Its going to be a long year...

So, the last week has been rather busy. As follow up, I will be working with the organization on the Hispanic/Latino project in our community in greater depth, and that is rather exciting to me. Kind of interesting - only God - but a family that came to mind that I wanted to reach out to that has a son that goes to Rolando's school was dropped in front of me in the window of 5 mins on Friday morning at the school office. I still need to make the follow up phone call, but on a morning that my husband was getting ready to board an airplane for his journey overseas and tears and emotions were welling out of my body, God showed me his faithfulness. So awesome!

So Rolando left on Friday and had a very scary flight to an AFB in Maine. He is not one to be scared of much ever...so for him to get a bit nervous during the flight, it must have been rough. It would be two days until I spoke with him again. He was in Kuwait and would be there for two additional days. He arrived at Bagram just a day or two ago and was finally given his Camp - Camp Lightning which at this point will become his permanent home for the next year. As soon as he had the name, I was googling to see what I could find out about it. A rather remote location, but seems to also be a very busy base. From everything I saw, I wasnt sure that my SFC would be excited about his arrival. I waited ALLLL day today to hear from him - and was so happy when I saw that long number show up on my cell phone - it was my Big Papi. Well, yes, it is rather remote and there is not a lot to do on his base. This is culture shock I think that he is experiencing right now. I also know though and truly believe that God has placed him in this location and has purpose to go with it. For those who have never met Rolando, once you do, you will probably never meet someone quite like him again. A magnetic - completely charismatic personality and I am sure he will be known throughout the camp within days. That's just my Colon. I look forward to hearing the opportunities God presents to him while there. His initial comment to me...Its going to be a long year.....

Now for my boys - it has been almost three weeks since Daddy left and some days are better than others. Rolando has activities that keep him busy -right now he is finishing up a session of soccer, learning a hip-hop routine to perform with a group at church on Palm Sunday and has Cub Scouts at least once a month. He will begin baseball in the next month or so. He enjoys first grade and this week we had to put together a Leprechaun Trap. Big Ro always laughs because he knows that I enjoy these type of projects with little Ro. It all came together though as a Leprechaun swimming pool w/ the shiny green box, a ladder made from straws, Easter grass, butterscotch for gold and a rainbow canopy and gold sidewalk to attract them. He really enjoyed and even got some candy from the Leprechauns today!!

Yadi is really still struggling with Daddy being gone. He has become very very protective of Little Ro and almost suffers from separation anxiety if he thinks for a minute that Little Ro may be going somewhere without him. I have had to put my foot down harder than I am used to and also just give those long tender hugs so that he knows it will be ok. The other morning was really rough, and the next morning was headed in the same direction. Finally after him crying and wanting to be held through most of us trying to get out of the house, I had him in the car and thought....I dont even know what else to do....but I didnt want to yell at him...so I leaned in and quieted him and prayed and asked Jesus very tenderly to calm him and put a peace in his heart. AND IT WORKED!! Why dont we ask for help from Jesus even on these types of things more often? It spoke to me...so should resort to that much sooner. They also asked last week if we could start working on the potty training a little more. Well, for me, I would say it is not going well, but one day I am sure it will click. Only day three, so maybe my expectations are too high.

My kids need to eat and much to get done this evening...so signing off for now.

I exalt thee

I exalt thee oh Lord - I exalt thee - yea - I exalt thee - I exalt thee - oh Lord - above the earth - for thou art exalted far above all gods - for thou oh Lord our God above all the earth - thou art exalted far above - Oh God - as Pastor David preached on Sunday, it is time to grow up! Take no offense - just grow up and do what you are supposed to do. We at somepoint in our natural life take responsibility - so when will we take responsibility in our spiritual life? How much more important - in fact, how much more fulfilling to grow up spiritually? For any of us - we have experience those precious moments with the Lord - the electricity that flows through our veins when we know that Jesus lives and breathes within us - when we know that no matter what things will be ok because we have a loving saviour that died upon that cross for our sins? If we will only honor God - he will fill our cups to overflowing. Its simply obedience and I believe obedience will breed the discipline required to walk out the very destiny that was written by our Master - our Daddy so long ago. Thank you Jesus for such precious moments with you this evening.

The Piano

It is coming forth to my house - and I know that Worship has been put in my heart - bring forth those gifts and talents Lord!!

well, it has been about 10 days since Rolando left for his deployment to Afghanistan. He is still stateside, but will be leaving in the next few days. I have so many thoughts running through my head right now. It has been an interesting 10 days with the boys - but we are managing. Just reflecting...on how good God really is. Right now I have Revival at Brownsville playing on YouTube. A flood of memories of Marsha and I leading worship to their CDs many, many years ago. And now I sit over 10 years later with my amazing boys fast asleep. God's love and mercy AMAZES me. It truly does...He is Leading - but will we follow? I am just realizing that the same Lindell Cooley who led the music at Brownsville, has this song REVELATION - love this worship song!! That is my prayer Lord - to understand and grasp the revelations that you give us...to move forward in our Destiny to with you - to understand discipline so that others can answer the calls that you have set before them. After my meeting with a community organization tonight -they sat in my living room and said that they are looking to go "outside the walls" of their location. When have I ever really heard that from anywhere but a church/ministry - I dont think ever! Awestruck wonder - oh yes God! It blew me away when they spoke those words. So what is Kingdom building - and what parts of the body is God bringing together to reach our communities?? WOW - how this will be orchestrated, I know not - but exciting - VERY! Lord I want to be your servant - let me use the special gifts and talents you have blessed me with to be an absolute blessing to those you have called me to! Help me in the areas of discipline - the boldness required for this mission -

I thought I was going to write about the kids ...but will write more later. Thank you for these special moments with my master, the Creator - the Alpha and Omega - Beginning and End! Good night for now

So it is day two of this deployment. Rolando is still trying to get things sorted out in Ft Bragg. He's the man though - so I have know worries that he will get accomplished - exactly what needs to be accomplished. For the first time in my managment career, I am reaping the rewards of an annual bonus! It feels so good - especially exciting to call my husband to deliver the news when I know what our recent financial struggles have been. Thank you Jesus!!

So we went to the orthodontist today and have to park in the parking garage to get our ticket validated. As we were walking through the garage, Yadi says "We go to see Daddy". My poor baby - he was relating this parking garage with the one we parked in yesterday when we dropped daddy off at the airport. It broke Ro's heart to hear that. God has given us all we need though to make it through this next year. It brought back many memories ...when Rolando was deployed previously, every time we would go to the Target store and park in their garage, Little Ro thought we were going to pick up daddy. He was about the same age. Oh the life of my precious ones.