iPhone and Surfing

Surfing is serious business.  As Fermín and I walked down the beach (Sunset Beach in Oahu, HI), we notice these girls walking towards the ocean.  They were quiet, looked so serious and without a word they got into the ocean.  I guess they were having fun, the serious kind of fun.  I couldn’t help but feel a little scare for them.  I said a prayer, stayed a while and watched them and then left.

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.

*•✿•* *•✿•* *•✿•*

Read Full Post »

Black Beans and Corn Salad – Blackberry Pies and My Blogging Friend

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 ☆•*¨*•.¸¸

Read Full Post »

In Search Of Snow

☆•*¨*•.¸❤❤¸.•*¨*•☆

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.♥

☆•*¨*•.¸❤❤¸.•*¨*•☆

Read Full Post »

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♥

Read Full Post »

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

Read Full Post »

San Franicsco with the Twelve

About a week ago, Noemi Vera put together an outing for some of our ministers wives that live in the Fresno area.  It was so much fun to just get together, eat, laugh, shop and have a good time.  San Francisco was the perfect spot for our group.  Thank you Noemi for loving ministers wives the way you do ♥

These are the twelve minus the photographer, me 😉

What Do women do best when they get together?  OK, beside that… (LOL) EAT!!!

Noemi Vera

Read Full Post »

San Francisco – Not This Time

I always look forward to my trips to San Francisco, but last Tuesday, when Fermin asked if I wanted to stay I did not hesitate to say YES!  So on Wednesday, he went without me.

Every new year I feel so behind, I started to take the Christmas Tree down right away, did some washing, I have a lot of ironing to do, etc. get the idea.  I feel so industriouos.  But wait… I’m going to San Francisco on Saturday with some girl friends, just for the day 😉 ♥

Read Full Post »

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.

Read Full Post »

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.

Read Full Post »

Our Visit to East Bay Baptist Association

Fermin and I had a great time visiting with the East Bay Association.  Lyman (Dir. of Missions) and Sandy Alexander are friends from long time ago.

One of the highlights of this meeting was the training that was given to the leaders present on how to use their bright new “Block Party” trailer.  The trainer had the people involved set up in less than 25 minutes!!! Not only did they set up, but they had to assemble part of the equipment, since the content of the trailer was new.  Two Bouncing Houses, Pop Corn and Ice Shaved Machines, tables, chairs, 3 or 4 canopies, games, grill, sound system, you name it this trailer had it, enough for a party of  about 250 people.

The California State Convention gave this trailer to the association, thanks to our churches giving to the State Missions Offering.  They hope to be able to give more of these trailers to other associations in the future as recourses are available.

Read Full Post »