Kids

I received this precious story in my email today and, as an aunt, really feel the need to share it here.

This one is for everyone who...
a) has kids
b) had kids
c) was a kid
d) knows a kid
e) is going to have kids.
I guess that means all of us!!

DADDY'S GONNA EAT YOUR FINGERS

I was packing for my business trip andmy three year old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed. At one point she said, 'Daddy, look at this',and stuck out two of her fingers.
Trying to keep her entertained, I reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in my mouth and said, 'Daddy's gonna eat your fingers,' pretending to eat them. I went back to packing, looked up againand my daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face.
I said,'What's wrong, honey?' She replied, 'What happened to my booger?'


hahahahahaha!!!

Update

So, I haven't written for a while & thought I'd jot down some of our recent prayer requests, praise reports and happenings...

• my bro-in-law, Paul, needs prayer for continued physical healing
• my father & Paul both need new jobs a.s.a.p.
• Paul & April, the kids and my mom all had the flu this weekend but have weathered the storm and are recuperating
• salvation for some of Mario's sisters
• continued healing for Monica (Mario's sis) and for continued financial provision
• we may be adding another praise & worship leader here at JCC soon; I'm prayerfully excited about this!
• Mario & I usually have February, March & April off for our DJ business but this year we have 4 gigs in Feb, and 1 each in March & April!!!
• Dad's birthday celebration was low-key since April's family had the flu and Mario was working. We bought him a new game for his Wii system & he & I played for an hour or two. It was fun!!
• My high school friends are putting together a multi-class reunion for July this year & asked us to DJ it. Yippee!!
• I had a serious bout with IBS & endometriosis again early this month but have been managing it well since then. I'm also working out 4 times a week at the gym. Woo hoo!!
• Our neighbors recently asked us "how you do it" regarding having hope & living with peace during financial stress. It was a great open door to talk about God's provision and turning your life to Him.
• We had a table at the Gino's Surf bridal show a few Sundays ago & booked a wedding right then & there!!

There's always more to share, but that's the news in a nutshell for now. Thank you, Lord for continued provision, peace & health!!

2009 is our year!

Mario woke up one morning a week ago & said to me, "this is our year, hon. I'm expecting something big and good this year." And so we've embarked on our year of promise.

Someone recently asked me what it is we're expecting. Well, we're expecting to grow in the gifts God has given of course, to prosper as He's promised, to be healthy, all these things & more. But the "something big"? No idea. And we're so ready for it, whatever it is.

Meanwhile, I've been learning a lot in the worship ministry arena. I can't write it out yet but I'm getting stirred up and the congregation here at Joy is getting stirred up. It's a deeper level of beautiful than I've ever experiences and I'm really enjoying the journey.

I've also committed to writing those children's stories I've been telling my family's kids for the past 15 years, and having them published. I have 2 other book ideas too, one given to me in a dream. So, it's time to get started on those. And Mario is praying about becoming a youth minister. 2009 is bringing changes....we're also praying about children, adding to our family one way or another. Adoption is certainly an option. Yes, I rhymed that on purpose.

I told my sister yesterday that we have passed the "suffering" stage - although not much has changed in our employment or in the "natural" we feel confident, held in the palm of God's hand and plan. We've learned to trust Him with our finances and He's shown us A LOT in the department!!! We're still learning daily but the "stress" of it is gone. PTL!!

All this to say, we're pressing in on behalf of our families too - my dad & bro-in-law, Mario's sisters & Mom - 2009 is our year!!

It's Christmastime again

As I sit at the computer this morning, it is so tempting to let the thoughts flying around and through my mind take control of me. But, I've prayed this morning to let the Holy Spirit have His peace and contentment flow through me, especially these next few days.

I was baking (or attempting to) last night and realized I just didn't have enough time to do all that I think I should be doing. I would like to have the same traditions I had with my parents when I was younger, to bake, to have a clean home, to sit by the fire with my cocoa looking at my Christmas tree. But add these things to the way Mario & I have chosen to live - 4 jobs between the 2 of us, very active at church, very social, fun-loving....well, I just can't make it happen. So, I've discovered that I need to let go of the "perfect" life vision I have and enjoy my now, enjoy this moment that the Lord has given me.

Now, this is a lesson I truly do understand and know already but for some reason during this season, I'm taking it to a deeper level. I'm interested to see where the Lord will take me down this path of thought.

So, even if I don't get to bake my favorite Candy Cane cookies or vacuum & dust the house; even if I don't get to stare at my very lovely Christmas tree, I will celebrate the Lord and the Love of my life, the One who cares for me, who brings me true peace & fulfillment. And I will thank Him for all that I have for I am truly grateful and without Him, it just wouldn't be Christmas now, would it?

Smiling, I close with a prayer for all of our family & loved ones this season, that whoever reads this will know that we are praying for you.