I'm glad God has a Green Thumb.

This past Sunday, I had decided to go with my husband to the swap meet. Typically on Sunday mornings I'm at church 11am with the boys. But I thought it would be nice for us to go as a family to the swap meet. I let my husband sleep a bit in the morning till 11:30am, since he gets home from work about 2 am. While I was waiting for him to get up after several attempts, I was getting anxious because I could've been at mass. I find it a little bit harder to go to Sunday evening mass, with dinner needing to be prepared, and the hour fasting before mass. On the other hand I like going the later mass because I get to see more of my friends. Anyway, as I was waiting for him to get up the kids were already outside playing in the yard. So I decided to tend to the flower pot next to my door. When I first got this plant it bloomed immensely with burgundy petals, but now all the flowers died. I was concerned because I really wanted to keep some flowers from dying which is an obstacle for me; I was not born with a green thumb. I've been watering my plants regularly, and got all excited when I saw that there was some new buds forming. So here I was thinking about mass and I realized that I was pruning the plant. All the stems that were dead were cut off. Each stem that previously had a flower were cut back to were a new bud was forming. I remembered my mom telling me that plants need to be cut back so that the water and nutrients would reach the parts that needed them to sprout. While the dead parts were just dead ends not needing those nutrients, but could over take the living stems. Otherwise the plant would not continue to blossom as it was intended. Then I had a revelation. WOW! I'm also a plant. My mind started to wonder; thinking of scripture, where it talks about God pruning us.

I am the true vine, and my father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

-John 15:1-5

As I clipped away the dead stems, I thought about how God clips away the dead parts in me, how He rids me of things that make me unholy. Like anger, resentment, being impatient, not loving others as I should. I need to shed the bad emotions, thoughts, actions that can lead me away from Him, and focus on Him and His love (the water). If I don't feed on Mass/Bible/Prayer ... etc (nutrients) my spirit won't be able to flourish as it was intended.. He does this tenderly; through life experiences and with such love. As I was pruning, I found myself in a state of peace and thanksgiving for all He has given me. I felt like he was preparing me to take on more responsibility in our church community. My husband arose and he was ready to go but wasn't rushing me to leave as he normally does. I finished my pruning and reflecting and we had a great couple of hours at the swap meet, and I made it to mass just fine. I'm grateful that He has a green thumb, and is at work in me even when I don't know it.

Husbands as Spiritual Leaders of the Family

In my current faith journey, I have recently being tuning in to various shows on a catholic television station. These shows have had some wonderful points of consideration for me as I have been reflecting on some of the same topics myself. After reflection, I have realized that we, husbands and wives each have a special role. It’s all part of God’s plan for us. As I grown in my faith I see how my relationships are positively reflected. especially in my marriage. I’ve mentioned before that my husband is not a practicing catholic, yet I pray that one day he will be open to developing a relationship with God. Over the years, I have been the person who winds up handle everything, or voice my opinion when it was welcomed or not. I always seem to know the right way everything should be done. I’m now trying to be more supportive of my husband and allow him to be the head of our home. It’s not an easy task for anyone I think who has lived so long in the world, but does take some exercise. I can remember a time when people would refer to Ephesians 5:22-33; where it details the roles of a married couple. “A wife should obey her husband and the husband should care and love his wife, as Jesus loved his church.” Ignorantly, I would reason that my husband doesn’t love me as Jesus loved the church so I don’t have to obey him. (Gotta love the lies we believe sometimes). However, I do realize that if I want my husband to be the head of our home, maybe I can help him along by being more supportive of him and focusing on my duties as a Christian wife. Maybe he will then respond by taking on his one day with God’s help. Doug Barry, co-host “Life on the Rock,” was detailing how a priest helped him to discover his role as the 1^st line of defense for his family spiritually. I was amazed at this notion I had never thought of my husband in this sense. But, it’s so true; he is our protector. When my youngest doesn’t like my discipline (typically a stern ‘No’) he runs to day to protect him from mommy. When we recently had an earthquake, I was calling out for my husband. As humans, we already have these roles identified for us subconsciously. So really why would it be any different spiritually? Now when I pray for the protection of my family, I wonder how much stronger the prayers would be if they came from my husband, or from us as a couple. I’ve shared the notion of spiritual leader with my husband as well as his role in helping shape our boys spiritual future. He seems to be more open to the possible of one day being more active in church. This past weekend I was telling my husband how our oldest son, who is 9, doesn’t kneel erectly, slouches around, or wants to have a conversation. This really bugs me, I find it very disrespectful. He then asked my son if he needed to go to church with us so that in order to have my son behave more appropriately. I couldn’t believe my ears, and I felt my heart skip for joy. My husband might not be exactly where I wish he was at spiritual but he is listening to my concerns, and hopefully a seed will flourish in the future if God wills it. 

We really do complement each other.

I’ve been brought up to believe that women can do anything and everything that a man can do. Over the years, I found myself working in fields that are dominated by men. Being in the Naval Reserves was an exhilarating experience, yet raised the flag that I wasn’t exactly physically capable of doing everything a man can do. I found it hard to carry heavy chains around or complete a push up just like my male counter parts. But, I did have other skills that benefited my unit. In my current faith journey, I have recently been thinking about marriage and about the current political debates. After reflection, I have realized that we, men and women, are different and that’s ok. It’s all part of God’s plan for us. As I grown in my faith I see how my relationships are positively affected, especially in my marriage. I’ve mentioned before that my husband is not a practicing catholic, yet I pray that one day he will be open to developing a relationship with God. Over the years, I have been the person who winds up handling everything or voicing my opinion when it was welcomed or not. I always seem to know the right way everything should be done, at least in my opinion. (Haha)  I haven’t been successful in the past about letting my husband lead us. I’m now trying to be more supportive of my husband’s role as head of our home. It’s not an easy task for me; I think it does take some exercise. After 13 years of marriage, I’ve appreciated that my husband’s easy going attitude, and spur of the moment activities are just what God had in mind for me. God knew that I needed someone who was more carefree to influence me because at times I’m so wound up. In the past, I had a plan for everything. Now, I’m working on putting God’s will above my own ambitions. My main focus in my faith and my marriage right now is leaving the planning and worrying up to God, while I live the life He intended me to have. My marriage is now at the point that we know each other so well, we are truly comfortable being ourselves and we will call the other out in a loving and truthful manner when needed. We also know each others weaknesses and are there for each other. My ability to multitask and know where every single item is in the house (ok 99% of everything), is a gift from God. My gift comes in pretty handy because my husband looses everything. On the contrary, my lack of measurements skills is met by my husband’s gift from God. The list goes on and on. I find it so amazing that God even thinks of the small stuff, like our personalities meshing, when He has so much more to care for. I’m blessed to have reached a point where I can look past some of my husband’s weaknesses and focus on his strengths; as I am sure he looks past mine. This I know is only possible through the Grace of God!

Happy Birthday Little Matthew

I'm so blessed to have the family that I have and wish I could stop time so that my boys would not grow out of my arms. I miss rocking them to sleep, and cuddling with them. I miss watching their 1st milestones (although I wish the potty milestone would hurry up). They are such good boys filled with love and compassion and their own little corks that make my life full and never dull. I hope that I can guide them to be responsible men and that they know how much joy and happiness they give me daily. I am so thankful to Him for them, and my cool hubby who supports, cares, and loves us with such depth. I am filled with such love and happiness that my little "Maachew" turn our "us and the 'kid" into a family today, three years ago.

God's Grace

I'm really proud of my husband, but grateful to God for his working in my husband. Today we went to Target to look at replacing seating for our patio swing. We were trying to figure a way to fix it while spending the least amount possible. Mortgage, bills, and food will leave little or nothing to spend on extras. But we are blessed to be able to pay our bills. As we were walking in the parking lot a gentleman was walking and seemed lost. He stopped me to inquire about getting downtown to St. Vincent de Paul. (It's a Catholic "shelter" for the homeless.) His question was how does a poor person get downtown from here, a suburb of San Diego. He didn't ask for money, just a question about how he could handle the situation. Good question I thought; I don't know. He told me that he and his family were kicked off the trolley. Typically when someone wants to get downtown they drive their cars, have someone else drive them, or they take mass transit (trolley/buses). So what can the people who have no car or money do to get to resources they need? I have often felt bad when I drive past a PERSON who is homeless and is asking for aid. I want to help; I'm just scared to help. I know that as a Christian I am called to help and would do so, not because I'm suppose to, but out of love and compassion. But there is something scary, about being a female alone often accompanied with my children. How would I defend myself if the situation turned ugly; how would I protect my children. I often feel convicted and think of when Jesus tells us that if we care for the poor we are caring for him as I'm driving past a homeless person. I'm not sharing this in an attempt to boast about myself, but to share my struggle with you about helping others, and to boast of God's goodness. My husband isn't aware of many teachings of Christ, nor is he practicing his faith. But as I was talking with the gentleman, my husband walked over. I wanted to help the man, but I knew my husband would have killed me if I offered to give him and his family a lift downtown. (Now I'm thinking about the Good Samaritan and how he went up and beyond his duty to help another..Oh I have so much growing to do.) I was trying to figure out how to help him, while not angering my husband. So when my husband walked over, I asked him for $15 to give the gentleman so he could buy tickets to get downtown. My husband handed over the money. I felt so proud of him, and honored by his selflessness in this case. My husband   always ignores homeless people. (We never talk about it so I have no clue as to his thoughts on the matter.) My husband is a good man, who knows right from wrong, and is compassionate, yet he doesn't realize that God was working through him. As we parted from the man, he thanked us and blessed us in God's name. I then overheard a man, who was getting in the car across from where we were standing, ask the man.. “Can I also help you out? Can I buy you and your family something to eat?” I don't know what happened next but my heart leaped for joy as I witnessed God's grace. I felt convicted because here I am frustrated about not having money to fix a swing, and various other cosmetic things around the house and this gentleman is trying to care for his family. God is Good! Amen!

NEWSBOYS

I can't wait for their new CD to drop July 13th. I saw there song, "Born Again," a while ago and feel in love with it. I must be in good company because it's on KLove all the time and is the #1 for over 7 weeks now. I am grateful to my AWESOME God for giving talents to Christian musicians, because their songs fill my soul with joy and help me to fight the good fight. The "Born Again" Video really makes you think. You go Guys!!

Check out this link if you are interested in going to Baja to Build homes with Newsboys.
http://www.homes4baja.com/

Who Loves You?

Over the past couple of weeks, when ever I ask my 2 year old who loves him, he tells me "Jesus." the 1st time I heard that my heart leaped for joy. I owe this blessing to the Bible Study program I was attending. They currently will teach babies from 6 weeks old to 5 years old while their mothers, grandmothers, or aunties attend a woman's bible study. In the classrooms for the children they sing to then, read to them and play games that relate to God. They also teach them a simple version of what the moms are learning. I'm a bit jealous because my church doesn't offer such classes. There are very few things that I can do with my children tagging along in my parish. I'm going to pray about this and maybe God will grant me some strength or wisdom to do something about it. Regardless of place, my son is learning that Jesus loves him and that's very important to me.