Christmas Tree Fiasco

Every year during Thanksgiving weekend we get our Christmas Tree, its been like that since jesse and I have been together. This Thanksgiving weekend came and left so fast this year and no tree, we were sooo busy with Family and guests this year (David brought home a Marine buddy that wasn't able to go home for the holidays so we opened our  home up to him) He stayed all the way through Sunday. He even went to Anaheim with us to see Annabel wrestle at the first tournament for the season. She came in 3rd only losing to a girl that is ranked 4th in State. She is focused for this year and I'm excited to see how far she will go.

Okay, getting back to my Christmas Tree Story, Jesse left the Friday after Thanksgiving Weekend to Phoenix for a Men's Rally in our fellowship, meaning another weekend without a Tree. Ohhh No.. I needed that tree in my home. So Friday when Annabel got out of school I decided we would do it. We ended up at Cheesecake Factory for a nice dinner, then walked around the Oaks, (we had to walk off the Gluttony of a meal we had just endured) Leaving the Oaks, we both complained how tired we were and it was dark already, but we trudged on, getting 2 cups of coffee to spark up our passion to get the tree. Many of you know me and Belly are vertically challenged and our suburban is pretty high up (Yup, I know.. .I have to jump to get inside the driver seat, and have the seat pulled all the way forward to drive) Well we finally arrived at Home Depot and Belly was like "mom, how are we going to get that tree on the suburban" Ohh Ye of Little Faith!!! The Awesome worker at Home Depot Put it on top of it for us and even tied it down, of course Bell was watching the mirror the whole time making sure the tree didn't go flying off. When we finally got home we were stratergizing how we were going to get it off the roof of the SUV.. Annabel climbed on one side and me on the other, I wish I had someone taking pictures of this. When we finally off the car and took it upstairs, got it in the tree stand (only 2 hours to try to stand up in the stand without falling over). Here is the finishing tree... None of the ornaments match and the kids ornaments from elementary school are on it... See I am OCD remember and the oranments are supposed to match and be set on a theme, but with my age (and knowing Athena will be making me ornaments soon) I figured I would let Annabel go at it this year, so when Athena wants to, the kids can't complain. (shhhhhh... yup, I know not fair)

Sooo there you go... Wait.. no Fiasco in that story.. well i'm not done. Bell and I finally went to sleep, since she had to wrestle and be in Oxnard at 10 am the next morning, so while I was in a deep sleep I heard the loudest CRASH ever at 6 in the morning. I thought the building got hit or a train crashed across the street, but in an instant.. I remembered I put up the tree the day before. So I jumped out of bed and ran to the living room, my instincts were correct, my wonderful tree was on its side water all over the gifts and just lying there pitiful. I instantly texted jesse ( WE ARE GETTING A FAKE TREE NEXT YEAR & YOUR NEVER ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE STATE DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR EVER AGAIN).He laughed at me and called me, I could hear the guys in the background making fun of me. Ohhh talk about getting my adrenaline up and not being to go back to sleep. Annabel and I had to get a ladder to hold the tree up till Jesse got home that night. It was the most depressing looking tree ever. Well we got our tree up and ornaments back on, gifts re-wrapped (yup, i know.. they all got wet) But its gonna be a good Christmas, I got all my children coming home and my Mom. Have an awesome rest of the week!!!

Matthew 8:26
“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”

L.L.S. - LOVE, LEAD, SHARPEN

So many things that are so out of the norm have happened in the last two weeks. My heart breaks over alot of it. Is it self inflicted or just people? People always say your weak if your a Christian, but I beg to differ, being a Christian has been one of the toughest challenges to me (besides being a mom) See if your like everyone else in the world, something goes wrong or you don't like it, you can easily make a phone call cuss someone out and go have a drink, and who cares if you were in the right or in the wrong (yup, I know... I was cussed out this week), funny thing is it was done over voicemail, I just seen I missed a call but there was no message there, so I called this person back, had to calm the situation (without getting my emotions involved, which is such a hard thing for me, ask anyone that knows me) But I could hear Jess in my head saying, keep your cool cuz this can escalate, needless to say I got the person calm and hope it is situated, only time will tell, considering I thought it was taken care of last week. Anyways, that leads to how awesome God is, because had I heard that message of her cussing me out before I called would I had reacted differently... me knowing me.. For Sure... I would of manifested and been called legion in that one phone call HA HA HA (yup, I know.. i'm a nut) I have to sit and laugh at this because if I don't I can grow bitter, and that bitterness can grow into something nasty, something I want no part in.
This whole situation that started up last week got me and Jess talking about some serious things, and I had to tell him how much I just need his Love and for him to Lead... with those two things.. he begins to Sharpen me.. help to build me (with God's help of course) into the Woman, Wife, Friend, Mother, that God Wants me to be. I have such a hard time saying yes to God, no comes out sooo much easier (yup, I know... to personal) but you know what, these entries help me vent out in a way, so that nasty bitterness doesn't creep in. Its like just lately we both find ourselves fighting something... its like we get to this certain point in our walk and don't know how to get that breakthrough. Jesse went to Phoenix for a mens rally with our fellowship for 2 days and came back excited for what he heard, and knew what he needed to do.. Well the day after he got home, i have a breakdown.... i knew i needed a breakthrough.. lucky for me he bought the DVD's and put one on about addiction (don't worry i'm not an alcholic or on drugs) but addiction is a type of idolotry .. anything you put before God.. and my addiction can be my bad temper or negativity.. Let me tell you 5 minutes into the DVD, I was like Shut it Off.. i'll repent already.. LOL. I finished the video and thanked my hubby for once again loving me enough to lead me to the sharpening knife and putting me under for a quick heart surgery. Even after the heart surgery, Jesse still felt uneasy, called a brother in another state about some stuff... maybe to whine who knows but the brothers response was "how do you now all these things, God isn't orchestrating to deal with some things you and Delilah need to deal with, for something greater that is to come" HMMMMM??? Can you say we both had to repent AGAIN... I love this fellowship and the men & women in it, when we are going through the fire, I know we can call someone and get some good Godly advice and its not biased but based off the word of God.
Sorry if this entry was a heavy reavy... next entry will be lighter as I tell you about my Christmas Tree Fiasco.. hahaha

PROVERBS 27:17 

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Harvest

Its only been a couple of weeks since my last entry but seems like forever ago. Whereever do I begin. We just got over Halloween, not that we celebrate it, but use it as an instrument to see souls saved. Our youth group that we call Young D.O.G.s (disciples of God) really got into it. 3 of them have jobs and called in or asked for the time off just to make sure they made practice and the put 100% into it, the others are in sports so would come directly out of practice worn out but ready to serve!! The drama could not of happened without these kids. I am so proud to be part of what is going on in their lives. 
So the Saturday before Jesse and I woke up early to pray a special prayer (yup, i know... it should always be special when we pray) but what you don't know is it seems like everytime we try to do something for God ... those fiery darts start taking aim (its usually me and my OCD.. i want it my way, my time or forget about it) yup, I know tooo much information.. But my hubby is so aware of these darts that he prepares mentally not only for them but for me. That sounds so horrible, I mean I eventually give in to him and his leadership skills, sometimes kicking and screaming (in our home, i'm not that crazy to do it in front of people) I would never belittle my husband like that. But does that make it or me any better NO.. I am a work in progress and will be the first to admit of all my flaws. My heart is being molded everyday for "his" glory. Okay back to my story...Saturday, we had originally planned to be at the church at like 9 am, yeah didn't happen, i had 4 teenagers stay over and the night before was our annual harvesters at our mother church in Santa Monica, needless to say, we slept in with much needed sleep. So by the time we got to the church it was lunch, the girls went and grabbed a pizza while Jess worked on all the lights we would be needing for the drama and I worked on getting some sort of curtain put up. 

The next 3 days were filled with us being at the church what seemed liked 24/7 (yup, i know... over exaggerating) But by Wednesday Night... everything came together.. the practicing

 ..the outreaching 

.. all built up for that one moment....

 souls being saved!!!! 6 souls came to the decision of salvation. All Glory to God...I failed to mention, Jesse and I stayed up Sunday night till Midnight trying to get a punch for this drama... and we got it... it finally came together at our last practice on Tuesday. See we may not have the greatest talent or most money to do extravagant dramas, but our little church and our people have BIG hearts for souls and  God sees and uses that for his glory.. WOW, if he could use Port Hueneme for this..How much more can he do in your city if you allow him?? 
After an exhausting week (well worth it) November 1st.. we went to church cleaning, was home by noon and layed around all day..

 We haven't done that in months.. and it was sooo nice. Well, its Monday back to the grind at Work, Follow up on some new souls added to the kingdom.. ohhh and begin planning the annual desert exchange for the women of our congregation. Have an awesome week!!! Be thankful this month!!

Mathew 9:37

Then he said to his Discples "The Harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few"

One Year Old

Well believe it or not, just one year ago I was writing on how faith got me through such a roller coaster ride of the birth of my 1st grandchild Athena RaeLynn Madera. She has brought so much joy and love into my life, I tear up just thinking of all the behind the scenes of my ugly character that she has changed, just by being here. I thank God everyday for her. Last Thursday she got her very first ear infection (yup, I know... two days before her birthday party). But the party was in full motion and everything turned out perfect. My pastor and his family showed up with others from our congregation and a handfull of family members. I do have to say... so glad its over.. LOL don't get me wrong. I love planning parties.. but thats just it.. I love planning them, but thats all I would rather not entertain, even though I'm good at it. I would like to for once just sit back and watch. But me being me (was called OCD and Control Freak this week) I don't think I could sit back. LOL. Its ok I can designate pretty well. 

I would have to say the best part of the party was seeing my mom there and seeing what an awesome woman of God she has become and is allowing God to mold her, she has bypassed everything I ever thought she would do. I honestly wasn't expecting her to show up, due to some family issues, but she did. Not only did she show up, she stayed, she did walk out the room, compose herself and came back in and showed me and everyone else the Joy of the Lord and all he is doing in her life. See had this situation arise 2 years ago, I know for a fact my mom would not of showed up or she would of and it would of ended in yelling and fighting (yup, I know .. .overexagerating) but for reals.. it would of! But like I said GOD IS AMAZING.. its all on his timing of  what he is doing in our lives.. we just have to be patient, its not in our timing.. I have waited 40 years to have my mom.. .not a mother.. but my mom, and I know my girls and I are enjoying every minute we have with her. Have an awesome week. Its back to the fathers business and prepare to see souls saved this month, with Harvesters next week and our "Dead End" Drama for Halloween.

Ecclesiastes 3

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

NEGLECT

So these last couple of weeks I have been heading over to a couple of other properties to help my supervisor out with a whole bunch of work that is behind. I'm not talking about a whole bunch of work I'm talking about years of neglected work, stuff that should of been filed away since 2012. When I got there I had no idea what I was getting into, I don't think she did either, but then I got a serious revelation yesterday.... all this neglect put the work in a disarray, things missing that are mandatory,  that you don't even know are missing but should be put in the file.. and that goes the same with our Christianity. The neglect or putting off of things in our Christianity will do the exact same thing. Stuff that should or should not be in our heart suddenly gets there due to Neglect,  whether its slacking off on your morning prayer or reading of the bible. Things in our heart can get in a total disarray, and who really wants to be there?  What may of only took 2 weeks of Neglect can take months or years to fix. My Pastor preached a sermon last night on a sure foundation, its things that are going to help us stay in the Faith, but we need to remember our reference points and not neglect the little things (like filing) because when an audit comes in (like a trial or tribulation) Are we going to pass or just fail, because we know its bound to happen, just make sure your ready. Have a great weekend. Pictures to come of Athena's first Bday!!!

HEBREWS 2:3

how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

NEUTRAL

I have been asked multiple times "why haven't  you updated your blog" Good question... not so easy an answer. This last weekend my hubby and I were blessed to be able to go to Pismo Beach for a Marrieds Retreat. Everything was coming against us not going, to the point of the day before a family member  not having enough money to pay rent and asking for help, then J saying yes, so should be reconsider going and spending extra money? But we stepped out and went anyways. And boy are we glad we did. See the last few months Jess and I have been on "Neutral" with our walk with God. Not deep in sin or so we thought, but just not moving forward, on the calling we have been called to and that is to Love Jesus & See Souls Saved. Its like we always (or at least speaking for myself) get soo far in ministry and then its like this cloud covers over me. I forget who I am and what I was saved from. I start looking around and not at myself, and that is such an ugly place to be because I forget about J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, You) and in doing so I puts me in a "Neutral" stage.. I don't worry about the flock God has given us to work with or the needs of the Church. Now that is a total sin because its, in my opinion is full on rebellion. Its funny the first sermon at the retreat wasn't revelation, but simple to the point of saying if our marriage fails what will be the focal point for our kids to see us making it. And the lightbulb went off on me with my salvation and ministry... goes hand in hand since we are supposed to be married to the church, what will the people in church (baby christians) focal point be if we backslid or go in "Neutral"  The final sermon also put the final nudge on me, talking about smoke damage (like from a fire) Smoke damage can be smelled on for a long time even after the fire has burned out... and I don't want that lingering on me like some stinky ugly thought of yesterdays defeats. No I want that FIRE - God's Fire like with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were in that had no smoke damage, becuase of faithfulness!! I guess its time to step out in faith and not look to the left nor to the right but on to Jesus to the finish line. 
I will be posting more often, no excuses anymore!!!

1 Peter 1:7 

 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Stepping it Up

Where has the summer gone... its like just yesterday I was writing about getting ready for conference and we are back, have had numberous outreachs, door scenes, park carnivals, a wedding, and a revival... and that was all squeezed in just in the last two weeks. 

I just finished reading a blog by a women I have always admired, but recently have come to really appreciate her words. She is an unspoken hero in my book... she wrote about "taking time to breath" Boy is that some seriously wise words that I should listen too.. I get so caught up with any little task I do. Don't get me wrong I love every minute of it, but sometimes I do get a little overwhelmed but a bit too prideful and controlling stop and breath (yup, I know.... me prideful and controlling).  
Jesse & I have been having such a personal breakthrough with our Young D.O.G.s (Disciples of God) youth group. We got them going on outreach, wanting to just hang out with us, (how many teenagers do you know that want to hang out with two old geezers...even if were cool geezers.. hee hee)

 Last Sunday he did an illustration on what Jesus means to us... and his death.... how it affects us.. he had each kid be a part of the walk and crucifix  of Jesus.. he had one kid carry the cross.. and went into detail..

He really touched the kids after service one kid came up and said that was one of his favorite studies... See Jesse has such a soft heart for people especially kids, I think alot of that stems from him not really enjoying or getting to be a kid for so long in his childhood.The bible talks about when you grow old put childhood things behind.. but Jesus has given Jesse the heart to keep those things to really touch these kids. 
Revival wasn't something I was looking up to (yup I know.. what??) I was just exhausted going non stop was taking a toll on me plus working Overtime at work also ( the devil soo knows how to try to distract me) The last night of revival was something new ..a prayer and prophecy service... the girls were sooo excited to see what God had for them.. they went EXPECTING.. and guess what.. each girl, Cinda, Bell & Myra each got a word.. and on point with where each girl was on her walk with God. I was a ball of tears as the Pastor spoke.. then he came up to my Hubby... time for his to step up his game... god wants him to make disciples not just be a disciple...
The pastor asked us what we wanted to pray for.. I told him something that was really dear to my heart.. and after service I got a message from someone at another church that it happened..  Isn't God Great!!! He knows us better than we know ourselves.. knows what we need not what we want. But does gives us the desires of our hearts.. especially when its for souls.
I am ready for the new school year to move upon us and see what more exciting things God has for us. Have an awesome rest of the week!!! 

Ephesians 5:1 

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.