Fun Days!

Even though I am so busy with my new blog , Christmas Crunch Challenge, and the Candle in the Corner giveaway, I wanted to still link up with Alicia for Friday Photo Flashback! 

I went and dug up some old college pictures. Is it possible to look like our old selves again?  I have been totally thinking that I couldn´t, but I am getting so close now to my pre- wedding weight that I am starting to think it may be possible!

This picture was taken before one of the Fine Arts formal events at my college my Junior year. (1995-96) These are my room mates, Kim and Sarah. Kim was from the Bahamas! She and her friends made me laugh constantly! They loved life! Sarah was a nursing major. That is such hard course! What great days! What fun to look back.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

*** Don´t forget to go give for the Candle in the Corner giveaway.***

# 2 Gift for Candle in the Corner

One of my closest friends and my neighbor (by country), Nina at Portugal Bound,  is giving away this awesome Rooster and table runners from Barcelos, Portugal. 

Be sure to see gift # 1 from Gijón, Spain, and then go and chip in to help many other missionaries in many other countries for this Candle in the Corner missionary emphasis giveaway.

Candles in Clay Pots

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

We are these earthen, clay pots, through which the Light of Jesus shines on the mission field of Gijón, Spain.

The Contreras Family

Joseph, Danielle

Isaiah, Michael and Andrew

Our Field of Service - Gijón, Spain

Spain is the least reached Spanish-speaking country in the world, and among the least reached countries in Europe. You will recall how Spain stiffly resisted Bible preaching in the 16th century when the Inquisition sent many true believers to the stake. Since that time there has always been a particular hardness toward the Gospel among Spaniards. In the region of Spain where we work, Asturias, considered a cemetery for missionaries in Spain, there are just under 2 million people. In its capital city, Oviedo (210,000) there is one independent Baptist church. In the largest city of Asturias, Gijón (280,000), we are starting the second independent Baptist church-planting work in all of Asturias. We are excited to be preaching the Gospel in this needy country, and look forward to seeing how God will bless this step of faith.

Below is a quick video of our city.

Gijón is the northern most port city in Spain.

The people are all around us in need of a Savior, but they don´t even know of their own heart´s need. They wander through the streets and shops thinking they have every necessity met, except for the greatest need of all, Salvation from sin and Hell.

You can read more about our family and our ministry at

www. Gospel 2 Gijon . com

May our candles burn brightly so that the Light of the Gospel may be taken to each and every soul!

You can help those around the world shine for Christ more effectively. Moms, Ministry and More has started a blog event to help missionaries in many parts of the World. You may even receive an awesome cultural item from one of the many countries represented in this event.

Check out at Moms Ministry and More what is being donated from our corner. It is very unique to Gijón and you pronounce it "oreo". Now aren´t you curious?

Thank you for your interest in world wide missions. This give away should not take the place of your church missions giving. This is over and beyond what you would normally give to your church missions. If you choose to donate.

Thank- you! May God richly bless you!

***All Candle in the Corner funds alloted to our ministry will go to helping a young Mexican missionary family who just came to Asturias, Spain this year. They are under supported and in great need of just every day items. ***

Candle in the Corner Event - Kick off!

It is such a privalege to be a part of this Candle in the Corner blog event! 

It is Kick Off day!

It is also Early Bird Extra Entry day. Heidi explains what it is all about.

"Today, October 27, is Early Bird Extra Entry Day!! To thank you for your help in kicking this event off, we are giving double entries to anyone who donates today! I know what all the items are and this chance at double entries is one you will regret not taking, take my word for it!!

For those still doubtful (oh ye of little faith), here are the countries the items are coming from:

~Spain

~Portugal

~Indonesia

~Taiwan

~South Africa

~Russia

~Paraguay

~Uganda

~Brazil

~Argentina

~Botswana

So go! Donate today and get ready for an exciting two weeks! Then you can watch my first vlog. Disclaimer free. "

(Click here or on the button for the event)

Please come back tomorrow to read about the "candle" that is lit in Gijón, Spain!

Priorities and Perseverance

Today, I am reflecting on some very important truths I want to apply to my life with a renewed effort. For our Making our Home Sing Monday, I thought I would share a little bit with you.

My husband and I had the privalege to go to Madrid for a special Teen Conference hosted by the Villa Rosa Bible Baptist Church. No, we don´t have teens yet, but we were invited anyway. They must think we look young enough. Well, I would like to think so anyway. Really, the true reason was that my hubby has never preached for the teens before and they wanted someone new. I knew he would do a great job in the Lord´s strength, but he was nervous. (of course who wouldn´t be speaking to a crowd of 100 teens!) I posted a picture from my phone of the whole group on the KJV blog, and a little more in detail about the conference.

I had the best job! I got to pass out the plates. (I did more, but this was a really fun one) I got to see some teens who I knew back when we first came to Spain. They were little girls then in our Sunday School classes and Kids camps. What a blessing to see them as young ladies who love the Lord.

We didn´t take our boys to the conference, because they aren´t teens yet. We missed them, of course, and I was able to reflect on somethings, as always when we are apart.

Priorities and perseverance  have been on my heart this weekend. It seems we always need to be renewing our commitments. I, as a young wife and mother have one resposibility. Really, only one. How do I manage to get so side-tracked.

I want to remember to be a Titus 2:4-5 woman.

"That they (the aged women) may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

May we all, persever in our priority, our home.

Considering a Journey

Today Fitness Friday and the Christmas Crunch Challenge go hand in hand! If you still have not signed up, there is time. Just contact me with your email by Sunday. We may have some late comers and that´s ok, but I would love to have everyone working toward their goals the first week. (click on the button to learn more)

I thought I might post some things to consider before starting a fitness journey or a fitness challenge. Not all of these have to be done all at once. It´s a growing process.

1. Pray - Even before you make the commitment, it should be a prayer in your heart that the Lord would help you meet your goals. That your goals would be His goals, as well.

2. Set a goal - This sounds so basic, but it is so important to have the right goals and priorities. We all know this. We may all start off with the right mind set, to glorify God with every area of our lives, but maybe somewhere along the way we compare ourselves with the "image" I spoke about last week. This then consumes us. We must go back to that goal we had in the beginning.

3. Get a plan - This is where it may vary through your fitness journey. At first, some plans may seem harder than others. Maybe, your body can´t cut back as many calories at first.  Or a certain exercise plan is too extensive just yet. We must choose a plan that is right for us. Each individual is different. I can share with you my journey, but ultimately you have to find what works for you.

There are so many diet plans out there, but I believe the key is to cut out unnatural refined sugars first thing! Regardless of the diet you choose this will always be key. Then the second key is exersice. Just get moving 20 minutes more a day. That´s it!  Sometimes it just helps to simplify things.

4. Get support - A great support group or even just a friend to help keep you accountable is so essencial. When you have success, you can share. This motivates your friends and those who may be struggling. When you have questions or have fallen off the wagon, your group can rally around you and help encourage you to keep on.

I had a few good accountablilty friends. They were working hard at getting in shape and strong, too. This was a huge push for me.  It is also, an added bonus when your husband starts noticing the change in you. He can become your number one "cheerleader"!

Again, let´s keep it all in perspective. None of this is worth anything if our hearts are not right. This has been such a daily objective for me to strive for.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure...That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke."  So "I press toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." For "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me." Philippians 2:13,15 ; 3:14; 4:13

Journeying with you on the journey of life,

The Christmas Crunch!

It´s that time! We all are getting geared up for the holidays. I know, Thanksgiving is first, but for some reason my mind just jumped straight to Christmas. Then my mind went to New Years. Then to last years New Year´s goals. This past January, I set a goal, which I have not met yet. It may seem compulsive to some, but to me it´s a new handle on life. My fitness journey started with a prayer, developing into a joy and a new lease on life. I would love for others to enjoy this as well.

This is why I present to you the...

I am getting so excited about this. Already there are more than 10 ladies interested. Yes, It is a ladies only private blog.  Now aren´t you interested???? Wouldn´t you like to get fit and know you are getting healthier for your family and for your service to Jesus??? Well, you can!

Let me explain.

When will it take place?

This challenge will run from October 28 till December 23, at which time I will award the 1st place winner with a $15 online gift certificate and the 2nd and 3rd place winners with $5 online gift certificates. All participants will also receive an e-certificate with the amount of points earned on their Christmas Crunch!

How do you earn points?

There will be 5 catagories:

weight - 1 point for every pound lost

inches/cm - 2 points for every inch lost and 1 point for ever centimeter lost. (which ever you choose to measure in)

Posting - one point for ever post you make

Exercise -  1 point for every 20 minutes of exercise you do.

Healthy diet tips and recipes - 1 point for the post and 1 point for the tip or recipe in that post (only possible 2pts here).

Now, I probably won´t be able to keep track of it all. REALLY?! ? So you will be set up with your own tracker on the blog. You sign on and adjust your points accordingly. I will try to monitor it all as well. (no cheaties, ladies)

It would be great if we all could get to know each other before the kick off so I will be inviting and opening up the blog to you all soon for introductions and more instructions. I will be posting some diet information if you do not have a plan to follow as of yet.  Posting will not count till Wednesday October 28, though.

Any questions please feel free to ask away. This is a topic I am growing to love! Keeping fit and healthy is a goal for life, not just in our 20s and 30s. So why not start now!

Let this Christmas be a Christmas that you remember for a lifetime, not only because you feel healthier but because of the One who gave you the strength to achieve your goals.

Let´s Crunch it, ladies!

Gulp! Sniff! GRRRR!

How many of you are feeling this way today?

How many had a hard time getting out of bed this Monday morning?

MEEEEEE!!!!!!

Before I even went to Momstheword today, I was planning on writing about sleeping in.

Even though we have to sleep more, because we are sick, does not mean we have to fall into a bad rut. (I am telling this to myself) I will make my home sing today, even though I am getting sicky, by getting back on schedule.

We did it! Now to just go heat up those leftovers for our big meal at 2:45 pm. How many of you would be able to get a big meal ready by 2:30 in the middle of the day? That´s when most Spanish families eat their big meals. I try to plan at least one day for leftovers, so I can have an easy day. Monday, is a great day for leftovers.

Hope the family likes lentils, chicken, rice, beans and whatever else I can find in the fridge.

A Perfectly Shaped You!

Fitness, health, glamor, modeling, Hollywood, sexy, .... Where does it all lead? When one get´s to wanting to look better, what are we trying to do? What is our purpose? What should our purpose be?

Physically, it´s important to be healthy. We all know this, but why is it important? I mean, we all die sometime. God knows our expiration date. Right? What is it that motivates us to want to look our best, feel our best, be our best?

There is such a push for a "hot" image. If you aren´t lookin´"hot" then you get sidestepped or even stepped on. Well, I propose that we throw out this image altogether. I propose we draw a new image for women and men! A healthy, God created, perfectly shaped YOU!

You may not be tall, slender, and have those perfect curves but that´s what Hollywood is telling you, you need. How are you going to get these "perfect" curves? How are you going to get taller? How do you get leaner in some parts and bigger in others? (excuse me for saying it)

"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"

Matthew 6:27

How are you going to shrink those bones?

You aren´t. (unless you go crazy and pay thousands and thousands of bucks)

So why does this affect us?

Even though, I know all this, I am still affected by the image of the perfect womenly body portrayed everyday in the media. It is so difficult to fight against the idea in my head that I have to be a certain size and shape especially knowing I can´t ever be that "Barbie" shape. This has not led me to depression, but it could, and it has for others. Depression and much much more.

We must put every thought into captivity and call it sin. Yes, It´s sin. It is sin to covet someone else´s body. Oh, this is tough. I know. But as I am writing this, I know what I have to do. I must confess to the Lord that I have sinned. I have wanted that other lady´s legs. Mine are destroyed by ugly swollen varicose veins from my first pregnancy. They will never be the same. I must admit and confess to coveting another lady for her beautifully shaped legs. (this has happened so often. more than I would like to admit. Spanish ladies have such nice legs)

How often do we do this as women? Even men struggle with comparing themselves to the big muscle image. We can´t change Hollywood, or the image, but we can change the way we look at ourselves. What does the Bible say? It is the authority. We can pattern our image to the Bible and God´s view of ourselves.

It says in Psalm 139:14

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

You are God´s work of art! You are MARVELOUS! You are WONDERFUL!

I heard once that we should stand in the mirror and tell ourselves this verse over and over every day until we believe it. It will sink in!

Discipline, and hard work bring our bodies into subjection for the Lord to be able to use us. Let´s strive for this "new image"! A Healthy, God Created, PERFECTLY SHAPED, You!

Health and fitness is important. We should be our best for the Lord and His service, but that does not mean attaining an image that is not our own.

Just on the lighter side, I found this song. It´s not the one I originally wanted, but it gets the idea across. Hope it puts a smile on your face and helps you on your journey.

We don´t have to be satisfied with an unhealthy body, and we shouldn´t be unsatisfied with the body God gave us.

God made you and He loves you!

May you have a wonderful Fitness Friday and head on over to God Speaks Today to read more about how you can be the healthy, God created, perfectly shaped YOU.

Baby Laugh

The only one who could make him laugh,

his daddy.

Just Because Roses

My dear husband surprised me so good today, with these "just because" roses! They are even bigger and better than the ones I got when we would attend the formal fine arts we had to go to at college back when we were dating. Whooo hooo!!!

And you have to check out the fall decoration giveaway at Becka´s blog!

She knows we missionary wives can´t get fall decorations like ya´ll can at Walmart and Michaels. So be a great bloggy friend and tell her who sent ya! I would love some fall decorations.

Oh , Becka, I love, love, smelly candles! Could that be part of the giveaway too???

Best of Both Worlds!

A wonderful three day weekend is making my home sing this week!

We kicked it off with a Contreras grand slam breakfast with pancakes, eggs and bacon for the men and Jillian hot cakes for me. Then off to kids club.

It was ok that we started a half hour late. The boys were out getting their friend who had to go feed his cousin´s guinea pigs. At least, we had a kid! (plus our own)

Off again to get the van fixed, only to wait an hour for the mechanic (a friend of a friend). So, we had to go with plan B. Play time at the park and Burger King picnic lunch! We can go for that.




Shhhh.... don´t tell the boys. Mommy and Daddy sneaked away for a coffee and...

and .. and what´s that???

No, you can´t have any! It´s mine! ALLLLL MINE!!

Oh ok, I´ll share. Don´t worry I only had a little for my splurge day, and it was so worth it! ( We just got Ben and Jerry´s out here a couple of years ago. It´s a real treat only once in a blue moon as you have to pay so much more due to it being an import.)

Then we had a two hour cleaning marathon at home. The boys worked so hard cleaning hamster cages, their room and the school room. I was so proud of them, that I increased their allowances 50 cents each.

We had a good Lord´s day. The Lord blessed us with three for dinner and a guest for church in the evening. She is a believer who just arrived from Uruguay. We look forward to having yet another sister.

A full football game and family night! Our stream tv on our computer is finally working! This is a huge thing for our family! Being so far from our extended families, this brings a little of our past to the present and to the mission field. The boys got to stay up to see our favorite team play. And they won too! Go Cardinals!

We have today off! It´s Saint Pilar day here in Spain. ( I think) I also think it´s Columbus day in the States. So we have decided to coin it "Maria Pilar Columbus Day" for our family! We get the best of both worlds! We will be heading to the beach. (it´s cool enough now to have the beach more or less to ourselves) I plan to jog and see if I can beat my hubby in a foot race.

Hope you have a wonderful singing Monday praising the Lord and enjoying your family!

What´s up with all the Pink?

Did you know that the NFL football web site went PINK?

( They took it off now but it was pink. Honest.)

Did you know what the pink stands for?

Most do, but when I saw the pink background on the NFL football web site I was so confused. I must admit that I stared and stared at that page for so long, and every time it opened up I just couldn´t get it. (You see it´s the home page on our main computer, so it´s open a lot) Then I finally saw the pink ribbon.

AAAAAhhhhhhh!!! I get it now!

It´s for

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

It takes me a while to get these things. It takes even longer to get into the swing of things to do a post about it. When I saw Fringe girl´s Party in Pink, I totally wanted to get in on it, but didn´t have anything to post about, or so I thought.

Doing a little bit of thinking, while the smoke was filling the room, I thought I might be able to link it to one of my favorite things , Health and Fitness. Yes! Come to find out, they go hand in hand.

The National Breast Cancer web site answered some of my questions.

Can physical activity reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Yes! Most definitely!

Exercise pumps up the immune system and lowers estrogen levels. With as little as four hours of exercise per week, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer.

This is a huge thing for me, even though there is no history in my family of breast cancer, I still get to wondering and sometimes even probing to make sure I don´t have any lumps. We all should be doing the tests, but knowing that exercise lowers the risk made me a little more at ease. Now if you aren´t exercising, what are you waiting for? Here is a great reason in and of itself to get started!

Can a healthy diet help prevent breast cancer?

Yes, it sure can!


A nutritious, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet increases the risk because fat triggers estrogen production that can fuel tumor growth.

This made me so happy to know! It´s a boost to stay fit for life, to stay off those fatty fast foods and stay on the low sugar, low trans-fat, whole grain, lifestyle that gives energy and reduces the risk of cancer. Now this gives me even more motivation!

I don´t know about you all, but I am so glad that women are out there helping us to become aware of how to lower our risks of breast cancer and to support those who have it.

A huge THANK-YOU to

Domestic Fringe - Check out her great post and all the pointers she researched.

Fullnest - For her awesome give-away and links for breast cancer awareness.

Moms Ministry and More - for her special post and inspiring me to join in on the party!

I am also linking up this week with Sandy. She has a great outlook on health and fitness! She is definitely motivating!

My three step proposal:

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might!

Get disciplined and healthy for you and your family!

Stay that way!

(praying this for my life)

Go PINK!

and

Have a great weekend!

Phases and Pudgy Faces

As I contemplated what photo to use for Friday Photo Flashback, I went browsing some old files. What haven´t I posted yet?

Anyway, I am realizing there have been so many phases in my looks. I pray that I don´t have too many more. Guess that´s what being a mommy does to a body.

The picture I ended up choosing is a digital picture. (sorry Alicia, I am just not close to my scanner right now)

This is one of the attempts we did for our first furlough prayer card. The year was 2002. Our boys were probably about 3, 2, and 1 years of age. Look at those pudgy cheeks! Boy, do I miss their pudgy round faces.

No, they aren´t super tall giant babies either, they are standing on a table. (well, of course)

It´s so fun to see and remember the past through photos. Link on up with Alicia some time for her meme.

Diez Cosas!

How is your Spanish?

What does "diez cosas" mean?

¡Si!

it means...

"TEN THINGS"

Now you know some Spanish and can come on out to Spain to help hand out gospel tracks. Even if you don´t know that much Spanish, you can be used to hand out a gospel track in Spain.

Well, the reason for the "diez cosas" is that Pilar passed this really special award on to me with the condition to share 10 things and pass it on to 10 more awesome girls. Isn´t it such a cute award?

Pilar!

1. For those of you who don´t know me too well, or are new to my blog, I have been in Spain as a missionary for almost 10 years.

2. I had my second and third sons in Spanish hospitals when I could hardly speak the language.

3. I gained almost 60 pounds with my first pregnancy while on deputation visiting churches all over the U. S. A. It really took a toll on my body.

4. As a result of three pregnancies, one right after the other and genetics, I had to have a prothesis bone put in each of my ears. I had what is called otosclerosis. WHO KNEW?

5. Did I mention all that extra weight I gained! ( I ask my hubby all the time how I ever let myself get like that.)

about to burst, prego with my first son, Jan. 1999

6. I called my prego "bump" my Wilson and Spalding.

7. I am not proud of this. It was a result of a lot of travel and lots of eating out due to the traveling. However, this last furlough, (a break missionaries take to visit churches) I did not gain any weight at all. I praise the Lord for this.

8. I started a fitness journey this past January. (even though I have always been into fitness, it hasn´t always been into me. )

9. Yes, I know most of these things have been about weight, but that´s not the only thing I am about. First and formost, I love the Lord Jesus and want to serve Him with all my heart. I want to be healthy and be the best I can be for Him and my family.

10. This week I am one pound closer to my goal. I have dropped 30 pounds so far since January 2009.

I got to thinking, "Wow, that´s like three bags of potatoes!"

Where did it go?

I am so jumping happy and feel so healthy!

Praising the Lord for His strength and power.

*** It´s so late. You will have to forgive me for not posting 10 more awesome girls. If you are reading this, and want to join in, please share this cute award with me. Take it as your own. You are awesome in God´s eyes! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! ***

The Mom Song

I post this video in honor of all moms who want to make their homes sing on Monday. (which doesn´t happen too often. Does it? Nan, why does your meme have to be Monday? )

This is the song I was singing this evening on the other side of the ocean, and as you are still singing this song, I am resting, writing this post.

Posted especially for "Making Your Home Sing Monday"

"It Only Takes a Spark"

I know I have many photos that I can scan from our pre-digital days, but I thought I would share one very special flashback in honor of the up coming blog event "Candle in the Corner" even though it´s not a scanned image. (You´ll forgive me, won´t you, Alicia)

Are you familiar with this old chorus? It is so perfect for this up coming blog event and for what I want to share today. Break out into song with me!

"It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

And soon all those around will warm up to it´s glowing.

That´s how it is with God´s love.

Once you´ve experienced it.

You want to sing. It´s fresh like spring.

You want to pass it on."

This picture was taken when we first started the church plant work in Gijón, Spain. It was in March of 2005, when we moved from our townhome between the two cities we were working in, to start full time in the city of Gijón.

It was a big deal. We were moving to a new city. No Baptist churches were there that we new of. We didn´t know anyone really, and we were to be working all alone for the first time in the 5 years of being missionaries.

What does this mean for missionaries? It means church services alone. Singing solos as congragationals. Going door to door alone. Passing out invitations by the thousands. Starting programs not knowing if there will be anyone besides your own 3 three little blessings and many many more alone times in between. Of course, though, no TRUE missionary is really alone.

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Romans 8:37

It only takes a SPARK!

Here is our little spark.

***Please be sure to be on the lookout for "Candle in the Corner" blog event. ***