Christmastime!

My favorite time of year! In 1989, the year I got married, I put my Christmas tree up in October. I loved it.

I have been very frustrated for the last few weeks. I have been so sick all I could do was sleep, drink water and P.

I write a Christmas newsletter every year to update my out of town friends on our lives and to review with those near the great things God has done through the year. I like finishing it early. I did. But, being so sick I couldn't print it, I couldn't get the envelopes ready... to me, I am so late it is not even funny! I basically finished my holiday shopping in November. Wrapped a few gifts, put a few things inside the stockings...and the rest? Sitting on my dresser and under my bed waiting for some energy to finish wrapping.

But, miraculously, last night I made it to church and I remember at a certain point our pastor prayed for those who had a tough week, those sick, discouraged,... and all of a sudden I woke up this morning so energized and ready! It still bothers me that I am late in my Christmas business, but I think I can handle it!

I pray for health for all of you. I pray for rest. So you may enjoy the most fun time of the year!

BIG HUG!

Sick!

Hello my faithful friends in blogville! I shall be back soon. I've been so sick I even miss church altogether this weekend.

Hope you all had a memorable Thanksgiving!

Which way are you going from here?

'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' 'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat. 'I don't much care where --' said Alice. 'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.'--so long as I get somewhere, ' Alice added as an explanation. Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

I don't want to just get somewhere. So to me, it makes a difference which way I take so I can end where I want to go. You must be clear where you want to go so you don't get confused on your way there. I am reminded of Moses leading the Israelites into the Promise Land. He was clear that was his final destination. He consulted God for the strategies on how to get there. The route God gave him didn't look right, but he followed it.

You must be pretty certain God has mapped out your route so you can follow it even when it looks like you are going away from it. You must hang out with him to know for sure this is the right way.

Only then, you could be facing your worse enemy and destruction, feeling trapped and helpless, yet see your Deliverer open the red sea and make a dry path for you to get to YOUR Promise Land. My pastor talked about this the other day and it stayed with me. Only God can bring you to the other side. Why not trust Him with our destiny?

Dear God, I know where I am going, would You help me get there? And, please help my friends know where they are going and to trust you to take them there. Amen

The American President

This has been one of my "mostest" favorite movies. I can watch it any time. I own it but, if it comes on TV, I am always tempted to watch it with commercials and all. It is somewhat a modern Cinderella. I get at the edge of the bed (I like watching movies in bed) every time there is a romantic scene or a leadership debate. Besides their reconciliation scene after the State of the Union speech, my favorite scene is the argument between Lewis Rothschild and the President. I thought I'd share that with you:

Lewis Rothschild: People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.

President Andrew Shepherd: People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference.

At my church, we take leadership very seriously. Not to brag but, we have a very solid group of smart leaders. This scene from the movie reminds me how desperate people are for answers to their life pains, frustrations and failures. They are willing to go anywhere in search for those answers, and be it that they may drink the sand either because they can't see anything else or because they might not know any different; it is our job as leaders to step in. We have to step to the mic and share the good news we know.

I know the difference between a mirage and water, JESUS is. I know what I need to quench my thirst for life ambitions, dreams, struggles, shortcomings... the Living Water, Jesus.

And whoever drinks of this water, will never thirst again!

A story about building walls, defeating giants, a Book and a Spirit

A long time ago, a guy was asked to build a wall around his city to protect it from the enemy. There was a little problem, he didn't have enough time, man power or the resources to do it. What amazes me is that in spite of the difficulties, he managed to get the job done.

Many times we see the difficulties. We focus on the problem, on the impossibilities. This particular situation reminds me that God is not asking for miracles from us. He is asking that we believe He can. He is not asking for super powers, he just asks for passion and obedience. The beauty of it all, we do see miracles and super powers in action!

This particular guy came up with an idea: If EVERYONE built a wall in front of their own places with their own resources and families, the job could get done in record time and completely. They did.

This is what I see about this man:

• He was able to hear what God wanted for him/of him
• He was able to believe he could do something about it
• He had the passion to pursuade others to believe it also
• He had the energy to make others act on it

As I reflect on my own life and what God wants of me, I wonder if I could build this wall for real. Do I see the wall as a powerful undefeatable giant or do I see it as an opportunity to glorify God? Do I really trust God to provide the resources to defeat my giant? A Book and a Spirit don't sound like much some times. But when I try it, it is always more than sufficient!

__________ (fill in the blank with me, whatever the name of your wall/giant; and say) I come to you not in my own power, but in the Power of God Almighty! You are defeated in His name!

Sorry I hurt you back!

Carlos, you hurt me. A few months have gone by since my brother passed away. Carlos was really charming. He had a look on his eyes that always made you say yes to him. He was so popular you would not believe it. Yet, he hurt me. When we were growing up he always called me names. He found reasons for rejecting me. I was never good enough in his eyes. Even my accomplishments carry some sort of negative connotation to him.

I fell for it. I was his pray. I felt fat, ugly, not nice and inadequate. Yes, all of it. I tried harder and harder to succeed and drifted farther and farther away from him. I never longed for his company though I missed having a brother.

It was not the same with the baby sister. Those 2 were close and well bonded. She was pretty, for real. She was very friendly, I really wasn't. I got so jealous of my sister that I pushed her away too. I was the typical middle child but, I decided to move on to higher places and buried myself into achieving at school. I did well and earned my parents' admiration and favor. That was not enough. I didn't have a relationship with my brother or sister. I blamed you, Carlos, for that.

I've realized that, yes, Carlos hurt me, but I've had the power to change things around all the while. I chose not to. Years down the road when I saw what a great thing could be to have a sister, I decided to pursue it no matter what. Good thing she wanted it also. it was so much easier to work through all the junk. She is my best friend! I love her to pieces!

I never got Carlos though. By the time I wanted to pursue him, God decided to take him home. Carlos, I am so sorry I hurt you back. I promise you, we will be together forever from heaven on.

I love you Manito!

Be Strong & Corageous!
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous... be strong and VERY courageous. Joshua 1:1-7

I've had a few conversations this week with some close and dear friends. They all had to do with BIG challenges they, we, are facing. Difficult things. Big things. I found some interestings facts in the entire situation:

• Each one of them, us, has a very special/specific calling into ministry.
• All of them, us, are trying seriously to live it out and make it happen.
• God has promised to all of us to take us through the process of reaching our maximum potential.
• The devil is not happy with either one of us.

The same way God promised Joshua that NO ONE would be able to touch him ALL the days of his life, He has promised to us, TODAY! He will be with us all and will never leave us nor forsake us. I am reminded that it might look like God is not with me, or that He forgot but, the truth is that He is with us and nothing can separate us from His love. He is true to His word because He loves us, He cares for us.

He made a promise to Joshua and later on, tells him he has a part too. Be strong and courageous, VERY courageous. Not kind of courageous, but VERY courageous. This is no business for whimpies. God knew before hand it was not going to be easy. He knew we would need this encouragement today.

Let us draw our strength from the promises He left for us in His word. And let's be courageous, conquering what is already ours. Let us not dismay until we see Him face to face.

Thank you God. Thank you for your promises and for being true.

God told me to SHUT UP!

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Job 38:4

When we are not happy, mad I should say, we say things. These things are not good, most of the time. I caught myself being ungrateful. God gave me a beautiful day with lots of sunshine. He gave me choices of clothing to wear. He gave me breakfast, snack and lunch. He gave me a car with gas and a place to go. Yet, I was not happy.
When the attention is centered around us we miss so many things.

But like Job, I realized (after God gently wispered in my ear) that He is almighty. He knows all. And most important, He knows best!

Fine God, I am still mad. But, this time I'll say...You know best. I wasn't there when you laid the foundation of the earth, so you are right, I don't know!

Thank you for not giving up on me. Mad and all, I love You much!

All I need is YOU!



When life gets tough, all I need is You.
When the going is hard and relationships complicated;
When in the midst of a large crowd you are all alone, all I need is You.
When I've spent all my resources and I can't see beyond the tunnel;
When I am out of breath climbing my mountain and it feels like 40 years in the dessert, all I need is You.
When I hit the same wall over and over again and I choose not to move;
When tempted to wear the clown suit and take off the boxing gloves, all I need is You.
When I need to see to believe, all I need is You.
When I want to go back and forget what's ahead;
When I am tired, frustrated or scared, all I need is You.
When I don't have a plan and can not figure it out;
When I feel lost, without passion and excitement, all I need is You.


All I need is YOU!


For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.


Thank you God, for having a plan for me. Thank you for giving me a HOPE and a FUTURE. I am passionate and excited about it today!

I AM AFRAID!

This is supposed to be a spooky month...
But, the truth is that I am not afraid of the skeletons hanging on my neighbor's trees or siting on their front yards. I am afraid of the ones hiding in my closet threatening to come out.

I am a big girl now. I am not afraid of the dark. I am afraid that in my lack of faith my light might not shine bright enough.

I don't believe in big monsters. But, I am afraid if I don't stay put and close to God I might become one.

I am not afraid to open my door because something creepy and scary might come in. I am afraid that something ugly and slimy might come out.

I am not afraid of horror tales. I am afraid of the stories my mind could create and make me believe.

I am afraid God! But I know even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Yet, Another Plane!

I remember several years ago when in a financial crisis, almost unthinkable, God gave Jorge & I a couple of plane tickets, hotel stay, rental car, tickets to see Jorge's favorite artist, free dinners, welcoming packages.... when we could not afford a penny of it. It all came from different sources without any of them knowing what the other source was doing.

This week, after Jorge's non-stop work, work, work... and "a few" financial challenges, God did something similar. Kind of to remind us He is faithfull. He's done it in the past. He can do it again.

I rejoice in His grace today as I pack my bags to go with my honey and relax in the beautiful beaches of the Dominican. All-inclusive resorts, air tickets, whatever you can think of...is nothing for God when He decides to bless His own. I am blessed today! His love for me goes beyond my understanding. He gave me today what I need today.

Have you told Him lately how your heart feels? Have you taken the time to cry with Him? He listens and He answers! He is by far, the best friend anyone could ever have!

Are You Perfect?

I am sure some times you think you are. I do. Then reality sinks in and I realize how imperfect I am. The same way we're not perfect, our relatives are not, our friends are not, our spouses & children are not, our work friends and our church family aren't either.

Many times we choose to do life alone because a bunch of imperfect humans are sorrounding us. But, we are one of those imperfect creatures.

I had an idea this morning. Let's change our expectations of others. Let's expect imperfection and see what we get. Maybe we won't be as disappointed and be able to enjoy others more.

Let's give it a try and see what happens!

Get back to me and tell me about your experience. I will surely be blogging about mine soon.

Your imperfect friend

And the mynakedpastor photo contest winner of an ipod nano... Dan Suarez! To see other pictures by Dan visit myspace.com/notdaniel

DREAM

This week I've been in the acrostic mood. Not sure why, but my brain is going in that direction.

D is for doing. If our dreams are going to materialize, we have lots to DO.

R is for Resting in God. We DO our part and REST assure that God will do His.

E is for Enthusiasm & Excitement. We must be excited about who we are and what we'll be. About our calling and the purpose of our lives.

A is for Attitude. Our attitude must be possitive, proactive, contagious, infectious. Always looking at life as champions since we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

M is for Maintenance. Yes, we have to keep it up by maintaing our dreams focused, fresh, organized, on agenda. Touch them up every now and then making necessary adjustments and updates every time the Giver of the Dream instruct us to do so.

I've dreamt of having my own Oprah/Ellen type of show, but my own way. More focused on relationships and sex than anything else. Well, about some 20 years later I've gotten the opportunity to get started in Venezuela with a friend. I've been there a couple of times and we tape several episodes every visit (we've done about 40). They air 2 x a week on TBN Spanish Barquisimeto. The dream was to have TBN Spanish-Enlace air them internationally. I've been kinda disappointed because they never answered. To my surprise, my friend called me from Venezuela this morning and asked me tune in Enlace Internacional....there we were to the world! Over 180 countries, who knows how many viewers! Also, my church asked me to be in front of the cameras this weekend. So I ask myself "can it get any better?" Knowing my God, I better be ready!

Today is a good day! Lord, help me stay focused on the victories and blessings I receive from you!

Me and Ade (Pastor Adelitza Guzman)

from Felices para Siempre con Adelitza & Danisa

BLAME

By far the easiest way out.

Lamest excuse for our own screw-ups.

A natural instinct to avoid responsibility.

Mutilation of the senses.

Extortion of the truth.

I could say to be a victim of blame, but that would be blaming it for my participation in its game. Rather I should say I've tried to solve some of life's challenges by blaming something or someone. The result, unresolved issues, lies and pretenses. Have you ever considered that blaming does not fix the problem. It doesn't even make it better. In most cases it makes it worse.

When my best friend from high school and I distanced from each other I blamed it on a lie someone told me. I believed it and moved on leaving my loved friend behind. A few years down the road I felf her absence on my wedding day. She was not my maid of honor. Even then, I didn't face the issue. It took me long years to realize what I had lost and that no one was to be blamed but myself. To have the courage to see her and talk about our differences and come to a reconciliation was more difficult than blaming a third person.

God, thank you for godly confrontation and for the nakedness of the heart. I didn't get my friend back, but this time I knew it was not in my hands.

Wherever you are, I love you. I still think of you and remember our grown ups adventures! I know how great you were to me.

Everybody is getting naked!

It makes sense. The more naked I get, the lighter it feels. What a great idea! Are you into the naked thing? I tell you guys, I can hardly wait for this next 5 weeks of nakedness. It promises to be life-changing. Just the special message from Pastor Troy this weekend got me thinking. But we need a place where we can get naked seriously, freely and publicly. It is liberating when you can share your bare self and what a better place than a home group? So I've decided to host a group at my house. Send any Westoners my way.

Come on...let's get it ALL off together!

Another airplane!

That's been my story these last few months. Traveling was once something to be thought as glamorous, not anymore. Especially on coach!

Anyhow, I will be going to the Dominican to do heavy promo work for Jorge's latest CD and for Promissa (Priscilla's group). They are playing very well overseas and we need to take advantage of the momentum.

Most likely I will not be blogging from there. The network is very sluggish at my relatives (yeah, you got it, older generation) Shhhh. But, I'll be back in a week.

Love my children a lot while we are gone and pray for Rebecca who will be staying with them.

Don't get naked without me! I shall be back in time!

Naked...but how naked? Completely naked?

The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is fix my "abundant" hair and put make up on. I get dressed nicely even to clean the house. Nothing stained, nothing torn, nothing wrinkled; it most be coordinated. Now, this is the routine even when Jorge is out of town or when I am not going to see anybody.

To some, I should get naked here. But you see, I don't think that is where my naked battle is. My naked battle is one step in front of a hypocritical smile I might display when I feel like crying. The battle is on when I declare one of God's promises on provision and I'm screaming inside how much I lack. It is complicated. You want to be honest, yet you don't want to sound whiny and needy. You want to be transparent, but you fear rejection when you are exposed.

It is easier to put on the mask and go on without owning any of your darkness and without exposing it to any light. It is much easier to build up walls of strength and courage with a few verses and move on. But does that really mend the broken pieces inside? Does it really make me prettier on the outside?

God, you see the real me. You see the broken pieces, the old wounds and the bleeding of the heart. You see me without. There is no place to hide. Please, God, help show my true colors and not blend in with the circumstances or pressures of the moment. I want to be the me You see. The one You created me to be!

Do you have a story to tell?

My daughter Sainad came very excited from HS camp. She was telling me all about it and that the last night was the best ever. She said that they were all crying. I asked her why. It was "say so" night where people would get up and share. Many of them, deep-hurting stories. I asked if she shared and she said no. So I asked why. She said something like when you hear what God has done in some people's lives and they have gone through you don't have anything to say about your life.

My first thought was "thank you God because so far you have protected my baby girl from having a big story to tell".

My second thought was "how great it is when God puts our little things in perspective seeing what others endure".

But, my last thought was that we do have an important story to tell. Maybe we don't have an eating disorder, or maybe we were not abused or healed from cancer. But God did save our lives from eternal darkness and dispair. He did change our sadness into dancing. And he has given us a reason to live, a purpose to fight for.

I do have a story to tell! Do you?

Have you ever gotten skinier by calling someone else fat?

Man, I wish you could because if it worked out that way I'd be "Latin Barbie."

But why is that? I mean, not that it doesn't work, but that we do that? We call other people stupid because that makes us feel smarter. We spoil other people's lives hoping to feel better, but our lives are unchanged.

Looking back I can see that anytime I see myself reflected in the mirror of somebody else's life and I don't like what I see, I attack. I get defensive. I feel insecure. Rather than facing the problem inside of me I tend to push it away into somebody else. It is only when I get "naked" and real when I realize the dark spots inside that need to be brought into the light.

My heart needs to be in constant check. This rotten human nature is constantly playing tricks on me. I thank God that he doesn't allow my name calling to make me better. It would be so unfair to so many!

This gives me an idea. Let's kill bad with good. Let's do lots a good name calling. I am sure it is going to boost me up.

Dear God, I commit to good name calling this week. Please give me lots of names to call.

Why Do I Blog?

Well, there are many reasons. It is in, so I must be trendy! It is part of my FRC lifestyle, so I must not be left out. I LOVE talking...so when I write Jorge doesn't have to listen as much.
But I think the most important reason lies behind something I heard in a movie once. While watching "Shall We Dance?" the wife of the main character (Beverly Clark) said:

"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'."

At my FRC community we DO LIFE TOGETHER so I know my life will not go unnoticed because my family will notice it. My life will not go un-witnessed because my friends will be my witnesses.

That, is why I blog.

How predictable are you?

Jorge had a video shoot yesterday. We needed some extras to be in the audience so we invited some friends, posted some bulletins on myspace, and sent out a few emails. We were not sure what kind of turn out to expect so we prepared for the worse case scenario. It turned out to be great!

My problem was with some of the predictions we made. You see, a few of the friends we invited have been very easy to predict as not coming through in the past. Yet, they commit again and you trust them again. I was mad and could not decide if I was mad because they let me down again or because I trusted them again.

What kind of predictions do people make about you? I have been thinking about it in my own life. I would like for my friends to be able to predict love, kindness, patience, perseverance, joy, peace, goodness and all of those good things... But, do they?

Lord, help my friends make good predictions of me today!

Ready or not, here I come!

My brother passed away this past July 7th. I don't think you can ever be ready to hear this kind of news. Honestly, I wasn't even sure how much I cared. What my reaction would be. We lived on different countries, different lifestyles, and different states of mind. He was the heartbreaker of the town. Successful with the ladies and friends with all. Excelled at every sport and charmed anyone with his funny speech. Not so good with business and not so successful with long term relationships.

Carlos was living his life as if on a race and lost it to inmaturity. He caused all of us who loved him a great deal of pain. We wanted to be wrong, but we weren't. Life must be lived wisely. Our choices will have consecuences and many are eternal. I thank God that not all was lost with him. At the very end of his race, he looked up and recognized his need of a Savior. He accepted his bad ways and asked God in his heart. And yes, God welcomed him into His presence at only 42.

Many things were never said. We had so many conversations pending... I don't think I was ready to see him go, but ready or not, it was his time to go.

Relationships have a new meaning for me. I realize now that it is not worth it to get tired of the fight. We must press on loving, and caring, and sharing, and being patient because we never know how many opportunities we have.

Do you have a "Carlos" in your life? Have you said it all already? Could you love a little more? Could you share just a little more? Could you have just a little bit more patience? Do!

Making a stop along the way

Every time we've taken the road for a long trip, we make a stop or two. Of course, when the kids were younger the number of stops was higher, or I was prepared with a "pp" cup. Even though you get to a point that you just want to desperately reach your final destination, it is nice to stop and strech your legs.

Even better if you stop for a nice Starbucks fill up or for a scenic view (depending on the mood).
You see, many times we make it be about the destination forgetting how important it is the getting there. I am not too patient, so many times I just see the end, the last stop, the destination and don't make time in my "always thinking mind" to be quiet and take in what's happening between here and there.

Actually, you don't even need to take the road to make that insightful stop. I just did today. I took a look at my journey here and reflected on the portion left to my journey "there." I missed many pretty scenic views on the way here, many Starbucks and Popeye's chicken. But, I am willing to stop and enjoy the rain when I am stuck at home. I will stop to have a conversation with my neighbor. I will stop to listen to my daughter. At least today I will. Tomorrow, I'll continue with my journey.

Free to Serve!

What comes to mind when you think of the word freedom?

When I think of the United States, my adopted home, I think democracy. Red, white, blue. I even think of all the history lessons I've read/learned trying to catch up to those born here. I think of equality, citizenship. I also think of freedom to speak, to vote, to be part of a society.

When I think of the Dominican Republic, my first home, I think of freedom as the chance to leave my parents. The waited for moment when I got to choose my own life. I think of Jorge. I think of far away, a new culture, even a different language.

When I think of God, my forever deal, I think of eternity, truth, reality. I think of love and grace. I think of transformation and purpose. I think of high calling and royalty. The only ONE who made me free to be a servant by choice!

And the truth shall set you free!

Casket Shopping

I had to fly to the Dominican this week in a very unexpected way. My brother was very ill. His lungs were not working right, one of his kidneys failed, and on went the list. The doctors gave him a few hours to live.

On his dying bed I wondered if he had made peace with God for real. I had so many questions, but no answers. I went with my little sister casket shopping. What would he like, I thought. Blue or gold? Fancy or simple? And then I thought again. Did it really matter? Did I need an answer to those questions?

Have you thought of your preferences? Would it matter where or how you put this body to rest when you are so sure your FATHER is waiting for your soul in your eternal home? I made my very own choice, whatever the kids and Jorge want to do is fine with me. The cheapest/fastest the better. The home Jesus went to prepare for me is going to be awesome, and when the time comes for me to get there, I AM READY! Are you?