Tuesday, September 29, 2009

What color is your life?

I choose to see life as black and white.  As a right choice or a wrong choice. A narrow path or a wide path, as being whole or as feeling broken.


My children add perfect dimension to my life. But often times its not as simple as black and white. Every child is a unique induvidual, has its own character, and each one needs discipline in its own way. In that way my job as a parent needs to be based on right or wrong, to discipline or to forgive, to lecture or to hug.


So seeing life as black and white sometimes makes me miss all the colors in it. All the twists and turns, the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows.


I feel that when I know Jesus, I can see the colors with all the pain, struggles and tears. The stars are always brighter when the sky is black.

Monday, September 28, 2009

If you seek -you shall find.

Sometimes I get so busy that I don’t have time to seek God. The business of everyday just seeps away at my happiness, my fulfillment, my reason to live. I look for the everyday things to fill me up, to make me happy. I look in all the wrong places. I want my husband to make me happy, I want my children to make me feel content and fulfilled. If things happen to prevent my spending time with my husband, or my time with my children is not as much as I think I need to have, I get upset, demanding, or just sad.


But God being the ever-loving father, is leading me down a road I have not walked on before. The road of happiness based not on earthy things. Not based on my family, friends or work. Nothing in this life can truly satisfy my craving for eternal peace, for joy inside my heart, for a smile on my face no matter the circumstances. When I base my happiness on Him, to know that only He can give me true joy, then no matter what happens in this life, I am content to be in his loving embrace.

You will make me know the way of life. In Your presence are fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

Saturday, September 26, 2009

We have relatives in high places...


My friend has an uncle who owns a condo in Hawaii, told us that we can come anytime and stay in his condo.... My husband has a cousin who lives in Israel and last time they talked told us that we should come for a visit and stay in their house... Also, we have some distant relatives in Argentina, in San Francisco and other places. Some are very distant and we never communicate with them, some are nice, while others are strangers.... Its always nice to have relatives all over to be able to go and visit them, to stay with them, to safe money on accommodations.... Its also nice in troubling times when something happens, they are there to help out, to lend a comforting hand, to give you sometimes -unwanted advise... but its always nice to have family support, even if they are distant cousins.


The other day I read a passage in the bible that really touched my heart, I guess before I used to read that but never really stopped to think about it. But this time I felt blessed to have it in the bible.


"31Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."
33"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.
34Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:31-34


Amazing! If we do God's will, we are a sister or a brother of Jesus! Imagine having a close relative who lives in the highest, most awesome places you can think off. If that's the case then it means that the creator of all, the powerful God is my Daddy!!!!!!!! Wow, I love it. And He loves me.... and you.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

My children - are my blessings.

She stands in her summer dress, posing for the camera. Is this a good pose Mama?
Kisses are given freely in our house... even when they are not wanted....;)

Ariana loves her baby sister.... she is wishing for a baby brother....:))

The girls enjoy playing together, sometimes a bit too roughly for the little one.

Look at all those little rolls, just want to kiss them all.
So, these are my little blessing that God has blessed me with. Sometimes they are sure a handful, but most times they bring such joy...




Monday, September 21, 2009

1000 gifts from up above.


I am thankful today for all the beautiful things I see and the lovely christian music I get to listen to on the radio.

I am alive... I live today, I get to see and hear and breathe... its better to be alive than dead.

I am thankful that I am married to my friend and sweetheart. Its better to be married than to be all alone.

Thankful for my three precious girls. Wonderful blessings for me to enjoy and train for the kingdom of God.

The loveliness that surrounds me when I go on vacation: sunshine, ocean, fresh breeze, sand under nit my toes.
The not so lovely things that surround me in my everyday life: the noise of the busy city, the hot dry air, the traffic, the huge garbage trucks early in the morning picking up the trash and the constantly barking dog in my neighbors yard.

I am thankful for the sunshine which is Jesus that warms my soul, who hears my every prayer, and wipes every tear away. Thank you Lord for the gifts from up above.
I am joining Ann @ Holy experience to start counting my blessings.
holy experience

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The last days of summer.


The summer just doesn't want to let go here in the city. Some people I hear already state that they are tired of summer and cant wait for the coolness to arrive.... including my husband. I tell him that eventually it will get colder, we will get our first 'real' rain.


Driving home from church I noticed that we had some beautiful white clouds, like a stairwell to heaven. Thin, long, white clouds in straight lines across the sky- like in Jacob's dream a stairwell to heaven. I noticed when we start to love Jesus, we get little gifts from him, ranging from a favorite song I was dreaming about, that comes up on the radio at the exact moment when I need it. Or a beautiful miracle in the sky. Or you meet someone who just touches your soul and in everything you feel God.


Last week I heard a sermon on prayer, where the pastor was saying how we need to have specific times in our day to talk to God. Morning, afternoon, and evening- to go to our secret place where no one can hear or disturb us and pray.


'But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then you father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.' {Matthew 6:6}


It was a commitment I made and it was an amazing experience. I urge everyone who wants to experience 'Prayer' to its fullest, to set up times during the day, that you would stop everything you are doing and go to your secret spot and pray. You will be amazed. If I can do it, while working full time and having three little girls, then I am positive you can do it too. But I have to warn you, its a commitment you have to make for yourself. As soon as you do, you will experience a rush of so much to do, and just the craziness of life wants to sweep you away to prevent you from praying. I am sure you know who is against us praying, but God is stronger than what is against us.


After starting on the prayer path I got to experience so much joy and peace. All the problems of before just seem not as huge as before, I know that God has everything in his control. Well, of course!! Imagine me reminding Him every 2-3 hours. :))

'God did this so that men would seek him and grope out for him and find him, though he is not far from each on of us.' {Acts 17:27}

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Dark moments.

My friend is going through some hard times. Her husband has cancer of the esophagus. The surgeon was going to do surgery and take the cancer out, but it spread, now there is no chance for surgery, just chemo. Today they even stopped the chemo, since it gave him sores in his mouth and all the way down his esophagus. Poor guy cant even eat, its so painful. He is going through mood swings, the ups and downs. One day he just wants to stop all the treatment and just die, while another day he wants to live and survive. Its heart wrenching to see my friend so heartbroken, while I know this is just the beginning of the dark times in her life.

The saddest part of all this is that my friend doesn't know Jesus as her personal saviour. She doesn't have His strong presence to fall on, when the going gets really tough.. Doesn't have the love of Jesus to wrap her in his arms when its unbearably dark and scary... And I don't know how to show her to Jesus. I pray for her and her family, I pray for a miracle... but is there anything more I can do for her? May God give me wisdom to help her in any way I can.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Let the light fill your soul.

I know that God has everything in control when my life seems so out of control to me. The everyday life is twirling me around and around in a big wide circle. Remembering to stop and smell the flowers is sometimes a bit too much on my to do list Then a little whisper softly tells me to stop and kneel before my savior to pray. To bow my head down-to open my heart and my soul to his light. I feel Him fill me with joy and peace. If only I stop the busy twirling in my life more often. To let go of all the things to do and to accomplish in one day, then I can hear his gentle voice. His voice guides me as it shows me the way. He is always with me, if I only choose to see Him. I close my eyes to go to sleep and he is there… I awake and He is still here with me.

He also knows you and waits for you. Come to him if you are tired and afraid and he will comfort you. Tell him all the decisions that are weighting you down, and he will carry your burden for you. Let him fill your soul with light, joy and peace. He is here if only you choose to let him into your heart. You will be glad you did.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

She was left in a house fire...

They lived in a little, one room cabin after they got married, while their house was being built a few yards away. They didn't believe in birth control, so after 3 months of being married and not getting pregnant they thought that they wont be able to have children... but finally on the forth month she found out that she was expecting. She was due in September but the baby came in August. A little baby girl.

Building the house was slow progress, as they bought supplies when the money was available.

One day in the middle of winter, as the baby slept in her crib, the mother was doing laundry and had the stove top open to have more warmth seep into the room. They had an old fashioned stove, the one that still required wood or coal to work... the embers were red and seemed almost ready to go out, but suddenly a spark flew out the open top and landed on the pile of laundry as it ignited on contact. The woman jumped as she watched the yellow-orange flames dance on the pile of clothes and caught a hold of the curtains that were decorating the window. Not knowing what to do, she ran outside barefoot into the deep snow, yelling for the men who were working on the house. The first to arrive was her brother in law, he was 18, tall and awkward. At first he tried to stop the fire, until he realized that she was trying to tell him that her baby was inside. Then not thinking he ran inside into the heat, found the crib and wrapping the crying infant into a blanket he ran outside... As the men arrived and fought the fire.

After the mother calmed her baby she noticed a burn on the baby's forehead. She applied salve to it, but it left a round scar the size of a quarter on the baby for the rest of her life. But she was saved, and the parents praised God that night as they gazed at their firstborn, who slept in peace... that baby was me.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I am seeking peace... where is it?


Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things..... And the God of peace will be with you. {Philippians 4:4-9}

Thursday, September 10, 2009

I am never alone.

I need the opportunity to free my mind of sorrow, personal concerns; to see my world through the mirrored reflection of holiness. I need a time of prayer to leap beyond what is limiting in me as a person, to rediscover what is important and what is trivial, to take counsel with what my tradition stresses as the living faith. I need prayer.
Albert Silverman
I love the saying above... so true. We all need a lot of prayer. Someone may need it more, and someone needs it less. When I close my eyes and pray the mind is free to concentrate only on reaching God. To experience God, to hear his gentle voice. My mind releases all the stress from the busy and hectic day. I let him carry me away to holy ground, where no one can reach me or touch me. I am alone with him, I can tell him all my pain, my sorrow, my worries, all the complaining that I kept inside me too long. In releasing all of it, I am free from everything except the gentle, healing touch of the holy spirit. Now I can go farther, I am replenished, my batteries are recharged. I can sleep easily, I know that I am not alone. He holds my hand. He holds my children, and I am never alone.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

God is in control no matter what!!



My life is hard sometimes. I am sure I am not the only one…The road gets tough. I complain, I cry, I rebel but nothing I do will change my circumstances until God chooses to change them for me. Knowing that He is the one in control gives me a sense of relief, of wonder and hope. For He is a loving father, and knows my hearts desire.

My health is not as it used to be. I work full time and my hearts desire is to be a stay at home mommy to my 3 little girls. My husband and I don’t see eye to eye on this subject. But knowing that it is in Gods hand, makes me feel better. He does have a bigger plan for everything in my life. I read a story somewhere recently about a lady who had cancer, and was told that she may not make it. She had lots of scars from all kinds of treatments, bald head from radiation.... in her story she said that everything that happens in our life is Gods way of teaching us to be better, stronger, and more christian in our walk with him. That every scar and every tear is a way for us to draw closer to God, to lean on him, to pray to him, for he is there for us no matter what. For everything that happens, there is a higher reason. A bigger plan that God unfolds.


I am learning to be content in every day life. With all its ups and downs. My most precious things in my life are my darling little girls, my husband, my health... and everything else are blessings that we are blessed with each minute of our life.

The other day I was dressing my 2 year old into a dress that my 5 year old used to wear, when she saw the dress she said to her sister.
-“you see Odelia, I used to wear that dress, now it got small, so you get to wear it, and then it will get even smaller and the baby will get to wear it as well.” Isn’t that just too cute?
I enjoy my little baby how she lifts her little chubby legs up in the air and lays there like that, tries to sit up …its hilarious. Kids are given to us as little blessings- to teach us more patience, to be more generous, less selfish, lets us be a better person, for we do try to model a better behavior so our kids would follow in our footsteps, as you know they copy everything...;)

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Do you really, trully believe in prayer???

What is a prayer? I know that reading the bible is like feeding the soul, the more you read it, the more you will feel alive and fit spiritually. But prayer is like talking to our heavenly father, the less we talk, the less we pray... more distant we feel. More alone... the communication is broken.

Why do people even pray? What is that pull we feel that makes us try to connect to Our heavenly Father? To close our eyes, to whisper in the stillness, or to cry out in despair with tears streaming down our cheeks, or when we fall on the ground and beat the earth with our fists....

Here are some of the reasons.....
1. If we are in trouble, be it illness, unemployment, natural disaster, or marriage problems.
2. If someone we know is sick or in trouble, like a family member, a friend, a coworker. Its much harder to pray for a stranger who looks very sad walking down a sidewalk.... or a new neighbor who just moved into your neighborhood and doesn't talk to anyone...
3. We pray if we are in church, in a sacred building, on holy ground.

What is the prayer made of?
Words, soft whispers, desperate pleas, loud petitions? Mostly if we pray, our prayer consists of
a few words, that develops into a short sentence, and an 'amen' at the end of it... and we have fulfilled our duty as prayer warriors.... or did we?

Is it our duty to pray? It seems so in the bible... It tells us to pray all the time, for others, for ourselves... for we are weak as He is strong... It tells us that Jesus prayed... and if he prayed, I am sure we need it more...

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. {Matthew 21:21-23}

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. {Romans 12:11-13}

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. {Ephesians 6:18}

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. {Philippians 4:5-7}

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. {Colossians 4:1-3}

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—{1 Timothy 2:1-3}

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. {1 Timothy 2:7-9}

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. {James 5:14-16}

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. {James 5:15-17}

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. {1 Peter 3:11-13}

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, Jesus went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. {Mark 1:35}

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, sanctified be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory to forever. Amen. {Matthew 6:9-13}

Saturday, September 5, 2009

He is my builder... and I am blessed.


1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. {Psalm 127}

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Going to the dentist could be a chance to pray!


I had a root canal done today by an endoscopic dentist. My regular dentist tried to do the procedure a few weeks before, and after working on my tooth for over an hour, gave up, stating that the root was too deep, and he was unable to finish it properly and referred me to a specialist.
At first they did an x-ray to see my tooth, and after that a young dentist came in, to ask me if I knew that my dentist left a piece of metal string in my root from few weeks ago? At my look of horror he went to explain that he will try to get it out, and hopefully he will not need to do a surgery to remove it.

After getting a few shots to numb the area, he started the procedure.
It took forever… my feet started to tingle from laying in a semi-reclined position, with my head lower then my whole body. My head got really sore from laying on the hard chair… I had to go to the bathroom like really bad, as the dentist kept on working on my tooth. He took about an hour to do the procedure, and then an hour trying to get the piece of equipment out.

I was scared that he would never get it out and I will have to have surgery… I started to pray…. Please lord help him find it, help him pull it out. Please, please…. I just got more anxious, as I prayed in my head…. Then I started to praise Him and that calmed me down.

In the time of trouble when you praise Him, its like you confirm that He can hear you and that He will do what you ask him, and not only that… but He holds the answer in his hands, and which ever way things happen its for the best. But still the dentist is struggling to get it out and my prayer is not effective. Then I remembered that God doesn’t listen to sinners. I started to repent my sins, and five seconds after I finished repenting in my head.. the dentist pulled a piece of metal string out, and my prayer got answered!!

Our God does hear prayers, he does do miracles. Yes! He can hear me. Thank you Lord.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The beauty of autumn...


The morning dew sparkling on the green grass.


The crisp fresh mornings.


The slight chill in the air.


The golden sunshine coloring everything into oranges and yellows.


The beauty of the leaves as they change colors.


A walk in the park through the yellow-red carpet of leaves.


A cup of hot chocolate to warm up the soul.


A down-feather blanket in the coldness of the night.


Wearing my warm robe and furry slippers.


Rain splattering off the roof, singing me to sleep and making everything green again.


This is why I love fall.... my favorite season! Thank you Lord....