Clark Casa.

Here is a peek into our new little home... nothing too fancy, just sweet and simple. A place where we can grow as a family and enjoy our loved ones. I don't usually blog about our "stuff" but this is more than just a possession, it is our home-- a safe place for us to call our own. I am grateful for my husband who has provided for me. He is a good man.

Lots of dirt... but lots of time =)

Oh and here's a shot of our adorable nephew Broc-- just because.

Pride.

I know it's a little late for the Independance day blog, but hey... better late than never.

Right now I'm sitting at my little brother Timmy's computer, waiting for my mom and dad to get home so that I can hang with them for a bit while my hubby has some man time playing golf with one of his buddies.

I was just sitting here thinking about how incredibly blessed I am, and how incredibly blessed so many of us are.

I know it's easy in this world we live in to always want the best things.... but if we could just take a step back and really look at what we have, we would probably be blown away with the abundance of blessings God has showered on each one of us, even the non-believers.

My dad constantly reminds me of how blessed we are to be living in this country. Believe me, I am not a big political guru, but I do know that this country is so fortunate compared to so many others in this world. I've never seen someone with more pride for this country than my dad.

One time we were driving in the car and the song by Lee Greenwood came on called "God bless the U.S.A." and my dad had his hand up to his forhead in salute while he was driving and told the rest of us to do the same! Maybe not completely safe but very memorable for me! Sometimes we joke about how cheesy he gets but it is also very admireable.

I was asking my husband the other day, "How do you think God decides which people will be born into such fortunate conditions, and others are born into poverty, and go days without having anything to eat?" It was just a lingering thought that prompted me to thank God again for blessing me with above and beyond what I will ever deserve.

Today, I thank God for running water, a cozy bed, a warm shower in the morning, food to eat, my health, freedom to think and speak the way I want, opportunity for education, and for my amazing family and friends. Sometimes I think of how spoiled I am just to be typing on a computer!

Regardless of my views on the war or our president or future president, I am so very grateful for all of the men and women who give me my freedom. I will forever pray for our troops. Thanks dad, for always telling me how important it is to show my respect for that red, white, and blue flag. And thank you God for blessing us all.

Billy and Adriann.

Well my big brother Billy popped the question last week to his amazing girlfriend (now fiance) Adriann Williams. Many of you don't know Billy and Adriann but my family is so excited about their big news! Adriann is a beautiful, talented young woman with a huge heart and loves my brother so much!

Adriann is now a kindergarden teacher. Before that she worked with autistic children and she was also very involved with Special Olympics in Grand Junction, Colorado. My brother is one lucky man and I couldn't have asked for a better future sister! Besides the one I have already... Domonique (Marcos' sister) who I also love very much!

Congrats Billy and Adriann! I have been praying for this day! And I can't wait to see what God has in store for your future!

My story.

Christ in me. This is really what I learned from Seven. This place truly changed my life. I know that sounds very Cliche, but it is the best I can do with words. If you could jump into my heart and take a look for yourself, you would see how full it is now that I invited Jesus in to stay. I now see the world in a whole new light-- Jesus’ light.

I remember the first day I came to Seven very clearly. During this time in my life, I had no huge tragedy, besides a recent breakup with my high school sweetheart that left me feeling alone and completely empty. My grades in college were lousy and I just didn’t care about doing well in school. I thought that if I came to church, I would at least feel better for that hour and fifteen minutes until it was time to get back to my sad world.

A funny thing happened that night. I realized something. I realized that God had been with me through everything in my life. He was there with me when I lost my first love, he was there with me when I was failing my classes, he was there with me those nights when I cried myself to sleep. And he brought me to this place, Seven, to awaken me and help me realize just that.

I learned that night that Jesus was always with me, and he always would be with me. He would never, ever leave me. I needed to grow closer to Jesus and make him every part of my life. I learned that night that I needed a strong, intimate, genuine, real relationship with my savior. He had a much better plan for my life than I did.

Praying and going to church was no longer just a ritual. I learned at Seven that it is not about a religion, but a relationship with the one who loved me a million times more than even my earthly parents or my boyfriend could ever love me. I needed CHRIST IN ME.

That night I promised Jesus that I would put him first in everything I did in my life- relationships, school, job, everything. Jesus was my new purpose. And he always would be. I began to talk to him everyday, I began to study his word-- I began to breath Jesus.

I realized that no matter what happened in my life from that point on, Jesus would always be with me. I learned that church wasn’t just about coming to get away from life, but it became a huge part of my life. I began to serve on the M547 team and serve my community. I learned to smile again. I learned to embrace people.

God gave me the courage to continue with school and believe in myself. He brought me amazing friends. He also brought me a genuine, kind-hearted man who loves the Lord with his whole heart-- and made him my Husband. I learned that my mission in life is “to change my world for Christ”. It was no longer about what Jesus can do for me, but what can I do for Jesus.

I now see my potential and worth. I now see how God can use me to further his kingdom. Everyday I am on a mission. A mission I only learned from finding Jesus at HDC: To change my world for Christ. -- Christ in me!

Published in HDConnections Magazine, June 2008. Issue 47.

It's not just optimism...

It is the Holy Spirit.

Many a time I have written about optimism and encouraged my readers to think positively so that they will be happy. I do believe it is good to look on the bright side of things in this life, however, I also feel that I have failed to give enough credit to what brings true joy into this life.

 The very thing that gives me motivation to love this life I am living and the people in it is not just optimism. It is the Holy Spirit that lives in me that gives me this genuine joy, this urgency to share a pure love with this world. There is no way I could wake up every day with a thankful heart and a passion for life without the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of me.

Last night, Pastor Tom Mercer spoke of a Christian's duty as a witness in this life. There have been many times when I have quickly overlooked an opportunity to share the love of Christ with people simply because I am scared of rejection. 

When I do not share Jesus' pure, forgiving, true love with the people in my life, I am robbing them of a life on this Earth that is purposeful and meaningful; along with eternal life with the father himself. 

Today as I prayed, I wept. I wept for those who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior. My heart is burdened for those living this life alone, without the presence of the Holy Spirit. I remember the days before I knew Christ, I was alone and scared. I now have a joy in my heart that comes only from the Holy Spirit. Today I pray for all of those in my life who do not know Jesus.

I also pray that those of us who do know Christ will not keep it to ourselves. I pray we have the courage to share Jesus' love with non-believers. I pray we take our job as witnesses more seriously and live our lives in a way that would be attractive and genuine to this world. I pray we practice love and acceptance for those around us. 

"We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us." - 1 John 4: 13-16

My trip to WV.

So I had a great time in West Virginia at my friend Amber's wedding. The state was beautiful, she was beautiful, and my time spent there was beautiful. Next time I hope my husband can come with me, I missed him like crazy. I had a great time.... but it's always good to be home. Here are a few pictures from my trip.

From left: Myself, Amber, and Samantha.

The driveway leading to our cabin.

This is the Cabin all the girls stayed in for the weekend.

Okay, on the way home I ran into Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel at LAX. I'll admit I am star struck when I see a celebrity.... so I had to ask him for a picture. Yes, I have issues. I know.

Cheerfully Put in Check...

Yesterday, I was at the Starbucks at CSUSB. I realized how crowded it was and how rushed and frustrated some of the customers were. Yeah, we have just about reached finals week, so we all needed our coffee. Anyway, when I got to the counter, I was already late for class... but I wasn't about to hop out of that long line I just waited in.

The girl greeted me with a smile and asked me for my order. I ordered the most fattening drink on the menu, a White Chocolate Mocha that is sure to catch up with me someday, then fumbled through my back pack trying to find my wallet. As I turned to hand her my card, she was still smiling and asked me how my day was going.

At that moment I stopped and said, "I'm really sick of school right now." She looked at me and whispered, "I'm really sick of coffee right now, let's be friends!" We both giggled and wished eachother a good day. It really wasn't about what she said, but how she said it.

What is my point? Well there are times when I get so rushed or impatient that I don't take the time to show love and compassion to the strangers I pass by everyday. Even when I am in a hurry, I should still take the time to offer God's grace to people. She reminded me that everyone has crappy days, and whatever I was frustrated about probably wasn't the end of the world.

That one small conversation changed the rest of my day and I was reminded to smile again and be thankful. Our bad moods don't make anyone else's day better... I'd much rather spend my time brightening someone's day. So to that friendly Starbuck's associate... thanks for putting me in check =)