My Broken Heart

After spending a week reflecting on what God has been doing in my life I scrapped my original blog. Last Sunday I should have given an update so rather than giving you day by day info I thought I would reflect on the responses I have received from friends that have given me such encouragement and about the time spent in Big Bear.

When my friend Evelyn found out about my health condition she called me and told me about a dream she had. She said that she could see the Holy Spirit moving in and out of my body and then she saw the Lord take my heart and kiss it. Another friend, Jeannie, told me that she sees this all as a Spiritual Battle and that she is praying for me.

Whatever is going on I can feel the prayers of everyone and it is such a wonderful feeling. On Thursday we had the Hymnspiration Festival with Steve and Rachel Ragsdales. Steve sang in the quartet for The Haven of Rest Ministries on the radio for a number of years and still sings with them now and then. Steven’s wife, Rachel, is a wonderful pianist. Rachel shared a story with us that I would like to share with you. Rachel shared how she was decorating her Christmas tree last year and had placed her favorite ornament on the tree. Awhile later she had heard a crash and discovered that her favorite ornament had fallen and broken. The ornament was a ceramic heart shape with a manger scene in the center of it. The heart part had broken into pieces but the manger scene with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus had stayed intact. Rachel went on to say that this showed her that there are many people with broken hearts but if Jesus stays together in the middle you can get through most anything. After Rachel shared her story Steve went on to sing, “Don’t Be Surprised.” In my first blog about my health condition I shared that I know God can choose to heal me in a wink of an eye and Steve’s song reinforced that but you know sometimes you feel there are things you must go through in this life so I pretty much felt that “I would be Surprised.” I want to share the words from Steve’s song with you…

Rachel's Broken Heart

Don’t be surprised when God is near
And miracles appear
After all, He hears you call
He hears you pray
Don’t be surprised what God can do
Or when the dreams you’ve dreamed come true
When hopes arise, take this advice
Don’t be surprised

Don’t be surprised when God appears
In your night of tears
And says, “My child, don’t be afraid,
I am here”
Don’t be surprised if in the trial
You start to laugh and start to smile

When fear subsides and joy arrives

Don’t be surprised

The blessings of the Lord should come as no surprise
It’s His tender, loving nature to provide

Don’t be surprised when God is near
And miracles appear
After all, He hears you call
He hears you pray
Don’t be surprised what God can do
Or when the dreams you’ve dreamed come true
When hope arise, take this advice
Don’t be surprised. 

I had some friends that were concerned about me going up to Big Bear. This trip had been planned for several months so I was looking forward to going and my kids had assured me that I could just rest while I was there. I had a couple emails I sent to the doctor to see if there were any concerns about me going. The nurse called me back and said that I should be fine but if I felt any pressure in my chest or pain that doesn’t go away I should immediately go to the ER. Well that was reassuring! LOL

It did turn out to be a wonderful time in Big Bear. One particular morning, and I shared this on Facebook, I felt that I needed to get a picture at the front door. I had been laying in bed looking out the window and I saw the clouds speeding by so I went to get a picture at the front door and I started video taping. The wind was picking up and as I stepped on to the front porch it felt like the Holy Spirit was meeting me. You can watch in this video how the light snow sweeps across the street and it wisks right up to me. It was an incredible feeling. I had wished it would have wrapped itself all around me but later in the day we drove over to the store and as I went to the car a gust of wind with leaves come up to me and wrapped itself all around me nearly blowing me away. I laughed and smiled, looking up and said, “Okay God, I feel you! It was such an incredible feeling! I was expecting to go to Big Bear and to meet God there since I was at such a high elevation. It was beautiful seeing the beauty all around in the mountains and especially to see the snow lightly fall all afternoon on Saturday. It was a wonderful weekend and so glad I was able to share it with some of you on Facebook.

Watch - Feel the Spirit

During the week since I had been in contact with my doctor and telling him I was still experiencing the palpitations he gave me the referrals to have a Stress Test done and the Echocardiogram. Now I feel we’re getting somewhere. I already had my appointment set up with Cardiology to get the heart monitor so it worked out I was able to make my other appointments for the same day on Tuesday, December 10^th. I’ll save those stories for my next blog. Until then, thank you so much for your prayers.

The title of this blog is “My Broken Heart” and not meaning it emotionally. It’s that my heart isn’t functioning properly so something is broken in it. I can laugh and I can smile because I know God is doing something wonderful!

My Greatest Adventure!

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

O, come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer

Thy Spirits by thine advent here

And drive away the shades of night

And death’s dark shadow put to flight

Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to thee O Israel!

Yesterday I started my 28 day Devotional for Advent with She Reads Truth: Emmanuel. On the first day we are told to listen to the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and write down the first verse. The group The Civil Wars sang 3 verses and I copied them above. I could have stuck with just the first verse and apply it to myself with feelings of mourning in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. I couldn't just stop there. I am seeking wisdom which the next verse says, Thou Wisdom from on high and He place’s everything in order. I need Him to show me the path of knowledge and he will teach me her ways to go. I needed to hear the last verse also, I need His dayspring to come and cheer and His Spirits by His advent here to drive away the shades of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight.

I am looking for something miraculous to happen within these next days of advent. I really have given myself 3 months to see what changes happen as I am facing the Greatest Adventure in My Life! I have been to so many places this year from Hawaii, to Mexico, to San Francisco, to Palm Springs, the beach and maybe soon to Big Bear. I have had so much fun visiting all these places, facing the unknown only to discover God’s beauty all around me! I have seen the vast ocean, a beautiful rainbow, walking on a volcano, a wondrous water fall, the power of waves crashing on the beach, the glory in a Sunrise and the Majesty of God in a Sunset. All these have been magnificent but I know they will pale in comparison to what waits on the other side of eternal life with God.

I have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Left Ventricular Hydrotrophic Cardiomyopathy. In most cases this can be treated with blood pressure medication for high blood pressure. That’s not my case. I don’t have high blood pressure; in fact I have rather low blood pressure. Also with most cases of LVH the left heart valve has trouble pumping blood through. In my case the valve is pumping too much blood into my heart causing various symptoms. I will be going through a series of tests in the coming weeks to figure out exactly what is going on. In my reading up on this type of heart condition the first thing I can do for myself is to lose 10 pounds off the bat. I would pray that this might be a simple fix but being that I don’t have high blood pressure or smoke and if losing weight doesn't help then chances are this is a genetic disorder. Keep me in your prayers as I face all these medical tests. I would pray that answers would be found during this Advent Season. 

I went to church this morning and I love the series Pastor Jeff is doing, “Reflections”, and the overall theme in the Christmas decorations around church is, “Coming Home.” I will be “reflecting” on my life of where I’ve been, where I am currently in life and where I am going in the future. I will either be “Coming Home” to be with my family and friends or “Coming Home” to be with My Lord. Either way I see it as a “Win, Win” situation.

My Advent devotional song for today is simply called “Waiting.”

I will be waiting 
With my heart laid bare
Would You come
I will be waiting 
Simply waiting here
Till You come

I don’t know if I will be able to journal every day but I will do my best. God’s Grace has been foremost on my mind for a few weeks. I know God is teaching me something. It is His Wisdom and Knowledge I am seeking through all of this. I just know in the end, the path will lead me Home.

AFTER THOUGHTS: I’m listening to music in the background and I’m hearing the song playing, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” God is so good!

I wasn't sure if I would have a goal I would want to reach after all of this. When I went to look on my Facebook this morning I caught a quick glimpse of my younger brother at the cross on the top of Garcia Trail. Facebook had reset with new statuses and I kept scrolling to find my brother’s photo but didn't find it. I know that will be my goal, to get to the Cross. Once my heart is healed I will make that trek up Garcia Trail and have my photo taken with the Cross at the top!

My brother Larry. He said he would do this hike with me when I'm able.

This disease could have happened to anyone. I feel that God was looking around at my family, my group of friends, the people I work with and said, “Yes, I know Beckie can be a shining example to show my Glory and my love to those around her.” I know I won’t walk this path alone. I know I will have the prayers of those that know me and possibly even those that don’t know me. God could do a miraculous healing on my body in the wink of an eye. I know God wants me to go on this journey as the Greatest Adventure of my Life and I can’t wait to see what is waiting for me on the other side!

Be obedient to His Word.

In the words of my son, Bobby, "Soli Deo Gloria" (For the Glory of God Alone.)

Beckie                                                                                                     12.1.2013

A Letter From Debra Lois

Happy 21st Birthday in 

Heaven Debra Lois

May 4th, 2013



Today has been a rather emotional day for me. I honestly thought when I woke up this morning I was doing just fine. I was excited to put Debra's Poem together and share it with all of you on Facebook. Looking for photos to go with Debra's Poem kind of sent me for a loop. The first photo I came across was just so sweet and touching. I know my girl has been watching from above...

My Dawna had text me and asked if I wanted to meet at Forest Lawn at Noon to see Debra. I later found out that Duana and Sydney would be joining us also. It hadn't even dawned on me that since it is Debra's 21st Birthday we should have a Toast with Champagne! That was a great idea Duana!












We sang Happy Birthday to Debra and it appeared Debra even blew out her candle. We always have an Angel Food Cake.

We took Sydney over to see her Great Grandpa Johnny since he is at Forest Lawn also. We all miss him oh so much.



Once the girls left I felt I needed to go see Debra by myself. I felt she had something she needed to say to me...



This will have special meaning to most family members but I don't mind others reading what My Debra had to say to me and her loved ones.

White butterflies always remind me of Debra.

A Letter From Debra:

Hello Dear Family,

Today I am celebrating my 21st Birthday in Heaven. I am so glad Grandpa Vasquez is here to celebrate with me! Uncle Doc is here too and I've so enjoyed hearing their stories about all of you! I can't wait for the day you all arrive and I know it won't be any time soon. Uncle Doc has been here just as long as I have. We went through orientation here in Heaven together. Uncle Doc is such a kick! God allows him to smoke a pipe. He figures what harm could it do him now? It's so funny to hear Uncle Doc when he gets irritated and says, "Weeell craaap" in his deep voice. We've all adjusted to that "C" word from Doc.

I tell you I was so excited the day I was told that Grandpa Vasquez was going to be arriving soon. I've been having fun with Baby Vasquez all these years and I enjoy meeting many family members like all the Great, Greats, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. The one that really surprised me seeing though was our Uncle Dan. I had only been here  little over a year when I was told he would be arriving soon. I was a bit too young to understand why God brought him home so soon. God reminded me that my Uncle Donnie was brought up here at a much younger age and then He said I brought you here to live with me at an even younger age. Then he asked me would I care to trade places with any of them? I responded right away, "And be separated from you?!" I couldn't imagine that! I'm home! Heaven is my Home and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Grandpa Vasquez has shared some of your stories with me and I couldn't imagine having to go through any of that. I know you wonder why you have to go through some of the hard stuff but God assures me that he is just helping to make you stronger. You have to be strong in order to live on earth. Maybe that is why God brought me home so soon. God knew life on earth would be much too difficult for me. I may not have survived any way. I've been spared all that you are going through. Don't be sad for me. I've had a full 21 years here with My Lord! You may think you have a "relationship" with God now but let me tell you this...You have no idea how great it is until you reach Heaven! I tell you..."He's Out of this World!" Keep reading God's Word it really does help you to have a great life on earth.

Grandpa Vasquez, Uncle Doc, Uncle Dan & Donnie all send their love. We'll continue watching over all of you from above!
I Love You!
Debra Lois

By the way Grandma Vasquez, Aunt Lois still hasn't fessed up about the purple Popsicle. I've had the greatest time getting to know Grandpa. He's so much fun!

"VIVA CRISTO REY!"

Viva Cristo Rey

I saw the movie For Greater Glory the true story of Cristiada this evening. My husband and I don’t make a habit of going to R-rated movies but this was being promoted on Christian radio and sounded like a movie we should see or should I rather say, “stand behind.” This was a war between the people of Mexico against the atheistic Mexican government.

There is much about Mexico’s history I have no idea that went on. This particular story I was never aware of. the Cristero War where the Catholic churches were shut down in the 1920’s era. It is an amazing story of courage and a people that took a stand for what they believe in, the cause of Christ, freedom, family and faith.

This is a must see movie for Christians because I can see something like this happen in America. Little by little our freedom of religion is being taken away from us and before long we’ll be locked out of our churches, pastors will be hung or shot on sight for talking about Christ. We as Christians will be asked to renounce our Lord as Savior or be killed.

We must be prepared for what is to come. There are so many instances within the movie where you can see parallels of Christ and his disciples. Are we ready to die for what we believe in? This movie will challenge you in that respect, when you see this young boy being told by the much older priest as the Federales are coming to take him away. The young boy wants to hide him. The priest says to him, “There comes a time when you have to stand for what you believe.”

The dialog that goes on between General Valarde and Father Vega is the type of conversation many a person has had when they see so much bad going on around them.  Without giving too much plot away I encourage you to go see this movie and be convicted of what it does to you personally. The emotions you feel when the young boy Jose is tortured then walks his own “Via De La Rosa.” Then to see the impact this boy has made on the General. It took everything within me to keep from bursting out in tears.

Interesting that one of the female characters name is Adriana. The General is awaken to a voice that says, "the Child has to go before us!" CCV had the impact made on them through the life of a 15 year old girl named Adrianna. Her funeral service was a week ago. Adrianna had a huge impact on many people with her courage and was ready to see her Lord and King. Adrianna has gone before us. She has led the charge to not be afraid to face death. She is one amazing young woman and you see that in the life of Jose in this movie.

This is an incredible movie and I encourage you to go see it either in the movie theater or for sure rent it on dvd when it is available. If this could happen in Mexico I have no doubt that it will happen in America. Be ready to stand for what you believe. Viva Cristo Rey!

“Make Each Day Count”

I just saw Titanic in 3D on the IMAX screen for the 2^nd time this week. Both times I became emotional with the opening scene of the people waving good-bye from aboard the Titanic. Of course this was a movie made to represent these people but it serves as a reminder of the people that actually sailed on the RMS Titanic and as a person watching this movie I knew what their fate would be.

2,200 people were on board what was called “The Ship of Dreams.” You can only imagine the destination for each person on that ship. Some were coming to America to have a Dream Vacation of a Lifetime, while others came to make a new life. The fictitious story of Rose to her sailing on the Titanic was like a slave ship carrying her to a life she didn’t want. Jack on the other hand was a free spirit and by the luck of a draw he won his ticket to sail across the ocean on the Titanic. He had no idea he would never make it to the other side.

Here we have two lives with two different outlooks on life. Rose says, “I saw my whole life as if I'd already lived it. An endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches. Always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter. I felt like I was standing at a great precipice, with no one to pull me back, no one who cared... or even noticed.” Then there is Jack who was invited to dine in 1^st Class and he says to the group, 

“I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count.” The group all raise their glasses and give a cheer, “To make each day count!”

Those words resonated with me, “To Make Each Day Count.” We don’t know what tomorrow may hold. Sure we have our calendars and we plan but we never know exactly how things will play out. In a sense we are on our own Titanic and at this point we don’t know how our story will end. Near the end of the movie Jack tells Rose, “You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?” 

Rose does survive and she grows old and she has a story to tell which she has been doing during the movie Titanic.

Rose is brought to the research vessel and one of the first objects she’s shown is a hand mirror that was taken from her State room, her response was, ”How extraordinary! And it looks the same as it did last time I saw it... The reflection's changed a bit.” She was 17 when she last held that mirror and now here she is almost 101 years old and sees how her reflection has changed. Rose doesn’t respond too well to seeing her reflection in the mirror but you can see how she’s worn her memories on her face. As you hear Rose tell her story you can still see a sparkle in her eyes and contemplation in her voice. A mirror has a way of forcing you to see things you might rather forget.

Rose went on and lived her life just as Jack said she would. I find it interesting that we first see Rose using a potter’s wheel and she’s shaping a pot which serves as a reminder of God as the Master Potter who is molding us. You can see Rose has lived life by all the photos she carries with her. Rose learned to lived life to the fullest. This is what we need to be doing. We have our tickets and are on board our own Titanic and we need to navigate our way in this life. We have been given this opportunity like Jack stated to “make each day count!” Rose is 100 years old and is making pots. When did she learn to do that? She lived a long life and was able to share it with a group of people to help them understand what it was like to be aboard the RMS Titanic. Lewis Bodine shows Rose on a computerized simulator how the Titanic sunk with his voice making crashing sounds as the Titanic hits the bottom of the ocean. Rose begins to tell him how she remembered it.

Now you have your own life. What are we doing with it? Are you looking for adventure like Jack Dawson or do you feel like Rose living a life that you wish you could break out of? Are we making each day count or are we waiting to have that lucky hand dealt to us? Or maybe we’re trying to make our own luck as Cal Hockley says he makes his own luck as he stashed wads of money in his coat jacket as the Titanic is sinking. There is so much in this world to experience and so many ways we can touch people’s lives and make an impact for the Kingdom of God. Are you waiting for life to happen to you or are you making things happen? Don’t sit on the sidelines and play spectator. Chart your course. Look for where God has you to go and take advantage of opportunities offered to you. There are a few times that Jack tells Rose to trust him. God asks us to Trust Him. 

Don’t ever feel like you have to jump ship like Rose was trying to do when she first encounters Jack. God hasn’t brought you this far only to have you take things into your own hands and put an end to it. If you feel that way I pray that you have a Jack Dawson in your life that will tell you if you jump they will have to jump in after you. At times we do need someone to save us from ourselves and this is where Jesus comes in to place. God sent his son, Jesus. to this earth to save us from ourselves.

Rose made the choice to avoid Cal

We are sinful by nature. We all have something or many things that cause us to sin and it’s a struggle or temptation we deal with on a daily basis. Every day we have choices to make. We can trust in God and look to him to help us or we can give in to our temptations and watch it suck us into the deep ocean until we settle on the bottom like the Titanic did in the wee hours of April 15, 1912. The warnings were there. The Captain knew they were headed into a field of icebergs and though the ship was mighty enough the Captain thought he would be able to steer clear of them. A Captain with 26 years of experience sailing the waters which goes to show that even the best can be steered the wrong way or think they know what is best. When Rose is rescued she is sitting on the deck of the Carpathia and she spots Cal Hockley looking for her. At that point I see Cal as the Tempter and Rose made the choice to avoid him. It would have been a life of luxury for Rose if she married Cal but she knew she wouldn’t be happy living that life. The Tempter of this world can make things in our life look really good but in the end may only lead us to destruction.

As I am writing this and look at the date of April 15^th I am reminded that I became a Grandmother in the early hours of April 15, 2012. I have a Granddaughter with a blank chart set before her. I have a blank chart set before me also as a new Grandmother. “Grand”. I just looked up the meaning of this word and it says, “Large and impressive in size, scope, or extent; magnificent.” That does sound more like the Titanic rather than a Grandmother. I do want my Granddaughter to see me in this way though. I want to be sure to leave an impression on her life. So like Rose I will continue to live this life God has given me and like Jack I will Make Each Day Count!

At the end of the movie Brock Lovett, Titanic’s treasure hunter, states, “Three years, I've thought of nothing except Titanic; but I never got it... I never let it in.” There are many that sail through life and may think of God from time to time. The main thing they have missed is that they have never let Him in.

As emotional as I get when I watch the movie Titanic I look forward to that day when God takes me home and I would hope to see many of those that perished that fateful night. I can’t wait to spend hours hearing each of their stories. I would hope to hear yours too!

"For Such A Time As This"

Esther 4:14b "...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Last week I wrote my last blog of My Favorite Things. I thought I would make it a Baker's Dozen and write one more and it centers around this verse posted above. This is probably one of a dozen verses that are my favorites. I thought I had a list to write about but when I checked that list wasn't to be found. This verse was written in my notes and I knew I could write about this. This is what I have to say...

A few months ago I watched a movie titled, "Midnight in Paris." I don't want to give the plot away and I highly encourage you to rent it when it comes out on DVD and watch it with the one you love. So many times my husband and I would feel like we were born in the wrong time era. We love the late 1800's style of clothing as well as the turn of the century around 1912. After watching this movie I have come to the conclusion that I am content with the time I am living in. I can enjoy looking back in history and wish I could have been there but God has shown me how he wanted me here and now. All of life appears to be falling into place. Sure when my husband and I have conversations we talk about how late we were born. How much we wish we could have been some of the early settlers. Had we been born 100 years ago we could have been some of the movers and shakers in this world. How we could have started a town and maybe have it named after us. The closest we get is Vasquez Rocks located up the 14 freeway going into Lancaster/Palmdale. Trabuco Vasquez was a bandit a robber that hid out among those rocks thus naming them after him.

It would have been fun to have been born around the time the San Gabriel Valley was expanding. To have owned the 450 thousand some acres of land and have had streets named after us such as Workman, Temple, Rowland, Huntington or Baldwin. We might have been involved in the banking business like Crocker or one of the Big Four in the railroad like Crocker, Huntington, Stanford and Hopkins. There is so much to learn about in history and how many places had their start. That may be what I am more interested in is about History.

When I take Young at Heart on a Tour we have visited certain places like the Workman/Temple Homestead in City of Industry and as I walk around and through the houses I wish the walls could talk. I would like to know how the places made their start. To feel and understand how many of them had the vision to make so much of where they lived. I may wish I could have lived in another time era but I have come to the conclusion that God doesn't make mistakes and that he has placed me here at this time "for such a time as this." I have had many experiences with so many people that if I weren't here who would have helped them get through a certain issue happening in their life. It's kind of the "It's a Wonderful Life" syndrome. If I wasn't here who knows where YOU would be?

God has placed me in this time so that I may know you and that we may be able to walk this life side by side or at least to be here to make a comment that would help you think in a different way to your current situation. God has used me in so many ways to touch the lives of people here at home and across the border. I am so excited for what God has instore for me and look forward to seeing how this life unfolds. None of us know what tomorrow will hold let alone next week, next month or next year. All I know is that God has be here for a purpose and I am so happy to be living that out.

Have YOU discovered your purpose? Do you believe, "...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I encourage you to find your "sweet spot" and understand what it is God would have you do in your life. If you need someone to talk to to discover that let's get together for some tea. As I have stated in my blog description,
 "Everyone has a story, I'd love to hear yours."
Let's do Life together!  

#12 of My Favorite Things - Promptings of the Holy Spirit!

I have learned in recent years, actually within the last year that when the Holy Spirit lays something on your HEART you have to ACT on it! In the past the Spirit would prompt me but I wouldn't act on it and then I would forgot what it was I was suppose to do. Opportunity lost.

This past week on Wednesday morning I was woken up abruptly by my alarm. I distinctly remember shutting off my alarm before going to sleep the night before so I KNOW it had to be the Holy Spirit that wanted me to wake up. I lay there on my bed trying to go back to sleep to no avail. The Spirit was prompting my heart to "write" and to share this as our morning devotional time with YAH. SO I obeyed and I wrote the following message. There is a SPOILER ALERT here so if you happen to read this you can only make comments following this blog. If you post anything on FB I will have to delete it if you say anything in response to the SPOILER ALERT. Now you are wondering what the SPOILER ALERT is all about. Continue reading...Private message on FB are "OK".

The Abundant Life

How many of you feel you are living “The Abundant Life?”

In the Bible, God’s Love Story to us he says in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” 

Most people don’t know the first sentence in this verse but many know the second. I think as we grow older in life we become one of two people. We are either “joyful” in our old age or we become “melancholy.” As we grow older we stand the chance that we out live many people. Women tend to outlive one or two husbands. Friends move away or die off. Our families have their own lives and we may feel like we are just in the way.

Our life is what we make of it. I discovered that many years ago and more recently it has been brought to light in the lives of a couple of my girlfriend’s whose life have been wrapped up in their children and now their children are going off to college and they have no idea what to do with their lives. It is good to have so much of yourself invested in the lives of your children but there has to be balance. At some point we should have discovered what we love to do, what God lays on our hearts to have a passion for. I learned long ago that my life will not always revolve around my children. It will revolve around my “grandchildren.” I am just kidding!

I am entering a new phase in life that as of “grandmother.” In my heart I always thought that when I became a “grandmother” God would turn my focus to my Grandchildren and it would be time to say “goodbye” to the Ministry of Young at Heart. Two years ago I thought God was telling me to leave the ministry but it was a struggle. That decision didn’t come easy and I can look back and know it was because that wasn’t what God was telling me. Now I am standing in the threshold of a “new” life, a life to live “more abundantly,” more abundantly?

As much as I loved my children I wasn’t satisfied being a wife and mother. I knew God had more in store for my life and I was frustrated with that. It was a good friend that did make me realize that my mission field was my family and I learned to be content. In my times of feeling like a failure as a wife, mother, even a “Christian” I would have those times of depression that I would let no one know about. I worked out of my home for a number of years so I would have that feeling of accomplishment. Home life for me was never ending. The dishes, the laundry, house cleaning. All of that was tedious but I did enjoy my children. We would be off here and there. I would find places to visit that wouldn’t cost anything to take my kids. I have those memories locked in my heart that no one can take from me. I was passionate about spending time with my kids and my husband didn’t care what the house looked like as long as the kids were happy and I had spent time with them.

I can look at my children’s pictures on Facebook that they have found in our piles of photos and know what each of them loved most about growing up. I know without a doubt that this life is meant to be relational. I post pictures on Facebook and I get so many comments about the fun I am having. I appear to be “the traveler” always going from place to place. All that I do is “relational.” Every once in a while you can find me going off by myself but it is always best to have someone with you to experience life with. You always need someone to be able to say to them, “Did you see that?” When I post pictures on Facebook those that look at my photos have that feeling like they are there with me. I can carry my friends with me where ever I go and then take a picture, load it up on Facebook and wait for the comments to come. It is a lot of fun to hear their reactions and at times it’s a little sad especially when one would wish they could be there too but they are stuck in their job. But I may post something that would brighten their day, they smile, I smile and we have relationship.

Christ came that we would have life and have it more abundantly. What does “abundantly” mean to you? When I go off places with many of you (the YAH people) and I hear your comments that if it weren’t for Young at Heart you would be sitting at home rocking your life away. I look at this world that God created and I am so fascinated by everything. In everything you can see God. You can look out at the water and what comes to mind? Jesus walking on the water or Jesus with his fishermen disciples telling them he would make them fisher’s of men. Yesterday we walked in a store that had so many varieties of seashells. Amazing how God would create so many different ones. The palm trees remind me of the desert where Jesus would go and find rest and solace. There is so much in this world that God created for us to enjoy. He came that we would have life and have it more abundantly!

When I think of the women in our group that can no longer go out and enjoy life it makes me sad. Thelma and May would probably give anything to be able to be with us. Margaret Moore wishes she could remember things like she used to. Mary Martin always said, “I wish you would have started 10 years earlier.” (Mary is now with the Lord.) We should all be thankful for what we do have. That we can share this life that God gave us and that we can share our experiences with others. Any of the women I mentioned would love a phone call and have you tell them about the time we had in San Diego. It will jog their memories of places they have been to. As I am writing this I am looking out my sliding glass door and I see a young mother with her 3 year old son taking pictures, making memories. She has no idea what the next 20 years will hold for her but she will have those photos she took on this day and will cherish those memories in her heart.

I imagine each of you have those snapshots in your mind that you can recall. Don’t allow the “thief” in the night rob you of those. When you find that you can’t sleep start praying. Pray for each of your children, pray for your grandchildren, pray for your GREAT grandchildren. Start from the oldest to the youngest and when you go through your entire family then start on the families of your siblings. Remember each of them one by one. Before you know it God will lull you back to sleep.

Is my time with Young at Heart over? Not a chance! God has placed me here to do HIS work and it includes each of you. All you have to do is enjoy it. God gave me life and wants me to have it more abundantly so now he’s given me a grandchild. Have a life more abundantly so that it will spill over to others if you allow it to. Share your experiences with your children, grandchildren and greats. Let your family see you as one that is still enjoying life! As my husband shared with us yesterday in our devotional, “It’s not how you start but how you finish.” Will you finish with a “joyful heart” or one that is “melancholy?”

Don’t lose your “wonder.” I believe that is why God gives us grandchildren and greats so we can continue to see the world through their eyes with “wonder” AND “excitement!”

Prayer: Dear God in Heaven, creator of the universe, I thank you for the life you have given me, for the ability to still walk this earth and to enjoy your creation. Lord, help me to see life with new eyes each day that you give to me. Help me to be thankful for all your bountiful blessings! Each day show me something new that I can see your love for me.

Lord, Thank you for everything, Amen.

#11 My Favorite Things – Glendora Christian Women’s Connection

#11 My Favorite Things – Glendora Christian Women’s Connection

I have been attending the Glendora Christian Women’s Connection since the early 90’s. I started attending when it was still called Glendora Christian Women’s "Club" and they change the Club in their name within the last few years to "Connection." This group is one of many ministries within Stonecroft Ministries. It wasn’t long after I attended my first meeting that my mom and I joined the board to help plan the luncheons. I actually started as the Assistant Nursery Coordinator since I had the most kids in childcare. This was one of the reasons I enjoyed going so I could put on a dress and makeup and drop my kids off where I knew they were in a safe environment so I could enjoy myself with other women. I served in different positions on the board then in 2010 I was asked to be Chairman of the Board. I no longer need to use their childcare but they still offer it and it is free childcare. I enjoy being out with women and the location where our luncheons are held are at the Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas. It has a beautiful view overlooking the San Gabriel Valley which I absolutely love!

One of the other things I love about being on the board is the way they have the board positions organized. Positions are divided up so you aren’t overloaded with a ton of stuff to do. If everyone does their job everything comes together perfectly. The Chairman, me, arranges for speakers and facilitates the luncheon and meetings, the vice-chair does the invitations, the Reservation Coordinator handles all the reservations with her team. Finance takes care of all the finances and ticket sales with her team. The Special Feature Coordinator arranges, well, our Special Features which is the main draw for our luncheons. It all runs very smoothly if everyone does their part. I have two positions yet to fill and then I would like to be able to have assistants for every position also. Some of the ladies have been members of the board for a number of years and a few are new to the ministry.

Over the years I have enjoyed each luncheon to hear the various speakers. I love the way God will send a speaker to address the group and how their message may fit exactly what I have been dealing with. I have been a Christian for a number of years and am always inspired by the speaker’s message and feel this is one of the ways I have grown in my walk with the Lord. The women of the board through the years are the ones that have taught me how to pray and have always enjoyed their “mothering” when I would come up against various issues in my life. They were all there for me when I lost my baby Debra in 1992 and showed me sorrow and love. I have known many women that have served on this board and am lucky to still have some of them in my life. We have also lost many precious women I will never forget like Diana Yingling and Ruth Maurich.

I never tire from attending the luncheons. The speakers are really good and it is the best tool any Christian could use to bring friends and family to hear the gospel message in a fun and inviting way. There is always a Special Feature which is the draw to get people to come. We also have a person tell us about the projects Stonecroft is working on so they can give towards it. There are no dues or memberships to be a part of this Women's Connection. I would have to say this is probably one of the best kept secrets around. I wish I had the time to contact the surrounding Women’s Ministries of churches so they could take advantage of bringing unbelievers to our luncheons. It’s meant to be a party type atmosphere to invite people to. I highly encourage you to join me sometime to try it out. If you have never been I would love for you to come as “my guest.” The next time you come you could bring a friend and treat them to lunch. I always love letting my friends know I was going to go have lunch at "The Country Club." I feel like high society and I love being able to dress up!

I welcome you to join me sometime. There are various groups that meet all over the United States. You can visit the link above to find a group near you. Who knows, this could be the start of something great for you to reach those that need the Lord in their lives. It’s also great for the Christian to receive Spiritual Food too!

#10 of My Favorite Things - God's Orchestration of Life!

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I love it when you can see the hand of God at work. I also love the way you can look back in life and see how God orchestrated things to work out in an incredible way. I love hearing stories of those that know God and see how everything lined up to give God all the Glory.

Many of us could share stories of how God has worked in your life. I have many stories I could share and once again could write a book if I could remember them all. God can work in the tiniest thing like when my husband and I knew we needed a set of bunk beds for our kids and we prayed. One of my husband’s co-workers that very week said they were going to have a yard sale and were putting a bunk bed set out to sell but wanted to know if we might need bunk beds. We bought them for $50. God is so good!

I had another incident where I was to go to a friend’s house but I had forgotten the directions to her house. I had read them but wasn’t quite sure which way to turn. There happened to be a billboard of Touched by an Angel and everyone in the billboard was looking to their right, my left, so I turned left. It was the way to get to my friend’s house.

Last year when my Aunt passed away I was leaving right after her funeral for San Francisco. I asked God to give me a sign to let me know my Aunt was okay. I was having a difficult time getting my directions right in San Francisco and they have a lot of one way streets. I had to make right turn after right turn to get to where I needed to go and at one of those turns I saw the street named “Jessie St.” That happened to be my Aunt’s name and I smiled and said, “Thank you God for letting me know she’s okay.” Recently when we were in Palm Springs I was driving down the 111 towards Rancho Mirage and I drove past “Perez St.” That was my Aunt’s last name. Once again I thanked God for the little reminder of my Aunt.

I can look back and see God’s hand in my life even when I didn’t even know who he was. I know God gave me the Father I was meant to have. He wasn’t my biological Father but when I finally saw a picture of my “real” Father I had to do a double take with the photo. He looked exactly like my Dad that raised me. It was God letting me know that I never missed a thing not knowing my biological Father, that God had given me the Father he meant for me to have.

Is it a coincidence that my birthday and my husband’s birthday are the exact opposite? Mine is 7/12 and his is 12/7. Makes me believe we were meant to be together. 7 and 12 happen to be favorite numbers for us. 7 children later…who knows maybe we’ll have a dozen grandkids! At the least! God only knows how many we will have.

God always seems to give me themes to things. When we went to Georgia in 1995 on our travels back home everything lead us to The Wizard of Oz. We saw the Yellow Brick Road in the east side of Kansas. We then saw a replica of Dorothy’s house in a museum with a tour you could take of The Wizard of Oz all made out of recyclable materials. We stopped in Las Vegas and stayed at the MGM where they had the Wizard’s Magic show and then Frank L. Baum’s grandson was there signing his book he wrote as an addition to The Wizard of Oz. I had the kids picture taken with him. Then when we made it to the Barstow Station McDonald’s had in their Happy Meals toys of The Wizard of Oz. It was absolutely incredible how everything fit in together. I forgot to mention that my kids were all in the musical of The Wizard of Oz at school before we left for Georgia. I couldn't have planned that even if I had tried! I just love it when God shines on us like that.

I love it too when you can sense that you are where you should be at the right time. When you have someone on your mind that you know you need to talk to and God allows that person to cross your path. I know when those times happen I have to act on it. God never ceases to amazing me when he does that. Even when I’m looking to buy something God places it in plain sight and I can say, “Thank you God!” Sometimes things seem so trivial like asking for a set of bunk beds or looking for that certain blouse that you want, or seeing a beautiful rainbow, sunrise or sunset just so God can cheer you up. He is so good!

Then there are the times when I hear someone’s tragic story but they can tell you they knew God’s hand was in it all. God helped them get through the tough times. I know he has helped me many times like that. I love those times when I’m reminded of God’s love for me. 

God spoke to my heart and he wanted me to go to Mexico and I responded to his call. I will never regret it with everything he showed me at The Restoration Home for Women. To build relationships with these ladies, to sending for help for the mattresses that were needed. And now coming back and knowing God wanted me to involve other people in the lives of these women. The call has been answered and women have come forward to help these ladies in Mexico. I absolutely love it!

If you have ever had doubts about whether or not God is really there or if he really listens to your cries, just ask him for something. Ask him to reveal himself to you. He’ll show up…BIG TIME!