What You Don't See

So where have I been?

Well apparently its been a WHILE since my last post. Like, a long while, or as my husband likes to say it's been "a minute" in his slang, I'm from the streets, I can talk this way, voice. Hee Hee, I love to pick on you Honey!

Any who.

So what's the latest?

In the past year and a half so much has happened.  Here is a quick update.


We celebrated the coming of baby #4!

I love this picture, this is what pregnancy glow looks like, yes I'm bragging because most of the time I wasn't glowing.  I was sweating. Or waddling. Or in my favorite stretchy clothes.  You get the point.  This one makes you want to say, "Aww, I could do that again."  Then I remember labor.  Let me just leave it at that.

We said good bye to our rental home.

I was sad about this. I really did love this little place.  So many great memories.  We brought Bella home here.  It was our almost perfect home.  It was right off the freeway, down the street from grocery stores, it was comfy and cozy and just right.  It was almost perfect.  It had a split backyard, so the garage driveway ran down the middle of the yard and both back-side yards were separately fenced.  So instead of one large yard it was two small yards.  It was kinda wonky.  That and I have a large family and the living room kitchen area was really small and made it really crowded for large gatherings.  So aside from the occasional party, where we were squeezed in tight, that house was great.

The kids wanted to help Daddy load the truck. If only...


We bought our first home.

One month before I was due to pop!  Moving while 8 months preggo is no bueno.  Oh, did I mention school was about the start the week I was due.  I had one boy going to first grade and another starting Kinder, and I would be darned if this baby was gonna make me miss my boys first day of Kinder!  As always I went a couple days past my due date and was able to see these little guys start school.

We brought our new baby to our new home.  That same weekend.

This is baby Caressa.

Well, these days she looks more like this.

I know what you are thinking, "She's so big already!".  I know!  I feel like in the time it took you to look at that first picture of her in polka dots to this one, is just how quickly she grew.  She is a happy, easy going, bouncing, bundle of joy.

I also transitioned from full-time employee to part time employee.  Yay me!

I was fortunate enough to have an extremely nice boss that let me bring my baby to work with me.

And I cannot forget our other family addition.

He is hard to see but there is a little electric blue Beta fish in there.  His name is Fishes Kisses. Yep. That's what they named him.  Poor fish.

This is how I spend most of my days.

And I'm loving it!

Oh, I'm not done yet.  These pictures may paint the image of pure happiness and blue skies, rainbows and butterflies but there is more than meets the eye.  I can't just share with you all the supposed good and not share the bad.  I mean this is the real world.

What you don't see here is the visit to the hospital when Caleb split his forehead open, again.
What you don't see here is the stress of getting a house and how close we were to it all falling through.  How we moved out of our rental and moved in to 1-1/2 bedrooms in our in-law's house for a little over a month.  It was tight quarters and most of our "life" was in boxes in storage.  I was very pregnant and wanted my bed...

What you don't see here is the anxiety and fear I had over adjusting to life with one income + four kids + new house (new mortgage).

What you don't see here is that when I went back to work 4, yes four weeks later with my baby, I still had to leave Bella with a sitter.  Let me tell you I was a nervous wreck.  The pressure of completing my work assignments while hiding out in one of the back offices and juggling nursing, burping, diaper changes, etc. all in one rushed day.  I still had to try and remember to eat lunch, go potty and not pass out from the hormonal fluctuations and hot flashes.

I think you get the point.  I can paint a pretty picture but there is always so much more to it.  I am no different than the next gal.  In the world I live in there is sin.  I heard recently on a program the radio host asking the guest who was a mom, "When you were becoming a mom what did you envision life being like compared to what it actually is?" and her response was immediate, "I envisioned everything - minus sin."  At that exact moment I said AMEN!

As she went on to explain she pictured well behaved kids at home eating their nutritious meals without complaint and they would all sit and play and craft and just have tons of fun, always.  Well, that would be ideal that is what you see in these pictures.  But what you don't see is the temper tantrums, the stress headaches, the furrowed brows, the struggle and fears. We are all imperfect people living in an imperfect world, that has sickness and pain and suffering and unforeseen circumstances.

But I have hope.  To not tell you about the source of my joy and hope would be a disservice to the God I love.  The answer to sin is Jesus.  It is through faith in his life and death for my sins that I have found grace and mercy.  There is hope in Christ.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, 

or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Romans 8:35

When you scroll through your gallery of photos and remember the good times, take a moment to remember the not so good times.  Where was your hope?  Who did you lean on for support?  To whom did you pray?  Call out to Jesus today.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:4-5; 8

Faith Like My Mother

One year ago today I was crying myself to sleep.  After a sudden illness and a 3 month horrific battle with cancer, I watched my mom waste away.  Three months to say goodbye is not long enough.  Three years wouldn't be long enough either, but I have no control of that.  It's what was given.  I cannot say that I will not remember the constant pain she endured, the chemo treatments, the hospital visits, tests and all the suffering she dealt with for those three months, because that is a reminder of the world we live in.  A world full of pain and suffering of sin and evil, of sickness and death.  I will remember that because it is the reality of the world we live in, a broken world and her suffering the ultimate example of true faith that points to a Savior.  

Mom said (and I paraphrase) who am I to accept the good things God gives and not the bad?  Mom said if God wants to, he can heal me now, but if not I still know I will be healed and whole in heaven.  Mom said pray and read the Bible.  Mom said I love you mija.  

Of all the things she said what I remember most is what she didn't say.  With her actions she remained constant in prayer and reflection.  She gave more hugs and kisses than ever.  She smiled through the pain and misery, just to put on a brave face.  She allowed me and others to serve her and care for her as she had done for so many others for so many years.  When her grand kids were there and wanted to be hugged and held, she never turned them away even though she was to weak to hold them and to delicate to be touched.  She never turned away people who wanted to stop for a visit and pray with her.  She quietly endured the the discomfort in silence in the presence of others and gladly welcomed the prayers and praise that was offered up to God on her behalf.  She loved having worship music softly playing throughout the day.  When she was to weak to hold open the Bible for herself and the pain to much for her to concentrate on trying to read, I read the Bible to her.  She never said how will you be able to go on without me?  She never said how could a loving God allow this to happen?  She never said What did I do to deserve this? She never said why me?

Instead, with an unshakable and unwavering faith she continued to believe that she would receive her healing, she believed that God had a plan and purpose through it all.  She believed that her faith and the life she lived was a good enough example for us who are left behind to follow.  She believed that if she had questions God had answers.  She believed that soon enough her suffering would end and she would be made whole and forever be in the presence of the God she loved so much, the God she spent her life serving and the God who once gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place to give us the opportunity to share in eternal life.  He is the Savior that her faith points to.  

So one year later, many tears, many moments of "did that really happen or was it just a bad dream?", many times thinking I heard her voice echo down the hall, many times picturing her smiling face looking out her bedroom window, many times yearning to feel her touch ... I suppose I may never stop thinking of her, but I know one day I will be reunited with her.  What a reunion it will be! I'll finally get to hold all of my babies and wrap my arms around my beautiful mother in the presence of a holy God.  I may cry tears of sorrow but I also cry tears of joy.  

In loving memory of my mommy Teresa de Jesus Hernandez Arzola.

Oct 3, 1956 - July 31, 2012

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[d] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Scientific Case for the Pro-Life View

January is Sanctity of Human Life month, and in honor of the millions of innocent lives that have been killed I am sharing this information.

I heard an amazing scientific and "religion-free" case for Life, I ask that you consider the argument.

A common argument for Abortion is that a fetus is not a human being until it is born.  So let's analyze and compare the fetus and a newborn.

1. SIZE

Question: Do you agree that the fetus is smaller than a newborn. Yes. 

Are large men more valuable then smaller women? Would you agree the fetus or embryo is smaller than a newborn? 

2. LEVEL OF DEPENDENCY

Argument: How can you call something that does not have a functioning brain or self awareness a human being?  If self awareness& intelligence define us as human beings then those who are more intelligent have the right to exploit those of us with lower GPA's.  Plus, that would also mean we are all in a gigantic bell curve, we start off with very little rights of person hood and very little self consciousness and gradually gain person hood as we reach our intellectual and physical peaks, and we gradually loose rights of person hood as we age.  A 4 year old girl is less developed than a 14 yr old, so would you impose this view on her? A 4 year old doesn't even have  reproductive system yet would you consider her less of a person? Why would you rule out the fetus from being human simply because its development doesn't match ours?

3. LOCATION

How does where you are have any bearing on who you are?  A few mins/hrs ago you changed locations did you stop being you? What about when you rolled over in bed.  How does a simple journey 8” down a birth canal suddenly transform a non human tissue blob into a life we ought to value and respect?

4. LEVEL OF DEPENDENCY

Until it viable it isn’t human.  If so, then our ability to live independent of anyone or anything disqualifies people who live on pacemakers, take insulin, etc. Does that mean they are less human than us?

This is just a portion of recent broadcast I heard on Focus on the Family this week.  I've attached the link below and I would encourage you to listen the the compelling argument, by Bioethics speaker Scott Klusendorf.

Along with the link are resources on abortion, as well as confidential abortive support services.  

The second link below is a link with actual photos of the fetal development starting as early as 6 weeks.

Reaching Hearts on Abortion - Focus on the Family

Fetal Development

Labor Day Weekend

Ahh... So it has come to an end.  Another 3 day weekend in the books.  Here's a glimpse of my weekend.

Friday night was a boys sleepover, I had 4 y/o Christopher, 3 y/o Mark, 3 y/o Caleb, 2 y/o Michael & 1 y/o Bella.  Lots of work having 5 under 4! And to all you mothers of quintuplets, Lord help you!

Saturday morning breakfast, blueberry pancakes from scratch (thank you The Pioneer Woman for the recipe), turkey bacon & scrambled eggs.

 

Then we were off to buy Mikey (the cute one with the chubby cheeks in the green shirt) his birthday gift and then for lunch at Chick-Fil-A.

This is when we got the ugly looks, as if I was a nut for having 5 kids.  What happened to the right to be fruitful and multiply, what happened to raising competent future citizens of America, so what if I want to to have 5 kids! I'm the one taking them home, raising them, feeding them etc., save looks of horror for a real tragedy, like.... never mind... There are worse things in life than a lady with five kids! By the way they were angels.  Okay, okay, I'm off my soap box and technically only 3 of them are mine. 

Then we were off to Gabba Land, where everyone but this little fella enjoyed the party. 

 Two of mine are in this one. (below)

 Well after all that excitement we called it a night.

Sunday morning was another celebration!  There were 2 dedications and 4 baptisms! Praise God!

Those two "little one's"up front, never to late to get dedicated!

Then the dunking began.  Both young and old - er, umm, older, elder, mature, well there is just no easy way to say it, a little up there in age. ... wiser! That's the word!  Both young and wiser.  Hmm, still doesn't roll of the tongue very easily.

 Later that evening the festivities continued.  Dinner celebration for the newly baptized.

This is the pea salad I had for the 1st time in my life.  Yum, pretty good and I don't care to much for peas!

 Oh these were great also.  Bacon wrapped jalapeno peppers.  Then again bacon wrapped anything sounds great!

This was also my first time trying a deviled egg... I know I know! What you say? Never had a deviled egg? Nope.  But I will eat it again!

"You don't like them.  So you say.  Try them!  Try them! And you may.  Try them and you may I say."

Sam I Am -Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss

 This has been a recent daily read in my world, unfortunately my books get old and dusty while Dr. Seuss get all the action.

 Today was a slower day, Denny's made my pancakes today, did laundry here and there, a little rest, visit my daddy who is off to Mexico as I type, (please pray for his safety) babies went swimming at grandma and grandpa "pastor's" house.  I spent some time doing school work with Christopher, here is some of his work from today.

Then as the night was winding down and as I peacefully put away laundry it happens.  I hear the thud.  I start running and hear the scream of pain.  I get to Caleb just in time to see he's hurt, on his hands and knees behind the couch.  I quickly carry him into the kitchen, and I see blood.  Oh the thoughts that race through my mind as I yell for Chris to come help.  He hands me napkins and I wipe away to discover a small puncture wound right above his right eye.  

Can I just say I DO NOT LIKE SICK BABIES, I DO NOT LIKE HURT BABIES, AND I DO NOT HANDLE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WELL.  So what do I do, ask for the phone and call 911 as I put pressure on the "wound" and try to calm him down.  Well the EMT arrive soon enough take one look at it and pull out - A BANDAID.  Yup!  it looks worse than it is, granted it is a puncture but nothing worthy of a staple.  

Lesson of the day: 1. Its better to be safe than sorry.  2. I think its time to sign up for that supplemental accident insurance policy.

Good Night Friends, sleep well. 

Don't forget to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  This weekend I did a little of both. :)

Back to School

Tomorrow marks a very important day for most families in the metroplex.  Its the first day of school.  What was that I heard? A sigh of relief, a shot of joy, a hallelujah?  I guess the dog days of summer have come to a close and so has another chapter in your child's life.

Think about that.  Regardless of when their birthday is tomorrow they are "unofficially" a year older.  Now they are entering another grade level.  Maybe graduating to Jr. High, High School, maybe your baby is off to college!  Or if you are like me, your first born is starting Pre-K.  (Well its not official yet I have an appointment at the school tomorrow.)  Nevertheless, it is a pivotal point in your child's, as well as your life.

You've completed the enrollment documentation, bought the school supplies, taken them shopping, gotten hair cuts, gone over the bus schedule, and probably even ironed their clothes (just this one time).  Maybe you have already made their lunch for tomorrow or thought about what would be the quickest breakfast to make as you get them ready and on their way out the door.  You camera is sitting on the counter as a reminder to snap a quick shot of your precious on their big day.  Backpacks ready for books, freshly sharpened pencils in their pencil case, squeaky clean tennis shoes, colorful headbands or hair bows, fresh new socks and underwear.  (Why is that? Do they really need new undies for their first day of school? Apparently so.)  You've thought of everything mom (or dad, or both of you) and are hoping you didn't forget anything!  The kids have all bathed and are in bed.  All that's left is one last run down the mental check list before you are off to dreamland yourself.

But wait.  Are you forgetting something?

I don't mean to alarm you but it is imperative that I bring this up, in case you have forgotten.

Have you forgotten to pray for them?

Let just pause and do that.

Yes I mean it literally.

Stop what you are doing, oh wait don't stop reading.... stop all the other stuff.  Lets take a minute to run down the list.  Ready?

Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you in Jesus' name, and I pray for my son/daughter ______________ (insert child/children's name).   Thank you for blessing me with this child.  Your Word says that every good gift comes from you, and I know you have given me this child to raise with your help.  I place my child in Your hands, and I pray that you would protect him/her from harm.  Help him/her to feel loved and accepted not just by me and his/her father/mother but also to know that he/she is accepted by you also.  May he/she be secure in his/her faith.  Help him/her to resist temptation when faced with questionable decisions and peer pressure. I pray his/her heart will remain pure and that he/she will reject sexual immorality.  May he/she be the friend to the friendless and help to defend the weak or outcast.  Let this year be a year of spiritual growth and huger for you in his/her life.  May he/she have a teachable spirit and a desire to learn.  I pray for protection from sickness, disease and injury.   Help him/her to see the gifts and talents you have given him/her and how to use them to bless others.

More specifically Lord we pray for ___(name of school(s))___, and all the teacher's, principal and staff at this school.  Provide them with patience for the long and challenging days, for discernment to see the heart of the matter, and for joy for the days they feel weary.  Give them courage to be good examples and leaders to our child(ren) and a will and determination to see our son/daughter succeed.  

We ask all these things in the name of your son Jesus Christ.
Amen!

Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.

Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.

Lamentations 2:19

 

 

Other Scripture References:

Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  

Ephesians 6:4

 

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains about your neck.  

Proverbs 1:8-9

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:1

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  

Proverbs 3:3-4

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

 

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 Mark 11:24 

 

I pray blessing to you and your loved ones and am looking forward to seeing those first day of school pictures on FB/Twitter.

 

Love,

Christina

Red Hot Dating my Husband

So you're married, have a couple or three or four or more kiddo's running around, how do you make time for red hot dating in marriage?

Impossible you say! I have no money, no time, no interest, and very little red hot left in me - I used it all on the last baby!  TMI? Sorry to make you blush.

I disagree! Wholeheartedly.  I have 3 kiddos myself, remember, Christopher 4, Caleb 3, Bella 1.

I KNOW the everyday routine that goes on in your house.  It happens in homes across America, everyday in slightly varied ways of course. 

Pick one or several as they apply to your life:

I have a husband (which is kinda the point we are talking red hot dating in marriage).

I have 1 or more children.

I work in the home (Yes,  if you work in the home that is a full time job, long hours, not many days off, little to no pay, etc you get the point and if you disagree well that's another blog for another day).

I work out of the home (full time or part time).

I am a mini-van mom.

I am a short order cook.

I have daily chores, which include but are not limited to: laundry, homework, cooking, cleaning, not to mention picking up after the rugrats.  Did I just call your kiddos rugrats? I mean angels, beautiful, precious God given little beings put on this earth to test our faith, test our patience, test our marriage and sometimes even test our sanity!

OK, so you get my point.

Let me show you a day in my life. Just for gins and giggles. 

6:30am Alarm goes off. Hit the snooze.

6:35am Alarm goes off. Hit the snooze.

6:40am Alarm goes off. Throw it out the window! Not really but I would if I could.  Drag myself out of bed.  Say a quick prayer, while looking for something to wear in the dark, don't want to wake the kids who managed to sneak into my bed, again. Ouch, no wonder my back hurts.

6:45am Stumble into the kitchen.  I NEED coffee!

7:00am  What it's 7:00! Make my cup of coffee, load 3 babies in the car (with the help of Mr. Red Hot). Say good bye, I love you, have a great day, be careful (all in one breath) while running out the door and jumping in the car.  Oh no! I forgot the diaper bag and my coffee!  Run back in the house get my coffee, get the diaper bag, and we are off.

7:15am Pull up to my mom's house.  Unload three sleepy, babies who all want the privilege of being carried in the front door. Lots of kisses for demanding little people who want food, right now.  Tia Ruby can feed them.

7:30am Back on the road.  Ah, quiet time just me, my thoughts and my favorite station.

8:00am Made it on time! Yay me!

8:00am - 1:00p work, work, work....

1:00 Break for lunch, or not.  To busy. I have to eat at my desk.  Thank God I brought my leftover - oops I forgot my leftovers, again! Gotta go get a quick lunch.  Hmm, what about dinner? Oh no I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer, again.  Maybe I can squeeze in a quick stop at the grocery store. what do I make? Let me ask Mr. Red Hot.  No answer.  Redial. No answer. Well tostadas it is.  That's enough to feed a crew, let me invite my in laws.  OK dinner confirmed. Run into the grocery store. Mr. Red Hot calls.  Hi, how's it going? Yeah OK. Gotta load the groceries. Tostadas for dinner.  I invited your parents. Love you, Bye. What time is it? Just enough time to stop at the drive-thru and eat as I drive back to work.  Back at the office, unload groceries, transfer to work fridge.  Oh no I forgot the beans! Call Mr. RH.  Bring home the beans. Thanks, bye.

This is just half the day, ladies you know all the other "stuff" that goes on from lunch to bedtime.... You fill in the blanks with your nights....

Not exactly the picture of Romance? When you fall into bed at night you probably aren't feeling all that Red Hot or Romantic.  More like worn out and exhausted.

So where exactly do we fit in the Red Hot Romance when we can barley make it through the day? Ladies, if we want to have Red Hot Dating in marriage we have to be intentional.  Plan it out.  Prioritize our spouse.  Say no to the extras that keep us from one of our most valuable relationships. 

There are plenty of ways to work it out.  Kid swap, grandma and grandpa. Lunch break min-dates.  Come on women be creative.  I know you are probably wondering why I'm asking us to do all the work.  Just think what starting the flames can do.  One small spark might just revive your marriage.  Are you willing to try?  What do you have to loose? I challenge you to date your husbands ladies and enjoy it!   

Laugh together, hug, hold hands, kiss in public or not if you are the bashful type! Reignite the passion in your marriage. Remember quality is key.  Don't go breaking the bank, its not necessary.  

God has blessed us with the privilege of being married.  I pray you find the Red Hot in your marriage, and when you do don't let that flame fade! Let your marriage be an example of the love and passion that God created it to be.  No, not every date will be red and hot some might be pink and warm but the consistent investment in your marriage is worth every effort you put in it! 

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.


Song of Solomon 1:2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. 
Song of Solomon 2:16
My lover is mine, and I am his.
Song of Solomon 8:6
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ...

Valentines Day 2012 celebrating 17 years of dating

He can still make me smile!

Blessings to all you love birds! I'd love to hear some of your favorite date stories.  It will bring my heart such joy!

Mom's Legacy of Grace

Hi y'all!  Let me first welcome you to my new and hopefully improved blog!  Truth be told I couldn't log in to my old one. Long story. No I don't want to talk about it.  So to all my readers, Welcome!  Welcome with a big Texas drawl.  Maybe I should be saying Howdy... OK, OK going to far... Since I'm somewhat bi-lingual how about Hola!  I think you get the point!  I love exclamation points! Can you tell?  They express joy, happiness, excitement, etc.  I am excited to start this blogging journey and I'm glad to have you join me! (Again with the exclamation points.)

So today we (my sisters & I) were going through some of moms stuff, and one of my sisters came across a survey that my mom had taken back who knows when.  For those who don't know its been 2 weeks and a day since my mom passed.  She had stage 4 liver cancer.  It was almost 3 months to the day that she passed from the time she was diagnosed.  So it was sudden.  

Back to my story.  So I look at the survey and start reading the questions out loud.  

      Survey Questions of Natural Talents, Abilities and Skills

      Question one: Write down three reasons as to why you were hired?

      Mom's answer: House clean, some body recommended me

      Question: Why do you work? If you don't what would you do?

      Mom's answer: I Like iT  I nid iT To  

Now I must tell you, Mom didn't have much of an education, growing up poor she worked at a young age and never graduated from high school. She only previously attended school in Mexico, so she never quite got the English language.  She loved to read which helped improve her vocabulary and comprehension.  Mom spoke and wrote Spanglish, a beautiful fusion of Spanish and English.   

Back to my story.  I kept reading question after question and stopped at this one.

      Question: What have you always dreamed of contributing to the world?

      Mom's answer: Dejar un testimonio de mi en escrito y ber alludar espiritualmente a los enfermos del alma. 

      Translation: To leave a written testimony of my life and to have been able to help spiritually those who are sick in their souls. 

 

     Question: Looking back on your life, what are some of your major contributions?

     Mom's answer: Helping people to change for the positive

     Question: When people think of you what might they say are your most outstanding characteristics?

     Mom's Answer:  Prayerful person, love to give of myself

One last question.

       Question:  What do you want most from your life?

      Mom's Answer: Happiness, peace, love and love for God

I wanted to share this with you because it brought me great joy to read this.  I knew this about my mom.  I knew she loved the Lord, was a giver, never asked for much, loved to help others in need.  Seeing it on paper gave me a peace that she knew that about herself.  You see mom may never have left a written testimony of her life but yet here I am writing about her testimony for her.  Mom wanted to help the spiritually sick, those who need Jesus.  So I'm here writing to you about the God she loved so dearly.  

I believe my mom knew her purpose in life and she lived it fully.  Mom was a simple woman, never flashy, never held tightly to material thing because she knew the value of those items in light of eternity.  She had a heavenly perspective and the heart of God.  A heart that helped others in need, that freely shared the Gospel of Christ and salvation, a heart that loved others.  She had peace and purpose.  The world and Hollywood might think her life was of little significance because her picture never made it on a billboard, she never starred in a movie, never earned millions of dollars, but she knew her value in God's eyes.  Do you?

Proverbs 31: 10-31

^10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Mom was this kind of woman.  And I call her blessed!

Acts 20:24  So that I may finish my race with joy.... to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  

Mom finished her race on August 31, 2012 with joy - the joy of the Lord and she is and will continue to be a testimony of the gospel of God's grace.