0845 Thursday--Take Off!

Is it safe? What will you eat? How long will you be in the airplane? WHY are you going?

These are all questions I've heard the past month+ when I tell people about planning our trip to Korea. Alisia and I (and baby girl Garcia) are headed over to South Korea to visit my brother's family and meet their new baby Emma! A mother-daughter trip--how cool is that!!? We are soo excited and can't wait! If we can just get it to all fit in our suit cases, we'll be set!

Please pray for our safety flying and being away from the boys. Angel is taking spring break week off the be Super Dad. Please pray for them while Momma and sis are away!

Your Great Name

Easter Baskets!
Easter Morning 2011

It's been almost a year that the girls have had some circumstance that have allowed them to spend more time with us. Now they are older, their younger sister and younger brother have been spending more time with us as well. Although, usually it's not ALL 4 of them at once, sometimes it is.

It's hard to know sometimes how much to open our home to them and how much to protect our own family time. But God is always good and has shown us He is in control. It has just kindof grown on us and feels natural. Sometimes it's not easy. We have had to trust God in each step as he calls us in faith that he will provide. It's hard to say no sometimes-- not knowing, but I know that God loves these girls so much more than I ever can. God has shown me time and time again the blessings out of following His calling:

• 3 fatherless girls who call my husband "Papi" and my parents "Grammy and Grampa"
• Making more room for everyone at the table for lunch after church, God always provides enough food.
• Introducing them as my "Half daughter, because they spend half of their time at our house"
• When Caleb started his new school "on his own," He wasn't really ever on his own.
• When someone behind me at the check-out line gives me that "look" when you're a big family and asks just how do I do it "with all those kids."
• When they find creative ways to have fun, and include everyone. 
• Having an extra pile of clothes to put away because these 3 special little girls put their dirty laundry in our basket along with everyone else in our family.
• Having extra clothes that don't fit Alisia any longer, climbed up in the attack to get them down to use for 3 special girls who have been spending the night.
• Cleaned out 2 extra bottom drawers....just for them.
• When they call and ask to pick them up from a party where there are people drinking and they don't feel comfortable
• Standing up for them because someone called them a bad name 
• When they or I mess up and have to apologize, being able to quickly forgive, and still love.
• When they get to witness the promise of the Covenant
• Praying with them for their parents, wherever they may be.
• When they have that moment of understanding that God really does love them and care for them and provides for their every need.

*Click on the links to read more of their time with us

I just love this song by Natalie Grant. I always think of the girls....and myself, and us...and...well, it's just a great song: 

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name

[Verse 2:]
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of Your great name
The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of Your great name 

Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of Your great name 

Welcome Spring!!

It sounds odd to finally be welcoming Spring. The weather has been SO nice for a while now, we've been spoiled by the 70's and 80's weather. We've been trying to soak it and enjoying every minute of it! 

I so enjoy having a full yard again! 

 Regardless:

 Spring--we are so very glad you are here!
Thanks for showing up early! Please stay a while! 

Visit at Work

A sweet surprise for a lunch date at work!! (Angel brought him!) and brought me a sweet treat--which Aaron helped me finish!
Definitely made my day!

New Shoes

I do believe that these new shoes will fit in quite well with our family, think so?
We are in need for something dainty around here. 

due date: July 6, 2012

Lego Castle

This was part of my "Boy Time" with Caleb.

We had a fun time putting this together.

Of course, Aaron had to get in on the action.

He wants me to send this picture to the Lego Club Magazine.

Is there a word for that in English?

Chiple (noun, adjective)
This Spanish word means:
To be pampered, spoiled or much loved.
Ancient mexican slang word meaning:
(noun) the possession of others tenderness or attention as from a parent, sibling or friend.
(Adjective) Needing the love, attention or tenderness of others.


My boys right now are Chiple. All three of them, Aaron, Caleb, and Angel. For clarification, when we use the word, we mostly refer to it as an adjective, as in this case, needing the love, attention, and tenderness of others. I love this word because in Spanish, it can be referred to as similar to spoiled, it is more of a positive spin and there is a different word for spoiled (consentido), which can be referred negatively or positively depending on the context.

Pre-pregnancy Aaron was usually busy playing with the kids and wasn't phased a bit when I got home from work. He'd come give me a hug, then back to playing. Since I've been pregnant, from the second I get home from work, he wants to be by my side. Helping me cook, wash dishes, or just hug him and hold him. The slightest thing makes him cry. And a kiss makes it all better.

"Just us" shopping

Caleb is chiple too, but shows it in a different way. He would rather have me make him a sandwich, tie his shoes--things which he is very capable of doing on his own, or play legos or a video game with him. He likes to go to the store with me so it can be "just us."

Angel often refers to himself as chiple. He says HE needs attention. When he's uptight and about to loose it, he says "Me siento chiple" (I feel chiple). 

They whine, fight, cry, and drive me crazy. Then, with a little bit of attention, they're better.

The end of the day, the boys usually climb up in bed with me and want "their time." Before bedtime prayers, we talk, tell jokes, read books, or whatever usually until Angel kicks them out when he's needing some attention, too.

Angel is convinced this is because I'm having a girl, (we have not found out yet!) and the boys are competing for the attention. Apparently this is an old wives tale in Mexico and basically a sure proof way to know what you are having--I guess only if you have other kids. I say it's just because I'm pregnant and can barely keep up with a family of 5 and have less energy to devide between everyone. And it keeps me praying about being a family of 6!


Regardless of the reasons, 'chiple' definitely describes the boys in our house!  Is there a word for that in English?

Wait For ME

This is the story of his 2-year-old life! 

Always trying to keep up with everyone else! 

I wonder if he'll appreciate this when he has a little one tailing after him?!

Love Treats

This was delivered to my work and waiting for me when I arrived. I always tell my hubby that I'm not a flowers person and he doesn't have to...but he is VERY much a flowers person, and he ALWAYS does it. One of his ways of showing love is through gifts and I've come to really, really appreciate it. It was definately a suprirse that made me smile and get butterflies again!

When I got home, Caleb had made me this:

And instead of going out and waiting in a long line at a hecticly-busy romantic restraunt, we ordered take-out: YUMM

My parents brought over a treat:

And this was my gift to him

(hard to capture the whole look, but it had extra touches of a clean room, rose peddles on the bed, lit candles, etc.):

Is Love Really Enough?

I love this man! He is my everyday-Valentine! I still get butterflies when we go out together, when he holds my hand or he gives me that look. I'm so thankful to be so very blessed!

But we still have our not-so-good days. We have our hard times. There are days when my flesh wonders if it's really worth it. There are days when I ask myself, is our love enough?  

There is absolutely hope for our marriage. But not through our own strength and our own efforts to love one another. We must love how God instructs us to love in His word. He has given us the ultimate example of love through sending His Son to die for our sins on the cross. This is a real love that can be seen and felt and experienced. We can abide in His love, and we can give it.

Here are some biblical truths we can practice in our relationships:

• Be patient & kind (1 Cor 13:4)

• Always protect, trust, hope, and persevere (1 Cor 13:7)

• Become one (Matt 19:6)
• Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

• Carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)

• Serve one another (Gal 5:13)

• Pray for one another (James 5:16)

• Speak truth in love (Eph 4:15)
• Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8)
• Be at peace with one another (Rom 14:19)
• Lay down your lives for one another (John 15:12-14)

• Encourage, build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

• Love never fails (1 Cor 13:8)

My prayer for my marriage--our marriages-- is that we can actually apply these biblical truths to our relationships and have a Christ-centered marriage that is different from the world. So that when others look to our marriage, they see Christ lifted up in the midst of joy and happiness or hardships and struggles--they see Him being glorified in the good and the bad. Take that "love" feeling you may have today and apply it all year long!

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

1 John 4:7 

Full Yard Again

It's been in the mid 50's to 60's this week. We got out the bikes, scooters, basketballs, and footballs almost every day!
















Crazy for the end of January.

But definately a blessing!

Caleb takes playing sports very seriously.

They both love when Papi plays! 

It's been nice to have our yard full of kids again!

Healer for the broken

I got a text from a friend last night "We got into it again, he started saying horrible mean things, and pushed me. I don't know what to do, I feel so broken."

She is a co-worker, dating a Hispanic, and recently found out she is expecting. And for some reason, she has completely opened up with me (maybe because I'm married to one?). Since finding out she's pregnant, they have not been getting along.

Oh, how my heart breaks for her. I've been lifting them up in prayer whenever God brings them to mind. But sometimes I really don't know what to say. I've invited her to our church, but I don't even know if she is a Christian. She does talk about God, vaguely. Is saying I'll pray for you really enough?

Angel has been taking a care-giving class at church for the past few weeks. As I was telling him this burden for my co-worker that has been heavily on my heart, his first reaction was for us to pray for them together and let's invite them over.

Sure, I was thinking it'd be nice to spend some time outside of work with her and meet who she's been talking about. Maybe we could watch a movie or play some games and get to know them.

"Invite them over and let's talk to them and pray with them," he said.

Oh, wow. That's way out of my comfort zone. "You mean confront their brokenness? Talk about their mistakes? Bring the hidden out in the open? Offer to pray with them? Who am I to confront their sin?" I wanted to clarify.

"Yeah, we were there once too," he answered. "We had struggles and sometimes wondered if our marriage was going to make it. If they want to know what 'the secret' is to a strong marriage, let's be ready to share it with them. We don't have all the answers, but we know where to find them. They feel broken, let's bring them to The Healer."

So I sent her a text back inviting them over. Their story isn't over yet. And neither is mine or yours.

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wonds"

Psalm 147:3

Character

"You can generally read a man’s character in his boy’s face,

and in his boy’s conduct and conversation."

Spurgeon

Emmalyn Elizabeth Puffenbarger

Let me introduce you to my new beautiful neice.
You've GOT to check out Emma and my brother Jarrod's growing family. Click here to ready more about their love for the Lord and how God is using their family in Korea.

We are praying for the details to work out for Alisia and I to go visit them in Korea over spring break!
We love you Jarrod, Stephanie, Marc and Emmalyn!

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26



Until the Kingdom Comes

A great message for the new year

Fact:
Not counting the 1,561,000,000 evangelized non-Christians in the world, or the 1,362,000,000 professing Christians in the world, there are 1,381,000,000 unevangelized persons in the world who are “unaware of Christianity, Christ and the Gospel” (World Christian Encyclopedia).

Jesus Said:
Matthew 24:14, “This gospel will first be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.”

Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 28:18-19, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

Therefore:
Until the Kingdom is finally established and there are no more unreached peoples, the local church must be a mission base. Until the Kingdom comes, worship must stoke the fires of love for the glory of a global God. Until the Kingdom comes, Christian education must train the troops for tactical and strategic warfare with the weapon of truth. Until the Kingdom comes, counseling and nurture must be the field hospitals saving the wounded, relieving battle fatigue, transforming the traumas of spiritual war into veteran courage. Until the Kingdom comes, fellowship must have the flavor of camaraderie under siege. Until the Kingdom comes, money must be the currency of combat, not convenience. Until the Kingdom comes, leisure must be re-creation for the cause of Christ. Until the Kingdom comes, marriage must be a partnership in arms (double meaning intended!). Until the Kingdom comes, the family must be an enclave of Christ-centered joy equipping young insurgents to infiltrate occupied territories. Until the Kingdom comes, vocation must be an on-duty outpost, a solitary sortie, and a basic line of support for the war effort.

If we love the glory of God, and have compassion for the lost, no other mentality will leave our conscience clear.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/until-the-kingdom-comes