Christmas...

Craig and I spent our first Christmas together. It was a nice day. We didn't do that much, but we went to visit my in-laws and stayed there. In the afternoon Andy stopped by and we had a few hours with her too. It was a blessed Christmas Day! Thank you Jesus

I am SO thankful with the LORD for giving me such a blessing; it was a blessing to me to be able to spend Christmas with the man I love. This time at the same country and state, even at the same house. Glory be to God for all His wonders.

We went to Church on Christmas Eve; our very first candle light service together and as we were holding hands and praising the LORD, tears were running down my face; they were tears of joy. I was SO happy we were together and I was just thanking God for that moment.

A few months back I couldn't see a happy Christmas coming for us; to be honest, there were times I didn't even see Christmas coming. It was SO hard when both of us were sick, taking turns to go to hospitals and doctors appointments, that some days I didn't have any hope or strength left. But what a wonderful God we serve!!! He has given me strength and hope when I had none. He has been closer when I have felt lonely. He is been faithful with all His promises and He has always been here, with me. Glory to Him forever and ever!

"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)

Get out of the boat and walk

Sometimes in life we face storms where we can clearly see the help coming from God, and some other times we may think that He doesn't care any more. It could be that we are in the middle of a storm because we disobeyed God, or it could be that He sent us through it so we can learn to trust Him more.

Mathew 14:22-36 tells us the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. Verse 22 says, "Jesus made the disciples get into the boat". They were not going because they wanted to, but because Jesus was telling them to do so. They were obeying the Lord, but this time they were going alone and a storm awaited them.
We read in Matthew 8:23-17 a different kind of storm where Jesus was in the boat with them, but this time He was out of the boat!

After the disciples were gone, Jesus went to pray and about three or six in the morning, (the fourth watch of the night) He went to meet them walking on the water. The boat was already like three or three and a half miles away (John 6:19), and when the disciples saw someone coming, they were terrified and thought that it was a ghost, but Jesus told them to take courage and not to be afraid because it was Him.

I am not sure what storm you are facing right now and I am not sure if you are seeing Jesus or a ghost; I am not sure how far have you gone, or for how long have you been on it, but Jesus can meet you wherever you are at right now.

Following the Bible story, Peter had a great faith when he said: " Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water"(verse 28) and, what was the Lord's answer? - "Come" (verse 29). Jesus wasn't saying "If you want to, you can come" He didn't say "let's way for the storm to pass and then you can come", He was saying: "Come", "get out of the boat and walk"

There is times in life when we think that Jesus isn't close, but when we see Him, we asked Him for something and then the question that comes to our minds is: Is that really you telling me to do so? Then the Lord tells us that is Him, He gives us peace about something, but... to let the boat, to let the place that we think is more secure in the middle of the storm, is the step that we don't want to take. Could be because we are afraid, or maybe because we don't trust that it's the Lord, but it takes a real person of faith to leave the boat and walk on the water!

Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, but he saw the wind and he was afraid that he began to sink (verse 30). As Peter, we take our eyes off Christ and start to look around, to a point where we are terrified to keep walking and want to stop. At list Peter recognized that he was sinking and cried out to Jesus for help. Do we? When we took our eyes off Christ and start looking around, do we really asked the Lord for help when we are sinking? Or do we wait until we are drowning?

Immediately, Jesus helped Peter and not only that; they walked on the water together, right there in the middle of the storm, Jesus answered Peter's cry for help and after helping him, the Lord walked with him.
Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt? The word-translated doubt carries the meaning of "standing uncertainly at two ways. When we don't look at Christ but have our eyes in more than one way, we get confused and don't know what to do.

It was after Jesus got back to the boat with Peter that the wind died down (Verse 32) and it is only until we let Jesus to come to our storm and take control, that we can see the land ahead of us, and the sun shining again after the rain.
The disciples who were in the boat worshiped Jesus saying: "Truly, you are the son of God" (verse 33). What a difference with their question in the other scene (Matthew 8:23- 27) when Jesus calmed the storm and they asked: " What kind of man is this?" Now, they declare who Jesus is.
We need to let other people to see who Jesus is at the beginning, during and after our storm, because He doesn't change. But those who today asked, how do you do that? What kind of person is helping you out with all of this trouble? Are those who someday are going to say...It's because of Jesus, the Son of God!

In the book of acts the disciples won 5.000 people (Acts 4:4) and the storm of persecution began. No doubt Peter and the other disciples recalled their storm experiences with the LORD and took courage.

I have been on a storm, long one (according to me) in the past months of my life and being honest, there has been times when I could clearly see the Lord helping me and holding me, but there were times where I couldn't even see a ghost. The storm I am passing by is the one who is making me walk on the water with my dream of serving God and going to missions. I don’t see it coming, all I see when I look around is nothing, but what a difference when I look to Christ knowing that His plans are perfect for my life, that He will give me the best and that there is nothing impossible for Him! As Peter, I started to walk by faith and sometimes I have failed and sunk, but I recognized that I need Jesus, that without Him I can’t keep walking and yes, it’s Jesus who holds me and walks with me right now. As the disciples remembered their storms, I look at other experiences with the Lord and take courage when I remember that some time ago I saw Him coming in the storm, that He saw me through it all and that we walked together.

When we have faith and trust God but don’t do anything, we can never have the experience of walking with Him on the water.

I don’t know about you, but I want God to look at me and tell me: “Well done, good and faithful servant! (Matthew 25:21) and not to say to me: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

It’s true that if we step out in faith we risk failure. But only by stepping out we will personally experience Christ's power!

Resources: The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Believer's Study Bible, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, The Bible reader's companion.

What to write...

Finally after six months of rain it seems like Craig and I can see a little bit of sun shining over our lives again. It may always have been shining and we couldn't see it, but now I think we both do.

Craig had another surgery last Thursday and thank God he came home the same day; in pain and lot of pain killers, but he is at home. Praise God! Since last Thursday we haven't been able to sleep very good; he needs to eat before taking medicine every four hours and I have a little problem: If I woke up for something, even If I go back to bed the next day I feel that I didn't sleep good at all.
The good part is that being home with the man you love is just amazing! I hate seeing him in pain but I love the fact that this time, for the very first time this year, what the doctors said actually happened. They told us it was going to be an out patient surgery and it was!!!! Hallelujah!!!!

You probably don't understand why I said so, but after hearing the same thing over and over again and staying four days or longer in different hospitals, I had lost hope that this time it would happen. Craig, in the other hand, was totally sure that he would come home. I guess this time I didn't feel the peace of our Heavenly Father, but my husband did and I am so glad enjoying my days with him.

We don't do that much...Watching tv, listening to some worship or Christmas music, having a cup of tea and enjoying our days at home.

I am truly thankful that Craig is at home and that he's getting better. Still praying for a speedy recovery and hoping for the pain to go away so he can move freely around the house, but knowing for sure that God is in control, that even though I didn't want to talk to Him last week, He was always talking to me.

What a great LORD we serve, even in the middle of the storm, through the last six months of our lives we could see His glory. Every day I keep on hearing: "Believe... because only if you believe, you'll see my glory" Thank you Jesus!!!

"For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5)

Praying

I haven't been able to sleep very good in the last few days. I feel tired and really sleepy. I thought that it was because of my thyroid levels; after the surgery on October 15th I was feeling ok, not great but doing good, except a few weeks ago. I got results from some blood work and my levels are fine. The endocrinologist did change the prescription a little bit because for the radiation next month the levels need to be a little high. The good news is that is not for the thyroid levels, they're fine.

As I talked to Craig, he told me that I've been sleeping too much and we started talking about it because it must be for a reason. If it's not the thyroid, it has to be for something else. After Craig listened to me for a while he said to me: "You haven't been praying"-"Yes I have"-I answered right away and then Craig told me "You haven't been praying the way you used to. I can see the difference". Since when does praying or not praying makes a different in my life? I am not sure because no one ever before confronted me with such a great truth. He was right. Unbelievable! I was not spending as much time with God as I used to and I didn't even realize what was going on. I was asking myself whether I was upset with God or not and during the last nights I've had dreams that I am talking to the LORD but woke up rebuking Satan. This may not make sense to you, well, it doesn't make sense to me at all.

Maybe God wants to spend more time with me that in my dreams all that I do is to talk to Him and maybe the enemy is trying to take me away from His presence that I woke up rebuking him. I am not sure about the reason but I am totally sure that I need to go back to spending my time as much as possible with my Savior and LORD.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says: "pray continually" and that's why I have to do. I need to go back and pray as my husband said..."The way I used to"

Thank you LORD for never leaving me and for such a great man you gave me for a husband who is not afraid of telling me the truth. May you forgive me!

After the hospital

Just wanted you to know that Craig came home from the hospital on Monday afternoon...Praise God and to Him be the glory for His wonders, mercy and love that endures forever.

Thank you SO much for all of your prayers; we got the victory one more time and we know that our God will never fail! Thank you because through your prayers and support we are back home from the hospital one more time, living in victory by the blood of Jesus.

"In pain, nauseous, lots of medicine, with catheter for next week … but at home! Praying for God's strength right now"-Said Craig on Tuesday morning....Hallelujah!!!

I am SO happy that Craig came home on Monday afternoon. Brian was able to drive us back from Thomas Jefferson's hospital; I was afraid to drive because on Saturday I almost got into a car accident and I still have no clue how that happened, but the LORD delivered us; my friend Myriam who was in the care with me, plus her baby because she is pregnant. Oh, how terrified I was.

At home, I was listening to some music and found a song by Yolanda Adams who sings...

"Truly I've been through the storm and rain.
I know everything about heartache and pain.
God carried me through it all
Without His protection I'd surely fall.
I’ve been broke without a dime to my name.
But all my bills got paid because I called on Jesus’ name.
You can't tell me that God isn’t real 'cause I've got the victory and that's why I’m still here"

That's exactly how I feel...The storm that Craig and I started after our wedding hasn't stop yet, but I am sure that God has been with us. Without Him I won't even be writing this post. To the LORD Almighty be the glory, let the earth rejoice.

"The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice." (Psalm 97:1)

Hospitals...

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer" (Psalm 61:1-2)

Craig and I have been sick! Wow!!! Being sick wasn't how I pictured our lives together. In the middle of all of this storm we can feel the LORD's presence
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2); we know that there is people praying for us, because we can feel it, but today we both are sad, very sad!

I felt that we are taking turns...when we plan doctors appointments we need to make sure that one of us has nothing going on the same day. The following week was supposed to be a complete week at the doctors' offices and now we need to call and canceled. The reason for which we have to do so, is because Craig is at Tommas Jefferson hospital for what was supposed to be a day or two, but we are getting into day number three. While trying to help him, they caused, accidentally, another problem that made him stay over there more time that what we had thought. Again I have to remember Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,declares the LORD"- No, they are not!

I was hoping that this storm, that started just after we got married, would come to and end soon. "It's about time"- I thought, and now I am just thinking..."well, maybe it is not"- I don't understand why; my heart is broken, Craig's heart is broken, and today we are both at the same time, very sad. It's not like I can lift him up, it's not like he can lift me up, we are just down! Yet, we may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8) Only God himself can lift us and carry us both, because we can't anymore. It's being too much-I kept thinking and I looked at the very beginning when I thought that we couldn't make it and we are still!!! We are here telling everybody, including ourselves, that our redeemer lives! Hallelujah- I know that God is working in our lives, that He is fixing our bodies, so we can fulfill His call. We have walked literally through the valley of the shadow of death, but nothing and no one can ever take our love for each other and the love from and for our LORD away...EVER!

I am still believing that we will glorify the King of Kings, we will glorify His name, we will get through all of this and we will worship at the hospital and come back to all of you with good news from the Almighty one. Oh, don't ask me how, because I don't even see a way, but I know in my heart that we will. My trust is in the one who saw us before we were born, the one who hold our life and future on His hands, the great I AM, the all powerful God!

Like Bartimaeus shouted when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, I am crying out to the Lord tonight...Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us! And I won't stop because I know that my Lord hears me and He answers my prayers.

"The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer" (Psalm 6:9)

I am weak, but He is strong

I don't really know how to start this blog. I am feeling weak and sad today; for some reason my heart is broken, a reason that I am not going to write here, and in top of that tomorrow Craig has another ERCP; another day at the hospital and we are just hoping that he won't need to stay longer, that we will be able to come home tomorrow at night. I feel like I need to believe what Abraham told his servants when he was going to Moriah; "We will worship and then we will come back to you" (Genesis 22:5). I REALLY want to go to the hospital tomorrow, worship God and come back home with my husband, but I don't know what could happen. I guess my faith is nothing compare with Abraham and I just wonder how Abraham knew that-Maybe because of the LORD's promises (Genesis: 17:19)-I said to myself. So I start looking at God's promises I found that I am not alone and I may feel weak, yet He is strong, He is my strength and some promises that He made me, have not been fulfill yet, and in my weakness I believe that whatever come out of His mouth, doesn't go back empty (Isaiah 55:11)

I'm trying to focus in who God is, I'm telling myself that He walks by my side and while I hope for people that I love to tell me that it will be ok, that they are far away but sending me hugs and support, I keep asking myself why don't they? Especially today, people that aren't close to me told me that they are praying, asking what can they do, sending hugs and cards with words of God's inspiration that make me feel the love of my Heavenly Father.

What a great lesson...It's never being the way I want. The LORD has an amazing way to surprise me and at the same time, I feel that He is telling me; "Only me" "I am here" "I will always be" Then I think for a second...why Lord? Why in this situations my friends are cold? and He answers: "Because only this way, you can feel my warmest hug" I thank you Father for your answer, I needed that. Thanks to all of those across the country that are praying for us, I thank you for all of those who are blessing my sister's baby and I thank you because of who you are... "The prince of peace, the son of man, the lamb of God, the great I AM. You are the Alpha and the Omega,my God and my Savior, you are Jesus Christ, my Lord!

I am not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I am sure that God is by our side, we are not fighting this by ourselves, our King of Kings is walking with us and fighting for and with us.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9) -Said the LORD and I can be weak but I know that HE is strong!

About to be an aunt!

It's being a great day today. God is being, as always, so kind to me. I just spoke on skype with my sister Pao and I am REALLY happy, turning to God with thanksgiving and praying for her and my first nephew, Christian, who is on his way.

Pao went to the hospital this morning because she was bleeding a little bit; the good news is that the doctors told her that although the baby is supposed to be born on December, if he wants to be born now, there is not complications. Last week the doctor gave her some shots to help with the baby longs, but now it's ok if he is born before time.

I haven't being a mom yet, but it makes me so excited and happy that I can't wait to hold that baby and smile at his little face. I am truly happy, the miracle of life always makes me happy, specially when it's a mom close to me. I love my sister with all my heart, even though we don't have the same mom, no matter what people think, she is not my half sister, she is MY sister.

As part of "Pinceladas de amor-A touch of love" I got some answers in the last two days and I want to share the first one that made me cry...A special woman from the Lord answered to me and this was what she wrote...

"I would love to be a part of blessing your sister. I will just give you a check. I don't need to see any receipts or have your sister know my name. God looks at the heart of obedience and that is all that matters. We don't need recognition.Thanks for sending this email to me. I'm honored to help"

I was crying because it means a lot to me that God is opening the doors to bless my sister and my nephew; I am truly thankful. I also got other answers and from the bottom of my heart, thanks to all of those who wants to bless them. I will let you know what will happen in the next days.

"I asked and it's going to be given to me; I looked for help and I found it; I knocked and the door is being opened to me”

Thank you Jesus, you are SO awesome!!!

A touch of love-Part 4

A NEW STORY

There is a nineteen years old pregnant in Colombia. She lives with her parents and two brothers. The father of the baby said that he is not going to be responsible for him. Unfortunately, it’s SO common nowadays that in these situations, the father run away. She is half way through her university’s studies to be a Psychologist and thank God she could get a loan to pay for her studies. Her family is helping her as much as they can, and thank God, the health insurance that she has is covering all that she needs for delivering the baby.

I know this story very well because I am talking about my dad’s family. I grew up with my mom and my dad married another woman and they have a daughter and two boys. I am talking about my sister Paola, who I always call “Pao”.

I know you are thinking that she is too young to be pregnant and I agree. She is just going to be 20 on January, haven’t finish her studies and with a baby on its way. But I want to help her and I know exactly what the whole family is going through.

I was thinking about doing a baby shower for her, but it will be expensive to send her the gifts to Colombia, so that’s why I am writing this blog. If it worked for Lorena and Andrés, maybe, just maybe it can work for Pao and her baby too. She knows she is going to have a baby boy and she already call him by his name…Christian. She left the hospital today, after three days of being there, because it seems like Christian is going to be born ahead of time.

I had the idea of doing this like two or three month ago, but didn’t do it because I was afraid of what people could say or think. After talking to her today, I couldn’t sleep and needed to write all of this.

The clothes that Pao has for Christian was some that my dad bought and last Saturday she got more in a baby shower organized by her friends. She was SO happy showing me what they gave her and I am feeling SO blessed. I know exactly how hard it is for my dad and her mom to handle all of this, emotional and economically.

My idea is to send her some money so she can buy what she needs: bottles, pajamas, diapers, shampoo, soap and some other stuffs for the baby. If you have children, you probably know more about that and you can understand more the situation. They have no clue I am doing this, but I can’t wait to tell them it is from God.

I can give you my word that my only purpose is to show them that God cares for them, I can have her taking pictures of what she will get and post them on my blog or send them to your e-mail; I can write the name of the person who helps and the amount of money received so you can look at it. And when I send the money, I can have her scanning the receipt of when she gets the money there. I will also send her a card with the name of all of those who help. You could write to her too if you want and I will translate the message into Spanish.

I know this is weird to you and you are probably thinking that I am crazy. Well, maybe I am, but at least I am giving it a try and if it doesn’t work I won’t lose anything because I already lost the feeling of being afraid of asking.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9)

Well, I am asking, seeking and knocking…we will see what happen next!

PS: If you are interested, if you really think that this is worth it and you feel in your heart helping, you can e-mail me at yadithlucia@hotmail.com for questions or more details if you want.

A touch of love-Part 3

MY STRATEGY

The same way we were able to help Andrés, I believe we can help more people. I pray for God to open the doors and my dream is on His hands. I told Craig (my husband) about it a few months ago and he told me that he will be in this with me that He will pray with me and for me; that he will walk by my side. That support makes me feel happy and secure that I am walking the way I am supposed to. Now, I not only have my prayers but his too.

The first step is to pray. I am praying for it, Craig is praying for it and you can help us to pray too.

The second step is to act. I started back in 2006 with Lorena and Andrés and I didn’t even know, but as I was praying about it and looking for a way to start, God brought to my mind that first time and I am glad it happened. But it didn’t happen because of me, but because of the Lord we serve. Who opens doors no one can shut and for all of the people who believed it and helped.

The third one is to write it all down. I am going to write every idea, e-mail and every strategy and proof of what I am doing and how it works.

And if you have ideas I would love to have them. Maybe you know people that can help and I don’t even know they exist.

A touch of love-Part 2

THE VERY FIRST TIME

Andrés was born with just one kidney and he had his first surgery when he was only three months old, for what I remember. His kidney wasn’t function very well and in that time the health insurance covered the cost of everything except one shot that an unknown man paid for him. Lorena (his mom) always says that it was an angel. It was a man that was at the hospital that day and saw her crying; after asking her what was going on, he gave her the money to pay the shot. Andrés came good out of the surgery although the doctors had told his mom that she needed to pray for a miracle and thank God, she got it! After that surgery he got another one, which the insurance covered too. When he was two years old the insurance refused to pay and with some people from the University we did different activities to collect the money to pay a third time. The Lord opened the doors and we got the money she needed at that time. It was at 2005 and the name for the big activity we did, one Sunday at the principal park of the city was “All together for Andrés”

Back in 2006, I was living at Coronado, Ca. I was attending to Living waters fellowship Church and my friend Lorena told me that she needed to take Andrés to the doctors again. They said about another surgery and there was no money to pay for it. This time there was no even money for the shot. That Sunday afternoon, I met a couple from Mexico. It was the first time I met them and they heard me talking to my friend by phone. They asked me what was going one and I shared the story with them. After I finished talking they gave me some money to send to my friend and I couldn’t believe it. Yes it is true that the Lord works in mysterious ways. I felt in my heart that I needed to help Lorena and that God was going to guide me. I shared the story with Pastor Gary from the church I was going to, and I asked him to let me share it with the people at the end of the praying meeting and see if they wanted to help. I remember that he looked at me and said: “Yadith, this is very important, you don’t have to wait until the end, you can talk to them now” and that was the first time I spoke in front of more than three persons, but the Lord was with me. They not only listening, but also helped. They helped Lorena and Andrés. Oh, I wish I had written all down. I don’t remember how much money we collect, it was like $500 I think and with the money the couple from Mexico had given to me, I sent it all to Colombia.

Lorena graduated from the University as a teacher of English and French as a second language and Andrés is going to be seven years old on March. His kidney works very well now and according to the doctors, he doesn’t need more surgeries…Praise God! Thanks to all of those who helped, may the LORD himself pay you back every penny you gave them!

A touch of love-Part 1

Before you read the rest of this blog I ask the Holy Spirit to touch your heart and to let you see through my words what I am trying to do without judging me. May God himself open your eyes so you can see that what I am trying to do is just helping someone who is in need.

One of my heart’s desires is to be able to help people around me; maybe that’s why I want to go to do missions. Four years ago, one of my friends shared an article from a magazine in Colombia. It was the story of a girl who created a non-profit organization to help people at her city that needed clothes, food and education. They didn’t say how, but even though she was living there, most of the help she had was from organizations of this country, the United States. Since I read that article I couldn’t take the idea of getting something like that and I did start already without even knowing. I don’t have a non-profit organization yet and have no clue about how to create one, but I’ve been able to help people I know, people the Lord has sent to my path for a reason.

When I was living at Coronado, Ca. the dream came to my mind again and I found myself thinking a name for it. If God provides a way for my dream to come true, I will call it “Pinceladas de amor”, which I translate as “ A Touch of love”. I chose that name because I may not be able to change the whole world, but if I can touch a life, if I can share a touch of love with someone, that will be the kind of difference that I want to make. Just one touch is enough to change someone’s life and it is worth it! I chose it in Spanish because I want to help people at my country, especially children. It is on my heart, it is a dream I have only shared with my husband a few months ago and now I am opening my heart to share it with you.

My broken heart!

Sometimes lives seems to be unfair and I've seen SO many things going on in my life that i just can't believe. I can not hold on to it anymore; my strength is gone and yet, I keep on telling myself that God is good, that He is in control and that whatever is a surprise for me, it is not for Him at all. I don't see any good coming of this path where my husband and I are walking, not by chance because none of us wanted or looked for sickness.

When I was in high school, I used to dream with my future and even though I wasn't close to God, I dreamed with a good husband who will hold me in his arms, a good man to share happiness and have a family with. Two kids, is being my dream. Once in a while I dreamed to adopt one and have one on my own, but I always dream that my husband will be close to me. "I won't have kids if I don't get married" I told myself SO many times.

Then I came to Christ and started walking the way He had ready for me. A few years later I met Craig. Since the beginning of our relationship I've seen how God's perfect plan worked; I've seen our lives as the perfect mix the LORD could do but today, as I write this message my heart is broken in thousands of pieces. Tears come from my heart and I just keep on telling myself that God is a good God and that Craig and I will glorify His name.

It's SO easy to ask for God's will to be done, but it's SO hard to see that the future seems unclear, that my dreams will may never come, that my happily ever after isn't true. I love Craig with all my heart and our desire is to go to missions, to have a family and grow up older. I have dreamed with the day that we will be home waiting for our grandkids to come to visit. I have dreamed in how many testimonies we are going to share with people from other countries about our Savior and today I am asking God one more time...Why? Why is all of this happening to us? What was it that we did wrong? Is it SO bad to want to serve you the way we want? Is it SO bad to still keep my dreams?

The God we serve, the LORD we know, is the one who gave us this incredible time as husband and wife with all the difficult circumstances that we have gone through; the same great LORD of Lords and KING of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who is and is to come. The God who called us when were sinners to be His people, the one who let us be together and become one flesh. The same God who promised me that all things work for good (romans 8:28), is the God that I am looking at today crying with my heart to ask Him for a miracle.

My husband has been sick for the past few months and it's getting worst, according to the doctors. I have to write that the bad news are according to the doctors, because my LORD can still change it, IF, and this is the hardest part, IF IT IS HIS WILL. There is a possibility that Craig may have a type of cancer that I don't even want to write, but there is a possibility for him to have one of those no one wants, EVER. So here I am writing my thoughts, reminding myself of how merciful my God is, trying to look at the situation with a smile. How hard it is to smile. And for some reason it's so hard for me to be upset with God. I want to, I want to tell Him that it is no fair, that we don't deserve all of this, but who am I to question Him? It came to my mind all the times that I have prayed and asked Him for His will to be done, and this time with my broken heart I am hoping to touch His heart so He change all of this in something good. I found myself with questions like: Am I not listening to you? Was not you the one who promised this and that? Am I getting crazy for all of this going on? Don't I know when is you who talks?

I can't be upset with Him and I thank Him for not letting me be, but I can't have the answers neither. I have to sit and look at my Father and tell Him with all that I am, "LORD, I know life isn't easy, I recognized you have Craig's life in your hands and it doesn't matter what the doctors said, you and only you have the last word. Father take my heart, don't take my husband yet, here I am still, and no matter what future is going to bring to my life, please do NEVER let me go. Hold me into your arms God, I don't want to be upset with you just because is not going to work for anything good, but if that day comes and I don't want to talk to you, please let me feel you and yield at me if you have to, but please don't let me walk without you. I don't understand why, I can not see the good of all of this, but beyond my understanding and my eyes, I know that you are working, that you are in control and I know that my husband and I will glorify your name. Help us to walk through, help me to see who you truly are and teach me how to be strong"

I know it is hard to believe, but it is also hard to understand. We have been married for only seven months (almost) and it has been the best time of my life but I just can't believe all that we have gone through.

My God is the one who made the earth and the Heavens, the creator of everything. My prayer today is for His perfect will to be done, and for my prayers to touch His heart. Join me with prayers please, as Craig and I walk in the valley of the shadow of death.

In Jesus Christ, blessings!

God's love and care

Blessings in the name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ!

It's being amazing to see how much the LORD cares for us. Craig and I have been walking together for two years already but only seven months as husband and wife and it's being incredible! Everything since we met it's being unique, with a especial touch from God that amazed me SO badly. His perfect time for all that had happen, His love and care for both if us is just unbelievable but yet, So true!

We are truly thankful for all of you who have prayed for us; it hasn't being easy but both Craig and I, can stand at the presence of the Almighty one and tell Him: "Father, here we are. Still" Nothing can separate us from the love of God, no even sickness neither death will take us away from the presence of our LORD.

My surgery was last Thursday and as the surgeon told us, everything went great. There were no complications at all, I didn't have any pain and I was able to come home early Friday in the morning. My voice was fine and it is good; even in the house I had no pain...Hallelujah, Praise Him!

I was hoping the LORD would heal me; neither Craig and I wanted the surgery, but even though He chose not to answer us the way we wanted, He never left us, not even for a second. My biggest fair the day before the surgery was that Craig was going to be alone but the LORD told me not to be afraid of anything because He was in control and He was faithful! Craig was not alone and the LORD Himself gave Him peace that Craig said it was weird in the middle of all of that waiting period, but it is just the peace of God that transcends all understanding. We had prayed that I won't have pain and that my voice won't be affected and He cared that much, that I can truly say that the God we serve was with both, my husband and I during those hard times. He gave us peace, and show us who He is.

Sometimes there are situations on our lives that aren't clear for us, there is always things we don't understand, but how amazing is to believe and trust in who God is. We may not understand His ways, but we know that they are perfect! Our God is an awesome God, He is all powerful, He will never leave us not forsake us!

Thank you for the prayers and the food that our family in Christ provide for Craig and I in the last days. We are truly blessed and thankful with God for all of you and with you for letting Him use you the way He does!

Thank you.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Scottish man met Colombian woman

Almost 25 years ago, maybe more, Mr. Stirling moved to the States with his wife and two kids; he had accepted a new job that not only brought them to a new culture, a new nation, but a job that was part of God's perfect plan for their lives. One of his kids name is Craig, and it is about him and his wife that this story tells.

After Craig and his family moved to the United States, he continued with his life without knowing that a woman created just for him, was growing up in a different place. Yadith was born in Colombia, in a small town called "Charalá" and yet, she had no clue that the LORD had created a good husband who will take care of her, a good man who will love her, just as Christ loves His church. Both Craig and Yadith had different experiences growing up, but God had a plan to be fulfilled for their lives.

Craig accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, and so did Yadith. Not at the same day, not at the same place, neither at the same time, but the same Spirit was with them. After years went by, Craig decided to go to Costa Rica to study Spanish; his desire for doing missions in Latin America had grown in a way that he never imagined. The All powerful King of Kings brought Yadith out of her country to a place she never thought she could be...The United States of America. She had passion for doing missions and she wanted a man by her side who will share her dreams and walk with her any place her God will take her. During her second year in the States, she moved to live in New Jersey and there she met the Snyder family; a family who served the same God Craig knew, the same Lord Yadith was following. Amy, one of the Snyder's daughters, told Yadith about a good man she knew; a man with three specific characteristics: number one, he wanted to go to missions; number two, he was really nice, and number three he was tall! As the time for Yadith to stay at the States was short at that point, she decided not to meet him because she didn't want to get involved in a relationship that would not last and would have left her with a broken heart. Time was not in her favor, she needed to go back home.

Craig was studying and talking to his good friend Brian, who was Amanda's husband. Amanda is another woman from the Snyder family who knew Yadith very well. It was Brian who told Craig that he could practice his Spanish with this woman from Colombia who attended his father in law's church. After all she was learning English and he could help her too.

It was fall, as I remember, and Yadith got an e-mail; she was surprised after she opened and thought that Amy had given Craig her e-mail address, even though she asked her not to give it to him. Weeks went by and Craig and Yadith were talking more and more. After some e-mails, the phone calls started to happen more and more often, and one day, Amy told Yadith that it wasn't her who told Craig about her. To Yadith's surprise it was Brian.-"But why?-Yadith asked-"I just say hi to him and that's all, does he knows me?"-Maybe, maybe not. But it was God working on her path, sending a man she could not imagine, a man she had refused to meet.

By Christmas time, Craig went back to the States to spend some days with his family, and it was the perfect opportunity to meet this woman. They had been talking for months and never seen each other in person, but yet in their hearts there was love; an incredible and mysterious love neither of them had ever known, not ever felt, nor ever thought.
Amy was right. When Yadith saw Craig for the first time, she saw clearly that he was tall; after spending their first date, she was completely sure that he was nice and that his passion was missions in the Latin American world.

Craig and Yadith fell in love, in a way the world had never known; yet the LORD brought them together because His will needed to be done. They dated another time and it was time to say good-bye. Craig returned to Costa Rica to follow his call, and Yadith went back to Colombia to follow what the LORD had spoke. She knew that Craig was going to be her husband, she knew it in her heart but she never told him so, because she knew it wasn't God's timing but it will happen someday... a wedding to remember, a story to be told. God had gave her peace to go to her country and not knowing how exactly He will bring her back to Craig, but it took just a little faith that let her go on her way.

Craig had no clue what to do; he had fallen in love with a woman that he couldn't probably ever see again. He was confused but his decision was to keep talking to her, after all they both had phones and internet. It wasn't easy, not for him nor for her, but there was hope, there was faith and a Savior who is faithful, who had a perfect plan for this two souls.

It was the beginning of a journey of love; a journey that took them to different places and Spiritual levels; a journey that made them happy and sad, and made them cry out to God. A journey that the LORD held in His hands, a journey that would show them that even though they couldn't see, there was a Heavenly Father who had a way, who had brought them from different countries to the same place, because He was seeing the future that was just dreamed by them.

To be continue...
Next post: God spoke

God's perfect time

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Eclesiastes 3:1)

When I came to the States for the very first time back in 2006, I knew that as an Au-pair I could take some classes and I thought how wonderful could be to take Bible classes in English. I wanted to go to Bible school and learn more about God, His word and every possible thing that I could learn about my LORD. It's being three years since God placed that dream in my heart, but just now it is a reality.

Walking three years and seeing how difficult it was, tried to turn me down a couple times. In 2006, I told my family, who was paying my Universities studies as a teacher, that I wanted to go to Bible school and go to missions; to my surprised, my older sister who totally disagreed with me for going to an Assemblies of God church, was the one who told me that she will help me as much as possible to make my dream come true. During 2006 I tried to find a school but I could not. During half of that year I didn't have Christians friends and looking for a church was even harder. I thought it couldn't be.

In 2007, I moved to New Jersey and met my good friends at Glad Tidings church. Amy, (my closes friend) used to sit and listen to me for hours and hours. I told her about my desire of going to Bible school and she told me that I could do it. There was not a lot of people who believed I could do so, but even her dad, Rev. Snyder gave me some information about Global University and VFCC. I was planing in going to VFCC, but I found out that it was a little too much that what I could afford, so I took the paper that he gave me with the Global University web side and kept it with me; I looked at it but even though the classes were not expensive, I knew I could not afford them from Colombia and I was living in less that six motnhs.

After I met Craig, I told Him about my dreams, including that one, but it was just last week that we were sitting on our sofa and I mentioned to him the same thing: "I want to take some Bible classes"-I said. His answer, "why don't you do it online with Global University?"-Wow! what else could I say? I asked him to look with me online and I enrolled to get my credentials with the Assemblies of God.

I think for so many reason, that even thought God placed that desire on my heart in 2006 , His perfect timing is now, three years after!
1- I know more English that what I used to; when I first came here, I didn't have a good level of English, which could have made my classes a compelte chaos. There is a lot of reading and who knows how could I handle that.
2-Craig is a blessing to me and I can ask him as many questions as I have, he always try to help me. It's good to have a Rev. at home.
3-God blessed us with the ability of being able to afford those classes and I can live here... as a resident now!

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4)

You have no idea how much I've learn so far and to finish this, I want to share with you the following paragraph out of one of my lessons:

"Zechariah and Elizabeth could not have a child in their old age, and it was impossible for the virgin Mary to give birth. But nothing is impossible with God. People do not fathom how God does things, but through faith they can understand that what is impossible for them is possible for their heavenly Father. When God calls on people to do something, He will always provide a way. Hold on to the dream God has placed in your heart, even when others doubt, mock, or say it will never happen. If something is truly of God, He will bring it to pass. Nothing is impossible with Him!" (The life and Teachings of Christ, Global University, Unit 1, Chapter 1, Lesson 1.2,Page 18)

"Abide in me", says the LORD

I'm reading a book by Rick Joyner, "The call", and after reading a few pages there was something on my head, something I read over and over again. I found it interesting, not only because it's in the book more that once, but because when I am doing something different, all I hear is "abide in me".
As most of you know, English is my second language and I was praying and wondering about the true meaning of only one word: abide.

Yesterday, as I was listening to the song "In your Presence" by Jason Upton, I found online a good definition for what's being on my head for the last two or three days, and felt like sharing it here. I wasn't sure about the meaning of "abide", because it didn't make sense what I found in a dictionary and maybe, even though, English is your first language, this blog can help you to truly understand what the Lord means by telling you to abide in Him.

"The most important factor in our walk with Jesus Christ is to abide in him. The more we abide in Christ, the more we will have peace, victory over sin, and be In His Steps. What does it mean to abide in Christ? Let's first look at the definition for the word abide.

ABIDE:
to wait for
to endure without yielding
to bear patiently
to accept without objection
to remain stable or fixed in a state
to continue in a place
Synonyms: Stay, continue, bear

ABIDING: enduring, continuing

To abide has to do with the concept of 'being' instead of 'doing'. Doing in relation to the Christian walk is: reading your Bible, going to church, praying, witnessing, doing good works, fleeing sin, etc. These are all good things to do as a Christian. These are things we should be doing. If we are not doing these things our walk with God and others will suffer. However, if we are doing these things just because we are suppose to, or we are doing them in our own strength, we will not have victory or peace and miss out in having an intimate relationship with Christ. If we are not careful, we can become works oriented instead of Christ oriented.

To Abide in Christ is to be in the 'being' mode. We still are doing the things that God has called us to, but we are doing it in His strength. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will be faithful. We will hear His voice clearer, not be works oriented, and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.

Let's explore the definition of abide:

To wait for-We as Christians need to spend much more time waiting on God. By this we mean spending time with God, seeking His will, not jumping ahead of Him.

To endure without yielding-To be determined to experience God's presence.

To bear patiently-To abide in Christ when we don't feel like it. To be patient waiting for God to reveal His will and Himself.

To continue in a place-We need to spend more time, staying in His presence.

If we are abiding in Christ, we can be assured that we will walk IN HIS STEPS.

Abiding in Christ is a process. We don't get there over night. So don't get discouraged if it seems hard to just 'rest in Him'. Enjoy the mountains, the ocean, the blue skies (even the thunder and lightning), the green pastures (even the hot desert). As you enjoy God's creation, you will sense His presence. Abiding will come. Stop and 'smell the roses'."

Source: http://www.creatingfutures.net/abide.html

Home, sweet home

There is nothing like being home! People enjoy staying at home; some reasons...because they can watch movies, get a good night sleep at their own beds, sit around, read, organize and so many more that proof that being home is the best!

Being at my home church, is the best that could happen for me last weekend. I have a home church back in Colombia, the church where I started growing Spiritually and learning more and more about the Lord. He gave me a home church at New Jersey and I love it! I love the Pastor, his messages, and my family...the people that goes there, they are a blessing for my life and now, for my husband's life too.
We were not sure if we could make it...For our schedule, it seemed like we could not go because of surgeries and recovery time, but I know that my God will give me the desires of my heart, ALL of them (Psalm 37:4), and I know I keep on saying the same thing over and over again, but it is true! You can find the same Bible verse in my old blogs and you'll probably read it again in the future ones but it is not because I can't find anymore, but because I have many, many testimonies of how true it is and how awesome our LORD i;, He is faithful, whatever He said he does, nothing return empty to his mouth (Isaiah 55:11)

The first time I walked in Glad Tidings Church, Frenchie gave me a huge, HUGE hug that I haven't forgot; after that hug I kept walking and the presence of the Lord met me right there; it was on February 2007 and I still have the same feeling when I walk in...the presence of God truly dwells there! During the year that I was there, I found a truly godly family in Christ. When I was back in Colombia last year, they prayed for me, I was truly on their hearts and the amazing thing, is that I am still!!! I am not living close to them, except Brian and Amanda, but I know they kept me and my husband on their prayers and it's incredible to have a family who love us and miss us in that way. I grow up spisitually with them and I love them all.

I found a mom right there at that church. Denise, a sweet mom I'll always keep on my heart. She loved me as a dautghter and I could not be more blessed or tahnkful for having her
-A crazy brother. Stepehen, who is really Denise son, therefore I made him my brother, just because we have the same Heavenly Father and our mom (Denise) on earth. It was his idea, but he doesn'n know yet; I thought about it just the Saturday that Craig had his surgery, for a text message Stephen sent on my cell phone. He is a good man and nice brother!
-Good shephers. Pastor Snyder. He is really used by God and had touched my life so many times and so many ways, as the same that his wife, Sister Snyder.
-Good friends. The Snyder's girls, that aren't girls any more. I love Amy, Amanda and Esther. Althought I had share more time with Amy and Amanda, Esther is always on my prayers too.
-A good Colombian woman. Deisy, who actually knows my father's family...isn't the world small?
-A very good friend. Amy; I love my dear friend, Pastor and sister, I wish she was living close by. -A good friend of my husband...Brian, who told Craig about me before we met, I believe the Lord used Brian to bring us together

And the one who was SO excited about seeing me last Saturday, the one I just saw a couple times when I was there. I didn't know her that much from 2007, but I started knowing more about her through her blog. She has gave me encouragement when I am not asking for, but just looking to find it. I jumped from her wedding day to the first year birthdya celebration for her son... Heather!
My little ones: Bo, isn't really little anymore.- Charity, Ocean and Silas..the Swomley clan,- and Pj's, how cute are all of them.
I could name all of the people that I know from my home church, but they know how much I love them and keep them on my prayers and my heart. They are my family in Christ and I am truly blessed by having them all.

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalm 84:1,10)

Thank you Lord for my home church, blessed the family I have in there...In Jesus wonderful name...Amen!

Eggs come from the refrigerator!

Ezra was a little boy, three or four years old by the time I met him, but haven't forgot what I learn from him. I know you're probably thinking: what possible could you learn from a boy with that age?-Well, kids are truly good teachers and you have no idea how cute he was. Now, you have to understand that I love children, to me they are so precious and unique with everything they do and/or say.

I was helping Denise, a teacher in a Christian school at New Jersey, in 2007 when I was living there; I was going for a few hours to the school and at the same time, I was taking the decision of going back home, (Colombia) even though I was talking to this wonderful man who nowadays is my husband. I had a few, but good reasons for not going back but there was no way I could get another visa and did not want to stay here as illegal. One of my good reasons was that I had a job, I was working as an Au pair and I knew that I could not get a job in my country, go to university and pay one more year of classes that I had left. I told God that and He gave me a great lesson through Ezra.

It was a sunny morning and Denise told me that we were going to take the children to play outside, so we did. They had a little play ground and I remember there was a fence so they won't go over the street or the grass area. Ezra was playing in the sandbox when he started saying: "an egg, an egg, I see an egg"-he was right, just across the fence there was a pink egg, fake egg of course; it was one of those eggs that people hide on Easter and that was the beginning of the whole conversation. He looked so excited and happy because as he told me, eggs were their favorite for breakfast; he even told me how he liked them and guess what he have had that morning for breakfast? Eggs!
Kara, another little one got into the conversation because she liked eggs too. I thought it would be nice to explain to them, that what they were seeing was a fake egg and they understood and agreed with me; the discussion got better when I asked them where the eggs come from...As a teacher I thought that I was doing good question them rather that telling them the answer, but what happened was that I was the one getting an answer.

Ezra answered me that eggs come from the refrigerator, and of course, Kara agreed with him; I told them the whole story of how eggs come from hens, my whole explanation was pretty good, according to me, but Ezra was getting upset because I was wrong. While seeing that he was about to cry, I asked him, why he believed that eggs come from the refrigerator and he answered me; "because mommy always get them from there"- ok, so I explained to him that mommy needed to buy the eggs before putting them there, but he did not believe it and that was the end of the discussion just because I had no clue what else to say. I couldn't believe it, but it didn't matter what I was saying, he knew where mommy got the eggs from; that was the important part for him, he was not analizing everything as I was, he was trusting his mom without even getting worry or frustrated because of what his teacher was saying and Kara just agreed with him, why? because that was what she knew about eggs and her mom used to do exactly the same...got the eggs from the refrigerator!
We went back into the classroom and I drove back home; while driving I was listening to some worship music and asking God about what had happened with Ezra and Kara, I just couldn't believe it, was I getting crazy? They were upset for me telling them the truth...according to me of course, but it is true, we got the eggs because of the hens, right?
This was the Lords answer: "I want you to believe in me without questioning, just as they both believe in their moms, I want you to believe in me, don't worry, don't even think about how are you going to get the money to finish your University, I am your Father, I will supply; you probably don't see where the money is coming from and that's why Ezra don't worry about breakfast time, he knows for sure, that mommy will get eggs for him and he knows that she always get them from the refrigerator, but he doesn't worry thinking about how mommy works, and he doesn't ask her where she buy them or if there is hens or not, he knows and trust that there is always eggs. I will provide, just trust me"

I got home and opened my Bible into the following verse: "And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3) WOW! I understood in that moment that it was God's plan for me to go back home, I understood that trusting God was more important that anything else.

-Have you ever seeing children worry because there is no food in the house? No, because they know that mommy and daddy will give them something to eat.
-Have you seen children worry because Christmas is coming and there is no money? No, because they all think about the presents that their parents are getting them, they don't think if there is job or not, they know that their parents love them and will get them something.
-Have you seen them rising up their hands to their parents? Yes, because they want to be carry through when they are tired, when they want a hug, or just when they want to rest.

We need to be like children, trusting that the Lord is going to provide even though there is no possible way in our minds, and trusting that when we rise up our hands, He is ready to pick us up and carry us through.
I am trusting that my Father is carrying my husband and I through my cancer time, through Craig's sickness days, through our sad days and also in the happy ones. I trust Him and I know that He lives, He hears my cry and answers each one of my prayers.

Eggs come from the refrigerator, as simple as that!
I did finish my University studies, last year in Colombia, God did provide!

A Love letter from God

I love how the Lord works; He is faithful! During all of my trouble times, God is being more real that ever and this is a good story of how He loves me and sends me what I call, His love letters.
Yesterday I was sad because I've been tired and sleepy; too much tired and sleepy. I think that the pills that I am taking for my thyroid problem are not working that good any more and then, I got upset. I was SO upset because I wasn't looking to be sick with cancer, and it bothers me a lot the whole situation Craig and I are going throught.
The whole time that all of this health issues started to happen, I've been telling myself that the Lord is fixing our bodies for something great and amazing that He is going to do, just because I believe that's the way He works; the greater the adversity, the greater the blessing! For being focused on our health, I totally forget about the green card and only once, two weeks ago, I told Craig that I was still hoping that we won't need the interview part and that we will get it by mail.

Last night, Craig prayed for us and I woke up feeling SO much better, with energy and feeling strong again; see, people think I am strong, but the truth is that my strength comes from God. After having breakfast, Craig went to work and like five minute after, he came back with the mail; I thought it was just for the welcome letter we were waiting for, because we had got an e-mail last week telling us for the approval of my permanent resident, but it also said that we will get it in the next 60 days...What a blessing for us that this morning we got my green card. Now, for all of you who don't know, we applied for a k1 visa, which allowed me to come and get married and after that, we needed to apply for change of statues, which is a long process. It was in totally 13 months to finally hold my permanent resident card on my hands, and it was not always easy.
This is the part where the love letter from God came; after Craig prayed yesterday, it came to my mind that we can declare good things for us to happen, I was telling God that He could just say it and things will change, but all I hear from Him was: You can also declare good things to happen.
His love letter for me was to get that card this morning, because it is something I was waiting for, it shows me that even though I feel weak, tired or sleepy, He is working; it doesn't matter if there are times when I can't feel Him, in the middle of His silence, He is closest, He is working for the good of those who seek His name. God's love letter are the most incredible blessings I could get, the more powerful letter I could have and in the middle of my sadness I can truly see how He is able to change it into happiness.

Thank you Jesus for your love letter, for showing me how much you care and for my dreams that come true. You are faithful!!!
"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3)

A little piece

My husband gave me a book like two weeks ago; I found it very, very good and interesting and during the time that I was at the hospital with Craig, there were some parts from it, that really touched my heart. Maybe that's the only reason for which I am going to share with you a little piece from it. It's call: "The final quest by Rick Joyner" and I encourage you to read it.

"Thought you love all of your children, you would be grieved for the one who was sick or wounded. He, too, loves all of His children, but the wounded and oppressed have most of His attention now" (Page 62)

For His sake we must not quit until all have been recovered. As long as any are wounded, He is wounded" (Page 63)

"Spiritual maturity is always determined by our willingness to sacrifice our own desires for the interests of the kingdom, or for sake of others. The door that requires the most sacrifice to enter will always take us to a highest level" (Page 66)

"God has a different definition of peace and safety that we do. To be wounded in the fight is a great honor. It's by the Lord's stripes that we are healed, and it is through our stripes that we, too, are given the authority for healing. In the very place that the enemy wounds us, once we are healed, we are giving the power to heal others. Healing was a basic part of the Lord's ministry, and it is also a basic part for ours. That is one reason why the Lord allows bad things to happen to His people, so that they can receive the compassion for other by which the power of healing operates. That is why the apostle Paul told of his beating and stonings when his authority was questioned. Every wound, every bad thing that happen to us, can be turned into the authority to do good. Every beating that the great apostle took resulted in salvation for others being saved, healed, or restored." (Page 79)

"Every truth from God leads to an even greater peace and security. Even the judgments of God are to be desired, because all of His ways are perfect.
By now I had experienced enough to know that what seems right is usually the least faithful path, and often the road to failure. Throughout my journey, the path of greater risk was the path that lead to the greatest reward.
The only true security came from continually moving forward into the realms that required more faith, which was more dependence on the Lord.
Yes, it takes more faith to walk the higher realms of the Spirit" (Page 83)

There is more, but this is just a little taste of it; I encourage you to read it. You'll find more on it!

According to His will

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39,42,44)

I found that during the last month in my life, I’ve learned so many things from God, even though it feels longer; His presence has been so evident in my life. He has been holding me in such an incredible way that I am surprised for all the good things He has shown me in the storm that Craig and I are going through.
Just last Saturday in the morning I remember getting ready to go and see Craig at the hospital and saying to God: “Lord, it’s a new day, may your will be done upon our lives…again!” It sounds like a simple sentence, but so important for my life because sometimes I forget what I say to Him. He never forgets anything, He knows us so much better that what we think we ourselves know.
I went to see Craig and the doctor stopped by his room to tell him that they needed to do another procedure I didn’t want for him because I had had enough seeing him in pain during five days and didn’t want more. After all the tests the doctors have done on Craig, everything was perfect, all the results came back good but there was still a lot of pain that didn’t come from the surgery when they removed his gall bladder just a few days ago; after hearing that there were no more options, I hugged my husband and started saying to the Lord that I didn’t know how to pray, I was even asking God if for the last week I was praying the wrong prayer and I also told Him, that I was tired, I had no energy left to see my wonderful husband going through so much pain and not being able to do something to take it away. Just in the moment that I finished saying so, I heard so clear His answer: “Remember what you told me this morning, you said that you wanted my will to be done” And that statement was enough to take my weakness away and give me enough strength to be thankful because He was in control.
I, sometimes complain for things that happen and forget for a moment what I had said, what I had asked for. It wasn’t easy, but later on while trying to worship God at the waiting room I said: “Lord, I said that this morning but asking for your will to be done, I didn’t mean suffering” Then He showed me how much He truly care for us, and it was because of that procedure that the doctors did on Craig that his pain is different now. I can see him getting out of bed by himself, walking around and doing things he couldn’t do before. They finally found what else was wrong and he’s home now…Praise Him… in stormy days and in calm times, when all seems gone, when you can’t see, just praise the LORD!!!
God’s will is always the best one even sometimes when we think that it’s not. I sometimes forget about what I asked Him for, but I am truly blessed knowing that He always listens and answers my prayers.

Thank you heavenly Father for such a great love you have for us!!!

Was that a vision or a dream?

Craig said that I dream too much, and it is true! Every morning I woke up telling him about a dream I had, and even sometimes he needs to wake me because I am telling him what I am seeing while we sleep; sometimes, I want to wake up but I can NOT, so I tried as possible 'til he calls me. I used to have a lot of dreams but I think that now they are most often; what I found interesting is that during the last week, while Craig was at the hospital and I was sleeping home alone, I did NOT have one single dream, except Saturday, but it's VERY interesting because I spent that night at the hospital with him. I was sitting on a chair trying to sleep a little bit and I remember SO clear seeing a rope in front of me full with different things that hanged on it; Those things I don't know what exactly they were, but I do know that my heart was broken and I was pushing them away, declaring they were gone and they were just passing by, except the last one.

After feeling worry and sad seeing those things to pass by, I saw a pretty black dress shining, I am not sure what it had on it that make it shine, but that's when I started talking out loud saying that I was going to wear that dress for going to celebrate after all of the situation Craig and I were going through had ended. I immediately told him about it.
Now, I do have a black dress but nothing on it shines and I really don't like the color black that much; the only thing I can tell you is that I haven't seeing a dress like that one. I don't share my dreams with that many people, usually I told Craig or my mom, when I think is something that is going to calm her down, like a dream I had with my uncle after he passed away, where I saw him sitting on a chair, one of those where kings sit on at the movies and how happy he was; I thought it will be good to tell my mom, and in that way some of her sadness will go away knowing that he wasn't here anymore but he was fine, he is happy.

After that Saturday night, I started asking God questions about it, about why do I dream SO much and the Bible verse that keeps on my head is: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy" (Acts 2:17-18) (Joel 2:28)

I am not saying it was for sure a vision that God wanted me to have, to see that it was finished, that we were going to celebrate, but I do know that it is something I want to pray about. We came home on Tuesday and we did celebrate, not only the fact that Craig was back home, but we also got an e-mail from the immigration office where they told us that they approved my green card. I did not put on the black dress because I haven't seeing it again, I do have it on my heart and memory, but I did celebrate; Craig and I celebrated!!!
Thank you Jesus

I got mail

Back in 2006, I met an amazing woman in Coronado, CA; she is one of those wonderful blessing the Lord has given me. Her name is Diane, and even though we haven't seen since then, we keep in touch, by phone calls and e-mails. Now that I am back at the States we can mail each other and it's being great! She is SO sweet and God has used her to give me some lessons and to show me more about Him.
For the last weeks, going through this storm with my husband, Diane has been e-mailing and calling me; we pray for each other because we truly believe that there is nothing impossible for God, not even the distance is an obstacle for Him, and where there are two gathered in His name, there He is. (Matthew 18:20)

Like two weeks ago she sent me a letter with a picture of a lion which has as a title: "Lion of Judah" It means a lot to me, because it is him who fight for me; she added the following Bible verse on it: "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11) How wonderful was for me to read her letter because I knew the Lord was telling me that no matter how the situation was looking like, He is the one who fight. All I have to do is to be bold, be strong, with patience and always, ALWAYS be joyful. Just before I got her letter, I was praying and the Lord was asking me to wait upon Him; well, Diane's letter was just a confirmation of it because the other three pages were Bible verses telling me about waiting. Now, waiting is one of those hard things to do, but I discovered that when we wait on the Lord's presence, it is SO much easy.

Two weeks ago, I was telling Craig that I wanted to find some frames with Bible verses to put on our walls, but we didn't have time to go and get some and we never talk about it anymore. Yesterday I got another mail from Diane, which was a frame with the word the Lord spoke to me one time, like a month ago, while we were praying by phone. I am SO blessed because she had no clue I wanted those frames, yet God knew and here I have the first one.

COMFORT: Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...rest for your souls"

How precious is our Lord, who is always caring, who is always loving us and sending us love letters from heaven above. He is a good God, He is faithful!

Old and new friends!

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24)

There is no words that can explain my gratitude to those who have been close to Craig and I during this hard time of our lives, but with all my heart, I am thankful with each one of you!!! I know I can't name you all, but if there is something I am sure about is that the LORD sent you in a perfect time to be with us and couldn't be more blessed!

For all your calls, messages on my cell, Craig's cell or facebook, e-mails, letters, cards, thoughts, visits, rides, food, smiles, hugs and prayers...GRACIAS!!!

To those who are new friends on my life, to those who I don't even know, to those who have been close...MUCHAS GRACIAS!!! LOTS OF THANKS!!!

" A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17)

An interesting twist

Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to all of you who have been praying for Craig (my husband) and I; we are SO blessed for our great, GREAT family on Christ...YOU!!!
Most of you were praying for us, even without knowing what REALLY was going on and here is the story.
On July 20th, I was diagnosed with cancer, that was on a Monday morning. On Thursday 23rd, Craig went to get an upper endoscopy and while we were waiting there, the doctor told us he needed an ultrasound of the abdomen to look the reason for which he was having pain. So the week after, he went back to get it done and saw the doctor again because his pain was a little worst. He talked to the doctor on his birthday, July 31st, and when he walked into the doctor's office, they had got the results from his ultrasound, which was made just the day before, the 30th; he came back home sad because the doctor had told him that they needed to do a surgery and remove his gall bladder, plus they ordered a CT scan with IV contrast because as the doctor said: "pancreas-tumors-metastasizes" happy birthday, YEAH, RIGHT? I am not sure if you read my blog "storms", it tells you a little bit about that day.

Last Friday he went to get his CT scan done and when he came out of the office, he looked SO scared...What happened?- I asked him. Well, nothing, they didn't tell him a word, except that if there was something wrong they will call soon or if not we will get the results in three days. We went back home and started decided if I was going for surgery on Monday or not; we thought about canceled but we figured it will be better to get done with mine first. During afternoon time, almost 3 o'clock, we decided to make a call so Craig could get in touch with his doctor and schedule his surgery for next week; when he called, they told him that they had got the results...I can't explain to you what he was thinking at that moment, but all I can say is that I saw how the color on his face changed and I just put the computer on the other sofa and hold one of his hands; we were listening to a song, I had just posted on my facebook "My savior My God by Aaron Shust". All that I could hear was: yes and ok and while Craig kept on talking I was praying and playing again and again the same song. Finally he finished the conversation with the doctor and told me: it's ok, the pancreas is ok...Hallelujah!!!! We both said and thank God..."but"- he said-" I have to get the gall bladder remove as soon as possible and my left kidney is atrophy"- well, thank God is "just" that!!!

I know it probably sounds weird, that knowing that he needs a surgery and something is wrong with one of his kidneys, we are thinking that is good, but you have no idea what the last week was like for both of us; and after having such bad results in one test and waiting on a long, LONG week for the other one, we are so thankful with God because He was in control..is NOT cancer...Glory be to our Savior!

During the last week he thought he was dying and I thought so too, but during my time with God when asking Him why? and why? there were words I heard from our LORD and promises I believed with all my heart, and kept on saying over and over, just about anytime I'll get a bad or sad thought and I shared them with Craig. That word from God was my strength.

"This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)

"Greater is the one who is in me, that the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4)

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4)

"The LORD is my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer" (Psalm 18)

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:9-10)

"All things work for good" (Romans 8:28)

God was SO wonderful to us on giving this interesting twist to our lives; He gave us His peace that transcends all understanding and showed to me some important things again:
1-The word of God has power, is one of the ways we can rebuke Satan
2-Prayer is powerful and He always hear and answer to us, maybe not when we want or how we want, but He DOES answer us
3-Fasting is a great opportunity for us to decrease and Him to increase
4- No matter what you see or hear, stand in God's promises, He is faithful
5-Do not let anyone or anything to take you away from His presence, no matter what you're going through, hold on Him
6-We need to meditate on His word and wait patiently upon His presence for His answers
7-It doesn't matter what the doctors say, God still has the last word
8-Get on your knees as much as you want, you'll find strength again
9-Thank Him even though, you think there are no reasons at all; there is always blessings to be thankful for; lift your hands and surrender all, even give Him the person you love the most and
10-Live a day at the time

My surgery was canceled and now Craig needs his to be done first! Thanks to all of you who prayed, may my LORD bless you all!!!

Having fun!

Craig and I love doing things and spending time together; one of the thing we love doing is everything that has to do with our LORD, (church, Bible, people, prayer). For the past few weeks, we've been learning more and more about God; this is the third storm we face as husband and wife, we've been married for four month only, and it hurts SO badly but here we still are. We know that the enemy is going to try to hurt us where it hurts the most, but we do know that greater is the one who is in us, that the one who is in the world! ( 1 John 4:4) Amen!!!
During this time of suffering for us, the LORD is urging us to learn more Bible scripture to memorize it, so we got a good idea, which we believe it comes from Him. During the time Jesus was tempted, He answered the devil with scripture. (Matthew 4:1-11) "It is written"- Jesus told Satan and that's how we need to be, we need to use the word of God, we need to truly believe in all His promises. The word of God has power to make us free, to comfort us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

This is our idea for memorizing more Bible verses: We selected three points in our home, where we spend more time. Number 1-Craig' office where he checks his e-mail, does homework, reads and prays; number 2- the kitchen where I cook, of course, and spend a few hours a day (LOL) and number three the mirror in our bathroom, not because we spent a lot of time looking at ourselves, but we thought it's a good place because when we wake up, that's the first thing we see...the mirror! After selecting those "strategical points", we printed a Bible verse in Spanish and English in a piece of paper and put them on those three places. I thought it will be more interesting to learn in both languages at the same time, and since Craig needs to practice his Spanish it will be good...lol We will change it every three or four days, depending in how long it is... The challenge is to be able to memorize it in both languages!
How do we choose the Bible verses? we pray first because we believe God is guiding us through this new learning process! You can try it, it is fun and you don't need to do it in Spanish.

"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him" (Matthew 4:11)

Little things

I believe that littler things matter and I love to see how my LORD and husband care about those little things I want. They both spoil me SO much and I love it! :) A few weeks ago we were at Apple's bees with some people from church and someone ordered cheese sticks and when we were coming back home I told my husband that I wanted some. Just last Tuesday we were coming from my surgeon's appointment and we stopped by Friday's; when we were locking at the menu and decided what to order the waitress came and my husband said that we wanted some cheese sticks to start, we haven't talk about them, I didn't see them on the menu. I looked at him surprised and asked him why he ordered them; he smiled at me and told me, "I remember you wanted them". Oh, how sweet!!! He remembered and I had said it a few weeks ago, isn't that great? He has that good memory on remembering little things I want or like and it makes me fall more and more in love for him. He truly cares!!!

There is a Bible scripture that says: "The Lord will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4) It doesn't say that God will give us the big desires of our heart only and it doesn't say that He will only give us the smalls, it state ALL the desires of our heart. I've been calling my family in Colombia and with all of the news through this storm I feel that I am missing them more than ever. A few days ago I was just telling Craig how nice will be if my mom could get internet in the house and of course a computer in the first place. I don't remember praying about it but I did mention it to God. I was hoping my cousins will get home soon (they're going to live with my mom while going to university), because they have computer and maybe, just maybe they will get internet. I was printing today some Bible verses when I saw on my computer that Vivis (my younger sister) was saying hi; another blessing for me!!! She was telling me that she got a new computer and wanted to talk to me. It was the first time since I came that I saw her and my mom, plus some family member, now I can talk more often with them, isn't God great?
As He pormised:"He is giving me the desires of my heart" He truly cares!!!

My Lord and my husband care for me!!! HALLELUJA!!!!

Surgery

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

Sometimes it's amazing to see how God keep us with His peace, but as His word says, it transcends all understanding!!! It's being almost a month since I got diagnosed with cancer and I have to accept that even with that, I can see the wonders of my LORD, His mercy and love upon my life. I was praying and asking Him to do His will and finally today we saw the surgeon, who scheduled my surgery for next Monday...Unbelievable!!! It's something you probably don't want to have but it's ok when you feel that God is with you. The way back home my husband asked me a good question: "why are you happy about getting a surgery? can't believe you're happy about it"- he said. Well honey- I said-the truth is that I am not happy about getting a surgery, but I am happy because God gave me His peace and it's His will, so I'll do it that way.
No matter how crazy it sounds, I know there is hundreds of people praying for my husband and I, asking God for a miracle; maybe some of them will be disappointed that there was not a miracle with getting health, but I am more that THANKFUL with God because when it's done according to His will, it's SO much better that what we can see right now. Yes, I'll have a scar on my neck for the rest of my life, but I'll be alive, I will shout with joy that I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR THANKS TO HIM!!! I'll see that scar as a reminder that it could have been worst but it was NOT.

During the past few weeks, I've felt my heart broken, I've seen how it hurts, I've seen people who love me cried and prayed to God for me and that right there is another reason to be thankful for. It didn't go with getting health without the surgery, which means that God wants me to go through that one, but the most wonderful thing is to know that I am not alone; I have the Almighty one walking by my side, a wonderful husband taking care of me, a lovely family in Colombia getting on their knees for me and a great, GREAT family in Christ, that I din't even know I had, praying for me too. When the LORD doesn't answer the way we want, is the perfect moment for us to trust Him and rest on His will, according to His wonderful purspose for our lives.

I will always praise His name, I'll always pray for His will be done, even though it's not the way I want, because His is perfect, mine is only human; He can see the future, I can only dream about it; He can give me peace that trascends all understanding, I can only give myself worries; He can carry me through and I can only be His precious girl on His arms. Halleluja!!!
"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 9:1-2)