Thursday, September 20, 2012
Worship
So the Lord has been directing us to worship more and more through this time. So we are praying about working on a new album. Join us in prayer as we seek God's will and provision for the details and logistics that are involved with a project like this.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
pressing on
Hi loved ones! Sorry we have been MIA but it's been a crazy month. As you probably already know on August 23,2012 at 10:20pm my dad went to be with Jesus. It was a crazy yet wonderful day, where our Pastor Travis Allen was able to come and visit my Dad, and we were able to clearly see where my dad was spiritually. It was surreal to hear my Dad answer Travis' question of "If you were to stand before God today, what would God say to you?" for my Dad to answer "I know that I do not deserve to be in heaven because I am a sinner but it is because of Jesus that I know that I will be in welcomed in. Because of what Jesus did and I am so happy believe me I am so happy to die because I have all my trust in Jesus and what he did".
How amazing of a God we have. A God who saves. A God who rejoices in saving his own enemies. A God who doesn't base salvation on right theology or getting all your ducks in a row. A God who himself opens the eyes and gives sight to the blind, faith to the faithless, help to the helpless. It is still very emotional as I process all that has happened in the last month since I last wrote. Please bare with me as I write and bare my soul with you.
I pray that this may encourage you, the reader.
The days leading up to this date were sweet and sour. My feelings at the time were that of Gratitude,loneliness, sadness, desperation, and hopeful. Let me explain why I chose those words. Gratitude... I was so grateful to God for bringing my Dad safely over from El Salvador. It was such joy to have him with me and to be with him on a daily basis. It was like having him home again. I knew once seeing him that it was a miracle that he made it through the flight and was present with me. So I felt a daily overwhelming sense of Gratitude.
Loneliness- I am an only child, my husband doesn't speak Spanish and was watching the kids so that I could serve my Dad and Step mom. I just felt so lonely during that time. Words were hard to come by and it was hard to explain or describe all that was happening on a daily basis.
Sadness- seeing my dad deteriorate so rapidly and watching him die was saddening and difficult.
desperation... I was deeply desperate for Jesus Christ... The need of my savior to help me carry the load was overwhelming as well. Seeking him for wisdom, help, comfort, and strength. Desperately praying for the Lord to send his body (which He did, the same day my Dad went home with the Lord. They came before he died and prayed with him and worshiped and after he died) and to save my Dad if he wasn't saved or to strengthen him if he was. At the time I didn't know where my Dad stood. I only knew that there was a chance that he might understand the gospel correctly.
Hope- My hope was in the Lord that anything was possible. I was hopeful that God could heal him and give him more days on this earth if He willed it so. I was filled with hope in Christ that all his needs and mine would be met so that Christ would be glorified.
It was such a sweet sweet time just being by his side. Even if it meant just sitting there in silence next to him or reading to him as he rested. Being able to pour out love onto him was such a blessing and so sweet.
I have never felt such an overwhelming desire to empty myself out for another like I had for my Dad and his wife.
I mean as a Wife and a Mother it is just something we do, without thought, it is a given. So it was so sweet to have been given the opportunity by God and through my husband to be able to do so for my Daddy.
God blessed me and answered my prayer requests abundantly. I did not deserve for God to even hear my pleas yet He lent his ear to me and answered. So here is my praise that God allowed me to be there with my Dad til his very last breath, He didn't have to suffer any more, the day He died was actually one of the best days that my Dad had since arriving from El Salvador. It was spent talking about God, worshiping God in song, and in prayer. He was so alert and talked more than he had in days. God sent friends of mine to pray with him and love on him and my Pastor to do so too. I thank you for praying for him so faithfully. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.
Please continue to pray for me and for provision and salvation of Vicky, his widow. If you would like to know how to best pray for me, email me and I will let you know.
How amazing of a God we have. A God who saves. A God who rejoices in saving his own enemies. A God who doesn't base salvation on right theology or getting all your ducks in a row. A God who himself opens the eyes and gives sight to the blind, faith to the faithless, help to the helpless. It is still very emotional as I process all that has happened in the last month since I last wrote. Please bare with me as I write and bare my soul with you.
I pray that this may encourage you, the reader.
The days leading up to this date were sweet and sour. My feelings at the time were that of Gratitude,loneliness, sadness, desperation, and hopeful. Let me explain why I chose those words. Gratitude... I was so grateful to God for bringing my Dad safely over from El Salvador. It was such joy to have him with me and to be with him on a daily basis. It was like having him home again. I knew once seeing him that it was a miracle that he made it through the flight and was present with me. So I felt a daily overwhelming sense of Gratitude.
Loneliness- I am an only child, my husband doesn't speak Spanish and was watching the kids so that I could serve my Dad and Step mom. I just felt so lonely during that time. Words were hard to come by and it was hard to explain or describe all that was happening on a daily basis.
Sadness- seeing my dad deteriorate so rapidly and watching him die was saddening and difficult.
desperation... I was deeply desperate for Jesus Christ... The need of my savior to help me carry the load was overwhelming as well. Seeking him for wisdom, help, comfort, and strength. Desperately praying for the Lord to send his body (which He did, the same day my Dad went home with the Lord. They came before he died and prayed with him and worshiped and after he died) and to save my Dad if he wasn't saved or to strengthen him if he was. At the time I didn't know where my Dad stood. I only knew that there was a chance that he might understand the gospel correctly.
Hope- My hope was in the Lord that anything was possible. I was hopeful that God could heal him and give him more days on this earth if He willed it so. I was filled with hope in Christ that all his needs and mine would be met so that Christ would be glorified.
It was such a sweet sweet time just being by his side. Even if it meant just sitting there in silence next to him or reading to him as he rested. Being able to pour out love onto him was such a blessing and so sweet.
I have never felt such an overwhelming desire to empty myself out for another like I had for my Dad and his wife.
I mean as a Wife and a Mother it is just something we do, without thought, it is a given. So it was so sweet to have been given the opportunity by God and through my husband to be able to do so for my Daddy.
God blessed me and answered my prayer requests abundantly. I did not deserve for God to even hear my pleas yet He lent his ear to me and answered. So here is my praise that God allowed me to be there with my Dad til his very last breath, He didn't have to suffer any more, the day He died was actually one of the best days that my Dad had since arriving from El Salvador. It was spent talking about God, worshiping God in song, and in prayer. He was so alert and talked more than he had in days. God sent friends of mine to pray with him and love on him and my Pastor to do so too. I thank you for praying for him so faithfully. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.
Please continue to pray for me and for provision and salvation of Vicky, his widow. If you would like to know how to best pray for me, email me and I will let you know.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
waiting for his arrival.
My Dad is coming!! Lord willing he arrives tomorrow. He also got accepted into the treatment program he wanted and it starts Monday morning. Please pray for his travels. He is so so sick right now and in excruciating pain, so easily tired. Pray that God will pour out his Grace and Mercy in abundance. Also pray that God will help him make the journey to and from treatment each day. It will be long drives and long days. I honestly look forward to the car rides with my Dad. Some of my favorite memories with him were in long car rides. =D I know the days before us are marked with hardship and pain, I know God remains faithful and true.
I have been grieved all day after being prepped for what to expected upon his arrival. My heart is heavy and greatly burdened for him. Yet through it all there is a peace which truly passes all understanding.
This verse came to mind tonight... Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, Oh Lord, you are my rock, my shield, my comfort my deliverer.
Thank you for praying for my Papi. We are so blessed.
I have been grieved all day after being prepped for what to expected upon his arrival. My heart is heavy and greatly burdened for him. Yet through it all there is a peace which truly passes all understanding.
This verse came to mind tonight... Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, Oh Lord, you are my rock, my shield, my comfort my deliverer.
Thank you for praying for my Papi. We are so blessed.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Pray for Juan! Please.
April 2012 I called my Dad like I normally did to touch base. The call proceeded like this...
Me: Hi dad! What are you up to?
Dad: I am at the Doctors office right now, talking to the Doctor.
Me: really? Are you okay?
Dad: I want you to be the first to know, The Doctor just told me that I have a tumor in my stomach. They will let me know in a couple of days if it is cancer or not.
A couple of days later it was confirmed to be cancer. At the time they thought it was stage 2 Stomach cancer. Within a week to a week and a half he underwent a drastic surgery to remove his entire stomach.
By the end of April I flew out to El Salvador. It was shocking to see my Daddy with yellow/green skin color and so thin I thought I was staring at someone out of a holocaust picture. Never have I seen my Dad sick, beyond a normal cold or flu. And even those were rare and far between til lately. He has always been the picture of health and vitality. An athlete by nature, semi pro soccer player and marathon runner. This past Christmas was the first time that he looked tired and old. He looked sick even though we had no clue that he was terminally ill.
By June the results came in from the surgery and it was another blow. They were wrong! The Doctors were wrong and he didn't have stage 2 but stage 4. The Doctors told us that he had a good chance though because the cancer hadn't touched any other organs so it was a good outlook. All he had to do was start a low grade chemo and later radiation. Hopes were high.
Suddenly on July 31st, I missed a call. Only to hear on August 1st that he underwent another surgery. They removed 3 1/2 liters of water from his abdominal cavity. They also found that the cancer had spread throughout his entire intestines and esophagus. They just closed him up and stopped his chemo, gave him pain pills.
He went back to the hospital this week again and just was discharged today.
He is hoping to fly out here asap to see if there is any other options. We did find an alternative treatment facility that we are praying will help him.
As we know, the Lord is the only one who knows our days on earth. He is the great physician and healer.
Please pray for my Dad. Pray for my stepmom Vicky. Pray for me.
Never knew just how devastating it would be or just how it would have impacted me. As you may know I am still dealing with my own illness and health problems. Trying to keep my eyes focused on the Lamb and serve my Dad, Stepmom, and family unto the Lord.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Bella's Birthday
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
1.6
Weighed in today at weight watchers and I am down 1.6. I see the Lord helping me have portion control and make different decisions when it comes to food. Thanks for praying for me. We are still at the beginning of the journey but progress is being made.
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