without even thinking I observed out loud "You need to shave Sir." I sometimes lovingly refer to my boys as "Sir."

The two "Sirs" raised their heads toward me and in unison said some like "Yes I know." OMGsh!!!!! Just then my eyes moved slowly to the unshaven doctor, which of course I hadn't noticed earlier. I prayed that the Earth would swallow me whole, or that my Lord would return that second.

My child was having a hard time holding his face so he wouldn't laugh, and I was utterly embarrassed and ashamed, but also beginning to get the giggles, therefore, grabbing my face as well to force it to remain serious.

It was one of those moments where nothing I could possibly say would erase what I just expressed. Would a "Oh, no, Doctor, I'm talking to my son, not you, your unshaven face looks neat" sound sincere? Truth is, I hadn't noticed him until I said what I said. Too late. So, I kept silent as he continued doing his job in my boy's mouth, and I can only wonder what his face will look like when we return in four weeks. Maybe I'll wait in the car.

My First Love Part 1

Today I decided to revisit my life when I first got saved, the newness of my first love, and reminisce and wonder what happened to my zeal.

The week after I got saved and went back to work, a co-worker who was becoming a good friend of mine, asked me what had happened to me. When I wondered what she meant she said: "This week I haven't seen you running around wild eyed with your cup of coffee and cigarette in your hand, you seem calm, almost peaceful." Wow, that is a testimony that when God is drawing someone to Him we don't even need to speak. I didn't know any Bible verse yet, but I told her that I had gone to a Church on Sunday and got saved, not quite sure of what it all meant. She invited herself over for dinner at my apartment that night to hear more about this Jesus thing. My friend was going through a very hard time in life. She was only 20 years old going through divorce, her dad had just died of cancer, and was feeling pretty low. As we were having dinner I explained to her the little I knew about my new life, which had some to do with praying this prayer to ask Jesus to live in your heart. Immediately my friend said: "I want to pray that right now." And so we did as our dinner was getting cold on our plates. That was 22 years ago.

Sometimes we try so hard to orchestrate all these fancy programs, speeches, and plans to bring the lost to Him. And many times all He wants is to let people see our changed lives, and He'll do the rest, even through someone who doesn't even know a single Bible verse. Today my friend is married to a wonderful Christian husband and has 3 children.

Powerful, specially the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

Back to Basics

I just realized that when I keep a post on draft and publish it days later, it shows up at the original date, below other posts I may have typed at a later date. Oh, well...

Changing gears, last night we went to our weekly couple's ministry at our church and I feel like I am really being fed between that, my women's Bible study on the "5 Aspects of Woman", and this 30 days challenge. My poor husband has been sick these last few days, and I am trying to be really compassionate about it, which to me is not really work because empathy is one of my gifts. Last night he told me he appreciates that, and acknowledged that compassion is not one of his strong suits, which is true, but it came from him, not me.

I think I am getting better at just being aware of his needs. Because husbands are supposed to take care of us and protect us, I think I neglected that, as a human being, my husband needs just as much emotional support as any other human being. Maybe I was putting too much on his shoulders, where it really needed to go to Jesus' shoulder instead. I am learning to keep quiet and just commiserate without giving my "wise" advice.

Through "5 Aspects of Woman" the author clearly explains how, in our fallen state, we women want to take our husband's place instead of being the perfect completer we were created to be. Manipulation gets confused with wisdom, using God's name for something we want to see happening instead of trusting God. Operating on our redeemed state is the only way to get us out of this fleshy fallen state. Isn'it like a full circle? The more I learn, study, talk, practice, it all comes back to basics: Being in His presence keeps me out of the detours of life, brings me back where I was supposed to be all along. I want to stay there for ever. God help me.

My Roomba

I LOVE my IRobot Roomba! It "wakes up" everyday at 2 am, does the rounds vacuuming everywhere as long as it doesn't get stuck on someone's sock or some, and an hour later goes back to its cradle. It collects lots of dust and lint that otherwise would be lingering on the floors and in the air. It is very easy to clean, and it doesn't complain at all. Good choice!

Creative husband

In my reading for today, I was supposed to praise my husband for his creativity. That was an easy one for me. I don't think I've ever met a more creative man than my husband. He is artistic, musical, designer, cook, builder with beauty in mind. Very creative. I told him today that he was the best husband in the whole wide world and he chuckle and repaid the compliment.

This challenge is definitively helping me to be more aware of him. Of who he is and what he does. Of how hard he works with his hands and body to the point of painful backaches.

In the midst of our season in life of pruning our kids I must continue to remind myself that my marriage needs watering. Daily little reminders of each other's presence facilitates to walk this life joyfully, knowing that we are not alone in this endeavor, that we can vent with each other about stuff, and know that our vows are kept not only because we are dutifully committed to them but because we desire to keep them, enjoying each other's presence, conversation, and fellowship.

Revenge

Oh...this is fun...!!! Everett and I had told our kids a while ago that we will be making a list of the things we'll do at their homes when they are on their own. It all started with the usual nagging..."Clean after yourself. Put away the cheese will you?" etc. etc....

So my hubby said that our revenge will be to "Do unto others... in this case us to them. If you have teens you'll relate, if not wait and see. Of course the kids are laughing thinking it's a big joke. This is what we came up with so far. Oh, everything doesn't apply to every child, and it may had happened at different seasons. Some exaggerations apply :)

When we visit their home:
~On our way in to their home we'll spit on the bushes
~We will open a bottle water, drink a sip and leave the rest on the counter
~When we are thirsty again we will open another bottle
~We will belch as loudly as possible
~When we are called on it we'll respond we can't help it
~We will take our shoes off and leave them in the way to trip over and fling our socks across the room
~We will take the cheese out of the fridge in the summer and leave it out for hours, or maybe for ever until someone else puts it away.
~We will brush our teeth and spit all the way up on the mirrors and faucets
~We will wipe the sink and leave the dirty wipe on the counter
~When we wipe our mouth we will ball the towel and jam it in the towel holder
~When we open a paper towel roll we will never put in on the dispenser and leave the wrapper on the floor
~We'll take our dinner dishes to the living room and leave them (we'll make the mess but we are not cleaning it up)
~When it gets dark we'll turn every light on
~When we need a snack we'll open the fridge and freezer doors and loiter
~When we clip our nails we'll leave them for someone else to clean up


When they take us out to dinner:
~We will only look at the prices and choose the most expensive meal
~We have no intention of paying for the meal but that won't stop us from saying we are ready to go
~Every meal we will suggest we eat out and they pay

When they invite us over to meet their future in-laws:
~We will complain about going
~We will be late
~We will stand with our hands in our pockets
~After dinner we'll play video games

On their wedding day:
~We will be late
~We will wear jeans and tennis shoes

If we travel together overnight:
~We will insist on high quality hotels with a pool and then just watch TV
~We will try to take the best bed

I'm sure there are more and in time we will be adding to the list. We had a big chuckle working on this one.

Encourager

It sounds so spiritual, so in touch with humanity, so... good. Encourager.

Easier said than done for some of us. Piece of cake for others. I have known some people that God had given them the gift of encouragement. For others it's a skill that needs to be learn and re-learned over time making a conscious decision to remember. There are as many different types of encouragers as personalities out there.


The cheerleaders are always cheering you on, duh! Whatever anyone says gets a "You can do it!!" attached to it. It is very uplifting and makes you feel good. They always notice your new hair cut or the 5 lbs. you worked so hard to lose.

On the opposite end we have the stern, pensive group that always has the exact Scripture to quote that ties perfectly with the situation at hand.

Most others realize that we all need encouragement, but hasn't always been modeled to them, or they are still learning the skill. They often quote personal life stories that had a happy ending to relate to the other person's problem. As I am going along with this challenge I received to pray for my husband for 30 days, I realize that my focus has been more on accomplishing and running toward an unclear goal than to stop to take a break and smell the roses. Running at full speed to what? or where? This morning I placed a big galloping horse (in my mind) with me on it pulling the reins to an abrupt stop to remind myself to look around and get engaged with what is going on in my surroundings. So, this morning I grieved with my hubby about Dan Fogelberg. I didn't realize that he was so upset about it. As a musician he connected with some of his music when he was a teenager. It may sound unimportant, but it was a special moment we had together where any other time I would have been too busy doing some secondary task. It was a good connecting time for us as we reminisced about his songs, and way more spiritual than me giving a half felt answer with a pensive look.

All this to say that being an encourager could be done in silence sometimes. Just sitting next to the person and being there for them.