I'm here. Just busy working!

Over the past month or so, I've been busily working to get our kitchen counters all tiled & new sink & faucet put in.  I've had the tile sitting in boxes for about 4 years!  It was time!  This summer, I was determined to get it all done!  And now, I am almost finished.  I will post pics soon.  I promise!

Some things I've learned while doing this project are:

1. Family comes first!  No matter how urgent I think a project can be to complete, I have my family to care for first & foremost!  My original goal to finish this was way back in July.  When I didn't meet that goal due to family needs, I selfishly grumbled a bit, but the Holy Spirit constantly shows me how we are to put others first.  Especially family!!!  He kept reminding me of that fact until I would say, "This can wait."
2. While working, I love to put in either a music cd or a sermon.  Yesterday, I chose a sermon by Dr. S.M. Davis called, "Changing the Heart of a Rebel".  WOW!  Was it good!  If you've never heard his stuff before, I highly recommend him.  He has a way of making the practical things of Scripture pop out at you!  Good stuff!
3.  This past week, I have had the tremendous blessing to help my daughter, Raquel, launch her new ministry:  "First Night of Freedom"!  In light of item #1, I can't tell you how much THIS ministry of her's eternally out weighs any material project on earth!  Please click on the link or the button on the right side bar & help out if you can.  It's a WONDERFUL cause & we are SO excited about it's potential to reach out to young ladies all around the world, with the Gospel of Christ's forgiveness & cleansing power!  

Thank you all for being so patient with me.  Can't wait to show you the pics when I'm all done!  Love ya all!

Grace is THREE!

My sweet, baby girl, Grace, turned 3 on Friday.  She has been used of the Lord to teach me so many things!  When I was pregnant w/ her & found out that she was a girl, I'll be honest, I was very disappointed.  I knew I shouldn't be, but I was.  I wanted a boy SO bad!  Then, as my pregnancy progressed, the Lord continued to convict my heart about how discontent I was.  When she was born, He washed EVERY bit of my discontentment away!  In my eyes, she was absolutely PERFECT!  I was SO ashamed of how I could have been so discontent with the beautiful creation that God had blessed us with.  And she was such an easy baby, how could I have asked for more?

she is minutes old in this photo

with Big Bro', Noah, who is now one of her greatest heroes!

 

 with Big Sis', Raquel

 with Big Sis', Lydia

with Big Sis', Eunice

 

with Big Sis', Priscilla

This pic was taken earlier this year in March.  Now SHE'S the Big Sis'!

  Happy birthday, Grace!  We love you SO much & can't wait to see what other ways the Lord uses you in this precious life!  It is already so evident that you have a special way of making those around you feel loved & are always putting a smile on our faces!  What an encourager you are!  YOU are precious!  Jesus bless you, Baby!