When we got to the car we notice Fermín’s iPhone was missing, couldn’t find it anywhere in the car or in any of our bags we had taken with us.  I called his number and a girl answered.  One of those girls had found the phone and was waiting for us to call!  When I got back to the beach I talked with her a little bit and told her I had prayed for them when they first got to the beach, she smile and thanked me and then they went back to their serious kind of fun, surfing.

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Girl’s Day Out #2

Hanauma Bay Park

This time we chose to go snorkeling to the Hanauma Bay Park and try to see if we could take a peek at the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish, (can you say that again?)  This is as close we got to the Hawaiian state fish…

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – Hawaiian State Fish

Snorkeling in Hanuma Bay

We left our condo at about 6:00 AM so we could get there early before the crowds 8)

It’s a long way down, but there is a bus that will take you down for 75 cents and a dollar to take you back up.  Smart people.

After Hanuma Bay we headed to see the “blow-hole”.  I think it was off that day (lol), but the view was breathtaking.

Side Note:  We asked a man to take our photo –  he did not speak English.  It was funny how we got our point across.  We even took his camera and his picture and  I don’t think he wanted us to. 8)

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On top of Diamond Head

While we were in Hawaii this summer and after both of our boys returned back to the main land early in the week, Fermin and Losiah decided to spend some “boy time” while we girls spent some “girl time” and on our first outing decided to go and hike Diamond Head.  I have wanted to do this since the first time I visited Hawaii, back in the 80′s, but never had anyone that wanted to do it with me – and believe me I have been to Hawaii many, many times since then.

So Heather, Sohaila, Seanna and I packed some sandwiches and drinks and headed to Diamond Head – boy I almost did not make it, but the girls kept encouraging me to continue and I finally made it to the top of Diamond Head!!!.  What an accomplishment!!! it felt so good to be on top of that volcano and with my girls!  I will never forget that experience!  Thank you Heather for facilitating this experience and thank you Honey for spending one on one time with Losiah.

Here are just some of the photos we all took on that hike.

Just before the hike

Am I smiling? It must be because Sohaila is helping me (LOL)

See those steps? I also had to climb them!  ”Yes, Heather, I’m OK, Go ahead, I’ll catch up with you guys”

Went through a dark tunnel.

Yes!!! They made it to the top!!

My arms are not as high as theirs, but I also made it!!! God is soooo good!!!

Hawaiian Shaved Ice – Sweet ending to a great day!!!

The Bible tells us to “Be strong and courageous” I’m trying Lord!

Peggy told me “Gray hair always looks better on someone else”  She’s sooo right!!! So you ask “Are you Courageous? (among other adjetives) No, just exhausted by the tedious job of coloring my hair. I have been dyeing it for so many years and immediately right after I color it my roots start to show up. I have been thinking for quite some time to let my hair grow gray or whatever color it is – I thiNk I waNt thAt – Hmmm.

Last year I invested in a wig, my thought was I would let my roots grow out while I wear my wig.  One of my sons (Carlos) asked if I was going to surprise everyone one day and just stop wearing the wig.  OK, I did not want to do that, also my sister’s dog barked at me whenever I would take my wig off (LOL).

I decided to go blond and shock people right away, that way my roots will be less noticeable  My hair dresser tried hard to get me silver blond (or platinum blond) but she couldn’t do it without damaging my hair.

My hair is growing these wonderful shades of silver and I think I like it.  I intend to give it a real try.  Oh, why do we care so much? or should I say Why do “I” care? ❤

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“…let us …run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…”  Hebrews 12:1-2

Our yearly Minister Wives Retreat at Jenness Park went as planned.  This is a time many of us use to renew our minds and refresh our spirits.

Ann Iorg did a fantastic job leading this effort.  Noemi Vera did the same with the Spanish Speaking Ministers Wives.  Thank You ladies for an awesome job – your love for ministry was apparent.

My friend Connie Cavanaugh, from Montreal, Canada was our speaker. Lydiette Henri, from La Chorrera, Republic of Panama was the speaker for the Spanish speaking group.  They both spoke from their hearts and their experiences.  The Spanish speaking ladies had a great time with Lydiette.  Connie had us laughing with her stories and at the same time she was able to speak to the needs of so many of our pastors wives.  Her book “From Faking it to Finding Grace” is a must read for every pastor’s wife.

The staff at Jenness Park did their usual, they spoiled us with their tender loving care towards us.  Thank you Jenness Park for your ministry to Pastors  Wives.❤

Rhonda Johnston, wife of Rich Johnston,  Associational Director for Mid-Valley So. Bapt. Association, will be leading us organizing this ministry for next year.  Let’s keep Rhonda and the council of women in prayer.  The dates for the 2011 Minister Wives Retreat is May 20-22.  Hope to see many of you there.

*•☆ Enjoy the rest of the photos ☆•*

(Click on each photo)

Back around the end of May, Carlos and Heather headed for England to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, and we kept the grandchildren.

It was the perfect day, temperatures were in the 70′s, the grandchildren and I packed our bottles of water and headed for the Fresno Zoo.  The Fresno Zoo is manageable, we were able to see every exhibit they had in a couple of hours.  I think we were there about three total, just perfect.

I could tell Sohaila really enjoyed the zoo, not that Seanna and Losiah did not enjoy it, they did, but Sohaila was really into it, she would read every sign and would look and stared at the animals.  She is my animal lover.

Seanna was in one of her funny moods, I like it when she is funny, she would pose and laugh when I would get ready to take a picture and would get the other two involved in the photo.

We rented a little stroller for Losiah, but the three of them would take turns riding in it.

It was a very good day and I was happy to have my grandchildren with me.

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Boy, the Condor is one big, scary bird.  It looked like it was as big as a person.

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Fermín preached at Del Cerro Church in San Diego and later we got to spend some time with Uncle Eddie.  With their Daddy and Mommy gone they were eager to get in the car and travel all the way to San Diego to see Uncle Eddie.  Eddie took us to a very neat restaurant, the setting was like in the 50′s, I think the name of the restaurant was “Corvette” to which Losiah liked a lot, he is into cars, one of his grand fathers (not my husband, smile) has a Corvette and he just loves anything that has to do with Corvette.

Sohaila got to ride with Uncle Eddie in his cool convertible.

After lunch we walked to the marina and took pictures with uncle Eddie.  Seanna was in charge and she was telling us what to do, until Eddie lost his valance and the kids jumped all over him.  They had a blast.

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I have this thing about punishing myself.  I don’t cook a lot and when I invite people over I tend to think that what I normally cook is not good enough for company so most of the time I try something that “looks” really good and go thru “is it going to taste good or not?”  Yesterday was one of those days.

Delaney and I met because of this blogging thing I do.  I was googling information about a TV show that was coming to Fresno.  I either posted something on her blog or put a link on my blog to hers.  We found out we were both from Fresno and about a year ago we met for lunch.  Yesterday she come over to my home for lunch.  She brought the most delicious home-made blackberry little pies and I fixed “Black Beans and Corn Salad”.  I actually liked it a lot and so did my friend.

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 sm. yellow and red bell peppers, chopped
1 sm. tomato, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed (I don’t know why not use fresh if available)
2 scallions, chopped (I used green onions)
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Juice of 1/2 lime
Kosher or sea salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

I don’t like raw bell peppers all that much so I sauté the bell peppers and green onions in a little bit of Virgin Olive Oil.  I also added 1 small chopped mango and I meant to add 1 sm. chopped avocado, but forgot and next time I’m going to add a 1 tsp. of chili powder.

You can use this salad as a dip and use corn tortillas chips,  as a filling for tacos or even fill 1/2 a pita bread.

¸¸.•*¨*•☆ Bon Appétit ☆•*¨*•.¸¸

(Boy I’m so behind)

Just e few photos of Mother’s Day.

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I don’t remember what was soooo funny.

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Claudia and her boys

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Enrique with Mamá

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Rosa with Mamá

Oh my, has it been that long?  I can’t believe I have not blogged since May 11th.  Yes I have been busy, but I have missed writing about what I have been doing and such.

If you follow me on Facebook, you already know that Carlos and his family have been in California since May – mostly his family, Carlos has been flying in and out of the state to many parts of the country and the world.  I can’t blame it all on them, yes I have spent a lot of time with them, but not all the time.  Heather and the grandchildren (and sometimes Carlos) have been traveling the state visiting with family and friends.❤

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