Thanksgiving

Wow - Here it comes!!!! One of those days that make you go . . . Awwww family/friends!

Sunday was an incredible day to be so honest and speak and LAUGH - which I love and I didn't loose my bladder (Jen Wah, John B & Brett D ;-P) in the process even while carrying a child 8 months. We were able to just reflect, be serious and LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH!!!! It was Great! It has made me remember so many a Thanksgivings over my very, very short life.

Like the ones with Family (blood and spiritually) it is just so refreshing to reflect. The ones that stick out tonight are: The year of the Cornish Hens when Mya was just a wee babe - when we didn't have. Or how about the ones we have shared in many homes of our spiritual families who wrapped us with LOVE as a couple, a small family or now as a large family. One that we have LOVED was one that we made our (Kent & I's) first Bird Yum! Or the one that the girls still talk about because they were all able to remember is the one in our first purchased home -HERE. They still ask to make that same exact meal - YIKES and Tee Hee!!! I think it is because they remember the picture attempts. :-) Or the ones when Lesa and I were deep into talking cowgirl stuff and we (as a young couple with two wee ones) went out to her parents home to be with all of their family. They have known us deeply since 1988. Or the first one I had with the KLUNDTs and laughed so hard I did wet my britches and learned many new recipes to use with our family. I remember the ones growing up with my little Spanish/Mexican Family and ALWAYS having a stranger in the house but neither they or us knew that they were strangers that was just Little Gram'ma & Pompi's way. Oh how we had a "PLETHORA" of not only turkey and all the trimmings but the Frejoles, Fitheo, Spanish rice, munjuellos, torts, papas, pork Chile, sopapillas, biscuichitos, and the special Sparkling Cider for everyone, along with the sounds of pressure cookers, laughter, shewing of the children to "go play", and the many "mini children's tables" everywhere. And Lil' Gramma always wondering out loud "Joedi (Pompis' pet nickname) Did we forget anything ? - I know we did!!!" concern. The many others I could go on and on and on about with in our 21 years together with many of you since we wed. They are ALL very special! Last year . . . was in the freezing cold outdoors but the warmth of a very comfortable family atmosphere that made us appreciate FAMILY near and far once again! My heart strings have been woven with many of YOU in some way through these fast years and for that I am THANKFUL! Many of Thanksgivings have been imprinted on our hearts because in Ministry we often are here where ministry has brought us an now many of YOU are a part of our family - THANK YOU~!!!

As Mommy often told me, "Blood is thick" (spoken in Spanish) and through Jesus Christ it is even thicker! I know it is fast pace - but these are just "snap shots" of the WHY

I LOVE Thanksgivings and Christmas TIME!!! I have much to be Thankful. Jesus who called me, and died for me, and allowed my life to intersect with everyone of YOU over the past 40 + years. Some who are now with my precious Lord in Heaven and those I still have the opportunity to be with NOW and those still I have yet to meet - That is part of my THANKSGIVINGS!

Lord Willing . . . I will get to see you one more time before I go HOME to be in Heaven but if not; God Bless you all and Keep you - I am THANKFUL for YOU!!!!

Thought provoking

Interesting and thought provoking. I love what I do for a living however, this year it has been a struggle because it is all about perspectives. Oh . . . . Like . . . . the incredible reliving the past in a new set of soft souled shoes.

Let me explain. I remember fresh out of college and ready to turn the world upside down only for the AWESOME Lord of all creation to allow us to be put on a T I M E constraint on HIS clock of no time really. :-) 2 years of corresponding in written form, many phone calls and messages (a moment when cell phones where in suitcases and magnetic antennas to attach to your vehicles roof or trunk) left on answering machines, and continual waiting a call to come through our literal phone line to employ us for ministry. Then when the "call" did arrive when after anticipation and preparations were finalizing to go east. Perspiration & realization therefore drawn to our knees, we were granted the decision of going south instead - in faith to reside temporarily and intern a summer awaiting a vote to accept us full time in the fall 3 months later. During that early move Jehovah opened our womb and different prayers - the calling to be a "homemaker" one income family. Both moves were found in continual rooted faith supplication - PRAYER. The best calling we answered to both. Ministry and preparations for a family based on remaining home with the child who had been given from Heaven when it arrived knowing full well that HE would provide.

Now 17 1/2 years later . . . The wonderful blessing returns; the souls of my shoes, proverbially speaking, are a bit more worn with experience but the same joy of AWE! Many prayers, body aches literally ;-p, and the growth of new life granted once more leaves me in a joy of perplexity. May this child and I remain home together (once again for me) to answer what I believe to be a woman's highest calling and responsibility- THE RAISING OF A CHILD -?

Interesting and thought provoking. I was able to go over some fantastic curriculum preparation this week for a children's church program. the story . . . (drum roll please) . . . Genesis 18 - 19. Three very special visitors was part of the focus point. I was teaching due to a "change" in substitute teachers. All week preparing, analysing, reviewing, meditating and soaking (okay, with a bit of stress to be adequately prepared so they would remember the reality of GOD to apply to now only to have too much material and run out of time) only to have an Aha moment when it was all done. Although I am not laughing but joyously smiling, God is faithful in his promises. I know the story and so do you - he provided and blessed even when 'age' seemed "over the TOP" then. I bring this only to share that He is blessing and providing every breath that I take - while the baby growing, moving, kicking, hiccuping, stretching, etc., etc., etc., will be taken care of - and through the last six and one half months (the time when we were excitedly waken with the realization that our quiver would be full with one more ;-} little one) of intersession. The Lord has given once again - we thank him profusely and anticipate great things kingdomly speaking. We trust, we follow, we obey and I know without a shadow of doubt he is providing the means to get to raise yet once again this child while staying at home. :-)



Interesting and thought provoking - JOY.

Awed but not dismayed

"Awesome". I remember in the late 80's when a very dear couple; whom I admire their walks with Jesus Christ, spoke up and said the word "awesome" truly only belongs to GOD - The "I AM" (my input)- the Creator. I pondered that in my very young christian mind and asked for further explanation on our way to a mission in a very hot July.

To be Awed is truly a reverence that really is from the depths with in the marrow of my being and it does belong only to HIM, my Jehovah. I was so frustrated why the believers didn't rally and take a 'stand' but then after looking at Tia when she asked why does the "electoral votes out way what looks like the majority, Mom". I realized that now it was a time to talk to her about God's complete plan and he is yet in TOTAL CONTROL. We talked. Then after everyone turned in for the evening and I had reawakened - I pondered even further.

For example the control of how it is so easy to take the road that "seems" easy. How God is sovereign! "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit YOU will recognize them." (Matt. 13-16a) and "Even a child is known by his ACTIONS, by whether his conduct is PURE & RIGHT. Ears that hear and eyes that see - the LORD has made them both." (Proverbs 20:11-12) there are many things about His comfort that allows me not to be dismayed. And after early Tuesday morning I drew upon his promises. Especially since I have been in the book of Ezekiel with my daily reading (and -OUCH, Wow - very eye opening) seeing God's mighty hand. God doesn't look at the "outward" appearances as man does (nor the skin color). Praise Him for that. I say that very openly since I am a minority and not ashamed to just be HIS CHILD like many other wonderful "SAINTS" in my life all around the globe with every skin color he created!!!

So now I have a new president - elect to pray for fervently- since he is blind to TRUTH at the moment! As well as many others to come to Jesus Christ in a way that will allow the Harvest to be gathered fully during the next four years as God intends it to be. Like every where else in the Globe, where people are realizing the gospel message for the first time by the masses, God is in total control!!! This election not only effected us but the globe. Now God is AWESOME to open the opportunity we have to share the gospel through what lies ahead. Frustrated - yes. But only God is Omnipotent, Omniscient & Omnipresent and he is in complete control despite what seems different. Therefore only in Him can I be Awed but not dismayed. Reassured that he is always with his children in all circumstance. I know he knew about November 4 and the outcome to allow his children to become more focused on HIM and to know there is absolute TRUTH.