Merry Christmas 2009

My Wednesday – December 16, 2009

My sister Nancy’s home is my home away from home, and it has been ever since 1995 when we moved back to California.  This is where we come when we are in Southern California, this is where our families get together, this is where we celebrate birthdays or any other family activities and this is where Carlos (my oldest son), Heather, Sohaila, Seanna and Losiah arrived on Tuesday night.

The Lamp Post

Seanna and Losiah having fun.

Sohaila and Losiah taking Hugo out for a walk.

Sohaila paying some of the music she wrote.  She is growing and maturing right in front of our eyes.

Love the way the color lights of the Christmas Tree look behind Losiah.  This is something new I learned to do with my old, old camera (did you hear this Honey “my old ,old camera” just kidding – not this year I know).

Sohaila

Seanna and her “Lita” – that is me

No I Did Not!!!!

I understand December 14 is one the busiest day for the Post Office, maybe that had something to do with what happened to me.  I was there to send my out of the country Christmas cards and the lady behind the counter gave me way more stamps than I paid for.  When I realized it I immediately went back to return them.  All I said is “I purchased 6 and you gave me 17 stamps, here”  The look I got was “how dare you come back to tell me I made a mistake”.  That happens almost every time I return something that was given to me by mistake – whether is extra change, or I was not charged for something I bought.  I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but at the same time I got something I did not pay for.

Elvira Sotelo – Proverbs 31 Woman

Elvira is one of the most beautiful women I have ever known.  She has been helping her husband in the ministry ever since I first remember meeting her.  Was it 1971?  I’m not sure, but it has been a long, long time.  Today her seven children surprised her with a celebration of her 75th birthday!

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”  Proverbs 31:28

Could not get all of them in one picture, and we are missing here one son in law.

Elvira with her oldest great grandaughter

Danny and Elvira sitting around the table with all of their seven children.

Favorite Ornaments

I’m one of those people that collets Christmas ornaments.  Wherever I go I try to find a Christmas ornament as keepsakes.  These ladies are from Russia.

And this last one I picked up in Puerto Rico.  When I brought it home I took the sticker price off, just underneath it said “made in China”, oh well.  These are a few of my favorite ornaments.

The Elf On The Shelf Goes Wrong

My son Carlos and my daughter-in-love Heather are the greatest parents any child can have.  They are intentional about making memories and doing fun things with the kids.  Well, even the best intentions sometimes goes wrong.  Go over to Carlos’ Blog and read what happens when they tried to establish a new Christmas tradition.  Make sure you have tissues, the tears will be from laughing.

Thank You Lord. . .

. . . for the privilege of doing what I do.

“Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God”  Romans 15:17

Dennis Swanberg Minister of Encouragement

Fermin and I were invited to attend The Inland Empire Baptist Association Christmas Dinner at Immanual Baptist Church.  It was great to see Deryl and his wife Brenda Lackey love on the pastors and their wives of this area. Dennis Swanberg was THE PROGRAM and if you have heard him before you know he is hilarious.

I thank God for the privilege of serving in this great state of ours.

Scenes From Thanksgiving Day 2009

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” Psalm 105:1

Next year we are going to need more than one bird.

Before the lunch crowd arrived.  The weather was in the upper 70’s just perfect

Three of my siblings, Nancy, Enrique and Rosa.  It was a beautiful day at my sister Nancy’s home.

My brother Joe

Carlos asked what kind of Mexican food we were having for Thanksgiving – no Mexican food, we are saving that for Christmas when we get together and make our Tamales.

This is who came this year plus three more who came in later.

Have A Blessed Thanksgiving

Celebrating this special day with loved ones and thanking the Lord for His many blessings and missing those who are not able to be with us this year.

Scenes From The California Southern Baptist Convention 2009 Annual Meeting

Before one of the sessions of our annual meeting

One of the outstanding young men choral from our very own California Baptist University

Volunteers, Chuck and Jo Erikson, for Disaster Releaf and Literacy Missions

Ivan and Yelena (Helen) Mileyev, missionaries to the Slavic speaking people.

Carmen, Barbara, Vicky, Helen and Gloria

Vera, Pulido and Solorio – Los Tres Amigos

Howard Burkhart, Language Church Starting Strategist

Daryl and Brenda Lackey, Director of Missions for Inland Empire Baptist Association.

Beverly Regensburg and Alma Long - Women’s Ministries/Woman’s Missionary Union

One of our previous CSBC president, Tom Stringfellow, worked together with our state staff to make “Feeding Those Who Feed Us” the success that it is today.  This is what defines us as California Southern Baptist “cooperation”

Ministers Wives Luncheon.  Another fun thing that defines us is food and good times