tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24746396155376459962024-03-13T16:12:29.855-07:00My JourneySometimes just me and the Lord. Sometimes me, the Lord and my family and friends.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-84368591528585898642016-02-14T11:00:00.000-08:002016-02-14T11:10:05.761-08:00My Valentine<img height="448" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4eGmF7dFMLK2Li-UOYWEhmwuE115DAbokq6m4lrx-POLDNBeD" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How sweet it is to be loved by you...</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Happy Valentines my love. Ive been reminiscing this morning. Thinking about our journey thus far. Remembering the valentines before "us". The lonely days as a single mom. Remembering the hope I felt when we were dating. Looking forward to a life together. I felt like a couldn't wait to get started on the future. Many of those wonderful days wasted wanting. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Realizing now why our dating season lasted so long. Not knowing how much you were struggling in thought, if you would be what I needed. If you could be selfless enough to be a husband. Let me tell you, you are that and so much more. You give me things I never knew I needed. In my little world before us, from hurt and fear, there are things I refused to see or want. You've given me a safe loving home where I am free to be healed and not afraid. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to seek the Lord in the leadership of our home. I love how you pray over me every morning and how you want the best for me always. You are everything to me and so much more. I love you now and forever my sweetheart. Thank you Jesus for your timing and helping us to wait on your will. Thank you for blessing me with a man that strives to reflect your beauty, someone to grow old with and someone who needs me as much as I need him.</span></b></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="background-color: #990000;">I love you Octavio:)</b></span></span></span></span></h3>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-52420576698161777682015-12-05T11:41:00.001-08:002015-12-05T16:24:26.084-08:00Choosing Love in the Aftermath of the San Bernardino Shootings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Something is bothering me. Something is bothering me and it’s not going to sit well with about half the people I know. It’s funny cause that’s what keeps me from saying anything , but then there’s this bible verse that keeps going on in my heart and in my head. It’s Matthew 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” So I will say it because I believe I betray you if I don't. I am seriously ashamed of the hate I have been seeing, or more accurately reading, since the shootings. Oh sure, some of it was there before that but it has definitely ramped up. Am I scared? Sure I am. I think it’s only natural to be frightened right now. But here’s the thing, this has been all around us all this time, we only become frightened when we are forced to take our blinders off. This is a fallen world, so the hate I see doesn’t surprise me. It does sadden me though. You know what saddens me even more? That there are people out there so love starved that a group such as ISIS could come along and change someone’s heart so quickly and brutally. I don’t see it as any different than the gangs preying on kids from broken homes with promises of a family that will take care of them. ISIS is just the extreme of that and really well funded. And that funding again is because there is such an emptiness out there that people are willing to help a cause with no real value. Emptiness from a life without God. And how are they ever going to know the love of God when we hate everyone we see with a beard or a head wrap. Again, am I scared? Sure I am but then there’s this verse in my head Matthew 5:46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” I don’t want to love only when it’s easy. God has commanded a different attitude from me. Hey, Jesus laid His life on the line for everyone. Let me say it again, everyone. Who am I to choose who I should show the love of Christ to. Which brought me to this, Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Guess what? If you’re not jewish, you’re a Gentile. Me, you, and every white, black, Latino,Asian, Middle Eastern person is a Gentile. Who am I to choose who receives God’s love? God showed His love to me while I was a drunken, drug induced, murdering, fornicater. Who am I?!<br /><br />Let’s face it, they are here. We can cower in fear, lash out in fear or take a chance and show kindness to each person around us. You never know what God has been doing in someone’s life. I have heard that on average someone hears about God 12 times before making a decision to follow Him. You don’t know if you’re their first contact or number 12. And if these people are so love starved that they could be taken in by gangs, by ISIS, by cults, hey they are just as loved starved and ripe for the word of God. So stop hating. You don’t have to open your home to Muslims or homosexuals or whoever is on your hit list. But maybe when you’re at the store and you see someone whom you’d otherwise turn away from you turn towards them and ask how they are doing and YOU can begin to turn this around. It’s not just their heart that concerns me, it’s ours. We can’t say we follow God and only include those that feel the same way, that’s not God’s way. <br /><br />Finally, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing." They win when we hate. When we are so scared we stop doing the good works of God to all people, evil wins. When we are so afraid to speak up when we see or hear someone we love going the wrong direction, afraid to offend the person instead of being afraid of offending God, evil triumphs. Let us not think that just because we know the end of the story, that God prevails, we need not do anything. We are vessels to be used by God for His good works for His glory and not our own. May each of us step out in faith, in love and show God’s love to every corner of the world for Christ’ sake because He once saved a gentile like me and like you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just an afterthought, since I posted this morning I’ve seen many posts about arming and protecting ourselves; loving on people doesn’t mean giving ISIS a hug instead a bullet. I’m talking about the people all around you who, because of our fear in light of the shootings, you turn away from. Because of the hardness of your heart you become rude to. Someone is going to gain their loyalty. That’s a cold hard fact. And it’s up to us to present the gospel uncompromisingly to the world. A cold shoulder and a nasty word to someone you know nothing about is not going to win their heart to God.</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-17064243048979114592013-06-26T10:22:00.001-07:002013-06-26T10:22:24.808-07:00I am not a Hater<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not a hater. I
believe in God’s definition of marriage. I believe that no matter what you do or what
laws you pass, whether it’s in the name of freedom or equality, that God, the
creator of the Universe and all that is within it, defined marriage as between
one man and one woman. I believe that
since the beginning of time man has tried to deny God’s existence by making our
own rules, by fulfilling the desires of our flesh. And that fleshly desire is
defiled by heterosexuals the same as homosexuals, by going against God’s design
for our lives, by thinking that we know better than the one who made us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do not believe that disagreeing with you is hate. It is simply not agreeing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also believe that whether or not you acknowledge that God
even exists, He does. And I believe that
there is power in the name of Jesus, power to save. May each of us come to a true knowledge of
the one living God. Knowledge of His
love for our very souls, for our heart, and that His rules are not to keep you
down, to repress you, but to set you FREE! <o:p></o:p></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-26047742229691146942013-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:002013-04-08T12:30:04.542-07:00Work Lessons<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was barely a week after "the big let down", as I call it, and my dad had me up on the roof helping him to re-roof the house. I was hauling those huge bundles of shingles up a ladder and laying them down for him to nail. Now that was work. Real physical labor. It was that labor, sweat and muscle, that got me through one of the toughest times of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That type of physical labor is still what sustains me when I am running on empty. When I say, "God I need you", He usually meets me on a walk or a hike, at the end of myself, when I am physically exhausted, He is there. When I can no longer run except into His arms, there He is waiting. And He waits patiently too. He knows me so well, it is the Lord that says, "Go for a walk," because He alone knows where that takes me...straight to Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have come to end of myself mentally as of late. Work has been a daunting reality that takes up every moment of each day. Because even when I am at home, I am preparing for the next round. Sometimes I can't even remember my name, seriously. My mind has been stretched in a hundred different directions all at once, yet my body craves the physical exertion that will calm and sooth my mind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today being another one of those days. One of eight days remaining in this round. I thought when I awoke that that fact alone would be enough to get me through, but it was not to be. Again the Lord took a walk with me and showed me how caught up in the world my mind was. And it was through that quiet time with Him that my soul was soothed and refreshed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These next few days will be crazy, then it will be over until next year. There will be tears, there always are when overwhelmed, but the end is finally in sight. Praise God for seeing us through and for knowing what I need. For making a way and being there the whole time. </span></span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-59275655615033927652013-03-18T09:16:00.000-07:002013-03-18T09:16:10.119-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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WINDY GAP<br /> A day with my baby, hiking the back country of our beautiful San Gabriel mountains. I have a love for the Crystal Lake area that I can't describe nor contain. Maybe it's the time spent here as a kid, maybe it's the time spent here as a young adult. Then maybe it's just the sheer beauty of mature pine trees, squirrels, gentle breezes and God's glory at its best here on Earth that make my heart sing. This place has it all and its where we spent our Saturday. It took us two hours to walk the 2.5 miles from the parking area to Windy Gap. Two hours uphill with nearly 2000' gain in elevation. But it was worth every step. Even today as my body is stiff from yesterday's exertion, my heart is still relaxed and singing of the joy felt as we reached the top. Looking up toward our destination we could see snow still clinging onto the ridge. Once we arrived, looking north, there were still plenty of snowy patches hiding from sunlight, in the shadow of those beautiful pine trees making its hold on spring, reluctant to see winter come to an end. Plenty of cool strong gust of wind blew past us at the ridge refreshing body, mind and soul. As it came time to head back down I understood all too well why the snow hid in the shadows. Maybe if I hid away somewhere I too would never have to leave this place.<br /><br /> But my life isn't that of a snow drift, I have family, a husband, a daughter, a job...the job, that's what has me wanting to stay. The job, the stress I am today escaping, awaits me on Monday. Yet today is today, the day the Lord has made, for me to enjoy, to refresh in the rest of His Almightiness. And Monday...is the day the Lord has made also. A gift of another kind. Provision. A chance to serve and share the Love My Lord has shown me. If I were to stay I could declare the wonders of God and cry out with the rocks, that'd be glorious. Yet, God has given me my job as a blessing. An opportunity to love and share and bless in return.<br /><br /> We head down heart happy body tired and sparked with new drive and purpose. Ready to hit the world head on, ready to bless. God's opportunities are never far away, in fact for us they were waiting back at the parking area. Lord you never cease to amaze. First you ready my soul then you hand me a chance to give back. Almost as if asking, "How much did you really learn?"<br /><br /> I hope I did not fail you Father. Your blessing are so immense I never want to squander what you have for me, for other's who cross my path in life. Thank you for the chance to enjoy, bask in your Omnipotence, and then the moments you afford for us to give back by being of service to another. Thank you for time with my baby, thank you for sending me home a more peaceful hearted wife, a gentler soul having met you on the mountain top. My face always glows for a few days afterward reminding me of when Moses spoke to you on the mountain and your bright glory, unable to be looked at head on, made his face face shine. That is me today, tomorrow and prayerfully forever, body, mind and soul. Help me Lord to hold onto your promises throughout my week, to be a blessing, to share your mighty works, this beautiful life and your wondrous Son. Amen.<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-48526165615428975442012-09-07T10:50:00.003-07:002012-09-07T10:50:53.996-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Moving Day and a Shift in Our Daily Routine</span></strong></div>
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This past weekend we moved our baby into a college dorm. What an amazing experience. Yes, I cried! Her dad cried too. More than a few times we were moved by the change that was/has/is taking place in all of our lives. You fear that the right decisions will be made and you counter that fear with trust in God. You trust that she's in His capable hands and that she knows her maker. You trust that she is being molded by Him, our beautiful Lord and Savior, and through trials and mistakes her strength and bond will grow with our Redeemer. You fear the world and it's pull on young untrained minds, then you remember who brought her to this place in her life. It is only through much prayer and leading of the Holy Spirit that we made the decision to live on campus and where. It is only by the grace of God that we have financially been able to handle the cost. <strong>Where God leads, He provides.</strong> It's a lesson we are all in the midst of having firmly bound in our hearts. Thank you Jesus!<br />
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-83423155910584839822012-02-01T10:36:00.000-08:002012-02-01T10:36:15.384-08:00My Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">California in January</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz4Nm1cCPwwWksVc3hQbJBfq3jKaRuZ-yiD2IpEw8rdvtZB7AZjZA9644PseHGW3CbB944Pu8__qQGMP82FG4iPrAOz7ICSPP6mVs-VuVo0EF_Y0gVc09qsKuPvV7K5TVK3qsj3QF4F8/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz4Nm1cCPwwWksVc3hQbJBfq3jKaRuZ-yiD2IpEw8rdvtZB7AZjZA9644PseHGW3CbB944Pu8__qQGMP82FG4iPrAOz7ICSPP6mVs-VuVo0EF_Y0gVc09qsKuPvV7K5TVK3qsj3QF4F8/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrm7URHpSxMiaQVtU1319EheJ00k0YwLLIN7oz-YB-CA6SUaxU47lLjKjd0xj3wUlkNiLgy-4qq-yTPsA4Zz-I7vhx19X9dSznTkp-d7r3qVepyn9hT-5h7agXkYzYK_FC9HoSUVLH9o/s1600/crystal+lake+pics+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrm7URHpSxMiaQVtU1319EheJ00k0YwLLIN7oz-YB-CA6SUaxU47lLjKjd0xj3wUlkNiLgy-4qq-yTPsA4Zz-I7vhx19X9dSznTkp-d7r3qVepyn9hT-5h7agXkYzYK_FC9HoSUVLH9o/s320/crystal+lake+pics+003.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-bTvoyCUCI56JUfPRFMkgCBQfs7yDmqJLjRHu_xJsxQdx5wrsnfBg2sOUl2k1lnuWcKiDlf3QB25FClHMqcIQk50AlG1iHaHhHMeSBOPj2A00n0l5gCLIXLpNHlzLhLM2doc-2vKXm8/s1600/crystal+lake+pics+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-bTvoyCUCI56JUfPRFMkgCBQfs7yDmqJLjRHu_xJsxQdx5wrsnfBg2sOUl2k1lnuWcKiDlf3QB25FClHMqcIQk50AlG1iHaHhHMeSBOPj2A00n0l5gCLIXLpNHlzLhLM2doc-2vKXm8/s320/crystal+lake+pics+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was our weekend. We didn't go away, we were actually just a little ways from home. We took a two hour hike Saturday and then after church the three of us drove for about an hour and took a four mile hike. I love living here.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-54476566323256671172011-11-02T14:54:00.000-07:002011-11-02T14:54:15.218-07:00Thank YouI finally feel like this chapter of pain and healing are coming to a close. Thank you Father! Notice I said this chapter. I realize another will be just around the corner and that will be fine too. The lessons learned through this season are too numerous to count. Yet they were incredible. We have learned to lean on the Lord more through this then any other time or trial in our lives. The trust built in our relationship with God our Father has deepened. That alone would have been plenty, but He is so good to us. We were blessed with dinners, help with our bills, prayer and hearts that truelly cared. Thank you everyone of you.<br />
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I am sure that in the course of our lives we will be reminded of each blessing, each lesson. God has a way of building our hearts stronger upon each trial. They aren't just random happenstance with no meaning. Even for those who don't believe, it's still God who is leading your life, calling your name, waiting for you to see that He was there all along.<br />
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I've been back to work for two months now. Just last week me and my baby took a hike that I haven't been able to even look at for almost two years. Walking through the mountains, the towering pines, I felt like I was finally back. Able to move and do the things that I love so dearly. All praise to my wonderful healer!<br />
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What's ahead? Been working out and trying to get back to my before weight and it seems to be going pretty well. I am bound and determined to get back to 'me'. My goal is 20 pounds and as of last Saturday I had lost five. <br />
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We have a wonderful new kitten, her name is Xena. She was dropped off at hubbies work while I was off work during the summer. We nursed her back to health and when there were no takers my beautiful husband asked if we could take her home. So that's where she is. That entire situation was another blessing... I had this whole in my heart after surgery. I was trying to ignore it, but you know when you physically can't have babies anymore you feel kindof empty. It really stinks. I was beginning to wonder if I needed to talk to someone. Then this little furball was dumped off and I spent on hour or two everyday at his work just being the momma to this little orphan. I prayed for her health and thanking the Lord for this cute little distraction. It was perfectly what both of us needed and God knew it. So she came home. Guess we got a baby afterall.<br />
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Until next time...count your blessings, you'll be surprised at how much God has seen you through lately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCBs6ZuC419Ze20ch8fJlw0rSwG7p8BF4LduLTya7iLNrox-HJVHFS9smkChiHgCI0q2EbyPaRqI6z8QNmGkZ95vzzu5uxaxq85ynVV9AL2SHNAdiRhwGHCLnQlxp-lqj8i_u_tiZZds/s1600/Xena+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCBs6ZuC419Ze20ch8fJlw0rSwG7p8BF4LduLTya7iLNrox-HJVHFS9smkChiHgCI0q2EbyPaRqI6z8QNmGkZ95vzzu5uxaxq85ynVV9AL2SHNAdiRhwGHCLnQlxp-lqj8i_u_tiZZds/s320/Xena+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-9737405461109069322011-05-24T17:45:00.000-07:002011-05-25T17:15:37.249-07:00Our Dreams and God's Plans<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lately our lives have been an emotional rollercoaster punctuated with tremendous blessings. You see, when me and the hubby got married, like most couples, we wished to add to our family. Though before our wedding we found out that I had a fibroid tumor and that pregnancy would be difficult if not impossible until it was removed. So for the last two years we have prayed and searched for an answer. The tumor proving to cause much more then a hinderance to our plans. With it came pain and large amounts of blood loss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last year it looked like we had the answer to at least part of the problem. We had read and investigated a new procedure called fibroid embolization where a Radiologist can decrease the blood flow to the fibroid and since it would not have anything to feed on and grow, the bleeding would be back to normal and the fibroid would shrink and die off. That was in August last year and seven months later I was still having the same symptoms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In April we went to the doctor after our last updated sonogram to talk about removing the fibriod (myomectomy) or having the same embolization procedure one more time in the hopes of being able to have a baby sometime in the near future. Our hopes that day were dashed with a doctor who not only didn't recommend either procedure but said he would not do it, said I needed a hysterectomy but without clear communication as to why. So our search to understand what has happened inside of me took another turn as we sought out people who could explain the sonogram reports and recommendations to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">After speaking to several different doctors we knew that this last doctor had been correct we just hadn't understood why. It turns out that my fibroid is about the size of a large grapefruit and my uteris is enlarged also. And with where it is positioned in relation to where I would carry a baby, its really not a good idea. We did have a wonderful reconstructive surgeon tell us that he could remove just the tumor and (serious, I didn't know they did this) reconstruct my uteris. But that it would be a lot of down time, alot of blood loss during the surgery and with no guarantee that I would be able to get pregnant much less carry the baby full term due to the injured area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">They gave us percentages for different scenarios and we all know that God doesn't need percentages, rather just for us to get out of the way. We do feel that this is where He has directed us. We prayed to be healed and this will heal the problem. With it our plan's are changed and replaced with God's plan instead. So we are waiting for them to call with a surgery date for me to have a hysterectomy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It is with a heavy heart that I write this yet my heart is overflowing with the joy of the Lord. Let me explain...our lives are filled with hopes and dreams. We start off in new directions asking the Lord to bless them, not knowing in what way that will be. We have prayed and family and friends have cried and prayed out to the Lord, our wonderful God, for us to have a child of our own, to add to our family, to share our love with. And it would appear that even before we started on this journey God knew that our plans were not to be. That doesn't mean He doesn't love us, but I know that my God is a great big God and that if He has closed this door, there is another waiting wide open for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We have seen God bless each step of this journey. With friends who are willing to give of their time to explain "doctor talk" to us. Parents who just show up when they are needed the most, not knowing why, just following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Doctors willing to talk to us until all of our questions have been answered even giving us direct lines to call if we have questions after we leave (who does that any more). Prayer from so many people, even some prayer partners that I have never met. Hospital bills being reduced to very managable sums. And simply the partnering of other couples, Pastors and their wifes, other Christians, family, and friends willing to remember us in their prayers. We have felt everyone of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So as the tears fall for those dreams that are slowly fading away, they are replaced with dreams that I don't even know yet. You see, we have a beautiful daughter who is about to enter her Senior year in high school, who's life has slipped by us so quickly . We have children at church that we love, adore and teach once a week. We have a new neice that is just barely a year old with newlywed parents who could use help taking care of her. And we have each other and all the time in the world to fall deeper in love with as we get to know each other more intimately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">If I found out tomorrow that I was pregnant would I be happy? Overjoyed is more like it. But I wouldn't forget what I've learned along the way. Nor, will not being able to have a baby with my beautiful husband take away the awesome gifts that God has bestowed in our lives. I mean, can you believe it, I am actually married to my best friend. It really doesn't get any better then this, at least not on Earth. Besides, Tov says that maybe we can afford to go see the 24 hours of LeMans Race now!</span><br />
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</span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-71903601482975539062011-02-12T15:05:00.000-08:002011-02-12T15:05:59.829-08:00Tax HelpI know that a lot of us are hurting, out of work, or our work has been cut and are in need of some inexpensive, if not free, advice on filing your tax return for 2010. So I thought I’d pass on a few tips and tidbits of information that may be useful in filing your tax return this year.<br />
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First and foremost, please pray and trust the Lord to provide fully for you in your situation. Sometimes in our money shortfalls we are tempted to take matters into our own hands and embellish some deductions that are not ours to take. Remember, nothing is hidden from God. He has a plan to bring you through this and will be faithful to do so. And because He is God, He only needs us to be faithful in our trust of Him and who He is. <br />
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With that said here are a few website sites you may find useful: <br />
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<a href="http://www.irs.gov/">http://www.irs.gov/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ftb.ca.gov/">http://www.ftb.ca.gov/</a><br />
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Believe it or not, the government does want to help you and you can file your tax return for free on their website. You can also call them for help in filling out the tax return. One thing that is important, any information that they provide to you you should get in writing. Whether they send it to you in an email or by snail mail, get it in writing and hold on to it. That way if you are ever the target of an audit or they say that you owe a different amount of tax you can show them that you did as they had advised and you will not be liable for that amount. Of course that only applies to any advice they give, not to the whole return. But its helpful to know nonetheless.<br />
Also, for the IRS they recommend calling them in the evening when the rest of the United States offices are closed. Calling during the day will have you on hold for quite some time.<br />
For low income families there is an Earned Income Credit that is available on the IRS Tax Form. The IRS reports that many families don't know about this credit that puts money back into your hands. In some families it could add up to about $5000.00 each year. Call the IRS and ask them about it. This is money they have made available to help us. Take advantage of it. That what its there for.<br />
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And for small businesses there is free help also: <a href="http://www.iesmallbusiness.com/">http://www.iesmallbusiness.com/</a> <br />
This is the website for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They provide all types of FREE training, counseling, resources, etc. The consulting is one hour each but is unlimited. You can get as much help from them as you need. They even have free QuickBooks training, other accounting companies charge $75-150 per hour for this service. Whether you are new in business or struggling, they are there to help. As are all of the government sites.<br />
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God bless you. I hope this information provides you with some other alternatives to filing your tax returns and seeking the help you need.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-44505061358507197352010-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:002010-12-11T14:29:08.235-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkx-2i6CM4qojJJyz0xy6Jx5BDQIBDhSeJ1iIbY6NjmUo8WnFx25hrYnuR6vukaL4Lc5oLt-bhVi-YrRwFZHN_agz9t00lcak3VGZixGOPeHKcVOptcHWQ0LyteThCIEm4bOukRR643U/s1600/fall+photos+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkx-2i6CM4qojJJyz0xy6Jx5BDQIBDhSeJ1iIbY6NjmUo8WnFx25hrYnuR6vukaL4Lc5oLt-bhVi-YrRwFZHN_agz9t00lcak3VGZixGOPeHKcVOptcHWQ0LyteThCIEm4bOukRR643U/s320/fall+photos+001.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
This morning I went for a walk. I couldn’t get away from this overwhelming appreciation for the beauty that God has surrounded us by. I had my camera phone with me and every chance I got I was clicking away. The fall colors that are so rare in California were abound, flowers are still blooming and God’s people in all stages of life and spirit were just amazing to me. He loves us all so much and we, even at our closest moments with the Lord, still have no idea at the intimate care He takes with each and everyone. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Zth_XAhqhgGJ_vE89epRcLdr-EUA_hrPMoQ3kxrKlCVIqZaK3h2lwMWYMWCmNHlBiRJDhyphenhyphenfMQTdHaYf-1HzKD9fmxvm83nQ5isLvYnx9Sco67OILX0a_FYt_WbOxuUJbOOnQOPirOo/s1600/fall+photos+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Zth_XAhqhgGJ_vE89epRcLdr-EUA_hrPMoQ3kxrKlCVIqZaK3h2lwMWYMWCmNHlBiRJDhyphenhyphenfMQTdHaYf-1HzKD9fmxvm83nQ5isLvYnx9Sco67OILX0a_FYt_WbOxuUJbOOnQOPirOo/s320/fall+photos+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><div>I felt a little silly taking all of these photos while others were walking by seemed oblivious to what surrounds them. I don't know why, but I did. I little self conscious I suppose. When I finally quit feeling that way and just started shooting pictures a little old man who’d been walking behind me caught up and as he passed he patted my shoulder as if to say “I know”. He saw it too! Man I started to cry. Why would I feel silly for not being able to get enough of God, in any respect. It happens so easily and so slight of hand. Anyway, my walk was so enjoyable. My closeness with the Love of my Life is so much richer having experienced His creation and feeling first hand His love for me. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwS24xyW2EQJWkhTUASoCR0qh8R7WjaQNNRGrBpNSNY54RvDEhkrNRBdDIYIJihNI4NtoY2oyc5r6pT5SL9BCYZuzqLIBiNBPNxUKBKX3SmXoULNnDqEKaMuW0-UBWSQjr47bO5GZZME/s1600/fall+photos+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwS24xyW2EQJWkhTUASoCR0qh8R7WjaQNNRGrBpNSNY54RvDEhkrNRBdDIYIJihNI4NtoY2oyc5r6pT5SL9BCYZuzqLIBiNBPNxUKBKX3SmXoULNnDqEKaMuW0-UBWSQjr47bO5GZZME/s320/fall+photos+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>I'm still enjoying these photos. I hope you enjoy them too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHFC_xfQrMwdgpfpmI-JP8PXPvb66ml6S5veDSku3XutNtFu_7iuF6NMSs6dFV5UFmJe-6Uq6WdzR16L0-7nwnwYg5IM2UX0BjjWtcDC8Btbi_Av451BibY1djNDuxDYTm_PyoUHesXk/s1600/fall+photos+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHFC_xfQrMwdgpfpmI-JP8PXPvb66ml6S5veDSku3XutNtFu_7iuF6NMSs6dFV5UFmJe-6Uq6WdzR16L0-7nwnwYg5IM2UX0BjjWtcDC8Btbi_Av451BibY1djNDuxDYTm_PyoUHesXk/s320/fall+photos+020.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-48812861300716887932010-10-13T11:26:00.000-07:002010-10-13T11:26:53.266-07:00Chilean MinersI just watched one of the miners in Chile being pulled out of the mine after being trapped for 60+ days. <br />
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What struck me...when he went to his knees to thank God, before anything else. Some might baulk that his family wasn't greeted first, but his loyalty to thank God first and formost was awesome and correct. It brought tears to my eyes.<br />
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Then I began to think and wonder how many people were down there that didn't know the Lord and do now because they were ministered to. How nothing is by chance, its all God ordained. Whether we are in prison, in a mine or sitting behind our desk at work. We have an incredible opportunity to share the gospel and witness to people. <br />
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Then I thanked God for letting me see this. For this one who ministered to me just now. Praise the Lord for His goodness, praise our God, He is the One who Saves.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-73954769343289481372010-09-08T12:39:00.000-07:002010-09-08T13:14:01.088-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ire0KzbwzW_9Isasswbh5I8YAv0eJh01i2FUyjM-LQRe3FdLMwyIMVGft-NjXwKdheeizChmUlHewNw_zOTxoBf-ZeZI5GUs4rRk9O77Y-KE2AP2j6CaqMde2qNq23C8jmVVzXMxuSQ/s1600/BLOG-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514634121208653170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ire0KzbwzW_9Isasswbh5I8YAv0eJh01i2FUyjM-LQRe3FdLMwyIMVGft-NjXwKdheeizChmUlHewNw_zOTxoBf-ZeZI5GUs4rRk9O77Y-KE2AP2j6CaqMde2qNq23C8jmVVzXMxuSQ/s400/BLOG-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is my baby when she was 11 months old. Looking at these pictures reminds me of so many things. Not the least of which is how God blesses us even when we are denying His existance. I can't believe that at this time in my life, with this cute little bundle of blessing I was in total denial. So funny because that's not what I planned on blogging about, just an observation that popped in my head.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>My thoughts with these pics were more along the lines of my parents and the wonderful home they made for us to grow up in. Getting to share that same home with my baby for a time and compounding the love that nourished us here for so long. I hope the new owner's can feel the history, the lessons and the Lord's presence in this home. </div><br /><br /><div>My mom used to mark our height on the inside of the pantry door, we left that behind for the new people to discover when the house sold more than ten years ago. And we used to have a pool in the same spot my mom is planting in in the last photo. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I remember bringing stray cats home and asking to keep them, always promising to find them a real home if I could just love them until then. Actually got to keep two of them. Dad must've got tired of saying no. Sorry dad.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So many things happen here, good and bad, that although I'm not going to take the time to write them all here, they are part of what has made my life, my heart, the way I see others, and the love I feel for my parents. You see, I know what and who I was when my baby was born and so did they, but by the grace of God alone they loved me through it. They prayed for me when they had no hope at all and God not only pulled me through, but sustained and grew their faith too. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I look at these pictures I feel joy and sadness, they move me to tears for so many reason. The one I don't want to even think about is my parents and their age. Mom can't garden any more and dad is still going but going slower. I know someday they will be with the Lord and then these moments, like sharing a soda with his granddaughter, will be even more precious. And that we should let tomorrow's worry belong to tomorrow, so Lord I'm not going to worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself, but please don't let a moment go by where I don't appreciate every facet of my life and who you've placed in it. They are all but seasons and gone far to quickly.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-6938346230916597772010-08-25T11:57:00.000-07:002010-08-25T16:25:24.684-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;">Last night was awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br />Did you feel the spirit moving? I did.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was invited to a baptism. My parents were there, my brother, his wife and son and daughter, myself, Tov and Chrystal.<br /><br /><br /><br />Forty kids were getting baptized. One of them, and the reason I was there, is my 16 year old niece, Sarah. It was amazing. We worshipped, had a message from the Pastor, then each of the forty stood up to tell us why they were being baptized, to proclaim themselves a child of God. I was watching my dad as he listened to each one, the smile on his face bringing tears to my eyes. Then Sarah stood up and proclaimed a new life in Christ and went outside to wait her turn to be fully submerged in water. What she didn't know, maybe she did, she may have been watching from just outside the door, was that after about three calls from the Pastor of whether there was anyone else in the audience who hadn't planned on it but that the Holy Spirit was moving who wanted to make a change in their life forever, who wanted to be baptised, her mom Tina stood up and took a step of faith. A step that will heal her hurts on the inside and remove stains of sins. A new beginning, a brighter future, an eternity with our Father.<br /><br /><br /><br />Not only did I get to witness my neice and sister-in-law's baptism, there were sixty nine all together by the time we were through. Sixty nine new soldiers of Christ. Oh the party in heaven last night as the angels rejoiced. I can imagine because I know what we were feeling here on Earth.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was blessed last night beyond measure having the privledge of watching these two beautiful women go into the water together. I feel like I am glowing like Moses when he came down the mountain after speaking with God. It doesn't get much more personal than this. <strong>Prayer works, God happens, and when it does you won't be able to find your feet.</strong></span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-5406089494280839102010-07-14T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-14T10:16:18.491-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I woke up this morning feeling crudy. My whole body feels like its been run over by a truck. I have less then a month before my procedure to shrink the fibroid tumors in my stomach but my mood this morning was bitter. My belly is swollen, my back hurts, my legs are killing me and my attitude stinks. Not the kind of blog you want to read is it. Its not the kind of truth I want anyone to know about me either. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I got mad when I opened the freezer and icecubes fell everywhere, even madder when I opened a new package of bread only to find it was already opened and needs to be returned to the store. Then I just chucked it. A few minutes later my husband walks out of the room to ask whats wrong and I tell him I'm having a bad day, that I'm sick of bad days and he just holds me and loves me while I cry. And I realize God is holding me, letting me release all the pent up stuff, getting me to a point that I can once again bring it to Him and leave it there. Tov wasn't mad that I was acting like a child, he just wanted to make it better, and he did. Just by being himself and loving me. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I was able to go out on the patio with my bible and my book "The Power of a Praying Wife". I sat and prayed for my attitude, for my pain. I prayed for forgiveness and thanked the Lord for the beautiful morning I didn't even see a moment before. I prayed for God to help me to change today, I know He doesn't want to see me failing so easily, that I am to rest in Him and this morning I was falling. And yet He loves me anyway. Does it really get any better than this? It does, on top of His provision and Love and support and the people He uses everyday in our lives we have the promise of heaven. Of living forever in His presence.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">What was my problem this morning? I can't even remember.</span></span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-89975885910640678372010-06-28T10:05:00.000-07:002011-12-29T10:47:50.414-08:00<strong><span style="color: #333399; font-family: 'lucida grande';"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #333399; font-family: 'lucida grande';"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #333399; font-family: 'lucida grande';"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Never doubt His love, His strength, His power.</strong><br />
<strong>Never go a day without His guidance, without seeking His face.</strong><br />
<strong>Would you go a day without telling your spouse that you love them? Exactly.</strong><br />
<strong>Take the time, its well worth the journey.</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #333399;"></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #333399;"></span></strong>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-82377314475237769912010-06-04T12:25:00.001-07:002010-06-09T13:38:15.402-07:00Yesterday a woman passed away. The few but profound words of her husband have changed me. <br /><br />I have known and loved Jesus my savior for about eight years now. Of course He has loved me all along and kept me out of more trouble than I could come up with by myself. Not that I didn't try really hard; but that's another blog.<br /><br />Her name is Karen Stewart. She is Pastor Jeff Stewart's wife from Calvary Chapel Pomona Valley. I only met her once when she spoke at our women's gathering at church. She was beautiful and vibrant and shone of God. You could see it in her eyes, the windows to her soul. She spoke about the hard stuff we all go through and how God uses all of it to win our hearts to Him. <br /><br />So when I read that she had passed on yesterday I cried, but not because of the family's loss, because of their gain, because of Pastor Jeff's words: "...we just sang Karen into the arms of Jesus..." how beautiful! All I could think was that's how I want to go, worshipping my creator who I will meet any moment. That's how I want my parents and Tov's parents to go. I want to be standing there singing them into the arms of our wonderful Lord.<br /><br />I've given thought to this before. It never struck me as it has this time. I feel like...I'm ashamed to say it...like I finally get "it". I feel a renewed spirit in my life. Yesterday the Lord had Victory in a believer's life and it has lead to victory in mine. <br /><br />Thank you Pastor Jeff and Karen Stewart. Your face in the midst of adversity has changed me and I am sure coutless others. I pray my life can effect another in the same way.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-65501244107697759992010-05-06T11:15:00.000-07:002010-05-06T11:36:42.831-07:00I just reread my post from October of last year. It ends with being excited to see the next chapter in life. And that chapter so far is a wonderful one. I haven't written in a long time, not for lack of things to share, I just haven't had the time. <br /><br />God is moving so much in our lives. He's teaching me to wait on His timing, a lesson that I am very greatful for. I'm learning to be happy with what I have and not to covet more. Which honestly hasn't been hard. My goodness, He has given me so much and I am so undeserving and overwhelmingly praisefilled for. This man that is now my husband has taken on the role of father and husband with such care and deligence. His love for us overflows in everything he does. Even when working overtime he takes time to come home and have dinner with us, even though that means working longer. We cry together and pray together, we hold each other and love together. I have never felt so taken care of and warm and secure. To the Lord be all the praise. He has formed this man into one extraordinary husband and father.<br /><br />My baby girl (yes, she'll always be my baby) has adjusted so well too. You can see that she now has security too. She adores her dad, loves to share her day with him, even when she's knows she didn't respond right in a situation at school, even in the midst of trying to cover it up by making light of it, still she opens her heart because she trusts him with everything. Her heart has flourished and grown in the past eight months as she has experience the love of an earthly father that she could only pray for in the past. Again, all glory to the Father. He has answered above and beyond what either of us could have ever prayed for. And we prayed, believe me. Chrystal prayed for Octavio specifically to be her dad and God answered. Lord you are good.<br /><br />Thank you Father for being the author of my life, no one could've written it better. Please bless others as you have my family and bring them to a point where their sight is not hindered by the darkness that life can bring. Father, may we all focus on your love and light and shine for all to see. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-18693887166061656172009-12-30T11:53:00.000-08:002010-01-05T10:30:43.734-08:00This is a story I receive from a group we belong to called "Christian Surfers". This young man's story made me cry and made my heart swell at the same time. Praying it does your heart the same and more...<br /><br /><br />12-28-09<br /><br />Micah Ramsey's Message<br /><br />Another New Year is around the corner. In 2010 what will be your focus? Where will your priorities lie? Take your lead from 15 year old Micah Ramsey (who takes his lead from Jesus). Micah has been battling Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare and aggressive cancer. His words were published on the front page of his local paper and are repeated here.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“We as Human beings were created by God to worship and glorify HIM. It is what we are designed to do. God also has had a plan for us since before we were born. Apparently one of His plans for my life is that I am to fight cancer. This is so that I can glorify and serve Him in some way. I don’t know what this way is. What He is doing, I’m sure, my simple mind cannot fathom. God is all-knowing and I am not. He is going to be GREATLY glorified through me fighting cancer. Not because I’m some great person, but because He is a great, mighty, and totally awesome God. God has my life in His hands, and He can do whatever He thinks best. I know this sounds like the best “churchy” answer, but I want you to know that this came straight from my heart.<br /><br />Yes, I am not comfortable, I hurt, I’m not sleeping very well, but God is doing what He needs to do through my life. People are being drawn closer to God through this; His will is being done. That is the most important thing right now. I will endure pain for Him; He has endured the ultimate for me. The Lord is working through all this and HE WILL BE GREATLY GLORIFIED!!!!”<br /><br />-On Dec 10 Christian Surfers sent an email to Micah to encourage him that his story would be going around the world through CS and that it would bless and challenge many. His Dad said that it put a huge smile on his face and he said, "I told you God was going to use this cancer for His glory." That was the last email he read. On Dec 12 Micah went home to be with his Savior.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-76629954413744867652009-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:002009-10-30T16:01:26.490-07:00Moving day! In all honesty its been moving "week". I used to be able to do so much more. Now to avoid overdoing it everything is stretched out. Guess there's a lesson in patience there somewhere that I'm still struggling to get. Anyway, we spent last weekend painting. Just Chrystal's room and two walls in the dining area, a project nonetheless. I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to but we did it together as is everything in our lives now and that makes it special. But now as our date to be out of the old apartment approaches I am finding it hard to keep my eyes dry. I am definitely excited about our move, my life as a wife and mother, another chapter written by God himself. Yet, as I pack and remove photos off the walls I can't help but remember all the other chapters written here that make us who we are today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Chrystal and I have been in this apartment since she was five (ten years). She went to first through sixth grade across the street. I still remember the last day of sixth grade, I watched her walk across the street from the bedroom window for the last time. Oh, I cried that day. She was growing up and I felt like I had missed so much already. She learned to swim in this pool. I still have it marked on the calendar the day she swam from one end to the other and the day she swam underwater to "touched the drain". When we first moved in she couldn't even touch the faucet on her own. I remember the day she said 'look' and I turned to see her hand stretching to show me she could finally do it.<br /><br /><br /><br />We've had wonderful neighbors moved in and summers filled with playing down at the pool with everyone. Some of those same neighbors have moved out, all along promising to keep in touch. It never happens. Guess God has filled thier new lives too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We were here when 911 happen. I remember holding her very tight that night, I think she even slept in bed with me when we could sleep.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We were living here when Tov and I started dating. In fact October 28 was the day that I told him I'd go on a date with him and today is the anniversary of our first date five years ago. Then the big one, just three months ago I walked out of this door a "Miss" and came back a "Mrs." <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We've had broken teeth, a broken arm and a fall down the stairs here. We've had laughter and tears, arguments and forgiveness. So much love has flowed in this place. Christmas', Thanksgivings, birthday parties!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I had my back injury and two years off of work in this place. Two years with no income. Ten years as a single mom struggling back from a life of addiction and stupid choices, wanting more then to live for just today. And that was the one that got me this morning, I found God here. Through it all, He has been with me. Even in my unbelief He stood beside me. I still remember the day I believed again, I was in the hallway when I heard God speak and fell to my knees with tears streaming down my face in shame and then gratitude. And through this memory I realized that not only did Chrystal grow up here, I did too. The realization of how deep God's love is brings me to see how much I need and depend on Him. How the Lord alone has carried me all this time. And I can't wait to see how these next chapters unfold.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-46153319259059044472009-10-01T14:58:00.000-07:002011-12-29T10:46:54.944-08:00<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>Winter weather, coffee good,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>warms my insides like it should.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>Starbucks counter near I stand,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>with some money in my hand.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>Quiver as my turn draws near,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>cookies and muffins, I tremble with fear.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>Just coffee is all I need,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>my sweet tooth I shall not feed.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>One minute then I'm free,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>but a scone under glass my eyes do see.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>Excape is useless from this crutch,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;"><strong>coffee and scone I love too much.</strong></span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-73292522215277506122009-08-27T15:34:00.000-07:002011-12-29T10:46:22.795-08:00"As One"<span style="font-size: 130%;">This has been amazing. So different from anything you can imagine. Everyone keeps asking us how it is to be married, or how's things are going. And its all good but very different in a good way. It's hard to explain. Marriage feels magical. When God says you are joined as one flesh, you are very literally one. And you just don't know until you are experiencing the miracle. I can't wait to see what years of knowing one another will bring. How much more deep and intimate our relationship will become. I knew this man loved me with all his heart, but I am ashamed to say I didn't know his heart was this enormous. I would've never dated him had I not known how precious his heart was and his love for the Lord. Never could I have dreamed it was this intense. I feel so warm and taken care of, peaceful and protected, comforted and whole. Oh my goodness, how can I ever stop praising God for this joyfulness He alone has given to us. It's only because of Jesus' love for us that we are able to love in return. Wow! I am left speechless just looking at my life right now, especially compared to where I've been. Only the true love of our creator could bring such...fullness in my soul. Thank you Father.</span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-35115426672086386512009-08-03T11:08:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:44:27.357-07:00How do I share my excitement? I am five days away from being join as husband and wife to the man I prayed for. Its almost like I told God what I was looking for and He molded this man into that and more. How do I declare what God has done for me, how He is blessing me, how He is knocking my socks off as we speak? I have no misnomers about how tough marriage can be. I've been watching others and studying God's word for the answers. My biggest fear is that I will disappoint this man I love, even disappoint Jesus my savior in how I treat my husband. My love had some good insight into this, he told me its guaranteed that we will at some point let each other down, but that fear is good. It shows we care deeply for one another and for the Lord. <br /><br />Father, may we always look to please you. Not wanting to please our own desires but to do your will alone. May loving one another the way you have intended all along be so fulfilling we desire nothing else. Lord, bless this week ahead, our plans, our family, those attending and those who can not make it. Our fondest wish and hope is to glorify you in all that we do. May others see that in our actions, may we be quick to see our failings, quick to ask for forgiveness and even quicker to forgive. Father, I can hardly sit still. Please also help me to work well this week, to work as though I was working for you and not for man. I can never thank you enough, and yet you bless me just the same. Use me today, may any interuptions to my days and plans be those of opportunity to share your truth. Prepare my heart to receive all that you have to give. Thank you Lord. Amen.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-88716381560903680232009-07-15T14:45:00.000-07:002009-07-16T09:42:09.969-07:00<em>1' "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." 1 Peter 4:16.<br /><br />Perhaps the greatest secret of the saints of old was-<br />- their ability to praise God amid the afflictions of life.<br /><br />Saint Francis de Sales-<br />- once wrote to a friend who was undergoing stresses at home, saying:<br /><br />"The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him; and if sometimes you are put out and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure." '<br /></em><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is great! God never told us bad stuff won't happen. But what He does want from us is an attitude in our heart and our outward actions that say, 'Things stink right now, but I know that God is in control and that means I'm going to be fine." God doesn't want us to hide that fact that tough times are with us either. How is anyone else going to know that tough times happen to Christians too. Its just that as believers in Christ we should have a hope of better things to come, a look about us that's not stressed out but trusting that our God is bigger than our problem.<br /><br />When I had a back injury and was suffering through alot of pain a wonderful friend put it this way for me, she said that God uses our situation to show others how they should act in similar situations. That just freed me up so much. Instead of being struck down with an injury God was using me. Me of all people, to be an example to someone else. That is how we glorify God. Not by hiding our failings, not by saying we're ok when we're not, instead by going through it with grace and tact and humility knowing that God has such a bigger plan for us than we know.<br /><br />I believe it is in James that the bible says to count it all joy when trouble comes. That's because we tend to see the trouble and not the lesson, we feel the pain and think there is no end. And that's ok too, but after you find yourself on this path...dust yourself off and walk forward toward the light. God doesn't love your neighbor more than you, He loves us all the same. And the coolest part is that He loves the one who doesn't believe as much as He loves the believer. God is the author of our lives, what we see as trouble, the Lord sees as opportunity. Change your perspective and you can change your life.</span><br /><br /><em>1) Taken from "My Manna" July 4, 2009</em>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474639615537645996.post-19632545866315635832009-06-29T11:54:00.000-07:002009-06-29T12:01:41.963-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>These three things I pray: </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>to see Thee more clearly, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>love Thee more dearly, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>and follow Thee more nearly.</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>These three things I pray for each one of us: </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>that God would live and thrive in our lives daily, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>to know that everything good comes from the Lord, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><em><strong>that each of us would recognize how blessed we are.</strong></em></span></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999274631883455390noreply@blogger.com0