Walls Up

So January is already over and so much has happened in my emotion roller coaster kinda life. So much to catch you all up on.
The month started out sooo perfectly heading to Prescott Arizona for our January Fellowship Conference.

 We got to meet up with so many old friends from the North West. I know Jesse and I were both a little apprehensive about seeing them. But with Gods Grace everything was perfect, lots of tears of joy. Seeing my old friend Mitch, was such a blessing and brought me back to the beginning joys of when I first became a Christian. 

I know the devil was out for us from the get go, because by day 2, we got a call saying Annabel was being rushed to the emergency room. I was like really?? Now?? But with prayer and faith, she was fine, no broken ribs (the life of a wrestler).

 I then met a pastors wife from New Mexico in the elevator (yup, I know, God knows what he is doing) she gave me some information on a new church in the town my cousin lives in. I text my cousin that day and her and her husband have been faithful going to that new work, Mike is even attending the morning prayer. My prayers for them have been non stop, we played hard together, now we will serve hard together. All because of God's timely ways.

So many timely messages were preached and one that really sticks out was by Pastor Warner, 3,2,1....life changing experiences... Well on the last day of conference I got one of those life changing experiences, it was an unexpected phone call. That call did something to me that I find myself having a hard time to tear this wall down that came up when that call was received and I knew the events were taking place as we drove back to California. I hate crying, but our drive home consisted of just that and Jesse laying hands on me praying. I know when I put a wall up, its so I don't get hurt, to me it feels like every time I take a brick off it makes me vulnerable for just that (to get hurt) Were is God in all this I ask, and that's the problem, my my wall goes up, I find it hard to pray and seek him... Yup, I know to honest, because he should be the one I run to so HE can tear down these walls he so wonderfully does. 
Well its the 3rd week of coming home from conference and my shell is still there but I know I am little by little trying, to come out my shell. Jesse has been very supportive and is a true blessing to have as a partner. 

Okay enough with the downer, for some awesome upbeat news.. Jesse and I started up a youth bible study, and Annabel was able to get 3 of the wrestlers to come, I was so gloriously blessed to be able to pray with the two girls, (that took two bricks off my heavy heart) it reminds me of Gods awesome power to save. The most awesome part of that was they are excited to come back next week and actually showed up to Bible Club (did I mention our pastor is a High School math teacher where Annabel goes to school and holds a Bible Club meeting every week) That is such a milestone Jesse and I have been praying for. We want the next generation to catch the Vision we have been laboring for, and its coming to pass. 

Well, in two weeks we will be having Pastor Warner and his wife bless us with a Marriage Seminar. It's time for me to really start tearing down this wall and believe God is going to put spiritual blinders on me to protect my heart. Pray for us and I pray for all you!! Have a blessed week!!!

Isaiah 25:12

The fortress of the high fort of your walls He will bring down, lay low, And bring to the ground, down to the dust.

QUALITY not QUANTITY

So it's 2014.. Yup, I know.... so much has happened since my last post. We had Christmas and New Years. This was our first year as Grandparents for Jesse and I, and I do have to say it was the most amazing feeling to have. We both had to work on Christmas Eve, and I hadn't even bought our prime rib yet for dinner. Yup, I know.. Lil miss planner was sooo not ready for Christmas this year.. just two days before I was still trying to buy gifts, getting Athena's ears pierced, oh and did I forget to mention I spent the Friday and Saturday before Christmas at the High School running the wrestling snack bar that is over 24 full hours put in two days (thank you Hilda for all your help).. WHOOO no wonder I was a mess. I text Jesse first minute I got into my office on Christmas Eve.. my usual melt down.. who else will listen to me.. ohhh how I love him. He  kept reminding me we have time.. everything will be fine.. "Be fine, we still got to go shopping for dinner, make our rounds to my abuelita's house for tamales, candle light service at 6, then drive back to Moorpark to make dinner. Well as usual my hubby was right, we had time.. God stretched the time out for us. We decided on something different for dinner and went with a steamer pot (like joe's crab shack with andouille sausage, clams, corn on the cob, red potatoes, shrimp). It was perfect. after dinner we decided to play a new game we bought for the family. My mom cracks me up, she just doesn't get it sometimes.. I just thank God he saved her and brought us back together as a mother daughter should be. 

We finally let the kids open their gifts and they stayed up till a little after two am. Christmas day, Jesse and David made breakfast while I baked some goodies to take to Jesse's sisters house. At the same time Jesse, Bell & David were getting their silly Christmas outfits together (his awesome sister always has a different kind of theme) Jesse swears he took first. I felt a cold coming on and took some day quil on the way there and tried to fight it off  but  it till finally took over and on the way home I took some nyquil.... I was down for the count for the next 3 days. I finally left the house Sunday morning to go to church. I ended up missing a two day wrestling tournament that I was supposed to chaperone, once again THANK YOU HILDA FOR STEPPING IN!!!! Annabel wasn't too happy since this Saturday I will be missing another Tournament as Jesse & I will be leaving to Prescott for our fellowships
January Conference. Sorry Baby Girl!!! But know that dad and I are proud of you.. Did I mention she text me the first day and said she just led the girls in a prayer while they were in a huddle before the first match. That's QUALITY....
New Years, Jesse planned a night of games and food at the church. My awesome pastor's wife decorated the church so perfectly. So many families were out sick. But this was a get together in my opinion of QUALITY not QUANTITY. We had two new families that are beginning to really lock in, they are such a blessing to our congregation in their own ways and we are truly blessed to have them. We also had an abundance of  teenagers come, three just so happened to be wrestlers that are on Annabel's team... and attend the school my pastor teaches at. See I honestly believe God brought Jesse and I to this little church to watch and remind us of How Great is Our God. I know my hubby was a little discouraged there wasn't a bigger turnout for the Celebration.. but I reminded him Quality not Quantity. See even when things are going good, the devil will try to sneak his slimy head in and try to take any Victory that God is doing. 

Finally last night we had our prayer and prophecy service and again, not many came, but those that did, had this apparent fire in their hearts to get a hold of all that God has for our congregation. Jesse asked me what our personal theme was for the new year.. I instantly said Discipline..because personally I know I need more discipline in my prayer life, reading my bible, follow up... the list goes on and on, but as I write this and have been trying to get a hold of God since last nights prayer service.. I changed that theme to Quality not Quantity... Make everything I do for 2014 matter.. like its the last time I have to do it... whether its to share the gospel with someone or show my hubby that I do listen and be more sensitive to his needs. Like its an URGENCY.. remember Jesus is coming back and we don't know when.. make your life matter, he did...... for you!!!

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.