Finding Treasure In My Family

It's Saturday morning and I am the only one up early. Even the cat is sound asleep soaking in the sun on the windowsill. It has been a busy week, and it's good to be home. We had dinner with Manny's parents last night in Pasadena. I love being with them. His Mom is such a sweet and godly woman. His Dad, well he is the best! In many ways he has become more of a father to me than a father-in-law. Their lives reflect the goodness and grace of God.
One of the funniest things is when we first met he would call me Kathy. Manny's sister Olivia had a childhood friend and I guess I reminded him of her. Now when I call him I say "It's me Kathy", he laughs and says in that cute Cuban accent "Oh, Susan don't try and confuse me". (it actually sounds like Soosaan when he says my name)

When Manny and I decided to get married he asked me to meet his family. I was a little nervous the first time I went to their house. After a few minutes with them I knew that this would be my family too. It has been such a joy to be a part of this "Rodriguez Clan". After spending a few holiday dinners with them I kept waiting for something to go wrong. I knew they couldn't always be this nice to one another. I was wrong, his family are the most loving Christian people I have ever met.

Manny's parents are my parents now, I get to experience being loved and greeted with a hug each and every time I see them. I'm not one for being the center of attention, in fact I feel much more comfortable standing in a crowd. But they always make me feel like royalty when I enter their house. It's a strange feeling because I didn't grow up with that. As the only girl in the family of five kids I was just one in a crowd, there wasn't room for a drama queen in our house. :)

I am so thankful for all of God's blessings in my life! Each and everyday I wake up asking the Lord to show me His will for my life. I desire to be in a place that God can use me, mold me and change me to be the woman that carries his glory. A woman to bring honor to my King, a woman with a servants heart that sees the world as He does.
That is my prayer today, that I would always walk with integrity and purpose.