Puppy love

Caleb was double fisting two of his dogs this morning on the way to take Asher to school. I tried to get him to leave blackie at home but , he said that puppy needed a friend. So there he was barely could see over the two walking clutching them tight.

" Man you really love your dogs huh?" he responded.. "Yes, they are my best friends." Caleb is the best pet owner you can have. Although puppy isn't real, he has loved on  and taken such good care of his dog, that puppy feels like part of the family. So much so we have him family photos, and he always gets a matching bow tie for special holidays.

I thought about this bond for a moment and couldn't help but think of our Lord. In the middle of weeks filled with excitement, anticipation, fear, and busy I needed to be reminded that just like puppy who NEVER gets left behind, I also have a God who is by my side everywhere I go.

And just like puppy who ended up in a fountain at daddy's school, because "he" was too hot, there are times the Lord will take us to places we may not want to be. The rad thing about it though is that HE is there!

Summer came and the new school year has started. I would be lying if I said that all is well. The truth is, my heart is trusting. My faith is being exercised and I am letting go of control. Asher is in a new school, new teachers, new principle and is there ALL day (more on that on another blog). Daddy started a new semester and is back to juggling work, school and ministry along with super hero duties with the kids. It is also a new season for me and Caleb.. We don't have grandma to care for anymore and we have more time to do what the Lord wills.

My Tuesday group and I started a really good bible study called "go in peace" and I realized that before we I can truly go live a life in peace the way God intended, I will have to purge the ugly I might still have hidden in my heart. All this to say that I have been on a little emotional roller coaster the last few weeks but I know that like puppy I am loved, taken care of sought after.

(by the way I do intend to blog more through these weeks. You all have been a part of my journey here on FFF and as always I want to be transparent to what the Lord is doing in my life.)

Hebrews 13:5 says " I will never leave you nor forsake you"

How refreshing to know that even in those moments we feel weary we have a God that  will grab you by the ear and bring you along and some days....... bring you a friend because you need one. I love how God ministers to us through our children and a dirty old puppy.

Jesus reminds us that the birds of the air don't worry about food because, He provides for them, and how much more valuable are we! Listen in case you need to be reminded today, God is with you, no matter what you are going through or feeling He is a God that will never leave you nor for sake you, remember that!

Love you! Here is to a new school year!!!!
Moni
p.s. As always you can privately email me with your prayer requests!

Introducing FFF Diet Bet 2013!

A week ago I got invited to play a new social media weight loss game, called Diet Bet. A fun way to lose weight and win money. I could have joined an existing game but I was prompted to start my own. I have several friends on my social media outlets that have a desire to loss weight AND I want to see them (you) do just that. So how does it work? I will break it down briefly but you can google “diet Bet” and it will take you to the host site that houses these games. 

I am sticking with the same rules, but since I know everyone playing, I am changing it up a little, make it less complex, cheaper and more comfortable.. 

The concept is this, you pay $20 bucks to play. You figure what 4 % of your body weight is, and you have four weeks to lose just that. All the money goes into the pot, and at the end of the four weeks EVERYone who hits their goal splits it! So you are competing against yourself. If and when you win you are at least guaranteed your money back and possibly more. According to the history of the game about 90% of those people playing have hit their goal! 

The money is the secondary prize the first is the weight loss and a springboard for more to come. If you need some motivation, then this is a game for you! It wont be easy but I promise you it will be worth it! I am praying for you, and playing along side of you! 

Here is how it will all go down. 

1. PAY

If you are seriously wanting to play, I must have your money by the 16th of september! The only ones that will be eligible to play are those that I receive money from. There is a true commitment when you have paid out of pocket (trust me I know). Money or Checks can be mailed out to me:

  ---------> Email me for address!

2. Weigh In

Before the end of day on Monday 9/16 I will need each player to step on the scale and take a picture of their weight. The weight needs to be visible, you do not have to do full body if you do not want to. And if you do please be dressed appropriate! Be sure to hang onto this picture you will need it at the end of the four weeks. After you do this, please email me and send me a confirmation that you have weighed in. Once I get everyones payment and confirmation that they weighed in I will post a list of the players and the total amount of the pot! 

 Play

Now its time to get to work! You will not need to update your weight within the four weeks, it does help to keep a journal! Don’t forget to drink a lot of water and if you need some help along the way, reach out. I am not an expert but I am available. 

Weigh Out 

The game ends on Wednesday, October 16.. Again you must get on that scale and take a picture of your weight. You have 24 hours to send me a email confirming that percentage of weight loss that you had for the four weeks. Now if you were playing online you would need to submit your photos. At this time I will not. It is on the honor system. BUT if there is a question it is good to have your pictures as back up. 

Feel free to invite, but understand that you are vouching for them that they are honest and will play the game fair. Once I have everyones results, I will post the winning players and all money will be sent out on Friday, October 18th.

Extra's

Because I love you all so much and I really want to see you all succeed, I will be randomly drawing a name a week for small prize! And the person at the end of the four weeks with most percentage loss with get an additional $20 dollars!!!! 

So are you in? Have any questions, email me at faithfoodfitness@gmail.com 

Goooooaalllllllllllll and the belly of a whale

He said his legs were tired, then it was that his head was hot, followed by "I get dizzy when I stand." He looked at me and when I wasn't buying into his non convincing story, he just cried, " I don't want to go."

I looked at his big brown droopy eyes and his body language that told me the truth, "I want to stay home, watch an episode of the avengers and be lazy. " As much as it sounded like a good plan, I couldn't.. I couldn't let him miss the last soccer game of the season. It wasn't so much that it was the last game but, I couldn't allow him skip out on his commitment because, he just didn't want to or was lazy.

As I explained to him that his teammates were counting on him to be there, he cried. I explained that if he didn't show up they would have to run faster, play harder to make up for him not being there. Eventually he got dressed and we headed out. Before we got outta the car, we prayed. I prayed that all his "symptoms" would go away that God would touch his body and that he would play a game pleasing to God.

All season he has been praying for a goal, I explained that as long as he plays his best, its good enough.  I love to watch him play, there is just this genuine joy and excitement when he is out there running, playing hard yet gentle enough to still care for the other players. As much as I think daddy wants him to love baseball, I have a feeling his sport is going to be soccer.

This league is our first time playing in it. Not playing before I had no idea that they were to receive trophy's and awards. When we walked in the earlier game was concluding and we took our seat as Asher went to warm up. Noah started at goalie and had several saves. The next half he was pulled out to forward. He played the best game of the season, ending it with two goals! He was so excited and over the moon with the smile every time the ball went in.

On the way home, I was prompted to use this time as a teachable moment. And it went something like this.

Me: Wow you had a great game. And think about it, you didn't want to come. Can you imagine what would have happen if you didn't come?
Noah: Yea mom, I wouldn't have gotten my goals, my trophy, my award, my treat ( in youth sports treats are EVERYTHING)
Me: Yes what a blessing, you would have missed out on. See God wanted you to go to your game because today he has called you to be a soccer player, and when he calls you and you don't want to go. what happens (waiting for him to say, I miss out of a blessing)
Noah: Oh mom, I could end up in the belly of a big whale!
Me: YES, like Jonah, sometimes God calls us places we don't want to go at the moment. And the times we don't want to go are more than likely the times something great will happen. If you don't go you miss out on what God has in store for you. God wanted you to have this moment, and if you didn't come you would not have been able to experience how great He is. He answered your prayer, He gave you the best game yet.

As I drove I couldn't help but to be so thankful to the Holy Spirit... my Helper. Life is tough and Parenting is tougher. I could have NEVER explained it better to my child how important it is not to give up. How being disobedient can cause us to miss out on Gods blessing. Ok ,so lets see how it could have played out.

I let him stay home, we hang out, watch TV and rest. No harm in that right? No.. Its ok to be tired today, its Saturday. There is always next season. So he had a good season, I'm sure that the trophy and award would have eventually made its way to our home. But do you think that is Gods best? Do you think that is the way God wanted his season to end? It might have been ok for him, but God wanted better. He wanted to answer his prayer, let him have that goal he has been working hard for. And you know what is even better? He goes beyond what we ask. He gave him two......

Is God calling you to go somewhere? To do something? Or perhaps you are running your race tired and you are ready to stop. Go, don't be lazy, do give up... chances are your prayer or blessing is just around the corner. God wants His best for you, don't settle for just ok!

"Its not how you start the race its how you finish." - Unknown

BTW, I believe todays lesson was just as much for me than him.. Usually is! I love that!!!!

Finding Rocks

There is was poking outta the warm soft sand. Exactly what I was looking for the perfect rock. I wasn't sure what I was looking for ,but when I saw it, I knew it was the one that would be perfect for our family vacation shadow box.

I spent some time walking along the beach looking for this rock. Noah helped and with each rock he would come across he would ask the question.. "Is this the one?" Nope keep looking we will find it son! Growing tired he said "Mommy can't we just pick one they are all the same."

Ahhhh then it was on of those moments, you know the teachable ones that are to good to pass up.. So I grabbed a few rocks and the one that was to be displayed in our box. And the conversation went a little like this...

"You see son, yes they are all rocks, yet there are different in shapes and sizes. And although they are all great rocks, this one (pointing to our rock) is perfect, because it is the one we chose for our family. There is no other rock on this beach that is the same, like you and me, that makes us wonderfully made and special." 

On the four hour drive home I had time to reflect on our time. I also thought alot about the rocks on the beach. I thought about how each rock had a story on how it ended up on the warm sandy shore of Pismo Beach. Some were smooth, perhaps rode a nice peaceful current to shore. Others looked a little rough around the edges, maybe it was tossed to and fro from the breaking current.

I wasn't sure how it got there, but one thing I knew for sure was that no two rocks were the same. And although each rock was special in its own, the one I choose was perfect, because we choose it for our family purpose.

Think about that for a second... We all have a story on how we got to the place were we are today. Some seasons have been smooth sailing and other times we have marks to show the breaking current. But out of all the "Rocks" on the shore God choose you.

I have to tell you.... We are not chosen because we are perfect, but we are perfect because we are chosen. God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has plans for us, that is for a hope and a future. Are you called? Do you know your purpose? Do you know that you are special and wonderfully made? Do you know know that there is no one else out there is exactly the same as you?

I hope you do, I am praying for you. I am praying that you would embrace whatever it is that God is calling you to do and know that outta everyone here on earth, God choose you!

Wanted to share some pictures of our family trip!!!!

 He is all boy, he kept trying to show his food in pictures.....

 They have formed a special bond, ever since daddy came to his aid.

 Love our Family!!!! 

 This is not a flattering picture but I just love the way we love to laugh. 

 Caleb was bummed that puppy didn't get in any pictures, so he asked to take a picture of him and puppy.

 Love

 Brothers

He never stops smiling...

Xoxoxox,

Moni

Heart attacks, attacks of the heart & modern day miracles- revised!

The other week, I was posting and save a draft entitled.. "Heart attack, attacks of the heart and modern day miracles." In that post I poured out my heart on how it appears that everyone around us was either having a physical heart attack or some sort of attack of the heart.

That night I was trying to pour out my heart pretending what it felt like to have one of these types of attacks. I couldn't, mistaking that I had to much to say and couldn't get it out on words, with what the real issue was. The issue of not being in that moment, until it happen.

Until Sunday when I came down the stairs to find my husband holding our lifeless two year old in his arms, trying to get him to wake up. His eyes rolling, and the only thing  he knew to do it is pray. To pray over him and call out to him, telling him to hang on and that Jesus loved him. The only thing I could do is listen to the voice of a 911 operator trying to assure me that help was on the way and that we were going to be ok.

In that moment, all I knew what to do was also call out to Jesus. Not knowing in that long five minutes of not knowing, I called on the only one who knew.. Jesus. This was the attack of my heart or very well could have been my heart attack.

That night we walked out of the hospital holding our boy. As scary as it seemed it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  Still  not knowing what caused the fever that caused the seizure, we thank God for that moment. The moment of taking our baby home.

I would be lying if I said that all is well, but truth is we have been shaking up. We experienced a glimpse of how precious life can be and at any moment without warning, our loan could be expired and   God could call His child home.

The chances of this happening again, is more likely till Caleb turns five, and my heart wants to turn to fear, worried about the what if's and it has many times. Replaying the images over and over again as if it was on a DVR. But then I have to ask myself is that what God wants for my life?

And the answer is No. I listen to an amazing study last night from Pastor Levi Lusko on using Pain as a microphone. Divine timing for a much needed reminder on how we need to use the trial and pain as a platform to profess what God has done in our life. Its during these times we are placed with keys to doors that would not be opened.

We had a follow up appointment Monday to see why Caleb had a high fever. As I waited in line for his prescription, I saw a lady buying some bed liners. Knowing I had a garage full of them the Lord prompted me to ask her if she needed them. In that moment, the last thing I wanted to do was be social and worry about anything other than getting my boy better. And just like it when the Lord wants you to do something, the prompting got stronger, my heart started racing and I spoke up.

" Do you use those alot?" She replied "Yes I go through a pack a day" We exchanged numbers and made plans for her to come the next day. Tuesday morning she showed up and picked up the liners, dropped off an unexpected bag of goodies from Trader Joe's and a beautiful plant. Then I opened up a the card. It read:

" Thank God, for the blessed gift you have offered to our family, in a great time of need."

You know what I love about this card, is that this lady recognized that the gift came from God, that He met her need. Friends, this divine appointment would not have happen had we not been there due to the attack of my heart. To keep this post from becoming a novel, I will spare the details on how see even ended up there, but just trust me when I say it was God appointed.

Last night as I tried to fall asleep I had to ask myself what I was going to do next? Live in fear, never leaving the house and hoovering over my child or really believe and trust in what I proclaim that Jesus is the anchor to my soul and in Him I find hope.

Friends, I believe in miracles, I believe in a God who funded a friends 30 thousand dollar cd, by using people to donate 15 thousand dollars in day. I believe in a God who after 15 years of prayer gave a baby to a friend. I believe in a God who held my son in the palm of his hand and gave him life, when all we could do to help him was pray.

Modern day miracles, we have seen in just the last month. Will my life be different? Sure it will, I will spend more time, doing things for Jesus and less time on the things that don't matter. You don't realized how precious moments are when you have your nose buried in your phone, until you almost lose them with the ones you love. God is not done with our Caleb yet or our family. It would be a disservice to our God to not allow this attack of our heart change the way we live for Him!

Thank you for your prayers, love and support for our family and boy!

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.." Hebrews 6:19

Serving Him,
The Pereyra family!

Recapping the Race- Part 1

Forgive me if this blog is long! I will have to break it up in parts. I wanted to follow up on our event. You have been along for the ride, thus far so it only makes sense to keep you in the loop.

Before we get to the race, I want to tell you the why?

Why this race?

This event is so important. A few years ago this was my first ever 5k that I did for time, that I ran and not walked. It was divine, because at the time we had a little buddy who was about 2 years old battling cancer. So to run for children's cancer research it only made sense! The only thing that I struggle with is that it is always on a Sunday. We have made a commitment in our family that we would not allow Noah to play sports that require Sunday games. We want him to understand that Sundays are for church and family.

Why mile 5 is so important to me?

Six months after this first race, I did the long beach half marathon. This marathon was ran on behalf of a few children that were still battling cancer. In that short time, we lost one. Gracie Arroz, she was 16 years old and my inspiration for this marathon. She was a fighter and her endurance to run her race of faith battling this disease was what drove me in my training and my run.

In that marathon, at the fifth mile, I had a moment. I posted a picture of that mile marker and the caption read, "The first five were for you Gracie". Immediately after the Lord gave me a vision and placed a desire in my heart. A desire to get people off the couch , encouraging them to do something they probably would never do. To run in an organize race. Not just for a medal, but so that they can experience the spiritual journey of training, and in the process hopefully get a little healthy. I knew if I could do it anyone can! fo real folks!

To really understand what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Immediately after that vision the Lord gave me the name "Runners for Grace." As I continued to run, and pray I was reminded that the number five in numerology means Grace! Gracie is the heart and soul of our team!

Last year was the first time "Runners for Grace" participated in this run/walk.
3- 5K Runners
10- 5K walkers
3- Kids 1k
For a total of 16 people
I expressed to a few last year that it would have been cool to have someone in every event. That day I went home with that prayer, that RFG would be represented in every race.

God answers prayers!!!
This year? We had someone in EVERY event! Even the bike event!!!!

1- Biker for the 14 Mile Fun tour
6- Half Marathon Runners
8- 5K Runners
11- 10K Runners/Walkers
12- 5K walkers
2- Kids 1k Runners
For a total of 39 people

I was so overwhelmed that I am not sure what to pray for, for next year! We were blessed to have our shirts donated, Thank you Mike! We were blessed to have a place to set up shop! Thank you Emma and Patricia for helping set up. We were blessed to have a team sign, Thank you syl. And I am blessed to have a husband who supported everything that the Lord has called us to do.

This day could not have been possible without the help of several people. I will share more about the day on tomorrows blog. As I left and reflected on the day, I realized that although we were not at church on Sunday, we were the church and I will talk more about that on the next post!!!!

Run to Win!
Moni

P.S.  If you participated this weekend, feel free to share.. unfortunately I didn't get to sit and talk with everyone and would love to hear how you all did and how you felt today?

Also it isn't to late to still donate! Our team page will be up for 91 days so feel free to share!

The voice in my head

The voice in my head tells me that our team isn't big enough. The voice in my head tells me that my attempt to fund raise sucks (for lack of a better word). The voice in my head tells me that I didn't train enough and eat good enough. The voice in my head tells me that I am crazy for doing another half marathon, when I was reminded a few days ago, I said I would never. The voice in my head tells me that on Sunday everything will fall apart, shirt sizes will be wrong, people will be late and it will be my fault.

BUT...........

This why we are doing it! 

 This is who we are doing it for, and the many more who are battling! 

And this is how we are doing it! Together in prayer! 

The voice in my head lies! God said, He will and He does. First step... don't listen to the voice in your head. Next step.. Pray.. and lastly... Run! I'm going to run like someone is chasing with a gun! haha better yet I am going to run like someone is dangling a donut in front of me!!!!

I am going to run to win!!!!
xoxox
Moni