2011 Teen Convention - Longview, TX

This morning we loaded up 2 vans full of teenagers, luggage and junk food and off we went.  We had a total of 20 teenagers and 4 adults going this year.  This is one of the highlights of the summer when the teens can get away from the tv, ipods, and other tempting influences and receive nothing but good old fashion preaching, spirit filled music and clean fun!  The teens growing up now a days have so much temptation.  With all the technology in their iphones, ipods and the internet have created "Sin at their fingertips!" 
The conference starts tonight and ends Thursday!  The theme this year is "Dare To Be Different".  Please pray with us as we ask the Lord to speak to the hearts of our teens and many decisions will be made!

Ready to go!

(Not pictured:  Pastor and two teen boys we will pick up on the way to Longview.)

Stopped for lunch in Lindale, TX.

L to R: Nic, Marco, Sammy, Julio, Andres & Bryan.

L to R:  Hamilton, Obed & Ulises

Leandra

Crystal

L to R:  Brenda, Diana, Karen, Aracely & Miss Karissa

Jazmin, Guadalupe & Sarahi

Krystalynn & Lilia

Teen Soul Winner of the year!

Last Monday night was our first formal teen banquet!  The teens were all dressed so nice!  The girls went out and bought formals and the guys were all dressed up with their suits. 
We had a wonderful time!  The meal was delicious and the atmosphere was very nice.  We held it at the Dallas Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, TX. 
The teens received certificates for reading their Bible, winning souls to Christ and in many other areas. 
Pastor Bob Gray II was our guest preacher accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Kelly Gray. 
It was a great night seeing how hard our teens worked all year long in accomplishing many spiritual goals in their lifes.  But I must say the highlight of my night was seeing our son, Andres receive an award for having the most souls won in 9 months of the program!  He lead 115 souls to the Lord!  He received a brand new Bible with his name engraved, a plack and his way paid to the Teen Convention this year.
Way to go Andres!  I know you worked hard and I praise the Lord for the souls that are on their way to heaven!

Pastor & Mrs. Bob Gray, Andres, my husband and I.

                                

Dallas Mavericks NBA Champs!

I know this is far from anything spiritual but....."YAY!  MAVS ARE #1"  :)
Last Sunday night was a night full of activities in our church!  After our service and the Lord's Supper we had a few meetings with our teens that are going to Teen Convention in Longview next week and another with our nursery workers. 
So that we could see the last quarter of the basketball game, the Dallas Mavs vs. Miami Heat we set up our own large screen tv so we wouldn't miss it!
What a great time we had together cheering on our team and especially when we won!  105-95!
...and to think some people didn't go to church so that they could see the game.

Come on Mavs!  You can do it!

Count down...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1......

YES!  MAVS WIN!!!!!!!!

My Circle of Protection!

Last Friday night I held our bi-monthly ladies missionary circle meeting.  The theme was "My Circle of Protection".  The lesson was taught by Mrs. Marlene Evans when I was attending Hyles-Anderson College.  Since it has been over 25 years that I heard the teaching.....I couldn't remember much about what she taught but seemed to remember the main idea, so I added my own teaching to her idea.  I had my circle leaders bring things that were important to them and found joy in having them.  Some of the items were the Bible, pictures of family, flowers, plants, a table fountain, baby shoes of their children, candles and on and on.   
Life will bring unexpected changes in our lifes.  Changes that sometimes leave empty spots in our lifes.  For example, our children leaving for college, getting married and moving far away, an unexpected death or a loved one becoming ill.  Alot of times our reaction is to leave those empty spaces in our lifes and try to cope.  We need to fill in those spaces with other things:  God's Word, our spouses, our children, investing time in others, or involvement in church.
Personally there have been lots of changes in my life in the past few years.  Elyssa, Danny and David leaving for college, Elyssa getting married and preparing for motherhood, and now leaving shortly for full time deputation to then move to the Philippins and to think they have the nerve to take our grandaughter!  (Just Kidding!)  I can't just sit and be sad that I don't have them here and that the nest is slowly emptying!  I still have a husband to care for and our son Andres.  I fill my time with them!  I fill my time and sometimes loneliness with my ladies at church, my S.S. Class, winning souls, and so many other things that I enjoy! 
Mrs. Evans was a great teacher!  I learned so many things from her that I will carry with me for the rest of my life!  May this teaching be a help and a blessing to you as well!  :)

After the teaching we divide into our individual circles and read monthly or bi-monthly letters from our missionaries, pray for them, sign birthday and anniversary cards or discuss anything else concerning our missionaries.

Spending time with my daughter!

Jared has now started part-time deputation on the weekends.  Since it's a little hard for Elyssa to travel at this time for hours at a time, he will not be taking her till after the baby is born.  So being the wonderful son n law that he is, he drove her here to our house to spend the weekend with me.  With my husband being out of town in Brazil it was nice for Andres and I to have her home for a few days. 
Yes, I pampered her and let her relax and rest as much as she could.  Before she came she put in her order for her Saturday dinner...mexican rice and mole.  (LOL! Not mole the animal but mole a mexican food dish.)  It was nice having her home for the evening and all day today in church with me. 
I'm so thankful that I have a good mother daughter relationship with Elyssa where we can talk about the ministry, babies :), receipes and so much more! 
Raising children is a lot of hard work but the reaping is so wonderful and fun.  I am so thankful for the daughter that the Lord has given me!  I love you mija!

Elyssa in my kitchen....waiting for her requested meal. :)

Happy 1 year Anniversary Jared and Elyssa!

When I compare my evening tonight from a year ago tonight...WOW! What a difference!  We started off the day with me driving Elyssa and her maid of honor and 6 bridesmaids to a near by nail salon for them to all get their nails done.  We invaded the place with laughter, taking pictures and just having a good time with many of them being childhood friends.  After that we went back to our house where a "team of ladies" were waiting for the girls to get their hair and make up done.  I have to say it was nice watching the girls have a good time together as they once did but now many of them live apart from one other.
My husband and I could not be more pleased with the wedding and all the dear loved ones and friends that attended.  All the hours spent planning, looking for deals in the internet and shopping for modest dresses (which by the way was a huge job) created sweet memories with my daughter!  We have no regrets as my husband walked our daughter down the aisle and gave her to Jared! 
After the wedding, pictures, reception, our send off to the newlyweds and the clean up, my husband and I had a lonely drive home.  It was a lonely but satisfying feeling knowing we did all to raise our daughter in the ways of the Lord!
Jared and Elyssa, I love you both dearly and you have made us proud!  May God continue to bless you both as you begin another year of life together and now with a "little one".

 

Jared & Elyssa Zapata

(...and Gabriella!) :)

Sharing pictures of their special day last year!

And they lived happily ever after!

Being a homemaker today!

I thought twice about posting this blog because I thought maybe it might be silly to post.  But then I got to thinking of how much we need to be encouraged or reminded to do the simple things or the things that we already know how to do but just don't do it.  So here it is and hope it encourages you to do some organizing and putting some time into your home. 
At this time, my husband is in Brazil preaching for our Missionary, Bro. Juan Vallejo.  Everytime he is out of town I make a list of things to do that I normally don't have much time to complete.  I try to keep myself as busy as possible so that the time won't go so slow.  I'm usually very busy with church work but I found that today was going to be a day I could give to my home.  I got to work in my flower garden, and reorganize my kitchen and food pantry.  What a tiring but satisfying day!

Yes, I'm a slave driver!  My son Andres.

I love flowers! :)

This use to be my pantry but since I'm buying less groceries these days (thanks to Danny and David being in college) I decided to put all my small appliances, extra serving dishes and odds and ends here.

Then I cleaned the kitchen cabinets and lined them with shelf contact paper and organized all my spices, canned goods, snacks, etc.  It's so much easier to cook and do grocery shopping when you know what you have.  (Speaking from experience!)  All I have left to do in the kitchen is the cabinet with my pots and pans then "Mission Accomplished!"

Oh, I almost forgot!!!  My tupperware cabinet!  This is one cabinet that I can never keep straightened.  I put my glass casserole dishes and bowls on top and all tupperware and plasticeware on the bottom. 

I think we can keep it up this time!  :) 

Mom, aren't you proud of me!  Now you don't have to straighten it up when you come visit!  I know you did so out of pure frustration when you would reach for one and 4 or 5 containers would fall out each time!  (Am I the only one this happens to?)