Beautiful's 1st Birthday

What a weekend.  We celebrated our Beautiful's (Allison) first birthday and it was very nice.  Family and friends joined us in our milestone celebration.  What a blessing it is to be surrounded by those who mean the most. We had cupcakes, monkey balloons, face painting, bouncer, candy, piñata, and gift boxes filled with candy for the kids.  Beautiful had so much fun despite the six shots she had on Friday, her actual birthday. She had a slight fever in the morning but like a real trooper she had a good time. She fell asleep for a little bit in her Godmothers arms, which was priceless! She didn't get to eat her cake/cupcake until Sunday because she had so much to eat on Saturday lol but she loved it! She received so much clothes and wonderful books from her aunties - oh and a pillow pet for her to lay on when reading to her, so cute.  Everyone enjoined themselves and had fun.  As for me and my husband and daughters, we were exhausted.  We slept until late on Sunday, but got up to clean up the house and go right back to sleep hajajjajaja

God is AMAZING!

So this weekend was full of surprises – some good & some bad, it is what it is.  In the middle of the chaos I continue to see Gods hand move in such amazing ways.  I came home on Saturday afternoon really tired from shopping for birthday party stuff, groceries, etc.  My husband, Juan, and I had a little argument before I left so I was expecting to come home to a “silent treatment” – but I serve an awesome God! I came home to find Juan watching a Christian show – he is not a believer.  I thought since the show had motorcycles he’d change it as soon as the show was over but he didn’t! Christian videos came on after the show and he was still watching it – Praise GOD!  

My 12 year old daughter and I were in the chicken praising God for that.  It might be a something insignificant to others but to me it was a confirmation that God is working in him. Especially after a close call with the recent motorcycle accident he had.  He’s had to depend solely on me (who depends solely on God) for everything.  Although it’s just his left arm that was injured and had surgery on, he can’t do basic things.  I’ve been praying that God will use this accident to show Him real mercy and love.  I know that in God’s perfect timing Juan will come to see His light.  I pray that He will continue to mold me into that virtuous women He has called me to be.

My Own Soul Surfing

As I am listening to the trailers of Soul Surfer God reminds me of my own "Soul Surfing".  We each have an amazing story of how God has demonstrated His love for us.  We never plan for the trials of life, all we can do is be prepared to hang on to God and not let go no matter what.
It was not my plan to be a teenage mom or a widow at the age of 20 with two beautiful girls ages 2 yrs and 9 months.  It was not my plan to raise my children by myself or to have to explain why "Daddy" isn't coming - EVER.  However, God plan was to show me through those trials the intesity of His love and faithfulness.  He had the answers and the "escape routes" before the trials came about.  When the enemy of our souls was predicting failure, God smiled because He already knew about the victory through Jesus Christ.  Through my grievance, I was able to help more than ever. God reminds me of the family who I love with all my heart that I helped in a very small way (according to me) - only to find out from one of them that my help was appreciate it so much because they didn't expect a widow to help out that way.  See, I never saw myself as a "widow" God kept my focus on my daughters and our future not on the circumstance/trial. Yes, there was a time that I wanted to throw in the towel and drive off a bridge, but that was not Gods plan so it did not come to pass.  His mercy is so big and His love for me is so much that He stepped in and rescued me. That night, my Pastor prayed over me and I realized that God had been there all along waiting for me to acknowledge Him.  Even when we part from his wings He lovingly awaits our return so that His plan is fulfilled. 
You'd never know that I come from a Christian family who knows about God and the Bible, truth is - it doesn't make a difference! Temptation is temptation and nobody is exempt! I didn't have to be a drug abuser, an alcoholic, a gambler, etc., in order to be rescued, God loved me long before that - so much that He sent His son to die for me so that I can be saved when the time came, talk about planning ahead! God is so amazing.
So as I listen to the trailer of this movie that I predict will be awesome, I smile and thank God for my own Soul Surfer testimony.  It may not be in the movies or gain attention as the movie, but is my testimony of how God has been there and continues to be there for me and my family. 
I have since met a wonderful man and have a beautiful angel together. All I can say is thank you God for your unconditional and everlasting love.
Sometimes its not the planning of events that matters but what happends during those events - I chose to hang on to God and His promises.