Community and friendships

I sat there and with every dish she washed my hairs stood up on the back of my neck.
"You know this is killing me right?" She respond "I know where's you vacuum?"
Why are you being prideful?
You see I have been sick, and on top of that I gave up certain things in my diet which threw me in a tailspin of pure detox chaos . Struggling from a major migraine and know I was to have company over that night my friend Melissa showed up to help.
She came to clean my house and my pride went full throttle. I don't want her to see how dirty my house is. My rooms a mess and the floors well I just won't go there.
Well she didn't take no for an answer and when she left I sat on the couch and thanked god for the blessing.
You see it reminded me on how we do life. Jesus never intended our lives to be perfect . That all ended in the garden. Yet we walk and live like we are. Faking perfect families, perfect job and even perfect relationship.
But you know what I've learn? I've learned that being real, transparent and being vulnerable is so much easier. I spend less time trying to make it "perfect" and more time connecting with people.
Because Where there is humility and vulnerability there is no room for pride and when pride doesn't exist you know what happens?
People know how to help. And when that happens community is Established. Oh community, how great thou are. Community shows up to clean your house, community listens, community prays, community sees the need and does without you ever asking for it. Community is how God Intended life to be and is how you get perfect.
Here is something you should know about me. When we meet, we are friends. I want to know who you are. I might share to much, I am myself and maybe that might be to much for you but I'm real. I also suck at life sometimes, I have issues and struggles. I'm not afraid to share them with you because you to may be struggling with the same thing. And lets face it, it's much easier when you have someone on your side who knows how you feel.
This doesn't make me a good person or a saint. God has blessed me so much with His love and community that it would be a disservice to you not to share.
Can you imagine showing up to target one day to find out they are having a sale and everything is 50 percent off and not share that with any of your fellow target friends. No way I'd imagine you would leave that store call all your friends and tell them how much you have saved so that they can get in on the deal.
Friends it's the same way with God. He took my life of struggle and saved me from it and I love you and my friends not to share how God can make life easier. He won't make it perfect but He makes it easier and hopeful and He provides community to come along to help if you allow Him and yourself to be vulnerable.
I still have ways to go, I have to be intentional about reminding myself that just like I like to give and bless I have to be ok with receiving as well. Would you pray for me in that area? Thank you!
If you need prayer or need help on how to get connected or need a friend. Call me, text, Ig, fb , message me and all the other hundred social media ways to get ahold of me... !
#foreverfriends
Moni

God is good today

Its bitter sweet calling this day good! I mean what is good about them beating my savior, yet if this day didnt happen He wouldn't be my savior.

Being a mom I couldn't imagine how I could love someone else so much more that I would sacrifice my own son for their sins and saving.

Yet God who created the foundation of the earth did just that so that we could have a shot at this life and a chance for eternity.

We don't have credit cards anymore thank god. Debt free.... But there once was a time I did. You see I felt I needed stuff when perhaps I didn't have the funds. So I charged it, on a card to someone else's account, the creditor.

So each month sadly id make the minimum payment yet the balance would never go down. I got caught up in continual spending and finances charges that I was indebted to this creditor.
It wasn't until I married my husband who was much better with finances to help me get outta debt and I have to tell you it is the best feeling ever.

You see Jesus came into this world to pay a debt.He came to pay a debt that wasn't His , but a debt we could never pay. We could never pay off the price a sin.
The rad thing about the debt , He took is that He gives the choice to be pay Him back. How you ask?
By believing in Him, serving Him, loving Him, trusting Him and giving your life to Him.
On a day of pure brokenness I gave Him my life and asked Him to take my debt. He did, He has and hasn't charged interest and daily increase the credit limit of Grace He has given me!

God is good this Friday! 

Save by Grace and forever grateful! 

Mon

Touching our World

 Mrs Vargas ( Noah's TK teacher last year, last day of school)

I'll never forget the first time I walked him in the class for the first time and left him. Last year In TK. I cried for about a week...everyday or maybe it was two. Not totally sure, but what I am sure of is that I wasn't prepared to give him over to someone else.

Well we have definitely come along way in two short school years and I have to say we have been blessed with great teachers who have helped us with the transition. This week is teacher appreciation for our school and In honor of that I'd like to write an open letter to all teachers out there..

Mrs. Pruitt ( Noah's teacher this year, first day of school) 

Dear you,

You .... who should be our children's second teacher, but sometimes we get busy and put that burden of being their first on you. You see we should be our child's first teacher, but often you have to picked up where we have fallen short. Thank you

Thank you for showing up every morning ready to pour into our children, when perhaps you are depleted from your own. Thank you for your time outside the classroom preparing lessons, prepping projects and grading papers. Time you don't want to take away from the kids in your class but more than likely time away from your own family. 

As a mom here is what I want you to know...

 I take my child and I leave him with you, because I trust you. I trust that you will love him, care for him, teach him, giving him back to me at the end of the day  . Not only are you helping him academically, but you are helping , me raise him for society. I could not do it without you. Your calling is a high one, you are touching the world by teaching the next generation on how to live, work, and play. We see the fruit of your labor. Your labor isn't easy, and knowing you have to do it for at least 20 kids, makes me wonder how you do it?

I can imagine on some days you wonder if you are making a difference. Perhaps attitudes don't change, the test scores are not higher or that child will just not connect with you. Maybe today or tomorrow the fruit will not be revealed, but know that it is there.  And I know we don't say thank you enough for the things you have to put up with in the class. I do not take you for granted and Jesus , well he is pretty pleased with the care and love because He is clear in his word on how special the little ones are to him. 

Thank you for being a mom nurturing them, when they are missing us. Thank you for being a friend when they need someone to play with. Thank you for being a coach when they need that push.  Thank you for being their cheerleader, when they need that encouragement. Thank you for being their nurse when they fall on the playground. Thank you for being that disciplinarian when they need correction.  Thank you for being like Jesus and showing them love! Than, you for being there when we cannot! 

One day when my child graduates from high school, and Lord willing college, I will remember each one of you and know you all had a hand in it. I want you to know that I'm praying for you. I'm praying that God would bless you abundantly, because although its a job that should pay millions it pays dollars and cents. I'm praying that my God would keep you healthy, as you wipe boogies, He would give you patience with those challenged by bad behavior and praying that the joy of teaching never leaves you heart. 

Why? Because we need you, we need people like you who care enough about our children to be teachers! We need you because you touch and make a difference in this world because you called... Teacher!

Cant thank you enough,
A grateful Mom!

I give thanks for you making mention in my prayers..
Eph 1:16

Struggling weight!

There, I sat across from her looking into the eyes of a woman who had, had enough. I just need help Mon. I need your help, show me what to do. I was at work and we were in my office, only I was not coaching her on performance or work related issues.

She was tired of the weight struggle. I remember thinking to myself, ....ME to, ME to.. At the time I was working for ATT and I had just dropped a grip of weight and I'm not sure how it happened but I  became the head of the unofficial diet crew of our call center. We had a group of about 15-20 people who I would coach on how to lose weight, we had weekly meetings, a newsletter and for those really struggling I had one on one coaching sessions.

I remember thinking to myself how in the world did I get in this position, when I too didn't have it all figured out and still dont. The other day someone posted on Instagram a quote from Christine Caine and it went like this "God uses rescued people to rescue people." I realized it at the time that although I wasn't equipped on nutrition and working out, I knew the struggle, I knew what God can do and did and that is the encouragement she was looking for.

You know this afternoon, I sat there looking at my running shoes collecting dust and I remember our drive to San Diego many years ago. The Lord just whispered in my ear "Faith, Food, Fitness" I remember asking Him what does that mean?

I wasn't completely sure what it meant for a long time, but I was brought back to the time when I had the diet crew.  I know God has called me to walk along side women who struggle in the areas that most of us struggle with, faith, food and fitness. I know that I am not called because of what I know but called because I know the struggle. And called because of who I know.. Jesus!

Today I had one of those moments when I had to ask myself if I am fully being obedient to what God has called me to do in these areas in my life. Sadly, I had to say No, once again yo yo weight loss, and laziness set in. I can mask it with, being busy serving the Lord, but at the end of the day, I know in my heart that I cannot fully serve God in the areas He has called me in with excuses.

It sucks, to start over.. But here is what I know.. I know that my weight issues go way deeper than what I am willing to share right now. Finding the root of it all has and allowing God to do healing is the step in the right direction. I can tell you that although my food and fitness has wavered, my faith in God has not.

Knowing this makes it easier to accomplish the other two, because we know that we can do ALL things through Him who gives us strength. I know God gave me the words in the most important order Faith-Food- Fitness. Weight loss sprinting will not sustain anyone, because its a marathon!

Speaking of which.. I signed up for the Long Beach in October. This one holds a special place as it was my first and I ran it for Gracie. Runners for Grace was birthed at mile 5 of this marathon. I am super excited that perhaps I can get a team to run this one.

I have to tell you that I was pretty bummed with missing the Pediatric run that our team normally takes part in but as I type I believe He had a great plan and perhaps its Long Beach. I mean what a run to do as a team. So I am praying God would provide me with a team and specifically some who have never ran one before. I would love to walk or run the journey. I promise you will never experience anything like crossing the finish line for the first time!

So as I close out this blog, I thank you for allowing me to share my heart and be real. I also would ask that if you remember me that you would pray as I embark training. And if you are also struggling and need someone to come along side of you, I am always available for prayer. I am not an expert but we can figure it out together! More to come on the journey!

#trustingGod #beingfaithful
Love you!
Moni

Phil 413
1 Cor 9:24-27

Throwing it back blog- mommy's raising boys!

Tomorrow is throw back Thursday and I happen to come across of one my favorite blogs... Wrote it back in 2010..

It's "10 things daddy's should know about mommy raising boys"... Click.. Here to read it! Call me lazy or creative to bring it back.. Either way enjoy!

Love ya!
Moni

puppy houses, full time ministry and Gods will

As I sat on the floor making my second puppy house for one of Caleb's stuffed dog I couldn't help but chuckle. 

Armed with tape, scissors and cardboard , under my breath I mumbled "so this is what you had in mind for full time ministry?" 

Lets back up a minute, actually let me take you back about 8 years ago. I was sitting In my office one afternoon at work. My door was shut but through the open blinds I watch as people passed wondering , what do they think they will be doing in five years. The night before we had an all managers meeting at a hotel and we were handed a paper from our director and at the end the was that question... "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I mean like really who even knows?

I could probably tell you the answers to many of my colleagues. To be in that next position, to make more, to be more etc.... I on the other hand by faith was prompted to write the words,"To be in full time ministry".  At the time sal and I had no kids. We gladly spent many hours serving at the church ,mission trips and outreaches. I guess that question just awoke my spirit that day to ask the Lord, what does that look like? 

I sat at my desk gazing upon multiple open projects, a inbox full of emails, a calendar saturated with meetings, conference calls and round tables wondering if this was going to be my life forever. Don't get me wrong I LOVED my job. The position was created for me and I had my hand in my duties. I got to really work with the things I love ....people and projects! 

But there was just that longing for more. The money, position and responsibility, or even the success I had could not curb my appetite for something I didn't even know I was craving. 

Shortly after, I found out I was pregnant with Asher! And boy was that a surprise! I remember cleaning out my office days before maternity leave, seven boxes of my personal belongings made my director question whether I'd be back. While I was out on leave, the Lord was showing me to quit. Lord you are crazy! Seriously, how could we ever afford it? I am not even sure I am going to like being a mom. I don't even know how to cook that well. 

Well,  I ended up resigning before my leave was over and never went back by faith!  HA! imagine that!  About three years ago I finally got around to cleaning some of the old office boxes and I found that paper, with that question. There in my handwriting I saw the words... "full time ministry".  Five years later and I was technically in full time ministry although it didn't look like how I planned it to be. Instead of mission trips and serving in the church, I was a cooking dinner, cleaning house and trying not to kill the kids!

I'd be lying if I told you the transition was easy it wasn't  and there are still days when I miss the deadlines,problem solving and adult interaction, but I have been blessed to serve my family, friends and my sons school and church.

The "full time ministry " I thought looks noting like I had imagine. Yet I couldn't see myself anywhere else and doing anything else. The point I'm trying to make here is this. 

We limit God to what we think we want or what we think will make us happy. Yet, God knowing the true desires of our heart sees past the temporal and sees the eternal. Gods plans are not ours. And thank Him that they are not, I couldn't imagine missing out on raising my boys and the ministry he has blessed me with. 

Gods a trip man! He is so awesome on how he just orchestrates our lives. Perhaps you are in place that you didn't think you'd be! Or maybe it doesn't fit the "plan" or "vision you had for your life. God knows what He is doing. He had it all planned out before you were even born. He carefully puts together the best blue print for our lives and it would be crazy to be ok with the limitations of our own dreams. I don't believe we can dream any bigger than the dream The Lord has for us. But you have to ask yourself if you are willing to give up your will to Gods perfect will? It ain't easy friends, I still mess it up, however God has graciously put me back on course every time! 

Praying for you and where even He has you even if it doesn't look how you imagined it to. 

#trustinggod, #beingfaithful

Moni

beyond borders

She stopped mid chorus and encouraged us to really think about what we were singing. 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, where my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior."

Do you understand what you are asking? In that moment, what I was asking God was to take me deeper,out of the boat in to the water. Take me into the storm, because it is impossible for faith to be made stronger unless it is exercised. 

How do we exercise faith? It needs to be tested and tried. How is it tested and tried...? A good trip through the valley. About four months ago, I clung to my husband in our kitchen tired. I was so over the season of being in the valley and I just wanted to sit on the mountain top basking in the sun. When can I get back in the boat Lord?

 

Today , I find ourselves no longer in the valley , but we are defiantly miles from the top. I can tell you this.... As I sit and think of the times of being beyond the border of comfortable, I can't help to remember the day our Caleb had his seizure and went unconscious. How I helplessly, sat on the stairs praying with Noah as my husband ran in and outta the house with Caleb unresponsive in his arms. "Talk to Jesus son, hang on to Jesus son" he kept repeating. And what seemed like eternity was only a few moments before the ambulance got to our house. 

I remember following the ambulance with such fear? I had to go deep beyond anything I had ever experienced before to find the faith and trust in The Lord that goes beyond the border of any of my previous testing. I could hear the encouragement that I often shared about in bible studies, blogs or devotions and I had to ask myself do I really believe God had us.

Although that event was traumatic for our family, there is no other way we could have experienced the peace and presence of God like that any other way.

 

A border can be discribed as a boundary. Think about that for a moment. We set boundaries in relationships and places to keep us safe. How uncomfortable do you feel when someone has crossed it.

 

One of the first times I went to Mexico I was terrifed. I heard about all the bad things that happen when you cross the border and how serious you need to be. I remember thinking what if when they ask me something, and I get this unexpected accent. Forget my information and I can't answer. Then they think I'm lying and think I'm trying to cross illegally. Haha... or what if my sense of humor does do well with the Feds and they throw me in the slammer with Pedro and I have to drink the dirty water and I get a parasite and die. 

How dumb huh? We were not even there yet and I was already thinking of how my new life in Mexico would look like , because I would never get back home. 

Last night as we sat with a friend who will be signing her divorce documents today, we reminded her how God is already in our tomorrow. "It's going to be hard tomorrow " she kept saying. "Or it may not. We have no idea how tomorrow will be, but we know God is already there. " We don't know what's beyond the border we are asking God to lead us beyond.

BUT we can rest in the fact that He is there. 

I love the last part of that chorus:

"...in the presence of my savior". God is present! Thank God He is always faithful to show up. 

It's a deep song, but it's also a heavy prayer. After truly understanding what I was asking I have never sang it the same. Perhaps God has taken you outside the border of your own trust. Where you are I'm the middle of a heavy workout of faith building, remember one thing God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you! 

#trusting God, being faithful

Moni