The journey begins as soon to be empty nesters!

I realize this is a loooong over due post but due to many things happening one after another, I haven't been able to sit down and blog.  I so much enjoy other ladies blogs about what they do, places they've been, recipes they try out, blessings that have occured or prayer requests that have been answered so I will go back about 6 weeks and share my happenings in case you are like me and want to know.  :)  

Well, with such a busy Sunday, August 26th, I did stay up all night to pack and prepare the house to be gone for a week.  In fact we all stayed up the whole night.  David and Andres were busy trying to fit all their things into limited suitcases for the plane and needless to say excited! 
We left the house the next morning at 3:30 a.m. for the airport.  I was running on adrinalin until the moment we got in our seats in the plane, and then I was gone!  I had a good nap and was good to go!
We stayed in Kentucky for a day and a half and we were able to accomplish quite a bit.

• We got the boys settled in their dorm room.
• Got to spend time with the other college students from our church.
• Took the boys to Wal-mart & AT&T.
• Took David to Cintas where he will be working while here for college and get a drug test.
• Took Andres to Chick-fil-A where he will be working while here for college.

I was glad we were able to accomplish all that before we left the next day. 
We had a sweet good-bye!  I wasn't sure if I would cry, tear up or be fine.  To my surprise I was fine. I think the peace I have comes from the fact that I know they are where God wants them.  They are in God's will!  Also, this being Andres' first year I know he was ready!  Everytime one of our kids left for college we tried to see that they reached the place where we knew they were ready for the next level in their lives.  That includes:  work ethics, having general study habits, responsibility...at least some (Lol!) and knowing how to do their own laundry!  (Lol!)
After we left the boys, my husband and I went to Maryland to see our oldest son Danny.  He is working as an assistant pastor to Pastor John Seay in Frederick, MD.  There we spent a week with him and took in some sight seeing in the neighboring areas.  My husband and I had a great time!  Plus it helped keep my mind off leaving the last of our kids at college. 
God has been so good to our family!  Any of the blessings we have received are not taken lightly!  Raising our 4 children was a lot of hard work, being constant, loving, giving discipline and most importantly lots of prayer!  Let me just say that it doesn't mean it all gets easier!  We pray more for our children now that they are either in full-time service or in Bible College.  Plus we now have a son-n-law, granddaughter and soon to have a daughter-n-law that we pray for. The list keeps getting longer and longer!  :)  Praise The Lord!
The following are pictures we took on our little excursion.

 

 

 

David doesn't look like it but he is awake! 

 Andres keeping awake with his ipod.

Checking in my bag at around 50 lbs!  Whew!  

 A much needed cup of coffee!

 A mad dash through O'Hare airport to catch our connecting flight 33 gates away!

Yes, I was the last one to the gate! 

Arrived at the college!

 Buying things that wouldn't fit in the luggage.  Good ol' Walmart!

Saying good-bye....no!  "See you later!"  :)

 

 

 

MARYLAND

 

 

 

 

 

Frederick Baptist Church

Frederick, Maryland

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

 

 

 

Arlington Cemetery

 

 

 

China Town

 

 

 

 

The Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA

 

 

 

Shady Maple Smorgasbord

East Earl, PA

The Largest Smorgasbord in Lancaster County

 

 

My husband thought he died and had gone to Heaven......

.....I thought I died and had gone to Heaven!!!

One of the hugest gift shops I had ever seen!!!  Over 40,000 square feet!

 

 

 

AMISH FARMLANDS

Lancaster County, PA

 

 

 

 

 

SIGHT & SOUND THEATRE

Lancaster County, PA

 

On our way to see a live performance of "Jonah"!

As far as I know there are only 2 theatres of its kind.  In Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO.  If you ever have a chance to go to one of these performances you will LOVE it!

 

 

WASHINGTON D.C.

 

 

 

My husband really did his homework when it came to getting our plane tickets for this trip!  It was actually less money to have a layover than to fly straight home!  Guess where that layover was?  :)  It was in Kansas City where my family lives!  I love it when God gives us those little blessings to let us know he loves us!  It was not even 24 hours long but we took advantage of every moment!  We had a great time!  My mom and sister-n-law had a home cooked meal ready for us when we got home.  We spent the evening talking and catching up on everyones news!  I was so consumed in spending time with them all that I didn't get many pictures until it was time to say good-bye. 

What a wonderful way to end our get-a-way, keep our mind off the boys, mini-vacation!

My niece Lauren & I pinky promise to say more in touch! :)

My sister-n-law Julie with my nieces Meagan & Lauren and my nephew Nathan. 

 (My brother Jesse was at work.)

My dad & mom

 

Going home!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karisa Daniel Update!

I just wanted to give a quick update on Karisa Daniel. 

They have been waiting on results to see if the cancer has spread to her brain and spinal fluid and Praise the Lord the tests came back good.  No sign of any spreading! 

Last Thursday she started her chemo treatments and has and will be receiving them every 12 hours.  She has not had any bad reactions or bad symptoms to the chemo.  Please continue to pray that it remains that way. 

Bro. Kelly and Karisa have both expressed such thankfulness for all the love and prayers from everyone.

What a wonderful family we belong to....the family of God!  What comfort we have when we know fellow Christians are praying for one another!

 

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up...."

James 5:15a

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

Kelly & Karisa Daniel

 



Bro. Kelly and his wife Karisa are members of our church.  Bro. Kelly is an assistant to my husband and both he and Karisa are very much involved in our church. 
For the past 2 months Karisa has been ill with what seemed to be flu like symptoms and progressed to pneumonia.  She had been seeing the doctor and taking her medication but would not get better. 
She was admitted into the hospital last week where they ran many tests and yesterday they were given the results.  Karisa was diagosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Needless to say I am asking you to please pray for Karisa!  Today they placed the port in her neck to prepare things for her chemotherapy treatments which they will begin this Thursday.  She will be hospitalized for 3 weeks where they will do, as of right now, 9 rounds of chemo.
I am asking that you please pray for a miracle that God will heal her of this disease.  Also, please pray for her husband and their 4 small children.  (Ages 5-9)  Our church is doing all we can to properly take care of their needs as well as praying.  They have had family come in from out of town to help with the children so that Bro. Kelly can be by his wife's side.
I have been to the hospital everyday to see her and I see nothing but a sweet spirit and peace that God is in control of the situation.  Bro. Kelly & Karisa have been nothing but a reflection of great faith!
As you can imagine there will be many medical expenses and they do not have medical insurance.  Our church is setting up a fund for them to help them as much as we can.  If the Lord puts it in your heart to help we would greatly appreciate it! 
Thank you so much for your prayers!

"The Karisa Daniel Health Fund"
c/o Iglesia Bautista Fundamental
P.O. Box 294108
Lewisville, TX  75029

*Please make your check to:  Iglesia Bautista Fundamental or/ I.B.F.
*You may also send cards to this address.

Happy Grandparents Day! :)

 

I love being in this stage of life.  Being a grandmommy to my Gabriella has been such blessing!  She brings so much joy into our lives!  My husband and I are like little kids everytime we get a text message with a picture of what Gabriella is doing or trying to say.  Or literally running to the car when they come over, to see who can get Gabriella first. 

To all the grandparents, I hope you had a wonderful & enjoyable day!  :) We were not able to be with our granddaughter because they are in Mississippi on deputation but just knowing how God has blessed our family brings sufficient joy into our hearts!

 

 

 

Note:  We got this picture today from the kids.

She said YES! :)

While we were visiting our son Danny last week in Maryland, we got to partake in a very special occasion. 
On Monday, Danny's girlfriend Sarah and her family invited my husband and I and of course Danny over to their house for a cookout.  We had a great time!  Mrs. Seay prepared a very nice lunch for us.  After lunch while Danny and Sarah were playing a table game, Mrs. Seay, Karisa (Sarah's sister) and I prepared things for Danny.  Under a big willow tree we put down a red and white checkered tablecloth with red rose petals spread out and a picnic basket.  Inside the basket was dessert and a book.  Danny had a book made of their love story.  It is from the time they met until the present with pictures and details of their dating.  The last page tells of how one day Danny took Sarah on a picnic and asked her to be his wife.  That is when Danny put the book down, took out the ring and proposed!  It was such a sweet proposal.
We are very thrilled for them both!  We love Sarah very much and know that she will make a great helpmeet for our son.  Oh how important it is to let God lead us in our lives as we make many important decisions especially when it comes to marriage.   
Jared, David and Andres are also happy but Elyssa is thrilled because she will finally have a sister and John Mark, Sarah's brother is thrilled also because he will finally have a brother.  (We have 1 girl and 3 boys and Sarah's family has 1 boy and 3 girls.)

 Very excited and anxious parents!

 "Will you marry me?"

The future Danny & Sarah Ortiz

(Date to be announced.)

Note:  I wanted to hurry up and get this posted but I will be sharing about our trip and how our lives as empty nesters is going.