I am here!!

(The Contreras and us.... I am taking the photo... someone has to right? :))

Hello everyone,


Yea, I am still around :)! We have had visitors over the weekend, so we have been busy showing them around Granada, catching up ('till 2 am.... I am getting too old for that :)... especially because Noelia still wakes up at 8am :)), and having just some good old christian fellowship/

Tomorrow I should be able to post some photos of our great fun weekend. Nina, now it is your turn to enjoy the Contreras' family. :)!!

Counting my blessings

A few days ago Ashley tagged me to post 7 Blessings. Not just any blessings, but things that God has done recently for me. I kind of forgot about it.... sorry Ashley ;).... but remembered again. So here they go

Psa 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.

1.- My husband is a great blessing to me. I was sick these last couple of days, and he has taken care of the kids, food, even started laundry, so I would rest. He is such a sweet , loving man, and I praise God for the relationship He has given us. I know there are many people out there whose spouses have deceived them. I don't take for granted what we have and I pray God would keep us from sin. While we were making food (he was peeling the shrimp for me) we were remembering things from when we first met. Love remembering those sweet times.

2.- Last night I was having a little pity party (very small one I promise). I was thinking about a couple of ladies we have had contact with here in Granada. I was thinking how these ladies knew salvation, but were putting their desires and wants, before God's commands, which kept them away from being used by God in a great way, and for something as basic as coming to church faithfully. I was thinking how a struggle it is sometimes to realize that I have put my desires, my goals, my projects for my family aside, that I may come to Granada to reach people for Christ, when lots of these people don't want to be reached. And from those that are reached, lots of them go on to live a life of carnal desires, never surrendering completly to God's will. I right away thought about Jesus, giving up heaven, to come to this earth to carry my sins. Many did not receive Him then, although they walked with Him and saw His miracles. How much more they would do to me. These times make me more like Jesus. I went to sleep. This morning in my devotionals though, God gave me some Bible verses that talks exactly about this. Hebrews 12-13

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby, many be defiled

For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me

Wow, sorry didn't want to preach here :) but wanted to explain something more that just saying "God talking to my heart", who knows, maybe someone else may be blessed by it.

3.- To be able to lead M.L to the Lord. I know the battle is not won, and that many things may happen in her life in the future, but at least one thing is settled in heaven, and that is her salvation.

4.- All of you out there reading this, well really the ones commenting because although I imagine it may be others that read the blog, if you don't comment I don't know you are there. I started blogging right before moving down here (south of Spain). Once I got here I didn't have any friends and family was far away. You guys have helped me have an outlet out in the world, having christian friends "to talk with" and have "fellowship". You don't imagine how much comments encourage me.

5.- Our support. It has been stable although I know that many in the States are struggling, losing jobs..... And now that the dollar is doing some better with the euro (still losing a lot but at least is not the 1.60 we had last year- you guys in Europe feel my pain) things are not so complicated. We have seen God provide so much.

6.- A few months ago I had a personal problem with someone very close to me (that one I won't give so many details on :)), and praise God I have seen God repairing that damage and even erasing it. God is so good.

7.- My girls are a great blessing to me. I can see them growing. Thinking not too long ago they were little babies growing inside me. What a miracle! I know that one is not a recent one, but recently I have been thinking in what a joy is to be a mom, and what a great responsability to be as godly as a mom as I can be.

Hope I didn't bore you. It ended up being longer than I expected.

Lots to do

How many of you have tons of things to do but have been pushing them aside because it didn’t need to get done today, and finally realized it is about time to get those done. Well, that was me last Saturday. I was going to get a list and everything (did I mention I love list because it is what gets me to get things done?).
Of course, on Sunday I got sick and my desire went away… ha!! No, I really need to get things done.


* My windows need to be clean.
* The girl’s room needs to be redone
* Me and the girl’s passports need to get done because they expired….. a while back
* My Spanish I.D needs to get done (really those 2 haven’t been done because I have to get my picture taken…. Hate getting those shots)
* My kitchen needs a deep clean inside the covers and lots of rearranging (my kitchen does not have enough counter space (or actually not at all)), but praise the Lord, I have a kitchen.
* I really want to get some reading and scrapbooking done.
* I need to organize my photos
* Need to print photos for our new “multi-frame wall décor” thingy
* Need to reorganize the girl’s toys and figure out a way to make them stick to it
* Need to take the girls to the doctor for their revision and get some vaccines that are missing because the American schedule is a little different
* Reorganize the office and put some photos up to try to decorate that room
* Put frames to two of our pictures
* Get recipes organize (I want to print them out individually and plasticize them as well as finding some new addition to our meals- would love to make a 2 month meal plan so I don’t have to keep doing week plans)
* Need to design and print the flyers that we are going to pass out the week before Easter
*Need to design a new flyer to pass out on a regular base because Matthew has found a size that works better, and the old (2 month old) flyer don’t work for that size.
* I need to potty train my 2 1/2year old before she starts school
* Need to get a working out schedule that may work for me and give it a try

These are some of the things that come to mind right now, but I know if I sit long enough my list will really grow. On top of that I need to leave a couple of mornings for discipleship…..

Should I get started? Does anyone have a good way to organize her days? A good idea how you would tackle all those things? Mind sharing some of your organization skills? I do have a planner where I write down the "must happen" of that day, but these kind of things need something more than a regular daily planner.

Weak.... sick...... need medicine....

I don’t feel good. I started feeling it yesterday. We have had some beautiful days and short sleeves was a must. Yesterday the day was cooler than a normal spring day, or what I had consider normal taking the weather we have had the last couple of weeks. So, getting ready for church I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and a jacket/cardigan on top. Didn't take a jacket. It wasn’t enough, it was cool, and since I had to pick up M.L for church and couldn’t find parking next to the church, I had to walk in the cold for a while.

When I got back home, I was feeling achy already. Got into comfy clothes and my sweet husband made lunch. Took some medicine and stayed in the sofa. I passed out (it was supposed to be a non drowsy medicine) for 3 1/2 hours!!! Can you believe it! When I woke up I was feeling even worse.

Monday morning has been slow. Been in the sofa all morning also. Achy body, weak, head pressure, stuffiness…. I don’t feel good.

My sweet husband just came back from the store. He is taking care of lunches again. Making his super great burgers.

Because we are missionaries and in a starting church, our schedule is a lot more flexible, but I hate staying in the way of him getting out on visitation..... So I praise God that I got sick on our family day :), Monday. I really praise God for my wonderful husband. He is just the best!

New recipe: Crisp chicken and sauce

Last week when I shared the Shrimp calzone recipe, I said I would try to share some of our favorite recipes, one every week. I don't know for how long I would be able to do that, or if I will remember :), but at least this week I did remember.

I found this recipe several years ago in one of those free magazines that Public sends out. It turned out into one of the favorites of every member of the family. The girls love it, Matthew loves it and I love it. And it may take 30 min to get it all done. Can you beat that :)?

So here are the ingredients: (Serves 4)

2 cups Minute brown rice (I use at least one more cup)
1 can chicken broth Ritz crackers, finely crushed (TUC for those here in this side of the ocean)
2 tbsp Grated parmesan cheese
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup Chive and Onion cream cheese spread (Finas hierbas if you are in Spain)

And here is how to make it:

Kayla was the cook help for today. They love to help but when I allow one to help, the other two come running. So we decided to make them take turns.

Mix cracker crumbs and parmesan cheese in a plate. Dip chicken in cracker mixture, turning to coat.

Cook rice as directed on package using 1 1/4 cups of the broth and 1/2 cup of water. If you are not using minute rice, or you are not using the regular cans of chicken broth, just cook the rice with lots of chichen broth because the point is that the rice would take the taste of the chicken.

Add remaining 1/2 cup of broth and cream cheese in a small pan. Cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 min, or until sauce thickens. Set aside

Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and cook. Don't you love it when everything is getting cook in the same area?

How we serve it?. Rice first. Chicken second. Sauce on top. Enjoy!.............

....... She sure is :)

From the one that knows me best

Last week I asked my wonderful, sweet, handsome (ok I'll stop) husband to write a few things that would describe me. I know lots of you ladies don't know me personaly and wanted you to be able to a little more. I asked him not to put anything embarrassing :), he did a good job.

So here they go:

30 things that I love about my wife

1. No one is allowed to touch her feet or tickle her anywhere
2. She could never be a fair-weather friend
3. She likes to serve—if you really need something done she will find the time and way to do it
4. Very sincere
5. She loves to travel and see new places—her dream is to visit Vienna
6. She is a godly woman who enjoys spending time in the Bible and listening to good preaching
7. She is a great mom that will do anything for her children—always sacrificing
8. Very witty and quick thinker
9. A great cook, although she doesn´t really like cooking
10. Very humble, doesn´t take compliments well
11. A night owl—not a morning person
12. She is very protective—be ready to get an earful if you start talking bad about her family or friends
13. She is very sociable—likes to be out and to spend time with others
14. She can laugh at her mistakes; my favourite line of hers is ‘Go ahead, make fun of the foreigner’ (talking about herself)
15. A friend for life
16. Hates when people lie more than anything else
17. Her favourite candy bar is 3 Musketeers and favourite drink is Dr. Pepper
18. When she hears or is telling a funny story she laughs and laughs because she pictures the scene in her mind—she can´t breathe, can´t talk, and is usually crying.
19. She is a woman of great practical wisdom
20. She loves a good book
21. She doesn´t eat much for breakfast, but likes a good dinner
22. She has an eye and passion for decorating
23. She enjoys shopping—more for others than for herself
24. She loves a good movie—romance or comedy
25. She could eat a chorizo sandwich on Spanish bread every day of the year
26. Not an animal person
27. Definitely a city girl—not much for camping
28. Loves to take pictures, but doesn´t like to be in many of them
29. When she gets a good idea she wants to get started on it NOW
30. When she gives her heart, she gives her WHOLE heart

It is nice to hear the way others think of you, those that really know you, even if that love sometimes blind them hehehe.

Thanks for doing this for me baby. I love you so much! (sorry ladies, I just had to :))

I am it, I have been tagged

Dani Joy tagged me to post 7 things that people usually don't know about me. I have done it before, but I did my best to post some new ones. If you are new here, or don't know me, please don't judge me by number 2 , it was a dark time :), we all have one of those don't we?

Okay, so here are the rules: I need to link to the person that tagged me. I need to share 7 things people may not know about me. I need to tag 7 people to share 7 things and link to them. I need to let them know they've been tagged.

So, here we go


1.- When I was 1 we had a neighbor my same age (1 week apart). For what they tell me I could speak full sentences while my neighbor couldn’t at all. I always carried a baby doll by the hair, and the neighbor’s mom thought the one talking was my doll because “there was no way a little girl could talk so much”… yeah, I am a talker…

2.- When I was in 11 and 12 grade I was a bit of a bully to twin girls in my class. Not proud of it ladies, but I am guilty.

3.- Before I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child I didn’t want to take a pregnancy test because “there was no way that I could be pregnant”…. But….. I was pregnant.

4.- I didn’t go to college. I drop high school in 12th grade, didn’t see the point. I went to work as a secretary (connections) and when I finish I realized how dumb dropping school was, so I took some classes in accounting and office administration. Really loved that kind of work.

5.- Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a stay home mom. I enjoyed working outside the home when I did it, but to me, there is nothing like taking care of my home, my girls and my husband (not in that order necessary).

6.- Once my three girls are in school I would love to take some kind of photography classes because it is something I love, and would love to be able to do good.

7.- I don’t play games I know I can’t win. I will try one time and if I stink at it most likely I won’t play again. I am way to competitive. :)


Now, for the ladies I am tagging to join the fun:

1.- Nina at Portugal Bound
2.- Jen at I believe in love
3.- Rachel at Smith Family of Six
4.- Ashley at Alberto-n-Ashley
5.- Grace at LifeperQs Plus
6.- Becky at Cook Family





I would also like to thank Dani Joy for giving me this award. It is my desire to let God's light shine bright through me. Thanks Dani, you sure derserve one to :).

I would like to give this award also to some ladies that allow His light to shine clearly through them.

Dani Joy because, yes girl you deserve one too.

Jen for the wonderful work they are doing for the Lord in South Africa

Deanna because we have been friends ever since I got saved and she has always been a great testimony and help to me.

So many others I would like to award, Nina, Jill, Juana, Arancha, Ashley, Laura, Nicole .... but my husband wants me to get off the computer... lots of things to do this morning. But consider yourseld awarded as well. What a great God we serve!!!!!

Thanks ladies so much for you friendship even through this blogsphere. I love you gals!

THANK YOU LADIES FOR LETTING YOUR LIGHT SIGN FOR THE WORLD TO SEE HIM BRIGHT!!!