One day is as good as another.

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."

Final Flashback

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.

I´m NOT Dating Anymore!

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!

Catching UP - Camping in Cudillero

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

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!

Caught in the Act!

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!

10 Years of Flashbacks!

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!***

ἀγάπη

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. ***

Exercise Heaven!?!?

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.

The New and Improved Version!

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! =) =) ***

When you close your eyes at night...

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.

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

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.

Prayer Card Memory Lane

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!