Happy Thanksgiving

I hope your thanksgiving was as amazing as mine, filled with family, love and blessings. This year has been tough, I have been off from work for a couple of months, financially I am barely getting by and Physically I am ill. But I have faith that God will turn things around for me an that this trial and tribulation will pass from me soon. But even though my life is not as peachy as I would want it to be, I still have many things to be grateful for. I am grateful for Family, for Friends and Loved ones. I am grateful for my nephews, every day they inspire me to be better. I am grateful for my mother, That I still have her in my life. I am grateful for my JZ for his unconditional love and his patience. But above all I am grateful for my life, for the air that I breath, for the opportunity that God has given me and is getting ready to give me. I am grateful for my Pastors and their teachings and prayers and I am grateful for my school. Thank You Jesus for all that you give me and for loving me.

xoxox Liz

Living by Faith

Living by faith is not as easy as we think, and for the most part we forget that when we are going through some tough time, we need to trust in God more and be patient. My natural man wants to scream , yell, shout and insult the entire world for making my life harder than it should be, but my Spiritual man reminds me that I need to relax and trust in God. It reminds me to lay all my troubles, aches and sorrows in his hands and step back and let him do his will. I know so much easier said than done, but I can tell you that it took me 8 years of working like a dog , and an injury to finally let go of my grip on my own self  and finally allow God to take control of everything. I can now say that I am finally living by Faith, I have never been so not in control of things as I am now. And I can't do anything except Trust and have Faith that God will see me through. So I hope you learn from my experience, don't allow yourself to be like me and wait until the last minute to let God have full control of your life. It can save you a ton of pain.

Also know that when it rains it pours.. this week I had an important commitment with God that I needed to keep, well I am convinced that a true blessing is headed my way because everything that could happen and go wrong did. First my phone decided to die on me and started to do weird things with the screen, then as if I didn't need them my glasses mysteriously cracked in half,  then my Dr. request for 2 test were denied by the insurance company and I had the worst, neck shoulder arm pain ever and today I am sick with a horrible cold. So as you can see when it rains it pours, but I believe in JESUS and he will help me through this. I know that I will be healed soon, a Blessing s coming my way and my life will be transformed and all the Honor and Glory will go to the Lord.

Father I surrender my life, my will, my health, my hopes and my dreams into your hands and I ask you in the name of your son Jesus that you help me overcome these obstacles that are in my way and give me Justice and Victory over my oppressors,  Amen!!

9 years and counting

A year ago he called and sang to me Perfect by Smashing Pumpkins, today he text me to tell me he is making me a CD.. and asked if I wanted a specific song, so I said yes the song u sang me "Perfect"... little did I know that it was exactly a year to the day. Happy 9th Anniversary my JZ xoxox

When Life throws you lemons add strawberries and make Lemonade

Greetings and happy Saturday.. I just finished my PT which consists of stretching and resistance bands. I have been sick for almost a year, and right now my body needs some major rest and TLC. But I know that it also needs to move. I am limited to many things including the gym, mostly because of the pain. I get frustrated at times, but last week God spoke to me and as I was complaining about how long its been and why I am not getting better, the following phrase ran in my head
"It took you 8 years to damage your body... what makes you think you will heal it in a month?"
Point made and taken, so every day I make sure I do my part in the healing process, I eat less and healthier, I take my walk and I do my PT. I am doing my best under the circumstances and I have learned to be patient.
On the positive I am able to rest, catch up on some much needed and oh so over due sleep. I am able to go to church and work on my communion with God and I am able to spend some over due quality time with my mom. So for now  I will pray for healing trust God and Listen to my  Dr. and follow his care and do my Home Stretches and give my body some TLC.

Monday I was able to stop by and support my nephews in their school's literature parade. My little Cowboy/ Rango and my Little Mermaid, they looked adorable. We had so much fun and spent the afternoon together, grabbed a couple of happy meals and had an awesome afternoon. At home we had  some singing and dancing, courtesy of the nephews, they put on a show for me and it was great.

So like my tittle states.. " When life throws you lemons... don't let them get you bitter instead grab some strawberries and make some yummy Lemonade =D.

MAC Glitter and Ice and Johnny Weir

I have been ogling the new Holiday collection from MAC which has Johnny Weir as their spokesperson. But I am sad that we haven't heard much from him, the collection grabbed my attention because he was involved in it. I was happy to see MAC support such an amazing athlete and make him more known. I admire his self confidence and how resilient he is... if you don't know much about him you should google him. He is an awesome artist, who is doing it his way in a world where individuality is not always rewarded. So I hope I can get my hands on at least 2 things from this collection, I want it all.. but I am on a budget and can't afford to spend more than I have.

Creative Memories

Yesterday my brother and I helped the kids to create some awesome Pumpkins.  This was the first year we allowed them to do so. My nephew was excited.. but they still need more time to learn how to use a sharp object.  My niece was loving the getting your hands all gooey with pumpkins guts. D wanted an angry birds pig and my niece wanted a dog. So I think they came out pretty nice and the best part are the memories we created with them. As kids my dad would let my brother and I carve our own pumpkins and we remember how much fun we had. After my mom found her way back to Jesus we stopped celebrating Halloween and anything that came with it. Pumpkins was a part of that, but we remembered how much fun it was to carve the pumpkins and the time we spent with dad making them. Growing up we didn't have many of those memories, so we decided to let them experience the carving of a pumpkin, we stayed away from the ghost and scary faces and instead we created works of art. I know people will judge and criticize us, but I pray that God sees the intention of our hearts was to spend some quality time with the kids and create a lasting memory. The smile on their faces says it all, they were so proud of their carvings. They said the other pumpkins have scary faces with triangles, but ours are happy and even have ears. Its hard raising kids in this time and trying to instill in them values, which include Tolerance and Acceptance. And its specially hard to make them understand things that many adults have a hard time grasping. We pray that God keeps his eye on them and that they chose to grow in his presence and serve him. But that is for them to decide when the time is right as for now it is up to  us to guide and show them the way. While at the same time teaching them to respect other people and respect their choices and beliefs. They need to learn that we need to treat people and respect them the same way we expect them to treat us.

So I pray that you all have a wonderful week with your loved ones and may the Lord keep you all safe.

Special News...

Hello every one... I have not been able to log on and write on my blog because I have been sick. Who knew that a pain on my shoulder would last this long. It was more than just a tiredness.. there is something really wrong, I have been in pain for almost a year and it doesn't seem to end, That's why I have been MIA and haven't been able to update. Actually I haven't been able to do much typing this will guarantee a pain on my right hand and some major swelling. The worst part is that it seems like since its my pain.. Dr and Insurance don't seem to care. But Thank God I have him... I am putting my health , My life and my future in his hands. And I trust he will not let me down. Right now I have so many limitations.. my life is on Hold... I will say that even in Darkness God always lets his Light shine.  As far as answering prayers he does more than that, He manifest is works in our lives so I know that this illness, pain will soon be a thing of the past and Gods name will be glorified.  As for now I need to rest and trust in him.

Oh Yeah before I forget.. I have decided what to do  with my life, with Gods Guidance I know I will get to full fill my destiny. It might just take a bit more and more work to get there.

I am also happy to announce that God is awesome and has open a door for me to continue my education. Come January I pray that I am feeling better health wise and ready to start my Masters Program at USC. =D Yes I was accepted to USC's  Master in Social Work Program and I am so excited to start. To God goes all the Glory and I pray that He continues to use me as a vessel to share his greatness with the world.  To all those who believe in a God of greatness, I tell you that he exists and No dream is too high and No obstacle too great that He can't overcome.

You will be Missed...

Words evade me.. as I write this post... It's sad when a Person passes away, but a bigger void is left when that person is one that has made a dent on the world and has motivated the world to "think outside the box". Not only are we mourning the loss of the person, but also the lost of his vision and his great thinking.

SeaWorld and Mini Vacation

We just came back from our mini vacation in Seaworld. I had a blast  with my BF and my nephews. we specially loved seeing and getting splashed by Shamu, we were completely soaked and left dripping wet. But it was worth the pain and discomfort, I had promised to take the kids to Seaworld if they finished their work books that I created for them for their Summer vacation. So every day they had to work on the book and try to finish it before going back to school. They were good and did as we had agreed so I needed to keep my side of the bargain and off we went to sea world. They had an Amazing time, and I was glad to be able to do this for them.
By the way my nephew's teacher said he started the school year with a Bang and was ready for 3rd grade, he told her, that his aunt had made him a work book to study while on summer vacation and that's why he was ready =D.
 in case you want to know how to created the book, its simple there are so many Free resources on line for work sheets. I printed grade appropriate work and had them velobound in a book. My co-workers thought I was being mean , because I was making my nephews work during their summer break, but I think it was valuable learning time that we were able to take advantage of. So I really recommend this it helps them a lot.  I included fun work sheets like coloring ages and puzzles, connect the dots and drawings to make the work fun. I even included their picture and a special message to make it more personal, They loved their books and I loved the results.

OMG!! Seasons End and change is here

 Sometimes we don't like change.. but sometimes we need this type of change so that God can work his wonders on our life.

Test,Trials and Tribulations

I have heard many people say to one another that when things are tough and rough it is God who is testing you. I have also heard that God doesn't Test us and he also doesn't plague us with illnesses. So my question is well why do bad things happen to so many People. Mind you I did not say "Good People" because goodness is subjective and I wanted to be more general. I personally know what is it to go through some difficult times and I also know that the God that I serve would never plague me with so many afflictions. I also know that he would not test me by striking my loved one with an illness. So I really get bothered when I hear people say that when something bad is happening to you, it is God who is sending it your way. I do not believe that is the case.
For example I think of it this way, I have my mother and I know that she would never test me that way. So why would God be any meaner than we humans. Why if my mother or father are incapable of doing something to hurt me on purpose. why should I believe that the God that I have learned about the one who gave his only begotten son, so that whom ever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life... why would he punish me specially with an illness. The Bible states that Jesus died on the cross and he took with him all sin, illness and iniquity. So why am I going to sit here an believe that now God all of a sudden changed his mind and is striking with a fury.

I learned from my Grandmother that bad things happen to good people, and I also learned from her that God was not to blame. Through her trials and tribulations to the last minute of her life, in pain and in despair she clinged to her faith in a Loving God and made peace when her life was extinguishing at the ripe age of 50.  Never did I hear her blame God for her suffering, instead she focus on giving me her most valuable possession, her faith.She made sure I learned this passage from the bible, She believed it encompassed Gods' Love, Power, Blessings and Mercy for all of us.

The Psalms 91
Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty



1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD,
He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side,
and ten thousand at thy right hand;
but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge,
even the Most High, thy habitation;
10 there shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.10
to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,
lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.11
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Lk. 10.19
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him,
and show him my salvation.


So with this I close and tell you that when we are going thru a tough time and we don't see a way out call upon the name of He who loves you and he will answer, and believe that He is not to blame for the pain we are going through. Illnesses and Pain have no meaning and God never intended for us to live with them. He has given us Authority in the Name of his son JESUS to overcome and destroy them.

 In faith Liz xxoxoxoox

Summer Reading Club

Summer is in full bloom and  I promised myself to get some good reading done. When I did my Daniel Fast and stayed off the Internet for a while, I was released from my You Tube Addiction. And I rediscovered my love for reading.  I have breezed throuh 4 books in less than a month. My friend JL and I  decided to read them together as our little version of  a book club. He chose the first two books and I choose the next two. Here is the list of books we have read so far.
JLO choose the following two books (book 1 and 2) and I choose book 3 and 4 and
1. Gemini Bites by Patrick Ryan - Interesting.. the characters are funny and a good read Love the twins!
2. Aimee Bender'sThe Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel (Hardcover)(2010)  - I loved this book , I can empathise with the main character, a bit of a mind bender and full of emotions but really good read, Helped me see my mother in another light, moms hardly ever tell their kids how they truly feel inside,sometimes they have sadness in their heart and we don't realize how much they carry around.

3.
The Shack by William P. Young - Absolutely Love it!.. Highly recommend it ,I specially like  the way God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are described is amazing and such a strong message about forgiveness and Love.

4. 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey - This book is very inspiring, highly recommend for anyone who is going through a rough time and needs reassurance that God is listening.



I have read all of them but JLO is not done reading them , he is a bit of a slacker since I already read all four books and  he is stuck on my first choice =)..Book 3 the Shack and hasn't even began Book 4 .  I  think  its a bit hard for him to get into, and that's why I choose it.. I want him to open up his heart and experience the story and message. I believe it will help him cope with many things he is going thru .  I allowed him to choose Book #5 and we will embark on it as soon as I get my hands on it
.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

As you can see we have very different taste even in books, but we are very open minded and we respect the selections and read them. Well at least I have, in the mean while  I am reading Joel Osteeen. I LOVE this book and I can't wait to see the results.

Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day by Joel Osteen

and I am also reading the book below , brought to my attention by my supervisor. he wants me to learn to be financially savvy while I am young.. =) he said "Don't wait till you are my age do it now!" So I take his advice and listen, Knowledge is always a good thing.

The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction by Chellie Campbell

Hope you are all having a great summer and are getting some good reading done. If any of you have read an awesome book ,please feel free to share it with me =D

xoxox Liz

Hello and Happy Carmageddon!!!

Hello everyone.. I am back.. I Had to take some time off to re cooperate my shoulder arm and wrist..it is still messed up but I have to work with what I have.  I trust in God and since the Dr. cant help.. I can only trust that JC will fix it.

Secondly.. I have been busy filling out applications.. I decided to apply to Grad school and I had statements of purpose to write, rresumes, letters of recommendations to ask for and all that good jazz. I was able to submit them on time and meet the deadline and now its just a waiting game and Praying that GOD breaks this door in for me =D,

So I am feeling excited and faithful that my future is taking a turn for the best. I also spoke to the Boyfriend and it seems like he is ready to move to the Husband category.. so Lets see what happens there =D

Hope u are all having a Blessed and Happy Summer and that it turns out to be the Best summer yet.

Today I am leaving early to have a Tea Party with my nephews.. we will transform our gazebo into Wonderland and will make our own Alice in Wonderland costumes with masks and all =D.

My Nephew will be the Cheshier Cat (Tim Burton One)

My niece will be the Rabbit and I will be the Red Queen  LOL!!! it  will be a blast..

And don't forget if you are on the West side near the Sepulveda pass.. stay at home and have a fun weekend. , remember the 405 fwy will have some closures near the west side.

Happy Belated 4th of July

I have been gone quite some time.. I am still working on getting my full arm function and it is going really slow. I miss not blogging, and I feel sad because I am so limited as to what I can do . Anyways summer is here and I wish you all a wonderful Summer may it be filled with happiness, Fun, Sun and the Beach.

I am making it to the beach soon...specially here..... =D.

Quality Time

Spending some quality time with My Niece and Nephew and taking the tiome to teach them the true meaning of the 4th of July.. Independence Day..

Also eagerly awaiting the Fire works.. Happy 4th of July..

Sundays Blessings! on a Thursday =D

 

OMG!!! something was wrong with my computer, I thought I had posted or at least saved my entry but it didn't. So I Have to start all over.

This is what happened this past weekend I had a AHA moment.. you I know when we all are going thru life and we think we are giving it all we have .. and then BAM!! someone who truly loves you has the audacity and guts to tell you that you are doing things Half A$$.. and you cant believe you just heard that. Well I had that happen to me on Saturday and to be Honest I needed that Reality check. I tend to be some what of a Drama Queen and I get excited about many things , but I was told and I realized that I ha vent been putting my 100% into my life lately. I must confess I was devastated when I heard those words and of Course I am a big Chillona.( No wonder my boyfriend uses that as one of my Pet names) . Yes My big Brown eyes were sobbing and the biggest tear drops were flowing out of them.. for a minute I tried to dismiss it as not being real and tried to lie to  myself that it was not true.  But come Sunday morning as I arrive at church and I am ready to go and tell JC how JZ had been so blunt and called me out.. out of my Pastors Mouth comes.. " GOD WANTS YOU TO GIVE IT YOUR ALL, IN ALL YOU DO... HE REQUIRES 100% NOT 25% AND YOU GUESSED IT .. Not 50%. And Lately YOU haven't been doing that .. You ask God for his all and maybe other people in your life for their all , But you aren't giving you100%. OMG!! what was I to do, but to get rid of my Pride and accept that reality.. That in Fact I have been a slacker that I have wasted 2 years of my life contemplating what to do instead of doing it, and If I am in a place in my life where I am not happy, I am the only one to Blame, its not God and it's not those around you that keep you do, It is YOURSELF.

Man that was tough and it felt like a slap in the Face times 2. But I accepted that my Boyfriend was correct when he stated that I am not working to my potential and I had no other choice than to specially when God himself  thru his vessel my Pastor confirmed it. So I asked God for forgiveness for being such a useless individual and I vowed to make a change. I am on day 4 and I am getting my things in order. I have plans and dreams and I have given myself a year (long term) to transform my life around. Short term I am already working on it and I promised myself to invest more time on me and not be so complacent.

So I felt the need to share this with all of you who may read this.. Don't ask God to change your life unless you are willing to change it first.  Also don't wait for God to send you an answer and to do something for you, unless you are willing to Jump and put your trust in him. And most importantly don't expect your life to change unless you take the First step and move to make it change. Remember Faith is believing in something that you can't see.  Its time we all put our faith into action and once you do that we will see The Power of GOD manifest in our  life.

Awesome Long weekend with Cactus and the Beach!!

On the importance of Family... As a child I remember always wanting a large family. I always longed for older brothers and sisters and I dreamed of having big family dinners. I would imagine how Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners would be. I also imagine a Table filled with family. But that was only a dream and It never really manifested. My family is pretty small My parents , brother, nephew and niece and my Boyfriend. As a child my brother and I didn't have your typical Family and we didn't have many family customs. As an adult I find myself working extra hard to make family time really special and important for my nephews. On Fridays we have Movie night and we watch a special movie and get to eat snacks.. the healthy and not so healthy mostly spicy chips. As well as Play time with my Nephew D. On the weekend is our special time.. we call it our Quality Time and we do fun things, such as our favorites , the Swimming pool , the Beach, the Park , exploring and catching the latest movie. Sundays we have a special meeting with Jesus . As I mentioned before we have this time set in stone and won't change it for no one.

This long weekend was FUN!!! and we saw Cactus on out trip - this is what my nephew wanted me to say. We spent time with friends , on Saturday night we camped out in Holly's living room and fed the squirels from her balcony. And on Sunday night we had BBQ and sat in front of a Fire pit and roasted marshmallows. This was something new to me and I thank my friend Wendy for inviting us to her home and welcoming us into her family. We had a blast trying and making Smores for the very first time (for Me)  and catching up and talking about camping and watching the stars.  As I write this entry my nephew is sitting next to me and is telling me his favorite part of the weekend which was Malibu, sitting watching the waves and eating fruit while appreciating the wonders of God.

To hear this puts a smile on my face, because when I was growing up, I hated long weekends . They were filed with problems and alcohol as well as Domestic Violence. While the other kids spoke about the camping and the out of town trips... I dreaded the idea of being stuck home for 3 days while my parents went at it. So I am so happy to see that I am able to help my nephews have those super awesome weekends that I always dreamed of as a child.

So on behalf of Myself and my Nephew D  we thank God for Friends and super awesome weekends and We pray that every one that reads this post is blessed with family and Love.

xoxo Liz and D  May God grant you all a Super Blessed week =D

Been away too long =(

I am sorry I've been away for a while, but my arm is not working as I expected. I am experiencing pain again and I have gone back to physical Therapy and the simplest tasks cause me great discomfort and pain.
I would just like to ask for Prayers for me and my Nephews and Family. Blessings to all of you and I have faith I will be healed soon.

xoxo Lix

Believe in the Lord your God and everything you ask the father in his name, shall be give... So Father in the name of your son Jesus Christ I ask you for Healing for my body, but Specially for my Nephew D as well as a double portion of Protection for both My nephew and my niece. Amen

Thank You GOD for one more Birthday !!

PS..I found tis cute bear on line he is not mine, I just love him

Hello every one Yeah!! today is My B-day and I am unfortunately at work with a Flu and with some major pain on my neck/ back and shoulders, but I am grateful that I have one more day in this life that God has been so kind enough to lend me. Last night I did my Thank You prayer and I asked the Lord for guidance. I am also Happy to say that I know what I will study next, I am not going to say what my decision is, I will wait for a better time to share with all of you, But As a b-day gift I asked Jesus to help me achieve my Purpose and my Dreams. And to use me to help others achieve theirs.

 I called my Twin and I wished her a Happy birthday she is also sick with the Flu I think I gave it to her ( by the way in case you did not read my previous entry my twin is my now 6 year old Niece, we are born on the same day " so in her 5 year old brain .. that means we are twins.. =D.

I have been blessed with many Happy Birthdays and I am so Thankful for the loved ones in my life that remembered.. I don't know what My boyfriend has in stored, I did say I wanted to go to Disneyland.. but I am not feeling good so I don't think I have the energy to do that. And as far as my Wish list.. this is the first year that I didn't have a list of stuff.. I was more concerned with God guiding me into my right path that I kinda focused my energy into asking the Lord for that type of blessing.
 =(... maybe that means I am growing up and maturing.

At work my Friends decorated my area with happy birthdays decorations and we cut a huge chocolate Cake . Yum Yum.. and then we hit Shakeys for a not so healthy but oh so good Lunch =D.

Anyways I hope you are all in good health and I pray that God blesses all my loved ones. my nephews and my Family and me with Love, Health Prosperity and Happiness. For my wish I wish blessings for all of us who need them and may God give us many many more years to grow in his presence.

xoxoxo and Thank You
Liz

Happy Belated Mother's Day and WOWOOOO.. My Bday is Tomorrow

Hello =)  I am so so sorry I have been out for a couple of days, I got the Flu and I am dealing with the pain on my neck and shoulders. Please keep me in your prayers.

I just wanted to take the time to Wish all the mommies in the World a Happy Belated Mothers Day. 
And I super excited.. tomorrow is my Birthday and I hope God Blessed me with a very Super Duper Awesome Day and most importantly with a Super Blessed Year.

I am still sick with the Flu and I am super Tired so tomorrow I am still going to be feeling under the weather, but I plan to enjoy myself.

I have so many things to Blog about from the Royal wedding to Bin Laden to my awesome visit to the Ronald Reagan Library. I just need to get some energy and I promise to tell you all about my last couple of days.

Also I forgot to Mention my Niece will also be celebrating her Birthday ... Yes she was born on the exact same day!!!! so I have to share LOL according to her we are twins.. =D so Happy Birthdsay Becks, I love you lots!! May God bless you always and may he shower you with blessings beyond your imagination.


Happy Birthday Mamas.. xooxox