God's Gift to Flor

Have you ever been in charge of something and things outside of your control seem to not go as you expect and you think all is lost then God shows up in a way better than you could have asked or imagined? Well, that happened a week or so ago at Flor's quincenera (her 15th birthday celebration). Here in Mexico this celebration is a special day that many girls dream about. Its really their day to be a princess. They get to dress in a princess dress, dance with handsome boys and all the attention is on them.
I have known Flor for about 5 years now. In those five years God has changed and molded her a lot. She used to be shy and socially backwards. She comes from a broken family and still today, you can see she is not close to her Mom. She is one of four children and was seen as the wallflower of them all.
At her party her caregiver said he would share or preach. Well, he shared so little and I was disappointed thinking she needed so much more. What I didn't know is that God was working it out. Cheque, who is on staff with Back2Back, was emceeing and doing the music part of the party. After the short talk Edgar gave, he asked everyone to come up and share a word of encouragement to her, pray a blessing over her and shower her with love. As the first person came forward she broke into tears. You could see her heart fill with joy as kids, caregivers, family, friends, and group members that attended came forward to love on her. Even her Mom seemed to change in demeanor as she approached Flor and embraced her. I am sure Flor had many times when she imagined what her dress would be like or what kind of cake everyone would eat. But I can't help but thinking that she ever imagined the love that God poured out on her that day.
" Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3:20

Luke's Birthday Party

We spent the afternoon at a local park, went to eat ice cream and then spent fun time playing video games just hanging out. We were quiet the crew with 11 boys. Check out the photos

Hearing Him when He speaks.......

I often think that I hear from God most when I am out in nature. When I see the beauty in the mountains or a gorgeous sunset. S lot like these pictures my son, Ben took. About a week ago, God showed me a new beauty and spoke to me through it. It happened as we were in extended worship. Every Wednesday night we have taken to having a time of worship and prayer that has lasted anywhere from an hour to three. It has been a time of reflection, of prayer and just listening to the Lord. One extended worship night, I was praying and asking the Lord to take me where He wanted. To help me pray for others. He directed me to a girl that walked past me and stated go after her.
I didn't know her and responded in my head with something like."really? talk with her? I don't know her (like he didn't already know this, ha).
He responded in my head. "Tell her "I've got this.'"
I remember thinking "What? Really? No scripture or something? This isn't sounding too spiritual." More mental discussion went on in my head until I finally went to tell her.
" Uhh, this is going to sound weird, but I think God wants me to tell you that "I've got this". Does that make sense to you??"
I felt my face squinting like I was preparing for ridicule.
Instead she says to me. " Actually that is the second sign that God has givien me and it was said in the language that I would speak."
Again in my head I'm asking now what do I do. I felt the Lord telling me "that's all"
As I returned again, He tells me to turn to the staff member that I was with and tell her how happy I am with what I've called her to do. As I share with her, she says. The timing of this message is perfect. I feeling down about what He has asked me to do. Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel encouraged too as He chose to speak to me in away I have never experienced before. Because I was listening and I obeyed I experienced a joy I can not express. I don't know if He will ever use me like that but I stand amazed. Amazed because I know that He could speak directly to both people but he used me to teach me to listen, trust and obey. I have tasted and I want more.

Matacanes

Sometimes God blesses me beyond my understanding. The risk is doing something I'm wasn't sure I could do. The pay off was a gorgeous view, dependency on the Lord and constant conversation with Him, feeling of accomplishment and just plain astonishment of who God is and what he has made. Here are just a few photos of our great day of repelling, hiking, jumping, swimming and enjoying one another. My great husband encouraged me to do this and I am forever grateful.