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.

2014: A Year in Review

As I read my Goodbye 2013, Hellooo 2014 post from this past January I can't help but smile and feel joyful knowing everything that was mentioned and hoped for came to pass. 2014 was such a fantastic year. It wasn't just goals for myself but for those close to me that were met and fulfilled. I even had a goal to keep up with this blog and turns out I posted about twice a month this year :) hey hey heyyy!
I have a silly theory that it's always the even-numbered years that go well, the odd numbered years are more challenging. Surely God is always at work and faithful each and every year.

2014 Highlights

JANUARY -  Backstage with Andy Mineo.

FEBRUARY - Conexion Camp, Palacios, TX

MARCH - Papi's 50th Birthday!

APRIL - My 24th Birthday!

MAY - Mom's & Danny's Graduation / NYC

JUNE - Ladies Tea Party / South Central COG Convention (Dallas, TX)

JULY - Stars & Stripes over SA / Farewell Mayor Castro

AUGUST - Rebelution Conference w/ Heather & Cornelius Lindsey 

SEPTEMBER - My First 5K at San Antonio Water System (SAWS) 

OCTOBER - South Texas Corn Maize / David Robinson Award Luncheon / Work Halloween Costume (Price Is Right Contestant) 

NOVEMBER - 9th Annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon

DECEMBER - Annual Gala / Master's Degree Graduation / Church Christmas Celebration

GOODBYE 2014, HELLO 2015!

Master's Degree Ceremony - "Master Montañez"

On Sunday, December 7, 2014 I walked the stage as a graduate of the University of Incarnate Word (UIW) with my Master's degree. I praise God because I know this was only part of His will for my life and it finally came to pass. No, it wasn't easy, especially cramming it all into ONE YEAR, and didn't think I would ever do this. But God instills His desires in us, ones we thought we could never even do, and He shows His power through these desires. In the end, schooling may be over, education still continues. 

THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of this unforgettable day especially my parents for being the best support system - and Mom for coming to the ceremony even though you were feeling sick that day :) My younger brother Danny was sadly unable to attend due to finals week in Boston, but he was sure missed! 

I close with this verse that I continuously hold onto - 

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." ~ Proverbs 16:3

Thanksgiving 2014

This Thanksgiving was different among most but still so memorable. Although we sat around the table with new friends we were missing a member of the family, Danny. We still continue to reflect on the goodness of the Lord and His blessings, and more importantly express gratitude towards Him for all that He has done and continues to do in each one of our lives. BIG kudos to my mother for preparing the majority of the food, you are an amazing woman. 
Thank you Joel & DeeAnn, David, Siomara & Giselle, Claudio, Angie & Julianna, Heriberto, & Sammy for joining us this Thanksgiving.  We love you ALL!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Game of dominoes

Lovely mother & I 

Friends: Giselle & Julianna

Stealing from each other LOL

 Dad & I 

Thanksgiving Selfie :P

PS) I wish I took more photos - next year! :)

Brother is Boston Bound

My little brother, Danny, has officially left to Boston. 

He will be attending Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary to pursue a Master's in Divinity. 

I told him the night before he left as we cuddled with our dog Minnie, that he shouldn't cry. He has been given an awesome opportunity not many people get to experience and to just enjoy it. Especially the drive - even though its 32 hours. As he left that morning, we hugged and I wished him well. Once he drove off I couldn't help but go to my room, praise God and CRY tears of joy! Witnessing such an opportunity being given to an immediate family member just blows my mind. God is SO good and faithful! Danny will do well in the name of Jesus.

Two years ago we experienced a similar scenario when our older brother Joel married DeeAnn and left home into their own home. Now, two years later, Danny leaves the nest that Mami & Papi created for us about 28 years ago when they married. As much as we prepare for these life-changing experiences, it will always be difficult to adapt - at first. Yet reminding ourselves that we serve a constant God (Hebrews 13:8) that is in control of each situation and change brings peace and comfort.

Danny,

The time has come for you to finally spread your wings and leave the nest Mom and Dad built for you 22 years ago. We did it all together. We went through the same schools together having to sit alone and together at lunch because we were new. We always ordered the same thing at restaurants (Subway, Red Robin, Royal Inn, you name it). We always knew when a random person walked by that we found them attractive and called each other out on it. Knowing I won’t have someone to do that with anymore saddens me but not as sad as knowing all the chores you are leaving behind for me to do. I can say we have an amazing irreplaceable bond. I am incredibly proud of your accomplishments and wish you the absolute best in Boston. I love you and miss you!

Love,

Abby

Danny leaving home.

Danny's new home for the next 3 years.

The Fear Factor: Feeding Fear

Fear:  An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, threat, dread, dismay, or panic.

Since 2012 I FEARED to sleep with the light off. How did this happen? I used to be the type of person that would walk into a dark room like no one's business. Well, God shook me one night and revealed the dark side of the spiritual world and instead of taking it in and moving forward, I began to fear. Fear had trapped me for TWO years but fear was originally designed to keep us safe.  It is an internal alarm system that goes off when real life or death situations arise. If you read in one of my previous post's titled "I'm Going To Worship You Forever…" after that night I was unable to sleep without a light.

After months of this I could tell I was not resting at night. It was as if my body was resting but my mind kept working - so I still felt extremely tired in the morning. It's safe to say I had not rested appropriately for the past two years. God did not create us to live this way - in fear.
Up until a few weeks ago, a close family member approached me about the nightlight and that it was time to face reality, practice my faith and sleep in the dark. I somehow gathered the courage to do so and told God, "I don't think I can do this…but I want to find rest only in You…" His Word reminds us that there is no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18).

Psalm 91 also reminds us to not fear because we are safe in God's abiding presence.

1 Whoever goes to the LORD for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,

2 can say to him, "You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust."

3 He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases.

4 He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

5 You need not fear any dangers at night or sudden attacks during the day

6 or the plagues that strike in the dark or the evils that kill in daylight.

7 A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed.

I can testify that the first night I slept in the dark without fear I rested like no time ever before. I was overjoyed with sleeping in the dark the following night and have been since. What I found funny is that while I slept peacefully in the dark, everything was off - lights, cell phone, laptop... I woke up with over 20 text messages. The joys of group text messaging. 

Fear can blind, paralyze and separate us from God's fullness in our lives. Faith, opens our eyes to whom God really is. That is why you can't let anything or anyone separate you from His love. Always guard your heart from everything and always forgive and ask for forgiveness. That's the way we can worship in Truth. Although my experience may seem like a silly example of fear there are plenty of things people fear. It is vital to understand how fear works both negatively and positively.

Constructive Fear:

*Protects/alarms us

*Pushes us to new heights

*Propels us forward

*Shows growth

*Shows healing

Damaging Fear:

*Keeps you stagnant and stuck

*Causes phobias, anxiety, illness and depression

*Makes you doubtful and distrusting/lack of faith

*Prolongs healing and growth

*Not how God created us to live

*Sees the bad in situations, not the good

“Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable.”  -Harry Emerson Fosdick

I pray that if you struggle with fear that it will no longer hinder you and the plans for your life, in the name of Jesus, Amen.