END OF YEAR ROUND UP

Thanking God for the year that was and looking forward to the new year that will be.  God has brought me safely through another year.  I now know more the one who knows me more intimately.

2017

I find myself, at a time of very difficult passage brought about by circumstances beyond my control, loss of loved ones and disappointments in family relationships, however, with this comes the anticipation of new beginnings.
How does one manage those feelings and disappointments?
I have found that one of the most rewarding life moments is to let go of those moments I have felt most battered and betrayed by life's unfortunate events.
Life's challenges get harder the longer they last and the longer one lives.

You Can't take my JOY away from me.

 
I can see God's finger print on my life.

  The threads that have held it all together is having a lively faith in Christ.
In my care giving, I have experienced many minor life crises, it toughens one up, it makes one more supple and better adapted to spiritual growth.
  It has opened my life to many hidden benefits like being more open about my faith and sensitive to the needs of others.
  It has also been the spring board to new friendships.

New & Older Friends

Care giving has always been a passion of mine, yet sometimes care giving can create its own form of PTSD.
Returning back to "civilian life" so to speak, is currently creating a difficult time switching from being on high alert, always anticipating, always psyched up to respond.
My body is going through a "system reboot"  but I am left with new eyes and aspirations toward the future.

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THE GIFT OF LOVE

"How Deep The Father's Love For Us."

To LOVE the Lord our God was at the heart of Dad's mission and ministry, his purpose in life to the end.
It was his desire and passion to see this love flowing in those he loved.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Seeing hardened hearts that had grown cold gave him profound sadness and drove him to his knees in fervent prayer.  Softened hearts gave him great joy and encouraged his heart.

There were days filled with anguish and tears and his greatest hearts wish was that God's love and forgiveness would be manifest through his family in obedience with Scripture because it would bear witness to the very mission and heart of Jesus. 

Love & Unconditional Forgiveness

He would often come into my bedroom in tears over something that had transpired and then pour out his heart passionately to God in prayer.

Frequent bedroom visits

Dad made conscious effort to demonstrate his love for God and others with no strings attached, non conditional love.
He knew that if God IS LOVE, then so it automatically follows that if one does not love his brethren, he does not know God, or get better acquainted with God.

When Dad was treated in a not so honorable way, he did not respond with hatred of non beneficial words.  He responded with a forgiving attitude and poured out his heart to God in prayer.

A Love For God's Word

  He knew how to sacrifice his feelings in exchange for love and forgiveness.
Dad exemplified a man whose treasures revealed what he truly valued...revealing the true state of his heart of love and forgiveness.

Love exemplified by visits and common ground

THE STABLE & THE WAREHOUSE

Zapotitlan: My first encounters with church, Mother holding me and Ed held by one of our nannies:  The Stable turned church

The nature of such nondescript places totally captures the essence of today meeting yesterday, the ambiance of something straightforward and simple, a less traditional, stable turned church of 1950 to a warehouse turned into one of God's storehouses of 2017.

The unique features of the stable church turned into an awe inspired simple place to worship without all the distractions of those of the modern.

  It's simple wooden benches afforded no comfort yet the services were long.  The only other furniture afforded was a table up front with an embroidered table cloth with a Bible verse stitched on it, lovingly made by one of the women or girls.
These early Christians were eager and participated in any way they could to make this their church.

In contrast it seemed very appropriate to celebrate Dad's service of memories at an unpretentious building tucked into an industrial center in Santa Clarita, a building, a warehouse, a creative, reworked space, an inspiring space to worship.
Finding myself in that converted facility with entirely different, original purposes reminded me of my makeover when God began working in my heart as His plan unrolls.

The gallery of rustic wood, plank art with meaningful Scripture verses caught my eye, prompting me to think on Scriptures wherever I go, making them dominate in my mind and heart.
 They should precede, follow, and walk with us as we walk the hallways of life and I would like to think that Dad would have been pleased

Even in the Ladies Room

with this simplicity.
The coziness, warmth, and comfort of the warehouse church in contrast with the cold, earthen floor of the stable church, yet God inhabits everywhere.



 

Memorial Service at Valencia Hills Community Church, 12-16-17