Posts

That Moment

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  Ever since RJ was a baby, I was never ready for when he would decide to make a change. When RJ is ready, he is ready. I still remember when he no longer wanted to nurse, he skipped the bottle completely and went straight to a sippy cup and he wasn't one yet. RJ takes his time to make sure he has it right. He prays about it. Does a lot of research and then when he has come to his decision, he is sure of it.  Today, he was talking about something he was working on and in the moment, I caught a glimpse of him as a little boy. I was like a moving picture of him from when he was little to the very moment of him standing there sharing his thoughts. I saw him as the amazing young man he is. Little boy no more. Happy. Confident. Sure. Hopeful. Dreaming. In a way, flying. My only child. The one I prayed for and gave to the Lord, is embarking on a new journey. This one, I must take a back seat on. This one will have me on my knees in prayer like never before. I hope and pray I have in...

The Call Goes Full Circle

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  Ever since I was a child, I had a "call" to go overseas. My mom told me when I was five, she found me digging a hole in the ground because I needed to get to China. I had read a children's book and, in the book, they dug a hole to China. She used to joke that I was born speaking Chinese. In my late teens this call became more pronounced. I was 15 and Bro. Hattabaugh told me I was going to go to China him one day and I laughed and told him no, but the truth was God had been dealing with me for some time.  Then came the day that I was on my very first plane ride and it was with Bro. Hattabaugh to China. I spent 2 weeks there with him and a group of others. That birthed a deep desire in me to return. This was followed by a summer in Taiwan with two other girls, the missionary kids and another guy. We forged a lifelong bond. It could be years since we spoke or seen each other, but when we do, the connections is instant. This led to my going to Taiwan for two one-year trips....

Faith Weekend

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  Tonight, RJ and I experienced our first  Faith Weekend at Heaven View. One of my favorite things about my church is the hallway filled with pictures of missionaries that this church supports financially and of course with prayer.  People brought international themed food and we enjoyed fellowship and great food together. Then, to my surprise and delight both Linder Brothers got up to speak. They are very funny people and truly have a heart for missions. I learned a long time ago there is a special blessing that comes when you give to missions. God is good. 

The Joy of Costco

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RJ and I decided to make Date Day a little different. We started with him driving through Tangelwood Park. Then we spent time with the horses. After that we went to Costco. It was RJ’s first time ever being in one. He really enjoyed their hot dog and said it was one of his favorite moments with me and one he will remember for a long time. The simplicity of it all made it all the more special. I love this young man and his simple heart. What an honor and gift it is to be his mother. God is good. 

Making A Way

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 I have a handful of favorite and trusted preachers. You do know that not every sermon that is posted online lines up with God's word and you need to be careful what you listen to. That being said, there are some that I know are trusted and I look forward to watching on a weekly basis. One of them happens to be my pastor's brother. By the way, my pastor is and has been one of my favorite preachers for years. Now, instead of watching online, I get to hear him preach in person. My dog even has some favorite preachers. I will put her favorite preacher on while cleaning and she just lays on the couch to watch and listen. Some people put tv shows on for their dogs, I put preaching on for her. This particular one was listening to Bro Linder preaching on God making a way. It's such a good sermon that I wanted to share it on my blog. I encourage you to watch/listen to it. God hears you, is watching over you and He will make a way for you.  I know this because I have lived it. I con...

Happy Places

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    Everyone should have a happy place. At work I have this little corner that every time I look at it, it makes me smile. It has a picture of my son with my CA sisters, a pink rubber duck, a butterfly sticker that a little girl put on my face when she came by the office and a picture of my coworker’s dog. They make me smile and lift my day. RJ and I have a place we like to stop at on the way home from church and it’s an amazing Taqueria called Cilantro Tacos. We get tacos and horchata to go. It’s our happy place.  If you don’t have one, I encourage you to find one. God is good. 

Waffle Cookies and Whipped Cream

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  Tonight, I had the joy of attending a baby shower for a beautiful family that recently started attending Heaven View. They are from another country. We had some amazingly delicious foods to eat. We also had waffle cookies and whipped cream. Their little boy came up to me and decided I looked like a teacher and would have some answers. He said “ Let me ask you a question” He wanted to know the names of everything on the table. He grabbed a waffle cookie and as he was enjoying it, he wanted to know why there was a can of shaving cream on the table. I with much delight taught what whipped cream was and put it in his cup. He put his face into the cup and put as much in his mouth as he could. This was followed by a great exclamation of “ This is Ahmaaaazing!”  Later he asked if he could see inside the church, so I took him to see the sanctuary. He yelled, this is so cool!  He was pure joy and I loved every minute of getting to know my new buddy. God is good .