Why does it hurt to be caught?

Is it because you are truly embarrassed of your behavior, or is it because you lost control and unintentionally exposed yourself? Or maybe you didn't have the strength to stop on your own and allowed someone else in to help you stop?

I am not sure myself. But any of those reasons sound pretty painful to me. I wasn't caught, but I hurt for those who were.

God says that if we confess our sins He will forgive them. He can take any pain away.

Hoping to always be caught by Him,
Danisa

Talking & not communicating
I've been following the development of a relationship between 2 friends very closely. Being married for almost 20 years comes in handy at times.
We (Jorge & I) laugh at so many things before they take place, only because we've been there done that. Sometimes it is cute to see the nervous reaction of their body language, or the defensive phrases not to give themselves up. It is hilarious.
But, having counsel so many couples through the years, there is still a big mystery or question on my mind. Why is it that people at this stage talk, talk, talk and communicate so little? It kills me how they assume to know this or that of the other person, and clearly don't. I guess it is part of the process, if you survive all the initial mis-communication, then you can survive a lifelong relationship.
What do you think?

Not in a Million Years!

Never thought I would stop blogging for so long. After you develop a reader's circle it only makes you want to write more. We love having an audience, don't we?
The truth is that between having computer issues, traveling, and getting a new job... I've been blogging to myself the old fashion way, handwritten.
But, today I went to visit one of my beloved friends blogs, Heather's of course, I found myself really missing my blog spot.

Life takes us through so many different places. It is a journey you travel during the day, at night time, when it is sunny and when it is stormy. Through the snow and through the red skies the journey never ends.
We can choose to make the ride alone, we can walk, we can run, we can make many choices, but not in a million years I would like to go through it without my eternal Father. His sheep hear His voice and know it is Him!

Thank you for your notes and love. I am back!

4 Nominations to Jorge!

Premios Arpa is one of the most sought after recognition in the Spanish Christian Artists community. It is a premiation where excellence is recognized regardless of popularity. Only artists and related fields members are allowed to vote.

Here are the 4 categories Jorge was nominated to:

1. Best album of the year
2. Best male album
3. Revelation of the year
4. Best artist website

Hey baby, to me, you already got them all! Keep looking up!

19 Years Ago

A day like today, 19 years ago, right about this time, I was saying "I DO"


The lucky one? Me, of course. I had no clue. But I bet anyone's story isn't as romantic as ours. Everyone knew we were in love, but us. I truly married my best friend.


I miss him today. He is far in Europe singing someplace, but I am sure I am there with him.

Thank you God for such a great gift. The gift of friendship, companionship, love and sex. Specially the last one. :)

I still do! And I will until death do us apart!

I love you Jorge!

The Gipsy Story

While Jorge is gone and it seems to be the only thing I can talk about, there are exciting things happening. I'll share one of them.

Jorge is introducing the ministry to some gipsy churches in Spain. In those circles you either make it in or not. Since I have a fascination for gipsy fashion and jewelry, Jorge used that as an icebreaker at the first gathering. At the end of the celebration he saw a lady with a plastic bag going around collecting things the ladies were taking off themselves to send me as a welcoming gesture. It was original gipsy jewelry. Lots of them! Knowing me, you can imagine my excitement. I wasn't sure if I was happy because Jorge was welcomed or because I got so much "genuine" pieces coming my way! At least I'm honest!

Good job Jorge!

I must post some pictures when Jorge gets back.

I miss Jorge!

Since my last post my life has been upside down and back up. All I'll share right now is that Jorge is in Europe and I am in North Carolina. No, he didn't leave me. I mean, he did, but not like that...I couldn't go with him. So in my attempt to try and survive 5 LONG weeks without him, I packed my 2 monkeys (Dan & Sainad), the dog, and the 2 fish (Charlie & Lola) and here I am. That was the easy packing. Try getting Jorge's life confined to a suitcase and a carry on! Now, that was a challenge! I was able to fit his special hair gel, skin care, vitamins, allergy pills, pain killers, antibiotics (just in case), his special pillow cover, emergency snacks, TV-make up, clothing for 5 weeks (thank God he didn't take his red shoes!). He made it to Italy with every little thing intact. Praise God!

As I write I remembered that he flies to Spain today, probably right now. And I miss him.

I am enjoying my sister, but missing Jorge.

I enjoyed an incredible day with a good friend from yesteryears, but still miss Jorge.

I am having a great time doing water aerobics and relaxinfg in Stepford city :), but still miss my Jorge.

Please pray for us as he tours these few, but long weeks away from home and what he knows.

Very Excited

Have you ever been so excited that you go kind of crazy? Maybe tried to tell a story of something important but all the words came out at the same time and then nobody understood what you were trying to say. Or so hiper about going somewhere that you got ready too fast and your shirt was either inside out or you had a spill/stain on your clothes.

Well, that's me right now. Not that I am going anywhere or that I have a story to tell, but there is a sense of excitment like the advent of something big is around the corner. That is an awesome feeling.
Let me invite you to join me and indulge in God's presence, even if only for a short while.

I'm back!

DREAMS

I am a "dream girl."

I have been dreaming for years. It has been the same dream. Sometimes it has special effects; some other times, it might be very glamorous; and at other times, it is very selfless and giving. But always the same dream.

I've had to give up many things for my dream. I've had to sacrifice much to stay focused through the years. But, I've also had a lot of fun seeing God do his part.

One thing I've learned in this business of dreaming is that the fulfilment of my dreams and my fulfilment as a person, does not come from seeing it happen, but for believing it is happening. It is not so much about the destination, it is entirely about the journey.

I am not dreaming alone. I am not walking alone. When tired on the road, a little rest and food for the soul always do the trick, and then, on to wherever my dreamgiver takes me.

What do you live for? What is your dream?

A Mirage

As a christian, I've learned to walk my dessert many times. It is always the same thing. Walk, walk, walk... eat dust, get dry, complain, see a mirage... then eat manna from heaven and walk through the red sea.

Why do we eat the dust? Is it really because it looks like water, or because we forget the difference?

Why do we complain? How can we forget the times we've been rescued before?

To tell you the truth, I don't like the dessert. I strongly dislike manna. Mirages make me feel stupid.

I can't wait to walk through the red sea!

A Friend is Always a Friend (Prov. 17:17)

Some friends don't help, but a true friend is closer than your own family. (Prov. 18:24)

The longer I live the smarter I get. Isn't that nice!? Really... I've come to realize that true friendship has very little to do with the time you spend with someone. It is more about the commitment of cheering someone on, even from a distance, even when things are not going so well.

I have been very blessed to have a few of those in my life. Just last night I realized how wonderful it is to be under their influence.

Thank you Heather! It doesn't matter how I feel, you always cheer me up and encourage me to press on. I know how busy you are, but you always have time for me. Just the fact that you wanted me to go to Italy so bad, like if it was your thing... gave me the courage to wish on and believe it can be.

Thank you Diana! It doesn't matter what it is, I can tell you about it. I can disturb your sleep, get you out of work, have you get on a plane, just because... you are my friend.

Thank you Mariela! I've never seen so much undeserved faithfulness. I've invested so little in your life, yet you are always sure to speak such beautiful and powerful words into my life. I am sure when your Mom looks down she has a huge smile on her face.

Human Nature's Predicament

"For what I want to do I don't do; and what I don't want to do is what I do."

Imagine someone as incredible as Paul struggling with doing/not doing right. I am sure there's been times when I've felt somewhat victorious and strong and maybe even powerful in God and yet, just like Paul, regreted doing or not doing right.

Choosing right or wrong is not always easy, even though we might be sure of the choice we should make.

I take it a step farther. Even when we clearly know what is right and wrong, our natural tendency is to do wrong. We know the choice should be time spent with God, yet CSI Miami sounds more enticing. A kind response might build our loved one, yet it is easier to just growl. Walking away from harmful foods is the right thing to do, but we fall for the high cholesterol/damaging sugar treat. Remembering our covenant and commitment to our spouse is the better choice, but how many times it is not the first one?

I am not even talking big sins here like adultery, killing, stealing,... I am talking every day little things that build up and destroy us. Just like a toaster. Once brand new and shiny, little by little, a drop of butter here, a very tiny piece of cheese there... Today, full of black grimmy gunk almost impossible to clean.

But I feel very positive today. I know that as easy as it is to choose wrong, it is to call on to God. He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. It is as easy as calling His name, JESUS. He can help me choose right and if I've already chosen wrong, He makes me right!

How wonderful is that!

Just by calling on to His name, JESUS!

I like what I do!

And what is that?

I love taking care of Jorge. Choosing his looks, keeping his things together, working his agenda, making him happy and feeding him.

Packing lunch for my monkeys. There is something about it that makes me feel like a good mom. The little lime juice on the apples, just like Dan likes it. Half a sandwich for my Saini and a little something sweet.

I enjoy bringing beauty in disguise to display. I love the transformation of dark to light, rough to suave, coarse to smooth. When a lady sits on my make-up chair and allows me to transform her into a masterpiece I think I enjoy it so much more than she does.

When I am to speak into somebody's life and I see God use any word I say I get all hyped up. It's like I can't get enough of it.

Well, I did all of the above this weekend and I feel great!

I did what I am best at and enjoyed the blessings of God on it and through it.

So much to tell, so little time to write!

Something was bothering me today. I kept thinking...what is it? Until I figured it out. I had not blogged in about 3 weeks. How can that be possible? I have so many exciting things happening, yet non publicly recorded.

Here are some of the highlights:

• I got my physical done. The doctor was very excited at my weight loss over the past year. I was also CHALLENGED to begin a new regimen since diabetes decided to visit me.
• Jorge got signed by one of the most respectable Spanish Christian labels in the industry. This distribution deal is awesome for our ministry and it came at the perfect time.
• Sainad got A's & B's on her report card. That is a MAJOR accomplishment!
• Dan got a job at Publix right accross from our development.

What can I say? Life is full of exciting moments that remind us God was in control, is in control and will continue to be, no matter what we do.

Love you friends!

GIANTS! There is always hope

At the beginning of the football season it didn't look like the Giants would be having a good year. In fact, last year was not a good one.

Their victory was a surprise to many. It made me stop and think how many times we don't seem to be having a good season. The tendency, to quit. Much too early we declare defeat, when maybe all we need is a change of strategy.

I am encouraged today to continue trying new ways, different things, whatever, to accomplish my purpose in Christ. It may look like I might not be having a good season, but God has the real picture of my life. He knows exactly every little thing I must go through in order to win my game.

It doesn't matter how bad or complicated life may look right now. It doesn't matter how terrible the economy is. God has my game under control. The one I trust is the allpower, allknowing, allcapable God who created me, takes care of me and is cheering me on.

I will win the race!

Decisions

Are you the kind of person that can decide easily what to wear, what to eat, where to go, what to do on your day off? If you are, that is great and you belong with me. I am a fast thinker and won't fuss much about choosing.


I can make decisions in a flash, I think, good ones. At work, is part of every day functioning to make decisions and you need to be prepared to make them without much error.


At home, that is another story. Two teenagers and a husband! You see, I didn't say making a decision was easy or fun, I just said I can make them most of the time. When it comes to permission for an outing, or money, or school stuff is really not a big deal. But when it comes to affecting our lives and the lives of those whom we love, or changing radically our routines or familiarities, then, even people like me become whimpies and have a hard time deciding.


I am a whimpie today. I have to rely on God to make me strong. He can. I know if He is leading the way there is no reason to fear.


God, I decide to trust you with everything today!

Star Customer Service

When you work for a company that emphazises customer service as a priority, your goal is to make sure everyone is satisfied BEYOND their expectations. You see, when I went to business school (just a few years back :)) good customer service was to meet the clients' expectation. Now days it is to exceed it. It is amazing all the effort that goes into that. And we are talking of simple purchases, providing a service, trivial stuff.

I tried translating that thought into Christian life. How can I WOW the people I come in contact with beyond their expectations? I was sad to realize that it takes so little in this scenario, yet I am not incline to make the effort.

I said good morning to a custodian at the mall with a big, sincere smile, and the poor guy was so confused I had to say it again, "Good morning sir" he kept looking at me like waiting for me to ask a question or something, then, he smiled back and replied. I saw the same guy a few days later, and asked him how his day was going, and I could see his face light up and his shoulders going back. He answer a simple "very good" and I kept going my way, but I know he was WOWed by my noticing him.

I want to be a Star Customer Service provider for God! How many people can I WOW in a day?

Are you a gift returner or a gift keeper?

Well, let's see! How many trips have you given to the mall to return or exchange gifts? Since I have been working at the mall I could say none to return. It would be true, because the main reason I go is to work. Now, did I exchange or return any gifts during my stay... that's another blog!

The truth is that I've had the opportunity to see how easily people reject/exchange a gift. They walk up to the register and simply say "this was a gift and I don't like it, or it doesn't work for me" and that's it.

It stroke me in a very special way this season. How much thought, or care, or money is put into giving a gift, for it not to be received. I am aware that many times we don't even find out, but still, our gift hasn't been apreciated.

I think of the many gifts God has given me and question myself... did he see me exchange it at the mall?

I did take the gift of salvation, but... what about the gift of mercy? Did I exchange it for another gift that suit me better? I don't know, maybe I need to examine more closely all the gifts God has given me and make sure I find a use for them in my life and not return them when he is not looking.

What gifts has he given you? Are you going to keep them?

Dear God, help us count our blessings each morning and to remember that every perfect gift comes from you! Amen.