"A Family That Eats Together Brings Bounty Cheers"

As promised, more pictures are taken for another day of celebrating my sister who's here from New York. It's my brother and his wife's turn to show their hospitality. Cooking homemade dinners harvested from your own garden of vegetables is hard to beat. You know it's going to taste sweet and juicy for it's made out of your sweat & labor of love which in turn makes you smile "from ear to ear."

"A Day Out In Austin, Texas"

Nothing is more adventurous than finding yourselves aboard on a bus duck adventure with other passengers that share the fun of sightseeing...& snapping shots at whatever is interesting to capture.
Really, as you drive around the outskirts  of Austin city limits, the view of alluring historical buildings; centennial homes can make you wishing

you're not a transient visitor, guest or tourist there, but a seasonal resident. Location is a marvelous factor to consider when you want "some peace & quiet." 

Well, I hope that my sister who's visiting from New York is not feeling homesick already. Looking at these pictures, probably not. It's easy to figure her out in these pictures. I really thank God for continuing to bless us with opportunities of togetherness in leaps & bounds we can never take them for granted. Thanks also to our mom & our eldest sister that takes joy in genuinely giving & acting as  pillars in strengthening family values. So, Thank you Lord Jesus.

That's it for today. Tomorrow will be another adventure. That would mean posting more pictures. Feel free to leave a comment or drop me a message on my email if that is more preferable and I'll try my best to answer any appropriate/healthy inquiry. Any input is deeply appreciated.

Have a Blessed Monday

1Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In Every Thing, Give Thanks...

Today's first morning church service, our senior Pastor asked the congregation what is it that we're thankful for at this very moment: I muttered softly then became distinct as I specifically said...I'm thankful for my younger sister who is here visiting the family from New York. And of course I'm also thankful this morning that my nephew Mark has come to Praise The Lord with us.

The Pastor's continuing message this morning on How to stay untangled from life's strongholds really grabbed me and has illuminated some deceptions I allowed more than an entrance to my heart. But I thank Today & every day that through His grace, I'm learning to slowly but definitely redeemed by the gift of forgiveness & the light of truth burning in me again. 

In such a time as this, nobody can afford to let any moment passes without realizing that our time may be shortened or taken away without proper goodbyes; that we can only hope that our hearts are right with the Lord when such inevitability occurs; and that we have certainty that Heaven awaits us...The Choice is entirely on us.

Thus, I am tenderly learning to be mindful of each moment not to be taken for granted. So here are some pictures of myself, family & friends that had joined us in solidarity of God's providence/blessings as we had partaken last night's thanksgiving dinner at my oldest sister's house. As I always believe, nothing is happenstance. We learn precious little things just merely observing & listening respectfully as to how people interact and make instant connections especially conversations in the spiritual realm. And I thank the good conversations with people to whom The Lord has directed my steps. Nothing is greater than a sweet, humble beginnings. It's, after all, in the little things where God wants us to behold His love that never fails to amaze me. I could never give Him enough Praise...for Every Thing.

Have a Blessed Sunday

You Take Care

God Loves You

"Take Me Back Dear Lord..."

"Praying For Those Whose Faith In God Is Tethered Today..."

 As a Christian whose beliefs are so rooted in the Pentecostal faith, my Prayer life has been interrupted, compromised, tethered & savaged by temptations I consciously allowed to sever my personal relationship with the Lord...I know that, that's ironic for me to say. It's just like an oxymoron, a contradiction from a faith-believing standpoint. But--God is Good, all the Time, God is Good. He will never let you astray. In my case, it lasted for many seasons. But there's no need to even elucidate the burdens of regrets, self-condemnation & bitterness.

 What counts is God's restoration in my life. Slowly but surely, I am set free of any stronghold preventing me from walking uprightly. In John 8:36 (KJV) says that "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.You better believe that--my personal testimony that God's grace, mercy & love is bigger than our mistakes. Glory to God that I found my way back home into His Presence.

I have been earnestly tuning-in to Sonlife Broadcasting Network at the very beginning of this year. I particularly love listening to The Message of The Cross, Frances & Friends & Insight. And on Sundays, (after the church service) I continue my praise & worship with SBN in my sofa at home. I pray God's anointing power to just minister to my soul through the preaching of His Word. I tell you, I may not get the message fully, but I'm back to the very heart of being teachable. There is nothing greater than getting ministered with the truth that is liberating, freeing you from every captor or captivity of wrong doctrines or unbelief...
And so I continue to pray--more so, praying for the right, unencumbered petitions of my heart. I pray that whoever reads this, my simple yet sincere/honest prayer for everyone to seek God and draw closer to Him is the only way we get real victories over what seem to be drowning us. Make "praying" the great lifeline, our direct connection to His unfailing Love. 
Jesus is waiting for you Today. In Matthew 11:28 God says: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden And I will give you rest. That's an absolute promise. Take heed of it.

And doing so, your fervent prayers are not futile. In His perfect time, He will. 

Additional Scriptures that had helped me in finding my way back to Christ;

Romans 8:28 (KJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 10:17 (KJV)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

May you all have a Blessed Sunday!

"Learning Sheer Content From An Extended Family Member..."

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You better believe it--I take snapshots of my dog (Cocoa ) almost everyday. A simple pleasure!

This is Cocoa's new toy. I bought it two days ago. Instantly, I knew I hit the jackpot of picking just the right toy; because her eyes suddenly acquired luster and renewed energy that made her do tricks as she bounces like a young puppy. Seeing her with so much excitement has given me a deeper level of how to count my blessings, one by one.I think that my dog is more attached to my thoughtfulness than having a new toy to chew for his over-all oral sensation. In short, her overwhelming excitement has shown me how to be content of what I have & learn how to optimize them according to the Beatitudes of Christ.

Having Cocoa in my life has led me on how to make time to do regular walks with her in the park. Even at the age of nearly nine years old, (human years) she jumps at the very back seat of the steering wheel. Her whole demeanor will tell you how she looks forward to coming with me to the park. Because she's aging & had put some more weight, I have to be more responsible taking good care of her. And walking with her also gives me the cutting edge of physical fitness--being proactive even when your joints ache... I know she's just a dog, but I know that millions of dog owners out there will relate to what I'm saying. If you want to learn how to be content, the additives of loyalty, friendship & a simplified life, a dog's heart can show you more than an inkling of a fortified everyday living. Everyday I let Cocoa know how much I love her. It is a big responsibility  taking her to the vet for regular medical check-ups, quarterly kennel cough shots, giving her daily vitamin supplements, brushing her teeth; her grooming schedule to the pet parlor and feeding her the right food as she's getting older is a  decision I must keep. I knew what I was getting into before I took her home. However, the joy of having her as an extended family member outweighs the big responsibility that comes taking good care of her.

Dogs are truly man's best friend...they guard the fences, the main doors of your homes and make sure you can let your guard down with them. 

"Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine"...

Happy First day of July;

This is one of the ways I welcome the interlude of Summer; a song that reminisces/yields/reflects this season's warmth--a lot of sunshine which makes our daylight seems more luminous.

Summertime...we must see it as "getting up & going with utter kind of breeze in our hearts. Be vivacious and dazzle summer's sheer pleasure. I just had a cantaloupe shake; walked my dog; gathered stuff to donate today, mainly books & clothes; and will watch Netflix later on. Just enjoying simple pleasures without reservation, apology, guilt & the trepidation of nostalgia. 

This season is the time for your heart to rediscover that the most earthy and ordinary ways in enjoying the abundance if summer lies in keenly attuning to God's presence. It's time to be truly alive again. Live in perpetual state of thanksgiving, a life of prayer, and saturating yourself in the Word. Then the Holy Spirit ushers you to act lovingly to yourself & others including forgiving what's done in your life. Soon, you'll be plucking a very bright yellow dandelion which would be everywhere. For sure, your heart will lure you to more opportunities without a stretch. That feels like a good promise.

Let this song be what it is: a summer breeze.