Our Very Own Hand Made Special Christmas Gift

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Most people have forgotten what they got for Christmas.  It happens almost right after Christmas.  The newness of the gifts wares off rather quickly after daydreaming for weeks of the things we asked and wished for Christmas.

Christmas 2009 was a special Christmas.  Our three grandchildren, with their parents help, made special books for each grandparent.  Each one of them drew pictures, colored them, and wrote something special about each one of us.

Thank you Carlos, Heather, Sohaila, Seanna and Losiah for making the best Christmas present.  I love you each one of you so very much.

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In Search Of Snow

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Can you see my big smile?

This year, with all the talk in the news about parts of our country getting more than their share of snow, I have been looking forward to experiencing it.  I live about 45 minutes from where there is snow, but because of one thing or another, I have not been able to get to it.

Earlier this month Fermin and I got to go to Idaho (the north part of Idaho) and thought, for sure there will be snow.  I saw pictures of where we were to stay and it showed a beautiful winter wonderland.  My iPhone weather report showed that it was to snow during the time we were to be there.  We even got the hotel van to pick us up from the airport so we would not have to drive in the snow!  To my surprise there was no snow, nothing, zero!  This year has been the driest winter in their history!  You could see a little bit of snow way up in the mountains (just like in Fresno, where I live).

During my stay, the ladies of our group, got taken to the slopes, and I thought, Yeah, finally I’ll see some snow.  Again, we got to the slopes and you could see that it had snowed sometime ago, but nothing to get excited about.  I went ahead and purchased a $17.00 ticket to go higher up – to where people ski and thought for sure there would be something there.  So finally on our way up there I started to see the snow, and it snow while we were up there!  I was so happy.

I know this is silly, but I don’t like for winter to pass me by and not experience some kind of frozen precipitation, just a little.♥

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I Never Have Enough of Seattle, WA

Fermín usually preaches somewhere on any given Sunday.  About two weeks ago he preached at a church in Des Moines, WA.  Des Moines is a suburb of Seattle, WA.  This young church is doing a great job educating the future leaders of the state of Washington.  We made some new friends in Seattle.

I have been to Seattle twice before, but have not had the opportunity to explore the city and on this occasion we had most of one day.  I couldn’t decide which photos to post, so please, indulge me.❤

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

The main square is a lush little park (Occidental Park) with an ivy-clad wall including totem poles and great tribute to the city’s firefighters.

Two-block pedestrian mall (Occidental Park)

Tribute to the city’s firefighters

Ivy growing on a clad wall

Waterfall Garden Park

Quest Field

A clock tower by Quest Field

Space Needle

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On Target Evangelism Conference – Torrence, CA

I had not been able to attend the last couple of year’s the On Target Evangelism Conferences and by judging from this year’s conference, I have been missing a lot.  Randy McWorter together with Tim Gentry and the rest of their team bring in some very brilliant people like Linda J. Miller, Director of Coaching Services for The Ken Blanchard Company.  She spoke on coaching: A new model for evangelism and discipleship, at the workplace, with your family or in your ministry.  I went out and bought two of her books, one for me and the other to give away.  Her book is: “Coaching for Christian Leaders – A Practical Guide” Fantastic seminar!

David & Heather Platt with Fermin and Me

Among the other conference leaders, there was David Platt, Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, AL. What can I say about David.  David was one of my “Mission Friends”(way back in the early 1980′s) and to see him all grown up, married to beautiful sweet Heather, Pastor of one very influential church in Birmingham, AL., but most of all – with a heart that is bigger than his chest can hold.  He communicated his love to disciple one on one and the people just loved him.  These are just two of the conference leaders.

I know God was pleased with what went on at the On Target Conference in Torrence, CA♥

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Ode To Love

We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19 .♥ .♥ .♥

A child’s question asked of me,

If I can’t see it, can it be?

I see my toy, I know it’s there.

I feel my arm, I touch my hair.

These are things I know to be.

But what of things I cannot see?

What of the wind, where does it go?

Are there other things to know?

Oh yes, my dear, and soon you’ll find

They’re locked inside the heart and mind.

Sweet love’s desire, a mother’s prayer,

More real than all you see out there.

More real than sun and moon and rain,

At first much harder to explain.

The only thing that I can say

I say it now in just this way:

What is real and what is not?

Love is real, the rest is not.

by Bob Schieffer from Face the Nation

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.  Song of Solomon 8:7

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 ♥

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 ♥

“My lover is mine, and I am his.” Song of Solomon 2:16 ♥

♥  ♥  ♥

Timeless Valentine (A silly Poem)

As time goes by from year to year,
One thing is surely true, my dear;
Though decades come and decades go,
Just seeing you sets me aglow.

Time shifts my body; I start to sag,
When I pass a mirror, it can make me gag.
My joints all ache; I can hardly move;
Still a smile from you, and I’m in the groove.

Getting older can be a pain,
But with you along, I can’t complain.
Despite the things that we go through,
I know I’ll never stop loving you.

Your loving heart turns life to play,
As we laugh at time from day to day.
So I write this poem, and I’ll hang my sign,
Saying, “Always Be My Valentine.”

By Karl and Joanna Fuchs ♥

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Thank You ♥ You Changed My Life

This morning our devotional was led by Kay Mackey, wife of the Executive Director from Kentucky.   She led us to think of ways we can express gratefulness to someone who has done something significant in our lives.  That led me to think of a couple of friends I had in jr. high.   These two friends were instrumental for me to accept Christ as my Lord and Saviour.  I lost track of them, but last year I got back in contact with one of the two.  I’m going to do what I can to find my other friend, if for nothing else at least to say “Thank You” for what she did back in Jr. High.♥ .♥ .♥ .

Can you think of anyone who you may want to call, write a letter, give a gift, make a visit, express gratitude and appreciation to?

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L O V E

Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is very special♥

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Happy 59th Anniversary Papá & Mamá ♥

“My dear one is mine and I am his.”Song of Solomon 2:16

On February 4th my parents will celebrate their

59th Wedding Anniversary .

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I still see them working on their marriage.  Their example is an inspiration to us all.

Happy 59th Wedding Anniversary Papá and Mamá ♥

The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121:7-8

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February is Here!!!

While in San Diego, I saw this statue and what a perfect picture for this post.  Happy Valentine’s Month everyone!!! ♥

…His love endures forever ♥ Psalm 136:1

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