Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
My very first cheesecake from scratch
I found this recipe for New York Cheesecake, and I just had to try it. It seemed simple enough, and cheesecake is one of Luis's favorites. I have always wanted to make a cheesecake from scratch, but have always chickened out, thinking it was going to be extremely difficult. I'll let you know how it tasted tomorrow. I'm bringing it to church for a little Valentine's Day celebration.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Day 39
Our 40-day church wide fast is nearly over, and there have been countless numbers of breakthroughs in our family and those we fellowship with. God has and continues to amaze us! One of the things that inspired us to begin the fast was a need in one of the families in our church. About halfway through the fast, God moved and miraculously changed what could have been a disastrous outcome. He is so good! About three quarters of the way through, another person in our congregation received notice that a court case was finally settled in her favor. Praise God! Luis got word from his boss that increase is on the way. Hallelujah! Another lady in our church got a transfer at work, just what she was praying for! There has been a spiritual excitement and awakening in the children of Berea Church of God! Amen! I had the opportunity to lead a woman (who was still grieving after the tragic death of her son four years ago) to the wonderful place of salvation in Jesus-to Him be all the glory! These are just a few of the things that we have experienced and others have given testimony to.
We are believing for a year of expansion and blessings in our personal lives and the life of our church. God is on the move, and we are following Him! He desires to give good gifts to His children. What are you believing for? There is no limit to what God can do! Pray, fast and believe that He can do it!
We are believing for a year of expansion and blessings in our personal lives and the life of our church. God is on the move, and we are following Him! He desires to give good gifts to His children. What are you believing for? There is no limit to what God can do! Pray, fast and believe that He can do it!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Mediator
Yesterday, as we were coming home from church, Josh and Jonathan were sitting next to each other, playing and fooling around as boys do. When their playing became louder and louder, even after several warnings, I realized I needed to make a change. So, when we got home from church, I cleaned out the car, and moved Lily's car seat to the middle of the back seat. The true test will be Wednesday night, when we are on our way to church again and Josh has to sit in the back seat, but I have a feeling it's going to be a much more quiet ride to Greenville. Lily, without even realizing it, will be my little peacekeeper.
As often happens with me when I am doing normal, everyday things, the Lord uses it to remind me of something. And as I was sucking up the endless cracker crumbs in the vacuum so that I could make the car seat switch, I was reminded how desperately we needed a mediator in our lives. How our sin (however big or little, since all sin is the same to God) has placed a separation between us and Him. How we had no hope of reconciliation, no future hope of heaven until Jesus became that peacemaker for us. And how by accepting His finished work on the the cross, we have a way to reach God once more. We all have need of that intervention, placed between us and God to repair the breach. We all have need of a peacemaker to bring us back into a right relationship with God. Who better than Jesus, the Prince of Peace?
1 Timothy 2:1-6 says, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time." (New Living Translation)
As often happens with me when I am doing normal, everyday things, the Lord uses it to remind me of something. And as I was sucking up the endless cracker crumbs in the vacuum so that I could make the car seat switch, I was reminded how desperately we needed a mediator in our lives. How our sin (however big or little, since all sin is the same to God) has placed a separation between us and Him. How we had no hope of reconciliation, no future hope of heaven until Jesus became that peacemaker for us. And how by accepting His finished work on the the cross, we have a way to reach God once more. We all have need of that intervention, placed between us and God to repair the breach. We all have need of a peacemaker to bring us back into a right relationship with God. Who better than Jesus, the Prince of Peace?
1 Timothy 2:1-6 says, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time." (New Living Translation)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Genes
One of my most favorite classes in college was Genetics. The whole topic fascinated me. Genes are a funny thing. Sometimes I can look at Josh standing in a certain way, and I see pure Kellish. Sometimes Lily smiles and I see her Aunt Marybeth. Most people judge our kids at first glance...Josh is fair, blond and green-eyed so everyone says he looks more like me. Jonathan is olive skinned, brunette and brown-eyed, so naturally, people say he looks like Luis. And Lily, well, she's a tough one to call.
Anyhow, I came across some pictures of Luis's grandfather and his first cousin Jorge (Tito), both of whom are on Luis's Dad's side of the family.
When Tito recently saw a picture of our family, he told Luis that he was born all over again in Josh. He was amazed at the resemblance. It's funny how people always think of Mexican people as dark hair, eyes, and skin, but there is so much Spanish influence in the culture. The Parras originally were from Northern Spain (Santander) near the Bay of Biscay.
Anyhow, I came across some pictures of Luis's grandfather and his first cousin Jorge (Tito), both of whom are on Luis's Dad's side of the family.
Jose Parra Ibarra
Jorge Humberto (Tito) Gonzalez Parra
(Tito)
Josh-age 8
When Tito recently saw a picture of our family, he told Luis that he was born all over again in Josh. He was amazed at the resemblance. It's funny how people always think of Mexican people as dark hair, eyes, and skin, but there is so much Spanish influence in the culture. The Parras originally were from Northern Spain (Santander) near the Bay of Biscay.
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