Being Busy...

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!

A Message to Parents...especially Fathers!

A Divided Heart, A Divided Home by Ravi Zacharias is part 1 of a 2 part series. This message has reminded Ramiro and I what is the most important assignment the Lord has given to us... our family. Please take time to listen to this timely message of truth and be renewed as we where after we heard it over and over!

Phileo,

Patsy

My Desire

Looking through my hymn book the other day I came across this modern day hymn.

B.B. McKinney wrote God, Give Us Christian Homes. 
I love the words penned in this music sheet.
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, and where the Master's will is sought.
Yes, may I grow more and more diligent to teach my family to love the Bible and live it. And may we all grow a deep desire to  live our lives to please the Lord and not ourselves.
Homes where the Father is true and strong.
Homes where the mother is caring and desires to show your way is best.
Homes where the children are led to know the Lord.
How accurate! A home where we all fit into our proper roles and we function best in it.
Oh Father may this be more then a beautiful hymn I have come across. May this be the lived out reflection of my hearts's desire. Help me to accomplish such a great and honored task. And the many, many places I fall short, help me to have the grace and strength to endure?
In your name Jesus. Amen.
Is this the cry of your heart too? Is this your home? Do you desire it to be? Turn to the One who is able to grow the things that dreams are made of. The One who can turn a life of wrongs into a life of rights. Repentance is always the key. And Jesus is always the door that opens to the Way!
Phileo,
Patsy

In Science, She FAIRED....Excellent!!!!

Yes, indeed! Jeri took 2nd place at the 5th Annual Home School Science Fair. I am so super proud of her. It was hard work, took lots of time to finalize all the details but in the end it all paid off. Jeri is so pleased with her accomplishment and effort And I am grateful this experience has boosted her confidence.
Now I will admit, her heart was not always into it! And there were days when we both wanted to quit! But we kept on and completed what we had set out to do and the judges awarded her diligence! WAY TO GO JERI!!!  

It's A Great Day in SA!

 

 

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!

My Purpose, Is His Purpose

 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who see's us? Who will know?" You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? Isaiah 29:15-16


This little, itty, bitty nugget came from my BSF study this morning. It brought with it great thought and understanding. In our society today I see it and hear it everywhere. What is your purpose? What are you going to do with your life? There are even books and counselors to help guide me to find what I'm "created to do." How arrogant! How ignorant to think like that! To think I know what my future holds, how to make it happen and how to get there. And yet, for most of my life, that is how I thought. At a very early age, I wanted to have it all and I wanted to have it fast. I wanted to become a nurse, own a flower shop, buy a house and get married. By age twenty-three it happened. I graduated from nursing school in August 1995, got married September 1995, bought a flower shop February 1996 and bought our first home September 1999. Now how's that for making things happen! But you see, even though I had all that "success", I had accomplished "great things", I was still a failure. In reality I hadn't accomplished anything at all. You see, we had just come to know of Jesus in September 1996. I worshiped Him with my mouth but my heart, my heart, was very far from Him. Read Isaiah 29:13-14, he is speaking of His own people. At this point I qualify. When I look back now, fifteen years later, fifteen years of being shaped, molded and worked on by the Lord I realize and see things so much different...it is not my life to lead, but rather it is His hand to follow. Even up to a few months ago. Again, God showed and said, "It is my purpose you were created for." And what is that purpose...I think it quite ironic... Simply to raise my family. Why ironic? There's no glory there, there's no wowing anyone with being a mom. People aren't impressed by my title..."homemaker." Ahhh, but God is. God knows me all to well. It's true. He knows what "success" does to me...it cause great pride! But humility... it causes great submission! And after all that is were the Lord wants me. He wants me in a place where I can submit and not resist. Where I will obey what He desires to do in my life. What does He want? He wants something I would have never planned for myself, something where the focus is not on what I can accomplish to bring me glory but rather what God can accomplish through me to bring Him great, great glory. My purpose...to raise my children, build my home and love my husband, all to the Glory of God. He desires a new generation of Gutierrez's that will know Him, love Him and serve Him. May His will be done! 
What is your purpose?
Phileo,
Patsy

HELLO

It has been months!!!! So much has happened since my last blog in May. First, I finally got a working computer last week, and secondly, I have so much on my heart share.
"To God Be The Glory"

The Makings of a Champion!

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!

Grandma and the Girls

    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.                                      

A Landa Park Kind of a Day

We had such a wonderful time today at Landa Park with the Medina's. The kiddos played at the playground, we had a picnic, Trei and Jamie fished, Trustin and Jeri caught minnow's, Jorgie
and Ele fed the ducks, they swam, rode on a train, cracked cascarones and the mamma's just relaxed and enjoyed the day. The squirrels enjoyed the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and we met a cute little guy in the water we had never seen before. At first we thought it was a beaver but we concluded it was more along the lines of a large water rat. Anyway it was nice to enjoy each others company. I am so grateful for friends and God-given friendships. Thanks Medina's we had a wonderful day at the park with y'all.