Life Revealed: December 2011

Who would ever think part of my testimony of God's love and grace would have to do with a roll of quarters and a box of brownies? :)

This is what the LORD says -He who made you, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:2 *NKJV)

God knew you long before you were born, just as He knew Isaiah and Jeremiah. He thought about you and planned for you! For He wanted someone just like you, therefore you are very special to Him. After all God has said; "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."
(Jeremiah 1:5 )

Have you ever wondered if God was aware of you or of your needs? It could have been a day when you wondered how am I going to feed my family or provide for my children.

I have had days like that. Several years ago, My family had a business, and sold it to a Christian man, and he robbed us. At the time of the sale our business made over a half a million in sales that year. My family wanted to be available to be in ministry and this sale would provide a good amount of money to do the Lord’s work.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. We were forced to sell our house, and move into a little apartment in a very bad area. We had never been exposed to gangs living downstairs from us. My son was only 10 years old and he had always gone to a Christian School and felt protected. His whole world changed, now he had to worry about people beating him up, and robbing him on his way home from school. It was a real reality check for all of us.

I had always had a washing machine in my house and now I washed my clothes in the laundry room with my neighbors. I didn’t mind it because you can get all your clothes clean in a couple of hours with lots of machines to choose from. But one day I had all my laundry in the baskets and I was getting ready to do the laundry. I realized I didn’t have enough money to wash our clothes. As I was going through the laundry trying to figure out what was the most important things to wash my son came to me and said. “Mommy, can we make some brownies?” You see our house was always filled with the smell of fresh baked cookies and breads. My little child wasn’t asking for much, but suddenly my heart was broken because I couldn’t bake him brownies. I had to tell him I am sorry but we don’t have any money to make brownies. It didn’t bother him too much but it bothered me. I went into the living room where my laundry baskets were sitting by the front door and laid down on the floor. I cried out to God, and said Lord I am so mad right now. I have obeyed you and everything has been taken from us. I cried hysterically and said I don’t have any money to do my laundry and my son wants brownies. I am mad! I said Lord you promised to take care of us! After my fit, I got up and washed my face. I still couldn’t do my laundry or make brownies but I had a good cry. My Mom always said sometimes we just need a good cry. ☺ About an hour later there was a knock on my door. I wasn’t expecting anyone and when I opened the door it was my friend Donna. She was the last person I expected to see because she lived about a hour away from me. She was standing at my door with two bags of groceries. She said I don’t know what is going on with you but I was praying for you and the Lord said take her a roll of quarters. A roll of quarters is $10.00 in American money and you have to use quarters in the washing machine. She said she looked in her wallet and took at a $10 dollar bill. The Lord said to her I said take her a roll of quarters. She told me it was a little inconvenient for her because she had to go to the store for the quarters. She did what God told her and while she was at the store the Lord said buy her some groceries and make sure to get her a box of brownies. She knew nothing about what I was going through! So when she arrived at the door saying I don’t know what this is all about but I had to obey God. I stood there and cried because God heard my cry.

That is how our God is, he is aware of what we need. We still may go through difficult times but we are not alone.

So when we feel discouraged or inadequate, we need to remember that God has always thought of us as very valuable. He is always with us and He loves us dearly, and nothing can separate us from that love! He loves us so much that he will send a friend with exactly what we need at exactly the right time!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in
Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

We should never feel that we are unloved, or let one of life's many discouragements set us back, instead; Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Amen

Thanksgiving is such a special time for me. I have so many wonderful memories of Thanksgiving holidays. It was my Mom's favorite holiday and that has been passed down to me. :)
This year was extra special because we celebrated Ben's 10th birthday and Thanksgiving at the same time. Manny and I wrapped the gifts with funny comments and the kids played Nerf guns in the backyard. After feasting on a delicious meal we sat with friends and played domino's and enjoyed each others company.

Family and friends are one of God's greatest gifts!

This picture is of Gracie Friday night after everyone had left just kicking back knowing she had her kitty door back. :) LOL

William coming in and out of the kitty door. Actually, this works out well....

Samuel in the kitty door!

Is it time to eat yet?

Zack told me Ben would really like to have a Nerf gun for his birthday! Ha Ha- Maybe I should get Zack one too! :)

William's one of the big boys now! :)

Ben's having fun!

Ben's Presents!

Okay, this picture is strange!!! Looks more like the Twilight Zone than a picture taken at Thanksgiving! And who's that still eating pie in the background? LOL

We were talking about how some of us have eyes that look alike and some have starburst at the center of their eyes.Ben and I think our eyes look similar.