Zoolight Safari!

Feliz Navidad!

And nope.. i didn't get one picture of the boys opening up their big present: A train table. But they loved it! We had a busy Christmas with all of the family, at different times..and are ready to ring in the new year!

If I made a Turkey this would happen...

"Gospel Tracts are ineffective.."

Okay..there is a context to that quote up there. And I wasn't the one who said it. Some of you may know that in 1997 I was involved with Campus Outreach and with one of their Summer Beach Projects. This is where you spend 8 weeks on the beach with a hundred or so college students, get full-time jobs and spend your off time being discipled in the Word and have intense evangelism training. It is very nerve wracking, especially if you aren't used to sharing the Gospel with total strangers. You get intense training and then you head to the beach in groups of three and approach random people on the beach..via a "survey" or tract. You just do, what we called in banking, a "cold call." You don't have a relationship with this person so the approach is very different, but the end goal is to share the Gospel. This method is to help you cultivate boldness for those opportunities in everyday life where you get 10 minutes to share the greatest news with someone who you do not know. The full-time job is to help you learn how to cultivate the relationships for the purpose of the Gospel. This training was by far the best thing that I have experienced in my walk with Christ, apart from Salvation itself.

Anyway.. last night I ran into a young gal that used to be in the youth group I worked with. She is in college now and had gone to CO Beach project this past summer. In the conversation I asked how she liked the evangelism side of BP and she said, honestly, that she didn't like it very much. In fact, she thought it was quite "silly" and that in her opinion "ineffective." Knowing this girl loves Jesus I asked if she could elaborate on what would be the most effective way to share the Gospel. She said that she thought relationships were what she was better at: share Christ with those that you already know and have a strong bond with. I understand what she is possibly trying to say: she is better at relationships and doesn't like to walk up to complete strangers. Most people don't. Or in my case, I have no problem talking to strangers.. it's the transition to the Gospel that I end up choking on. But with more practice I have more boldness. With seeing loved ones die apart from Christ, I have more boldness. With age and understanding that life is not guaranteed to be here tomorrow, nor the opportunity to put one more day into that "relationship", you could loose an opportunity to "personal comfort level."

Here is my point. I was challenged by her thoughts. I kept playing them over and over in my mind. How is a tract ineffective? Is it because we don't always see immediate results or an immediate decision? Is this what we base effectiveness on? So I decided to go to Acts. I know of nowhere else in Scripture that so plainly shows us the example of evangelism. I took out my trusty yellow highlighter and began to highlight every time I saw an instance where the disciples went somewhere, to people they didn't know and struck up a dialogue (or not. sometimes they started speaking when no one asked them to..or insisted that they shut up) for the purpose of the Gospel. Can I just say that my already highly annotated book of Acts is now covered in yellow! Its everywhere. Sure some of these places they knew the leaders of the town or the synagogues but most of the time they did not. So this leads to some questions that I have for my dear sweet sister in Christ:

1. Are only the apostles commanded to share Christ with complete strangers?
2. What were some of the results of their sharing Christ with these strangers?
3. Is it effective if the Word is proclaimed? May I argue that it is since it is glorifying God just in the proclamation itself!
4. If only one person ever responds to your invitation to the freedom of the Gospel, is it effective?
5. How many of your close unsaved relationships have you shared Christ with, intentionally?

I am preaching to myself here. I was challenged by her comments mostly because I thought to myself, "although i do NOT agree with her theories.. I have inadvertently agreed by my lack of action." When I don't take up those opportunities to share Christ with that stranger I sit next to in the waiting room, or the neighbor next door, I too am believing the LIE of all LIES.. proclaiming the Word of Salvation is ineffective without relationship. I wonder who came up with that one! I was so glad to run in to my sweet sister in Christ.. I know that God will accomplish the good work which he began in her! And I am thankful that she was able to push me to the Word to make me see what I really believe on the issue!

My Birthday!

Im 30!!! Im okay with it.. Im still alive so all is good. I had an absolutely wonderful day. I spent time with my boys, all three of them. We went to Wings for lunch. I love wings. Oh and they have the best cheese fries in the world. We came home took naps and then did a little shopping. By the way.. my birthday shirt was made by Shelley and it said on the front "Smile its my birthday" and on the back it said "Garcia 30" like a jersey. It was very cute. Thank you Shelley. I got much attention for it.. which you know I hate.

For dinner we headed to Ross Bridge Resort to eat at Brock's. This was a present from "Mom and Dad" (Jim and Darcy). They told me that I could invite our great friends the Wendorf's squared (as I call them). Paul and David are brothers. It was the first night that Christina's baby boy, Jack, had been without her for longer than two hours. She held up great. And so did Jack..of course. And Fritz (David and Jen's boy) stayed with friends of theirs. My boys stayed with Darcy.

Dinner was incredible. I can not even put into words how incredible it was. I was the goof in the restaurant taking pictures of everyones plate. But I had a blast. We all laughed so hard I snorted, on several occasions. I could not have asked for a better evening.. and then.... after dinner, while I wasn't looking Jorge slipped a surprise (courtesy of mom and dad) on the table in front of me. When I turned around I saw an envelope with room keys for a room at the Renaissance Hotel at Ross Bridge. (check it out here). Okay guys.. if you can get an idea of how incredible the restaurant is that will give you an idea of how nice the hotel is. Of course I invited our friends upstairs to check it out.. but then we kicked them out so that we could.. um.. get some sleep. yeah..sleep. ;-)

Mom (darcy) stayed the night with the boys and they survived and so did she. I am so thankful for my incredible birthday. By far one of the best! I think this year is going to be one of the best as well!

Whats a night out with friends in an elegant, fine dining restaurant without a little accidental "lack of culture" on my part. Funny moment of the night to spotlight my lack of fine dining knowledge:

The waitress is allowing Jorge to taste the wine he's ordered. He does the usual swirl, smell and slurp.. uh..I mean sip. Then she comes to me..and since my taste buds are not designed for wine.. I pass. david is sitting beside me and the waitress walks past him right to his wife, Jen. I lean over and say, "guess she doesn't like you very much." Which he then replies.. "Umm.. you serve the ladies present, first." Ha! Look what I know..obviously nothing. lol.

Is there a Doctor in the house??

Soooo.. Im still 29!  at least for the day.  

I am heading to Auburn University today to watch my bff, Shelley Walls, graduate.  Well.. I guess I will have to start calling her "DR." Walls.  She has worked her b-u-t-t off the past four years (and with two kids, 3 and 1, 14 months apart) and is now FINISHED!  Her P.h.D is in special education and her dissertation was on Inclusion.  And props to her hubby, Jim, who has been an incredible support system for her and not to mention her biggest fan.  Also props to Jim and Linda (parents of Jim, Shelley's husband).. they have had a HUGE hand in caring for those little bundles, Ella Grace and Thatcher, on those many days of having to go to campus for school and research.  Big Jim and Linda.. you guys are da bomb!  Don't you want to move to the Ham???

Anyhoo.. Congrats Shelley.. I mean Dr. Walls, I am so proud of you.

2 Days left...

I am still in my twenties..  well for two more days.  things I have done in my twenties include:

-enjoyed undistracted devotion to the Lord as a single

-full time job in ministry (outside of home)

- met and married my husband

-had two precious kids

-got adopted

-bought a house

-changed at least 4,500 diapers

-started a blog

-changed churches (SMI to Briarwood)

-started and finished my first book

there really is a lot more.. i guess i need to make a list of all the things I will do in my 30's. I just feel like Im still 26!   Ready or not.. 30.. here I come.  

Calgon take me away!

5:10 p.m-  Miguel is screaming at the baby gate while I prepare his plate for dinner

5:13-  He is at the table.  crying through the prayer before eating. 

5:14-  We have said amen.  He is not happy with mommy's choice for dinner.  Ham.  I have to give him the ham before he can have the grapes or you know what he will eat first. 

5:14:15s- He has picked up his plate and thrown it on the floor.. still crying..well screaming too.

5:15- mommy reminds him that its not good to go to bed without eating.  

5:15:05s- Miguel picks up his sippy cup and throws it on the floor too.  This is a big shock.  He loves his milk. 

5:17- after 2 minutes he is still screaming. and refusing to eat what little ham is left on the table

5:24-I decide to just give him a bath instead.  He likes baths.

5:28- I put both boys in the bathtub.  I start to wash their hair and clean their faces..etc

5:29- Jorge laughs while peeing in the tub. 

5:30- I have to keep Miguel, who is crying, from trying to climb out of the tub.

5:30:10- I catch Jorge just has he has leaned down to take a big gulp of the bath water..with pee

5:31- I start to drain the bathtub, with pee water, and start to use fresh water to rinse soap out of their hair.

5:31:15s-  Miguel and Jorge commence in splashing, the pee water, and it is getting all over me. 

5:31:18s- I begin to pray.... outloud!

5:32- Jorge is out.  Miguel is on his way. Drying them off.  Lets see that was.. a 4 minute bath and I still managed to get soaked.  With pee water. 

5:37- The boys are fighting over the lotion.  

5:37:10s- I say forget the lotion.

5:37:12s- the boys start crying.. like they have lost a limb..or they are dying.

5:40- p.j's are on.  mom needs a stiff drink.  

Counting the Blessings from the Lord!

Okay! I hope this encourages you. 

I don't remember if I shared with you all that Big Jorge's job cut back incentives at his job.. incentive that was part of our monthly income.  Once it was cut we lost about $400 a month.  Needless to say the past two months have been insanely difficult.  But God is FAITHFUL!

So here are some literal gifts that God has provided through people we are so grateful for:

1.  A COW.  Yes a literal cow.  A lady in my Bible Study has a cow slaughtered each year and this year she ended up with way too much cow to keep in her freezer.  She gave us about 15 pounds of frozen, very lean, hamburger meat.  Its been our manna over the last month!   And very delicious.  Thank you Rebecca Hayes!

2.  Clothes.  Another lady in my Bible Study volunteers at the Briarwood thrift store.  She worked it out so that we could go over there one afternoon and pick out whatever we needed.  What a blessing.  I was able to get the boys coats for this year!  Thank you Virginia Holland.

3.  Bicycle.  Or as Jorge calls it.. his "mogocycle."  As we were leaving the thrift store Jorge ran up to this cute little three wheel radio flyer and it was love at first sight.  They said that they were getting rid of it because of the rust, it just needs a little TLC and spray paint, and that we could have it!  WOW!  Thank you Briarwood Boutique!

4. Christmas Tree- We weren't sure that we were going to be able to buy one.. so I called mom to see if I could borrow her "fake" one.  She said she already "gave" it to Uncle Joe but that she would like to buy one for us.  Thanks mom and dad!

5.  Internet.  Okay so this isn't a necessity.. but its still a praise in my book.  When I called Charter to cancel our internet.. it just wasn't going to make the budget.. the lady said, "well, hold on let me see what I can do."   Five minutes later she was able to knock down our bill by $15 a month!!!  It was able to fit in the budget.. That's all we needed.. $15!  How many times do you call a place and they willingly take down the amount they charge you?? 

6.  Target gift cards.   Now this one is a tear jerker. BE WARNED.  You may be wondering why so many women from the Bible Study have helped.  I just mentioned, as a prayer request, that we were having a hard couple of months and to pray that God would remind us that he takes care of what we NEED.   Our class is a great mix of young and "older."  One young lady that came and heard my prayer request was Brooke W.  Brooke and her husband just had a little girl, Melanie, about two months ago.  Brooke and her husband, Stephen, brought Melanie to the Bible Study when she was one week old!  Such a cutie.   They didn't stay for the study.. they were just showing off Melanie.  The next week, after that, I walked in late to the Bible Study to find all the women crying.  The night before, Melanie had died.  She just stopped breathing.  I don't know Brooke that well because this is my first year for this class.  But all the other women know her very well.  On our last class before the Christmas break, Brooke decided to come.  It had been three weeks since loosing her baby girl.  That is when she heard me make my prayer request.  Two days later I get a card in the mail from Brooke and Stephen.  She said that she wanted us to have the two target gift cards enclosed.  Guys.. they had baby bottles on them.  They were cards for Melanie.   Brooke said she just didn't feel right using them for something frivolous but knew that it made them feel much better to give them to us knowing we could use them for something we need!  I cried for a long time while holding those cards... they were HOLY.  I couldn't even begin to think of something that we needed bad enough (besides groceries) that could honor the purpose of those cards.  So that's what we bought.. food for our babies.  The necessities.. milk, eggs.. e.t.c.  Talk about someone who has a giving heart. .. Can you imagine?? Thank you Brooke and Stephen W. 

7.  A check from our pastors wife (teacher of my Bible Study class) on behalf of some of the ladies in our class.  I am completely dumbfounded.  These ladies are unbelievable.  What a blessing to have their fellowship and I know they truly care about me and my family.   Many of them have called just to tell me they were still praying.  

Anyway.. I challenge everyone to write out the "little" things they have seen the Lord do.. when you least expected it.  Its very encouraging.. these stones of remembrance.

Why do I love my life??

5.   "mommy, dank ewe for chick-a-lay." -Jorge

4.  "ooh, ooh." -Miguel, big smile on his face as I ask him if he wants more chocolate

3.  Me:  "Jorge, can I have a kiss?"

     Jorge: "Nooope." wait for it.... "Okay mommy.  I wub ewe mommy."

2.  (me sitting on the floor with Miguel)

     me: (singing) "We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship..."

     Miguel:  "aaaahhh" as he gets up and runs toward the t.v (that is off, btw)

1.  (saying our prayers before bed)

      Me: Thank you Jesus.... 

      Jorge:  for Nemo.

Cute pics...

  

Help Please

can any of you ladies please give me a link to get a new look for my blog.. i want something pretty and not already on blogger.  I need help.  

gracias

19 Years today!

Penelope Cook. This is my mom. She died 19 years ago, today at the young age of 36. The top picture is when she was in her late twenties and the bottom one is of her about three years before she died. And before she was on Predisone (steroid) and gained a lot of weight. She died from complications with Lupus (which there have been major medical advancements with living with Lupus in the last 19 years).

She died 11 days before my 11th birthday (I turn 30 on the 18th) so what I remember of her is very sensationalized. My sisters remember more of her, including things that I think are just impossible (she had a temper! No wonder where I get it!). I was the baby so i only remember being spoiled. Ha! This lady was a true spark. My dad had a saying, "When I come home from work I turn on the t.v or the pick up the newspaper just to see what Penelope did today." She was THAT mom that was the advocate for every other mom on the planet. Very outspoken, opinionated and most of all ready to help anyone that needed it. Even when it was inappropriate. My sister told me recently of the time my mom tried to break up a fight.. between a man and his wife, out in their front yard. The man kicked my mom after the cops arrived. But she was trying to fight the man.. just to help the lady. Thats just... well.. my mom. She was fiesty. Your best friend..that you didn't want to cross.

Had she been a Christian, I am not sure of her heart only the Lord knows.. I know she would have been a "prophet" or whatever you want to call the gift of wisdom and seeing things black and white (the same spiritual gift that I have). We probably would have butted heads in my high school years and been best friends now. She was beautiful and the apple of my daddy's eye. It wasn't until I got married that I grasped how difficult it was for my dad to loose her. He truly treasured that woman. My favorite memory was growing up sitting on the floor listening to all her records and mom and dad dancing in the hall, even after the music ended.

Mommy I miss you very much! My boys would have loved you tremendously and my husband would have picked on you as much as he does me. And you would set him straight! I love you!

Not wanting to be a nag!

Well I know my husband sometimes reads my blogs. But he does know how I feel about this.. but I can't mention it to him anymore or it would be nagging. So ladies.. its up to you.. to listen to me as I admit my lack of contentment.

I really want another baby. I know we are financially in the worst place than we've been in during the entire duration of our marriage. I know that in my head.. and while I feel that I would be getting rid of one in diapers by the time the baby comes.. I wouldn't be adding more money on diapers. But the thought of raising three (right now) is stressful for my husband. He is absolutely right, its hard for me to understand. I wasn't created with the burden to provide for my family (rather, left with that burden as an effect of the fall). So I may be optimistic and unrealisitc at times, which isn't helpful for my dear hubby who is stressed just providing for the family he's got.

Its not like he doesn't want more. He's always said he wants four.. I've always said "at least four." But after our miscarriage he initially said we could wait until December to start trying. Then two months ago his job got rid of incentive pay which resulted in us loosing about $400 a month. Needless to say.. we are in a financial drought. December moved to March and a few days ago he said, "babe, I can't even think about it that soon." So you would think I could get that info to process in my heart, not just my head.

I really do think I am happy with the two I have. I am blessed and trusting that, since God speaks to and through my husband as well, that I can trust this is Gods plan. I need contentment. I have bad days just like every other mom. Days where I want to give away the children I do have. (ha!) I also know what a blessing it is to have a house full and have them close together. Anyway, since sharing this with my husband is only an added burden.. i have to vent to you guys. Thanks for listening.

Not getting rid of the internet!!

Jorge on the carousel at the Galleria


Miguel at the McWane Center. He loves playing in the water!


Me and the husband with family at a banquet dinner with Jeb Bush as guest speaker.

*** while I began typing this post.. my oldest son, who has been in the habit of taking off his diaper when I put him down for naps or nighttime, came out of his room with his diaper off and poop all over him. In the past, he has pooped and come to me saying yucky! But this time he ventured out and decided to "play in it!" It was all over him, clumps on his legs, arms, fingers, ears (yes, ears!) Calgon take me away! Can anyone make me feel better and that this is normal because I am about to loose my mind. He knows better, right??

FYI.. we are keeping the internet! So I am here to stay!