Reading and relating to stories with a real desire to know not just any god but ultimately the true and living God found only in the person of Jesus Christ, the Savior.
Do Not Be Deceived!
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." -Jesus (Matthew 7:15)
My Family...the Writers and so much more.
The love for writing has been captured in my daughter Jeri. Actually my love for flowers, creativity, writing, pondering and simplicity are all quite reflective in who she is. Now she would like to share her thoughts with you. You can visit her at http://thebasketofflowers.blogspot.com/
Why Write?
Someone asked me the other night why do I write on my blog. Two reasons...First, for myself. It is a way for me to consider my thoughts. I may not have all the answers but I am certainly searching for them. Secondly, I write for my daughters. I plan to have these memoirs turned into a book someday. Then when the day comes that I am no longer physically with them my girls can read my thoughts, the things I pondered, what I believed, how I struggled, who I loved and what I hated. And in reading they will know me and know my ways. Kinda like the Bible.
It's been a few months since I wrote...that is a slight indication of how busy I have been.
But I have to share a moment I just had with Jorgie.
Good old Jorgie. My four year old. That says it all right there.
Jorgie is going through a time of growth...mentally, physically, emotionally,
behaviorally and most of all spiritually. She is having to endure the consequences of...
simply put...bad behavior. Shocked!!! Don't be. We are born sinners. We have to be taught good. We are born with a desire to do wrong and little Ms. Jorgie is no different. But as I rubbed her back while she fell asleep I couldn't help but be grateful for the moment I was having with her...and yes, the moments that led up to it.
You see Jorgie was doing what she does best right now...throwing fits!! She doesn't get what she wants...she throws a fit. This time was no different. So I tried to sit her down for a moment but her fit just grew and then eventually grew into hitting me, pulling my hair and telling me I was "bad." So as she endured her "reward" for that she finally started to calm down. I began to give her a bath, get her dressed, read her a Bible story, lay her in bed, talk with her, pray with her, sing to her, hold her and then eventually kissed her as she fell asleep. Do you know how much time it took to carry that "moment" out? Quite a bit! Had I been to busy to truly love my daughter I would have missed that moment to teach, to discipline, to love, to talk, to hold, to pray, to guide and to forgive. That moment was just as much for Jorgie as it was for me. I am so grateful God has given me the time to really raise my daughters. I have been given the time to do all God has commanded me to that is required in caring for and raising children. Is it hard? Yes! Do I "love" these teachable, revelation filled moments? Not while I am going through it. It is when it is finished that I feel the rest and the benefit. There are many lessons learned tonight. I have a grateful heart unto my God who has granted the steps of my life to learn these lessons!
The girls have been very busy since the beginning of summer...here is just a small glimpse of the "Goings-On."
First we have the girls, helping mom, babysit Serena's adorable twins EJ & Frankie while mama got some much earned R&R.
Next we dressed up like "Cow's" for Chickfila's Annual Customer Appreciation Day with the Vasquez and Flores Families. It was a lot of fun and we got to eat some delicious food!
Early summer we went to visit my long time dear, dear friend Betty Dovalina and her little miracle...Jeffery! Betty has the most special place in my heart. She gave me a chance when I needed it and chance turned into a treasured friendship. We have been friends over twenty years. Betty has seen the hand of Jesus transforming clay from brokenness to beauty. What a sweet, sweet friend!
July 4th we turned our attentions to the flag and foundations of our country. We made a beautiful flag cake with the Flores Family. We read, ate treats and made American Flags as we celebrated the birth of our nation and the freedoms we have in the United States. Thank you Lord for the mercies you have shown to our country. Forgive us for not living out your ways and help us to turn our hearts to you so our land may be healed and you may receive all the glory.
Jorgie having some cooling off summer time swimming with "Old Faithful"...her long time buddy...Athan. How sweet these little ones have each other and build such sweet memories. Truly friends!
May brought my dear brother and his precious family to San Antonio. Although we were happy to see them we wished it would had been for better reason for them to make their visit to SA from Oxford, Mississippi. Sadly, Sadie, Lexy and Little John had to come because their sweet mom passed away. It was such a hard loss. I know I will always remember their mamma and I know these kids are blessed to know where she is. This is a photo of most of the cousins as we watched fireworks at Fiesta Texas then we took pictures with area Firefighters. Love you kids.
In May Jeri was awarded the first place prize for winning, regional and state in the local Immigration Council's Annual 5th grade Essay Writing Contest. This years topic was "Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants." She was
nervous to read her poem in front of 900 immigrants being sworn in as American Citizen but in the end she rose to the challenge and was successful. I am so super proud of her! :)
Jamie also found herself exploring new territory. In May she interviewed and was accepted to partake in the Blue Jay Volunteer Program at Methodist Hospital. She is amazing. She has escorted patients all over the hospital, worked in Labor & Delivery, Gift Shop, Information Desk, SICU and now she is on the "Popcorn Committee." Next week she stands in for her boss while she is on vacation. Jamie is growing in time management and responsibility, which were my goals for her through this program. Love it!!!
Jorgie was busy too! Ever keeping us on our toes, this time she was busy making the perfect Father's Day Gift for Daddy! She made a striking tie for Daddy to wear and she posed for a picture in front of a mural that has her orange hand print in the design. Love you "Jorga"...we will be celebrating your 4th birthday very soon. Our lives are fuller because you are in them. What kind of family would we be without you? I shutter at the thought!
Finally the girls and I were given some sweet Missions Tickets to see San Antonio's Minor League Baseball Team. So we set out on a Sunday evening to watch our first ever Missions game...and it was soooooooo much fun. We can't wait to do it again! Thanks Nana, Popo and Marcus!
It was an awesome experience. There must have been 400 volleyball teams from all over Texas and surrounding states last weekend at the dallas Convention Center. The courts went on and on. These girls were all 14 and they all came for one purpose... to win!
It was so exciting to see Jamie be apart of something so great. Her team arrived Friday afternoon and they played against four other teams on the same court. They were ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Jamie's team placed 2nd. From there they were placed in the winners bracket..woohoo!! Saturday they started playing but lost all their games. Going into Sunday it was win or go home. We went home. The competition was good. Her team fought but in the end it was a great experience. What does team sports achieve? I believe it has a great potential to achieve so much more then a competitive spirit or poor sportsmanship! I have seen great growth in Jamie. And for the first time all season I saw her try and try in her last game to win. It was the first time I saw her really make an extreme effort to rise above and fight the good fight, regardless of how it ended! Yes, there is a lot to learn. Commitment! She has learned to stay committed even when the team is losing and you want to quit! She is realizing that her mistakes don't make the game, neither do her achievements make the game! She works as a team with seven other girls to accomplish the same goal. So she is learning teamwork, a skill she will need as a wife, mother, nurse or friend. She is learning to be physically fit. Jamie has been working hard these past few months on her diet. She is finally becoming aware of what she is eating, how much and which foods fuel her or defeat her. She is growing a desire to try hard things. She wants to continue on in this sport and see how far she can go. And most of all she is learning to develop socially. She is growing more and more confident and less and less shy. She has grown some beautiful friendships with her sweet teammates. All the girls are uniquely different from one another and that has been great for Jamie. I think it is a valuable life lesson for Jamie to see that we are all different. We are created for different purposes by God. It has been a wonderful year in club volleyball for Jamie. We look forward to all the great things God does in her life through this sport.
Let’s fill in the blank. Jesus said, “In this life you will have all your requests granted.” No! Second Corinthians states that Paul asked three times to have some unknown torment removed, but the Lord refused. Rather then granting his desire the Lord gave Paul additional grace to help him in his weakness. Did Jesus say, “In this life you will be liked and appreciated, especially for your pursuit of righteousness?” No! In Acts 7:54 it states, “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” Who was furious, at whom and why? The Jewish people became furious at Stephen when He accused them (his fellow Jews) of nailing Jesus to the Cross and missing the Messiah. They did not like him. They hated him, so much so, they stoned him to death! In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, “Woe to you when men speak well of you, for this is how they treated the prophets.” So it’s not that.
There are so many things we “expect” in this life. We expect to have our prayers answered, and answered our way. We expect to be prosperous, including financially. We expect to be healed, after all doesn’t the scriptures say, “That what so ever you ask in the name of Jesus will be granted?” We expect so much in this temporal and momentary life. But the one thing Jesus said that I WILL have in this life is trouble! As a matter of fact, these are His exact words, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You see I need to read scriptures like these. I need to be reminded that it is his purposes for my life that will be unfolded.
In Isaiah 46: 9-10 the Sovereign Lord says,
“Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is to come.
‘I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.”
You see, today I have had a rough day. It has actually been a rough few weeks.
I feel silly admitting my weakness (but I want to be ranked among those as Paul) especially when I just wrote on my blog a few days ago... Lord let me have a Christian home. A home where the mommy teaches the Bible and teaches her children to love it. Well today I was not an example of that. In all honesty, had the humility factor not shown up this would have been leverage for my girls to turn from the Bible. Before the night ended and they settled into their beds I gathered my daughters and read 1John 1: 8-10 with them and really emphasized vs. 9.
It states, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
So with my daughters I confessed my sin of anger and frustration combined with unkind words. As I sat there and asked for their forgiveness I was humbled yet disappointed in my failure. As I cried and received their forgiveness and prayers I realized the things that are occurring in my life are all planned and purpose by the Sovereign Lord for whatever reason. I may never know the reasons but I can trust that He will grant me peace. I know if I really wanted to be stubborn I can make things happen. I could change the way the things are in my life. God would allow me to go my way and follow the way that seems right to me only to learn that it is His ultimate will that will be achieved.
So I write tonight because I have a heavy heart. Somedays are just hard. Life is hard. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble!” Expect it!
I can’t help but question why? Is it because of Satan...perhaps? Is it because of sin...maybe? Is it because of this fallen world we live in...possibly? Have I done something wrong...more then likely? But regardless of the reasons why trouble is in my life or in your life...it is all granted, allowed and purposed by the Sovereign Lord and somehow...that is comforting.
Before I close I want to end with a scripture about the Sovereignty of God and many scriptures of the tribulations promised to the children of God.
Isaiah 48: 17
This is what the Lord says-
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.”
Acts 14: 21-22
Then they (Paul and Barnabas) returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain in the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Roman 5: 3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4, 6-7
So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way as you well know. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because or your faith.
Life is not easy! The Lord never promised it would be. He promised to be with us, to never leave us, to see us through it, to grant us peace, comfort and grace. He will strengthen his people and he will not leave us without hope.
This was an absolutely great lesson. My girls are learning the Book of Proverbs this year for their Bible Curriculum. We use the AMO Enrichment Guide with the New King James Bible and it has been an excellent resource for learning the book of Wisdom. Today's study was this simple format: Key Word
Conduct (noun): personal behavior; manner of acting or conducting yourself. Principle
The conduct of the young child builds the man. Memory Verse
It is by his deeds that a youth distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right. (Proverbs 20:11)
After we learned the Key Word we took a few minutes to write down what we believe our current conduct to be. The girls were very accurate in their self perceptions. They didn't think to highly of themselves, nor did they think themselves things they were not. For instance Jamie was right on when she said she was happy, kind and giving. Yet she was also right when she said she was selfish and mean. Jeri shared that she tends to be selfish and silly, yet she is also funny and nice. Yes, these accurately desribe my daughters' behaviors'. They were able to identify what kind of "conduct"...behavior they have, both good and bad. They see they don't always behave with acts of kindness, love and obedience. They tend to want to behave in ways that are comforting to them usually resulting in acts of selfishness and meanness. Had we stopped there the lesson would have looked hopeless. But we continued on and learned the Principle of this lesson and WOW!"The behavior we develop as children builds us into the man/woman we will one day be. We took some more time to write down what we hoped to be built into someday. And the girls said some hopeful things. Jeri said she hopes to be built into a woman who serves, loves, is nice, gives to others, not selfish, doesn't get angry, listens and as does what others ask of her, and is calm. Jamie said she wanted to one day be a woman who was nice, follower of Jesus, skinny (not really a conduct issue) and gentle & quiet. I am hopeful for them. You see I didn't have the insight's they have when I was a child. The adult I grew into was straight out of the child I was. I became a grown woman full of selfishness, jealousy, anger, pride, arrogance and conceit. Yes, I was kind and nice. But that was not the essence of who I was and wanting to be. I had no desire to follow the way of righteousness because I didn't know what the right ways were. The Book of Proverbs and the Bible itself tells us what the right ways are. Gods way of growing things, doing things and becoming the way He desires are all found throughout His Word. I didn't know them or Him because I didn't know His Word. So I behaved the way I wanted and did what I thought was right. The Bible says "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that way leads to death." That was the way I was headed and my "conduct" proved it. But what grace God has shown to me and my children. At age 37 he is reshaping and building inside me a new way and better way of doing things and being. And I am changing from that old person I used to be into a new person that God desires. And you know what? My daughters are reaping the rewards. As children (young children) they are learning Gods way of proper behavior and decision making. They are learning wisdom and seeing it expressed in their choices and desires. I am so thankful the road for them does not resemble mine. And I am so grateful He is giving them a desire for Godliness, and they are accepting it! Amazing grace!!!
Indeed!!! Great life lesson learned.
Phileo,
Patsy
Congratulations to Jamie on bringing home the GOLD!!!! Yesterday Jamie played in a Volleyball Tournament in Lockhart, TX where her Volleyball Club Team... The San Antonio Pumas (14 year old girls) won first place. Her team played three games and won all three. They went on to the championship round to play for first and second place. It was an exciting, yet heart-racing, game to watch. They endured to the end and walked away the CHAMPIONS!!! What thrill and joy at the effort of accomplishment. Nothing feels as good as trying your best and reaping the rewards. Challenges are never easy, in fact the essence of a challenge is difficulty, but when you try and try with all your best effort, challenges are worth every ounce of difficulty they bring. It produces more then tiredness. It reaps forth the fruit of accomplishment. The understanding that hard things can be done. The self realization that perhaps "maybe I do have what it takes." Yes, nothing good ever comes easy. But the hard things are worth fighting for. And the fruit it bears is worth all the effort. Way to Win Girls!!
The girls are now day eleven into their science experiment. Remember they are speaking positive words to cooked rice in one jar and then speaking negative words to cooked rice in another jar. And you know what....this little experiment has got me thinking. Anybody who really knows me knows that I am a deep thinker. Sometimes maybe even too deep. So last night I got to thinking about a book I recently read called War of Words by Paul David Tripp. This book is one of the best books I could recommend besides the Bible itself. I was thinking about a passage in the Bible that Mr. Tripp states as his source of reference.
Matthew 12:33-37 (New American Standard Bible)
Words Reveal Character
33"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; forthe tree is known by its fruit. 34"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Jesus spoke these words. He was talking to people who thought their status and affluence would determine their holiness. The Pharisees looked the part, as do many of us. Wait let me make it personal, as do I. But Jesus had another standard to measure my sincerity. He measures me by my words and my actions!
Day 11 Still White
Day 11 Turning Black
Look at these jars, once opened the only thing that will come out is what is inside. For the jar that has been spoken to kindly, good white rice will come out. And for the jar that was been spoken to negatively, mold, bacteria and a stench will flow. There are no other options. Those are the only things that can come from them because that is what is contained in them. To me, these little jars represent the heart of man. My heart, your heart, every single created being. Now I don't want to get caught up on the external factors that cause negative and positive results within. Because we are dull sheep and we can easily be lead astray of the importance of the lesson. Yes, it is true! Many people are what life has made them to be...divorce, abuse, poverty are just a few of the factors that bring about rot. All of which are apart of what has shaped me.But even if that is true there is a greater Truth at work. You have the ability to determine how any external factor is going to influence your heart. Will you let the hurt from unkind words rot away at you? Or the hypocrisy of the foolish eat away at your heart? Will you allow your inability to forgive that very one who hurt you build bitterness within you? Or will you trust in the Savior? Trust in the above scripture? Face the fact that you cannot hide. Your words will always find you out and you will be measured you by them.
You see I'm passionate about this topic because it hits straight at my heart. It makes me face my sin! No matter what caused it. My sin of unforgiveness, reconciliation, extending mercy and grace. All of which the Lord commands me to do regardless of the situation.You can always tell what is in my heart by my face, my words and my actions. No matter how much I try to "fake" it I just can't. Why? Because Jesus Christ is so much more on to me then I know! But I need Jesus more and more. I need him to change my words! I need him to change my thoughts and I ultimately need him to change my heart. So that I may be the good man who brings out the good stored up in him. How about you?
Phileo,
Patsy
For more in-depth study read Matthew Henry's Commentary by clicking here
SNOW...In South Texas! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it. But here it is and we have the pictures to prove it. What FUN for the kiddos! I remember the Big snow of 1985. I was in the 5th grade and I still remember that beautiful snow. What a treat for my kids, they will have something to remember too!
Jeri has participated in J&R Gymnastics' classes this entire school year and last Friday they had their 19th Annual Mini Olympics. Although she was completely shy and wanted to go home once she saw how big the crowd was... she swallowed her fear and overcame. She walked away with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons and she received her participation trophy. Way to go Jeri... Mommy is so super proud of you!!! You tried your best and you did well!!! I love you!
Jorgie pretending!!!! She is all dressed up in pajama's and her wedding veil! She even has a little toy ring on her finger! Who's the groom? I don't even think she knows what a groom is! But she is so imaginative!!!
First time ever!!!!! First time we (girls) have ever made a bar-b-que by ourselves. And you know what... it was very good. What was on the menu? Sausage, baby back ribs, chicken and baked potatoes or was it corn on the cob? I can't remember. I think potatoes... but anyway we had so much fun just being together. I love my mom so much and the girls ALWAYS have so much fun with her.
We went to the Hillsong concert in April. Ram had purchased the tickets months before with the purpose of him taking the girls on a father/ daughter date. But duty called and I ended up taking them. It was nice worshiping God and spending time with the girls and Hillsong!
