Is He calling?

Have you ever had a time when God is calling you to do something and you can think of every reason why you shouldn't. Perhaps it is something that is going to take more faith than you have, or more time than you think you have to give. You start to formulate in your small mind of the what if's? Or this can be really difficult or I'm not equipped or I cant, I don't want... and the list goes on and on...

Yeah well that is me.. And perhaps it is also you.. Sometimes we forget how big God really is. We cannot comprehend the crazy work He can do in us.. Why? Because we sometimes don't believe in ourselves.. We see the mistakes, we see the past and we have no idea what is in the future.

God knows and there is no doubt that if He is calling you to do something it is for His purpose but it is for OUR lesson... If you think about it, God is God... He really doesn't need us for much.. He can accomplish pretty much anything however He wants us to live that abundant life.. He wants to stretch us and form us so that we can celebrate the success with Him.

There is a saying " The will of God will never lead you where the Grace of God cannot keep you." If we really embrace that, then when He calls we have no problem going or doing what He is asking us to do. He knows what we are capable of.. We fail because we think we know what we are capable of, and the truth is we really don't. There have been times in my life where I think how in the world did I make it through that? Or Lord how did that happen that way?

If we believed in ourselves the way God does, we would accomplish more, love more and be more. I pray that what ever it is in your life God is calling you, weather it be big or small that you pray for God to see yourself the way He does. God doesn't make mistakes so if He is tugging or calling you, know He also comes with a plan....

I pray for you and ask you pray for me as I take this new challenge that I am not ready to share just yet.. I pray in His timing I will..

Have a great weekend, love you all!
Mon

Dare to be different!

As he walked through the restaurant everyone turned their heads and gasp.. "how cute" "awww" I heard as I walked holding Noahs hand. There he stood not much over three feet... he was wearing high water fireman pants because he insisted on wearing his suspenders... His shirt that one time was white was not so much.. His fire hat was backwards and a little off to the side. He also made sure that before we left he was wearing his badge.

Back up a half hour, I pleaded with him to change. We were meeting grandma and uncle for lunch. He looked at me and with little tears and said " no change".. Perhaps I blamed it on time or maybe be deep down pass the embarrassment I wanted him to have his way this time. What was it to hurt to let him sport his costume way past October.

I sat and watched him eat and he had no clue that he looked different. He was just happy that he was wearing what he loved and didn't mind the attention. After feeling alil ashamed that I was embarrassed to take him out and become that "mom" the Lord spoke to me.

He was different than anyone else and they enjoyed it and in response he interacted with some of the people at lunch. He brought a smile to many. How come we worry so much about looking and being like everyone else that we are ashamed to look and act different?

God calls us to be different and set apart from the rest of the world. I often admit I don't want to be because it is more comfortable not to be.. Or is it? Are you tired of trying to keep up with the rest of the world? God created all of us different and unique in our qualities so lets stop trying to be like everyone else and be ourselves... Let us love who we are and enjoy what God made us to be....

Had Noah not wore his costume he would have been just another toddler out to lunch with his mommy. But the fact that he was different allowed him to stand out in the crowd. Because he did he was able to show off his personality and be a light to those around.....

Praying to be different!
Mon

Faith that Heals!

So often we pray to God as if He was santa claus or just a miracle giver. I was reading in the book of Matthew the other day and I am not sure why I never really noticed it before but I did that day. See as Jesus went around healing the sick there was one thing He was consistant in saying.. He said " Because of your faith you are healed... It is your faith that heals you.. Your faith has made you well."

So often we operate with the assumtion that in order to be healed or have a prayer answered we have to do nothing but simply ask. It takes two parties to make it work, you and Jesus. It takes you having faith which is a tall order sometimes and then the will of the Lord if it is time to answer prayer.

There is so much to faith than just having it. There comes trust, believing, discipline and obedience. I wish I could cover it all in this blog, truth is I cant. I am not feeling that well and I think that a short blog doesnt do justice. I am praying for a womens fellowship in May or June. For those who have been before, this is the once a month study we used to do. Please pray if the Lords will that he will confirm it to me and show me the right time.

In the meantime, examine where your faith is. Do you have faith that heals or can answer your prayers? Or are you giving the Lord your christmas wish list? I know at times it depends as you are being stretched but remember that God wants us to do our part to!

Praying for Faith that Heals....
Monica

Impossible Past brings A Possible Future

The other day I had a revelation.. The only way this baby is coming out is through labor.. Yeah I know right? I cannot go through labor again! I had a moment of fear, again.. Yup I said again, maybe perhaps I am weak sauce but I am sometimes fearful.. So I prayed and asked the Lord to give me peace that would surpass my understanding....

I had a dream.. Not like Martin Luther King, just a simple dream, cuzz I am not that big time. I was standing in front a few thousand people giving a presentation. I cant remember what I was presenting but I remember I was kinda nervous. When I woke up I prayed like I usually do thanking the Lord for waking me up and He reminded me of a time in my life when I was fearful.

It was early in my career... I was working on a project with a team and we were to give a presentation to the whole LA market at a all employee meeting. It was going to be at the Cerritos performing Arts center. So I showed up to work our table and pass out these cool text messaging cheat sheets. It was well before text messaging blew up.. This was a good 8 years ago... Anyhow, when I got there, they informed me that our presenter did not feel well and was not able to present, as we stood there I all of sudden felt 6 pair of eyes looking at me.. Ok really? I am the rookie here... But they convinced me that since I worked heavily on the project I was the best one to present the 20 page slide. True or not.. I tend to believe not! They just did not want to do it, anyhow I was the sucker!

Ok seriously who wants to hear a presentation about the network and texting capability and our vision for our group when everyone only cared about the raffles and give aways. It was going to be a tough crowd to begin with! I was going in cold, no notes, no slides and the first time seeing them would be when I went on stage. I remember pacing in the back and a Area Manager coming over to me and perhaps I looked pale or maybe my pacing drew her in. She said “lil mon, relax and pray and you will do fine.”

I said a quick two minute prayer and I felt a little better. “How many people you think is out there I asked her? ummm about 2000 and then I felt a rush of anxiety, and I was up... I stepped on stage preparing for the worse and you know what? It really wasn't so bad.. There was so many lights hitting the stage that I couldn't see not one person, all I saw was the light.

It made me realize this... sometimes we are called to something that seems so big and impossible. We build ourselves up worrying for nothing. When it comes down to it, it really isn't that bad and the Lord shows us the light. We think that we are not equipped enough and He puts us in a situation to remind us that He prepared us for such the time. He shows us time and time again that He got us through ( you fill in the blank) and He will be faithful to get us through again....

Hey listen God test Abraham many times to produce faith before He asked him to sacrifice his son. You think that Abraham would have went if he didn't remember what God had did for him before? No way..

Things seem impossible? Then remember your past to be confident about what you can overcome in the future...

Love you guys!
Mon

A lost resume brings revelation

I couldn't sleep the other night because I realized for some reason I wasn't sure if I had a copy of my resume.. So in the morning I searched my files that I had taken off my work laptop when I quit over 2 years ago, and no luck. Then I found a few usb cruisers and nope not there. If I wasn't so sick I would have went into the garage and searched the 6 boxes I have yet to clean out when I packed up my office...

Now this poses a problem if I dont have a hard copy in my desk files in those boxes I am not sure what I will do.. So you are probably wondering why I would be looking for a resume? Am I looking for a job? Nope, however I am from the school of business that unless you document something then it never happen. That is the first rule you learn in management..

So after my third night of tossing and turning I had to ask myself why in the world is this bothering me? And I realized the hard truth, at the end of the day, when my career ended all I have is that piece of paper. When I turned in my laptop, staff meetings, conference calls and a office, for baby bottles, diapers and a nursery my world changed and I have regrets.

It made me really reflect on how hard I worked for soooo many years to obtain that title, obtain that office, obtain that pay missing out of the more important things in life. I admit with shame that there are days when I realize I worked harder for att trying to please my director than in my home trying to please the Lord.

Don't get me wrong I loved my job and 90% of the time loved my company, and I met lifetime friends however I was in bondage to my job. It sucked the life out of me, I lived on my phone, lived on my laptop and lived in the office. In the blink of the eye it was gone. My desire changed, the Lord called me home and all I have left of that time of my life is a piece of paper. And maybe not even that!

I would lie to say that I am ok if I never find that resume but only for selfish reasons to celebrate my accomplishments that really mean nothing now. Perhaps you are working at a job that consumes most of your time. Or maybe you don't realize it does. I know I was there, my husband used to tell me but I was in denial.

Just remember that tomorrows never promised. People in your life may not be there tomorrow, and your job may not be there tomorrow. Don't have regrets, like I do, I thank God that he used my sons birth to pull me out to what is really important.... Life and those that are in it!

I will leave you with some advice a area manager gave me one time she said this "monica, at the end of the day this business will run without you, if you drop dead on the floor, this business will still run there will be someone climbing over you to take your position." This was harsh words but she got her point across loud and clear and she was only concerned over the time I was spending in the office....

Is this you? Who are you trying to please? This blog took a random turn but after all I am the one losing sleep over a resume so go figure... If this is you.. I pray for you. Seek God for wisdom on how he wants you to use your time. He never in tented this life to be spent trying to earn that dollar for things that will make it with us to eternity...


Praying for you, be blessed not stressed ( as Momma Tate used to say)
Love you guys!!
Mon

"Hose water never hurt anyone!"

I was looking at a old video the other day of some cousins and I playing and I could help to wish just a little that Noah could have been growing up in those times.. You remember the times when it was safe to drink out of the water hose.

Or when your parents had to bribe you to come inside the house for dinner. Kids weren't stuck in front of the computer, tv or video games. It was safe to walk to the park with your friends and play for hours. It was actually fun to ride your bike to school or the store, not cuzz you had to because you didn't have a ride. We had to be creative in finding new things to play with outside and actually ran around playing tag, dodge ball and hand ball.

Barbie had modest clothes back then and G.I. Joe was a hero! People stopped by to visit with out fair warning.. They didn't set up visits in the blackberry, palm pilot or through outlook. People didn't tweet, text or FB to see how you were doing they actually called or stopped by. People kept promises and didn't let the life get in the way of missing "dinner or coffee dates".. You know what I am talking about the occasional "lets get together soon for dinner or something" only never to schedule the date and let the time pass by. I know I am guilty of it.

Kids respected parents and actually walked around without a ipod attached to their ear. When did we start letting life live us instead of us living life? Blame it on technology, but it is sad that we have allowed the busyness of life get in the way of living life. Faith has been lost in the home, because no one is there and family time doesn't exist. People are obese because lets face it we have become convenient. You can do anything from the Internet and it has made it easy to be lazy. And food has become fast and quick because no one has made the time to cook anymore.

I speak not because I have authority or because I have it together but I share my heart because I also am guilty of every single thing! I challenge you today... Drink from the hose.. come on it never hurt anybody... Drop in on a friend.. call someone up instead of using the social outlets of the Internet or phone, set up a family day with the family... Get outside and play tag with your kids or teach them one of the old games you used to play.. More importantly in anything that you do include the Lord so he can bless it!

As I pursue Faith, Fitness and Food for myself and family I pray you do to!
Mon

My Heart- My Son

If you ever wanted to know what my heart looks like, I will tell you.. He stands a little over 3 feet, has his daddy smile and his eyes are full of Joy, and he is probably wearing a “CARS” hat.

I never really pictured myself as a mom, I thought about it because that is the thing you do after you get married.. Come on you know, when you dating they say “when are you getting married?” then you get married and it is “when are you having kids?” then after your first it is “when are you having another one?” am I right? So the thought crossed my mind until it became reality on March 12, 2007.

Lets back up a minute, one day back in about November of 2006 I was in the mall and I for some reason had paid attention to the many kids that were there. It must have been the worse of the worse that day. I saw toddlers not obeying their parents to disrespectful teens using foul language with no consideration to those around them.

I remember driving home that day listening to worship and crying. I was so hurt for some reason with the youth of today. I remember crying out to the Lord “ Lord if you never give me child I am ok with it, what I cant be ok is one that will never follow you. If my children will not follow you then please close my womb and keep me barren..” I know right? Those kids that day scared me straight!

So when I found out I was pregnant, it was the night that sal left for Israel. That is a another story in itself.. But I want to talk about our son today. Noah has always been a little different than some kids I think from birth. It was confirmed that his name was Noah in a dream I had about a flood, Noah means “comforter” and Asher was given to daddy when he was reading the bible one day. Asher means “blessed one” or “smiling one” and that he lives up to.

He came into the world with a swollen kidney, meconiun in the sac at birth, the umbilical cord around his neck during labor, a dropping heartbeat, Jaundice and a small hole in his heart. A little testing of our faith for sure for me and my hubby but as we trusted in the Lord with His son and time he was healed of all things by his 7 month birthday!

Who is my son.....

He is the two year old that reminds mommy to pray when we are leaving in the car if I am in the hurry.

He is the two year old who prays for all his meals, even snacks.

He is a two year old who asks to go to the fire station to “pray for the guys” There are times we pray and only minutes later they are called out.

He is the two year old who will tell you that he is reading “ Psalms, Numbers” when asked what are you reading in the bible.

He is a two year old who prayed for aunties car for two whole weeks and we found out later that for two weeks auntie felt like she was going to get in a accident.

He is a two year old who has been carrying a bible around since he was only months old.

He is a two year old who loves to worship and will raise his hands when he sings, and there are times at night he lifts my arms up to worship to.

He is a two year old who loves people and has always been social and brings smiles to peoples face. The other day we were at a funeral and he wanted to talk to this random lady, we didn't know her, but he was so set on talking to her. My husband took him over and he said “ I love you” to her and then left.

He is a two year old who has a heart for Jesus. During the week of Easter I read him a Easter bible, and it had cool animated pictures in it. When we got to the picture of Jesus by the cross with torn clothes and some scuff marks on his face and body he said “NO NO NO Jesus” he tried to wipe the dirt off his face and when he saw the crown he said “ Off, momma off” he wanted the crown off Jesus.

Who is my son, he is a child after God’s heart. I am a better mommy because he continues to show me how to be a better Christian. Jesus loved children and I know why. The Scripture over Noah's bed on the wall says “let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”- Matt 19:14

When I picked it I always thought that would be a good scripture for Noah, but as I have learned it speaks more to me. I am so thankful and honored that the Lord would choose me to be the mommy of this extraordinary kid. Ive said it before and I will again say it, that if I had the faith, the love, the joy that this kid has I would be a better person!

Thank you for letting me share my son with you!

Mon