WHERE IS TIME GONE?

I have found myself extremely busy in the last few weeks.  I really thought I was going to keep up with the blogging thing, but as it turns out, age had taken its toll on me.  I used to be able to juggle an overbooked agenda, sleep a couple of hours and be so energized like the bunny....  Now I can barely keep up with my daily routine, social life and our service life to our church.  I have been on total denial, but my body actions are speaking louder than my words.  I find this demanding life, however, extremely pleasant and full of so many exciting moments and amazing blessing that I would not change it for anything in the world.  The Lord has been so abundantly merciful to me, my kids are just so wonderfully incredible and my husband is the most adoring man.  Do they give me a headache?  Of course (with the exception of God, who actually takes care of my headaches)  To be fair, is all mutual, I receive and I give (still talking about the headaches).  But in the midst of all the problems, chaos and silly upsetting moments, I find peace, love and pleasure in knowing that God has provided me with a normal family and that He’s surrounding us with his everlasting compassion.  So, at the end of the day, if I have to hit the snooze button a million times, I know is o.k.  I may be aging, but I'm living my life to the fullest and is all for Him and through Him and it’s 100% worth it!

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 (NLT), “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

Road Surprise in a Jiffy!

Is 7:25 a.m. and I‘m a block away from my office when the red light goes on and I come to a complete stop.  My 4 miles morning commute to work includes air1 at full blast, me singing aloud or laughing at the comments and the A/C on as it is summer time in the Inland Empire.  So, it was a real surprise when the light changes to green and my car stalls on me.  The radio is off, the A/C is off, and I seem to be off as my brain tries to react to the unexpected.  Total denial!  I cannot believe the battery just died on me on the busiest street of Rancho Cucamonga.  I’m a block away from work for crying out loud!  Couldn’t Ravita (I named my cars) have just run for one more block and then rest in the parking lot?  I turn the hazard lights on and all I can hear is people who are going to be late to work honking at me as if I could do something about it.  I keep turning the ignition holding the clutch and pushing the gas pedal while asking God for help. All of the sudden I hear and feel a big loud bump on the back of my car.  Did somebody just hit me? 

Well, the story goes like this: I did get rear-ended and it all just happened in a couple of minutes but it sure felt like an eternity.  I’m confused as I don’t see how or why this 2008 Lexus LS would decide to make a grand stop inside my trunk.  Now then, nothing really happened to either car, thank God! I do have whiplash and light headache which is very normal after our fragile bodies go through such ordeal in seconds.  The strangest feeling of déjà-vu has come to me.  Just a few nights ago I had dreams of car accident and deaths. I have decided, however, that this minor accident will not ruin my day.  I will not allow this trail to take ownership over myself.  Instead, I got to push myself and rejoice in the wonders of God.  Like my husband reassured me over the phone, I’m still alive and in good condition, that alone is the greatest blessing that God is granted me today. I cannot wait to see what else He’s got in store for me.  My family and I “have decided to fully trust in Jesus Christ to work his miracle in our lives.” (M. MacIntosh)

Sammy Rodriguez just mentioned the other day that trials in our lives are a sign of being in the right place at the right time doing the work that God has called us to do.   And as my friend Janeth texted me this morning: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

What’s a Butterfly Kiss, Anyway?

A butterfly kiss is that gentle feeling of the wings brushing against your cheeks, yet so powerful that it shivers your innermost.  That’s exactly what my muffin heads (cabezonsitos) do to me every single time.  I have to say that the reward of being a parent is pleasantly relived through those special moments.  

I had a butterfly kiss last night when putting my kids to sleep, and I’m still electrified by it.  Our daily bed time routine includes using the restroom, brushing our teeth, reading two books (1 for each kid) and saying a prayer. They each say their own prayer, but I always let them know of any special request so they may include it.  Debbie always cracks me up as her gentle prayers include from movies and cartoon characters to the neighbor’s dogs.  Don’t think I’m a bad parent, I don’t laugh out loud.  I hold it in and then talk about it afterwards with Javier, my husband.  Jesse, on the other hand, has such a compassionate approach to his prayers.  He doesn’t just pray for his family, friends and the pastors.  He prays for the church, for the vine groups, for the city for crying out loud!  It is really a gift.

Last night’s request was a bit complex.  But after explaining that daddy was at the hospital visiting a friend whose sister was very ill, they got the concept.  After all, they are brother and sister and understood the relevance of it all.  As we closed our eyes I listened to my son’s simple powerful words when all of the sudden I feel the brushing against my cheeks and my heart shivering…there it was as he exclaimed: Jesus, please help Carlos’s sister.  She’s at the hospital right now, but I know that you’re the best doctor ever!”  The kiss, I had a butterfly kiss that electrified my whole being and shake up my faith. I can only imagine how God must have felt to see how much He means to his little boy.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Luke 18:16

  New hair, New Me 

Beauty is a major part of my DNA.  I love to get pedicures and manicures, change my hair color and shop for the latest trends in fashion.  I love to dress up!  High heels, skirts, dresses, nice tops for my jeans, make up (even if I’m just home); these are all a big part of my life. Like the song says “antes muerta que sencilla” (that’s Spanish for I rather be dead than be simple).  But keeping up with these demands can be such a drag, both, in my pocket and my schedule.  I don’t just have to worry about me anymore, there is my lovely husband and my kids whom I love to see clean, fashionable and well groomed.  I’m sure that parents will identify with me when I prefer to buy an outfit for my kids instead of me.  So, when I get something done or buy something new, is such a real treat that I rejoice on it for days.

This week I’m in such rejoicing mood.  On Sunday we received a very inspiring message on how God has given us a new name, a new purpose in life and a new future.  So I decided to complete the package and get a new hair do. I’m so grateful to God that I have inherited a wonderful niece who recently graduated from beauty school.  Lesly is not only a graduate but she’s truly gifted in this area.  Unfortunately,  as it always is, only a few have been able to see the change, one of them being my hubby.  Though I’m not quite sure if he did notice the change or it was more like pressure because he went with me to get my hair done.  Either way, I love it when he compliments me.  So my hair is shorter and darker and in layers and I LOVE IT. How can you not see the change? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not desperate for attention.  Is just something that’s gotten me thinking deeper and deeper. 

My baby girl, on the other hand, is not quite happy with her haircut.  Mind you that she’s only 3 years old!  Anyhow, it was her choice to get a haircut and as we were carrying on a conversation, she sat on the chair and exclaimed “I go first Lesly!  I decided to let her get her bangs trimmed.  She was done in a second so she demanded her cousin to cut more: “more, more…cut more Leslie. Ay, ay, ay!  I can only imagine what she’ll be like in a few years. 

As much as I know that appearances and first impressions are important, I also believe that God looks at the inside not the outside.  At the end of the day, my questions should be if people have seen the change in my life? Have they seen the strength and love that motivates me every second of my life?  Have they seen the new me?  I have known the Lord for quite some time, but His word says that He renews us and molds us every single day.  That means that the people around me should be able to see those improvements.  I’m not perfect, but my life in working progress in His perfect hands.  I should be more like my little Debbie, be first in line and have a passionate desire for more.  I should exclaim with my innermost  “I want more, Jesus!”  

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  Phil 1:6



Mid Yeear, New Blessings

Have you ever heard that everybody should write a book, plant a tree and have a kid?  From this list, I can corroborate that I have given birth to two kids and have planted flowers and shrubs, although I’m not sure if they honestly count as planting a tree.  So what is left to do before the end of times?  Write a book!  This idea has been navigating in my head for quite some time.  But more than a book, I have strongly desire to start my own blog.  Would this count as writing a book?  Maybe not, but it’s a beginning of a special chapter in my life.

I guess I have finally overcome the fear of what would others think of my writing.  Believe me, my writing skills were brutally smashed to pieces during my first year of college.  I remember spending days researching and typing my very first essay after having graduated with honors from high school, only to get it back with a big ugly red “D” on it.  The pain was unbearable back then, but now, is just a memory saved in my brain’s hard drive.  Who is going to grade me now?  Is it worth it to give it a try? Would my life happenings and stories be able to help others?  I don’t really have the answers to my questions yet, but this I know, it will at least suffice the hunger in my soul to type away my thoughts, my stories and my most inner feelings.

They say that is better late than never and I have now taken ownership over this phrase.  Today I have not only started my blog, but also have taken the first steps toward revamping my fitness and building a much stronger relationship with my Creator (I went for a walk this morning while having a devotional time).  I know, it is the Middle of the year, but in God’s eyes, today is a new day and a new opportunity to enjoy his countless blessings.  Enjoy!

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5