Who I Am

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).

I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).

I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14).

I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know who you are?

Opening old wounds...

Technology is amazing! People from the past just suddenly reappear thanks to the invention of cyberspace! Recently, I just reconnected with a childhood friend on Facebook. Although it was so awesome to reminisce, it was also painful. This friend's mother was one of my mother's dearest friends and so we grew up together. Being three years older and a dorky kid, I always felt like an ugly duckling besides this beautiful, blue-eyed blond. Years later, two more sisters arrived and mimicked the older one's good looks. My mother and I always thought the blond-haired mom and her three mini-me's reminded us of a mama duck with her three ucklings...each one cuter than the next...following their mama home. Then tragedy struck...the mama duck was murdered and the three ducklings went to live with other relatives. To this day, that funeral was the most horrific and devastating one I'd ever been to...and my own father is deceased. I will never forget it.

As the story goes, my mother lost touch and we always wondered about the beautiful ducklings. Thanks to Facebook, I found the oldest duckling and made a connection. We have since spoken to each other 3 times! I am so happy to hear how the beautiful girls have found their way, their passion and their lives in California. Opening up old wounds this week has also led to some profound discoveries. Closure was needed to end this tragedy, but it desperately needed a happy one. I so despise sad endings! Thankfully, this story has both, and my old wounds are healing. The mama duckling is smiling from heaven, beckoning me with her spirit..."Love my girls", she whispers. "I will. I will." I answer. The End.

I Still Believe

Today is November 5, 2008, and Obama will be America's new president in the coming year. I'm not necessarily shocked but deeply sad; America has clearly lost her way. Some friends and relatives I know cried; some were angry; some feel numb. I feel oddly at peace; perhaps the Holy Spirit's supernatural presence is preparing me for our next challenge. However, I am glad it's over. As I watched McCain's concession speech last night, I was so proud of the man he has proven himself to be. Initially, I wasn't a McCain fan, but in these last few months, I've grown to love the patriot and the leader that has served our country so unselfishly. His passion for the United States is genuine, and I think America missed a great opportunity to have a leader who would not only protect us but govern with integrity. And Sarah...wow; she gave me real hope. She took such a beating, and yet, never allowed the media hype to change who she was. I know the Lord's blessings and grace are covering her. I'm positive we haven't seen the last of "Esther for this time". All that being said, the Christians have a lot of work ahead of them, and I think our spiritual warfare has just begun.

Forgetting the spiritual ramifications for a minute...America has voted for a man who won't put his hand over his heart to salute the flag or sing the "Star Spangled Banner" because it denotes violence and the American Flag means oppression to some people. Huh? This is our new Commander in Chief? Wow, how sad for all the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Thankfully, Michelle Obama can now be proud of her country twice in her lifetime. Perhaps some can be happy that America chose "real change" over an American Hero, but I just can't. Is it just me or do you feel the media and Hollywood are subtly brainwashing the citizens of America? When the leftest media propaganda called Obama their "Messiah", God granted their wish....I keep hearing this phrase in my mind..."You asked for a Messiah...here he is. Good luck." Oh, have mercy, dear Lord. My boys will grow to be men someday. However, when my 8 year-old son kept asking me who would win, I always responded, "Whomever America deserves, honey." Since Obama won by a landslide, I think America got exactly what she deserved. Good luck, America; you are going to need it.

Fortunately, my world won't change much...not yet anyway. God's promises assures me that those who love Him will indeed be covered with his mercy, grace and strength. However, I am fully prepared to fight for and stand on the Truth that gives me hope.

I still believe in the perfect will of God. I still believe in the Lord's Sovereignty. I still believe that Jesus in the ONLY Messiah. I still believe in the Constitution of the United States. I still believe that only God can truly examine the motives of men's hearts and eventually, justice will prevail...in His time.

On a side note: My flesh wants to say that we should give Obama as much respect as the democrats gave George W. Bush, but my spirit says to pray for him. I suspect he will need it.

The Big One

Something very strange has happened to me....I just turned 40. Gulp. I've moved into a new "age bracket" and have officially become an adult. Soon mammograms and colonoscopies will be on my "to do" list. How did this happen? Just yesterday I was a young woman in her 20's with plenty of time to worry about growing up. Even though I knew the inevitable milestone was just around the corner, I somehow managed to delude myself into believing that it couldn't happen to me. Two weeks later, as I ponder over 4 decades of living, I realize I'm still a girl on the inside. I keep trying to convince my metabolism and the wrinkles under my eyes of this, but so far they are acting like a 40-year-old.

Fortunately, I have grown wiser, stronger in spirit, more passionate and definitely more confident in who I am. This, I'm convinced, is the only good thing about aging...but like good cheese and wine, somethings only get better with age...or so I'm told.

Here are some things I've learned along my journey:

1. Living for today, while forgetting yesterday and worrying about tomorrow. God is the God of this moment and His plans for me are for now.
2. Be grateful for EVERYTHING.
3. Stay humble.
4. Love never fails. True love is loving someone more than yourself.
5. Accept people for who they are while realizing that we all struggle with some inner challenges.
6. Contentment and happiness are a choice because, after all, perception is reality.
7. Children are such a miracle and should be treated as such.
8. Guard and protect your heart, eyes and ears. Be careful that what is being fed to you will produce good fruit.
9. A good marriage is a blessing and should be handled with loving care.
10. Prayer works! God always answers: yes, no or wait. Be content with His decision.

So...I have grown up after all! I am blessed; I am grateful; I am loved...what more could I ask for?

I'm In Love With Fall

My favorite season has blessed us with her presence....Fall! After many long hot days of sweltering heat, the cool, brisk air has finally settled on our land. I love being outdoors this time of year where I can actually fill my lungs with crisp, cool, fresh air. The month of October, to me, symbolizes the beginning of subtle changes: Change in the weather/climate, change in the wardrobe, change in my age (it's my birthday month) and change of my frame of mind. I feel more upbeat; more energized; more content.

The Northerners living here complain of lack of seasons, but I like the subtle differences Fall gives Texas. One morning I wake up with the covers under my chin and a couple of little boys snuggled against me because they woke up cold. "Oh," I think to myself, "It's time to pull out the jackets." The sun is still brilliantly shining but the crispness in the air is subtle...I can still wear my Capri pants and sandals but perhaps tug on a long sleeved shirt and carry a light jacket, just in case. This is the perfect weather for me.

So here's a toast to Texas Fall! I love you...I'm grateful for your presence and a little sad when you leave...but I will enjoy you immensely while you are here!

Andrew - My Funny Guy!

This blog has become a diary of sorts of my thoughts; my days; my life; my story. I want to remember my boys' precious childhood even though I sometimes find myself wishing they would grow up! As I reminisce through their baby photos, I find myself wanting to squeeze and kiss those fat little cheeks and thighs...and I know that someday, I'll remember these days fondly too.

Andrew has always been our comedian. Since elementary school has officially started for him, he is always doing things to give us a laugh. For instance, trying to buy his lunch in the school cafeteria when I already packed him one. The problem was, he didn't have any money nor did he have any in his account. When I picked him up from school he very adamantly said, "Mom, why do I not have any money in my account? The cafeteria lady let me buy my lunch on a loan!" My response was to roll my eyes and try to jog his memory on the mornings' Q & A session of items he would take in his lunchbox. "Oh, I forgot." his added nonchalantly. The problem is, he has since done this twice! The cafeteria ladies probably think his poor parents can't afford to buy his lunch.

Another recent incident happened on the playground during recess. Apparently he and three other boys got into a confrontation. When I questioned him about what happened he said, "I tried to do all the right things, Mommy. I told them to stop. I tried to walk away, but then one of them hit my back and my temper lost." Needless-to-say, I don't think we will have to worry about Andrew being bullied. Hmmm....I wonder where he gets that from?

As a volunteer in his classroom on Tuesdays, during reading and tub time, I get a glimpse of what his day is like. His teacher announced one morning that since everyone has been in school for 5 weeks, she is expecting them to remember to turn in their red folder and blue book bag daily in the appropriate bins. She then proceeded to announce which children were not doing this. Andrew was one of them. They all had to turn in a "snap cube" as their punishment. The other children took this news well; Andrew did not. He immediately started crying, and while he pointed at me from across the room, he yelled, "It's all your fault!" Everyone looked at me while Andrew continued to carry on like a victim of the most heinous crime. I quietly knelt down in front of him and began to whisper how I'm not responsible for his duties at school. His punishment for me was the silent treatment, for which I was secretly thankful. At least he was being quiet.

Even though at times my little guy can sometimes be clueless and immature, he has a way of doing things that just make us laugh. Alex says he just knows Andrew will have his own comedy show someday...I mean, after all, how many boys on career day decide to dress up as Peter Pan? Only one...and that's my Andrew! I love you silly goose; you are one of a kind!

A Bitter Taste

This election year has had me up in arms. With the arrival of Sarah Palin, as well as her unfair and hateful treatment by the media, I feel I'm on a battle field. Not to mention the fact that I'm having construction done in my house, and with all the dust and debris, I'm physically getting ill. I have had a headache everyday for a week, I'm coughing, and I have no bed to sleep in. The combination has left me feeling very drained and tired.

Tonight is another presidential debate, and although I will watch it, there are some things I won't be doing. I've decided certain blogs, websites and television viewing are over for me. I just can't take the vileness in which they express their opinions. It leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth and a hatred in my heart. This is certainly not what a servant of Jesus is supposed to feel or even think. There is a reason why the bible tells us over and over again to guard our hearts. It's not because we are supposed to keep ourselves uninformed, but to keep ourselves from developing a sense of cynicism that only comes from being too worldly. Jesus says you can't love the world and love me too. I choose Him.

Goodbye and good riddance. Prayers and blessings. Have a wonderful life.