I am so grateful.

These are the things I am thankful for:

1) Knowing who I am in Christ.

2) For My wonderful, hard-working husband and my two baby boys.

3) For my extended family who I love to laugh and live life with.

4) For my stay-at-home job.

5) For my husband’s growing business.

6) For the smooth transition to a new city full of opportunity.

7) For the many family members that will be traveling to our home to share our Thanksgiving holiday.

8) For life’s experiences….I feel that we have grown as a family this year.

9) For true friends.

10) For health, love and peace.

These are just some of the things I am so excited about. Thank you Lord for being with me every step of the way. Thank you for all that you do and all that your going to do. The year of favor is nearing…I can feel it. The goosebumps give way to a new understanding. The heart skips a beat in light of new horizons. The butterflies flutter and as always naturally find their way to beauty and prosperity. A spirit of fulfillment and contentment is rediscovered, however this time with dignity. Lord you are my all. I love you.

My Birthday Dinner

 My husband is so so so sweet. On my birthday, Nov 4th, he made me a chocolate cake all by himself, how romantic is that. Then he suprised me later on that evening by taking me out to a restuarant I had been eyeing….an Italian place, my favorite type of food. It was yummy, we tried the Chicken Mustard plate….sounded bitter but was totally the opposite. The chicken was served over a bed of garlic-buttered noodles….oh so tasty. The mood was so nice…a dimm place with a candle at our table…the Italian music and the artistry mimicking Italy. I love this place, would definately recommend this spot for a romantic getaway date, its called Pompeii Italian Grill. Thank you honey, I love you.

Halloween Fun

For Halloween we had pizza and went trick-or-treating down our neighborhood. We didn’t have to go too far until the little one’s bags became full. Michael unforunately was working. Nonetheless our bunch had a great time. Denise dressed up as a crazy Doctor, Isaac was a punkrocker  , I was a grecian goddess, Solomon was a ninja , Benjamin was a little pirate (by the way he got the special treatment from all the neighbors…more candy because he looked so cute), Olivia was a dead-bride, Skye was a beautiful fairy and last but not least Davina was a zombie Doctor. The weather was perfect, a cool breeze and lots of trick-or-treaters down the street. This is a pic of our first stop…sPoOkY….We had a mixture of both tricks and treats. My night didn’t end so pleasantly….as soon as we came home I became ill with a stomach virus. Just about everyone in the household had it days before…& I unfortunately had to get it last!!! Anyhow, our Halloween experience was a good one. I think I had more fun dressing everyone up to play their part. Thats it for now. Love you all.

Inspired

Man o Man….I am loving this temperature change! Today it was in the low 70’s…..YES!!! This is my absolute favorite time of the year. Time to gear up for Fall clothes.

Yesterday I had to stop by the office and drop off some paperwork.  As I stepped outside of my car, I felt the cool air brush through my hair, while the warm sun beamed down on my face. A familiar feeling evolved way down deep within my soul, touched my heart and created a sweet smile on my face. A feeling that cannot be described in one sentence. I believe that was the Holy Spirit. No matter where I go, where I am or what I do, You are there…always watching always protecting. This is not about religion, its about relationship. It has been an eye-opening experience. I will not accept Jesus second-hand, I want to know Him personally. If you are offended, you have not reached that understanding. I don’t want to hear religion at its best, whatever that is! I don’t want to be a part of the culture, the viscious cycle. I know Christ and thats all I care to know.  Arrogance….NO…confidence in Christ is what it is all about. Now I do have mentors who are near and dear to my heart that I will always go to when I seek advice, however these are genuine people who have been there, done that and have gotten the T-shirt. I can’t stand when someone can speak advice when they have never even experienced life themselves. Life is when you can overcome the curveballs it throws at you, of course with God’s help. I’m not talking about overcoming a  broken nail or throwing a fit because the color of the walls doesn’t match the rest of the decor or being so obsessed with your loss of hair that you try a different hairstyle that screams “old-fogie trying to be young again.”  Come on people!!! Get a grip, wake up and hear a druggie/drunk going cold turkey….hear a young girl pleading her case at the Medicaid office to approve her child, “she’s starving, she hasn’t eaten all day”…..or why not volunteer at the Women’s shelter and see the faces of battered women and hear the fear in their voices…or how about talking someone out of suicide…or being the voice of a sexually abused child in court. Step out of your circle of safety sometimes (not always)  and see if you can really hang with what “other” people are dealt with in life. You’d be amazed at how you would come back and define the word content. Your appreciation for what you have would far exceed your previous beliefs or expectations. People are so caught up in the rat-race or as I like to say, keeping up with the Jones’, MAN just love your life, love yourself and love others. The favor will come back ten-fold.

Peace out,

My daily dosage.

By day the Lord directs His love, at night his song is with me, a prayer to the Lord of my life.

Psalm 42:8

God, I want to praise you for all the things you are teaching me. Holy Spirit surround me and help me to remain in your shadow always. It is late tonight… as I walk over to my children’s room while they sleep and over to my husband as he works on his computer I feel a sense of wholeness, a sense of peacefulness and a sense of belonging. I am moved, my spirit is encouraged and I know that God holds me in his arms.

I recall at the age of thirteen looking out of an apartment window in New Orleans, LA watching the rain pour down fiercely….my heart ached… the rain a reflection of my life. I didn’t understand the things that were going on in my life at that time. I had suicidal thoughts. It was then at that moment I felt my Heavenly Father’s arms embrace me, my head resting on His chest….how I cried and cried that night.  Somehow God showed me He was never going to leave me and that I would never feel alone. I cannot describe how much that night changed me, nor can I describe how I actually felt God’s embrace…I just did. Lord, I know that you remember that night, thank-you, thank-you so much, my heart is forever yours. I love you. I know that you will never leave me nor forsake me.

A New Season

As we approach a new season, a new season of life also approaches for my family and I.  It has been an emotional ride, however I assure you the end has been ever so sweet. Since the change ocurred I knew there would be a light not only at the end of the tunnel but as we traveled through that tunnel. I know this is not the end. The daylight embarks and slowly awakens me to fresh air, fresh ideas and fresh thoughts. I am thrilled at the possibilities. I know now that God was only protecting us from something that will be unveiled within time. Time will definately take its toll and define the thin line of what is right and what is wrong and what clearly defines those boundaries. It is jaw-dropping to discover how many birdies will sing after the fact. God is slowly weeding out those with prudent and humble hearts only to preserve just that.

SPEECHLESS

I am aw-struck….no words can possibly describe how I feel as I stand back and watch God’s hand move in our lives. I will be honest, it has been several years Isaac and I have asked God the question of “where’s our miracle?” Time and time again, we would hear about somebody being blessed in a huge way, wether their mortgage was paid off by an anonymous person, someone was healed completely of a terminal illness, and well you get the picture! Isaac and I were of course happy for them, but there was just something that was missing….I wanted to be a part of a miracle and have my own testimony…ultimately giving God the praise. It something that grows you as a Christian, well to be upfront, I don’t think I had done much growing for those past couple of years. So here we are, and I will say it again….in the midst of a miracle. Its not by my works but that of a divine and preordained doing. God knows exactly when and what time is perfect……He sure does.

Today another piece of that miracle happened. Now that we are moving to San Antonio this Friday, we realize that we more than likely will need another vehicle to fit the bigger city. We were fine with one vehicle in Corpus, but yeah that won’t last over there very long. Well Isaac had sent out an email today to close friends and family to inquire if anyone knew of anyone else possibly selling a vehicle, you know that type stuff. Later on that day Isaac got a call from a good friend and stated he heard we were looking for a vehicle…..he also said he wanted to give us his vehicle for whatever price. His exact words were, “Whatever you decide, cut that figure in half and we have a deal, I’ll accept as little as a dollar or as much as a dollar.” Now I have seen his vehicle before and its very nice, excellent condition. I have no words to say other than that I think I don’t have any nails left. I have been biting them, anxious to write this post. I am moved beyond words. God bless this couple in an unbelievable way, a way that only you can. Thank you so much for bringing friendships into our lives like this one.

The Miracle continues….

Oh man am I on cloud 9…..& it’s all because of the good Lord. God you are awesome and I know you are orchestrating everything. Your timing is so so perfect. Today just put things over the top.

It all began a couple of weeks ago. I had put a buz in my boss’s ear about me possibly moving to San Antonio, was not for sure at the time, but just wanted to be up-front with her from the beginning. I am surprised she took it very well. Now I have to give a shout out to my boss, she is an amazing person, I love her. Her name is Martha and she has always had my back since my college years. We go back, I actually did my internship under her supervision. Anybody who knows me, knows I absolutely love my job. I work from home, my job provided me with a laptop. I am an Outreach Counselor and my primary responsibility is to educate Medicaid recipients and to enroll them under managed care. I always say, “I have my cake and I eat it too!” I have the best of both worlds. I am productive in my career and productive as a mother/wife, and that to me screams success. Yes I am patting myself on the back, heck I worked hard to get here, so why not! Well anyhow, lots of changes lately….I have to admitt I was saddened to be leaving my job…..even more so….what would I do for medical coverage for my family. As some of you may know, my husband is launching his business in San Antonio, and yeah there is no money for insurance right now….so what to do??? I started talking to God about it and questioning things, but I knew He would come through, He always has.

Well, my boss, assured me, “You let me know when you do move to San Antonio and I will contact the Regional Manager in that area and see if there is a position available for you.” I thought that was so kind and considerate of her. So things were moving right along….got approved for the house and now the date is set……so I let her know that the 15th of August would be my last day. She got on the phone, called the San Antonio supervisor and was also in communication with her supervisor up in Austin. Martha got back to me and asked if I would be available for a phone interview with the SA supervisor on Friday (today) @ 8:30 a.m. Of course I said yes! The interview went well. I received an email a couple of hours later informing me that the job was mine! What made me feel extra special was that San Antonio did not have a position available, however because of my boss’s recommendation and high compliments, they made an exception. SA sup also made it a point to say, “We all agree that you are a good worker and we don’t want to lose you.” Not only that, it is more pay and all of my family will have excellent health and dental coverage. It is the same job, it will be home-based. I just want to cry. Thank you Lord, for always being there for me.  

Needless to say, Isaac and I went out on a date to celebrate. It was nice to spend quality time with my husband. I am so proud of him, he has truly come a long way. I can see his excitement and his readiness for something huge. He’s ready, we’re ready for God’s abundance. God you know the plans…..make them happen, to God be the glory.

“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward!”

Another week, another, day, another hour, another minute. What will you chose to do with your time? My sister-in-law, Denise was over the other day and quoted me the title of this post. I liked it, she said she heard it on T.V. I don’t think I heard anything else after that, (sorry Denise), but those words spoke to me.

 It’s so true. No matter how many times I have been shoved or pulled, I will move forward and not on my strength alone, but with my Heavenly Father’s help. My family and I are seeing better days. It’s amazing how God slowly reveals the whole picture to you day by day.

We went to San Antonio two weeks ago with every intention to view a listing of 10 houses I had researched. The realtor emailed me the night before and stated another house had just come on the market that day. She emailed me some pictures of it, it was beautiful, however I wanted to see it for sure before making a descision. We made arrangements to meet her at that one house before we moved on to see the rest. So we packed in the car, myself, Isaac, Denise and her husband. At first, we were like, “where in the world are we!” But then the long road led to several subdivisions where the neighborhoods looked friendly, inviting and peaceful. We then turned down the street where the house was located. Symphony music came on as we parked in front of the home. B-E-A-Utiful!!! We walked in and the outside was just as nice as the inside. A two-story, 2600 square foot home, with two living areas and a large kitchen. That is all I need!!! Needless to say, I fell in love.  Here is the picture of our new home, we were approved last week. The move date is August 10th.  Thank you God, I know the best is yet to come.

Gratitude

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a lamp unto my path.” 

Psalms 119:105

This  is the verse that sustains me.  Yesterday was just one of those days where I felt everything and everyone was against me.  To be a Christian is to endure hardships and to trust that God holds the answers. In the end these struggles will bring you closer to the Father, resulting in Him receiving all the glory and praise. Sometimes people get caught up in the glamour of it all, yet Christ is far from that. Some people get lost in image and “high stature”, yet forget every speed bump that allowed them to slow down and enjoy the fruit. Yes, people can be very disappointing, but I just have to be reminded that I live and serve an amazing God who will accept me for who I am. No family, no friend, no church, no professional could ever do what Christ did for me and for the rest of the world. It is to Him, I owe my gratitude, my heart….my everything.

God I see you, I feel you….you have not changed since the days of my youth. Revive the spiritual ferverence in my life as if were the day you came into my heart. I love you Lord.