Reduce me to love

Transition

2012-02-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

My boys are growing up... yes I am happy and sad at the same time. I am nervous and secure. Afraid and trusting. Excited and sad. All of those emotions, rushing through me. But I have been a mom of young boys for so long I need to learn how to make the transition to be a mom of older boys (young man and teen agers), later on, how to be a mom of adult men.

WOW! when I had them, this time seemed so far away, almost as if it was never going to come. But here I am, facing a different stage of my life.

So I got a book (still waiting for it) called: You Never Stop Being a Parent (recommended to me by my sister). Well as I wait for it to arrive, I am noticing how much I need it. I need to learn to do a healthy transition and to have a "more adult relationship" with them as they grow up. Learn what they like now as their tastes change, their personalities mature, their conversations are deeper and their opinion needs to be heard and considered even more (because, they do have great things to say with views I never though and opinions I never considered).

I am reading the Bible this week and this is what I read in 1 Thes. 2:11-12:
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

It says it as if it is something natural for a father to do this with their children: encouraging, comforting and urging them to live lives worthy of God. I would like to think of myself as if this is the way I deal with my children all the time, but more times than I wish, I deal with them in a "not so godly way". I show them not as much grace as God has shown me or even as much grace as they have shown me.

If I can keep these 3 things in mind every day, I think my transition will be easier. I may have to write them on a wall or place them i a place that I will be reminded often so I do not forget.

Encourage, Comfort and Urge them to live lives worthy of God.

The difficulty, is that you want to still parent your adult children but your children are adults or growing to be adults themselves! I need to learn to respect their different opinions, acknowledge that they can teach me things and admire them, agree that sometimes we will have different points of view, different likes and different ideas. The only thing that does not change is the Lord. But adapting to our new growing kids is hard. I am blessed to have the children I have, very forgiving and patient with me. They let me learn and make mistakes. Accept that what they used to love as young kids, maybe they do not like as much any more, and be humble and watchful of my words all the time. These are future men.

This transition is one that I am learning, but I want to learn it, watch others that have successfully done this transition and learn from them. Having a good and healthy relation with them where they are safe to talk and know that they are listened. Specially (not sure if specially) boys, they will be heads of their families, bread winners, teachers of their homes, ... I need to equip them. The Lord needs to equip them, and I am grateful for books and helps I can get my hands on to help me in the process.

So as for now, may the Lord give us wisdom as we move from one stage to the next in our lives.

Can't wait to get my book!

Reading?

2012-02-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness.
Is. 5:20

The good will be seen as bad and the bad will be seen as good. Never realized in how many ways this is true and happening more and more every day. We see it obvious in many ways. Yet in others, is more settled.

These days, kids are not taught too hard, education itself is water down. Books that our kids are asked to read are very simple and with so little value in them. Nothing profitable in them, nothing to push for a higher way of thinking... and if you ask the teachers, or parents, the answer is: "Well, at least they are reading!" So the standards have lowered, the high view of children and youth, is not so high anymore. "As long as they are happy" is the new motto, with a high self esteem, and praise them for everything even things that are not worth praising. So the low level of education is good as long as they are happy people. On the other hand, we see that the "bad" is exalted and given an incredible amount of value.

The importance of teaching and let them being exposed to drugs, teen sex, bullies, same sex relations, parties, ... is OK, after all, we cannot shelter them too much, right? They need to know, they need to be exposed and make their own opinions and choices.

Yet, sadly, these kids of today, have no opinion of their own, other than the one expressed by their peers, media and the system, selling them ideas that if they disagree in any way, they are consider ignorants, or intolerant. So really, they have no apparent option other than to agree.

How can one have an opinion on issues on abortion for example if you ask them basic questions about the human body and they have no idea. How can they have the smallest sense of opinion, when everything they hear is made to put down the opposite side. Isn't it way easier for a young boy or girl to go with the crowd than to educate himself ? And if he decides to educate himself, then he is expected to be called "ignorant".

Having an opinion is way more than just follow what the majority thinks. Having an opinion, involves reading, reading good literature... educating the mind.

The Greeks and Romans, saw children as "future adults", and wanted to train them in that way and filled their minds with literature and knowledge. In the middle ages, the view of children was not as high specially if you were poor... you were to work in the trade of your parents, so reading ... was not in the agenda. Later, with the Puritans, the importance of the soul was so heavy for them, that wanted even children to learn to read so that they could read the Bible for themselves, understand it and repent. Now a days, as long as they are reading - we are happy. The education of the mind or soul has little value... entertainment is number one on parents and teachers' lists.

No more reading for "learning and pleasure"... now, is just pleasure and if it has anything to learn from it, is a bonus.

Lets help our children think for themselves. Train them well, educate them. Just because they are reading, is not enough! What are they reading should be of great importance in our minds. Do not adopt the standard of the world but take the standard of Jesus. Growing in knowledge and understanding before men and God.

Friends

2012-02-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

One of my many blessings ...

I have surrounded myself trough out my life with godly women, and it has been a great blessing to me. It helped me to grow and mature in different areas. And as I grew older, I was very careful on who was going to be close to me, because I knew the influence a friend can have on a person.

- Be careful to pick your friends well. Pick those you admire in some way. They will have mistakes, but those traits that you admire and want to learn, pay close attention to those!

- Be friends of those you can talk about the Lord freely. That you can be excited to share what you read last night and to hear what she read last night. What the Lord is dealing with you.

- Avoid those women that complain easily, they will drag you down very quickly. They could be very nice people, but complaining ones are very damaging to a friendship.

- If they speak well of their husbands and love their children... stick to them! It is contagious!

- Are they passionate about the Lord or they love to read good doctrine, learn from them.

- Can you laugh with them? or is it all serious all the time? For me, I love to have a good laugh, have a tea, some munchies, paint my nails crazy and just have fun. Yet with the same person, I can pray the next second.

- Some friends will be those that you see very often, some you will see once in a while, but friends that are worth keeping, keep! make an effort to continue their friendship, learn the good, find the good, admire them, keep them in your prayers so that the Lord bless them so that you may continue to be blessed through them.

- Do you disagree doctrinally with some? it is OK!, they will encourage you to seek the Scriptures on hard topics. Do they ask you about your heart? Do they motivate you to learn more?, then, keep them!

- One important thing, LEARN from them. Do not be so quick to be the one who want to "teach" them, but look for the things you need to learn and be humble enough to learn from them.

- Share them ... do not be so possessive over your friends that it becomes a burden to them or to you.

- Over the years, I have had many friends that have influenced my life greatly, I could name each and the things they have taught me.. I have thought of writing a post on it, yet I am afraid it will be so long and that I will miss someone! The list is growing.. and some of those friends have been in my life for so little time, and yet, I still remember the impact in my life. Yet I might write the names with the blessing they have been to me in a note book, so I can add people as I remember them.

What a great book of thanks giving that will be!
So to all my friends and sisters, that have impacted my life and to help me grow and to love me in spite of me, for praying and for being so patient with me all these years, and for my newer friends that I am so blessed to know now (some not in person yet) thank you!

Sandwiches

2012-01-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

Came up with this recipe. I thought it would be worth posting (due to peer pressure!)
"Chicken Sandwiches"
You will need:
Grilled egg plant in oil
Garlic spread (Renee's Cesar salad dressing)
Chicken breasts thin and grilled
Mozzarella cheese
Tomato
Spinach passed through the pan quickly with salt and pepper
2 nice thick sliced bread
butter

Heat all ingredients and make your sandwich... use the butter to heat them up (like a grilled cheese)
And serve hot!
a nice soup on the side would go great with them.
enjoy!

The Lord's Supper

2012-01-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

I acknowledge myself unworthy, utterly unworthy of the honour; unfit, utterly unfit for the service to which I am now called. It is an inestimable privilege, that I am permited so often to hear from Thee in Thy word, and to speak to Thee in prayer: and yet, as if it had been a smaller matter, In am now invited into communion with Thee at Thy holy table, there, to celebrate the memoprial of my Savior's death, and to partake by faith of the precious benefits which flow from it. I who deserve not the crumbs, am called to eat the children's bread!

Let the blood of Christ, be sprinkled upon my conscience, to purify and pacify that... Let me be assured that Thou art reconciled to me, that my iniquities are pardoned, and that I shall not come into condemnation. There (at the table) say unto me, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.
I here give up myself to Him as my prophet, Priest, and King to be ruled and taught and saved by Him; this is my beloved and this is my friend. None but Christ, none but Christ! (Matthew Henry)

As we had the Lord's Supper this Sunday... this is my deepest prayer. May I not forget!

Beauty

2012-01-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

Stretch marks that tell stories of babies inside,Gray hair that gives you the right to tell others what you really think, :)
Scars of C-Sections that help you remember,
Wrinkles adorning your face because of years of smiling,
A not perfect belly of kids that were carried and meals finished -not thrown in the garbage;
Hands that tell time,
Words that have stories to tell.

Be called mother, and sister, and maybe grandmother,
Eye circles and age spots appearing,
Your outside beauty perhaps disappearing,
Some women focus on what they start losing,
that they forget to see that the real beauty is now appearing!

The old beauty was good for the time.. but now,
enjoy your time, use it wisely,
laugh all you can, make wrinkles on your face,
have children and enjoy your stretch marks,
have gray hairs and love them!
Work on the beauty that will stay with you...
the pure heart and noble spirit.

Tell stories worth listening to,
Do not compete with beauty of young,
but let them see the beauty awaiting.
Let them desire be old one day and not fear the days to come.

So You Are Considering Home Schooling?

2012-01-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

You are considering all the options: public system. Christian school, private secular, anything! And when there is no more options, you get to the next dreadful option: HOME SCHOOLING! You hear more people are doing it, people you trust and are not weird looking! You want to do it some days and other days are the scariest thing you have ever considered. Either you will do the best for your children or you will ruin them (either way you go), so which is the best? Which way should you go? Ahhh!!!… you can struggle with this question for years and never change what you are doing. Do not worry, you are not alone. I was there and there are millions out there in your shoes. Here are some points to consider, I hope this will help you make the best choice for your children, whatever it is.

1. If you home school, you will have great days, very rewarding days, with very fun with projects and laughs, you will see your kids grow and learn from a very close view… but it will also bring the worst out of you. You will see parts of your character challenged constantly, your testimony will be very important all the time. Your kids will see your faults very clearly and you will have to learn to mould your character very often.

2. You will need to find new friends, friends that love to be with their children, that do not wait desperately for the hour when they drop them off to school so the can have a nice clean house or go for a nice quiet coffee with their friends. Your house will be used. Your floors will get dirty, you will have to sit on the floor and make a project with them, you will have to clean glitter of your nails (not because of your nail polish). Yet, your lunch time will be with very important people, your time to have deep conversations with your children will increase, you can deal with issues the moment they happen, you can pray for them and with them at any time that is needed.

3. You will face the danger of pride… thinking you are better than those families who do not like/want/can home school; you will be face with coveting (their “free” time that you do not have), you will be faced with self pity and making sure the world KNOWS what you have sacrificed for your children, so that make you a darn good mother!, you will be faced with other sins you never thought could be possible! You will want to make sure others know ALL the great things YOUR children are learning and the operas they went to and the leadership they are showing… and the list goes on and on and on…. You will feel the need to boast about your work, your children,… be careful! You will try to convince the home school world that your way of home schooling is the best

4. Your style of homeschooling will be your style. What works for me, may not work for you. Yet it is, if you home school, your responsibility to educate your children. Having a day off because of whatever reason, is OK, but waking up at 12 every day, do not take a shower and eat in bed every day, you are failing at them and the Lord and you would be better off not home schooling them. Education is a responsibility, and it may take you time to learn discipline to actually do school.

5. The amount of books, links, free links, subjects, curriculum, it is overwhelming! Be prepared to do some research before you buy, buy, buy, download, print, download, print, print, print… you will end up with many books, or material that will not be used. A waste of time and money. Peer pressure even in this will hit you: “You should teach them this, that, and that, my child at your child’s age, already know how to write in Latin, Greek and Chinese! Why don’t you see how important this is?” Buy only what you will use.

6. If your kids go to school and you want to pull them out, expect the first year to be an adjustment (yours and theirs) use this year to know each other, to learn to love your child, to adjust to having him or her around, to get used to the new noise around the house. Do not stress academically too much, but use this year to bond again, to learn the Word of God together, study it all.

7. You think, well, my child goes to a Christian school, he has Bible class every day, do you know what they are studying? Do you agree with the doctrine? Are they teaching them Bible stories or Bible doctrine? Is it their job to train your children in that area? How much time do they hear you teaching them about the Lord, His love, His wrath, His judgement, His mercy, His patience, His hate, sin, forgiveness, repentance, predestination, justification, sanctification,… Do you know these doctrines well? Do they teach them at school? Does your kid know what it means to mortify the sin? If they are teaching these at school and you are not at home, and then you have made a good choice in sending them to school but if they are not learning these at church and not at home either, then you will have to give account to the Lord for the soul of your children.

8. If you ever think homeschooling is something you cannot do, something that is for certain families, or you are worried that your kids will be alone, antisocial kids, weird looking, and living in a bubble… you have believed the view of the world. They do not live in a bubble, we talk about the Greek mythology, read it, compare the gods with the God of the Bible; we talk about homosexuality, abortion, drugs, bullying, sex, all in light of the Bible. When studying history, we study it as His-story. We see His sovereignty, His supremacy… we do not separate Bible History with history... But study it parallel from each other. We study evolution very through… and we see the lack of evidence… God will provide friends for your children. God will provide, He has to others, He will not stop now. You can study subjects together, do projects with them, organize a group, it will involve your time and energy. But they are your children and God entrusted them to you. Not to the system. To you and your husband to train them in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord.

9. Is it hard? Yes! But that is why you learn to depend EVERY day on the Lord. You cannot get out of bed without asking the Lord for His help. You will learn to trust Him in areas you never knew before. You will be humbled and realize that you are no better than any other mother! But instead, you are very weak and lack so much that if the Lord does not go before you, you cannot move. Your husband will see it, your kids will see it, you will confess sins to your children that they know already, but you can pray for each other.

10. Home schooling will try to be your life; it will want to take over, to define you. You need to keep in mind you are a servant of the Lord, a wife a mother and after that…. you teach your children at home. It is part of you, NOT who you are. Not every vacation has to be educational, if you make cookies, you do not bring math into it unless the lesson calls to make cookies… if you talk about you with someone, do not talk about how great your HS is going or how great your children are. Have other conversation subjects, be a well rounded person, do not boast but learn of others, if you make cookies, enjoy the time! If you want to make them alone, you are allowed! Have friends over and simply enjoy their company. Read, have a cup of tea/coffee…relax! Enjoy your family and learn together. You are bad at math?... no worries, ask your husband to rescue you (I do!).

11. If you think home schooling will save your children, you need to study the Word a bit more… You can dedicate all your life and energy into teaching your children to love the Lord, and yet is only the Lord who will give them love for Him. Home schooling is NOT the way of salvation. Jesus Christ is! Only Jesus can save them, only the Spirit can open their eyes. But you are required to teach them His Word. If you think they will be lost if they go to a school, no again. Neither one is a guarantee for their salvation. Will it be harder for one who goes to school? Yes. Because at such a young age, so vulnerable, not mature enough it will be very hard to persevere in the faith they are learning at home when they are being exposed most of their time to influences that will not encourage their walk but discourage it. Can they persevere? yes...with God's grace of course the can, but it will be harder. Than for one who is exposed to the Word of the Lord most of the time during their life, and when they are mature enough to stand firm in what they believe. But in both cases is only by God's grace and mercy that they will persevere.

I hope this thoughts help you with your home schooling struggle. I do not write often about this, because God knows I need to guard my heart and God knows also my weaknesses in this, so I do not mean to boast or to put you down if you do not home school. This has been an important decision in our lives and if you are struggling with this, my only intention is to help you, and encourage you. Not to debate or to exalt home schooling at any rate. It is a method, not a law.

Trust in the Lord for He is good.

2011-12-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

John Bunyan , author of The Pilgrim's Progress suffered much persecution, was imprisoned, his first wife that died, a child born blind and later died, one son was born premature and died... he knew much suffering throughout his life. At one point he was so scared to die and for the welfare of his family, that felt tempted to recant his faith. But could not do it. This is what he wrote:

"... I was greatly troubled, for I was ashamed to die as a coward with tottering knees for such a cause as this. So I was tossed about for many weeks, and knew not what to do. At last this thought came upon me with great weight: It was for the Word of God that I was imprisoned, so I determined not to flinch at all, I also thought that God could choose whether He would give me comfort now or at the hour of death, but I could not choose whether or not to hold my profession. I was bound, but He was free; yes it was my duty to stand to His Word, whether or not He would ever look upon me or save me at the last. With this thought, I was for going on, and venturing my eternal state with Christ, whether I have comfort here or not. If God does not come in, I will still leap of the ladder even blindfolded into eternity, sink or swim, come heaven, come hell. Lord Jesus, catch me if You will; if not, I will still risk my life for Thy name."

His mercy

2011-12-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed that the same sin that Lucifer committed against God which caused him to be expelled from Heaven forever, is the very same sin that he seduced Adam and his wife Eve in the garden of Eden? He knew the consequences. He hated God. He wanted us to be expelled from Heaven and suffer like him... not because he wanted us to suffer, but because he hated God. He wanted to hurt God, to ruin His plan, to bring God down from His throne and wanted to find more allies to war against God.

Lucifer, created perfect, thought he knew more than God. He did not want to stay in the position of created creature, he thought higher than himself that he ought to, he had a very high "self-esteem". He decided to not take orders from God anymore, he wanted to be the one in charge. He wanted to be like God.

He came to the garden. And the same strategy that used in Heaven, used against Adam and Eve. "You will be like God" he told them, all he had to do, was to convince them of the same rotten idea he once thought to be a great plan. And he did. The lie of becoming more than simple created creatures, thinking as something to be desired to be like Him who created them, to think that they could know more than God himself was a very attractive thought. And they believed Satan, rather than God.

What a sad day that was! To this day, I cry when I read the story of Adam's sin. To this day, my heart aches. But oh what a shock was to Satan!, what a pain it must have felt, when he realized he had no hope... yet... God had pity on us! He had no pity on him and his angels; God had pity on US!. Guilty of the same sin as Satan, guilty of the same treachery against our Creator, same penalty should have been fair and just. But He had pity on us!

Oh blessed Saviour! Oh blessed Lord!
Forbid it Lord that I should boast, forbid it Lord that I will take any credit on my salvation, that I may not see that cross and see the lamb in the place I should have been.

Oh blessed Jesus! Oh blessed day when You came! Oh blessed Redeemer! Oh blessed cross! Oh blessed resurrection!

Thank to Him that had mercy on us!

The Valley of Vision

2011-12-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

O my Saviour, Help me, I am slow to learn, so prone to forget, so weak to climb; I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights; I am pained by my graceless heart, my prayer less days, my poverty of love, my sloth in the heavenly race, my sullied conscience, my wasted hours, my unspent opportunities.

I am blind while light shines around me; take the scales of my eyes, grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief. Make my chiefest joy to study thee, meditate on thee, gaze on thee, sit like Mary at thy feet, lean like John on thy breast, appeal like Peter to thy love, count like Paul all things dung.

Give me increase and progress in grace so that there may be more decision in my character, more vigor in my purposes, more elevation in my life, more fervor in my devotion, more constancy in my zeal.

As I have position in this world, keep me from making the world my position; May I never seek in the creature what can be found only in the Creator; let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight. Ride forth in me, thou King of kings and Lord of lords, that I may liver victoriously, and victory attain my end.

Amen.

4 months

2011-11-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

4 months today... I miss you.
I miss my baby girl.
What a great hope to know that the Lord will reunite me to her one day. That we will recognize each other and worship together!
What a hope and a joy comes with sorrow fo those who love Him. As much as I miss her today, just as much I hope for the day to come. When I see my Savior!, when I see Faith... and when the tears will never return.

Can't wait!!

Lord hasten the day of your return! and prepare my heart to meet You.

Valley of the Vision

2011-11-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

"I could never have sought my happiness in thy love, unless you had'st first loved me. Your Spirit has encouraged me by grace to seek thee, has made me known to me thy reconciliation in Jesus, has taught me to believe it, has helped me to take thee for my God and portion.

May he grant me to grow in the knowledge and experience of thy love, and walk in it all the way to glory. Blessed for ever be thy fatherly affection, which chose me to be one of thy children by faith in Jesus:

I thank thee for giving me the desire to live as such.
I know but little, increase my knowledge of thy love in Jesus, keep me pressing forward for clearer discoveries of it, so that I may find eternal fullness."

Valley of the Vision

2011-11-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father, if I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize Thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings. It is Thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them. Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations, if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to Thee, acknowledging this as the highest testimony of Thy love.

When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but in Christ I am reconciled and live; that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have ability to do all things. Though now I have His graces in part, I shall shortly have them perfectly in that state where Thou wilt show Thyself fully reconciled, and alone sufficient, efficient, loving me completely, with sin abolished. O Lord, hasten that day.

Like the Sun

2011-11-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Like the sun, He is free to all. All may look at Him and drink health out of His light. If millions of mankind were mad enough to dwell in caves underground, or to bandage their eyes, their darkness would be`their own fault, not the sun. So likewise, if millions of men and women love spiritual "darkness rather than light", the blame must be laid on their blind hearts, and not on Christ. J. C. Ryle *The gospel of John.

O for a better heart! O for a heart to love God more; to hate sin more; to walk more evenly with God. Lord! deny not to me such a heart, whatever thou deny me; give me a heart to fear thee, to love and delight in thee, if I beg my bread in desolate places.
(Keeping the heart)

The Beatitudes

2011-11-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You realize you're morally bankrupt.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
You mourn because of your sin.

Blessed are the meek, for the will inherit the earth.
You become meek and humble

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
You develop a thirst to be righteous

Blessed be the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.
You become merciful realizing you deserve hell and mercy is applied

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Your purity comes from being justified as the poor tax collector who cried out, "be merciful to me oh Lord",

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
You become a peacemaker seeking the reconciliation of man to God in others and from man to man.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Then you also have to deal with persecution from the world.
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/...eatitudes.html (sermon)

2011-11-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Way of Salvation

by

J. C. Ryle
(1816-1900)

Where must a man go for pardon? Where is forgiveness to be found? There is a way both sure and plain, and into that way I desire to guide every inquirers feet.

That way is simply to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is to cast your soul with all its sins, unreservedly on Christ - to cease completely from any dependence on your own works or doings, either in whole or in part - and to rest on no other work but Christ's work, no other righteousness but Christ's righteousness, no other merit but Christ's merit as your ground of hope.

Take this course and you are a pardoned soul. "To Christ", says Peter "give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins". (Acts 10:43). "Through this Man," says Paul at Antioch, "is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." (Acts 13:38). "In Him," writes Paul to the Colossians, "we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14).

The Lord Jesus Christ, in great love and compassion has made a full and complete satisfaction for sin, by suffering death in our place upon the cross. There He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and allowed the wrath of God which we deserved, to fall on His own head.

For our sins, as our Substitute, He gave Himself, suffered, and died - the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty - that He might deliver us from the curse of a broken law, and provide a complete pardon for all who are willing to receive it . And by so doing, as Isaiah says - He has borne our sins; as John the Baptist says - He has taken away sin: as Paul says - He has purged our sins, and put away sin; and as Daniel says - He has made an end of sin and finished transgression.

And now the Lord Jesus Christ is sealed and appointed by God the Father to be a Prince and a Savior, to give remission of sins to all who will have it. The keys of death and hell are put in His hand. The government of the gate of heaven is laid on His shoulder. He Himself is the door, and by Him all that enter in shall be saved.

Christ, in one word, has purchased a full forgiveness, if we are only willing to receive it. He has done all, paid all, suffered all that was needful to reconcile us to God. He has provided a garment of righteousness to clothe us. He has opened a fountain of living waters to cleanse us.

He has removed every barrier between us and God the Father, taken every obstacle out of the way, and made a road by which the vilest may return. All things are now ready, and the sinner has only to believe and be saved, to eat and be satisfied, to ask and receive, to wash and be clean.

And faith, or simple trust is the only thing required, in order that you and I may be forgiven. That we will come by faith to Jesus as sinners with our sins - trust in Him - and forsaking all other hope, cleave only to Him - that is all and everything that God asks for. Let a man only do this, and he shall be saved. His iniquities shall be found completely pardoned, and his transgressions completely taken away.

Who, among all the readers of this paper, desires to be saved by Christ, and yet is not saved at present? Come, I beseech you: come to Christ without delay. Though you have been a great sinner, COME - Though you have long resisted warnings, counsels, sermons, COME - Though you have sinned against light and knowledge, against a father's advice and a mother's tears, COME - Though you have plunged into every excess of wickedness, and lived without a Sabbath and without prayer, yet COME - The door is not shut, the fountain is not yet closed. Jesus Christ invites you. It is enough that you feel laboring and heavy- laden, and desire to be saved. COME: COME TO CHRIST WITHOUT DELAY!

Come to Him by faith, and pour out your heart before Him in prayer. Tell Him the whole story of your life, and ask Him to receive you. Cry to Him as the penitent thief did, when He saw Him on the cross. Say to Him, "Lord save me also! Lord remember me!" COME: COME TO CHRIST!

Lv.13:13-17

2011-11-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the elder of my church read and explained this at church. I have read Leviticus before... yet when he read it, is was as if I have never read it before... seriously! I do not remember ever reading this.

Any how... it reads as follows:
"... the priest is to examine him, and if the desease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce him CLEAN. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean..."

Well, the sick person, in order to be pronounced clean, the desease had to be ALL OVER THE BODY!, showing no raw skin. He made the similarity to our sin... we have nothing to boast about... we are ALL covered.. no raw skin is exposed!.. if we see anything of "cleanness"in us... we are unclean.. we need to see ourselves covered completely. Sin from head to toe... to be clean completely! We have nothing to cling to and say: but this part was not infected... this part was ok... NO!.

How much I need this, and to be remended that NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in me, was clean.. that in order to be called "clean", I need Jesus and His blood!

Oh, His precious blood!

God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Blessings... unknown

2011-10-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

As days pass, and His grace proves to be sufficient, not because I am better but because He makes His grace to be sufficient in me; He opens my eyes to see His precious providence in a different light. When God says that we should not covet what unbelievers have or covet when it goes well for them yet we, His people, are having trials and difficulties, we still, should not to covet them... and say: why does it goes well for them and not for us!, why would you allow us to suffer? your people that love You and that You love?!.

Why? Because we need to realize that our sufferings bring perseverance and holiness, so that we may be perfect one day, fit for heaven and to understand that the blessings God gives to the ungodly brings them condemnation... just imagine! The ungodly, receive freely from God, mercies, and children, and health, and wealth... and yet, will face Him and give account. Imagine the day they will face God and hear: I gave you blessings, I provided for you, and still you hated Me!

But us, His people, will know, that it is He who gives and He who takes away.. that it is because of Him that we have all things, and that even in distress, we know Him! We know salvation from our sins. We will stand before Him covered with the blood of Christ. Justified by faith alone that once was given to us. Washed from all our iniquities, and be called His loved ones. And hear the words: My good and faithful servant, come into your rest!

Why do we covet them? why do we covet their blessings that will act as judgement one day? why do we not pity them and cry to God for their salvation even harder? it should hurt us instead of bring envy or self pity. It should make us cry on our knees pleading to God for their eyes to be opened. We should fear for them the judgement day.

Oh! that we may truly understand God's providence and thank Him for His good and His hard gifts to us... because one day, we are promised rest from all these! It would be better for them to receive nothing from the Lord than to have an abundant life here on earth and have their heaven now... it would be better to have suffering today and rest tomorrow; sorrows today and everlasting joy tomorrow; being close to the cross in the necessity than far from the cross living merry all day.

Sisters, may we treasure the cross, may we set your eyes on Christ. Be close to His feet, kissing His wounds and hoping not in vane but with assurance of that day that will come.. when our eyes will be open completely, and we will see!

Let us dwell in His Word, let us dwell in the knowledge and understanding, that the Lord bless us according to His good purpose. And He will finish the work He started. We are undone. We need Him. We need His precious providence and learn to hurt for the lost.

Affliction

2011-09-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

Affliction, we all know, is a word that many experience at different times in their lives, and at different degrees. Pain that for every circumstance and for every person feels very different. But one thing is sure, God loves His people so much, that He let us be hit by affliction in this world that we may hate it. To remind us that as shiny and pretty this place may seem, it is broken. There is nothing to cling to that will last, nothing so precious and perfect as Him. And in this, we may be sanctified. Affliction brings humility... it leaves nothing to boast about, but in Jesus Christ, specially when when people see the strength that is clearly not yours, but His. When you so desperately need Christ to be enough. When there is no hope but in the hope that He gives you every morning. When you see His mercies every morning and His faithfulness at nights, it humbles you again in gratitude.

When you feel like you hate the pain the affliction has caused you, it serves as a reminder of sin, and what sin causes, the pain, the tears, the hurt, death, the consequences, the broken dreams, ... and with this, helps you hate it, helps you want to get rid of it all... get rid of those precious sins that we treasure, those that we cling so dearly...... they are not lovable, they are just poison in pretty bottles!

Oh! that with time I don't forget this lessons! , that I may not forget and start clinging to sin again!, that my heart will truly hate sin for good and love what is holy more! It is so easy to forget, so easy to get busy with the vanities of this world and forget not so much the "how" affliction was brought to you, but the lessons and the humbleness, and the tenderness to hear and beg every day for God's mercies, depending on Him... for your next breath, for your next hour, for the next day, for the next week, for the rest of your days! I have now a scar on my belly, that serves as a reminder of the pain that we went through, BUT also, serves as a reminder of how God was so merciful to us, his providence, His love, His comfort, His patience, His teachings, the perseverance that He is giving us though this... As the Israelites used markers as reminders of the work of God for the purpose that they may not forget and they could tell their children and their children's children of the work of their God, so is this scar in me; so I can tell the generations after me, that the Lord is good!, that He is faithful and tell them about Him with confidence, because I know Him.

Time is one of God's mercies to help heal, but also, if we do not heed to His teachings and are like a quick fire that burns big but extinguishes quickly... our suffering may be in vane. But I pray, that this fire will last. I pray that no distractions will come in the way or that when they come, God will tenderly remind me of how He was sufficient for me in the time of trouble, that He will remind me of his love, His faithfulness, His teachings and that He will bring me to this place of need often, that I may not grow cold in my love for Him.

With the death of someone so dear and close to you, it is a blessing every year, every month, every time that the day of the death comes, to come to the Lord and ask to be reminded again about the reason we should die to ourselves and have more of Him and less of us. Oh what a providence of God that is! A painful providence! A providence of love!

Oh!, the wait of the day, when the exchange of tears for joy and fear for peace will happen! Oh! what a hope! what a blessing to put our eyes on that day, on Him who will make that precious exchange.

My Faith

2011-08-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Oh! how hard I find it to write this post...

I am afraid to write what I feel, and afraid not to write what I feel.

There are so many emotions rushing through me, that I find it very hard to put it into words... No one really understands what I feel, what I am going through and the excruciating pain I constantly have. People say it will not go away, but you will learn to live with it... It hurts so much, I cannot even imagine it possible to live with it.

I miss my daughter. Yes, she is with the Lord, but my limited brain cannot see that far very often... I want her now, kiss her little cheeks and dress her in tiny dresses... I wanted to hold her hand, give her baths, comfort her when crying, hear her laughs, see my sons live the dreams they had with her (they were going to be such great big brothers!!)... to see my husband so tender with his little girl... and now... I have no baby to nurse, no diapers to change, no tears to comfort but the ones of my boys that miss her so much and my tears that seem to have no end.. and an empty crib.

I had so many dreams and things I wanted to do with her. I have been dreaming about our life together since the moment I knew it was a girl. My dear Erica Faith... How much I miss you!!! I hardly knew you and yet I cannot live my life without you! Turning to God sometimes makes me miss you more, and not turning to Him, it is an impossible thing, because I need Him to get me though it every day!

All the dreams I had with Faith, were things like: cooking together, playing "mom" with her and her dolls, seeing her in those cute dresses that her closet is filled with, cuddling with her, eventually, do charity work with her, learning to be a mom of a daughter and seeing my boys playing and holding their little sister, as well as my dear husband being a dad of a girl... I saw how sweet he was going to be! And something I need to remind myself of, is that all those things, were just for us.... but now, I still can do things with her!... every time I come to the Lord and worship Him with prayer, we are worshiping our Lord together. She is there with the Lord alive and well, happy all day in His presence worshiping all day, with no tears of sadness, no cramps, not ever hungry, she never had to deal with our shortcomings, our sin, her sin, her heart, her temptations... and yet, we can worship together until the Lord will have the sweet re-union with my sweet little Faith.

I will learn to live with this, I will miss her every day... I will think of her every day of my life... since it was marked for ever as: before and after Faith came to our lives. But it will be marked I pray, as the day my heart and the heart of my children was changed to love God the more.

If the Lord in His perfect wisdom wanted me to be the instrument to bring her to Him, then may the Name of the Lord be praised. What a comfort it is, to know that this pain I feel today, and every tear I have shed for her, will be traded for joy on that day when the Lord brings me to Him. And longer than my sorrows will be, the joy will last for ever. I prayed for a baby, and He gave us one!, One daughter for eternity.

As I read not long ago, sorrow should not surprise us when he shows up.. we should be expecting it, and be ready when it comes. Being able to say: "I have been waiting for you, and I have prepared my self for the day when you show up". Sorrows will be part of this life, now I know... but as it may seem that sorrow has won a battle, I see this as a victory!.. because he lost against my Lord, my daugther is saved by grace alone and the more the trouble comes, the more God's grace, mercy and glory is manifested. His fame only grows bigger and His work in us perfectioned.

May the Name of the Lord be praised, and lets run the race with perseverance and wait patiently until that day, when our bodies will be resurrected and we'll meet with the Lord and with those that have gone ahead of us ... you'll meet my sweet girl Faith and ... we'll sin no more!

I love you Faith!

His sovereignty

2011-04-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

The doctrine of the Sovereignty of God is probably the doctrine that has impacted me the most. I learned it as an adult and it transformed my way of seeing life, Christ, His work, my life, my trials, every area of my life was dramatically changed by this doctrine. And with it many other doctrines became so precious to me.

There are many great books that explain this doctrine with such clarity and grace, that I feel very humbled to write about this, but in my attempt to write about it, I’ll try to explain just the areas where God has dealt and is dealing with me at the moment.

Understanding that God is sovereign, is a beautiful thing when all your life you thought you had some control over your decisions, future, salvation,... but resting in this doctrine, brings rest and learn to trust in God completely. Knowing His character and believing that His will is perfect and does not need me to decide but strips me naked of all pride and the feeling of “I know better”. I loved that “power” of having some say in my future and decide myself what was “best” for me in my own eyes. How little I thought of God and how high i thought of myself!

This old doctrine (new to me) came like a rock on my head. Hit me hard and it took me 2 years of tears and study of this doctrine and to learn to trust in the Lord and that He is good. Even though I thought He was good, I wanted to have my input in all things. Trusting my will better than my Lord’s. But trusting in Him alone and resting in Him, was very hard. He showed me my condition before Him. My view of Him changed from just a friend, to someone indescribable beautiful, bigger and more magnificent than I ever thought of Him, and yet at the same time, closer to me than ever, because I understood how this Incredible omnipotent (in all the extent of the word) came down from heaven for a sinner like me, and extended mercy with such tenderness ... and still is patient with me, every day.

What a rest to know now, that He is in control, over every aspect of my life! That my life is in His hands and I need to worry about nothing. That if He wills something it will happen. That no one can resist His precious will. And me, a woman who can’t decide between 2 flavours of ice-cream, thought that I was capable of deciding on my salvation. When I change styles and tastes way too often, when my sins are not conquered and even though I want to do right, I sin. This woman thought to have a better plan than her Creator. But now, God has opened my eyes that I might see... I see His desires are better than mine. That He makes no mistakes and that I can trust Him. I am still learning to trust Him, I have a long ways to go, but I have hope in His work in me. I have hope that He will finish the work and He will not get tired or give up.

My trials and temptations are seen different now. I sin against my Holy God and yet He is merciful to me. And with every trial and temptation, He teaches me more to be like Christ granting me repentance and pain in my heart when I offend Him. Problems, are not just trials, are blessings that this Sovereign Lord, has set before me to mould me and transform my character; to prepare me for Heaven so that I might enjoy Him and find it ALL in Him alone.

Raising my kids, the relationship with my husband, everything has a different perspective! The Lord all mighty is in control. He does not just know what is going to happen, but has spoken what is to pass to do His will. My husband is a gift from God, given to me as he is and me to him as I am to be changed to be like Christ, so complaining had to stop, because I understood by His grace, that I was complaining against God. And instead, my love for him increased because I saw him, not as a rock on my way, but as a beautiful gift from God. He has stripped me of things that I cling on to, for the purpose of His glory. That I may die to myself and that He may increase in me. Some of those things He purged me of, I cherished more than my Lord without knowing it. But He did. And been a jealous God, He was not going to be shared with my vanities. So He purged me and purges me often, of all the things I love, so I love Him alone.

I am 7 months pregnant now with a daughter after two godly boys (10 and 12 years old) and having her now in my womb has been a gracious gift from god to us. We, who had “control” over my womb, were stripped from it too. It was an act of trust in God to trust in Him in this. It was such a hard battle for many reasons. It had so many inconveniences and a terrifying fear that God would not save her. But even in that, the Lord has taught us in a loving manner, that HE IS GOOD! That I need to trust in Him even in this, that His will is perfect. And now, every time she moves inside of me, my eyes tear up with the joy of having a little daughter inside me, raising a young woman for Him, raising her to be a godly lady in an ungodly world. Knowing His Sovereignty, helps me rest assured that He is in control over her. And my only job is to obey, as a faithful servant obeys her master.

Oh, how precious doctrine. How precious and hard to receive by many. How difficult to die to self and see God as a Creator and owner of my soul. But once the Lord opens the eyes and all of a sudden you can see, it shames you to see how much pride there is in you. Maybe that is why is so hard to receive it. I have so much to learn and to die; to grow and understand; to trust and obey. But by His grace, I know, that He will guide my steps.

We ARE slaves.

2011-03-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thank God for my husband. He is quiet and not very expressive, but when he has something to say, it shows me how wise he is.

Yesterday, I was having a "complaining time" about things that were all vane. And then, he started reminding me of all the ways the Lord has blessed us. He mentioned thing by thing. He mentioned things that are very important and even trivial things.. and yet, God has been very faithful. I had to stop talking and listened. My eyes were teary and my shame exposed. I had been complaining, and yet my husband's eyes are fixed on the Lord and what He wants for us.

He explained to me, something that kept me thinking, something that I took to my bed and this morning, the first thought that came to my mind was: God, help me!

I want to share it, because it helped me and maybe it will help you... what he explained, was that at one point, when translating the Bible, the words used for slave, was changed to servant? So when we hear that we are servants of the Lord, really means slaves.

Back then, the word slaves had a clear meaning, everyone knew what the privileges and rights of a slave were... None!, The slave, had no will of his own, just obey his master. So if the master moved houses, the slave followed. If the master wanted him to do something he would do it, no complaining or no decision to be made. The same way, God is with us. We are not just His servants, we are His slaves! It is a harder word to swallow, but that is God`s Holy Word.

We are His slaves. We do our Master`s will. We have no rights of our own but the ones He gives us. We obey, and He commands. Whatever He decides, happens, without our council or our permission. If He gives us, is grace, if He takes away, it is also His will. If He moves our home town, we follow; if He decides we stay. He decides.

What a change of view that is!. Complaining should be out of our lives... Who are we to complain against our Master? Who are we to say: I don`t like this or that! Why are you doing this? Is He not the owner of our lives? Does He not have the right to do whatever He wants with what is His? (Rom.9)

We are the blessed ones by having Him as our master! That should be enough!. He owns us! He bought us! He loves us! We could be servants of Satan.. How many are there that without knowing, have a master that wants to destroy them and drag them into hell with him!. But us? God bought us! What else do I want or need?

Oh blessed Jesus! How much I love being your slave! Do with me as You please.

To my daughter!

2011-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

May she have the faith of Sarah *
May she be as loyal as Ruth *

May she have the wisdom of Deborah always seeking truth *

May her prayers be heard like Hannah's *

May she have the favor of Esther *

May she be a helper like Priscilla always sharing love *

May she have the joy of Elizabeth *

May she have the strength of Abigail *

May she have a heart like Mary always praising God

Father above, bless my little one. May she grow to be a woman of God

(a song/prayer by Kelly Willard)

Being double minded....

2010-11-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

   Some professing Christians, as I have noticed lately, have two standards of living, thinking, the opinions they have, their desires, ... They have a double life without noticing it.

   I want to think it is not on purpose, but is that sense of godliness that is not promoted within many churches today. So when speaking of Bible issues, they have little knowledge of Scripture, but they would agree with most doctrines. But when they are living their every day lives, then they agree with other point of views with out giving it a second thought whether it is something that goes according to the doctrines of the Bible or not. They can have an independent - personal opinion outside the Bible.

   For example, on issues of "accept yourself as you are" they take it and agree on it... with out knowing or really understanding that the Lord does not want you to "accept yourself", but to come to the realization that you need a Saviour!. That nothing in you is worth accepting unless He changes you completely!.
Like these, there are many issues that some Christians will have a double opinion, a double standard and a double life.

   I wanted to write this post, as a warning to me first ...and to you if you want to hear it... to search our hearts.. to see if there is double mindedness in us.

   This double mindedness, has a great hold on many professing Christians today, deceiving them. Making them comfortable in their Christianity and never challenged in their faith. These are often miracle searchers, prophesy hungry people... and/passive Christians that are willing to part with many "opinions" as long as is not too offensive to the church... without realizing that their double mind is more dangerous to the church, than the one loud man attacking directly Christianity.

Oh! Christians of today!... for how long will God be patient with us! When will He say: Enough! Are you not afraid? Have you not heard? Have you learn nothing from the stories written in the Bible for OUR learning? Because your life is easy now, you find you have peace... but, should you not be growing in holiness every day? And yes! It does matter which movies you watch, which music you listen, which words you write on your FB page, which links you press "like", which words come out of your mouth, which opinions you have, which desires you struggle with, which clothes you pick to wear and why you wear them, it does matter what you do with your free time, it does matter whether you pray and study your Bible every day or not... IT DOES MATTER!

It is a matter of eternity!. It is a matter of holiness, it is a matter of either believing in God or not. ALL our opinions, on any given subject, should be based on the Bible... and the Bible ALONE!

Do I trust that You are Good?

2010-10-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Do I trust You Lord?...
Do I love You?... You know I do. You know how much I love you, and yet fall so short.

Do I REALLY trust Him with the things I love the most? Do I really believe He is good? or do I try to do it on my own?

I thought I trusted Him... until He challenged me once again in my love and trust for Him. I know He is Sovereign and does as He pleases, He does not need my "OK" or permission. He does what He wants and nothing can stop Him.. How much I love that! ... How much I rest in that truth, and yet, I have been praying for this one thing that I want the Lord to do Sovereingly .. and yet He has not done it. Why? I just got it!, after many years I think I got it!

He is working in me... and showing me that in this particular area, I rather God do it, than me deciding, because then it would involve my decision... something I cannot make. But in his sovereignty, He is working in me.. not using His sovereignty as an engineer uses a machine, but as a father working in my heart, and showing me that it is in these areas, that I need to trust Him. Believe that He is good... really good. That He wants to sanctify me and make me like Jesus... and my heart needs to be change in my life! And if He wills, it will come to pass.

OH my Lord!!! You, only You know the deepest thoughts of my heart!, Only You, know how much it is a struggle.. and yet, you have been gracious enough to work in me.

Oh my Lord, how much I love you!!! How much I desire to do Your will, and to be purged of all that is in the way. How much I hurt to see that I have not trusted in You alone.. that I have kept this area to my self, thinking higher of myself even higher than You Sovereign Lord!!

Help me dear Lord, help me to love you more, help me to search my heart and not hide behind my sin. Help me to trust You... I want to trust You above all things, even those things that I love the most.

Help my unbelief.. help me in this area that my heart fear so much.

You know how dear this is to me, and yet You have required of me to love You above all things, and treasure nothing more than You.. how incredible hard are some battles of the flesh and the heart.. how hard to yield my will to Yours. And how foolish at the same time it is for me to hold on to this, when You, and I know, are so good!

May Your will be done... and in the process... please, sanctify my heart. Please make me clean of this and as You work in me, ...that I may die, so that You may live in me the more!

total depravaty...

2010-10-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Oh! How important it is to teach our children the doctrines of the Bible! Their sin, OUR sin, our need of a Saviour!, How many times, Christians that grow up in the faith fail to teach faithfully to their children the condition of men before God!, How sinful our hearts are, How there is nothing good in us that made God look down on us and have pity on us! YES! PITY... this word we hate to use because it speaks of a poor person that has nothing to offer... we need pity from God!

How little some Christians know about this doctrine of total depravity!, how high they think of themselves!... if only they could see their estate before a Holy God!, if only they could understand their heart and how it cannot be trusted!... they would fear the Lord.

Oh! how dangerous it is to avoid teaching about sin to our kids, not just that steal is wrong, but that we are not as bad as we could be for the pure will of God.. that is Grace!. How often we take for granted where the Lord saved us from!... the Israelites did not forget. They were reminded over and over again that one day they were slaves, and it was God that freed them!... so it is today, we are to remind ourselves and our children, so that the can remind their children, that once, they were in sin - slaves of sin- and were bought to freedom!

Oh! how sweet truth!, How sweet the understanding of that freedom.. that is not to do as I please, but to please Him!.. But remember those years of slavery and live my days setting my mind in things above... seeking to be holy in all my ways and mortifying the sin in me, because I hate every time I see how much my heart wants to cleave to it.

Parents, teach your children, learn the scriptures, understand this vital doctrine if you love your children!.

Love me or hate me!

2010-09-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Who am I?

I am a reformed (Calvinist) Christian, who believes in the authority of the Bible as an absolute. I am saved by grace and not by works. There was or is nothing in me that attracted God to have pity on my soul.
I love Jesus Christ and His teachings. I love them as the most precious treasure I will ever have.
I long with all my heart to go to heaven; be with my Lord and sin no more!
I believe in teaching my kids to love the Lord, and yet only God can give them that love for Him.
I believe in teaching children to honor and obey their parents. And respect authorities.
I believe in the 10 comandments.
I am 100% pro life.
I support mariage between a man and a woman only. And that marriage, to last "until death due us apart".
I believe in helping the poor, the orphans and the widows.
I believe in modesty of speech, dress and thought.
I believe that women are to be homemakers, lovers of their homes.
I believe that children are a blessing from he Lord and never a burden.
I believe that men are the head of the home.
I believe in hell.
I believe in heaven.
I believe in eternity.
I believe in grace, repentance, salvation, justification and sanctification.
I believe that God is 3 persons in One.
I believe He will come back again for His chosen ones and to judge the world. And Everyone will see Him.
I believe in a literal creation of the world (6 days and rested on the 7th)
I believe that I live, because He lives!

That is me...

Norma.

begining of the year!

2010-09-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so school will start soon!!!. The beautiful routine that I love so much!!, the busy days, the extra curriculum classes,... all fun and good! I am looking forward to start as new stage with my family. First grade of highschool and fifth grade.

I am nervous, excited and nostalgic... elementary school is going to be over in a couple of years for us. And the preparing for college and university is around the corner.

But this year, will be different. I have one in highschool and that will impact our days. I have to decide to register the boys in those sport activities that they enjoy so we decided to register them in hockey, French, piano... We need to decide if they are swimming or playing indoor soccer (or one thing each), there is skiing/snowboarding in the winter, ... The problem is that the week has only 5 days that I'm willing to drive them to activities and only 24 hours each!

What about socialization? some ask... Tell me about it!, I need to cut on socal activities to do the actual school work!. I always start the year, hoping to spend more time at home, and when I least realize it, my schedule is full! How does that happen!?

And this is just the begining of the year... some activities will come up during the school year!. Hmmm... I hope that this year I can spend a bit more time at home (here it goes again), but I really need to be wise with my time, say yes to the things that are important and no to the ones that can wait.

I need to pray.

I need wisdom. Even in something so trivial as which classes we need to sign our kids and which not.

First Day of School

2010-08-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

First day of school after vacations, and the comment you hear the most is"Yes!, finally, I get my life back!", or "great! I can't wait for them to go back to school" , or the "best" excuse I heard: I cant wait for them to go to school because I can't stay too long with them, we are too similar in personality and we crash too much!. How sad!, How sad it is to live in a society that value our time alone so much that spending time with our kids is a burden... Parents have lost that desire to be with their kids, to raise them, to enjoy spending time with them!. Weekends and nights is enough! Oh! how blind we have become!

Yes, it is hard sometimes, it is hard when I want my house spotless or I want silence! But wanting that every day? Putting my house and comfort above my children? Desire for them to go to school because it is the time I can do "MY things"... Shouldn't OUR things be our kids?

When was this desire to be with them lost? When was it sold to us that mentality? Oh! that we should be awaken to see the society that we are living in! Oh ! that people could really see how much we agree with a corrupt society!.

But instead, being with them should be what we find joy in. And IF they need to go to school, it is because we worked in that relationship enough, we have worked out our differences and he goes to school because it is best for them, never as a way to have a break from them, NEVER! as the time of the day that you love the most.

Why is it then, that families find it hard to be with their kids? Because their kids are not well behaved. Because it is easier to send them and put the responsability on the school, that to take it on ourselves. Kids are hard to be around because parents are not taking their role as parents, teaching them to respect and honor authorities and so, they talk back, they are disrepectful, rude, disobedient, pushing the limits all the time... and so, it is hard to be around them. No wonder parents are happy to have a break from them for a few hours every day!. Who's fault is it?

Oh! that parents would have that love for their families again!, that going for morning coffes with friends or shopping to the mall and going to the gym every morning wouldn't be the thing we live for! But instead, find ourselves filled as mothers, as home-makers, that our houses would have noises of kids laughing constantly and the smell of home made cookies. And our husbands come home from a busy day at work and the house smelling like a welcoming dinner, with our best smile, not because your house looks like a magazine or us as models, but because we are happy! happy to have that family that is so great and so special, that all the rest is extra.

Oh! that this time of the year we would not hear every minute the releif on peoples voices that their beloved children are finally going back to school!

Best advice I ever got: Be friends of people who love to be with their children... those whom their children are not a burden but a delight!. It is contageous!

You do not undestand!

2010-08-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Why do I use this blog to write about me, my struggles, my thoughts, my reflections?... Why do I write about the Lord when there are millions of other subjects I can write about. I can write of a new way of thinking or an idea or a business.... the possibilities are endless. But why about God and the more personal things I go through?

You don't undersatand... He saved me! He saved me from a vomit pile.. He saved me when I was nothing. If you could just see my heart, my desires, what I could have become if it wasn't because of Him! He saved ME! He saved me, even though I did not asked for it... He saved me without my opinion or my wants.. He just did. He saved me for the pure pleasure of His will. I did not deserved being saved.. I did not deserved any of His goodness, and yet, He saved me, and gave me life when I was dead.

How can I use facebook or this blog for other things other that to speak of Him. That Jesus of Nazareth who willingly went to the cross, took my punishment and the shame that belonged to ME. He took it all. He forgave me of all my sins, of the ones I had not commited yet, He took them upon Him, He got the crown of thorns, the beatings according to the prophecies; He drank the vinegar; He was stripped of all His clothes, so that I might be clothed in righteousness. He died so that I might live. He was buiried and He rose again.... And God, the precious Father, accepted the sacrfice as His pay for my redemption. You don't understand.... HE SAVED ME!

How can I be quiet?.... How could I not use every moment and way to speak of Jesus who saved me!

Oh! that I might be bolder!, Oh! that I might not be afraid so much !... Imagine....having such a great and sovereign God, and ... I am afraid? How ridiculus!..

Oh! If I could truly beleive and see the size of God, the power and the glory....but when I see the works of His hands as I am writing this, looking out of the window and see the sky so black and the stars .. so many!, and the trees and flowers, ans sand, and how big and perfect all is... gives me a little glimps of the size of my Lord.

This is my Lord, the One I cannot be quiet about!..
Why?........ because... HE SAVED ME!

Search my heart oh Lord!

2010-07-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

What motivates me? What makes me wake up in the morning and smile? What is the first thing I think about when I wake up? When I am not in the best of days, Who do I talk to?

If is not the Lord, something needs to change. I started thinking, and the first thing that comes up in my mind almost every morning as soon as I open my eyes is: Which day is today?... then I can focus on what things are to happen that day. My day is so schedule oriented. What would happen if one day, God would brake my so loved routine, something out of the ordinary happened and I had a chance to serve Him. Would I be willing? Would I be willing to instead of thinking which day was I waking up to, I could wake up and ask myself: How can I serve the Lord today? I guess I will not know until hat happens. And so, purposely, bring my thoughts into obedience and train my thoughts to think first of the Lord. Think to go to Him, every time I need help, every time I need self control.

How I wish to live like this!. It seems easy. But my heart is so stubborn and I get discouraged so easy when I see my lack of perseverance, how easy I am unfaithful to the One who cleansed me! How often I am like Gomer (Hosea's wife) and go back to my ungratefulk way of living. But He knows my heart. And sometimes that is what I fear!, I cannot hide from Him the dirt within me, He sees it as it is, the smell, the effect that it causes, the unfaithfulness, ... He sees me and cleanses me again, clothes me again and yet again I go to the mud and roll in it. Although I hate it something in the mud seems attractive (maybe is that it is easy to keep dirty ...but keeping clean on a white dress it is hard!, I have to wash my hands often, I need to stay away from muddy places, I need to eat carefully, if someone is dirty, I need to keep my distance,...). But yet I love my white dress!, I love to be clothed ly my God. And the thought that He even desires to dress me in such beautiful dress, it is enough to bring me back to my knees, and live forever grateful.

He is faithful, He is the One who can clean me every day. That is why we are to thank Him for His mercies every morning and His faithfulness at night. And the next day the same...

Search my heart oh God, search me and cleanse me. Cleanse me so that the most secret places inside me wil be as clean as the snow and that I may live a godly life for You!

Dead Puritans..

2010-05-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVE puritans!

Like; J.C Ryle,John Owen ,Jonathan Edwards, A.W. Pink and Charles Spurgeon.

I want to read:

Steven Charnock (The Existance and Attributes of God),

Herman Bavinick(Saved by Grace),

Octavius Wilson(No Condemnation in Jesus Christ)!

So much to read!!

My sister and I visiting Boston..

2010-05-06T16:58:00.001-07:00

hair cut!

2010-05-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

2010-04-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Most of God's people are content to be saved from the hell that is without; they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within." Robert Murray

How I battle every day with the sin within me... my shortcomings and my love for the things of the world!, How I need Jesus every day to help me and change me.. He saved me and will make me perfect one day, but as today, the battle within me is a never end battle which makes me hope and wish for Him to come soon!

But as Thomas Watson said, when sin is my burden, then Christ is my delight!

Face Book

2010-04-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

I joined Face Book not long ago, and even though I love been in touch with old friends and it is nice to see that most of us still walk in the faith, also, it has been very shocking and at times, very sad to see how little reverence there is for God's Holy Name now a days, even among Christians. I was reading some posts on facebook of people that have been Christians for a long time. And as I read and look at their pages, makes me upset to see how much God's Name is basphemed. Very quickly His Name, is used as an expression. Or used in a joke (to make a point of something exagerated), others, have pictures of themselves which inspire nothing but lust.

Where has the fear of the Lord gone? Have we forgotten that God said "Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for He will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name" Do you not fear God's wrath? When you misuse His name, is like saying: I have NO fear of God's wrath over me. How foolish and irreverent the people that called themselves Christians have become! With fear of not being religious, have gone to the extreme of been profane with their words.

Where are the Christians of old, that people knew they were Christians, not because of the televangelists with bad reputations, or because the prosperity gospel preached everywhere, or because their kids had their rooms decorated as Noah's Ark (which that alone is worth a full post), but because their lives were HOLY because their God is holy!

Be careful with the way we speak, with the way we live our lives, what we say and what we do. We behave in a certain way, not so that we may go to heaven, but we behave in a certain way, because we are going to heaven!

The Sovereign Lord

2010-04-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about God's sovereignty lately. About His irresistible Grace in saving us. How hard it is for some to understand this and accept a God that does what He pleases and owes us nothing. He saves us because of the pure pleasure of His will. Not because we want to be saved, or because we can choose God if we wanted, but because He alone, opened our eyes so that we might see and understand His Word and like the things that God likes.

Some say that is possible for a non beleiver to want Christ and for a Christian to leave Christ... HOW! It is just as impossible for a non Christian to want the Sovereign God, as for a true beleiver to leave his faith! I speak out of my own life. I know for certain, that even if I wanted, I couldn't leave Him, I can't stop loving Him!

It was His grace that drew me to him since I was a little girl. It was Him who gave me faith to beleive in Him. It was His hand that rescued me when I sinned and gave me the privilege of understanding undeserved forgiveness. Everything that I leaned on has been removed from my life, so that I learn to lean only on Him. It was He, who has taught me to depend on Him alone.

How can I not owe Him my life!, How can I possibly turn my back on Him? IMPOSSIBLE!. It is He who sustains me, who helps me to persevere, who gives me a love for Him when I feel I am going through a desert... somehow,every time, I am reminded of His love for me.

He who has given me grace every time I am weak, He who has given me the biggest proof of love anyone can give, He who gave me life when I deserved death... How can I walk away from Him? IMPOSSIBLE!.. I simply CAN'T.

He has kept me in His way since young, Would He turn away from me one day? Would He be distracted when I am going the wrong path and be lost? Would the world be more persuasive than the Lord who saved me? Would He allow to lose something that belongs to Him? IMPOSSIBLE!

I am bought with His blood because of love. He covered me with robes of righteousness, He cleansed me and He works in me still.

"Christ did not die for any upon condition, if they do believe; but He died for all God's elect, that they should believe." JOHN OWEN

Phil. 3 :7 (My favorite one!)

2010-04-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

his is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.. How I pray that I may lose everything in Him... that all in me cries out "I am nothing without You!" That He may be enough for me, that I may not seek my own righteousness but be completely lost in His. That my unbeleif will be torn away from me and that faith rule my life. I want to know Him... and I know Him so little. I want to desire Him above all things. And be a witness to my family first and then to the world!

Super Mom, Wife, Nurse, Teacher, Cheff,... ?

2010-03-31T09:07:00.000-07:00

What does a regular day looks like for a homeschool mom looks like? I can tell you is CRAZY BUSY! or busy enogh, or not too bad. I can make it sound like I'm super mom or not. We love to make our days sound busier, because it makes us feel important and industrious, so that we can be admired!.. yes, there are days that seem like everything landed on that day and you have not a moment to sit down in a quiet place and enjoy a cup of tea with the book that you are reading. Yes, those days exist!. there are weeks that are insane, because of commitments that we make, or doctor appointments or visit to the dentist, friends or family visiting, ... or any number of things... but certanly, is not the every day life.

I beleive, that our outlook on our day has to do with being content with what God has given us. Not complaining with what we have to do, and how little we are appreciated or how the housework is so useless, since the next day we'll have to do it all over again! Also, not making it sound better and bigger than it is... in that we sin.

I am praying that the Lord reminds me ever day, that He is giving me a great oportunity to serve Him in secret. Where no one will know how hard I work, how much time I invest, with how much love I do what I do, but that my reward will be in heaven. And my hope in seeing my kids walking in the truth.

Do not get tired of doing good.. how much more do we ask for? we have the greatest oportunity to do good every day in the life of our family, serve them, make a heaven in our houses and a home that can be used by God to be a blessing to others.

Do we complain about our daily routines? Do we exalt our days to be appreciated if not by our families, by our friends?, Do we work at it as if we were working for the Lord and not for men? ... I certanly fall short.. I seek the praise once in a while of my family and get frustrated if I don't get it..... but then again, who I am serving?.

Change?

2010-03-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been thinking (maybe because I found many of my friends from when I was a teen, when I went to a very charismatic church) that I'm so very grateful to my Lord for all the work He has done in my life and my husband's. How God gave us light. How He opened our eyes little by little.

I grew up being a Christian, and I have always.. or as far as I remember, loved God (even in my sin, I was always with that guilty feeling). But always saw friends that knew God when they were older and the change in them is SO clear.. from dead to alive!, and wondered about my life, my changes.. there has been changes, but I do not think that it has been the "before and after" type of change. It has been a slow process through all my life, with ups and downs, with desserts and valleys, but at the end, God has been faithful in keeping me in His way.

Getting in touch with old friends, reminded me, the way I used to think about God, the way I used to read His Word, the way I used to pray. It has been a long way!. Sanctification was not part of my vocabulary. Holiness was a very sofft word. Mortification of sin, never heard it before. The Sovereignty of God was not mentioned. Doctrine, was for "certain" people only. And it humbles me to see God's work in me. To see his precious hand upon me. To see His work and understand, not by emotions, but by His holy and precious Word, that I need to be holy because I serve a holy God.

How excted I am to see His hand, guiding every step of our life. It is SO encouraging, to know, that He will continue His work in me. He has been faithful so far, and He will continue to do so. He has been so good to us! It is really AMAZING!, And I am so very thankful that He allowed me to see His work. And be encouraged by it.

Too dependant on appliances..

2010-03-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

One of those weeks.. started when the dryer stopped working, outside these days is still cold with snow and all.... I can't just hang my clothes for the fresh summer breeze to dry them,.. no, they are all over my basement, every little space I found was turned into a clothes line. That is OK, I can manage that I just hope is not too expensive. When I go upstairs.. there is a puddle on my kitchen floor, the dishwasher is leaking!! WHAT! not that too!. I start cleaning the puddle and trying to understand why is it leaking, there is nothing broken that I can see from my perspective. So I am just hoping that it will just heal and get better soon. The next day, I started vacuuming, and the central vac, starts spitting dust all over the floor!. It is not doing its job. it is making it worst!.

At this point I am about to cry.. out loud!.

Husband is panicking too, more about the cost of it that the actual labor that is saving me from doing... me?... forget the cost!, I want my machines working!.

Thankfully, the story ends very happy for both of us. the dryer was under guarantee, so they came to fix it temporally until they get the broken piece. The dishwasher, healed, and is been healthy for the last days!. The vacuum cleaner... swallowing everything as it should!.

I am SO thankful to have my appliances back, but maybe I'm a little too dependant on them. It does help me to appreciate having them, and treat them nice for their hard work around the house!

The 3 men in my life

2010-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

Their firs Ice sculptures!

2010-02-27T11:35:00.000-08:00

Close to our house, there was a great day of winter activities, these are some of the things we did: horse sled ride, eat Taffies, skate, ....

But the best of all the activities, was this!

These are my very proud sons after completing their first project on Ice sculpting.. they actually turned out VERY well, and the were set on a special table as a display (OK, I will admit... I AM VERY PROUD TOO!) ... they worked for hours on it...Son son M. made the head of a dog, and S made the head of a shark.

I'm reading....

2010-02-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

It is a very good book, one of those that you need to read slowly and pray often about the things that you long for instead of God. "Give me this or I'll die!", "I would be happy if just this happened", "if I just could..., then..." What would be the thing for you, that your heart really loves? or longs for?.. until that desire becomes towards God, and truly we can say God is enough. With You and You alone I am happy. It is better one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere... it is then, that we'll be truly happy. A happiness not depending on circumstances or monthly hormones or the vanities of this world, but in God alone!

lessons in life

2010-02-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

I am the regular-medium competitive type person.... at least that is what I thought until the winter Olympic games started. It gets to a point where I am not enjoying watching them anymore. The stress I feel, my hands sweat, my body gets all tense .. my goodness! what happens to me!. I even turn in my seat when they are suppose to turn!. And the worst part, is that they are not even my kids!
We are having a great time as a family watching the games. Watching my boys so excited about their country to win medals, and yell as they score or are one of the first three!. It is good that they are only 3 weeks, keeping the school routine is hard.
Also, it gives you an appreciation of the hard work they put into it. There are lots of good lessons even at the Olympics. Like the one my son gave me just a few days ago:
On Mondays, we are going skiing, and the teacher took me on a black diamond (a very steep part of the mountain) and I stood at the top, completely paralyzed by fear, very close from crying. I turn twice, and on the second turn I fell and slid all the way down that part (not by choice). I was very upset at my self , How come I cannot do that!!!, Why am I SO afraid!. My pride was very bruised. and my sons encouraged me making me feel that I was not alone and that it was normal.., my son S. said: "well, you'll just have to remember that God made you like that , and its OK......... AND if you die, you go to heaven!" .. What!!?, yes, those were my son's encouraging words. So.. we'll just hope that one day, I'll conquer that hill, and go to heaven in a more pleasant way.

what's new?

2010-02-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

I have not written in a while... here is a resume:
1. I joined CURVES and I'm loving it!.. I go 3 times a week early in the morning, is just 30 min, so I finish fast and feel great! With it, I'm trying to drink more water, which is my struggle (I'm never thirsty), but... I'm trying!

2. We are skiing some Mondays in a very nice place called Saint Souvar. It is a bit far (1h.30min), but worth the drive! is a very beautiful place. The boys and myself are taking lessons (S. is snowboarding and M and me, are skiing). The boys are good, but need some technique, which I need to get rid of bad habits.

3. I have been working on a small project, which is why I have not been writing here... I'm writing a unit study on Mexico. A bit of history with culture. I'm not finished yet and I may never publish it, but just for me and friends who would like to do a project on Mexico.

4. My husband got me a NEW LAPTOP!!, I'm so excited, because it works so much better than our old computer!. I can use skype any time without being "trapped in front of the screen, listen to "Reformed voice sermons" while cooking! I love it!

5. The boys started swimming lessons and they are so happy... even though it adds to the running of the day.

6. I CUT MY HAIR!!, quite short last week... I'll post a picture soon. I am very pleased. But the best part, is that my sons saw me and yelled: You look so young! ... hahaha! yes, I'm training them well!.... hahahah!, no wonder I loved the hair cut, he?

7. I joined officially "facebook"... which I'm still not too sure of the purpose of it.. but I'm in. The only benefit, is that I found friends from my kindergarten!... I cannot believe it still, by their picture, they look so different!. It is great to be in touch with them again.

8. what else?... I think that's it... I just need to post pictures as soon as I can... with my new look.

submission

2010-01-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

Romans 13 encourages us to be in 'submission' to those in authority over us. Submission means, in part, to 'accept without resistance; to yield without a struggle'. I will give it a try today. To someone who is in authority over me ... I will just do what they ask today, without any type of resistance or struggle. Also by my first pastor Steve Elliot.

forgiveness

2010-01-21T06:55:00.000-08:00

"The Bible story of the Unjust Steward teaches that the rich man forgave the servants debt. In effect, the rich man 'absorbed' the loss of the $20,000 he was owed. That seems to me to be the essence of forgiveness ... the ability and willingness to absorb the loss we experience when someone else sins against us." By Steve Elliot my first pastor when we first moved to Canada.

gum grafting

2010-01-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

I just got this procedure don on my gums.. I thought it was going to be worst than it was. So if you are having it done, do not worry, it sounds far worst than it is.. Here is a bit of my story:

I went to the doctor on Friday the 8Th. I was nervous, so I arrived one hour earlier to get a sedative. It made me all drowsy. It started and I was fully awake but now I can hardly remember the time i spent there. It lasted 1 1/2 hours (3 teeth). When I finished, my husband took me home, and I stayed in bed the rest of the day. I took many Advil and an antibiotic to prevent infection. I was swollen but not too bad. I did not want to walk too much because it felt weird, as if all my mouth shacked and the blood pumped. I was afraid it was going to bleed, but it was fine!. All I ate that day, was yogurt and ice cream!.

The next day, I continued on the soft diet and was better, but still somehow resting. I was not in pain, it was just uncomfortable.

The third day, better, I can talk much more and the soft diet continues, but I added soups to the menu!. I did not go to church, since I was a swollen (like people from the movie "The Grinch") and did not want people to see me and did not want to talk too much either.

Monday, I woke up even better, Advil is helping a lot!, the swelling has come down a lot.. I notice by bigger chicks, but I do not think people would notice them too much.

Tuesday, I even had a friend over!. I had a few bruises under my eyes not too dark.

Today.... ! much better, but in the morning I bled a little (one of my gums bled and I put a gauze to stop the bleeding.. something normal). Every day less swollen, and less purple. It is a bit tender, but I'm even having another friend over today!.. A sign of recovery =)

So if you need to get this done... do not worry!, you'll be fine!. It is scary, the recovery takes a few weeks, is uncomfortable, but manageable (if you like soups).

My very best friends..

2010-01-10T14:04:00.001-08:00

My sister and I every time we are together, we get something the same.. I guess we always wanted to be twins... hahaha!.. we did not get this shirt last time... it was a lighter purple shirt, but it was fun to try many as we drag my niece now into this tradition!. I was just looking at these pictures and brought memories of my trip to Mexico... I miss you!

My youngest son!

2010-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Can you tell by the smile?.. yes he is the joy at home. the one who has the joke to tell and the plan in hand. Full of energy and sweetness, the kid that is special and easy to love. He listens carefully to his big brother, to the stories and is his biggest fan. who cares for the poor and pays me $2.00 from his own money if I loose a board game. I love being his mom... makes me a better person, because I learn always something new by being with him. What a blessed life I have to have him in my life.

This is my son S -9 years old-!

My oldest Son

2010-01-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

What a sweet boy!, with such a beautiful smile!, with lots to share and an imagination that is contagious!. He tell stories to his brother, brings balance to our life, is caring, wise and always thinking of others. I am very proud of to be his mom... that in spite of me, he is turning up to be a great young man. He is growing up, and you see signs of it here and there, which I am excited and nostalgic at the same time. I want him to grow up, and also to stay young. I want for him to be equipped for adulthood, for Independence and for his life, and at the same time I want him to need me and want my hugs an kisses. I am very grateful to know him and have the honor to be near him every day. I count my self as blessed!

This is my great older son M- 11 years old-

My beautiful city...

2010-01-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

The highest place in Montreal. a great view and very cold! Not too crazy about Montreal (the big city, the traffic, the night life that is promoted, the open minded culture), but I have to admit.. it has its charm and beauty. What is pretty, is very pretty!. Lots of things to do, and lots to visit. Every day I'm happier to live here, even if I HAVE TO learn French.

good friends!

2010-01-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

One of our prayers when we moved was for God to give my kids (and myself) godly friends. Great friends, that they can help each other to walk in His way, friends that will encourage each other. And He answered. And to my excitement, not just the kids get along great, but I love my friend too, and the husbands like each other too!! what else can I ask for!. We teach in a similar way to our kids, have the same style of teaching and goals for our kids, we do projects together, pray together, we (her and I) encourage each other and I was blessed too. I guess God knows, how important it is for me to have a good friend too.

Having them in our life, is a great blessing!.

grandparents

2010-01-05T06:26:00.000-08:00

The stories there were told, the laughs, the tennis tournaments in wii, the kiss match, the tickles, the food, the presents, the shopping, the many trips to Walmart, the "Uno", "witch", and "Spoon" card games, the Christmas Cd's, the cold, the ice, the snow, all the memories are kept deep in our hearts!.
Thanks.

2010

2010-01-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Who would have said.... we are in 2010, and we are not living like I dreamed when I was a child.. by this time I thought I was going to be flying on very fancy aerodynamic cars, using boots to fly instead of walking, everything was going to be glow in the dark and highways would be useless, since we would travel at super fast speed without crashing in mid air!. I thought I was going to be quite old by then!... But here we are... with no super cars, NOT THAT OLD!... and with everything computerized, but not at the level of my imagination. And today in 2010, living my life in a place I never thought I would, having 2 wonderful boys that fill my life with smiles, a husband that has made my 15 years of married life a joy, that through the struggles of life, we have come back stronger, and that has help me mature and grow with him. But best of all, that I know God. That He has not left me or my family in ignorance about Him, but has given us understanding and has opened our eyes to know Him.

Not flying in fancy cars, but growing in the Lord. Striving to be thankful every day for the struggles and the happy moments, for the trials and temptations, because I know I'll see the victory in many areas of my life.

This year that is starting, I hope for me and my family, that the Lord will grant us that we may grow in Him more every day. That next year, we will be different, that our character will be molded and changed, that His Sovereign will be don in our lives. And that we will be good and faithful servants.

We have our plans for this year, like have a fund raise, study Anatomy with friends, have our annual science/history fair on the Middle East, start swimming lessons for the boys, create good habits on prayer and Bible reading, improve our French (hmmmm.....or even better, just to be able to speak some!!) and so on..... these are our short term plans. We plan but God decides.

A tool, not a toy!

2009-12-22T13:18:00.001-08:00

The computer is a tool not a toy. I tell that to my kids often, and very often I fall in the trap as to use it as a toy. It gives me a way to "talk" and be heard. I've asked the Lord to help me to be more quiet, careful with my words and submissive to my husband, but often the blog, gives me a way of expressing .... which is good, but my intentions I need to guard, because my heart deceives me and this blog even , gives me a voice to express only what I want people to know about me. It could give an impression to someone of a life that I do not live fully yet. I have to be careful. My heart loves the praise, and yet the glory is being stolen from the One who deserves it. Let my right hand not know what my left hand does... and yet I feel the need to publish it?... why? to receive glory?, the applause of my friends? to get the reward here on earth?... Or should I really keep quiet, and let my life speak without me having to speak. Let my life be a witness of Jesus Christ, and my words few.

Do I write many times for my glory? or to glorify Him?... Will He be more glorified without words or with my quiet obedience?

The computer is a tool, not a toy, and often, I am using it as a toy, to entertain myself with self gratifying posts, with selfish motives and with the misuse of the time He has giving me.

Do my kids and my family, spend a lot of time in the computer? Not yet, but I do not want that to be my life, so trying to live by example, I have to use it as a tool ... not as a toy. So if I write here not so often.... please bear with me I am in a learning process.

15 YEARS!!

2009-12-11T05:55:00.000-08:00

15 years have passed since I said "I DO". It has been an adventure. With all that comes with a marriage. But with all, I will marry him again. We have a great life together, with two wonderful kids, who celebrated with us yesterday making that day, a very special one with the help of "Abu". They gave us a very romantic dinner of cheese fondue with a beautifully decorated table, the "wedding march" as a background and for us to pretend to enter "the church" (or in this case the dining room), then we had to dance. We usually go out for a dinner on our anniversary, but this one, was a special one. They got out the very nice wine glasses and made us feel super special.. they too.. were SO excited to make everything perfect. My mom was a great treat to the celebration, since she was the one orchestrating all. It was really fun!. And since she is here, this Saturday, my husband and friend, is inviting me to see "The Nutcracker"!! . And we'll stay in Montreal for a night. This will be very special too.
15 years of marriage, and looking forward to many many more with him!

So cool!

2009-12-11T05:40:00.000-08:00

We went this week to see the Olympic torch pass very close to my house. It was an amazing experience!, there was a party with music, flags, food, a parade, street artists blowing fire. People very excited to have a glimpse at the torch. It was super fun!. The runner passed by us really close. My camera of course ran out of batteries, but I'll post some pictures later from my mom's camera. Everyone wanted to touch it, but my boys, days before at the mall got to hold it and took a picture with it (which I do not know how to put in my computer!). It was a one in a lifetime experience... I do not know when we'll see something like this again..... and in my own little town!.. walking distance in the summer!. The kids LOVED IT!!!

mi historia! - My history!

2009-11-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

"Por si no sabias tio, tu bisabuelo Chapman fue un 'Preacher' Methodist muy reconocido y querido en el Sur de USA que primero tuvo que viajar 'Spreading The Word Of The Lord' muy dedicado por varias ciudades y luego poniendo la primera iglesia en creo que Tara Texas en la parte de abajo de su casa donde luego fue creciendo .... Tu papa creció en una familia numerosa muy religiosa Metodist pero al ir a México y casarse con mi abuela, pues dejo que sus hijos fueran bautizados Catolicos y asi crecieron..."

This is my story... I just found out what says in the paragraph above: My dad's great grandfather was a well know and loved Methodist Preacher in the South of USA, who had to travel through many cities spreading the Word of The Lord, very dedicated in those cities establishing the first church in Tara Texas . He opened the lower level of his house and it started to grow. My dad's father, grew up in a numerous and religious family but when he went to Mexico and married, he married a Catholic lady and allowed his children to be baptized in the Roman Catholic church. My dad grew up not knowing his dad (his dad and mom were not married and there were MANY years between them), my dad grew up with no knowledge of the Lord until I was about 13 years old, the Lord saved him!. Today, he is a great man of God preaching and studying with a great hunger the Word of the Lord, just as his great grandfather probably did.

This is exciting news for me, because it shows me how gracious God is, and what an honor to have such a heritage behind me. I am so thankful to the Lord. In His 10 commandments He says: I will show mercy to a thousand generations to those who love me and keep my commandments. And if this man loved the Lord, and if he could only see God's faithfulness and how his great grandson is walking in the Truth and how he taught his 2 daughters to walk in the Truth and how we are teaching our children to walk in the Truth... What a blessing!.

I am so happy to hear this of "my" past.

The prosperity Gospel by John Piper

2009-11-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s

The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper

2009-11-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsT6JLTx68o

last night..

2009-11-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

1 Timothy 3:1-13
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus."
------------------------

Last night my dear husband, was voted Deacon of our church. The luck belongs to the Lord. There are no such things as accidents, since all is in the hands of our Sovereign Lord. All good things and all that looks bad from the outside. There is NOTHING in the entire universe that God has no control over. Every action and every sin, every glory and every fall, every thought and every deed, everything that goes on in this world whether we like to acknowledge it or not, is under God, and that is why we serve Him. The ALL Mighty God.

Yesterday, was an act of God's sovereignty. By unanimous vote, V was elected deacon of our church. With it, comes a big joy and responsibility to follow the directions given by God in His holy word according to the deacon and for the wife and his children. It is not a matter of him serving, but it involves us immediately. As for me, the weight of the "job" is heavy... I am expected to help him. I must be temperate!! -no extreme in behaviour- (if you know me, you know it will be hard for asking to be temperate to a character like mine,where my emotions are very easily exposed.... hmmm... I am appreciating more and more my husband's "temperate" character, because I know how hard it is to achieve it...!!). I am to be worthy of respect ( I like to think that of myself, but I will see as I'm tested by the Lord in this).... by the way I speak, talk, dress, care for others,...

My children... obey with the proper respect. They also are to act in a way that reflects the position of their father at home and that will either speak well of him or not. The same way, we are to behave to reflect Jesus Christ to extend His fame.

Any how... we are excited of this new time in our lives, and looking forward to the work of the Lord in our lives though this. Please pray for us. That we will achieve through Him the character of a servant, because as in today, we fall VERY short to the standard of a deacon. And it humbles us to think how high we are measured against... and how impossible it will be for us to ever get to those standards.. and that is why I say that Luck belongs to the Lord... because if those are the standards, there is no way we fit in them. It is only by the grace of God that we will be an acceptable offering of service to Him.

May God help my dear husband in this task, and the boys and myself to be of good testimony and help to him.

Amazing Story: The Director of Planned Parenthood

2009-11-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

Amazing Story: The Director of Planned Parenthood

God answered our prayers!

2009-11-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

I did not think that I was going to write a post on this..... This past week I was heart broken, and there was in my opinion nothing good in it. It happened once and then it happened again.. yesterday.

One of my sons (and out of respect I will leave it like that), sinned. I know they sin often, but this time it was a bigger sin, the kind that I knew I had to deal with him way more severely. For the last 4 months or so, this son, has been faithfully asking the Lord to help him resist temptation. It is a very noble prayer. Last week I realized sin was happening. He was caught. After a big discipline, talk, cry,.... I though it was learned and over..... But, it happened again. My world fell. Did he learn nothing out of last time?!. Was all that in vane?!... I was devastated. My wise husband came after work, and talked to him in a loving but strong talk. And the Lord opened my eyes today, though his wise advice, and this is what he showed me:

I always pray for them. That the Lord will use them at a very young age, that the Lord will speak to them and to discipline them. Well, He in His so great and wonderful mercy, listened to our cries. To my son, He answered by training him to resist temptation. I have the opportunity now, to teach him how to cope with temptation. To give him tools so that next time he is tempted, he has a way out. A way that glorifies the Lord. This teaching, will be great practice for when he is older and recognizes his own weaknesses and can ask for help, prayer and accountability. He also answered his prayer, because, how is God going to train him to resist temptation if he is never tempted?!... He allowed him to be tempted so that he can recognize that sin in his life, that weakness, and deal with his self control. And to me, He was merciful by allowing me to see what was happening soon enough. Not too late, when a habit is established, when the heart is hardened and the conscience asleep. My other son, was also blessed and learn by it. My dear husband, was blessed , because he practiced his leadership in a very loving and wise way, and helped me to trust in his wisdom.

God answered our prayers !. It took two times, one after the other.... we did not get it the first time,and gave us a second call...so that we can understand and do His will.. How grateful I am to see God's hand in our training, We are not alone!, God is with us, I can trust in Him and He will guide us!. What a blessing for him, experience God's mercy and God's perfect love. Not that sin will not happen ever again, but that next time he is tempted, he will know that he can talk to us, and we'll help him conquer.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, the Lord who rules over all!.

October 31

2009-11-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Reformation Night. We celebrated the reformation night on October 31st. While the rest of our neighbours were celebrating the death, we celebrated life!, the life we have in Christ!. We remembered a man (Martin Luther) who had so much influence in our reformed faith today, and celebrated the fact that God did not leave us in ignorance and darkness about Him, but gave us light so that we might see. Friends came over to our house and we had a time of fellowship together remembering Jesus Christ. It was a blessed night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48j4pguwuFw

dad and son

2009-10-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3daLQJ8LA
This is an amazing video!! enjoy.

love, love and more love... what a nice heritage!

2009-10-28T07:00:00.001-07:00

My lovely grand-parents "Bis y Abuelito".

Happy birthday dear "Is.".

2009-10-28T06:20:00.001-07:00

My OH so dear and silly niece!!!...... how I miss you!

Today is my youngest neice's birthday..... She is 6!!

Not everything so sweet, but God's merciful patience!

2009-10-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

Do you know those days that end not in the best note?... those days that you go to bed and you are upset at your words and the way your day ended with your kids?.. The other day, was one of them for me.. One of my boys misbehaved, I was upset, the boys and husband, all seemed like a big stir of emotions, and not necessarily the best of all or the ones I'm proud to write about. The condition of my heart and my son's heart.. the attitudes and the rest. We ended our day, not with our heart giving God all the glory and living the witness that we were called to. Well, par of me was happy that in a way, I could just close my eyes and say good night to that end of the day. even though there was repentance and forgiveness before going to bed.. it just seemed that I was not happy with the way it ended. The next morning, we had breakfast, had our Bible study and prayed together after breakfast. The son that was disrespectful the night before, prayed saying: "....Thank you God, that my life did not end yesterday when I was being disrespectful to my parents, and that You are giving me another day to repent and change, please help me to obey you in all I do today, Amen".
I was quiet, and then prayed God for the same thing. Thank You for your new mercies every morning. It is clear in my life and in my son's life, that God's purposes are wonderful! even when we sin, God is patient with us and merciful!. There is hope in Christ every morning, not that our salvation was lost because we sinned, but that we have a new day by God's grace to live a life in a way that is glorifying to Him.

Lead by example

2009-10-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to know how to play the piano. My two boys of course are taking piano lessons because I see how good it would be for them to know how to play it properly and one day "thank me" for making them practice faithfully every day. Well, practice time, is not the most exciting time of the day here at my house.... They practice, because they must (usually one is more interested than the other, but both of them would rather play outside!). I have been trying to help them find a motivation to get excited about it and well...... I asked my well educated kids, to teach their mother to play the piano. They know enough theory and have enough ability, to teach their mother. It will be great to anchor that knowledge in their minds by teaching someone, it will be good to make teachers out of these boys. Now I need to persevere and practice, practice and practice. They are SO excited to teach me, to see me practice, when I ask them questions, being faithful even when I find the homework they give me is not that exciting, like memorizing scales, memorizing where the notes are on the keyboard and the "lines" when you read the music sheet. It is all hard work for me, it is not easy to find the time to practice every day for half an hour besides my daily work of school, house keeping, taxi services, ... it is not exciting some days.... but I hope that in my perseverance and with God's help I will learn from my kids to play the piano.

I'll keep you posted on my progress!...

All is a gift

2009-10-16T06:37:00.001-07:00

All is a gift, I have come to learn, I earned nothing, No one owes me anything!, My family, my house, my clothes, my friends, all is a gift from God. For all of these gifts I am forever grateful to God. Anything good that happens, a great family, a godly husband, kids that love the Lord, any kind word, any hug, any help, a good friend, a time alone, a visit from family from Mexico, a nice meal, a date with my husband, a good laugh, nice weather, home school, .. all are gifts from God, all the rest is extra . and yet, all of it, nothing comes even close to the salvation that He has given me and His precious Word renewing my mind with His truth every day. How blessed I am! How blessed I am to have Him!. All the rest..... are undeserved gifts.

Our Thanks giving wekend...

2009-10-14T05:05:00.000-07:00

A very nice meal of organic turkey with cranberry sauce, home made bread, vegetable dishes, apple pie, pumpkin pie, apple sauce, MMM! and table after table of godly people from our church thanking God for His great provision throughout the year.

A great hike! a real hike!, no path to follow, just climbing up the rocky mountain.. how much fun we had!. It was also with our friends from church... we are so blessed to have a church like this!

Time

2009-10-07T08:51:00.001-07:00

My kids are growing up faster than I would like them to. They are able to stay at home alone for a short period of time, they are busy with school but in a more independent way every year, they can bike to a library, they can play for many hours without my assistance... they are growing up!. I feel happy when I see them, when I see them as great boys, kind to each other (most of the time), fearful of God, and respectful to their parents. I am proud of them, I'm happy who they are turning into.

At the same time, it brings me a whole lot of different emotions that I feel very nervous about. I have more time for other things.. I have the time to do my necklaces and to use that time wisely or idle. I have those thoughts coming often lately, a little concerned about WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WHEN THEY NEED ME NO MORE!... what am I going to do!!. I have a career that I am no longer up to date, I'll have free time...I need to start focusing now in the things I want to do after they are gone. What are my abilities, what can I do to keep my mind occupied, I really fear "not having things to do", I want my years to be industrious and busy, I do not want to waste my life.

All those things that also bring me to the thoughts of: how do I install that passion in my kids to help them to start to focus on what they are good at and what they enjoy... so they can be industrious men too. How do I teach them that, so that they won't be idle teens and adults.

There is so much ahead of my life, challenges and training of my mind and my kids, learning and praying, trusting instead of being anxious, being wise instead of foolish, and .. did I mention praying?, praying... that is what my life needs to become more and more.. a praying mother.

Prov. 16:6

2009-09-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

"Through truth and mercy sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord, a man avoids evil." Prov. 16:6

When I was a teenager, I did not get into too much trouble, I was a "good girl", not so much for the desire to want to please God and wanting to live a holy life for Him, but for the fear of the consequences I would get when I get home and my parents would found out. That fear, stopped me from doing many things.

Now a mom of 2 boys more mature than I was then, older spiritually, and hopefully wiser, I am stopped from sinning because I do want to live a holy life, I do want to please Him. But also I am still moved by that fear, fear not to be caught by my parents or my husband but by God. The fear that I do not want to offend my Father, the fear that I do not want to experience God's anger but His mercy.

When I am disciplining my kids, I need every day to discipline them in a way that is pleasing to Him, in a way that He demands from me. So that I will not be a stumbling block for them or my husband. But that I will follow the model given by Him for me.

"Through truth and mercy, sin is atoned for"..I need to have mercy , the same way God had mercy on me. So how do I correct sin?. By speaking truth and showing mercy!. By being patient, repeating a lesson many times, showing compassion when they struggle, and speaking truth to their lives. Reminding them how to walk in God's way and how to persevere. The fear of the Lord will be given to them so that they will avoid evil.

In my life, reading God's word faithfully, showing mercy and speaking truth, must be a priority, or a second priority but first always!. My so treasured sins, the ones I am so used to living with and those that a fear so much to let go, instead of fearing God alone and believe Him and His goodness and mercy than my own comfort. Fear the Lord and I will avoid evil. Fear Him only, the One who is slow to anger but great in mercies.

Fall is here!

2009-09-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

FALL IS HERE!!!

I love the sound of the geese leaving .....where I would like to follow;

I love that special smell in the air telling you is time to eat pumpkin pie .....so you can hibernate comfortably. Apple picking time, making apple sauce, apple pie fillings, ...

I love the beautiful colors on the trees and I love when I see them shedding their leaves. That sounds when I step in my backyard ......which reminds me that I need to rake before the snow starts falling.

All that fall brings with it, all the emotions that the seasons share, the work that it brings, all the exciting activities to look ahead, and that after being caught in the every day routine and the duties of life, I have to stop to be amazed every year at the wonderful world that God created.
"You are worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created!".

My dear nephew drew this!!!

2009-09-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my dear nephew "N" who drew this so inspiring drawing!.

A nice weekend with friends!

2009-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is my dear friend S and her beautiful family. We had a visit yesterday with them after church and I'm always thankful for the time we spend together.. I come back with new challenges and encouraged of all that I learn from her. I love being with godly woman that teach without preaching, but by the way they live their lives. Thank you S!, It was a blessing being with you.

Turkish tiles

2009-09-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

More on Turkey... the boys had to make a tile, but how we did it? we used paint that you can make stickers for the window.. (that by the way we had for a long time!!), they did a very nice work and we decorated our kitchen window with it. I'm liking Turkey more than I thought!, soon we'll try some of their food, like "Turkish delight", "Noah's pudding", and other yummy things, I'll keep you posted!

kilim Turkey

2009-09-21T06:47:00.001-07:00

We are studying Turkey and the boys made this "Kilim" as a project. It is a Turkisk carpet and it was an incredible fun job to do, plus the benefits of patience training... I love homeschooling!

I'm not alone!

2009-09-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 1That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

His grace is sufficient!!, His power is made great in my weakness!, I will boast gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me... so there it is.. yes I am weak, I need Him.

Prov. 3, 19

2009-09-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's eyes. Prov. 3:3-4

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Prov. 19:14

Oh how I wish to have that quiet and gentle spirit!, How I need to have the gift of being prudent with my words and my attitudes. What a blessing to have those gifts!. I am the model my boys are learning of what it is to be a godly wife and mother. What an incredible responsibility I have before me. When they grow up and someone say: you remind me of your mother!, will that be a compliment?, when they grow up, will they remember their mother worrying about what to wear in the morning, or their mother praying on her knees?. Will they understand obedience and submission from me the way I obey and submit to my husband?.

I need Him, Oh I need Him, every hour I need Him, Oh bless me Lord my Saviour, I come to You.

proud, proud, proud!

2009-09-14T08:13:00.001-07:00

The pride of being granparents...

caught the fish!

2009-09-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

My son S, caught this fish in Ixtapa and he got to eat it!! he was very proud and happy to try for the first time this delicatessen. It was fried in garlic and everyone tasted a VERY small portion of it... He ate it with a great big smile on his face!

To my sons

2009-09-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

May they have the faith of Abraham,

May they have the boldness of Paul,

May they have a heart like David, always seeking God.

May they have the wisdom of Salomon,

May they have the patience of Job,

May they be a leader like Joshua, always full of hope.

May they have the courage of Daniel,

May they have the love of John,
May they know Your voice like Samuel and always obey God .

Father God, bless my sons, May they grow to be men of God.

(from a song I learned when I was expecting my first son M.)

We once were slaves!

2009-09-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

I love how the Lord teaches us things.. after reading for many years something in His word it does not make an impact as one day without anything different in it, you read it and changes your view on many things!

The Israelites, were reminded constantly that at one time in their lives, they were slaves, and how God rescued them. They had to think of that often and not forget it. Nor their children or grandchildren, even though they were born free.

Kids that are born in a Christian home (like me in a way since I was saved very young in my life, or my kids for instance) were born with the blessing of loving the Lord since a young age, not experience many sins of the youth and lived our life very differently than our parents did. But we are to be reminded often and remind our children that it was not like that always. That our parents were not saved once, that they were slaves and that God in His mercy rescued them. That they were slaves and that is our history, therefore, WE were slaves. That we need to remember every day, how relatives before us, lived once and were rescued, and the blessings of being born in a family that teaches God's word freely and fully. That it is a great privilege to be part of this and that anything else outside this blessing of protection over our families is nothing but a great honor!.

We are to remind or kids and be reminded of the past, not because of the condemnation that brings, but because of the blessing that represents. We need to speak often of that past that we were delivered from and how our lives could have been if it wasn't for God's grace.

What a blessing it is to be adopted in God's family, to have that undeserved grace and just like the Israelites we often forget our past and desire what slaves have instead of enjoying the freedom that we have. May we never forget what we have been rescued from.

Mexico!!

2009-09-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

We went to Mexico for almost a month, we did lots of things and visited many places. Ixtapa was one of them. We visited "The City of the Children", "Six Flags", the kids made a movie with their cousins (which by the way are very good!), ate many different things, and came back with lots and lots of new memories and with so much gratitude to the Lord for having such a wonderful family.

Here are some pictures.

All of us:

swimming with their cousins and the ocean..

Grandma was lots of fun in the water! And as for the boys... I guess they are too big for the ride..

Best friends! great memories...

enjoying the pool...while the kids are fishing with grandpa..

what a great vacation!

A prayer I read..... and this I pray.

2009-07-22T10:39:00.001-07:00

Help my infirmities; when I am pressed down with sorrow, not knowing what to do, slandered and persecuted. Make me feel the weight of the cross, help me, I pray to You.

If you see in me any wrong thing encouraged, any evil desire cherished, any delight that is not Your delight, any habit that grieves You, any nest of sin in my heart, then grant me Your forgiveness, and teach my feet to walk the way of Your commandments.

Deliver me and make me a holy person; help me to walk the separated life with a firm and brave step; and to wrestle successfully against wickedness.

Teach me to adore and magnify You, and make me a perfume of gratitude to You.
I do not crouch at Your feet as a slave before a tyrant, but exalt You as a son with a father.
Give me power to live as Your child in all my actions, and to exercise sonship by conquering self.

Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity, sober me when I am glad with joy that comes not from You. Lead me safely on the eternal kingdom, not asking whether the road be rough or smooth. I request only to see the face of Him I love; to be content with bread to eat, with clothes to put on if I can be brought to Your house in peace.

Amen.

this is what friends are for...

2009-07-20T13:19:00.001-07:00

S, is helping his friend to pull his tooth out... they tried really hard for a long time.. but no success until I came after with a string and did the final tug!... it was very fun to watch.

animals we saw while camping...

2009-07-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

Among many others.... but these they loved!...

camping and M's b'day

2009-07-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 11Th Birthday M!!!.. you are a very special son... We are very proud of you. We thank God every day for your life. We are blessed to have you as part of our family.. May the Lord continue to bless you and give you wisdom. May His word be always in your heart so that you will always love Him.
We had a great time camping with you!!

AMERICA: To Pray Or Not To Pray

2009-07-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

AMERICA: To Pray Or Not To Pray

Gianna Jessen - Abortion Survivor (Part 1 of 2) - posted by Dave Anon (davisc) - tangle.com

2009-07-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

Gianna Jessen - Abortion Survivor (Part 1 of 2) - posted by Dave Anon (davisc) - tangle.com
An incredible story.... enjoy!

Abortion Deaths Compared to War Deaths

2009-07-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Abortion Deaths Compared to War Deaths

Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you.
Jer. 1:5

you know you are a home school mom, when...

2009-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorites:

1. When the teacher gets to kiss the principal of the school and no one gossips.
2. Your bank statement reflects that you spend most of the income in books and classes than in a fancy clothing store.
3. You have a book case in every room in your house..... and need to have more!
4. You have more than one answer to the question: what about socialization?
5. Your children never leave the "why" stage.
6. Your husband walks at the end of the day home, and does not need to ask how the science experiment went.....
7. On your kitchen counter you have a couple of experiments growing (on purpose!)
8. You are not sure what to expect they'll say when you take you kids the the "Dinosaur museum"
9. When raking leaves and shoveling snow is part of their exercise routine.
10. When you take you kids from tennis to swimming to hockey to art to science classes and realize that you need to cut down on your social activities to do actual school work.
11. When they ask you if you are not afraid of socialization you answer: yes, that's why I home school!
12. Your librarian knows you by name.
13. When their best friends of your kids are the siblings.
14. When your kids are not embarrassed to play with younger kids.

haha!

2009-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

My family...

2009-07-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

This was on "Quebec day" = St. John the Baptist.

The Parrot flower

2009-07-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Parrot flower.
A protected rare flower from Thailand, it is incredible!!

Who but God could do this!!!

piano recital

2009-06-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

S.... playing alone (he played 3 songs) he wqas so happy and proud of himself... and I was very proud of him too.

They played a duet.. I was very impressed!!.. it cost them lots of practice and learning to work together in something SO difficult! It sounded so pretty!

M... played "Fur Elise"... it was beautiful!!, he lives to perform. Makes me very proud to hear him.

My treasures

2009-06-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Reduce me to love

Transition

Reading?

Friends

Sandwiches

The Lord's Supper

Beauty

So You Are Considering Home Schooling?

Trust in the Lord for He is good.

His mercy

The Valley of Vision

4 months

Valley of the Vision

Valley of the Vision

Like the Sun

The Beatitudes

The Way of Salvationby

Lv.13:13-17

Blessings... unknown

Affliction

My Faith

His sovereignty

We ARE slaves.

To my daughter!

Being double minded....

Do I trust that You are Good?

total depravaty...

Love me or hate me!

begining of the year!

First Day of School

You do not undestand!

Search my heart oh Lord!

Dead Puritans..

My sister and I visiting Boston..

hair cut!

Face Book

The Sovereign Lord

Phil. 3 :7 (My favorite one!)

Super Mom, Wife, Nurse, Teacher, Cheff,... ?

Change?

Too dependant on appliances..

The 3 men in my life

Their firs Ice sculptures!

I'm reading....

lessons in life

what's new?

submission

forgiveness

gum grafting

My very best friends..

My youngest son!

My oldest Son

My beautiful city...

good friends!

grandparents

2010

A tool, not a toy!

15 YEARS!!

So cool!

mi historia! - My history!

The prosperity Gospel by John Piper

The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper

last night..

Amazing Story: The Director of Planned Parenthood

God answered our prayers!

October 31

dad and son

love, love and more love... what a nice heritage!

Happy birthday dear "Is.".

Not everything so sweet, but God's merciful patience!

Lead by example

All is a gift

Our Thanks giving wekend...

Time

Prov. 16:6

Fall is here!

My dear nephew drew this!!!

A nice weekend with friends!

Turkish tiles

kilim Turkey

The Way of Salvation

by