Earthquakes and Friends

Today, Bekah asked if we could go to the Baldwin's to see Gracie, Abby said, "No, I don't want another earthquake." 

Let me explain:

Over the last few days, we have experienced a couple of earthquakes here in Southern California. It is quite humorous to me that both of the earthquakes (the ones we felt) occurred when we were at friends' houses. We were walking in the Baldwin's house on Sunday night when the first one happened and we were sewing at Grandma Baldwin's house yesterday when the second one happened. 

Here is God's grace, when in front of friends you don't let your fear show (you have to be cool you know), so I have not panicked once. The important point to note here is I haven't freaked my kids out yet. Yay!

God is so good to give us friends for the good times and the bad ones too. Love you Baldwins.

I must also mention we were spending the night at the Caballero's the night of the Lander's quake ( '92). It was a 7.3 and I was not calm or cool after that one. But, we are still friends.

Thankful Tuesday

Last week when I was sick Richard came home with a present for me.

Why would a pen be so exciting you ask? This pen means so much to me because Richard bought it for my time in God's Word. I have been notating my Bible with a ball point, but it was very big. He went and bought me a tiny tipped pen, so I could write more notes.

Thank You!

Show the Love Outreach

Boxes packed to go to our neighbors.

As a church we decided to use this past Valentine's Day as a day to minister to our neighbors. We realized that this world puts a lot of emphasis on having somebody to love them on this one day. We wanted to let people know that they are loved by God everyday. Here is a pictorial tour of the Show the Love Outreach our church did:

Jorge preparing the CD's.

The CD we included with each pack.

The bags are being packed.

We included a New Testament, a CD, a tract, pen, and church flyer.

Some of the cookies that were baked for our neighbors.

Notice the cross on each cookie.

More cookies. Yummy!

Packing up the last of the boxes. 

All the boxes ready to go. We had set a goal of 25 boxes, our church

responded so well, we were able to prepare 50 boxes of cookies to give out.

Richard letting everybody know the plan.

This is most of the group that went out.

Abby and Richard handed out the packages as each team came back. 

We kept track of all the addresses, so we can continue to follow-up.

Abby took her job very seriously.

We are praying that we were able to open up communication with our neighbors through this outreach.

The Farm Chicks Mystery Giveaway

I am signing up for this for sure. I really hope it is for their cookbook. It looks awesome. 

Go over and sign up to win too. Whatever the prize is I am sure it will be great.

The Farm Chicks Giveaway

Hello from Down Under

Flowers I bought for Richard.

No, unfortunately I am not in Australia. I am in a house where everybody has been down sick in the last 6 days. It has been an exhausting week. But in the midst of it all God has been speaking to my heart. He has honestly done a miraculous work this week. I have wanted to stomp my feet at times and say, "I am sick too," but God has shown me how blessed I am to be able to take care of my family in times of sickness. I know the day will come quickly when my girls will be sick and they won't want Mommy to hold them. And they won't want my chicken noodle soup either. He has especially given me the stomach to be with my girls when dinner visited them again in the night. I admit I usually let this one fall to Richard, but I wanted to make sure he didn't get sick this week. That didn't end up working. He got sick too. God has been giving me the energy needed to continue to care for my family in these difficult times.
What a blessing it was last night to walk into my girl's room and nobody is coughing up a lung. I love to see them sleeping peacefully after being sick.

Wow, it has been a long time.

I can't believe it has been 5 months since I last posted. I will not draw out the history of our lives, I will just post some pictures to bring you up to date.

This is an outreach week team from the Master's College.

Abby fell asleep on a trolley ride to San Ysidro.

The girls in San Diego.

Rich in San Diego.

Rich cutting the turkey for our church's Thanksgiving potluck. Notice Grandma Baldwin keeping an eye on him.

Our annual church Thanksgiving potluck.

The girls attacking Uncle Pete on Thanksgiving.

Christmas Eve

Rachel's Birthday

Heather and Benjamin visited

Life is good and we have much to be thankful for.

Happy Anniversary!

Today, Richard and I are celebrating 19 years of marriage. As I look back at our marriage I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for His love, grace and mercy in our marriage. The road to today has not always been easy, but I honestly can say I wouldn't have wanted to walk it with anyone else.

On October 7, 1989, I thought I knew what marriage was. I know now, I didn't have a clue. I thought we would say "I do," KISS, eat cake, open presents and live happily ever after. 

On that day I thought I was saying, "I do" to just a husband, but in reality Richard is so much more than that. By God's grace, He has opened my eyes to the treasure He gave me so many years ago.

Richard, thank you for being my husband and best friend. Thank you for your patience and love. You have made so many of my dreams come true already. But, even more than dreams you have given me life with you and our girls as we serve God together. On our wedding day, I couldn't have even imagined how happy I would be 19 years later.  I am perfectly content to live with you, no matter where the Lord has us (Hey, we lived in the valley for 5 years). Thank you for holding my hand, touching me gently, and even watching the Broncos' games with me.

As we learned in Bible study this year our marriage has a purpose and that is to bring glory to God. I pray that as we grow closer and stronger each day, we would bring honor and glory to God through our marriage. I pray that each day I would become more submissive to God and you.

I love you with all me heart and I thank you for 19 amazing years!