Thankfulness in the midst of busyness

As we gear into another holiday season heavy with events, plentiful food, family time, extravagant shopping, practice for church programs and more, it may be difficult to find time to be truly thankful. This is not saying we are not thankful in general but how do you express thankfulness in the midst of busyness? God calls us to be thankful in ALL circumstances – busy or not.

1 - Be still (at least try)

Just stop. Put away the credit card. Put down your fork. Pull the car over. Leave early from church choir practice. Being time consumed is not wrong but when we forget that God is the one who provided us with the job and resources to shop, buy and consume food, and provide a church family for us, we miss the point. Jesus is the center of everything we do and we must be still and acknowledge Him first and foremost as our provider, Jehovah-jireh.

2 – Give thanks.

Once you’re still your focus is on one thing - GOD. During this time with God you are freely able to render your grateful heart and truly give Him thanks before getting busy with tasks again.
“Now our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:13)

3 – Attitude of gratitude

Develop and attain an attitude of gratitude. That means when you do find yourself busy either training for that holiday 5K or singing at church choir practice, develop a grateful attitude in the midst of those activities. “Thank you God for granting me health to be able to run.” Or “Thank you God for granting me the opportunity to exalt and worship You among my brothers and sisters.” Securing an attitude of gratitude will help in expressing thankfulness in the midst of busyness.

God calls us to be thankful in ALL circumstances - even when we are acting like busy-bees.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"


"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a Christian hymn written by the 18th century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. During this morning's service David (piano), Justin (drums) and I (flute) played this piece during offering.


1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,


Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;


Streams of mercy, never ceasing,


Call for songs of loudest praise.


Teach me some melodious sonnet,


Sung by flaming tongues above.


Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,


Mount of Thy redeeming love.



2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,


Till released from flesh and sin,
 

Yet from what I do inherit,


Here Thy praises I'll begin;


Here I raise my Ebenezer;


Here by Thy great help I’ve come;


And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,


Safely to arrive at home.



3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,


Wandering from the fold of God;
 

He, to rescue me from danger,


Interposed His precious blood;


How His kindness yet pursues me


Mortal tongue can never tell,


Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
 
I cannot proclaim it well.

SA Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets Game 11.7.15

This past weekend we were provided tickets to attend the Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets Game. Such a GREAT time! Spurs WON 114-94.

BOSTON

Made my fall visit to Boston, MA this past weekend to see my little brother at seminary.
Below are photos of our adventures there.
Climate was perfect, trees were colorful and the accents were thick!

View of downtown Boston from Danny's church (Congregación León de Judá), the largest Hispanic church in New England, where he serves as the Young Adults Pastor.

Dapper Dan.

Siblings at choych.

Massachusetts State House - some Turkish protest going on behind me.

 Hands down Salem is an odd town...

Witch House from 1600s. (Did NOT go in)

Again...did NOT go in.

 Grabbed a pizza in Hamilton, MA.

  

We had to visit this school since Danny attends their Divinity School.

"Enter to grow in wisdom"

Visited our friends, Taveras family.

Boston Science Museum - Butterfly Garden

Big chair, don't care!

T-REX

I was tempted to buy this.

I know I'm not the only one.... (Sam Smith voice)

"Live long & prosper" - Star Trek

Boston Boy.

Pretty accurate.

30 Years of Ministry

This weekend we celebrated alongside my parents in completing 30 years of serving the Lord! Of those years I've been present 25. As a family we have been all over and visited many churches, congregations, institutes, bible colleges, etc. It was a painful journey at times having to pick and leave from a place only after two years. Yet I'm so grateful that God blessed me with parents that have guided me and shown what it means to serve God. Serving God & tending His sheep is quite a task, especially when certain sheep do not wish to be tended. It was not and will never be easy - let's be real but in the end God is whom receives the glory and the honor and who we aim to satisfy. 

I hope to follow God's calling for my life in the same way they have. Love you Mami & Papi!

Minnie is Home: A Happy Reunion

After being away from home for six days Minnie made it home Monday night, March 9. A very nice family called me letting me know they found her ad on Craigslist and that they have had her since last Thursday, March 5. They found her about 7 minutes from home hiding between some bushes at a nearby daycare. 

As soon as I got off the phone with the family and agreed to meet a a public spot to receive Minnie I called Danny to make sure that it was her from the photos they sent me of her. It was definitely her and he agreed. I wanted to surprise my parents when I came home so we did not say anything until I had her in my hands. 

I met up with the family at a nearby gas station and there she was! She recognized me right away. Although we never posted a reward I was prepared to give them an amount irregardless. They refused the money and said it was a pleasure having Minnie, they even wanted to keep her, that's my girl!

I put her in my car and we drove home. I carried her inside the house and she ran to my dad immediately. He was in shock but oh so happy! Mom ran out of Danny's room to greet her as well. It was truly a happy reunion!

Thank you to all our friends for helping us share her lost dog poster, the prayers, and words of consolation. Our family is once again complete! Let's pray for those dogs without homes and those families missing their companions.

Missing Minnie...

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” - M.K. Clinton

Our family dog Minnie escaped Tuesday, March 3rd as I was on my way home from work. I came home and she was no where to be found. As I checked the back yard I noticed the gate had a hole that was dug up. She had escaped. It is like losing a family member.  She loved people and when you scratched her ears. She loved everyone that came over for bible studies. She was my companion/guardian when no one was home. 

Minnie was born on May 19, 2005 in Mesquite, TX. She is half beagle & half Jack Russell terrier mix. We adopted her in July of 2005. I recall a few days after we had her we stopped at a gas station in Mesquite and I bought a sandwich for breakfast. I took a bite and stuck the rest of it in my purse. We were on our way to a summer music camp and I brought her with me as she was only a baby. During the worship part of the camp I tucked her in my purse since she was able to fit. Lo and behold I found her munching on my sandwich. It was the cutest thing, ever. 

We don't know if she will find her way back home or if someone has her or if she has passed. Although we have not given up in trying to find her, we will always remember you Minnie.  Thank you for an amazing 10 years and for being our loyal, loving heaven sent angel. 

Puerto Rico 2015

Glances of my trip to Puerto Rico. We used to go every two years, this time it had been six years since I had been. As we were there I reflected a lot and was realizing how my father is my only connection/tie to this country. Many of my family (on his side) has passed away or lives in the U.S. Hopefully it will not be the last time, it is a remarkable place.