Merry Christmas!

Today is the most joyful days of the year. We remember the birth of our Savior Jesus. He came to bring us peace, joy, hope and love. Thank you Jesus for the blessings of this year. Continue to bless our lives in many ways.

Last minute Preparations

Like always, I wait to the last minute to finish my homade gifts for my side of the family. I could not find the perfect gift to make for each person. I tried a couple of projects that were a little complicated to finish. I kepts searching for ideas on the web. And finally I came up with my own idea. I will not share with you yet because my family might read this blog and then find out what the gifts are. But after Christmas I will post the pictures of my homemade projects. This reminds me that I forgot to take a picture of one that is already wraped.

I will take the picture of that gift when the recipient opens it. The other gifts are in holiday gift bags so, I am able to take them out, take picture, then replace them in the bag. I will do that later.

I want to thank God for giving me the idea on a few gifts. Yesterday, I went to pick up my items with the holiday voucher that I received. I had mentioned it in an earlier post. A local charity organization gave out vouchers to people in the neighborhood. I was selected from the school to receive a voucher.

The time to pick up the items was yesterday from 1pm to 3pm. I went a little earlier and there was already a line to pick up the items. I waited in line almost an hour before I received my items. Three boxes. One box with non-perishable food, cereal, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, vegetables and a stuffing mix. The other two boxes had Avon products and samples of other household products. With the items came some cute holiday gift bags, holiday stockings, and some mittens. There were also some make up items and two clutch purses.

My daughter quickly took one of the purses. Most of the items, I'm not sure I will actually use. The holiday gift bags will be perfect for my homade gifts. I was thinking to go to the dollar store and get some small bags, but now I do not need to.

My neighbor told me there will be giving away toys at the school today. But I really do not think I want to go. My kids have lots of toys. And like I said before, we are blessed to have enough this Christmas to buy a small gift for all the younger children in our family. So I do not think I should go stand in a line for hours, just to get a toy.

Thanks to our Lord, he has always provided for us each year. And though in the past few years we have almost reached bottom financially. We have always given our children something for Christmas, even if we had to pay with a credit card. This year, I have not had to make use of the credit cards, which is is a blessing. I became more frugal in my spending, worked up a budget and I made sure to save up as much as possible for the end of the year spending.

This season, is also the time husband has less work. But I am sure that we will have enough for the coming months. I trust in God that he will always provide for us.

Have you heard of Hemin Bread?

A few days ago my friend told me about this bread that is similar to the Amish Bread but that is called Hemin bread, the bread of St. Father Pio.

She had to follow a certain recipe for ten days and then split the dough in four parts. Give three parts to friends and then bake a bread with the fourth part. She asked if I will get one part of the dough. I agreed, not thinking there was anything wrong with it. I was familiar with the Amish bread, as a matter of fact I had done the Amish recipe about three years ago.

I still had a little doubt in me, so I decided to do some research regarding this recipe and its origins. I found out is is not true. Read here. It is not endorsed in any way by the Vatican as the recipe says. It is just like a chain letter that should be ignored.

I know that there are certain chain letters that circulate from people to people. They say that you need to make copies and give to others or something bad will happen to you. I have received them in emails too.

I once heard a priest tell his parish that we should not believe what the letter says. We need to burn the letter and not make copies. And we need to pray to God for protection. Since then, I immediately delete such emails and pray to God for protection. God will not let anything bad happen to me. The letter is just a way to scare people and have them keep circulating a certain curse or fear.

Okay, so is this bread dough meant to do the same thing? It claims to bring a blessing to the family that makes it and share it with others. What should I do? Should I throw it away? I read post from others that tried the recipe and they say that the bread tastes bad.

Should I tell the person that gave me the dough what I found out? She was very convinced this will be a blessing to her family.

I am praying to God for advice. I do not think I should continue sharing the dough with others. What do you think, I should do?

4 more days till Christmas

We are getting closer to the big celebration. In our home we gather on Christmas eve to have dinner and wait until 12am to wish each other Merry Christmas, then open the gifts. The kids usually are asleep by that time.

This year we will be with Husband's family. We are getting together here at my house. Since its quite a big family we use the cars garage area. We get all bundled up in warm clothes and we put a plastic in the entrance to keep the wind and rain outside. Hopefully this year we will not have rain.

I am hoping my family could join us also this year. I wanted the kids to do a skit or the talent show for husband's family.

Today is a special day. 11 years ago, my daughter Marah was born. We celebrated her birthday Saturday. Bought her a cake and she invited friends from school and her cousins. Only one friend came, two cousins and my goddaughter. They saw the new christmas movie with the air buddies. Then they watched music videos on cable on demand. The party ended early. And best of all, I did not spend as much as other years and I was not as stressed as other years.

Yesterday, I took my kids to Target and let them pick their Christmas gift. Daughter's choice a Cd of the latest pop star kid. And son chose the chimpmunks new movie soundtrack. I also bought son winter boots. They are a little big for him, but they will last him for a long time. Daughter did not like the styles they had for girls. We do not get snow here, but I wanted them to get them for the rainy season, and they are warm. Since we have those outdoor events.

I will probably write after the Holidays, I will be busy finishing the Christmas gifts and preparing for Christmas eve dinner. Have a great Christmas celebration. Filled with Joy, Peace and Love.

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Traditions

Every year around this season, all the stores are filled with people buying their christmas gifts to give to family and friend or coworkers. The average gift price ranges from $30 to $35.

Our children's wish list, is mostly toys that they have seen advertised on tv or that they know is the latest gadget out there. The most popular are video game systems.

What have we turned Christmas into? A comercial holiday. And a time to get in debt. I do not know the exact numbers, but I know that a lot is spent this days for gifts and most are bought on credit.

Last year, I decided to go on a debt diet. I decided not to buy things on credit. The interest on credit cards ranges form 14% to 25% . So if you do not pay up your balance completely you start paying interest to this companies. You end up paying more than what the actual item cost you.

All that money that is spent on paying interest could be saved or used to buy things that are needed and useful.

Yes, children should have some toys and be able to play with them but do they need an entire room filled with all the latest toys and the most expensive video systems and video games?

Everytime I go to a store with my child, he wants a toy. He will cry and cry. If Mommy is a good Mom, she will get him the toy. But if Mommy is not in a good mood, she will not get him nothing. Mommy suddenly is a bad mother. Am I? Not granting my child's what he wants makes me a bad mother. Soon he will want the most expensive car ( a real one)!

This year, I made it clear to my children. No Santa Claus gifts for you. The items they have requested are very expensive. With that money we could help a needy family or sent it to an organization that helps feed the poor. But my kids do not want that, they want their toys.

"I want a toy!",screamed my child. "I am sorry, but you will only get a toy if you keep your room clean, do your homework, and have good behavior both at school and at home." And there will be a price limit.

We will change our bad traditions for good Christmas tradition. We will give each other love. We will learn why we celebrate Christmas and what Christmas should be all about. A time for sharing with our family the greatest joy ever. The birth of our savior Jesus! We will give peace, joy, hope and love to each other. We will make gifts for each other made with love. That is what I want my Christmas to be all about each year. I know my kids are mad, but one day they will understand, when they become parents. I hope they teach their children good traditions.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

478 years ago, around this days Juan Diego encountered a beautiful lady on his path. It was our blessed mother, Mary. Dressed in beautiful colors and surrounded by the light of the sun. After a series of aparitions to Juan Diego our blessed mother gave Juan Diego a sign to take to the priest. He told him to pick roses from the mountain. Juan Diego did as our Lady told him. He picked the roses from the mountain and placed them in his tilma(throw or cape). Juan Diego took the flowers back to Our Lady and she touched them. Our Lady told him to take the roses back to the bishop and priests and to tell them she wished to have a church built in her honor at the same place where she appeared to Juan Diego.

When Juan Diego took the roses to the bishop, he open up his tilma and the roses fell to the ground. At that moment the image our Lady was seen reflected on the tilma. The bishops called her Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The image of our Lady of Guadalupe has become a popular icon in Latin America. She is declared the Patron Saint of America.

In my home, I have an image of our Lady in every bedroom and in our Living room we have a the image carved into stone. In my kitchen the image is on a mirror. Every year in Mexico people start arriving to the sanctuary of our Lady of Guadalupe days before the 12 of December. We celebrate her day on the 12 of December.

If you notice the colors of the angels wings, those are the colors of the Mexican flag. It is interesting how many aspects of her image signify something ocurring at the time of her appearance. She is holding her hands in prayer. One hand is lighter then the other, she came to unite two races that where at war, the Aztecs and the Spaniards. The flowers on her dress resemble a unique flower, that is only found on the hills of Tepeyac.

To our family, our Lady of Guadalupe is very special. She is our Mother. She cares for us in many ways. Intercedes for us in many ways. She is Mary. If you do not believe me read Revelations 12:1-2. "...a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet an a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant..."

Renew your Strenght

They that Hope in the Lord will renew their strenght,

they will soar as with eagles wings.

They will run and not grow weary,

walk and not grow faint.

Isaiah 40:31

I read the daily readings almost every day. I try to do this as soon as I get up in the morning. Or if I wake up in the middle of the night and I am not able to sleep. Reading the bible helps me so much. I renew my strenght in God's word.

Is amazing how sometimes what I read is what I need to read at that moment. Like the verse at the beginning of this post. And yesterday's gospel reading from Mathew 11:28-30,

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

Rest, I need it. I had some stressful days. And some nights, I only sleep a few hours then I wake up thinking, worrying about the coming up holidays, expenses, and the hospital bill. Then I shake myself and get reminded of another scripture. Mathew 6:27,34 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I place all my worries and fears on God's hands and try my best not take them back. Worring would not do me any good. But gain me unrestful nights and huge headache. I sure do not want a headache.

Today's reading from the book of Isaiah 41:13-20, the scripture that spoke to me was: "For I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who says to you, "Fear not, I will help you."

"Fear Not", I need to repeat this over and over. I should rejoice in the Lord and be confident that he will always be with me. My problems will not disappear but I will able to go through them with the help of God.

I hope this scriptures have blessed you, as they have blessed me. We are all facing problems of our own. The important thing is that we learn to trust God and believe that what he promises he keeps. Just be patient. Perhaps our reward will come soon, perhaps we just have to wait till we reach eternity. But eventually it will come.

Finding Peace in the Storms

I have been reading a book from author Alice Gray. The name of the book is "Treasure for Women Who Hope". I bought the book two months ago, but had only read the prologue. The book was forgotten on the book shelf and it will probably had stayed there a few years until I finally found the time to read it. But somehow I was reminded of the book. I saw the word Hope everywhere. In blogs, in emails, in scriptures.

On the cover of the book you see a flower the colors are light purple and pink. I thought this was interesting. The word Hope is in purple too. Perhaps this could be a good book to read for the advent season. So I picked it up and took it with me to my doctor's appointment. While waiting in the waiting area of the clinic, I began reading the book. Every word I read spoke to me. The words reassured me that God was with me in my current storm. God was speaking to me through the author of this book. It is amazing the way God speaks to us.

I am about to start the third chapter in the book. But wanted to share with you what God spoke to me in chapter two. The title of the chapter is "Picture of Peace". There is a quatation on that chapter's title page: "Jesus Christ is not a security from storms. He is perfect security in storms" Kathy Troccoli.

Indeed, God does not promise us we will not encounter storms, but he does promise us that he will be there always with us. The author relates a serious of stories some are her own and some are from other Christian authors, in all of them you can see what she is trying to get across to you. In spite of our storms we are able to find peace in them if we get closer to God.

At the end of the Chapter she gives you a verse to reflect on and some questions for discussion or journaling. I liked the verse she chose for this chapter.

"He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection."

Psalm 91:4 NLT

We are protected under his wings. He promises to be our protection. He might not take our troubles away but he will help us find peace within our troubles. I know is hard to understand but somehow when you know this and believe that He indeed will be with you and not forsake you, we see things in a different way. There is a reassurance that everything will be allright. There is a rainbow waiting for us at the end of the storm. That rainbow is our HOPE.

HOPE has become my word for this season of advent. I have HOPE, that my Lord has great things for me in the future. I might be grieving this season but I am also rejoicing that my Lord is with me, comforting me and caring me in his loving arms.

I found a small pillow with a string on it to hang on a door. The word on the pillow is HOPE. I placed this small pillow on the wall facing the entrance of my home. I placed a purple ribbon bow on the string to also remind me that I am preparing for the coming of my Lord and Savior.

I want to thank God for helping me find peace in the midst of my storms. I pray that in this cold weather, the homeless people that live in my neighborhood, will be able to find shelter and warm place to sleep at night. Thank you Jesus, that I have a home and a way of keeping warm in the cold weather. Have mercy of those that are less fortunate and help them find a place to sleep tonight protected from the cold. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

What have I learned this past month?

This past month, I have learned to trust God even more. As most of you know, a month ago on November 8, I went to the hospital with a terrible pain on my abdomen. Not knowing that I was pregnant or that I will eventually have a miscarriage. In the months before this happened, I had decided to no longer avoid getting pregnant. I wanted another child. But I will still a little scared. Scared of what?

I know that I should not be scared. God is with me. He will not let anything bad happen to me. My two children were born by cesarian. I have heard that you only are able to have three children by cesarian. I think I waited to long to decide, I should get pregnant again. Plus I did not consult a doctor before to make sure I was ready to get pregnant again.

It was a great joy for me when I was told I was pregnant again. But that joy lasted a few days. In the hospital, I was told that I might have an ectopic pregnancy or perhaps I had a miscarriage but they needed to further evaluate me to determine either diagnosis. I was faced again with fear.

When I was in the hospital waiting to get results from the blood test and ultrasound, I prayed. I asked God to help me. "Lord you have blessed me with this child, I pray that your will be done and not mine."

I was told of the possible treatments if indeed it was an ectopic pregnancy. I was now faced with making a decision. I reached a very weak moment in my life. What should I do? "Lord I need your help!" I called the Priest from my parish and he prayed with me and told me God was with me and whatever I decide, he was sure that God will be okay with my decision.

I made my decision, but God had other plans. When the doctor in charge came to speak to me, he made me change my mind. He wanted to be sure that the baby was indeed in the tubes before we made any drastic decisions. The doctor told me to go home and wait a few days for more tests. As the days went by I prayed even more. "Lord let your will be done."

As the days went by and more tests were done, we finally knew that I had a miscarriage. The pregnancy was not able to continue. Only God know why? In a way I was relieved that this happened in a natural way. I did not caused it. But I was also sadned. I had lost a child. Even though, I do not know what the gender was, it was a child. From the moment of conception it was a gift from God, that he decided to take back.

So what are my feelings now? I have hope. I have hope that God will reward me with something good. I know that his plans are for my good. I have learned to trust in him in all times. Not to fear. If he decides in the future to bless us with another child, I will not fear. I know that God will make everything possible for me to conceive and give birth to a child. I no longer say a "healthy child". Yes, we should want a healthy child, but what if we have a child with down syndrome? We will love him or her the same. No matter what his condition is, he is still a gift from God. All children are gifts from God.

I recently saw a testimoy of a man that was born with a problem in his brain, his hands are crooked and he has problems speaking. In spite of his discapacity, he is able to drive a taxi to earn money to sustain his family. He is married and has a daughter. If his parents had given up on him, he will be probably not had been able to do the things he does now. His older brother gave him massage therapy when he was a child. His brother encourages people to do this massage exercises with their children with dissabilities. The man's mother says she never gave up, she had faith that God will help her. This man's story helped me to see how marvelous are the works of God. God can use anyone, even people with dissabilities for his marvelous works. People who meet Salvador, the man with the dissbility, speak of how much this man has helped them.

"Lord thank you for your love and mercy on me." I thank God for the great things he has blessed me. He has used this situation in my life to help me grow stronger in faith and trust in Him. "Lord I will continue to trust in you." Thank you for your prayers and comments.

Preparing our Hearts

We have began a new season. In Christian Churches as well as in Catholic Churches we celebrate the season of Advent. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas when we prepare our hearts for the joyful celebration of Jesus' birth as our savior.

Advent is a very special time in our Christian communities. Many people like to use advent calendars that they use in very different ways. Some advent calendars have special surprises for the children. Some families like to do something special for someone in their family. Or they like to meditate on scripture each day during the advent season.

I do not have a specific way of celebrating advent. But in the last few months that I have been bloging, I have met some very devoted Christian friends. They all have share very unique ways of celebrating this advent season. My sister, attended an advent party at her new parish. She had never heard of advent parties or even of all the great ideas people have for celebrating advent. She was so excited about what she had learned, that she sent me all the information in the mail.

This year, I decided to do something very special with my family, this advent season. We will get together each evening and read a story from the bible. We will learn about God's family from Adam up until the birth of Jesus. We will place special ornaments on our tree that remind us of this stories. This are called the Jesse tree ornaments.

We also made a advent calendar. I printed out a tree from dtlk-kids.com with spheres that have numbers on them 1-24 and a star for Christmas. Behind each sphere, I wrote the name of someone in our family. We will pray for this person and do something special for him or her on that day.

There is so much information online for great advent activities you can do with your family. I hope that what I teach my children now, they will also share with their own children. I pray that this advent season my family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, will get closer to God. I pray for good health for all of us and that broken relationships will be mended. I pray all this is the powerful name of Jesus. Amen

Now I invite you to visit Holy Experience for more encouraging posts.

Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart.