A full year?

Can it be? It's been a full year since my last post. I have decided that I do indeed need a place to write my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams. It'll be good for me even if it might be terribly blase and boring for the rest of the world. And if no one ever reads this.

I do hope I'm somewhat interesting though and maybe whatever's going on in my life will help or bless someone else out there in the big, wide world.

I've been working on my memoirs but wondering how to publish them. Working on learning the guitar, keeping on practicing my piano (so I can keep ahead of my students), helping Mario with our DJ business.

So many changes in the past year. So many tears and laughs. I lost another girl friend to cancer, this one to a rare ovarian cancer. Niki was only 30 years old. One minute we were talking about her wedding (which would have been this coming spring), about our music & songs we were writing. The next, I'm helping her pick a dress to be buried in and reading at her funeral. Last year I lost a friend to breast cancer, at the age of 35 she left behind 5 kids & a husband. Kim was strong in her faith and is greatly missed. It's been rough but have learned a lot. A lot about God's will, His faithfulness, His tender care for His children even when it seems awful or wrong or weird.

We recently decided to stop attending services at Joy Community Church (where I am still the financial secretary) and return "home" to Living Word Fellowship. We've only been to about 3 services though since we've been so craaaaazzzzy busy with Mario's Music Company (www.mariosmusiccompany.com). We've had just as many gigs this year as in years past, no recession for us in that department. It keeps us in our house & keeps us fed. We are blessed!

The last week I've been physically exhausted though. Can't figure out why. Sometimes I wonder if I'm depressed again. Last time (the only time) I ever was depressed I had left my corporate job behind and was experiencing horrible bouts of I.B.S. that kept landing me in the ER. I had no idea I was depressed, no idea that my overwhelming desire to sleep all day long was a huge sign. But, I'm not anywhere near that. I'm just seriously fatigued. It can't be my schedule because I had such an easy one these days.

I work at the church 10 hours a week, teaching music lessons on Mondays-Thursdays. I go to a morning ladies' Bible study (started about 4 weeks ago) which will last for another 5 weeks. I feel bad that I have to miss it this week, I have to DJ a company picnic instead - all by myself! Yikes!! We met with our good friend, Tammy, about it this week though & I can already tell it's going to be a lot of fun. As long as I can set up the equipment & have it work properly without Mario helping. LOL

Speaking of the Bible study, I've really been enjoying it. I'm learning that as a student, I still want to just answer the questions instead of really pondering, thinking about them. I'm trying to slow my brain down, let the information soak in. It's fascinating!

Well, I guess that's a good enough catch-up for now. There's lots more but hopefully I'll be better about writing (venting) now....

'Til then!!

Summertime

Well, this summer has been flying by and we've been so blessed with DJ jobs, continuing music lessons (my students don't take many breaks) and church work. It's been a little too busy for my brain to handle, but God is so much more than capable of taking care of that.

Last night I found myself pouring out my heart to Mario. Stuff that I didn't even know was bothering me about life & people in my life kept coming up & he just encouraged me to talk about it. Then he prayed over me and I felt the burdens I didn't even realize were there, just lifting off my heart.

I am so grateful to the Lord for His provision and His direction. He is so very faithful and patient!!

Plans

We are really looking forward to visiting our friends, Andy & Estera Vogel, this weekend as well as stopping by Zion Christian Fellowship in Powell, OH. Pastor Jim & Mary Baker are friends of ours and we'd like to see them on their home turf. Jim is also the brother of my friend who passed away in late May, so we'd like to shower some love on his family while we're there too.

As far as news for us, there really isn't anything to report. Our DJ business is crazy busy - which we love - and our "Vote 4 the Best 2009" rating is 3rd place so far at www.clickondetroit.com . If you read this & would like to vote for us, you absolutely are welcome to just go to http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/mario-s-music-company/biz/47606 . You don't have to be from MI either! The cool thing is that if you end up in the top 5 by the end of the contest (Aug. 31st) then you get some great advertising opportunities and if you're in 1st place, free advertising and a spot on the news!

In other news, I've started researching for my novel. I woke up one morning with all the details and story line, just need to tweek it for value and content. It's extensive research though regarding abortion and current issues so it's tough stuff sometimes! But the story is worth it & I hope it's a really good read.

That's about it for this week...looking forward to seeing my sister & her family next weekend. They've been gone for about a month now & we miss them so very much. --sigh---

A poem

Suddenly
by Angel C. Rodriguez, 5/31/09
In a minute I see Your face
I'm surprised and happy to see You
In a minute all time and space
Have disappeared, now I'm here

It isn't what I thought it'd be
Now I touch Your hands
Your arms encircle me
I feel Your breath on my face

One minute I'm contending in faith
Now, a witness to Your glory
Now no need to keep the pace
I am free, in total awe

Oh Lord, my family and the one I love
Holy Spirit help them, it's You they need
Feel Your peace like a gentle dove
Ever grateful for the time we had

It's just a minute, an earthly life
But this, what I see today
The wonder, the majesty, the light
Suddenly I see beginning and the end


I wrote this poem in honor of my friend, Kim Schrandt, who passed away on May 27, 2009. Kim was 35 years old and leaves behind her husband, Doug, and 5 children from age 9 down to 5 months old. She was a homemaker who homeschooled her children, prayed without ceasing and a strong woman of faith. She will be greatly missed.