Hello...

I feel as if I haven't written in forever! Someone that talks as much as I do (LOL), can really miss a chat here and there.

First, I want to say that on Thanksgiving, I cut the pie and it was perfect. You just don't know how much I've improved in my culinary arts effort. I haven't burned much since my last kitchen horrors. There was only one incident during Thanksgiving where the marshmallows on the yams were charred. But that was not completely my fault and all I had to do was scrape them off and start again. They were yummy! Hate to disappoint you, but this chick is not going to have many more stories for you if I keep this up. LOL

Secondly, Christmas is coming around and I just love the holidays. Unfortunately, it always seems that I am broke during the holidays, but that is probably because there is always so much to buy.

Thirdly, Anthony has advanced to his purple belt. His only goal is to get the trophy and the belt. If that is what it takes to keep his self-esteem and his confidence high, then I am all for that. From this, he has learned discipline and respect amongst other things. Moms usually have a hidden agenda. This was definitely a winning situation.

Fourthly (is that a word? I guess I could spell check...Yes, it is a word) and most importantly, God is good!!! I love God and He loves me.

Chat with you later.
PJ

Someone has a birthday...

Happy Birthday Pastor Pryor!!!

Another pic of mi familia

I just had to load another picture of my oldest brother and his family. My oldest nephew, Quentin turned 21 on Sunday. I remember those days.

For my 21st birthday, I flew out to NYC and stayed a week. I had it planned for months. When I first arrived my hotel didn't have my reservation. Then it had troubles running the credit card. After figuring out that it was their machine and I got into the room, I became sick. Food poisoning. It didn't stop me though. I was 21, I had energy even when I was sick.

Alaina got a new car!

After much asking, Alaina finally posted a pic of her new car. This is Alaina's first car which I think warrants a celebration. New cars are always exciting and fun, especially when it is your first one. Hip! Hip! Horay! to Alaina and her new Nissan Maxima.

Shopping to Invite

Went down yesterday to the mall with Granny & Granny Lu. We were hanging out having a good ole time buying some $2 skirts from JcPenny. You would think that my young age would give me an advantage in the energy department, but you would be wrong. I was worn out (and happy) at the end of our 4 hour excursion.

And don't think we shopped the time away. Nope, we were on a mission. We came prepared with church cards and a smile. Check out some of our techniques.

• THE GOLD MEDAL DASH technique: After we grabbed a bite to eat and were headed towards the exit, Granny Lu grabbed a church card from me and ran (yes, she ran) after this woman to invite her to church.
• I KNOW YOU WANNA BUY technique: The verizon wireless guy was shocked when his sales pitch was turned right back on him.
• 'CHEESE' technique: The Glamour Shots guys asked us if we wanted to take some pics. BAM! Church cards pulled right out of the purse and into their hands.
• YUM!YUM! technique: The lady selling us some candy. BAM! Church card slammed down on the counter (I did that one).
• YOU HUNGRY? technique: The lady at the food court eating. BAM! Invited to church.

Everyone they talked to walked away with a church card. Those people in that mall didn't know what was coming when we pulled up.

Church Grannies

I have had so much fun lately with our grannies. There is so much wisdom that is displayed from them. The experience they have and the strength they exhibit is fascinatingly wonderful.

Saturday night on our way to the Everywoman’s BBQ, we (Trudie, Granny, Lula and myself) were all chit chatting away. The car was filled with happy talk, laughter and the Holy Ghost.

Lula (I call her Granny Lu) was telling of her past experiences and her days filled at this “holiness” church. I was definitely God’s will that we met. Granny was reminiscing on her days of youth and Trudie was telling of her days in Illinois.

Wonderful is all that I can call these women. Wonderful and hilarious! They have so much personality to go along with that wisdom. Laughter truly is medicine for the heart and soul. I am blessed to be able to drive them around. Ya’ll just don’t know how much you are missing out on. Maybe one day I will share them (just kidding).

In Due Season

Leviticus 26:4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

---------------

I read something today that I thought I'd share. I read of a man that was asking God for a wife. He prayed this in thinking that maybe God's will might be for him to marry a woman in his church. When he realized that his feelings for these woman did not change, the man then changed his prayer and began to pray for preparation of his wife. This man never stopped asking for what he desired, but he understood that in time God would provide him with the desires of his heart. Until that time was to come, he would prepare for what God was going to provide.

I am single and a mother of one. My desire is for Anthony to have a wonderful father that loves him as if he were in fact his own blood, a husband who will love me as Christ commanded and a man that I would greatly respect, love and cherish for all of my days. I have not found this man as yet, but there is nothing stopping me from preparing for his arrival.

All this cooking (and I am getting good at it) is a form of preparation. Regardless, I have to cook for Anthony, but he could care less that he had to eat cereal because I burned the fried chicken. I must practice in preparation for the day that I must liberally exercise my skills in the culinary arts. (A note to my future husband, don't worry. By the time you come along I will be good at frying chicken)

Any ways, the point I am trying to say is that the blessing has not arrived, yet. But there is no reason why you cannot prepare for when it finally comes. Get your umbrella ready. Hang the rain coat up by the front door. Get that rain slicker if you want to. When the rain finally comes, get yo' stuff, go outside and enjoy your due season in the rain.

Seasons of Sowing

I received this via email today.

Seasons of Sowing

Today's Scripture
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:5).

The Scripture talks about seasons of sowing and reaping in your life. In Psalms, it talks about sowing in tears and reaping in joy.

That verse is saying that the sowing seasons are usually the most difficult. It’s hard to keep a good attitude when all your friends are being blessed, but you’re not.

You may feel like they don’t work as hard as you do. You may feel like they don’t give like you do or don’t deserve the blessing. That’s a time of testing. It’s hard to go through disappointments and stay positive and hopeful. These are seasons of sowing.

If you’ll do the right thing even when it’s hard—when you sow in tears—you will always reap in joy!

I’m asking you to have a new attitude toward what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God still has a plan to bring it to pass.

Don’t give up. Your time is coming. It’s never too late!

God is saying, "This is your season. Keep your faith stirred up." Keep sowing because in due season, you will reap the bountiful harvest with a song of joy in your heart!

Hold Fast

Hebrews 10:35-36

(KJV)
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

(Amplified)
Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.

(NIV)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Sister, you are Beautiful

I was in the market tonight after an awesome revival service and overheard some women talking about me. I am not one to eavesdrop so I didn't tune in until I heard the word "tall" and realized it was me, when in my peripheral view, I noticed them staring my way. They were saying that I was pretty, tall and there was something about me that just makes me beautiful. I am not sharing this to brag, but I am saying this because I instantly knew what they were saying was beautiful. It was the Holy Ghost! They were attracted to the Holy Ghost that was shining through. I feel like I could sing, It was the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost!

Ladies, we are beautiful. Physical beauty is not enough to be beautiful. It is was comes from within. And with the Spirit living within us, beauty permeates off of us. I don't think we hear it enough, but we are beautiful. We shine, shine, shine and should be proud of the name we carry. As it was heard tonight, we are bad!

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Anthony’s Teacher made me cry

Anthony’s teacher made me cry this morning. She told me that Anthony was a great student, loving, respectful and disciplined. Do not take this the wrong way, but I was dumbfounded. Seconds passed by before I could even respond. After I left the classroom, I cried joyful tears. You see, this was a change from all that I had heard in Pre-K and K. Kindergarten was a nightmare and many tears were shed by the both of us. So, to hear this was a great big blessing. Yes, I know school has just begun, and there may be times that I will have to hold onto these words. But prayerfully, I am petitioning God to help Anthony maintain this status in his class and in the many years to come. I want God’s light to shine in Anthony so that he can be a Godly example and a testimony/witness to his schoolmates. I want Anthony to let the lil' light shine. Thank you Jesus for sending me this blessing!

My Family Cruisin' the Caribbean

Here is a picture of my wonderful family on their cruise to the Caribbean. From left to right, nephew Cardie (15), nephew Quentin (20), sister-in-law Melinda and nephew Andre (15). As you can see, we are a family of giants. My brother, who was taking the picture, stands at 6'4". My nephews are all taller than me and I am 5'11". Us women are the short ones in the family. =)

Anthony's First Day of School

Well, we made it through the first day with ease. I was more nervous than Anthony. He is comfortable in new environments. With his sociable personality and desire to meet new people, he got along just fine. I was impressed by his teacher. She is very organized and disciplined. Just what Anthony needs. From what I have come to learn, our most valuable weapon as parents (outside of God) is our consistency. Anthony knows I love him when I discipline him because I am consistent and kept to my word. If I act out of anger and punish him, he tends to fear me instead of respect me. Anthony needs to know which way the ball is going to fall, whether he is going to be reprimanded or loved. To have a disciplined teacher, is an answer to prayer, because God knew just what my son needed.

Praise '07 at the Park

On Oct. 6th, we are scheduled to have Praise ‘07 at the Park. We are taking our church services to the park in an effort to reach out to the community. If they are unable to come to us, then we will come to them.

Here is a glimpse of what God can do with our efforts. It doesn’t have to just be another service, but it could be a day that all the angels in heaven rejoice!

http://inhistime.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/god-blew-our-minds/

Back to School

Today is Anthony's first day back to school. Until Sunday, I was not ready for him to go back to school. I truly enjoyed our summer time together and wasn't ready to end. Come Monday, he practically talked my ear off. That's when I realized, even if I am not ready, he definitely is.

So, today we are off to meet his first grade teacher, Mrs. Jennings. As every mother probably is when their kids go off, I have a mix of emotions. Anxiousness, nervousness, excitement are all rolled up into me right now. A part of me wants the time to stop and the other part wants to jump until the end of the day so that I can find out how school went for him.

MY BABY IS GROWING UP! & FAST!

Googled

Today, I found the nerve to Google myself. I hear people everywhere talking about they are going to Google someone or they've been Googled, but I never had the urge to check on myself. It was kind of eerie to see my name pop up. Eerie and exciting at the same time. I found people with my first name and one person with my same exact first and middle name. Who would have thought! My name is no where near common. Fortunately, there weren't too many people who shared my name. I take pleasure in having a unique name. Especially since I was named after my dad, or at least he said I was named after him. Something to think about, hmmm!

P.R.I.D.E.

Last night we had some Back-2-School teachings from Bro Art and Bro Frank. It was great. Bro Frank read over some startling statistics that was quite compelling. Bro Art said that teaching is when knowledge and tools are provided. Preaching is when we are inspired. Well, there was some preaching last night!

We were taught some information on presenting ourselves to those of the world and how our light shines brightly to all, teachers, fellow students, other parents, etc. How we act outside of church directly represents our God. We also were provided some startling statistics that would make you squirm. These statistics alone are a very good reason why we must pray for our children. As parents, we must teach and practice prayer in the home. It’s not just a church thing!

“YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD…” (Matthew 5:14)

How we act, directly shows our PRIDE or lack of it. We can PRIDEfully be a bright shining light set on top of a hill or through our embarrassment we can hide our light so that no man can see. When we are embarrassed of our lifestyle, living for God becomes more of a chore than a privilege.

Do you have PRIDE? What does PRIDE mean to you?

P.R.I.D.E.
Prayer Raises It’s Demands Everywhere
Prayerfully Releasing the Inflicted with Daily Expectancy
Providing Restoration In Daily Expectancy
Prayerfully Restoring Individuals with Daily Expectancy
Power Restoration Infilling Deliverance Expectancy (through the Power of the Holy Ghost, there is restoration through the infilling and deliverance through our expectancy.)

I am sure there are many more things I could put together, but I would love to see what you could come up with.

Riding a Bike

Anthony learned how to ride his bike today without the training wheels. We went out early this morning before the scorching heat and got him started. I was so excited. Even the people at the park we cheering him on. It feels so good to see my child accomplish something new.

Funny Story

Now that I have been unblocked, I thought it would be fun for us to create a story like we did in our elementary days. I will begin and then you can add your sentence (or two). Remember, this is a family blog. The rating is a "Christian G" not the "G" rating that would be put on shows today. Ha! Ha! Ha!

TITLE: The Island of Pentecost

Once upon a time in Pentecostal Island, there was a young man who...

Writers Block

I don’t know what to write about. Where does the time go. Why can’t I just think about something to write? What do I write about. I can’t stop because then I will stop thinking and I won’t have anything to blog. Blog? What is in a blog? Remember in the old days when we were instructed to write without picking up a pencil. Then creative thinking would come. What are we instructed to do today? Are we to write on our laptops and computers without adding spaces? Are we to write nonstop until something comes to mind? I would assume so. Writers block. What an awful thing. Actually this is kind of funny to me. I haven’t sat down to do creative writing in a long time and this is getting to be kind of fun. Fun, what is fun? How do we have fun? I certainly wouldn’t have thought about doing this for fun. But it actually is. I can’t stop asking myself questions. What do I do with this writers block? I may never shut up. What do you do when you have writers block? This is what you get from a woman who loves numbers and not words. I guess I should have paid better attention in English and grammar. I probably would have more to say. LOL. Now I can’t stop laughing while I am sitting here on my living room floor. Do you have writers block? Maybe communication block. Maybe artist block or readers block. What do you do when you are all blocked and can’t seem to get unblocked? I can tell you what to do. Just do it. LOL. See, now I had a whole lot to say. =)

Have FAITH

Mark 11:22

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Out with the Old. In with the New.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The Presence of the Lord

How can you deny God when you see something like this?

There is Always a Blessing on the Other Side of Obedience

Recently, I have received a few offers to work elsewhere and make more money with more desirable perks and benefits. But my spirit was ill at ease with the thought of pursuing those options. I knew it was not the will of God and I would be disobedient to even explore such options. I wanted it bad, real bad. And although my flesh was saying that I wouldn’t hurt to just see what they have to offer, my spirit whipped out the red light and siren, and screamed out “Holt. Do not go there!”

I must admit, it has been hard for me to sit back and wait out this wave. Things have not been good and there have been times that I am shattered in my heart from the constant lashing that seems to go on. My flesh is bruised, beaten and stripped. Pride, what pride? Humbleness has come out of humility and oh how that hurts. IT DOESN’T FEEL GOOD!

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…“ (1 Samuel 15:22). To sacrifice means the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim (dictionary.com). To obey means to comply with or follow (a command, restriction, wish, instruction, etc.) (dictionary.com). My flesh was not happy because I had to surrender or give up something. I had to surrender a higher salary. I had to surrender some of my pride. I had to surrender prized and desirable things, which my mind calculated out to “defeat”. Although my spirit was obeying or following the will of God, my flesh was feeling defeated. I had to surrender my desire in order to follow (another icky word in our vocabulary) Another’s desire. This goes against the grain of our (humanly) well being. After all, it is the “It’s all about me” era.

But oh, what a friend we have in Jesus! Now this is where Jesus is so good. In all of my surrendering, it never occurred to me that I have been accumulating towards God’s blessings. There is always a blessing on the other side of obedience! God will not punish us for our obedience, but He may punish us for our sacrifice (Check out the story of Cain and Abel). YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WHEN YOU OBEY GOD. God is not going to turn His back on us and say “You shouldn’t have listened to me, stupid”. He does not play games. There are blessings in obedience, multiple blessings! When we obey God, he is happy with us; when He is happy with us, we are happy. When we obey God, we receive His favor; we are directly dialed into The Blessing Line. When we obey God, we are protected and secured; no weapon formed against us can prevail. Plus when we obey God, we are helping others; “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 KJV)

Wow! I can’t even put into words what this makes me feel. I couldn’t do this feeling justice. What I will say is this, I surrender! There is something better waiting for me behind door #2, OBEDIENCE. Where there is obedience, there is favor. Where there is favor, there is God. Where God is, is where I want to be. Where I want to be is in heaven. There is a higher claim and a higher name! His name is JESUS.

Out-of-Shape

Wow! Signs From Above had practice tonight. I am not ashamed to say that I practice on a regular basis but still take more breaks than these young ladies. I have a decade (whoa! that makes me sound old) or more over them, but I am holding my ground. At least until Sgt. Ariel got to me. She showed me this exercise called "36" and I began to feel 36 after I did only half of one of those.

I don't understand. Ladies, how is it that we can work all day and be so out of shape? I mean, I go to work, I come home, make dinner (this is a random affair in my household), go to the store, go home, clean here, clean there, do dishes, help kids with homework, get ready for the next day, go go go. We are always going, but our bodies haven't caught up with the lingo yet. All the stuff we do, should at least be considered extra credit! LOL!

Don't Play Chicken with God

Have you ever played the game of Chicken? You know, the game where you test your "courage" by playing some crazy dangerous game against someone else. Whomever backs out of the challenge first is considered a chicken. I am sure there is a better way of explaining this game and I am also sure the you probably know what I am talking about. Most people play these games as juveniles, some continue on well past their adolescence. As much as we'd like to think that we don't play it anymore, I'd like to pose this question to you, have you recently played Chicken with God?

You know, "just a little bit more and I will stop". "Well, it can wait until tomorrow". "Really, tomorrow I will change". "I have plenty of time to ask for forgiveness, today is just not that day". This does not have to apply to what we think are "big sins", this can as easily be applied to what could be considered "small sins". Although all sins are viewed as the same in God's eyes, "Big sins" start somewhere. And just remember, the "bigger" our sins tend to get, the less of a sin the "small" ones seem to be.

I know that there are things I am guilty of. And no, I am not going to share. =) However, I do want to say that playing Chicken with God is useless because He always wins. Whether you decide that you are never backing down or that you will just back down for now, YOU LOSE. God has the last call. After all, He is The Judge and has the final call on our eternity.

So, be a wise man, not a fool. Don't go playing Chicken with God. As Mr. T use to say, "I pity the fool!"

The Fire of the Holy Ghost

God is amazing. His power and glory are unfathomable. His favor and mercy are unexplainable and his Love is enduring. While the Fire of His Holy Ghost sweeps over us and consumes us, He fills us with such joy and excitement. The bacteria of fear, sickness, troubled minds, financial downfalls, " " (you fill in the blank) are burned down by the fire of the Holy Ghost and replaced with "Power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). It is dumbfounding to me how in such an uncontainable and uncontrollable God, we find such peace and order and love.

I'm tweny-eight (28)!

I have joyfully been 28 for two days. Yeah! Although I am one year older, I feel more alive now than I have in past years. Oh...the joys of getting older (not old, just older! LOL!). Growing up, my dad always made a big deal out of birthdays. Since we have experienced the saying "tomorrow is not guaranteed", having another birthday for me is another accomplishment and most importantly another blessing. I am blessed. I have lived 28 years and I'm looking forward to 29. Thanks all for your birthday calls, kisses and (ooh-yeah) gifts.

InDanger'd Species

Anthony brought home a sticker from Sunday school that said "Prayer Works". When I asked him to tell me how prayer has worked in his life, one of his answers was that it helps him not to become an endangered species. I laughed at first but thought 'tis true. We are an endangered species without prayer. Just like our schools are endangered with the removal of "God" from the atmosphere. What sense of order do we have without prayer? I can speak for myself, I have NONE. Without prayer Anthony and myself are both "in danger". In danger of not being in the will of God. In danger of not following the direction of God. In danger of falling into the hands of the prey and being devoured by the jaws of life. Anthony was absolutely correct, prayer helps us not to become and InDanger'd Species.

Friends

I remember the times when I was young and could talk for hours on the phone. I still can, but life doesn't permit such leisure at times. I can remember in high school how I use to see my friend Jessie everyday in class, we'd have lunch together and then call each other every night and talk for hours. When people would ask how we would find so much to talk about, I would say "Everyday brings something new. There is always something to talk about. This is a benefit of having a friend."

Though I said that when I was ~14 years old, I still agree with that today. There are times when I get off the phone with a friend and I have a Kool-Aid smile and just feel good. I think about what was discussed during our conversation and realize that I did nothing I set out to accomplish, but I surely felt good doing it. There are times when I just needed a friend. I didn't need to talk, just the unspoken words of strength and understanding. Friends are priceless. Priceless indeed!

Happy Birthday Priscilla!

I have to give a shout out to the newest member of SFA (Signs from Above). She has officially become a teenager today, the big 13. We had cupcakes to celebrate. I made the cupcakes and only messed up 5 of them. Unknowingly (such a Philana moment) I put the candles in the ones that came right out of the oven and melted the candle wax right in the cupcake. They were still edible after we dug out the wax. LOL!

Happy Birthday Priscilla! Love YA!

Happy BirthDay Alaina!

Today, well yesterday, was Alaina's birthday. She turned 21 years old (You are gettin' old girly! LOL). Just kidding! You are young yet with many years of youth ahead of you. Trust me, the years only get better.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAINA!

Testimony

For Wednesday night services, I normally leave my house early to give myself time to practice a little before service. Yesterday, I left at 6:30 as normal and while en route to church, I realized that I forgot my check book. This posed two problems: 1) We were taking a sacrificial offering in service and I would not be able to participate that night if I didn't have my check book and 2) I would not make it to church early and would possibly be late to our 7:00 prayer meeting if I were to turn around to get the check book. After a few minutes of thought, I decided to turn around and get my check book. I figured that I could cut out practice and if I were to hurry I would make it to service on time since I had allowed myself the additional 15 minutes in the first place.

So, I went home, got my check book and headed back to church. As I was on my way I came across an accident. This accident took place in pretty much the exact area that I would have been had I not turned around. Instantly, I knew once I passed that scene that God had saved me from that accident. I thought to myself, not only do I serve an awesome God, but if I had not acted upon my first instinct (which I believe to be the nudging of God), I would have more than likely been the one in that accident. Although, I pray for the women who were involved and pray that everything will turn out all right for the both of them, I am grateful that I listened to God and turned around.

The First Lady

My pastor's wife (a.k.a. The First Lady), had a birthday yesterday as well.

Happy Birthday Sis Pryor!!!

Anthony Had Another B-Day

Today, Anthony hit the big "6". He is officially able to ride in a car without a car seat. I woke him up this morning by singing Happy Birthday and making him his favorite breakfast,... cereal. He went to school and had a wonderful day. His teacher even met me at the playground gate to tell me what a wonderful day he had. Glory to God! My sister came out and a few of us went to CEC (chuck-e-cheese) and had a mini b-day celebration. He got some gifts that were on his birthday list, including a Game Cube, Hot Wheels Track and Soccor Ball. He loved it, I loved it, we all loved it. Today was simple and perfect for someone who just turned 6. I am a proud mother of a wonderful 6-year old little boy.

Happy Birthday Anthony!!!

Psalm 121: 1-3

Such Sweet Sorrow

I thank God for big brothers. I am quite younger than my older brothers, but they have been an important part of my life even though they were pretty much out of the house before I was walking. My oldest brother, Tony, was out here on vacation for a short while and I was reminded of how much I miss him. I credit him and my wonderful sis-in-law, Melinda, with much of how I am today. When I was younger, my brother was like this imaginary hero. I never understood what he did or where he was because he was so much older than me, but I couldn’t wait until he came home. When he finally did come home, I wouldn’t leave his side expect for when I had to go to school. As I grew older and he married, my vacations were spent in his home. His home was my home and he never told me or made me feel otherwise. He took care of me and I can’t express how loved that makes me feel.

So, you may be able to imagine a little bit of the joy I felt in seeing him after a few years. This visit reminded me of all the reasons why I love my brother and how much I have missed him. Having him for the little while has been a blessing, but I hated to see him go. I love my big brother and thank God for him. I already miss him and can’t wait until next time.

A Portrait Before His Was Famous

This is me in the eyes of Jose Rios. This picture is titled

"A Portrait Before He Was Famous".

Feasting in His Sanctuary

Have you ever dined at a restaurant where the food was great but the service was horrible, the restaurant was dirty and the surrounding environment was just unpleasant? Or you may experience wonderful service in a cleanly restaurant with an environment that is quite welcoming, but the food didn’t necessarily meet up to your expectation. Even if the food was excellent, the service and environment would probably deter me from returning. For me a filthy restaurant makes me think of a dirty kitchen which ultimately leads to the thought of dirty food, which I ate. Yuck! But if the food is not up to par, but the service I received was outstanding and the restaurant was pleasant, the chances of my return are very high. The food doesn’t seem to be as bad when the service is excellent. Well, I guess we can’t always have our cake and eat it too. This is definitely true in my case because my cake may explode prior to being edible. Anywho, with whatever scenario I face, my expectation is curved to one side or other, it is normally a deciding factor in whether I will return for another dining experience.

Dining with God works the same way. What you first encounter curves your expectation for the next visit. Everything around you serves as a deciding factor on whether your dinner experience is worth a return. The friendliness of your waitress(es) (the Church Greeter and Church Family), the cleanliness of the facility (the Church), the calming pleasant environment (pre-service prayer), the appetizer (the Worship Service) the main course (the Sermon), and what we all look forward to, the desert (the Alter Call) are all contributing factors in a guest experience. I have been to restaurants where I just loved, loved, loved the food and service. And because of the wonderful first encounter, I have forgiven a bad food selection or mediocre service I may have received at a future visit because I know what they can provide and maybe they are having an off day.

This is why it is so important that the saints of the church seek the face of God in every service and serve a feast at dinner time. What we dish out, is what our guest will reel in. As excellently put by Tommy Tenney, “When people get just a little touch of God mixed with a lot of something that is not God, it inoculates them against the real thing. Once they’ve been ‘inoculated’ by a crumb of God’s presence, then when we say ‘God really is here’; they say ‘No. I’ve been there, done that, I bought the T-shirt, and I didn’t find Him; it really didn’t work for me’” I don’t want my guest eating tuna when they can have escargot. I don’t want them to have day-old bread when they can heave a loaf fresh from the oven. I want them to have Jesus and what I do contributes to how much of Jesus they will have. What I do will answer the question, are they feasting or snacking on Him?

Last week I was blessed to be able to attend our Western District Ladies conference. This is my favorite conference every year. I look forward to my soul being fed by the services as well as the fellowship. And each year, I wonder how they are going to outdo the last and each year they have not failed me. They outdo the last. Although the theme of this conference was “Into His Sanctuary”, it could have been easily called “Feasting in His Sanctuary”. We feasted on the presence of God. We experienced Him and served our guest with caviar and escargot. We served the thousand dollar plates on a twenty dollar budget. It was awesome! Friday night was one of those services where we really couldn’t get any teaching because God was teaching us how to feast on Him. We created an atmosphere that welcomed God and we didn’t reject Him when He showed up. Although we don’t bask in the glory of God for anyone but God, it was our basking that helped the lost be saved, the bound to be delivered, the sick to be healed, and the weak to be made strong. It was our feasting in the Sanctuary that helped others walk into the Sanctuary. Hallelujah!!!

I don’t really know how to end this blog because I got myself all pumped up. I will say this, as best said by Tommy Tenney, “If God’s glory can’t flow through the aisles of the church because of seducing spirits and manipulating men, then God will have to turn somewhere else…” I don’t want God to pass me up. I don’t want Him to pass up my family, friends, coworkers, etc. I want all to come and Feast in the Presence of God. It does start with me. As long as I do what I can, God will do the rest. I create the atmosphere; God will enter it and do His marvelous work.

EXCELLENT quote

"Listen, my friend. God doesn't care about your music, your midget steeples, and your flesh-impressive buildings. Your church carpet doesn't impress Him-He carpets the fields. God doesn't really care about anything you can "do" for Him; He only cares about your answer to one question: "Do you want Me?" - Tommy Tenney

Good Quote

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

We Hugged U OC!

This Valentine's Day was the best Valentines I have had in a long while. As a single parent there is one thing that can make you lonely, Valentine's Day. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July are normally spent with family, but this is one occasion where a third person (or maybe 2) is literally a fifth wheel.

But this Valentine's Day instead of dwelling on what I didn't have or what I wasn't involved in, I was truly blessed to be involved in God's wonderful work, OUTREACH. A few of us single moms, went out and Hugged OC.


Although this outreach is a year round effort (and quite fun at that), we took this Valentine's Day Serving Those Who Serve Us. We went out and gave some HugOC Cards with chocolates attached and reached out to employees at Starbucks, Taco Bell, QueenBee Chinese, Popeye's Chicken and even Subway. You can find the photos on My AWESOME Church's flick'r web site. I even found a 6'7" man with hair that probably made him 7'0". WOW! I love it.

Unfortunately, we barely touched OC in the couple of hours we were out. Fortunately, this is only the beginning. There is so much more to do. So many more lives to touch and what a way to do it! Thank you Sis Rebecca and Sis Patty (Brianna and Monce too!) for your wonderful help. I look forward to what we will accomplish this year.

And if you don't live in OC, here is a HUG for you.

Potato Heaven

Dear Bloggerians,

Well,...I am not sure how to start this blog off. I wanted to provide an update of my past week, but there is nothing quite as interesting as what I am about to write. There is no easy way to say this, but...I blew up a potato on Sunday night. Yes! I did it again!

When you didn't think it was possible, I can always show you that it is. See my pic.

The inside of the potato came out of the skin, blew up into tiny little pieces with one remaining ball of potato left. This is what you get when you don't know how to cook. Yes, I should start a blog all on my kitchen adventures because every time that I enter the kitchen you never know what you're gonna get.

Since I have become somewhat of an expert on explosive kitchen cooking, I must tell all of you this. TEACH YOUR KIDS while you can! DON'T LET THEM BE LIKE ME! I have blown up a donut, a potato, and what you don't know, I have blown up some eggs as well (the eggs happened when I was younger. I guess bad habits are hard to break). LOL!!! I have burned potpourri, baby bottles, cookies, fried chicken and I have even burned someone else's fried chicken. I've even made fireworks in Sis Terry's kitchen...Have you ever heard of hot oil and water?!? LOL =)

Believe it or not, I am getting better. I am still loving this whole kitchen thing and I am still going strong. The only thing is that I have to find a more efficient was of cleaning up. At least this time, I found a more efficient way of blowing things up. This time I kept it to a confined space, the oven.

Signed,

Kitchen Terrorist

P.S. Sis Reina thinks I should take some first aid classes.

How Many People Does it Take to Make Banana Pudding?

Apparently, it takes 3. =) Tonight, I was determined to make banana pudding and I told myself that I would not stop until I got it right. The custard was perfect, the bananas were cut just right and the nilla wafers were yum!yum! and waiting to go. When I got to the fluffy topping, that was another story. Sis Beka and Don took the first swing at it. An hour later, no fluffy white topping, but they got a good work out. I took the second swing, and another hour later, it was mostly fluffy white topping. And I got a work out. (See my hand muscles in the pic below)

After a lot of work and many good laughs, it was a wonderful sight to see the beautiful banana pudding coming out of the oven.

Sis Beka and Don thanks for your help. Since preparation time took about 3 hours (about 2 1/2 hours longer than I expected) and you had to go before you could get a taste, I will bring you some to church tonight. =)

P.S. I'm loving this whole cooking thing. Its great!

OC Traffic

I have one hour to go before I become a "car potato" on the 91 freeway. It is hard to imagine or even understand how I commuted a 1 1/2 hour (one-way) drive for so many years. But now I am more clearly understanding why road rage is a commonly used word in our OC vocabulary. =) Here is a glimpse of what I will enter once I leave work today. YIKES!

Where I Came From?...

I'm no sure what's up with me this month. I can say that I am tired, but I think I have crossed over from the side of fatigue to the side of "you've got to be kidding me". How can I say this easily...I turned the whites pink! This was a first for me, so I am still in shock. I was able to rewash and get the pink out of most of the items, but one shirt is quite stubborn and will not go back to white. I share this on my blog because I want to be able to refer back to this day when I am reminiscing with my kids. I want to be able to say that I worked hard to get where I am, just go on my blog and see where I came from.

God has been gracious enough to allow me to make these mistakes early on in life. Sometimes you have to make a mistake before you can understand the lesson. Then...you pick yourself up and try again. Ingenuity comes from trial and error. There is no point in trying to advance if you are not allowed to make a mistake. =)

Anthony at Ice Skating

I love this picture.

"Okay"

God is good. There has been a situation at work in which it's disasterous path has followed me for months. This project I inherited was in the burning building phase from day one and has needed more correcting than building. Well, I must say that although failure was the intent, the devil has failed because God has won yet another victory. I have prayed, I have fasted for God's guidance for this day because a situation arose (yet again) that could have had a huge impact on our business, new business at that. Although I had a plan, I knew it wouldn't be right until God said it was time to move.

So, when He said go, I went. I hate to cut a long story short, but in reality, God did just that. He cut the problem down. I presented my solution to my regulator and the response was "okay". There has been nothing but opposition and gaps throughout this entire project. So, to receive a simple "okay" would have been quite shocking, if I hadn't known the Miracle Worker.

Family Night - January '07

Just now calming down from our first family night. I had an incredible time with everyone who attended. Thanks to Bro. Allard's tip on tightening the shoelaces at the tip of the skate, I didn't fall once and I actually skated with ease. (I only had one scare this time, but I prevailed!) Anthony loved it and by the time our session was ending, I couldn't get him off the ice.

This was "da bomb" way of starting out the new year and I am looking forward to our next family night with My AWESOME Church, the Pentecostals of OC.

Indulge in Reminiscence

SJ (Sean Jamal, my 3-day old nephew) marked the 6th grandchild for my parents. Although my mother passed before she had the opportunity to see any of them, I get excited over how proud she would be. SJ’s arrival has brought about opportunities for old family friends to get together and reminisce about the good ol’ times growing up. As we were sitting around at his baby shower, I heard stories of my mother that I had never heard before. And without fail, it tied in with church.

Since I was only 5 when my mother passed away, I do not have many memories of my mother. The ones I do have, I cherish dearly. Over half of my memories involve church. I remember moving from our "little" church to our "new" church. I remember the side of the church our family sat on and how my Mom or Dad would give us pepermint candy during the service. I remember taking my crayons and coloring which would eventually end up in me falling asleep on the pew. I remember seeing my mother on the piano playing as the church would worship. I remember never wanting to go to Sunday school because I would have to participate in the teaching, but my parents would always make me. I remember that every birthday party was filled with the kids from the church.

It is a blessing to be able to help create such memories for our children. To be able to indulge in our past instead of having fear of it is a gift we can give to our children. There are circumstances that are out of our hands, but there are circumstances that are not. Implanting the love of God and His church in us was a choice my mother decided to control. Although we did not attend church after her death, the love she implanted for God was embedded in me and could not be forgotten. And what can I say, here I am today. I have become the young lady she was raising me up to be.

So, with the arrival of my nephew, I am not only overjoyed because of him, but because my sister was blessed again to be able to implant the same love as our mother implanted in us. And now I can Indulge in Reminiscence.

Baby Madison

Baby Madison was born this afternoon. He weighed 6lbs 8 1/2 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. The delivery went well and my sister's doctor was wonderful. Although my sister and her husband had originally decided on Mason, he currently goes without a name. Daddy is torn between making him a Jr. or keeping the name as they had decided. Either way, he definitely has found a place in all of our hearts. Thank you all who prayed for my sister and her family. It went well.

What is a BLOG?

When I talk about my church, I always mention about the blogs and how guests can go on and learn a little about who we are. But everytime without fail, I am asked "What is a Blog" and everytime I get stuck. I tell them that it is kind of like an online journal that others can read, but I do not have the exact definition.

Do you know what a blog is? Well, according to Dictionary. com a blog is a weblog (web log) or a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies. Now when I am asked the question I can give an edumucated response. =)

You may also see it used in this form:
Blogs
Blogger
Blogged
Blogging
& the one I like the most...
blogosphere <-- (this one comes from my Pastor) =)

A Week in Reflection

This week has been an excitingly eventful week. I have had the opportunity to witness, in person, God's healing hand and I am about to witness, in person, God's hand on new life. In addition to this, I have faced new challenges, which in reality, is new opportunity. I guess what better way to start off 2007 that with an exciting week.

Also, on Monday, I will officially gain the title as Titi (aunt) 6x over. My sister has been scheduled for Monday to have my nephw, Mason. As a very proud, and what better word to use, "excited" aunt, I can't help but announce his expected arrival. Today is his baby shower and Monday he will be here to enjoy his new gifts.

Please keep my sister and nephew in your prayers. I am praying for a short and healthy delivery. Also, keep me in your prayers because I will be in the delivery room again. I was in the delivery room with my niece and I wanted to choke the doctor (kids don't do that at home). Not to get into details on why (well, it was mostly because I was in a panic), I walked out of the delivery room one exhausted aunt. Delivery is exhausting for everyone.

The Miracle of Life

Everyday that we live, we are living a miracle. We are the creation of God and as I have said before, He loves us so much He created us in His image. "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27.

There is a song that we sing in our church, that goes something like this:

Lord I give You my heart

I give You my soul

I live for You alone

Every breathe that I take

Every moment I'm awake

Lord, have Your way in me

We have been singing this song quite a bit lately and every time that we sing it, I have to stop and thank God for giving me breathe. He gave me life and He gave it to me like He wanted me to have it. I am tall and skinny because God wanted me to be. I imagine Him saying to Himself 'I want this precious daughter of mine to be tall and skinny because...' of some reason I may never know. The air we breathe, the life we have were all given by Him. The sins I committed were washed under His blood because He manifested himself in flesh and died for us on the cross. There is no love like God can give. There is no one greater to love than Him. I can sing that song over and over again and I would feel the same each time. He did it for me because He loves me and He cares.

These are the times when all I can say is "Thank You Jesus!"

Dedicated to Binh, Tina, Joshua & Jarid Nguyen.

First EDGE Service of '07

Tonight we had our first EDGE service of 2007 and I was truly blessed. With limited number of practices, the praise team did great. Signs From Above, our signing team, did awesome. Thanks Brianna and Ariel for all the hard work you put into it. This is only the beginning so don't get too comfortable. This is what happens when you do such a great job, YOU BECOME IN DEMAND! =).

I really appreciated Bro Frank's message on "What is Weighing You Down". Along with Pastor Pryor's preaching in the morning, I think us Youth Alive have been challenged to cut what is weighing us down and continue breaking down barriers in '07.

Youth Alive, I believe we are in for an exciting year!

Kitchen War!

Okay, if you never understood my dislike for cooking and being in the kitchen, I will explain. This morning I blew up the donut. I don't know what I did, I don't how I did it, but I currently have about a 4 foot radius of cooking oil dripping from my kitchen ceiling onto the 6 foot radius of oil that is chillin' on my floor. In addition to "this", I have oil all over my freshly washed dishes, new microwave and brand new Frigidaire. My hair got a deep conditioning and my clothes are the sign of a disaster. Luckily, by the grace of God, I was uninjured. I'm just shook up and oily. As I write this, my son is playing with my oily feet and I desperately need a deep cleansing facial. So before I go in and claim my prize as the worse cook in the world (by cleaning), I just want to reach out and ask if you know how I blew up the donut?

Sincerely,
The Donut Assassin

EDGE Preparation

We are closing in on our first Edge service in the new year. I am really excited about what is in store for this service. My involvement has increased for this Edge versus the previous ones and I feel as if I am in a huge production or a wedding and the showtime is quickly approaching. I thank God that it is for His church that I am scrambling for because in all of my physical exhaustion, my soul is energized and rearing to go. It is a spiritual joy and I love it.

I've Got Skilz (well...I'm getting them)

A new day, a new month, a new year. Years ago I would have considered myself old in 2007. Seeing how I am slowly approaching my 30's, this decade would have been an unfortunate circumstance. Can't say that anymore. It's a new day and new things are being learned, new skilz are being aquired and new games are being played. I'm rolling with the big boys now and I am enhancing my skilz on the game board! The SCRABBLE board! Although I am rusty, I brought in the new year with a scrabble bang! I went out of 2006 with a scrabble loss and rolled in 2007 with a scrabble win!

Happy 2007 Everybody!