VICTORIA'S VICTORIES

We're Leaving Soon

2009-03-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much for your support. We'll be leaving the DFW area on May 18, then traveling to Virginia to share our vision with friends and churches there.
We will then travel to New Jersey to say goodbye to family and to share our vision with some. Then we'll cross the Hudson into New York City to do some last minute shopping and to ship some items to the Dominican Republic.
We'll fly out of New York on May 29!
What a journey this has been for our bustling family of 10! Each day something is packed. Each week something we've grown to love is removed from our home and placed with another family to love. We have truly learned that life is not about us, nor is it our own.
We are all ready to give ourselves for a greater cause...one that denies self.
As we continue, we are still in need of those who would invest in our land project. Each acre costs $670. Would you consider purchasing an acre to help keep children off the streets?
We also need monthly support as we plan to reach at least 50 children during 2009-2010.
If you want specific details about this mission, please let us know. We would love to come to your home or workplace to share our presentation with you. If we won't be in your neck of the woods, we can email you our presentation and/or ministry plan and go through it with you via telephone, skype or windows live messenger.

Financial gifts can be sent to:
City Church International (our sending church)
P.O. Box 721191Dallas, TX 75372-1191
Please attach a note stating "Let the Children Come Ministries" , but write the check to CCI.

Blessings to you,
The Dominguez Family

A New Day...Life Changes

2008-12-27T10:56:00.003-06:00

The reality of our move to the Dominican Republic is ringing over and over in my heart these days. For so long, it was just something we talked about, wished for, thought of and prayed for; but for some awkward reason, I never really thought it would happen. Oh Lord, forgive me for my lack of faith!
I'm humbled that God would choose me to rescue orphans. I was fatherless too, but God used the love of my mom, grandmother, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, pastors, my children and my awesome husband to shape me into His image (I'm still a work in progress). He's a good God, using those of us who seem to have no hope to bring hope to others.
I never thought that God would use me this way. When I was a little girl, I remember asking Him to surround me with those who would love me. I was content when He answered that prayer-never did I think that He would use me to shower His love on other children who may be praying the same prayer.
So here we go, on a journey of a lifetime, to rescue abandoned children in the Dominican Republic. Today, a new day begins for the Dominguez family!

A New Day

2008-10-28T09:11:00.002-05:00

God's mercies are new each day. We need to purpose to seek Him daily. We must hear His voice every day, not just on Sunday at church. He wants a real relationship with us and we need to respond to His call. I wish that I had more time to talk about it now, but I need to get to school with my children. Just remember to seek Him today. Remember to pursue His guidance daily.

Let's Clean Up

2008-10-25T10:18:00.001-05:00

I have had a hard time keeping my house clean lately. I've tried this before http://flylady.net/index.asp...I'll try again. Pray for me please!

Family Missions Trip

2008-10-04T11:28:00.005-05:00

Here is a small glimpse of our recent trip to the Dominican Republic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXnMmT3ggmg

Dominican Update Again

2008-09-18T20:08:00.001-05:00

We've spent some time with Haitian families who have found refuge here in the Dominican Republic. The poverty they faced in Haiti was unbearable, their children were dying of hunger (I really mean that). It has been difficult for me to relate. I remember days of not having much to eat in my house, but we always had something. No matter how extreme our poverty is in America, the thought of putting our children to bed at night without dinner is something many of us have never had to do. Yet, this is a daily reality for many of them. So many of their children can't attend school because the Dominican government won't allow them to enter public school without a birth certificate...Haiti's government makes it very difficult to obtain a birth certificate. As I watch the Haitian children playing outside or doing chores while the Dominican children are in school, my heart breaks. It reminds me of my early days of homeschooling, when I didn't know what I was doing, when I had no money for books and I had to borrow books from others or pray until books would come....I thought that I was disadvantaged then-now I see that I had so much...my children have so much.We also returned to a village in Moca. We spent time visiting with different families there and left full of the love they have for one another and the Lord. We visited with Alberto, a new Christian who has taken his new walk seriously. He gathers many at his home every week for a service that Ruben's family leads and he is highly respected by all of his neighbors. Alberto has 5 children of his own and he is raising 2 more. The other two are with him because their father died and the mother didn't want them anymore. He didn't let his own poverty keep him from reaching out to these orphans. The interesting thing about this is that he's not the only one, many from the village take in abandoned children. Alberto's house actually caved in recently so he, his wife and all of their children live in a one room shack that he built with the wood from his house that caved in. As he gave us a tour of the shack, he wanted us to pay attention to a poem that he had hanging up on his wall. The poem spoke of a father who spent time with his children...he says that the most important thing to him is his family. He also wanted us to notice the little window that he made in the shack, he showed us the wonderful view...he doesn't focus on what he doesn't have, his eyes are on the horizon. His wife and children are so wonderful...you can clearly see the love of Christ on all of their faces. There is so much more to their story, I'll give more details later. There are so many families...so many stories to tell. I'm so blessed that we had the opportunity to share the love of Christ with them. Each person who gave to make this happen blessed so many. The money, the food, the toothpaste,the toys, soap, shampoo, socks, undergarments, school supplies...it all blessed many and gave us a great opening to share the love of our Lord. You should have seen how the Haitain woman's face lit up as I handed her undergarments for her son! You would have rejoiced to see the village children receive their pencils and undergarments. It made me rejoice because I know that each time they write with those pencils, they will remember that Christ loves them.And boy oh boy, you should have seen Ruben preach to his people! What a sight!By the way, he has been starting small fires as he speaks out against the ungodliness in the church here! Pray for him.Love you all and I'm sorry if this was too long...I left out so much because I didn't want to bore you.

Dominican Republic Update

2008-09-18T20:08:00.000-05:00

We have been having a wonderful time here in the sunny Dominican Republic. We spent the first two days resting and visiting with family (remember Ruben's family had never met all of his children). We didn't realize how much we needed the rest, praise God for so many aunts who fight to take care of the children. We've had many divine moments right here within the family. Family members have opened up to us in such sweet ways, its as if they've been waiting for someone to come to help them. Their hearts are so ready to receive the truth, discipleship is so needed here.We've also spent time traveling throughout the country to "spy out the land". It was great for our children to see how some live here. We found 15 acres of fruitful land for sale in a town where resorts are being built. It would be great to build the orphanage there. We also spent some time looking at houses here in the city of Santiago and visiting different neighborhoods within the city.We visited a primary school in a poor town and read stories to the children. We spent time telling them how special they are to God. They were so tender, I wanted to take them all home with me! We also visited an orphanage in Jarabacoa and spent some time with a family of 5 children who were abandoned by their parents. Its so awesome to see how God has restored those children. There are so many children here in need. So many whose parents just abandon them, so many whose parents died of AIDS, so many on the street trying to make it...all alone. It breaks my heart. We also took the children to swim in the river at Jarabacoa's water falls, this is the country's 2nd highest mountain peak...the DR has the carribbean's highest mountain peaks. They had a blast in the river.We went to the church were Ruben grew up yesterday and Ruben shared with the congregation for a little bit. Everyone was so happy to see him doing well and with such a large family. Our children have been lights everywhere they go as well; family, neighbors and friends keep asking us what our secret is-they've never seen such obedient children. This gives us a great platform for ministry.We also visited the village where Ruben's family ministers. We had a church service with them and visited many of the families there. Their hearts are so sweet and they are so ready to give the little they have. I was convicted by their willingness to give. The poverty in that village is disheartening...I could barely take it, yet all of their faces were filled with joy because they've all come to know Jesus. He really is all we need and they know that for sure.Last night was spent in church, then ministering one on one to those around us. I'm excited about the work that God is doing here and we would be honored to join Him in ministering to Dominicans. Please keep us in your prayers. We love you so much and we miss you all. The Dominguez family

Trust

2008-08-20T08:08:00.003-05:00

Psalm 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

As I seek my precious Savior this morning, I'm reminded of the fact that I am as an olive tree to Him. An olive tree symbolizes beauty and being grafted into the root. He's taken all of our ugliness and He's made me part of who He is. His mercy is His loyal love to me and to you which can be relied and trusted. How could we not praise Him forever and ever, He has already done it all. All of what we've longed for, all of what we ask for, all of what we desire, all of what we've needed and will need; He's already done it! Hallelujah, He's so good! I choose to praise Him in the midst of my brothers and sisters in Christ, He will always be good and He's been so good.

I hear Him singing to me, telling me that He's carrying me. Don't forget who you are, YOU BELONG TO THE MASTER, THE MOST HIGH GOD. He carries us in the midst of the good and the bad. Stop trying to carry yourself, you are too weak just trust Him forever.

ANSWERED PRAYER

2008-08-16T12:54:00.004-05:00

Our family has prayed and prayed and prayed for years for a trip to my husband's native land, the Dominican Republic. I must admit that I lost hope after so many years of asking for something that appeared to not be on God's heart. You see, my husband has had a passion for opening an orphanage in his country. Yes, he already has eight children and wants an orphanage. It's so funny, sometimes I feel like the wife in Evan Almightyhttp://www.evanalmighty.com/ (if you haven't seen the movie, just imagine how it would feel if your husband came home one day and told you that God spoke to him and told him to build an ark).

Nevertheless, in the midst of my lack of faith, God came through. We will be leaving September 8 for 20 days. We'll visit orphanages, villages, Haitain communities and the beach. We are so excited to have the opportunity to bring the Good News of our Lord and Savior to a nation that is crying out for God's truth.

Please pray for us as we embark upon this journey. We need to hear God's voice in an amazing way. We'll be looking for a site for our future orphanage and a home where we can live.

I'll keep you posted as we prepare for the trip and while we are there.

God bless you all.

Is This Stuff For Real?

2008-03-27T14:51:00.005-05:00

There are times when God's word doesn't seem real. Moments of pain, difficulty, shame, heartbreak or sickness can cause a Christian to walk in unbelief. How many times have you wondered why you have a cold when His word says that you were healed by His stripes? Have you ever questioned why you didn't have the money you needed for a bill when He said that He would provide ALL of your needs?
It is true that walking this walk may feel as if we are insane, yet we must continue. The faith walk is not really about us getting everything we want or what we think we need, instead it's about us loving our loving Father in the midst of the need.
Are we in this relationship to get what we want or are we in this to give Him our all? I choose to give Him my all. You see, He laid out death and life before us and He told us to choose life. We really don't have a choice when you look at it that way. These present sufferings are nothing compared to the everlasting healing and wealth we'll inherit in His eternal paradise.
We can't base our faith in Him on our circumstances, instead, we must trust Him simply because He says to trust Him. I must say, this stuff is for real. His word does not lie, He knows what we need and He gives to us accordingly. Just keep walking, though the road may be long and weary, you'll reach your destination if you would just go on with the Master.

Leah Revealed

2008-03-21T15:40:00.002-05:00

God has revealed so much truth to me through the life of Leah. Leah, the unloved one, the overlooked one. She was taken for granted and deemed unworthy and useless by her father. Her father didn't believe in her, her husband didn't esteem her, yet God took what seemed to be useless and He used it. His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ came from Leah's seed. God delights in taking the unlovely, the "least of these" and doing great things through us. We were all Leah at some point in life. We all felt left behind, hurt, broken and defeated. We've all been unloved and neglected at some point our walk. Let's choose to praise as Leah did-she named her son Judah! You see, her entire life seemed to be a process, a work in progress; so to speak. Yet, she named her son Judah. So let's praise our Heavenly Father too, let's praise Him in the midst of the pain and know that victory will come. Victory came to Leah in the end. She was buried along with Jacob's relatives-Rachel, his beloved was not. Could it be that Jacob began to see the prize he had in Leah? Amongst Jacobs dying words were, "And there I buried Leah." So let's live on-don't quit when things become difficult, we serve an amazing God who is quite able to make things better in His time. Let's choose to praise Him in the midst of our struggle, praise Him. Genesis 29-49

This is Funny!

2008-03-21T15:26:00.002-05:00

What do you do all day?

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?'

She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?'

'Yes,' was his incredulous reply.

She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

A Safe Place

2008-02-29T22:16:00.002-06:00

Its amazing how we can sometimes live each day in the past. We most times don't even realize how significant past events are to our current days. I've made many mistakes as I've walked with my Savior, simply because I wasn't free from yesterdays scars. It took me some time to find my Safe Place with my Savior. I'm so glad that He led me to a place where I can be free with Him. A place where I can open up and spill it all out, then find freedom. I remember what it was like to live bound, Praise God that He breaks the shackles that the enemy longs to keep us tied to. Jesus is a Safe Place, give it all to Him for He alone can handle it. He can take it, He can fix it. He fixed me, I was terribly wounded and shattered; but He was able to put me together. He can fix you too.

I'm Invisible -AUTHUR UNKNOWN

2008-02-02T08:47:00.000-06:00

I received this today from a mom's group. It encouraged me, hopefully it will encourage you.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible; "The Invisible Mom."

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can
you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a
clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What
number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30,
please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -
but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going, she's going, and she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip,
and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting
there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was
hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my
out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean.
My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could
actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when
Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I
brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I
wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what
you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great
cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their
whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great
sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was
fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny
bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are
you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be
covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied,
'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see
the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No
act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've
baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a
great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my
own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As
one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see
finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The
writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever
be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to
sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4
in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That
would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him
to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his
friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will
marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been
added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

For the Homeschool Mom

2008-01-24T22:14:00.000-06:00

MERCY EVERY MOMENT by Deborah Wuehler

I was talking to a friend recently and we discussed how discouraged
we get when we hear of all the things certain other moms are able to
do with their children. They seem to be the model homeschool teachers
who seem to have it all together. They seem to be able to provide a
better education than we ever could for our children. After being
with these moms, we come away with a feeling of failure - and it
feels miserable.

After a good cry, and some good counsel, perspective returns. We may
be reminded that they only have one child, or they have a husband who
helps teach; they have a Type A personality; they don't have a part
time job; they don't have a special needs child; they have
grandparents who help; they have a co-op available; they live in a
better home. The list can be endless as to why and how homeschool
moms homeschool differently than we do.

What I want to encourage you with is this: We are all made uniquely
by God with differing gifts and abilities and life situations. AND,
the children we've been given by God have been placed there by His
hand because He knows what is best for each of His children.

You can alleviate doubt by staying in tune to what God tells you to
do with your children, and don't give in to comparisons. It's not how
we school that makes us wise or unwise. It's comparing ourselves
among ourselves that makes us unwise. Consider this verse:

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves
with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12

We can have great joy in knowing we are doing exactly what God has
called us to do. Take heart - you are the best homeschooling mom for
your child. God is not only teaching your children through you, but I
happen to know from experience that He is teaching you a thing or two
as well.

My Rhema for 2008

2008-01-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

Each New Year's Eve, my family and I pick a scripture from a box of pre-written scriptures which then becomes a point of reference for us throughout the year. This year I picked Ephesians 3:12 "In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." At first I looked at it and didn't really think that it was a "good" one like everyone else's. I didn't see the magnitude of what God was really saying to me at the moment!
He wanted me to see that I could come to Him with any and everything at any moment with the freedom and confidence to know that He happily wants to answer my requests.
I didn't realize how soon I would need to stand on this scripture. I was quickly brought to a place that needed some "knee time" and I didn't feel the freedom to approach my Father. Praise God, I remembered His word and I could go to Him knowing that He was waiting for me to come to Him and that His response was already planned! He's already proven Himself to be faithful to me and the year has just begun! I can't wait to see how He moves as I pray in 2008.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T19:30:00.000-06:00

2007 is over and I can't believe it! I learned so much last year, too much to write about here. It's all written down on my heart, tucked away where only God and I see the details. Last year embodied difficulties, struggles, confusion, and pain. Walking through trials is never easy, its never the chosen way to learn and to grow-yet God makes it necessary. James 1 tells us to count it all joy when we face various trials. I'm so glad that I chose to rejoice in the midst of my pain last year. Rejoicing caused me to grow, it caused me to see God's perspective and to mature in ways that I never even imagined.
2008 awaits new miracles as we embrace the difficulties that may come our way. I've decided to trust God when life is good and when life is bad.
This year I aim to become the very best wife and mother that I can be. This year I choose to serve those that God places along my path with extreme joy. This will be a great year simply because God's promises are true and I've chosen to believe them and to walk in them. Why not make the same choice?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

True Meaning of Christmas

2007-12-24T20:55:00.000-06:00

I've been so busy this week that the joy of this season began to escape me. I felt swamped in the midst of ministry, children, shopping, cooking and cleaning. As I served, I struggled with walking in love. I really had to pray and make a concious effort to give with a joyful heart. God wonderfully answered my prayer! We fed many families and gave away lots of donated gifts at church this week. It truly was a joy to serve others in this way right along side my family and friends. My children happily gave gifts to children who probably would not have had the opportunity to receive anything this Christmas, yet in my heart I struggled. I fought the enemy as I served, I so wanted those around me to sense the Lord's love through me. Praise God, He amazingly moved in my heart and I gave with joy!
I was extremely exhausted today and I just wanted to sleep when my husband reminded me of the candlelight service at church this evening. I truly had little desire to be there, I just wanted to sleep-so again I asked God for strength and strength He gave me. He completely changed my attitude and gave me the energy that I needed for the night! I'm so glad that I was there! Worshiping my Savior was the perfect way to bring in the celebration of His birth! Bowing down in His presence in remembrance of His coming was just what I needed. It was such a beautiful service and such a great time of fellowship with family and friends. It settled me and reminded me of the true meaning of this season. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin to set me free. Mary took the risk of simply trusting the word of God as she carried His Son. I want to trust Him like that. Jesus Christ was born in a manger to teach me humility. He was sought out to by the enemy to be killed, yet He escaped. The enemy wants to destroy me too, yet because of Christ, I'm free. It excites me to know that I have the victory-because of Him. Wise men sought Him out to bring Him gifts, do I seek Him to give Him the praise that He deserves? It's Christmas, the celebration of my king. Why don't you make Him your king today? Simply surrender all of who you are to Him. Just ask Him to forgive you of your sins and acknowledge Him as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Give Him your best gift today on His birthday give Him your life!

This Christmas

2007-12-21T17:27:00.001-06:00

What is the point to Christmas? Is it the gifts? Is it Santa? Or maybe the elves? I must say that our society has forgotten the true meaning of this special day. I recently attended a Women's Bible Study at my church where my pastor's wife reminded us of the importance of this day. Luke 1 and 2 detail for us the true meaning of Christmas. It is a time to remember our Savior. It is a day for miracles to happen. It is a moment of God revealing Himself to mankind.
Sadly, while others are waiting for a fictional Santa to come, Christ is wanting to reveal Himself to us. Unfortunately, we miss out on His special appearing because we are too concerned about ourselves.
Many like to serve during the holidays, which I think is great, but what about the rest of the year. I remember when my children and I volunteered in a nursing home and the residents were so amazed at our weekly return because they were just used to people coming around at Christmas. Don't forget about the lonely and brokenhearted all year long. Don't ignore the needs of the helpless during the year-what will happen to them after Christmas? Let's spread Christ's love all year long.
As we give gifts to our loved ones this Christmas, remember the journey that the wise men took to give their gifts to our Lord. Remember their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as they did not tell the King where the Savior was. Let's give Christ our very best this Christmas, let's give Him our hearts. Let's give Him our lives, every part of who we are. Let's seek Him for miracles this holiday season, He longs to give good gifts to His children-are you His child?

On The Go With 'Em All

2007-12-15T16:10:00.000-06:00

Today was a wild day. I went shopping at the mall with all eight of my children. Some wanted to buy daddy a Christmas gift, others needed shoes, some just wanted to get out of the house for the day. It was a trip that was full of excitement to say the least!
The baby cried most of the time because she wanted to be held, not pushed around in her stroller. Before doing anything, the 3 year old and six year old HAD to ride the carousel so we all watched and waved as they rolled by.
My 3 year old kept climbing out of the front seat of the double stroller when I wasn't looking. My six year old lamented that the store we were in didn't have anything at all for a child like him. My ten year old begged and begged and begged for a jacket that he didn't need; he had his own money and it was burning holes in his pocket! I had to help each one pick out the right items, buy daddy some shoes, get myself a sweater and keep the baby quiet all at once. What a difficult task! Once we all picked out our items and waited on the super long line, we headed out to take a restroom break. Four went to the restroom, two went to Starbucks and I sat in front of the ice skating rink with the other two to gather my thoughts. What thoughts? I think I fell asleep for a minute. After my shot of caffeine, I just knew that I could stay at the mall all day. So we stopped by the games and watched one of the twins try to win a PSP-that's the only way he'll get one 'cause I'm not buying one! He was hurt, he lost after spending two dollars or shall I say, "wasting" two dollars. He begged his big brother for more money, he tried to bribe his younger brothers to give him more money, he even tried to get more out of me-boy he's good! Now I see how people become addicted to gambling! Okay, so after that we headed on out to the parking garage and almost got hit by a car-I'm sure the driver couldn't see ALL NINE OF US! We finally made it to our vehicle while a very impatient man waited for our spot-I guess he never tried to unload a double stroller full of bags, two babies, get the stroller folded then into the trunk, then get the rest all buckled and safe inside the SUV. That took work! As we pulled out, I rolled over one of the kid's favorite water jugs (I forgot that if fell out of the car when we first arrived). As we drove off, I felt good to be a mommy. I was so happy to have had spent the day with my crew. All of the work and excitement was worth it. Thank you God for making me a mom.

To the Wives

2007-12-13T17:01:00.000-06:00

I Peter 3:1-2 (NLT) In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.

God's way of reaching our husbands is so simple, yet we complicate it all the time. He asks us wives to win our men over with our godly lives, not by our words. Isn't it amazing how we want to do things our way? We somehow think that we are wiser than God and we try to win them over with our un-biblical techniques. I've realized that the times that I work so hard to "win" my husband over, God is truly trying to do a work in my life. I've often times missed out on the work that He wanted to produce in me simply because I focused on my hubby way too much and never stopped to look at the plank in my own eye!

So today I make a declaration before God to live out the above scripture and apply it to my marriage. Will you join me?

Funny

2007-11-29T13:44:00.000-06:00

Archie and Jack argued for years whether Jesus was white or black. Archie was certain that Jesus was white and Jack was just as sure that Jesus was black. As fate would have it, they both died on the same day and they rushed to the pearly gates and they said, "St. Peter please tell us: Is Jesus white or black? we've been arguing our whole lifetime."

About that time Jesus walked up and said, "Buenos dias."

True Love

2007-11-25T15:00:00.000-06:00

God has been dealing with me lately. He's been speaking to me in so many ways about true love. True love is not what is displayed on the T.V. screen, unfortunately the ones "acting out" love on the set don't live it in real life. True love is not a quest for self fulfillment or self happiness. Love endures long, yes it endures long after you don't feel fulfilled. It perseveres beyond hurt and disappointment. It does not quit when those you love give up on you. Love never ever fails, it continues through the pain. It keeps going when its not reciprocated.
Love must be patient simply because desired results take time. Love must be kind for Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves.
Enemies should be treated with kindness and love, not contempt.
Today's message at church was so convicting for me because my pastor talked about true love. He made me remember the kind of love that I'm supposed to display.
Think about it, Jesus said that the world would know us by our love. What does the world around you know about you?

Alabaster Jar

2007-11-19T22:13:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder why Mary poured the expensive perfume out on Jesus? Ever wonder why she loved Him enough to anoint Him with a year's worth of earnings? I got a glimpse of why-simply because He set me free as He did her. I remember what it was like to be bound by sin-to wake up each day wishing that it were your last-to live a non-existence-to want to be loved and to never feel cared for. I know that pain which intensifies with each moment of the day-I know the pit that engulfs you and traps you. The shame that strips you and in dignifies you.
Ever more so-I know Jesus. I know His blood that cleanses. I know Jesus-I know His grace that frees. I know Jesus-I know His love that unites. Oh how I pour my love out on Him, just like Mary did. Oh how I pour my praises out on Him for He's given me so much. I have so many reasons to worship Him. I have so much hope to live for. He's given me life. A life outside of the pit. A life engulfed by His love, His forgiveness, His cleansing power and His greatness. His love is no wonder to me-it is real-I feel it; I see it; I touch it; I taste it; I hear it; I know it. He is real to me-He's set me free-given me the victory! Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me! His love for me has given me the ability to love Him in return.

Let's Walk on Water

2007-11-16T07:52:00.000-06:00

I wonder what was going on in Peter's mind when he began to walk on water. "Water walking" takes a tremendous amount of faith. To know that you are jumping into the deep-where you could drown and die-yet want to do it sounds insane. Yet, Christ bids us to come-to come out into the deep with Him. In order for faith to grow, actions must accompany our trust in Him. He's calling me, He's calling you to take our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances and to put them on Him. He's calling us to put away our sinful nature and dress in His armor. He's calling us to reach down deep into the lives of those around us and to offer them hope in the midst of their turmoil.
He's drawing us and we must respond as Isaiah did in chapter 6 and the end of verse 8 in the NLT, "Here I am. Send me." No questions asked, just a simple, YES. So, yes Lord, I am willing to undoubtedly trust you. I am willing to fix my eyes on you and walk down that narrow path. I am willing to put my own life at risk-for you. Yes Lord, send me, I'll go. What about you?