Meet StongMan & El Guapo

Have a blessed week! Good-bye :)

Memorial Day/80s Birthday Party

For my older sister's birthday party, we were told to dress up in our finest 80's gear. It's no problem for me, since I love the 80s! The music was great! And hello, Flashdance! Ok, a lot of things about the 80s are hilarious (teased up hair, neon tights, etc), but still, I love it.

 The lovebirds.

 After changing, and dressing back into normal clothes, I fancied my gold, saltwater sandals. I love these sandals. They're so comfortable and cute. Can I sleep in these?

  Endless rounds of horse shoe games.

All the guys decided to get competitive and play a game that PJ's never played but was coming out on top...That's my man! ;)

And the little cousins loved running around my sister's new house, with a humongous backyard, that once housed horses! These hammocks are dreamy and so relaxing. If God ever blesses us with a backyard, I'd like to think we'd invest in one of these, asap!

Smile Moment

My night stand makes me smile. Found this gal at the thrift store! Sweet thrifty find, huh?

Key's Birthday Week at Avila Beach

"Who cares about Mother's Day when the following day we'll all be at the beach for 4 days!" That's what I was thinking since my Mother's Day was low key (I did have Sprinkles at their ATM!) but I didn't care much to celebrate since we'd be off the next day, on a tiny road trip, then fun in the sun! 

Thanks to my in-law's time-share (we ain't ball'in), they shared (no pun intended) with us. It was great, relaxing and beautiful! But don't misunderstand, we did have arguments, because honestly, it isn't a family trip, if there ain't arguing. PJ and I had our irritated moments, but God was kind to show us our sin and wake us up from our idolatry.  

Trials/Blessing from Our family Trip:

1. On our drive up, Story threw up

2. I constantly got car sick, this was no exception

3. I went into Walmart to buy some milk, while my phone was on vibrate PJ called me 8 times because all kids had to pee! He was not a happy camper as I exited and smiled

4. One argument was based around me trying to lead our family because I felt I knew best (in a stubborn way)

5. Forgot my bathing suit

6. Kids played in a beautiful, beach creek, later to find out, there were signs prohibiting play, due to high levels of bacteria...Eek, gross!

7. A great time of just getting away 

Cookie Cutter Method?

(image taken from here)

Hospitality

I've given myself credit, in the past, for not falling into the folly of thinking there's a "cookie cuter" Pastor's wife role. I've spread my doctrine to friends and family about what I think a Pastor's wife role is--easy---to be a faithful disciple of Christ, a faithful wife, a faithful mommy, and a faithful church member. Of course there's more to say, but at the end of the day I felt that was the message, if asked, in a nut shell. 

God started revealing sin in my heart. I think I felt proud that I didn't struggle with this complex, as some other wives did. It was lodged in my brain, "I got this." I began seeing my folly--"How can I fail in this? This is what a Pastor's wife is made of, but it doesn't come naturally to me." What was it? Hospitality. 

Growing as a Christian around mature women, who just churned up delicious meals, endless hangouts, wise counsel, and cleanaing up, all in a shorts notice or for multiple times a week! Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but it sure felt this way. As I soon got married, had children, my husband in the ministry, I believe I tried to have the same agenda as previous godly women I observed. I started to sense this didn't come naturally to me. I began seeing my up bringing as a hinderance to this. I felt PJ was from a different mind set, since his up bringing was different than mine.  I felt sad. Why? Idolatry. You see, I wanted to serve to a capacity that I felt good about myself. Good to know that I had the good'ol hospitable badge on my chest, and of course, ALL Pastor wives did....WRONG. You see I was trying to fit in a mold that I sinfully created. I was trying hard to make the shoe fit. 

So reality is-- I don't easily have the urge to always be hospitable. I hesistate to say this, in case some family, friends think they'll be a burden, but on the contrary, it allows me opportunities to say yes or no, without fear of man. My decline to be host on a particular night/day, are never intended to hurt anyone but because I'm getting to know more and more my capacities as a wife and mother, I sometimes need to say no for the good of my soul and my family-- but I need to make that decision (with PJ's help of course:). It's ok to lack, we're human and God's working in us, and it's ok to confess it.  Striving and finding ways to bless other's and be blessed by others, is freeing; that also, can look different for the people of the local church community. 

Discipleship

Being at Capitol Hill Baptist Church was helpful in so many ways. There were many married women and single, which made a great learning atmosphere. I wondered with all these women being so busy, and yet having time to pour into these younger women, "How did they do it?!" It was at a CHBC women's retreat, where the insight was revealed to me. There was a workshop speifically addressing my simple question. There was a panel of wives/moms, with young women. The older women were discipling the younger (Titus 2) and were explaining their discipliship methods. It was genuis! At least in my mind. The women didn't sit down for an hour and read a 400 page book with homework and prep time,  and yet still manage to talk about their lives, blessings, things God's been teaching them, etc. As simple as it was, it was--- watch me. Watch me? There was a mutal understading that the wife, and the young woman, can sit down and talk about things that God has put on their hearts (these conversations can go in so many directions). What's key in this agreement, is--- understanding there WILL be interruptions, because she will serve her family in various ways as she's there, and she can participate by watching, learning, asking questions, etc. Great, huh? I ate that philosphy up and wanted to run with it! I soon started to understand that there needs to be a mutal understanding of this kind of discipliship, but I can totally see how it would be benefical and helpful on so many levels. I'm not saying this is the only way or the best way, but I am saying if you are busy with life, family, friends, church, this method can be helpful and a big blessing. And since I struggle with hospitality, this method is helpful for me in that regard too!

So I beckon other young ladies, don't feel discipleship has to be one specific way (read a book together/ Bible reading), although if it works, then do it, but if it doesn't work for a wife, then adjust with her and trust me, there's lots to learn about being a wife and a mother that can increase your understanding of it, if it's acted out in front of you. This is an out  working of being in a community (a local church family). Assure the busy wife that you just want to talk and pray and want to learn how she cares for her family. This can be helpful in getting an older woman to disciple you. I've heard that a lot of older women can sometimes feel inadaquate if discipleship is asked of them, but this method can be non-aggressive and less can be asked, as far as preparation. Just life--on--life, isn't that what community's about?

There's other ways hospitality can be done,  and there's other ways discipleship can be done. There's no cookie cuter method, just life--on--life.

Smile Moment

Not sure why he looks uncomfortable, but I sure love his face : P

Street Art

It's been a while since I posted any street art, but don't get me wrong, here in L.A. there's tons! I've just been lazy, or I didn't have my camera.

Silver Lake Blvd & Van Pelt Pl

DIY shoe clips

What you'll need:

fabric (to cut out 30-40 quarter size circles)

needle (I use a quilt needle)

thread (I use crochet thread, it's thicker)

2 Felt cicles, desired size (the darker the better in case they easily dirty)

clips

Technique (sorry no pics):

Place 1 circle on top of felt,

 pull thread through back of circle/felt fabric, then back out. Circle should look puckered. Continue this technique, placing circles around the felt, and making it look puckered. No need to cut thread, until you're completely finished. On the other felt circle, attach clip towards outer circle, then attach two felt circles by threading the outer circles together (this technique). 

Then place on any shoe you like!

Life Film Festival in Los Angeles

This film fest would be great to attend! It's on May 4, 5 & 6 here in L.A. at the Convention Center. A great opportunity for new talent/movie makers, who want to change the world!

Delish Choco Cake

Upon looking for recipes online, I didn't realize how many chocolate cake recipes require nuts. Rock's allergic to nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnut, etc). This recipe stood out for that reason and it just made me salivate! This cake was a crowd pleaser. One of my fav's thus far. Nothing healthy here...Just plain, unhealthy, chocolate delish.

Recipe here