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.

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