My Journey

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Today in church I was convicted and I mean that in a good way. I started to think about a lot of things. By now I am sure you are wondering what convicted me. Anyways, there was a question that was asked in church today and that question had me thinking about me and my walk with the Lord. The question was "Do you remember when you were saved and how you felt?" Then today in Soul Cafe we were asked how we were different now that we are saved then when we weren't saved. I can and want to answer both of those questions for whoever is reading this. First I remember when, where, and who I was with when I was saved and I even remember why I was saved. It was July 3rd, 2011 in room 111 which was at the time the Soul Cafe room and I was with my wonderful husband James and I was with Crystal and Martin Mayfield. This is my testimony: I was raised as a Methodist, so I went to church every Sunday. I was even baptized when I was an infant. For years I went to the Methodist Church and then I started going to EV Free of Santa Maria. I joined the High School youth group and then I joined the College and Career youth group. Then I moved to Fresno and started to come to Clovis Ev Free and joined Soul Café. I then started to doubt myself. Am I really a Christian and am I really saved because I was raised going to a church all my life. Well, On April 27th, 2010 Crystal Mayfield and I talked about my doubts and what being raised in a church and being baptized as a baby meant. After that nothing really happen. I continued going to church and Soul Café, but at that time my doubts were gone or they were just hiding. Well on July 3rd, 2011 Pastor Wil came up to James and I and asked James if he was ready to be baptized. That day my doubts came back and I posted something on my facebook page and to my surprise I had an email from Crystal with some bible verses. I asked Crystal if she could explain it to me and she said she would love to talk to me in person. At that point she asked me if Martin and her can talk to me at Family Fun night and I said that they could. So on July 3rd, 2011 we went into the Soul Café room and James, Crystal, Martin, and I talked about my doubts and I said a prayer and accepted Christ that night so I had a date I could point to and know for sure that I am saved. Honestly, to tell you the truth I felt great that I had a day to point to and I was extremely excited. I really can see a change in myself. I use to always be worried and scared (living in fear) of what was gonna happened in the next trial I was going to have and now I am not worried and I am not living in fear of what is gonna happen. I now have trust in the Lord. He has given us some hard trials since James and I have proclaimed our love for Him and we have got through them all and I have learned a lot from each and everyone of the trials and I have built more and more trust for my Lord. I even got to thinking about what the children of this generation are growing up with. I mean what are some of the tv shows, radio, or even movies trying to teach them and are they really teaching them what they should be taught?

Saturday, August 11, 2012

In All Things Christ Supreme

It has been almost a year since I have blogged and updated everyone. James and I have had a very hectic month in July. One trial after another came up but we didn't let it bother us and God proved to us that "In All things Christ Supreme." We went to Mammoth for the jazz festival and we had a blast. We got to meet a very special little girl who I have adopted as my niece. We also got to see our really good friends. I even got a lot of swing dancing in. :) There is nothing like listening to jazz in the mountains where you can just stare at God's creations. This year we camped and during our time camping we had a few bears visit us (I never saw them, but I think James did) and we had a coyote visit us as well. On our way home we ended up getting stranded just outside of Fresno because we had a flat tire and then our donut went flat as well. Then we found out James' grandma wasn't doing so well so we made a red-eye trip back home to see his grandma. Then on Thursday July 19th we found out that his grandma passed away just before 9:30 am. Then the day before the funeral our car got repossessed and we did everything we could to get home for the funeral. We finally got some help from our wonderful church which was a praise and when we got home my mom, James, and I talked about the car and what happened and she signed over my 1998 Saturn which was another praise. Then just before we went to Mammoth we found a chihuahua with no collar and no tags roaming around our apartment complex, so we took him and started to look for his owners but we had no luck. I am also suffering from my migraines again but God has showed me how the power of prayer from just one person works. One of my friends has been praying for me and I have been migraine free for the last two days.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Update

It has been awhile since I blogged. You are probably all wondering how we are doing. We have been enjoying our apartment and I have been enjoying my job. We are making it through. Yes it is still hard on us but we are making it through. One of my friends told me that we are doing more than making it through we are surviving. That particular friend has a point. James and I became members at Clovis Ev Free Church. It has been such a blessing to be members. James is trying to serve in the church and well I have started to help out in the pre-k during second service. It was so much fun. Working at Kids Kare is such a blast. Everyday I come home with at least a laugh or a smile on my face. The past few days have been so hectic for us. James was having problems starting the car since last week sometime (I believe it started last Friday). The car did always start but it always took awhile to start. Well, on Monday (maybe even Tuesday) we were talking about getting it looked at to see what was wrong with it and well yesterday we went to the car and tried to turn on the car. Well to our surprised our car was not starting... it was humming. We tried everything we could to get me to work on time. By 8:05 I knew it wasn't gonna start so I called in my work to let them know I was gonna be late. We also called every friend we could think of since we had no money to tow the car we had to come up with a plan. We finally had a call from one of our friends and well we were able to borrow a car that day. James had an interview at 9 am yesterday, but with everything that happened he had to reschedule it for today at 9:30 am. Well, he couldn't find the place that his interview was at so it was rescheduled again for today at 2 pm. Finally, on my break I got a text from James asking me to call him. When I called him he told me that the oil sending unit and the starter both went out and it was gonna cost us 600 dollars. I was in tears at this point. He then said but since we had the card that we got from the last time the car was fixed that we could put 333 dollars on the card. Then he told me two of the tires were wearing and that would be 175 to replace the tires, but we couldn't afford that so we had to hold off on those. Honestly, I was so afraid that we would not be able to go home for Christmas. I think we are both relieved the car is fixed. However, the company we got the car from is no longer in business so we can't do much at all. James and I appreciate all the prayers we got and we want to say a very special thanks to the Elrich's for saving us for the few days we needed their car. "In all things Christ Supreme!"

Saturday, October 8, 2011

It's Gonna Be Alright

So James and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary on Oct. 27th and I am very excited. We have had so much happen to us in the past year and to tell you the truth I would not change it for the world. As most know I did lose my job on Oct.1st, 2010 at Clovis Unified and I did search for a job in Sacramento and had a few offers. One offer wouldn't give me the job until we moved to Sacramento and well we didn't have the funds so that job offer fell through. I also had an offer in Davis for Bright Horizons and well as we were about to get ready to move forward and move I called and there was a job freeze and that is when we went to go take our 30 day notice back, but things just went down hill. Our apartment was rented out and the renters were moving in on the 17th of March. We really had no where to go so we decided to go live with my parents for awhile. James and I then decided we were going to visit Fresno and we stayed with friends for a week and during that week we searched for jobs. We ended up getting in a car accident while job searching on April 1st. It was nothing bad at all. We were just rear- ended and I had whiplash for about a month and our honda was totaled. We were very lucky for such wonderful friends because we were able to borrow their extra car they helped us find a new car. After the car accident things turned for the best and we now have a 2006 Chevy Colbolt LS as most of you know and have seen. Once we got the new car I knew we were able to go to the Sacramento Jazz Festival and enjoy our love of jazz and that is exactly what we did. I even got a part- time job at Kids Kare at the Park and we ended up renting a room from our friends. On July 25th I started being a full-time preschool preschool teacher at Kids Kare at the Parks. I have so many memories and I have had so much fun. I have played duck duck goose and leap frog with the kids I work with and I also have started talking like my coworkers... I have started saying girl boo, deuces, and also oh snap. :) Then on September 3rd... we moved to a 2 bedroom apartment across from the Fresno Airport. We ended up staying with our friends that night (September 3) cause we couldn't get everything done and we were overwhelmed. After church on September 4th we finished moving into our new place. Then a week after we moved we went back home to Santa Maria to get our babies. We now have Zoe and Gavin back and it has been the best thing ever. Gavin loves to play with his big teddy bear from my mom and he also loves to play with his baby teddy bear from my mom. Zoe still hides. Just the other day I looked for her and I couldn't find her... finally I looked under the bed for her once again and there she was actually inside of the box spring of the bed. On September 12th James and I went out to dinner at Bobby Salazars to try and win tickets to Blazefest from Jennifer Lipp (Our favorite talk show host from 105.1 the blaze). Well anyways I actually won the tickets, so on September 17th we went to Blazefest and we had a blast. Heard many great bands. So some quotes I now live by and hope many people will live by are "Set yourself up to succeed"- Sherrilynn Colby Bottel (which I have set myself up to succeed in so many ways and just hope I can continue to succeed); "If you're gonna grow, you've got to let the sun shine on you"- Sherrilynn Colby-Bottel (I have also grown and the sun continues to shine on me... I am one changed young lady); "It is all in God's hands"- Sherrilynn Colby-Bottel (as you can tell I let it all be in God's hands and let God show me his Plan and we are now very happy living back where we want to make our living and home); and "See, good things come to those who wait"- Jeff Barnhart (so very true and I waited and got a full-time job, we got a place to call our own, and of course a year of happiness). I also learned from Pastor Wil that "Everything in life is a fill in the blank test and Christ is the answer. he is not always the best answer, but he is the only answer." I just wanted to thank everyone who was there for us and a special thanks to Brenda and Harlan for giving us shelter and of course for the food they shared with us for 6 months and thanks to my parents for letting us stay with them for awhile and for taking care of our babies! :) Also thank you for my mentor for giving me the prep talks I needed during this time of need. I now know I wouldn't turn anything around because I am extreme close to my hubby now and I am madly in love with him. Also there has been many meaningful and helpful lessons learned. It really did make it a lot easier to deal with all of these trials with my hubby.

My hubby and I at the Blazefest on Sept. 17th

My hubby and I with Jennifer Lipp on Sept.12th

Zoe hiding in the box spring of our bed

Gavin with his big teddy bear from my mom

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

He's Turned My Mourning Into Dancing Again

So I realized it has been awhile since I have updated everyone on how James and I are doing. Anyways, as most know I lost my job at Clovis Unified October 1st, 2010. All I was told was that I did not fulfill my duties and responsibilities at an acceptable level. After many many hours, days, and months of looking for a job I had an interview with Bright Horizons in Davis and well that went very well. We were about ready to pack up our live in Fresno and move to Sacramento, but the only thing was when I called to see if I got the job I was told the job was put on a hiring freeze. After that things went down hill. We went to take our 30 day notice back and that was when we were told our apartment was sold and we couldn't take back our 30 day notice. Then we decided well we needed somewhere to go so we moved back to Santa Maria at my parents house. We then came to Fresno for a visit for a week and was staying with friends. We went job hunting during that time and on April 1st as we were job hunting we were rear-ended. I had whiplash for about a month and the honda was totaled. We were lucky for such wonderful friends that let us use an extra car and to help us find a car. James and I then have things turn for the best. James and I got a 2006 Chevy Colbolt LS and when that happened we went to Sacramento for the jazz festival. During this time I also got a part time job at Kids Kare at the Parks as a preschool teacher. Also, during this time we were told we could rent a room at our friends' house. We went home over the weekend and got all of our stuff and we sang this song at church at the Harbor and it spoke to both James and I. I just want to say amen to this song because it is so true for us right now.

He's turned my mourning

Into Dancing again

He's lifted my sorrows
I can't stay silent
I must sing
For His joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
He gave His healing hand
Where there once
Was only pain
He brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of His love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
His joyful gladness

You've turned my mourning
Into dancing again
You've lifted my sorrows
And I can't stay silent
I must sing
For Your joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
You gave Your
Healing hand
Where the once
Was only pain
You brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of Your love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
Your joyful gladness

Your anger lasts
For a moment in time
But Your favor is here
And will on me for
All my life time

Monday, November 15, 2010

Wedding and 2010 Jubilee By The Sea

It has been awhile since I updated, so it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival and of mine and James' wedding that we had on Oct. 27th! I will start with the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and it meant a lot to me to have my friends and family help me through all the stress. The rehearsal was great and the rehearsal dinner was great. My friend Megan came down from Mammoth to take the professional pictures, my friend and adoptive auntie or as I call her auntie Yve came down from LA and officiated the marriage, then my mentor and really good friend Sherri Colby- Bottel came down from New Orleans and my adoptive parents Anne and Jeff Barnhart came down from Connecticut and played at the reception. Danny Coots also came down from Nashville, but his plane was delayed so he didn't come until about 8:30 that night. My cousin Tabitha who was one of the flower girls was so cute walking down the isle with her brother. As she walked down the isle she said hi to everyone. James and I wrote our intentions and I cried reading mine to him and James did cry when he saw me walking down the isle. My mom and all the others did a great job with everything they did. Thank you to everyone who helped out. The flowers were beautiful and I thank my aunt Debby for making all of those for the wedding, the wedding ceremony was beautiful, the photos are wonderful, all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids did a great job, the music was beautiful and the songs were well picked, my dress was beautiful, my hair and make-up was done so well, and the food was great. After the wedding James and I stayed at the Santa Maria Inn for the night and then on Thursday we opened up all of our gifts. Then on Friday through Sunday we went to the Pismo Beach Jazz Jubilee. On Friday Oct. 29th we started the festival at 11 am and that is when we sold for Ivory and Gold. Then at 1:30 pm we sold for Blue Renditions. After Blue Renditions James and I went to the hospitality room to get some food. Of course some of the food in the hospitality room was left over food from the wedding. Then at 4 pm James and I went to watch Titan Hot Seven play. Then after Titan Hot Seven James and I stayed and watched Fulton Street. Then at 6:30 pm James and I sold for Blue Renditions. Then we went to see if the hospitality room was open, but it wasn't so James and I hung out with Forrest, Forrest's wife, Forrest's wife's little brother, and Forrest's mom. Then at 9 pm we went and sold for Blue Street. On Saturday Oct. 30th James and I went and watched Cornet Chop Suey for a little bit and then at 10:15 am we went and sold for Blue Street. Then James and I hung out with Sherri for a little bit and we watched the Midri Brothers. Then at 12:45 pm James and I went and sold for Blue Street and then at 2:00 pm we went and sold for Ivory and Gold and then after the Ivory and Gold set James and I sold for the Krahn and Wanner set. Then we went to the hospitality room and had something to eat. Then at 5:45 pm James and I went and saw Titan Hot Seven. Then after the Titan Hot Seven set we stayed and watched Red Skunk. Then at 8:15 pm James and I went and watched Titan Hot Seven and then after that set we stayed to sell for Ivory and Gold. On Sunday Oct. 31st James and I started our day with selling for Blue Street. Then after Blue Street we stayed and watched Titan Hot Seven. Then at 11:30 am James and I sold for Blue Street and then we stayed and watched Titan Hot Seven. The highlights of this festival was hanging out with Sherri, seeing the Titan Hot Seven's Halloween set, meeting Sherri's little sister who I have also adopted as my sister just like I adopted Sherri as a sister, being introduced as newlywed's, hanging out with Forrest and his family, getting to dance to Now Baby or Never with James as his wife, and having Sherri dedicating Now Baby or Never to James and I after I requested it. There were many highlights at the wedding as well and those were getting to share the day with the people I love, Sherri fixing my dress for the night, Megan and I swing dancing, and of course hanging out with my girls the night before the wedding. There has also been some things that has stressed me out before the wedding, but the one major stressor was me loosing my job 26 days before the wedding. The first 23 pictures after me and my girls the night before the wedding are photos courtesy of Megan T. Guffey. Go visit her website at http://www.pbase.com/guffey!