A new chapter

Our family has undergone trials in the past but nothing has compared to the past nine months. We’ve been tested beyond what we thought possible. Many would think that the blessing in all this is the house. Hubby and I disagree greatly. We believe the greatest blessing is not tangible rather it is the process of humility which the Lord allowed us to undergo. Through humility the relationship with my in-laws were restored. We saw the Lord touch their hearts and that was an answered prayer.

We decided on Sylmar because this is where the Lord called us. This is our mission field. To minister to Chris’ family. To be a testimony and through it all to give God the glory.

It’s a new season and as always “God makes everything beautiful in His time”!

Doing things backwards

That’s the way things are done in this life hubby and I share.

1.  Become Best Friends

2.  Get Married

3.  Have a baby

4.  Have another baby

5.  Go to college

6.  Try having another baby

7.  Go house hunting

8.  Buy a house in the burbs

9.  Start a business

10.  Finish College

Hubby always promised that it will be an awesome ride.  Our life will be filled with adventure.  Sure enough, in our own strange way, our 10 years together (9 years of marriage) has truly been an adventure. 60 more years to go?  I wonder when we will attempt “normalcy”, now that would be strange ;p

Children’s Television

I’m very particular with what I allow my kids to watch. From the age of 2 through 6, I favored Barney because it focused on character, Blue’s Clues for it’s emphasis on cognitive development, Word World and Super Why for language development and phonemic awareness.

Now I’ve hit a road block. 7 through 10 years old. My kids have out grown Sprout and the PBS shows. Back to research I go! They’re already grounded from the after school Disney Programming. We tried it and it was not beneficial at all.

My personal belief, everything introduced to children in regards to TV, movies, toys and books should have a purpose. What are they learning from it? How does it benefit them?

Another one of those days…

• Death in the family is always sad. This time around I am more relieved than sorrowful. It’s very different when you know a loved one is in pain in comparison to a sudden death. We’ve been waiting for two years and watching as the cancer ate away at my Lola Pacita. Everyday we prayed that God will relieve her. Her mind was alert yet her body was not functioning as it should. Yes, I rejoice that she has finally found peace. Though I never got the opportunity to say goodbye, I am grateful that my husband helped support her financial needs during her last years. It was the only way I can repay her for her kindness and to express my gratitude. She was all I had when my mom was here trying to prepare a better life for my brother and I. The lesson I learned is to always look back. Remember those who have shown kindness and who have gone above and beyond. Similar to the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. Ties are not easily severed, rather memories and gratefulness is a bond that can keep one close only if you allow it. Whatever occurs in the present should not allow the past to be easily forgotten.

• We didn’t get the house. Apparently the family living there is attempting to utilize Obama’s Mortgage Modification Plan. They took it off the market just today. I pray that they will be approved. I have never met them, all I know is that they are a Christian family just by walking through their home. Recession has affected them greatly, I hope that they can save their home.

• The fun of house hunting begins yet again. We’re on our 4th week and we have until October to find “the one”. Maybe later, maybe sooner. I am so excited!
• Waiting upon the Lord and knowing that He alone is in control of all things. He is my hope.

Facing two great challenges

The new year has brought nothing but challenges thus far. Being displaced from our home and living the “Suite Life” was something I deemed difficult, yet I have come to find that living away from all that is familiar and comfortable is a blessing in disguise. God has really taught our family to live with necessities. To see the four of us thrive in the last two months is something I never would have imagined in our given situation. To see the hand of God stretch beyond what my mind can fathom and to believe in the same promises of the scriptures as true to this day and applied in our own life allows such hardships to point to His true glory alone. It is humbling in so many ways and through such experiences comes purpose.

The truth of the matter is what is most difficult at this moment is waiting for our dream house to become a reality. House hunting is not necessarily as simple as picking out a new outfit, from what we hear that is. Some have looked at hundreds and have taken years to finally make an offer. Fortunately for us, the first house we looked at was the one (similar to how fast we rushed into marriage ;p) Perfection indeed. Because of such standard, no other compared. Finding the one, falling in love, making an offer on a short sale beauty and waiting, waiting, waiting.

It’s strange how the process of purchasing a house takes longer when the commitment is only thirty years. We didn’t even have to wait long for marriage and children for that matter; that’s a life time commitment!

My two greatest challenge…my impatience and Math.

I am my own worst enemy.

Note to self: If it’s not this house, then this one wasn’t perfect after all. The perfect house is the one God will bless us with and the one we will call home. In regards to Math…the only thinking standing between you and Math is YOU!

two words put into action

persevere

Function: verb

to persist in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counter influences opposition or discouragement

endure

Function: verb

to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding

Success

Received my grades finally.  1 A and 2 B’s!  Blood, sweat and tears really did pay off.  Those grades and my 3.5 GPA belong  just as much to my hubby. 

I finally beat the cousins in Scrabble.  It’s always been difficult because they’re English  majors!  Me being a Child Development major don’t really require much spelling ;p  Mika was my brain, she asked me to add the letter B to the word RAIN already on the board and make the word box!  27 points extra won the game!  Genius I tell you!

Success and sweet victory ;p

Blogs

When I need inspiration I find myself visiting three specific bloggers.  One for photography, one for home design and another on parenthood.

Tonight I realized that the reason I return to a specific photography blog is because it conveys so much in regards to relating to the photographer, knowing his purpose as well as drive for specific shots.  The blog alone makes me want to hire him.

Similar to paintings hanging in the museum, it’s not all about being artsy, rather to capture a moment and to see what the artist is attempting to convey is the true expression of creativity. That like the work of art we find in museums is priceless.

The New Year

2009 has been full of challenges thus far! It’s only the 13th day! It makes me wonder just what the Lord has in store for the rest of the year.

It may seem as if life is difficult and indeed it is, it is of great importance to acknowledge how much the Lord has given.

• We have shelter. Thought it’s not my pink, clean, vanilla scented, clean home, we have a place to lay our head at night.
• We have food. Though it’s not my organic, low carb weekly menu, it is mom’s home cooking.
• We have all the luxuries we need…God is gracious

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7

The Holidays

Thanksgiving

We did our usual dinner at the Mata residence while hubby worked.  Uncle Joey introduced “The Princess Bride” to my kids and it has become a favorite.  My mom shared with me the “history” of our Thanksgiving tradition and it warmed my heart.  Sometimes friends really do become family proving that blood is not necessarily thicker than water. My favorite part was the day after Thanksgiving when my family of four sat around our dining table and shared what we were thankful for over a Mc Donald’s breakfast.  Such simple traditions remain priceless.

Christmas

The highlight of my Christmas has got to be being able to watch  “The Gospel of John” with my kids on Noche Buena.  I am amazed by JC’s biblical knowledge.  His love for the word and learning reminds me of the same enthusiasm and curiosity I had when I was his age.  What’s more impressive is that his knowledge is not learned in Sunday School nor is it ingrained by me or Chris, rather he reads his ESV bible and makes his own connections.  To hear him share the wisdom he has attained  blessed my heart.  It just goes to show that “training a child in the way he should go,” does not necessarily involve taking him to church every Sunday or making them memorize bible verses, it’s equipping them accordingly and allowing them to explore on their own as well as being there for them when questions are raised.

I was also able to share The Story of Christmas with my kids which my daughter claimed she did not understand at all.  I didn’t push any of it on her. I asked that we just close the book and re-read it another day.  Other parents I’m sure would have forced their children to understand the “biblical” aspect of Christmas, I for one do not agree with that method.  To my surprise my way worked wonders.  We took a trip to the Norton Simon Museum with my cousins and when Mika saw a painting of Mary and the Angel Gabriel she made a connection to the story we read.  She understood everything after all and was able to reiterate the story in her own way and in her own time.  My cousins were amazed by her knowledge just as I was.

New Years

We gathered in our room and had a picnic on the floor while watching the count down and we shared our goals for 2008. Another family moment frozen in time.