Gospel 2 Gijón, SPAIN

Our New Church Building

2011-05-10T15:47:00.001+01:00

We are moving in! This is the new building for Liberty Baptist Church, Gijón, Spain!

Remodeling and getting a new building up to city code is expensive! We knew we needed to do these changes and get permits but, it seems at times very overwhelming. We know the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and cares for every bird. That gives us comfort to know He will continue to care for our family even if the dollar drops time and again.

Let me go back a couple of months to explain how we got to this point. For 2 years now we have needed a new building for services, and for community activities in Gijón, Spain. When we came back from our third furlough, the end of January, God brought us to the exact building. We have been praying and praying for this move, so when the right one presented itself, and the funds to sign the contract, it seemed like a dream.

We just met for the first Sunday in our new church meeting place for services. Liberty Baptist Church now has a new home! Even though, we are still without water and building permits, we had a very blessed service, praising God for all the recent miracles we have witnessed. We thank God for all those who have given to make this possible, as well.

This past weekend, we had friends from Germany come on a missions trip. They paid for the materials and decorated the room I will be using for teaching English as an ourtreach ministry. It is the only room in the building where you can sit and not get dirty.

We covet your prayers as we are embarking on a new journey in uncharted territory for us.

Missionary in Gijón, Spain

www.gospel2gijon.blogspot.com

www.gospel2gijon.com

A New Family Member!

2011-03-13T23:53:00.000Z

I wanted to surprise the boys for all their hard work these last couple of months.

They had earned a lot of smiles on their smile charts for all their jobs, and this Saturday, they were doing their jobs pretty much without me telling them. It pleased me so much! I just was bursting to my mom on the phone, watching them clean their hamster cage all by themselves, all three of them together.

We needed something special!

Something to show them that Mommy was so proud of them.

It was time for a new member of the family!

May I introduce you to our guinea pig Reeses Pieces - lovingly called Reese.

She is only 6wks old and is babied and pampered all day long. I wonder how she will turn out?

One day is as good as another.

2011-02-14T21:17:00.000Z

It´s not that I am not romantic or that I don´t enjoy roses and chocolate, but isn´t it so much more special if your sweetheart does something special for you out of love, any day of the week? I mean, PHOOEY with Valentine´s Day if you have your valentine everyday of the week!

My hubby and I had a talk the other morning about the acts of love we do for each other. I wanted him to see the things I did for him out of love. (like make his dinner) I told him how much I appreciate it when he does special little things for me. (like wash the dishes out of love not because I need the help) It isn´t necessary to wait around for the roses. Roses die. Chocolates get eaten, but a good dishwasher lasts forever! ( I did get chocolate, too!)

Of course, dates out with your sweetheart is very important, especially when your conversation with your children around the table normally consits of football, school, and disgusting bodily functions. Four way conversations with boys are very difficult to follow after having taught fourth and sixth grade math.

My hubby and I had a few opportunities to go out on dates in the United States when we were with our families. Joseph´s brother took us out for Sushi! That was a treat. (Look closely at my plate, you won´t see any sushi there) Joseph seemed to have gotten adicted to the delicacy, though.

We are going to escape tonight for a quick round of Spanish Tapas! We love living in Europe!

What special things do you and your spouse do for each other on a daily basis? How might you celebrate Valentine´s Day with your sweetheart everyday?

"That you love one another, as I (Jesus) have loved you."

Bring Your Body Under Subjection

2011-02-09T11:08:00.002Z

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1Corinthians 9:27

This isn´t the easiest verse in the Bible to apply. Really, if you start to apply it in one area, you have to apply it to all areas of your life. I do think though, that is what the apostle Paul is trying to convey to us, that we need to bring all areas of our lives under subjection. So does that mean our diet and physical health too?

Yikes! I guess, I am stepping on my own toes here. I am a perfectionest in character and sometimes if I can´t even get close to a goal, I give up without even trying. That´s what they call a failed perfectionest. However, I have found with diet and fitness that, if I have a bad day or I am too busy one day, it is just like any other discipline, we get right back at it the next day. It is a lifetime discipline. It is a journey. I like to call it my fitness journey for life.

Would you like to join me in getting our bodies under subjection? This may mean different things for different people. You obviously are not just like me and I am not just like you. You may not even have to lose any weight at all, but want to be fit and healthy. Whatever your goals maybe, just keep plugging away at them just like we do with our spiritual goals. I believe our spiritual goals are directly tied to our physical bodies as well. What goals are you working for with God´s strength? Don´t let past failure keep you from going forward.

I would love to invite you to Spring in-2 Shape with us!

Just e mail me your e mail address so that I can send you all the details and invite you to our private fitness blog.

I look forward to Springing into Shape with you!

Surrounded and Joining the Ranks

2011-02-07T18:52:00.001Z

I am surrounded by footballs, football equipment, and football players.

I guess, if you can´t beat ´em, join ´em.

My boys start practicing with their daddy´s team, the Gijón Mariners full tackle American Football team. They are a little young for the team yet, but the coach wants our boys practicing with them to help build a junior team. We are so excited for them!

Go Mariners!

Weeee´re BaaaaaaCK!!!

2011-02-02T01:29:00.000Z

"Look out Gijón, because the Contreras family is back!" I just felt like announcing this. It feels great to be back to our home after 5 1/2months of traveling.

Actually, it seems that some of our neighbors didn´t even know we were gone. Now how did that happen? I thought we made enough noise for all of our neighbors to be thankful it was quiet for awhile. I mean, if they can hear our hamsters in the apartment below, how many other things do they hear? With three very active boys, a loud mommy, and a football player for a Dad, our poor neighbors might wonder if the roof will cave in someday. I am glad they didn´t miss us too much.

All in all, most have been very receptive of us being back. Many even wrote us while we were gone. We sure did miss our home and our friends here in Spain. Actually, it is almost as if we never left. The very first night we got back from our long 5 1/2 month furlough, my husband said he felt as if he had had a wonderful dream that we traveled all around the world and had done all these great and amazing things. It was not a dream, but in many ways a dream come true.

Here are some pictures from our travels across the USA.

Near Big Bear Mountain in Southern Califonia -

right after Thanksgiving

The boys first snow experience of the year at that mountain Christian family retreat.

Then we came to the end of the Route 66!

and Hollywood.

We spent, in all, 2 months in Texas, 2 months in California, and 1&1/2 months in Florida, traveling by car through all the states in between.

We got back to Florida for Christmas and New Years with my family.

The Everglades - for my oldest son´s 12 birthday.

We all got to hold a baby Allegator.

and of course the beach!

Our last day together for maybe another 2-3 years. Bitter Sweet.

Just a peek at our latest adventure - Belgium for a Missionary Conference

Now, I will start blogging once again, to keep you all up to date on our lives on the other side of the pond.

Traveling- Fun or Folly

2010-12-21T02:52:00.000Z

Well, normally, traveling for me , would rank up there with a great banana split or a soft chewy brownie, but this past week traveling from California to Florida was a not all fun and games. It wasn't totally folly, but it was long, trecherous and very necessary.

We spent two months with my husband's family, and visiting churches in California. We sang, showed our presentation about the mission work in Gijon,Spain, my husband preached, and we would stay in a hotel or travel back to my father in laws place. Our time with family was so cherished, but, we had one more stop to make before going back to Spain, my family's place in Florida!

We started out Sunday morning for our first leg of the trip up to the central part of California, then the next 6 days were spent in the car except for one. We sure learned a lot about our dear sweet loving family in those close quarters.

It was worth every back-aching minute though, the moment I was able to hug my mom and dad! After 11 years we are finally spending Christmas together. We pray to hang on to every single moment.

Traveling can be very fun or it can, for many a traveling missionaries, be a necessary unavoidable folly.

From my furlough dairy,

Dani Joy

Ps. Sorry I have not posted while on our whirlwind traveling.

Are You Ready to Be Challenged?

2010-10-03T07:36:00.001+01:00

How are you doing in fitness and overall health?

Have you considered joining a support group or a diet center before?

Well, those cost money. This fitness challenge is free and you have a possibilty of winning prizes at the end.

Ladies, would you consider joining us for this 10 week fitness challenge that may change you for life?

If you haven´t decided yet and need more information, read on, then post a comment with your e mail or send it to danijoy2spain@gmail.com .

If you have decided and have let me know by Facebook, then I have you on the list.

Please read on for all the details, even if you don´t think you will be commited or you are still unsure. Take a step of faith and give it a try.

What is the Chrismas Crunch Challenge all about anyway?

First, what the CCC is not.

1. It is not a diet! - You choose your methods and what works for you.

2. It is not a gimmic! - It´s what you make of it. What you put into the challenge is what you will get out of it.

3. It is not a magic pill! - It will be work.

The CCC is -

1. A Christian fitness and health support group. - We stay in touch and encourage one another by an online private fitness blog

2. A Challenge - We race each other, and we work for goals and points. (another way to stay accountable and fun competition)

How does it work?

1. Prayer - We make praying for one another a priority

2. Points - 4 catagories

Inches/ Cm - 1 inch lost = 2points 1cm lost =1pt
Pounds/Kilos - 1lb lost = 5pts 1Kilo lost = 10 pts
Exercise - every 20 minutes of uninterrumpted exercise = 1pt
Posts - Every blog post you write on our private fitness blog = 1pt (2 journal posts a week and 2 diet, exercise, inspirational, video, or fitness tip per week allowed) Maximum points per week in this catagory are 4 pts.

3. Praise- We give glory to God for what He helps us to do, and we also comment on journals and praise each other

If you do not have a method of getting fit and healthy, I urge you not to go on any drastic diets. Just do these simple steps

1. Cut out all or as much as you can of white sugar and processed sugar. (read lables)

2. Cut in half what you normally eat if you haven´t done this already.

3. Cut out White Flour/processed white breads and pastas. (bad carbs) Replace them with high fiber whole wheat (no sugar) breads, cereals, and pastas.

4. Add in fun treats only for you that are healthy. sugar free/fat free. (go sparingly so they last) yogurts, cheeses, sf chocolate, nuts ect.

5. Add in 20 min. of exercise more a day. Sweat! (if you are active, but are not losing and want to see results try adding High intensity cardio to your workouts)

6. Have one free day a week.

Of course there is so much more out there, and we have a wealth of fitness and health knowledge on our fitness blog. Once I have your e mail and you are on the list to do the Christmas Crunch Challenge, then I can invite you to this fitness blog. I will be sending out an e mail as to how to go about getting on the blog, about blogging, and how to keep points.

It is very rewarding, ladies! Remeber it is a Fitness Journey for life. It is about taking care of our temples for the Lord Jesus. We are His servants. We want to take care of ourselves so we can serve Him better. I praise God for the added energy and strength He has given me since losing 40 lbs and getting in shape!

Don´t wait for next year´s resolutions! Don´t wait till even the next day. Let´s plan to do something today!

Love in Christ,

*** For those who are already on our fitness blog and are gearing up, you may get your testimonies ready to post. Please don´t publish them till Monday or Tuesday of the starting week. Remember to lable them. Then you may measure, and start getting ready. (there is an article on the blog on how to measure)

IT TAKES WORK!!!

2010-09-17T22:46:00.002+01:00

"Heigh ho, heigh ho, it´s off to work we go"

You remember how it goes. Right?

But, why WORK???

Oh, NO!!!

Isn´t WORK a four letter word! We can´t say that word!

Or can we???

WORK! WORK! WORK!

Yes, I am talking about fitness, and health! It takes work. Just like our spiritual Christian walk is work, discipline and healthy living takes work.

I received an article from a friend taken from the newspaper The Messenger, written by the president of YMCA El Paso, Kevin Pearson. He writes that even Peter in the Bible tells us to WORK.

2 Peter 1:5 states that we are to be diligent in adding to our faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance (self control! ouch), patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. You will notice that godliness doesn´t come until we have that SELF under control, and that takes WORK!

Kevin Pearson continues to encourage us to just get started.

"Getting started is most certainly the hardest thing to do. Once we commit ourselves to something, it is easy to continue, but getting started... that is tough."

He states that there are many excuses out there. "Not enough time", "long day at work", "not in shape", "pain", but most of all, he states,

"The biggest barrier that we all face is the fear of failure. We can´t stick to the program. If we are not consistent, we´ll fall off the wagon. We won´t reach our goals. Fear of failure is an extremely powerful negative influence, but as they say, "it´s all in your head".

Start with a simple goal - "I am going to do something"... The goal should be to get started. ... Stay on focus with the task."

I totally agree! Many of you have started. Now we have to keep on. If you are struggling with starting and keeping on, that´s ok. It is normal. Keep starting new everyday.

"It is of the Lord´s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion (not food) saith my soul; therefore will I hope in HIM." Lamentations 3:22-24

Last year, I hosted a fitness challenge and started a Christian fitness blog. We will be gearing up for another challenge this October. The Christmas Crunch Challenge was a huge success with many getting started on their own fitness journey and many keeping on through the whole year. This Christmas Crunch Challenge will start October 6 and go till December 22. A 12 week journey that will change you!

If you are interested write me at danijoy2spain@gmail.com .

Praying for our spiritual and physical health,

Linking up with

Changes and Blessings

2010-08-27T22:52:00.003+01:00

TEXAS is a big change from Asturias, Spain!

We are on what missionaries call "furlough" which means rest, but often it means many many hours of driving, new surroundings, and many many new experiences. We give a report to our supporting churches of what the Lord has been doing on our mission field. We will be Stateside for 5 months.

El Paso is a culture all of it´s own.

Here is our driveway!

God has blessed us with a trailer in the desert to live in. We have a bit of a drive to our sending church, but it is exactly what God has provided for us.

The boys have had a full week of school and of football practice. These are days that we pray they will be thankful for the rest of their lives.

The boys on their first day of school last week after traveling three days from Florida.

The boys first day of Panther full tackle football!

God has allowed us to serve in our sending church and school, as well, as visit new churches in the area.

Primary school chapel

Our first church meeting.

The boys and Joseph singing "The Blood of Jesus" in 4 part harmony.

Please continue to pray for our church in Gijón, Spain and for our travels all over the USA.

Moments like these...

2010-08-14T20:15:00.001+01:00

You need to stop and just admire their ability to sleep wherever and however.

This could be an occupational hazard for an MK.

MK?? You ask.

Yes, our highly adapted missionary kid sleeping in the Madrid airport. He and his brothers have traveled/waited over 48 hours to arrive in the good ol´ USA.

Our little troopers!

We arrived in Miami, Florida August 9 at 6pm, but you know, after baggage claim and customs, we didn´t actually see my parents till well after 7 pm. Which by the way was 1am our time!

It has been 2 years since we had seen our family. These reunions are so precious, and I am taking so may pictures to capture almost every moment. I don´t want to miss anything.

My mom and I!

If you don´t hear from me for awhile, you´ll know I am taking lots of pictures and really enjoying our furlough.

The boys start school next week in Texas. Please pray for our traveling safety as we head that way.

I hope to be able to visit you at your blogs soon.

Bible in 90 days Summer Recap

2010-07-26T23:11:00.002+01:00

It has been such a blessing reading through the Bible in 90 days. We are on day 22 already and should be in 2 Samuel. I must admit, I am behind, but I keep reading a few extra pages everyday. I highly encourage everyone to join in on this challenge. (Click HERE to see more info)

As I read through Joshua chapter 14, I was touched to my heart to learn more about how Caleb waited for God´s promise. He wasn´t the one who disobeyed or complained at Moses, yet he too had to endure 45 years of wandering in the wilderness before he could finally follow God´s command. He could have gotten so bitter. He could have even gotten depressed in all that time, but we find him in chapter 14 storming his mountain, taking it in God´s name! He totally destroyed all the inhabitants of that mountain at 85 years of age!His faithfulness, and patience is a great example for when we are asked to wait. Then asked to wait some more. What is often our response? May my response be like that of Caleb´s. May I wait patiently and be found faithful in the end.

Here is one word or phrase for each of the chapters of Joshua:
1. Joshua
2. Rahab
3. Crossing Jordan
4. Memorial
5. Second
6.Jericho destroyed
7. Achan´s sin
8. ambush
9. Tricked
10. Sun still
11. Destroyed
12. Kings
13. Inheritance
14. Caleb´s Mountain
15. Borders
16. Not driven
17. Daughters
18. Shiloh
19. Lots of land divided
20. cities of refuge
21.Suburbs
22. alter of witness
23. Cleave
24. Joshua´s death

How is your summer going? First write me a quick comment and then head on over to the KJV blog to check out some of our summer camp ministry pictures.

Bible in 90 Days Summerize in One Word

2010-07-16T18:09:00.003+01:00

It has been such a blessing reading the Bible through in this way! I haven´t read it this fast since being in college for a class. I highly recommend this program!

There is so much support too. Mom´s toolbox.com is where I signed up and she puts an application and helps every few days. We also have the option to twitter with the group on Mondays as well. I also just started to listen to Audio Bible Online just for variety. Great!

I am finishing up Leviticus right now. What I am doing this time that I haven´t ever done before, is putting a one word summery for each chapter to trigger my memory. It´s a great help to look back over it and review what I have read.

My favorite was Day 7. Here are my entries for my reading that day. It´s so climatic. You really see God´s hand and the true purpose for His people.

Exodus 12-21
chapter 12 - The Passover
Chapter 13- Remeberance
Chapter 14- Egypt Overthrown
Chapter 15- Triumph
Chapter 16- Murmuring/Provision
Chapter 17- Smitten
Chapter 18- Counsel
Chapter 19- Sinai
Chapter 20- The Law!
Chapter 21- Judgements

What an incredible account of God´s faithfulness as He brought his people out of Egypt! His plan is perfect!

A Surprise Treat!

2010-07-13T20:14:00.000+01:00

La Familia Contreras Trio -
The first of many, Lord willing!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Final Flashback

2010-07-02T23:34:00.001+01:00

For a little while anyway.

Yeah, *sigh* ... I just don´t have much time to blog these days. Didn´t think I would say it but, blogging has become last on my "to do" list.

Not only has summer started and I want to be out more, I am taking care of a 5 month old baby every day too. She is precious, don´t get me wrong. I just forgot how much time one little baby can take up. I know I already blogged about this, so I will just go on and on about how sweet and bubbly she is. She is growing and has adjusted to being with our family. Oh, and she loves her feet!

In retrospect of camp coming up, here is a Photo flashback picture of one of our first camps together in Spain. Our boys were ages 6, 5, and 4. We finally got to enjoy and work at the camps as a family!

Camp Ebenezer in the Barcelona area

Family camp 2005

Monte Calvario Campamento Bautista

Family camp 2005

I was going to link up with the Completing Him Challenge with some wedding pictures too, but I have already posted some. If you would like to see them. Please go HERE.

This week´s challenge is to pray for your man! Pray specifically. I pray for him but, the list Courtney had on there just blew me away. I realized how specifically I really should be praying for my dear husband.

I will be starting another challenge as well. This one is very very important to me. I don´t want anything getting in the way. This one must become a priority. Discipline has been an area that I have needed to work on. Discipline in fitness, healthy eating, in my house hold chores... well, and one other area. I have wanted to make more time for is my daily Bible reading. I read, but I must admit, it´s been a long time since I have really delved in. Here is what I am committing to.

Read through the Bible in 90 days!

Well, hope you all will miss me a little bit. I will miss you all. Be back to post pictures when I can. Meanwhile, maybe you will join in on some of these challenges too.

Running The Race!!!

2010-06-27T23:46:00.003+01:00

Yes, I know, it may seem a little different in the line of missions, but I am using it as a means to get to know more ladies in the community. I pray to use training for The Race for Women, every year to meet more and more ladies.

This year, I ran alone, got to know a few ladies, met my goal, got my prizes, and went to church. Next year however, I would love to have a group from our church sign up, and have a verse ironed on our shirts with the church´s name!

A little bit about The Race for Women. It´s a 5 kilometer (3.2 mile) race to promote breast cancer awareness and to raise money to help support research for the fight against it. There will be a total of 9 races throughout Spain this year. This has been the sixth year that the Race for Women has taken place. Gijón had a great turn out of about 3,000 women! It was amazing to participate in something so beneficial and widespread. It even was on the city news this afternoon. I actually saw my head pass by the camera.

Here I am before the start, bright eyed and bushy tailed! literally.

My cheering section! It was so great to see their faces when I crossed the finish line!

I am behind the that lady in front. hehe (my dh tried to get pictures, but someone always got in the way.)

Came in at 29 minutes flat! possibly in the top 200 or so!

Here´s some of the ladies that came in after me.

I finished! Praise the Lord!

The verses that have gotten me through many soccer practices, difficult situations and now my first race is,

Psalm 121: 1-2

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Let´s keep running the race that is set before us. I am remembering that the spiritual race is far more important.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith,

I´m NOT Dating Anymore!

2010-06-20T20:11:00.001+01:00

I am joining the Completing Him Challenge and posting for last week´s theme, telling how I met my husband and a little about our courtship. Also, seens how it´s Monday, I will link up with Making Your Home Sing Meme, because without my hubby this home would not be. He is wonderful. Even when I am aweful to him, he forgives and keeps on forgiving.

I title this chapter "I´m NOT Dating Anymore!"

"Well, I guess I will go to the Revival service alone tonight." I thought, as I was getting ready for the start of my second semester as a sophmore at Pensacola Christian College.

My best friend was singing in the choir that night, and I just hadn´t gotten with anyone else for the evening´s opener. That was fine with me. I would just sit down front in the "spit pit" as we called it and soak in the message.

I was really pretty excited about this semester of college. I thought I had it all figured out. The rules, classes, guys. You know, the typical sophmore know-it-all. I felt pretty confident about myself. (in the Lord of course)

Going to church by myself was not a big issue. I just sat myself down, started to look around, found my best friend in the choir, and relaxed for a great start to Bible Conference. Little did I know, it would be the start of even more, the start of my life with a great man of God.

He turned and asked me how I was going to like our missions class, or something like that. I looked at him and thought, "Do I know this guy?" He was saying that we were in the same class and that his name was Joseph Contreras. Oh, I must have sat in front of him or something. We kept talking about everything from classes to missions to Classical guitar to Spain. To think back on it now, it is so amazing that in our first conversation together we talked about Spain, which would end up being our future field of service!

He was an incredible classical guitarist. He practiced in the Communicative Arts building 3 hours a day. Would you believe that that semester the Lord put me in the same building for my work assignment cleaning the radio station? I had to walk by Joseph´s practice room every day. Or at least, I made a point to walk by it, slowing down just so I could listen. He had such talent!

I started to wait for him after my cleaning job so that we could eat supper together. We would talk and talk. I remember he had such a heart for missions. He had recently been called to serve as a missionary wherever God would lead and was praying for the country of Spain. I started praying for him too. We became friends and prayer partners.

There were other dates with other guys, but everytime I would ask them if they ever thought about being a missionary they stalled, they changed the subject, or they flat out said no.

"How can pastoral majors not have a missions burden?" I would ask myself.

So, I stopped dating. Dates at PCC really only consisted of going to church together or dinner, but I had had it. I didn´t want to date anyone who didn´t share my burden for missions wherever that would take me.

"Dear God, I´m not dating anymore!" I remember praying about a month into that same semester. "I will go singly to the mission field." I had known from the age of 10 that I was called to be a missionary.

That´s when Joseph stepped up. He started writing me, and he sent me this sweet letter and this single rose. Of course, He knew nothing of my prayer then. It was all God.

We spent a lot of time together that semester. Praying and talking. Before I knew it, God was showing me, that Joseph was the one. God gave me a verse and I knew that I would go wherever God sent this man. I would serve by his side. We hadn´t even said "I love you" yet, but I knew.

The verse was 1 Corinthians 11: 9

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."

Here we are on a Fine Arts date. The year was 1995. We were in love, but our love would be tested that following summer. Stay tune for the continuation.

We use to write to each other every day. Sending letters and notes through the college night- mail between dorms. I will try to write him more during this challenge and renew that part of our love life.

How did you meet your husband? What can you do to complete him more? Come and join in on this challenge. We can all work harder on our marriage. It always takes two!

Cleaning Frenzy Slower than Slow!

2010-06-14T16:53:00.003+01:00

Getting only half of a room cleaned last week and only a couple of tests corrected, doesn´t count for a frenzy. Does it? I mean, I have a right to throw a Mama Fit! ( My friend NINA and missionary neighbor in Portugal started these fits.)

Every time I get started working on something, I get interupted by something else. The boys needing something, needing to get dinner, English classes, exercise, well, just about my whole daily schedule gets in the way of this summer cleaning frenzy.

Today, I started with good intentions of finishing the grades before I posted this, but the baby cried abit more today inorder to sleep, the boys had Spanish class, I had to feed the baby, and I had to clean the kitchen. Well, you get the point.

I didn´t throw a literal fit. Just here on my blog. It makes me feel a little better to vent. I didn´t take it out on my family, I promise.

Today, I am doing the Making my Home Sing meme by going with the flow. Praying to be able to get to some more cleaning and grading done by this evening.

Here is my new list for the whole Summer:

Finish the boys room

_X_ Clean under and behind beds

_X_ Organize and sort their clothes to give away unused stuff

_X_ Organize toys to give away unused stuff

_X_ Make a list of things needed for Furlough.

We are going to visit the States August 9- January 13. Seven weeks and counting.

the Schoolroom

_x_ Organize all school books

_x_Clean and dust whole room.

_x_ Clean all the cupboards, drawers and under the bed.

__ deep clean the windows

Kitchen
_X_ Deep clean behind dryer and the corner shelves.
_X__ Clean Microwave
_X_ Scrub down dryer and washer
_X_ Clean windows and curtains.
___ organize, sort and clean cupboards.
___ Clean above the cupboards.

Bedroom
__ dust and deep clean
___ sort clothes in closet move them to Hubby´s side to make room for those who will be staying in our place while we are gone.
___ sort all drawers.

Clean the pantry and sort.

Living room:
___ clean and dust all
___ clean under and behind sofas and inside.
___ organize and sort entertainment center
___ organize computer cupboard

Bathrooms
___ scrub all tiles
___ organize cupbords - clean them out.
___ paint ceiling

___ Plus finish grading tests and recording grades.

I will keep plugging away at it. While taking care of my family and this new sweet addition. Yes, you read right.. A BABY!

Meet Ester.

She and her mommy come to our church services. Her mommy had to start work, and I offered to take care of Ester so she didn´t have to go to child care. She is a good happy baby, and a joy to have around.

The boys love her!

How are you getting ready for the summer? Will you all be visiting family or going on long trips? How will you get ready for school next year?

Nine Years Ago Today!

2010-06-11T17:25:00.001+01:00

Friday Foto Flashback takes us back 9 years to when my youngest son was born. He was born in Barcelona, Spain. The second of my sons to be born in Spain. He considers himself Spanish even though he holds an American Passport. He loves America and Spain. He has the best of both worlds.

He loves his family, he loves to laugh, run, and play football with his family! Both kinds of football - Soccer and American football.

He is helpful and caring. He cares for those who are sad, or sick. I believe this comes from him having gone through a bit of sickness himself. He had open heart surgury as a one year old, and has been several times in the hospital due to asthma. He understands other´s suffering.

Here´s the card I made for his day.

This free scrapbook made with Smilebox

Summer Recipe Carnival ~ BLT Macaroni Salad

2010-06-09T16:46:00.002+01:00

Come on, join in on this Summer Recipe Carnival with...

Domestic Fringe is hosting this fun way to share great summer recipes. I am no cook, and have had to really learn how to whip things up in a hurry. That´s why I love this recipe from an old Taste of Home magazine. It´s quick, easy, and yummy. Especially easy if you have a food processor.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we have.
Looking forward to seeing all ya´ll´s recipes.

Happy Mommy, Happy Home

2010-06-07T14:47:00.002+01:00

They say "When Mama ain´t happy, ain´t nobody happy." Bad English ,but how many of you have experianced this? We as moms have a great responsibility. Don´t we?

Well, I am realizing more and more how my attitude and perspective affect my crew. Praying to be more possitive for them and to help them over come the complaining spirit that tends to destroy our good intentions.

Last night after church, we got to go out for a lovely bike ride. Of course, as always, there was some drama. Our second son´s bike is too small for him and was having technical difficulties. I struggled keeping patient with the small interuptions that this bike posed for us, and having to stop more often than we wanted. We got them fixed, though, and had one of the best rides yet, biking for almost 2 hours together.

Here are some of our pictures.

The bike trails go by so many pasture lands and rivers. It´s like riding in a story book!

So Mommy was happy and we were all happy!

*** I am also joining Nan on her Making Your Home Sing meme.***

She is hosting a summer cleaning frenzy. I plan to clean a room a week, so the house is clean for the new school year. I will start with the boys room this week. Here is what I plan to do this week.

- organize toys ( throw junk, give away toys they have outgrown)

-clean closets (sort clothes and give away clothes they have outgrown)

-clean behind and under beds

X - clean and organize book shelves

X - scrub the ceiling where there seems to be growing some mold. uhhhggg

X -scrub the windows inside and out

Plus, I must record and average grades this week!

Ok it´s posted, Nan. Now I am accountable.

Let´s pray for each other. Is there an area in you home that needs a cleaning frenzy? Join us. We will encourage you and pray for you too.

Staying happy, singing praises to Jesus,

Flashback Meme to Catching UP Adventure

2010-06-04T13:07:00.002+01:00

Alicia at More than Words started "Friday Photo Flashback" had so many pictures from her PRE-digital camera days, she thought it would be fun to scan them and share them. We are having so much fun doing this, that we would love for you to join us, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky on Alicia´s blog so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

I am going to flashback to our first days in Gijón. We were "on our own" with no other missionary families. We were taking care of a church work while the other missionaries were on furlough.

God brought us a sweet family from the States to fellowship with. The husband was here playing basketball for the team in Gijón. They had two very sweet little girls as you can see their blond heads in this picture. The other family is a faithful sister and her two children from the neighboring city, where we worked for 3 1/2 years. Our boys had a great time! My youngest is the one standing in the front with the bald head.

Spring 2002

Jump ahead 8 years.
Catching UP with our most recent excursion. We planned a spur of the moment outing with the brothers and sisters in our mission. Amos ,our most elderly brother and Asturiano, said we would go beach hopping. Of course we have to do this before beach season, so early May was perfect timing.

But first, cave exploring!

Next, swinging or in my case hanging with sister Evelyn.

On the way to the first beach/picnic site, we saw some true Asturianos harvesting their fields.

Before we ate, the guys went crabbing with Amos.

The Crew -

Columbians, Chileans, Bolivians, Americans, and Spaniards

On the way to another beach,

these locals posed for my camera.

The third beach!

Lastly, we visited Llanes, where my hubby and I celebrated our 12th anniversary last year.

Blast off!

We had a lovely day with dear friends fellowshipping and talking about Jesus.

Glad you made it to the end of this photo journal! There is lots of work to do here in our little mission. Why not come and join us on the gorgeous Green Coast of Spain?

Catching UP - Camping in Cudillero

2010-06-01T22:32:00.000+01:00

I have been missing in action too long. Not on purpose, mind you. There is SO much to write about, I don´t know where to start catching UP.

We had a church excursion at the beginning of the month of May. I wanted to post pictures of that. We have been biking and picnicing, and we finished school. What pictures do I choose? Where do I begin?

I choose CAMPING!

We take an annual end of school camping trip almost every year. We all look forward to it, but it seemed I had to really push hard for it this year. We were all so glad I did!

You may remember our camping trip from last year. Our dog rolling in .."ehem". If not you can read about it HERE after you look and comment on this post. None of this browsing and not commenting business, please.

Here I am with my Spanish bread we got every morning.

Our camp and first days breakfast.

Then hiking to the beach.

We even had wifi!

(paid a little for 2 days worth)

Of course the freedom to wrestle and ramble!

Our last evening, we went out to the small port town, Cudillero.

Hubby treated us out to a seafood grill. Meal for two split 5 ways.

Cudillero at night. (pronounced Cood ee yairo)

Our view on one of our hikes. (the Bay of Biscay)

So my young Knights say a farewell and hope you have enjoyed catching UP with our camping trip.

My Family Flashback

2010-05-14T12:19:00.001+01:00

Alicia at More than Words started "Friday Photo Flashback" because she had so many pictures from her PRE-digital camera days. She thought it would be fun to scan them and share them. We are having so much fun doing this, that we would love for you to join us, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky on Alicia´s blog so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

Christmas 1995

This was such a memorable Christmas. It was my sophmore year of College. I had met the man of my dreams. He was going to come and ask my father for my hand in marriage and meet them all for the first time. As I look back now on this Christmas, it was the last Christmas on the actual day, that we got to celebrate with my side of the family. I went looking for more pictures but, have so few pre- digital pictures.

This is my mom and I. Little did I realize how little I would get to see her as the years progressed. I cherish all them memories and looking forward to this year as we have planned to be with our family for Christmas!

This is my mom´s side of the family.

My mom and dad (left) Me and my brother(top middle) My only first cousin on my mom´s side. (topright)

My Grandparents (middle) My grandpa went home to be with the Lord a few years ago.

My moms middle brother and wife are next to them.

Then my moms oldest brother and his wife are on the far right.

Missing from this picture is my mom´s adopted brother who passed away last year.

Can´t wait to see them all this year!

Wanna Get in Shape and Stay There???

2010-05-06T01:41:00.000+01:00

You can!

Studies prove that losing weight and working out in a group increase the success rate. I am living proof of that. Hosting two fitness challenges already, I have had the opportunity to stick with my fitness journey for over a year, and be encouraged tremendously by those who were involved. They became an incredible support team. If you are one of them, you know what I mean.

Also, we have the greatest Support ever in the Lord Jesus Christ, He gives us the strength to continue on when often times all we want to do is sit down and vegetate.

What are you waiting for?

Starting May 12 - June 30 2010

Write me your email and I can get you started right away, sweating off any excess fat, or just keeping off what you have already gotten off.

International Dinner - Catching UP II

2010-05-03T19:34:00.000+01:00

Staying with my theme of Catching UP, I take you to South America.

Paradise Falls, anyone?

Or how about Bolivian Food?

Pork leg, white corn, and special potatoes in a spicy rich sauce.

First International dinner of Bible Baptist Center

April 25, 2010

This was a very special day for all of us. We were doing a lot of singing and fellowshipping! We are really growing into a family!

Linking up with Making Your Home Sing Monday.

Catching UP part 1

2010-04-28T11:10:00.003+01:00

Have you ever seen the movie UP?

Some days, I feel like I need to just slow down and enjoy the journey. The elderly man in the movie UP thought he had to go on a long journey to South America. All his life, he and his wife tried to save for this big trip, but his wife had made an album of their life´s journey. She passed away and gave him that album. By the end of the movie, he realized that he and his wife had enjoyed an incredible journey together, even if they had never gotten to go to South America together.

I realized that I haven´t just sat back and enjoyed the journey lately, nor have I shared any of our journey.

So, here we go. Are you ready? Here is part one, anyway. I´ll start with our second son´s 10th birthday, April 9. Andrew is so happy to be 10. It seems to be a milestone in his life already.

Every morning of their birthay, I have the table all decorated with their gifts and lately a slide presentation just for them. Andrew loved his Smile card presentation. Especially the music. He is our little musician!

Andrew´s birthday "day" was divided into many phases. This is the second phase. A game of pool with the family. He and his daddy won against Mommy, Isaiah and Michael. They were unstoppable!

Even with this "awesome" form (ehem), he still beat us!

The victory smile!

Phase Two - Greek Gyros on the beach!
(really cheap meal for a family of 5)

Mommy and birthday boy

Special card from Daddy.

Phase three- Special requested cake. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheese Cake!

With 5 eggs, sour cream, cream cheese, PB, and chocolate, this cake weighed a good 5lbs! It must have lasted all week!

No Best Friend better.

Our beach view. the café let us use their terraza to have coffee and cake!

Special Requested gift.

Had to add this one. After haircuts - Phase four! only our family probably sees it as a treat to go to the barber on their birthday.

We end Part one of our photo journey with Andrew´s dream car. It may just always be just that a dream, but it´s mainly just for the color anyway. He loves Yellow!

Stayed tuned for more Parts to this UP Journey!

Time Flies

2010-04-22T23:34:00.001+01:00

We arrived in Spain in Febuary of 2000. We lived in Mataró (Barcelona) for almost 2 years before the Lord showed us that He wanted us in the north of Spain. We packed up our three babies and headed north where there was only one Baptist church in the whole state of Asturias, Spain.

This picture was taken shortly after we moved to Asturias. Asturias is an area of Spain that is unknown to many. Many think of Spain as the bull-fighting, flamenco dancing, happy land, but Asturias is bag pipes, celtic history, green hills, mountains and gorgeous coasts.

We came to Asturias as a young family with three babies.

Here we are in 2001. How time flies!

Linking up with

Building Your Home

2010-04-19T01:08:00.004+01:00

This past weekend we had the privalege to be part of a mini-ladies retreat. I must admit it was a huge effort for me to get there and to be apart of it, but after being there it was a huge blessing! I am so thankful that I made all the effort to reschedule my English classes, the boys schedule and took the train to get to the nearby city where it was held.

The theme was "Building up or Tearing down". Centered around how we as wives, moms, and daughters can build our homes for God´s glory. Not just the physical things like cleaning up the house and keeping it in order, but the spiritual side of edifying - or building up each member of your family. This hit home so hard that it was very difficult for me to resist tears. By the end of the second session, I was in tears.

If you are anything like me, you want it all done right "yesterday". I want my home organized, pretty, and running smoothly, but this doesn´t happen very often. It´s only by the grace of God that our homes run smoothly and when we are not connected to His power and strength it doesn´t happen at all. By the time we find ourselves running on empty, we finally stop and ask why. Why isn´t it running as smoothy as it did once before? We know the basics, so what is failing? I think, these kind of evaluations are so neccesary even if you have done them before and continue to struggle, we need to keep getting back to the Power Source.

Building up our children is an area that we need continual work on. I know I do at least. The last session delt mostly with getting our house in order in our relationship to God, and our Family. The second relationship in the family that is so difficult and that is changing all the time is our relationship with our children.

Here are just a few of the points -

Mothers to your children-

love them and make them know you love them (Titus 2:4)
Teach them (Deut. 6:6-7)
Correct and train them (Hebrews 12:11)
Take care of them
Don´t anger them, Don´t take away their hope (Ephesians 6:4, Col.3:21)

There is so much to share, but this last point is key. All the other points, are ruined if there is anger. If we make excuses for our wrong behavior, how can we expect our children to behave correctly. If we are nagging and nagging without giving them hope of doing it right, they will give up. They won´t try to please us anymore, instead they will rebel. Oh, that we leave our children with the hope that the Lord Jesus has given us. That we are His children and we are made perfect in Him if we have accepted Him as Savior.

I was overwhelmed at how far we really are from the "Biblical Ideal" I thought there is no way we can attain this level of order, but that is exactly what Satan would have us to believe. That we have failed and it is impossible to be perfect. During that last session on Saturday, it dawned on me that having discipline and order in our spiritual life is just like fitness and getting in shape physically. It doesn´t happen over night, of course. It takes training. You can give up on it and go backwards (getting fat and out of shape) or you can keep exercising what you know from the Word of God and keep on. So, I drew up a plan, made a list of things I wanted to change, and started to pray. I need to see it in action. It has to be visual or it won´t work.

Let´s keep building our home and keeping it in order not only the physical, but also the relationships within our home.

***Linking up with Making Your Home Sing Monday***

He´s been ours for a decade!

2010-04-09T03:10:00.000+01:00

Here is a quick flashback of the past decade measured by our second son. He is the quieter, pensive, peaceful, playful, sweet, fun loving member of our family. What would we be with out him.

Happy 10th Birthday to our big little man,
Andrew Jay!
May you continue to grow into a great young man of God. You are already showing so much fruit and growth, living for Jesus daily.

We love you, Andrew!

Make a photo book

Love Mommy, Daddy, and your best buds

Linking up with Friday Photo Flashback.

Great Great Moments

2010-04-02T17:25:00.001+01:00

It has been almost two years since the last time we saw my Grandma. This picture was taken on our last furlough.

I know it´s not pre-digital, but I was thinking about my family and the next time I will get to see my dear Grandma. Time sure is ticking. Praying to see her this coming Christmas.

July 2008

We love you, Gamma!

Linking up with Friday Photo Flashback.

From Old McDonald a La Granja

2010-03-29T00:23:00.001+01:00

Many here in Spain they sing "Old McDonald Had a Farm" at an early age, but how many children in the USA learn what "La Granja" is?

Yes it´s ...

THE FARM

We will be singing and having a grand ol´time tomorrow as our vacation starts with a 5-6 hour drive to a farm in the state of Toledo.

No, we don´t have to go so far to visit a farm, but we will be attending the first ever Christian Homeschool Retreat here in Spain. (that we know of) We call it CECA. Cristianos Educando en Casa. It will be held at a Farm School for kids. We look forward to the fun and relaxation as well as meeting many other homeschool families. (which is very rare in Spain)

I will be around to see you all when I get back Wednesday night. Have a wonderful Easter week.

*** Linking with Making your Home Sing meme. ***

Caught in the Act!

2010-03-26T00:59:00.000Z

Ok, I´ll explain even though to me the picture says it all.

This is my dear hubby at one of his favorite restaurants that my parents introduced to us. The ribs, buffalo wings, and sauces are incredible.

We found this one on accident driving to a doctor´s office in TX on our furlough 2008, but Famous Daves actually originated in Minnesota. We were so excited to see the chain in Texas that we did a u-turn and had lunch!

So, I share one of my hubby´s favorite flashbacks at his request today, as he down with bronchitis. Poor baby!

Linking up with Alicia at More than Words for Friday Photo Flashback!

The Good Ol´ Fashioned Sunday Tradition

2010-03-19T12:06:00.002Z

OH, the memories!

Get a big bucket of fried chicken and potato wedges and you have an instant picnic. Add old fashioned clothes and a model T (or whatever type of car that is) and you have a Good ol´Fashioned Sunday Picnic!

Did you ever have one of these?

I have such sweet memories of these days. Yes, even the Watermelon-seed-spitting contest!

The year was probably 1986 or 1987. I think I was about 11 or 12 at the time. I remember because of the glasses and the pre- braces days. That man at my side, of course is my Dad. I love this picture because, it´s one of the few pictures I have with my Dad. He or I were usually the ones taking pictures.

What are your photo flashbacks? Come and join in with us on Fridays at More than Words.

I love Gijón!

2010-03-15T12:40:00.003Z

It´s so great to love the city that God has called you to!

I could never have imagined myself as a city girl, but Gijón is a small enough city that I feel comfortable!

this is almost the view from our apt. (if you stick your head out of the window.)

I can walk everywhere. I don´t have to drive to do my shopping. I grab my shopping cart, ( a handy dandy bag type stroller with two wheels) and go to the near by grocery store. I can almost fit a whole week´s groceries into that shopping cart! Then I roll it home. It´s a great workout too!

(My cart isn´t this cute though.)

I have posted about where we live and minister on other occations, but I just felt like sharing more about this wonderful city.

(The beach only a 15 minute walk from our apartment)

I always dreamed about living near the mountains and a large body of water. I love both! Can you believe it is a desire the Lord put on my heart as a child. He knew I would need to be in a place I loved, because I would be so far away from my dear family.

the Peaks of Europe (only an hour away)

Even, though it rains a lot here in Gijón, Spain, the green, lush, mild summers make up for the long rainy winters. We grin and bare the rains, knowing that that is what makes our area beautiful! (some of us grin anyway.) Did I mention that the winter rains are long?

It´s worth everyday we are here. God has called us to this city. Time is short, so we need to live everyday for Him.

Making today count,

Linking up with Making Your Home Sing Monday.

*** Also posting over at the KJV blog about missions. ***

Three Little "OLD" Men

2010-03-12T11:20:00.004Z

It´s Friday Photo Flashback time!!!!

Here are my three little "OLD" men, especially Michael in the middle!

This picture was taken in Spain in 2001.

Here is a more recent picture from our 2008 furlough at their Grandma´s house in California. A little less formal. Ok, a lot less formal. You can totally see their charaters shining through.

Enjoying them while we have them.

What´s Up With the Crew Wednesday!

2010-03-10T20:57:00.000Z

They are constructing and creating again,

wanting Mommy to help them blog and post pictures. (I only help with the typing)

I love it.

After all, they are my crew!

Click HERE to see "What´s up with the Crew".

It´s a Doggy Dog World, but I am Thankful!

2010-03-08T11:16:00.001Z

This is from an e mail that my mom sent me.

So, as I link up with Making Your Home Sing Monday,

may this brighten your day as it has mine.

Say a thank you ...

THANK - YOU!

I thank God for YOU!

10 Years of Flashbacks!

2010-02-26T12:19:00.001Z

You can click on the picture to enlarge it.

We just finished printing and mailing out these letters. Wanted to share it with you all for Friday Photo Flashback.

10 years of flashbacks!

*** Don´t forget to check out Fitness Friday too!***

What are you Eating?

2010-02-26T12:00:00.003Z

This week for Fitness Friday, I want to encourage everyone to make healthy food choices.

On our Spring into Shape challenge this week it´s Nix the Fix - Week 6!

It means we get a point for every good healthy food choice we eat and negative 2 points for every unhealthy, fatty, sugary food choice we eat.

It has been very eye opening. I think if we all stop to journal the food that goes into our mouths we would be surprised.

Here is a two day sample of my food journal.

Wed. am - 2 pieces of ww cereal bread w/ salt free butter and honey. 1/2 an apple. 2 pts

snack - 1 piece of sf chocolate w/ almonds coffee 1pt

Lunch- Chicken soup w/ veggies, 2 pieces of ww bread, sf yogurt(desert but counted as a snack)4pts

Dinner- Protein drink, 1/2 an apple, 2 pieces of cheese, 20 almonds 3 pts

neg. 2 points because my son gave me a gift licorice stick. Before I remembered it would be negative points, I broke off a piece to eat it. Then remembered too late. =( Gave it back to my dear sweet son so he could eat the rest.

I Jogged 30 min. and did the level 3 shred making a 1hr. workout. I am shredding it with Nina at Portugal Bound! Even though we are in neighboring countries, we can exercise in spirit.

Thurs. am. - oatmeal w/raisins and a little brown sugar and skim milk, coffee 3 pts

Snack- 1 apple , When we went visting I had a coffee. protien drink after workout 2pts

Did I mention I love coffee!! especially Spanish coffee! I either drink it black or with milk and very little sugar substitute.

Lunch- Potatoe and egg omelett, cheese, 1 tomatoe, veggie roll/sauce. 3pts

sf yogurt no ,had a couple of olives too.

Dinner- ww bread, light cheese squares, ham, green tea mix at night before bed. 2pts.

No negative points.

Did level 2 shred and walked to make up 40 min. I think level 2 is harder than level 3. At least I burned slightly more calories and felt it in more places. What´s up with that? Going to be doing level 2 and 3 now alternating.

Well, hope you all stay encouraged to do our food count and maybe do a food journal. Something I am noticing is that I am still eating a lot more than I think. I need to still cut back a little bit.

Let´s get on that Fitness Wagon! Your heart will thank you! Let´s also remember that that our inner heart is more important, and that we need to feed our spiritual bodies as well.

Awesome New Giveaway Blog

2010-02-26T11:00:00.001Z

(well, new to me)

Second Time Around: DownEast Basics Review & Giveaway (2 Winners)

This is a fabulous online store that has some really classy and stylish outfits. I totally hope I win!

Go check out DownEast Basics and Second Time Around, my new favorite Giveaway spot! She is so on top of it all!

Are We Willing?

2010-02-22T01:53:00.001Z

Today for Making Your Home Sing Monday, I want to ask the question that was asked of us last night in church.

Are you willing?

1. Are you willing to listen to the Lord and receive what His word tells you?

Joshua 5

2. Are you willing to go where the Lord will send you? Isaiah 6:1-8

3. Are you willing to risk your comfort zone to serve Lord? Acts 4:23-31

This last point is what hit me most. Not only do I need to work on serving the Lord in my comfort zone (my home) but also by reaching out to others. There are sisters I need to call and visit, there are unsaved friends I need to visit, there are Bible studies I need to plan.

I just can´t get comfortable and use my family as an excuse. I have been saying to myself that my family is my priority. This is true, but I think I can also end up hidding behind my family. It´s easier than having to reach out all the time, getting turned down or getting hurt.

Peter and John did not stop preaching even though the road got tough. They did not hide behind the church family they already had. They kept preaching! What was the result? The whole place shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

This week I am going to plan school, my english classes, exercise and meals even more to be able to call all the sisters and visit an elderly widow who needs the Lord.

Are we willing to move out of our comfort zones to keep our homes singing and still reach out? Maybe, this stands out more to me as it´s a constant rejection when we share the gospel here in Spain, but I am willing to keep at it.

Nightmare Flashback

2010-02-19T10:53:00.007Z

This is my nightmare flashback!

In this flashback, I dream that I will always look like this picture, that I can´t ever get back to the way I was before my pregnancies. Some days, I actually think that I still look this way. To be honest, I was in denial back then. I did not think I was that heavy. In fact, I didn´t really know I was very unhealthy. I still thought I was athletic and somewhat fit as I had been the majority of my life.

Until one day, I came to grips with the fact that I was overweight, unhealthy and unfit. I prayed and asked God to help me at the beginning of last year, and He has!

My story, for His glory, is being posted today on one of my favorite fitness blogs.

In fact, this blog´s author, Sandy, is Fitness Friday Girl. She asked me to do a guest post on how I lost 35 pounds. Thank you , Sandy, for giving me this oportunity to give Glory to God for what He has done in my life.

Interested on how it happened? Want to see real incredible before and after pictures? You can´t miss it.

Head on over to God Speaks Today to see for yourself.

Just know you are not alone in your fitness journey.
Let´s encourage one another.

Flashback to the Future

2010-02-18T20:58:00.003Z

Friday Photo Flashback

is going to meet with

Fitness Friday Girl

in the near FUTURE ...

showing some incredible pictures.

This Friday!

Tomorrow!!!

Be THERE... I mean here!

ἀγάπη

2010-02-15T01:35:00.003Z

ἀγάπη ???????

Yep, it´s Greek!!!

It means true love!

God´s love.

It´s AGAPE!

What does agape mean to you?

This word alone seems to unlock so much. It seems to be a key word for me and my family this month. Oh, that it will stay that way.

I just got done reading Treasures in the Snow, with my boys, and I can´t tell you how many times this book mentions perfect love. The book refers to the verse that says "Perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:8. We also studied perfect love in one of our church services, and our youngest went around the house saying "Agape, Agape." I think he just liked the sound of the word. Then again, all day today the focus was on love. We showed Fireproof the movie for our church people.

ἀγάπη

But, what does it truly mean to me?

I feel like I am grasping at tassles on a blanket I want to pull all the way up to get warm. I feel like I am just on the brink of something wonderful, as if I can´t quite grasp the full meaning, and that if I did, everything would change forever. Do you ever feel that way?

Love.

God´s love is perfect. We are to love others as He loved us. That means our spouses, our children, our neighbors and those who aren´t so lovely. We know this truth. We have heard it over and over, but do we really let it change us? Do I really show love? true love?

It means I will discipline my children in love. It means I will speak in love to my dear husband even when I do feel too loving, I will give to that same lady on the corner who as taken and never even come to church, I will keep on loving even if no one gives love in return, and pray to keep on loving. Lord, help me to have your love.

ἀγάπη

*** Today, is my day to post over at the KJV Blog. It´s Ministry Monday Highlights. So, you can guess what I am writing about, but don´t take my word for it, head on over there and check out the pictures for yourself.

Also, I am linking up with Nan for Making Your Home Sing Monday. ***

One, Two Buckle My Shoe

2010-02-12T11:27:00.000Z

"One ...

two buckle my shoe."

One day you are quoting this little poem and then the next...

WHAM! Size 8 shoes

My 11 year old´s shoes have surpassed mine!

Now it´s hard to think that those little shoes belonged to him. He use to look like this. My little ham!

Enjoying Friday Photo Flashback ,

Exercise Heaven!?!?

2010-02-12T11:06:00.000Z

What???

Exercise in Heaven??

Noooooooo!

Exercise Heaven???

What! That´s not right. That´s an oxi-moron.

For sure!

Well, it´s what it felt like last night when my very fit, football playing hubby got out his weights and did a 50 minute DVD workout "No More Trouble Zones" with me!

It was the best exercise could have ever felt. We had so much fun. He was amazed at what I could do, and I was obviously impressed with him doing all the reps with double the weight I was.

Now, talk about quality time together!

Today, I am a bit sore, I admit, but it is the sign of a good workout.

I ran today as it is normally my light day, but I am ready to see some more change in my body. I want to increase my workouts even more. It seems I need to do something to get off this plateau which is higher than my end weight at the end of the last challenge.

I ran 40 minutes today! Plus and extra 20 minute walk (fast) from the store, home, then back to the store, and then back home again. I forgot my wallet, but you know I didn´t even mind. I got a point for it!!! wooo hoooo!!!

I am cutting back on my carbs at night this week, cutting back on my snacking (even if it´s good snacks), and increasing even more my exercise. Gotta get sweating more.

Hope we all can take advantage of Double Springy Point Week!!

If you want to sign up we still have 6 weeks left in the Spring Into Shape Challenge. Just click on my button for the challenge on the sidebar.

***Linking up with Fitness Friday Girl this week, and be on the lookout next Friday for a special Fitness Friday about my fitness journey.

Before We All Spread Out

2010-02-05T15:11:00.001Z

I would go home to NY for Christmas. This is the Christmas break my Freshman year of College, 1993. I thought I knew everything! But one thing I probably didn´t know, was this would be one of the last Christmas´ together.

My Mom and Dad had to move. I got married. My Grandparents have recently gone home to be with the Lord, and we hardly ever go back to NY. My Aunt and Uncles are the only ones left up there. Those were the days!

My Grandparents are the ones who are in the best place, though!

Do you have sweet memories of your extended family all being together?

Post some of your Flashbacks with us at Friday Photo Flashback.

Mama Fit!

2010-02-01T12:39:00.005Z

It is a one of those Mondays!

I have thrown a Mama Fit already and it´s only mid day!

Now, I am not the first to throw these Mama Fits. It is not unique to me. No way am I that creative. I think it is a great meme, though! My close friend Nina, has such a way of explaining her day and her Mama Fits, that you are laughing and feeling it right along with her.

So here is my attempt to throw my Mama Fit, get it all off my chest, and breath right for the rest of the day.

I awoke at 8ish this morning to a lovely package on the floor from our family pet! Having not known it was there, in the dark, I ~~squished it between my toes~~ carefully tip toed around. NOT COOL! EEEWWWW!!!

This was just the beginning! Let me back up to Saturday. We left the same family pet in the van while we went shopping. We have to do this so she is not in the apartment so many hours alone. Our neighbors are a little ~~picky~~ senistive about her. I happened to have my almonds, raisins and SF chocolate bar in my backpack for after my husbands football game. I didn´t zip the bag! You can only guess what I found when we returned from our shopping, or what I didn´t find. Thus the beginning of our family pet fiasco and my MAMA FIT!

She not only left me this lovely package this morning, she also had left the ~~remains~~ beautiful food she had eaten all over the boys room! Now, You may be asking why do we have this dog in the first place. I must admit I am starting to wonder this too, but my boys, my boys, they love her. She use to be my dog, too. Anyone want ~~a mutt~~ a lovely, trained, hunting dog?

So, I have pitched my Mama Fit, cleaned my floors with bleach, and have lit a ton of candles!!! What else is there to do, really?

PRAY!

Yes, I am praying for the Spirit to fill me so that ~~I don´t do something I will regret.~~ I can keep going with school and my teaching jobs today. I just feel like I need to jump in the shower and staying there for hours, and pray!

*** I am also linking up with Nan for her meme, Making Your Home Sing Monday. ***

The New and Improved Version!

2010-01-29T11:43:00.002Z

It´s Friday and I actually had Friday two days in a row. I was ready to post these posts yesterday, thinking that it was already Friday. I love Friday so much, just wanted to have it two days in a row.

Friday is awesome, because it´s Friday Photo Flashback day and Fitness Friday (see the post below). I love these memes!

The year was 1996. We had been dating for a year. We were working that summer and getting to see each other a few weekends a month. We obviously lived for those weekends. One of those weekends, I took off of work, and crazily went out to Ohio, where my future hubby was working in a church. I totally surprised him, but he surprised me with my engagement ring!!!

This picture was taken in my back yard in upstate New York. My grandparents that summer camped out in our backyard in that trailer. It was a great summer.

My DH wanted me to post what we both feel is the new and improved version of this picture, taken in Germany this New Years 14 1/2 years later.

Happy Friday!

*** Don´t forget to scroll down and comment on my Fitness post too! =) =) ***

Choices, Choices, Choices!

2010-01-29T11:00:00.001Z

Some Diet Tips for Life:

I have done quite a lot of diets in my short life. I actually started trying diets out with my mom when I was very young. She would start one, and I would try it with her just to support her. I remember even fasting on a vegetable broth diet.. UHHHGGGG!!

Anyway... I think that´s why now I am all about choices. Healthy choices. It´s my Healthy Fitness Journey for life! You can re-learn how to eat a good, healthy, balanced diet. This is the only way to get the weight off and keep it off. (in my opinion)

Heres a little acronym guide fore healthy eating.

It´s called the ABS Diet

A - Almonds and other nuts

B- Beans and Legumes

S- Spinich and other GREEN Veggies

D- Dairy (fat free/sugar free when possible)

I- Instant Oatmeal ( unsweatened) (I use a little honey and raisins)

E- Eggs

T- Turkey and other lean meats ( best to be low sodium)

P- Peanut Butter (SF and Natural)

O- Olive oil

W- Whole grain breads and cereals

E- extra protien (whey powder)

R- Raspberries and other berries

Now these are choices I can live with.

Here are those 10 snacks that help you lose weight, and at the bottom I will give you my personal favorite.

Top 10 Snacks to Lose Weight

Many of us are trying to start off 2010 with some health related New Year's resolutions. One of the best ways to stay on a healthy eating plan is to enjoy what you are eating and to never let yourself get too hungry! As a way to help you do just that, I am sharing my top 10 favorite healthy snacks. Snacks are vital to a healthy diet; they help keep blood sugars stable, prevent you from getting too hungry at your meals (and then over-eating), and they are a great way to get in lots of needed nutrients. Here are my favorite snacks that you can ring in 2010 with (in no particular order):

Nuts:

Pistachios, almonds, walnuts…you name it! Check out the bite titled "Ready, Set, Go Nuts" to learn all about the health benefits that nuts offer. If you like to eat large portions, go for pistachios – they are your best bet by far – you can have around 50 nuts for just 160 calories! Learn more about the health benefits of pistachio's at The Green Nut.

Chips:

PopChips, that is – these healthy chips are "popped" with heat and pressure, not baked or fried. They come in a ton of delicious flavors and are definitely the best tasting healthy chip out there. Better yet, you get more chips per 100 calories than any other chip on the market, so having a single serving will feel like a satisfying snack. Remember to pair these chips with some dip to help stabilize blood sugars. Think hummus, black bean dip or guacamole as great pairing options.

Bars:

High fiber bars are a very satisfying (and if you choose wisely, delicious) snack option that are portable and great to have on hand for emergency snack situations. Bars should contain no more than ~200 calories, have at least 3grams fiber, no more than 2grams saturated fat, and sugars should mostly be natural (check ingredient list). Some of my favorite brands are Lara, PURE, KIND, Gnu Flavor and Fiber, and Think Organic.

Fruit and Yogurt:

Greek Yogurt and Pomegranate Seeds: Greek yogurt is actually higher in protein than regular yogurt and has a delicious thick consistency. To counter the naturally sour taste, add some sweet, anti-oxidant rich pomegranate seeds. The sweet taste and crunchy texture are the perfect complements to the yogurt.

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Trader Joe's Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds on Whole Grain Bread. Enjoy the creamy taste of peanut butter with the added crunch of flaxseeds, giving you a boost of omega 3's. Nothing beats peanut butter on toast if you ask me! If you can't get the Trader Joe's product, there are other natural nut butters on the market that are equally delicious. If you are extra hungry, add some banana for a very filling and wholesome treat.

Low-fat Chocolate Milk:

Often thought of as just a kid's indulgence, chocolate milk is a great snack that can be enjoyed by all. Low-fat chocolate milk is a great source of protein, calcium and many vitamins and minerals. It is an especially great post-workout snack for athletes because it can quickly be absorbed by the body and replenish fuel stores. It is a great on-the-go snack because it is sold in some individual cartons that don't have to be refrigerated (i.e., Horizon Organic); and, of course, it tastes great!

Muffins:

Zen Bakery high fiber muffins have very few ingredients and no preservatives so they go bad quickly if you don't eat them up! Sold at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, these are delicious muffins that are actually healthy for you. Try any of the bran muffin varieties. Hard to find substitutes here, so if you don't find this brand, don't buy just any bran muffin—they tend to be loaded with fat and calories.

Lite Popcorn:

Popcorn is a naturally high fiber food because it is actually a whole grain! As long as you avoid the buttery movie theatre popcorn varieties that have a ton of added fat and calories, popcorn is a great snack option. For an added twist, kettle corn has both sweet and salty flavors, which will get all of your taste buds kicking (Trader Joe's makes a great single serving bag of this).

Cheese and Crackers:

Ak Mak Crackers are 100 percent WHOLE GRAIN crackers...not just "made with whole grains", but 100 percent whole grain. This is rare to find in a great tasting cracker! Add some delicious, Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedgesand you have a great snack to keep you going.

Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce: This snack can be a great pre-dinner snack to tide you over to the main meal without having a big impact on your calorie intake. Shrimp is a high protein, low fat and low calorie food. In fact, 4 ounces (about 20 large) shrimp only have about 100 calories and 23 grams protein! For a perfect complementary dip, add some cocktail sauce. The main ingredients in cocktail sauce are ketchup and horseradish – both low in calories and fat – so the sauce is naturally healthy. A standard 2 ounce serving has ~50 calories. Even better, if you have the time, make your own cocktail sauce—take a good dollop of ketchup and add a teaspoonful of horseradish from the jar; add an equal pinch of salt, pepper, sugar and a splash of lemon; mix it up and add more horseradish (or ketchup!) to your liking—tastes so much better than premade.

Los Angeles nutritionist Alyse Levine MS, RD, founder of NutritionBite. Visit her profile on LIVESTRONG.COM

My favorite snack????

No Sugar added Dark Chocolate with Raisins. Add almonds if you need more protien or for a mid- day snack.

Hope these help you when you go to grab a snack. Remember to eat every 4 hours.

Springin´into shape with ya,

Click picture to join!

It´s never too late.

When you close your eyes at night...

2010-01-25T11:41:00.002Z

When you close your eyes at night...

What do you hear?

Do you hear the cars outside? Maybe you hear the birds singing because, like me, you have stayed up so late it´s almost morning. (I haven´t done this in a while though) Maybe, you hear your hubby watching football or your dog whining to go out.

I sometimes close my eyes and review my day, and what goes through my mind isn´t so pretty. I hear my whiney, naggy voice after having to tell the boys what to do all day long. I hear my snappy voice telling my dear sweet husband things I have to do for the day. I hear myself stressed and tired.

This is not a pleasent, before bed, snack, that´s for sure. For a long time, I have been praying for a meek and quiet spirit. You know the one that 1 Peter 3:3-4 talks about.

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning...but let it be the hidden man of the heart,... even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

This New Years, I wrote out a daily prayer to pray for victory in this area of my life. That the words that come out of my mouth may be pleasent and sweet. May those closest to me, like being around me.

Instead of pushing them away with short words, I want to draw them close with dear sweet affection. Of course this does not mean I don´t discipline, and I am praying for wisdom in knowing how to be firm yet loving with my boys. (Especially with my youngest who has a switch to turn off my voice, sweet or snappy)

How do you demonstrate in your home a meek and quiet spirit?

Spirit in the Bible means attitude. My prayer is to make my home sing with my sweet attitude. Nothing is impossible for God. I want to claim victory in this area daily.

Posted especially for Making Your Home Sing Monday.

It´s Christmas...

2010-01-24T01:36:00.001Z

Yippee! It´s Christmas!

I´m not late.

I am early.

316 days early!

This year was such a wonderful Christmas, that I was so sad to see it come to an end. So, I am going to get ready for next Christmas. Well, ok maybe not, but my mind is still on this past Christmas.

This past Christmas day, my boys were so excited to give a very special gift to their Mommy. They had been saving their allowance and had been talking about putting their money together.

As they gave it to me, I wondered what three primary age boys could have possibly picked out. Did I mention, they did it together? Three boys deciding on a gift together is a Christmas miracle in

itself!

It was a jewlery box with this golden heart charm inside!

I am one blessed Mama that can´t wait till next Christmas!

What does she look like?

2010-01-17T23:56:00.000Z

Ministry Highlight Monday has escaped me for two months. Not on purpose, mind you. I had a date in my mind that I was going to write for the blog, but it ended up being the wrong date two months in a row. How did this happen? Well, I could blame it on homeschooling, Christmas and even the ministry itself, but I think the main reason was I wasn´t organizing my time well enough.

Which leads me to what I want to write about today. No, not just organization, but the life of a missionary wife in general. What does she do? How does she live? What are her jobs? I often wonder this myself, as I am here on the mission field in North Spain.

Many of us are forced to look inside of ourselves in light of Haiti´s tragedy. What are we doing for Jesus? What are we doing to help those around us? What am I doing as a missionary wife and mother?

I posted what a missionary profile might look like. Check it out at the KJV blog.

I am also, linking with Nan´s meme "Making Your Home Sing Monday." Praying that these few things will help our homes sing.

Our Little Bundle of Kinetic Energy

2010-01-15T14:44:00.001Z

Even from the his first sonagram picture, our first born son was a bundle of kinetic energy, ever moving and making us smile.

Yesterday, He and all that kinetic energy turned a big eleven years old!

Happy 11th Birthday, Isaiah! We love you!

He just tore into his package from Gammy and Gampy! We love packages! Isaiah received a great new game called "Be the Expert" made by the Smithsonian Institution. We can´t wait to play it.

Gammy and Gampy always know exactly the right candies to send us! We can´t get these here in Gijón, Spain.

Thank you Gammy and Gampy!

(except now I have to hide them from myself!)

* I am joining in on Friday Photo Flashback hosted by Alica at More than Words. *

Spring Into Shape 10 Week Challenge

2010-01-13T23:49:00.005Z

Have you made a New Year´s resolution to get the weight off once and for all or to get into better shape?

I did last year. Actually, it was just a prayer, thinking that I really couldn´t do it. Thinking that I would be the way I was for ever, but it was possible through the Lord´s strength, discipline, and a great support team! I am so thankful to tell you, that I reached that goal of 35 pounds lost in 11 months!

Part of that was due to our Christmas Crunch Challenge, and many have asked me to do another challenge. I am so excited about this next challenge because I just can´t wait to start counting points for my exercise again. ;) Even though there will be only one who will win the $10 prize, we all become winners by losing and by exercising!

So what are you waiting for?

Let´s Spring into Shape!

To join, just send me an e mail address you would like to use for the private blog we post on. I will then send out details this weekend as to how to enter the blog and to start posting.

Start date is January 20th for points!

Looking forward to Springing into Shape with ya´ll,

13th Anniversary, and Happy New Year ! A December Give Away too!

2009-12-30T01:46:00.005Z

I will be taking an even longer bloggy break into the new year and here´s the reason why:

This year for our 13th wedding anniversary my husband and I will be going to Germany with our boys. Friends of ours offered to watch our boys while we go to a wonderful get-a-way hotel and spa. It will be a family vacation/ anniversary gift! (This is from moneies given as gifts and not as support money.)

So, as I will be missing in action for a week, please write me a lot. I love hearing from you! And I will be coming around to see you as soon as I can.

Happy New Years!!!
From Mine to Yours,

PS.
Go and check out this cool giveaway that will be given away on the 1st of Jan. So hurry on over. Here is the link. Click here or on the picture.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T11:13:00.009Z

We pray you all have a wonderful Christmas, remembering the One who came to give us Eternal Life. It is so overwhelming to think that God would come to earth as a baby, live and die as a man condemned so that we might be saved from our sins.

"For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish
but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Past

2009-12-18T00:59:00.000Z

"Oh where, oh where, have my sweet little babies gone?"

Christmas 2001

Two became three and so this was the first Christmas we were a family of five.

Would you like to join in on Friday Photo Flashback? Head on over to Alicia at More than Words.

It´s Our Last Week!

2009-12-15T20:57:00.002Z

Yes, we are almost done with our Christmas Crunch Challenge, but that does not mean we are done with fitness. We have gained some valuable habits that will help us along on our fitness journey of life. Discipline, healthy eating, exercise, and valuable knowledge about our bodies, are only a few things that we have focused on in these last 8 weeks. It has been a wonderful journey!

All of the challenge points will end Dec. 23 (12:00 PST).... BUT .. the blog will stay open! We can post whenever we want. We can chat whenever we want, and use the support system we have already set up. It is such a blessing!

I will be e-mailing all the participants certificates by Christmas, Lord willing! They can print them out, frame them! They desirve it! We should pamper ourselves a little this Christmas, but then get right back at it again after the holidays. We can´t ruin all we have worked so hard for.

This challenge has been a real blessing for me, and I thank God for allowing me to get to know everyone of our participants better. Some really got into the points and some didn´t. That´s ok. The idea was for the support and to cheer each other on. To pray. To love. To get Healthy and Fit! I believe we accomplished all of these goals.

They all should all be so proud and thankful to the Lord for His Strength!

I am looking forward to many more challenges and staying fit for life. Maybe, I have found another niche.

10 more days to Christmas, ya´ll!

Crunching and Praising,

PS... if you think you would like to be apart of our next challenge e mail me at dani2spain@gmail.com

Prayer Card Memory Lane

2009-12-11T17:09:00.000Z

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my family´s journey to Spain and our time here. I guess that´s why when I went scouring through my pictures for Friday Photo Flashback, our very first prayer card caught my eye.

Spring 1998

It was special for many reasons. One, My hubby and I were in our first or second year of marriage, newly weds really. Second, We were finally getting ready to head out on the deputation trail after talking about it for almost 3 years.

I remember buying this purple dress especially for our prayer card. Why I didn´t even think to have my hair done I will never know. I must not have been too concerned about hair styles back then. My word, what a tom boy I was!

I remember having to do two sittings to get the picture right, and look I am still closing my eyes! GRief! We handed this prayer card out to many churches in Texas and New Mexico. Then our first son was born so we thankfully did another card.

We have since had three more prayer cards made. Our last one being my favorite. I included them all just for reference.

January 1999

Spring 2004

Fall 2008

Even though I miss my extended family so much, I love Spain! It has become my home. My boys even say they are Spanish. My youngest just yesterday said, "Mommy, I am glad I am Spanish."

I had to tell him that he is really only American and doesn´t have a Spanish passport. He continued to insist that he was Spanish, but I took the opportunity to share with him how special he was to be able to belong to two countries. We just wish the world was a little smaller.

Hope you enjoy my little walk down memory lane.

Happy Friday!

Nix the Fix - Week Six!

2009-12-08T20:43:00.001Z

It´s the End of Week SIX of the Christmas Crunch Challenge!

Ladies , I have designed a special way for you to catch up in points and crunch it even more seriously.

If you are involved in our challenge, head on over and find out how you can get loads of points, and get healthy doing it!

I am calling this week´s special...

NIX the FIX!

We are going to start counting points for healthy eating. You will be able to earn a point for every healthy portion of food you eat, but be mindful the unhealthy, sugary, starchy, fatty, junk foods cause you to lose points!

We are going to keep the blog open through the Christmas season, so if you think you would like to join our private fitness blog, you may. Just send me an e mail at danijoy2spain@gmail.com .

If you join, you can see how the challenge is going, learn what is working for others, get fitness tips, links and much much more! Also, you can start getting geared up for our next challenge after the holiday season. (to be announced)

Don´t throw in the towel, ladies! It isn´t a no win battle. Believing that you can´t change, is a lie! You have all the tools you need to change your lifestyle, to be healthy and fit!

Come on. What are you waiting for?

Crunchin´it,