S.O.A.P journaling method

S: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18).
O: From this verse I learn that we are to glorify God both in the present day and when the day of eternity comes. The speaker of this verse is Simon Peter and I believe he is speaking to the Gentiles.
A: There is so much going on that is causing me a lot of stress and anxiety and it is causing me to complain more and more, so instead of complaining and worrying I can grow in the grace and knowledge of what our Lord has done for us. He died on the cross for my sins and yes my Lord has provided for me once before and he continues to provide for me. I need to glorify my Savior more and I need to praise him for all the good things he has done in my life. He has made me a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter, a granddaughter and so much more. I am very blessed to be saved.
P: This is my prayer: Father, thank you for always being there in my time of need and thank you for providing for my family when we are in need. Thank you for showing me your love through my sisters and brothers in Christ. Please help me to not complain and help me not to stress, worry, or be anxious when things do not go my way. Amen. 

Meditation on dandelions and rest

Okay so most of you know I went to a retreat with the ladies of Clovis Ev Free. There was 17 of us who went. We had two speakers Jennae England and her friend Andrea Burns. The theme was restore and the dandelion was what was on our booklets. Who knew a dandelion could be so much like our walk with Jesus. We even made a shirt with dandelions. We had so much fun. I even had a swan come very close to me and I was able to take an amazing picture. I learned so much over the three days I was there. I learned that we shouldn't make our desires His to do list, if we aren't listening to Him he will not allow us to rest, do not hang on to things, let God take things out and put things in, we are made in the image of God, don't be quick to find rest in ourselves, it is God alone who makes us alive, it is by grace alone that we are saved, we can't take credit for being born again, in whatever we need to be content, we need to learn how to be content, it is through Him that we can find rest and contentment, the six steps of daily refreshment: 1. read God's word, 2. pray (A.C.T.S.), 3. meditate, 4. memorize, 5. attend church, 6. find accountability partners, the Lord knows what is broken, He is interested in our complete healing, our role is to glorify Him, God has a plan and purpose for our trials, we need God's help, so we should not be afraid to ask him for his help, none of us is finished, we have each other, re-joy- joy again and again, we should rejoice internally (with our hearts and minds) and externally (using our mouths, to sing a hymn, sing praise, praise in confession, and together), we rejoice all the time (in good and bad times) and resting in God takes the pressure off of us. So you are probably wondering about the A.C.T.S prayer. I was given this by a sister in Christ and it works wonder. First, you start with adoration (the characteristics of God... he is worthy, he is almighty, he is powerful, etc.), second you confess your sins (confession), third you give God thanks (thanksgiving), and last you give him your request or your prayers (supplication). Now what does the dandelion have to do with our walk with Jesus. Well I will explain it but first not before we learn a bit about the dandelion. So a dandelion is a weed and weeds our disruptive. To some a dandelion is seen as a wish. I remember when I was little I remember always making a wish off of a dandelion. I loved picking them and blowing the seeds off. So a dandelion represents God's passion, it is edible, it is a good substitute for coffee, it has abundance of nutrients and all kinds of vitamins, it detoxes, and it purifies blood building. If you have facebook go check out my messy desk. Anyways here is how the word or our walk is like a dandelion. First a dandelion roots, then it reaches, then it reflects, then it rests, and then finally it releases. And this is how we should be. First we should root ourselves in the word and then we should reach to God and then we should reflect on what we learned and then we should rest in what we learned, and then finally we should release the word into the world and  spread the good news. In all honesty, who knew that a dandelion could be so much like our walk with Jesus? I sure didn't until retreat and I pray that I can encourage you all with this blog and help you live this out. I also pray I can live this out myself. Just remember our God is bigger than any problem or trial and God is our reward.

My home for 3 days

Mine and Becky's cabin

Swimming Swan

Swan

Mine and Becky's shirt (mine is the purple one)

Raw Dandelion Root Tea 

Chapel 

Dandelions 

Our set up in the meeting room

Andrea and Jennae 

Who knew I encouraged so many of the ladies

Our whole group 

(sorry Carol Turner is cut off and Sarah was taking the picture)

Dandelion shirt making group

Jennae and Andrea 

Pam and Jennae 

Roasted Dandelion Root Tea 

(I found this at Walmart and I love it)

2018 Three Rivers Jazzaffair

It is that time again where I update you on yet another jazz festival. James, Malcolm and I went to Three Rivers Jazzaffair April 13th to April 15th. We had such a blast. Before we left Fresno we had to run some errands. I had to go get my paycheck and then we had to go to my bank and James bank and to get gas. And then we left at about 11 am. We made it to Exeter at 12:21 pm on Friday and we unloaded the car and had lunch and packed our meal for dinner and my mom trimmed Malcolm's hair. Then we went to the dollar store and to A & W for Rootbeer floats. Then after A & W we went up the hill to Three Rivers. At 2:45 pm my mom and dad went to St. Anthony's Retreat to sell cds for Cornet Chop Suey and James, Malcolm and I went to the Memorial Building to sell cds for Blue Street. Then at 4 pm we headed to the Lions Arena and we watched High Street play and after that set James, Malcolm, and I sold cds for Blue Street. Then after Blue Street we stayed and we watched Cornet Chop Suey. Then at 7:45 pm we went to the Memorial Building and we watched High Sierra play. And right after that we partied with High Street. Malcolm danced with Sylvia at that set. On Saturday we got up early and we had breakfast at the hotel and then we headed up the hill. At 9:45 am James, Malcolm and I sold cds for Blue Street at St. Anothy's Retreat. Then we went to the hospitality room and hung out with some of the musicians. Malcolm enjoyed that a lot and Sam took a picture of Malcolm and then he sent it to his mom. I love how much the musicians love us. At 12:15 pm we watched Cornet Chop Suey and then we watched a little bit of High Street (we had to leave early). Then at 2:45 pm we went to the Lions Arena and we sold cds for Blue Street. James, Malcolm, and I stayed and ate lunch while Tom Rigney was playing. Then at 5:15 pm Cornet Chop Suey played. At 6:30 pm we went to the Memorial Building and we sat and talked to some of our friends and Malcolm kept on saying Hey Babe to Sylvia. Then at 7:45 pm we sold cds for Blue Street. On Sunday we woke up and had breakfast and packed up and then we headed up the hill. As we headed up the hill we took some pictures. At 10:15 am we went to the Memorial Building and sold cds. Dave gave a great message on complaining/grumbling (something I defiantly needed). And then after that set James, Malcolm, and I got to catch up with my mentor and her husband for 20 to 30 minutes. We had some lunch with them. Then at 1 pm we headed to St. Anthony's Retreat and we sold cds for Blue Street. Malcolm got to help Matty carry in his banjo/guitar stand and he jammed out on the drums with Sam for a bit.  I wish I got a picture of that. After that set we said our goodbyes and then we headed to the Lions Arena and we watched Cornet Chop Suey and we had our second lunch. Then we went to Reimers for some ice cream and to buy some candy. The highlights of this festival was Malcolm dancing with Sylvia, catching up with my mentor and her husband, Dave's message, Malcolm jamming out on the drums with Sam, having a rootbeer float, having ice cream at Reimers, Malcolm flirting with Sylvia, Malcolm saying Hey babe to Sylvia, partying with High Street, seeing how high the rivers are, and Malcolm getting his hair trimmed.

Malcolm's new hair cut

Grandma trimmed Malcolm's hair

Snow on the mountains

Mommy and Malcolm

Mommy, Daddy, and Malcolm

Grandma, Grandpa, and Malcolm

Malcolm 

Mommy and Malcolm at the Museum

Grandma and Malcolm at the Museum

Helping uncle Matty

Malcolm laughing

Grandma feeding Malcolm ice cream

2018 Fresno Mardi Gras

Oh my goodness it has been exactly one year since I have posted. I have been so busy. We went back home for our birthdays. In August we went to Sacramento for the Sweet and Hot and for my parents' anniversary. Then we went back home for the Pismo Jazz festival and our anniversary in October. And we went home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We took Malcolm to Avila Valley Farm for the first time and to Monarch Grove and we took him to meet Santa Claus and see some Christmas trees. In January we celebrated Malcolm's 2nd birthday. He had a party at his Shepherd's house and then we went to Chuck E. Cheese on his birthday with Brian and Becky. He had so much fun with that but he was afraid of Chuck. And now for what this post is really about. Anyways, Thursday February 8th grandma Shonda and Tim came and we celebrated his birthday with them and Becky came as well. Malcolm got some great presents. He got some Paw Patrol toys and he got a toy drum set which he loves and he got a wagon which is great for the jazz festivals. My mom and Tim also brought some of the stuff that was given to us by my grandma Holm including Malcolm's cornet and trumpet that we got during Christmas time but we couldn't get it into the car. Grandma Holm also gave Malcolm a few books and a Thomas the train blow up bed which is great for the jazz festivals. We also had Tim take some things back so we could fit our new couch and love seat in our living room. Then early Friday February 9th we sent Tim on his way back and James, Malcolm, my mom, and I all went to the jazz festival and we ended up listening to some Gino and the Lone Gunmen in the Atrium and then we went to Subway and we ate our lunch and then we went back and walked around and James and I got our badges and then James took me to work while grandma took Malcolm around. I am not sure what bands James and my mom went to but I know at 1:45 pm they sold for Blue Street and the first set the singer was not there. Then when I got off at 5:30 we went back to the Double Tree and we sold for Blue Street with their special guest Randi Cee. After that set we headed to the Atrium and we watched Grand Dominion with their special guest Brian Casserly and at that time my dad came. Then at 8 pm we went to Salon C/D and we watched Sister Swing and then we watched Gino and the Lone Gunmen. Then we came home and had dinner and put Malcolm to sleep. Saturday February 10th we woke up early and got ready and we went to the Sequoia room and we listened to Devil Mountain at 10 am. Then after that at 11:15 am we went to Salon C/D and we sold cds for Blue Street. After that set we went to the Atrium and we watched the Dixie Dominus for a little bit and then we went and we ate lunch. Then at 1:45 pm we went to Salon A and we watched Gator Nation and then Gino and the Lone Gunmen. Malcolm ended up taking a nap so we laid him down in his wagon. After Gino and the Lone Gunmen we watched Yosemite Jazz Band. Then we headed to the Atrium and sold cds for Blue Street at 5:30 pm. Then at 6:45 pm we headed to the Salon C/D and we watched Tom Hook and then Gino and the Lone Gunmen's Elvis set and then Gator Nation. I ended up walking between Gino's set and Blue Street's set because we didn't realize they were playing at the same time and James told Gino he would sell cds for him. After the Gator Nation set we came home and we had dinner and put Malcolm to sleep. Then Sunday we woke up early and headed to the gospel set. James and I bought some coffee from Starbucks. Blue Street's gospel set started at 9:30 am and it was in Salon C/D. We sold out of cds at that set. Then at 10:45 am we went to Salon A and we watched Gino and the Lone Gunmen's last set and we said bye to Gino. At noon we went to Salon C/D and we watched Sister Swing and then at 1:15 pm we went to Sequoia room and we watched Blue Street's last set. The whole time we were at that set Malcolm was blowing kisses to his adoptive auntie. After that set we talked to Malcolm's adoptive auntie and she blew him kisses back and then we said bye to everyone else and then we came back home. My parents' packed up and then they headed back home and I ended up taking a nap. We had Shepherd's group that Sunday but we ended up not going because we were so tired. The highlights of the festival was Malcolm blowing kisses to his adoptive auntie, my mom and dad meeting Ashley Kothe and Sammy's parents, buying a mask from Ashley for Malcolm, doing the parasol parade and the masquerade parade, Malcolm trying to get a kiss from Ashley's youngest daughter and Malcolm jumping in Ashley's oldest daughter's lap and giving her a hug, Malcolm dancing with the swing dancers, me getting my Gino and the Lone Gunmen shirt from my mom, getting my new hat from my mom, and of course all the swing dances I got to dance.

                                                     My mom, James, Malcolm

Dancing with Grandma

Grandma and Malcolm with a pirate minion

Grandma and Malcolm

Dancing with one of my dance partners

Mommy and Malcolm during the Masquerade parade

Masquerade Parade 

Grandma and Malcolm during the Masquerade Parade

Daddy and Malcolm during the Masquerade Parade 

Daddy, Mommy, and Malcolm during the Masquerade Parade 

Malcolm in his new mask 

Sitting listening to the band play

Elvis Smile

Grandpa and Grandma

Grandma and Gino

Me in my new hat 

Nap Time

Swing Dancing with Tom

Me in my Gino and the Lone Gunmen shirt