Fall, Food, and Fun

    I am so glad that summer is over and have begun with the fall season. I love driving down the various streets and seeing the different color leaves down the block. Crunching through the park, and bringing a sweater just in case it is a bit cooler out. Of course that means I need to go and look for some leggings for the girls since their legs have gotten longer this summer. There is just something about this season that is so cozy.

    I am thinking about how amazing the Lord is and how is has all these beautiful things for us to admire. All the fall food comes out in the stores, pumpkins, squash etc. the flowers are even different colors. As we walked through the park last week I snapped a bunch of pictures of roses and the girls said "mom why do you keep taking pictures of the flowers?" I said " Well, fall is coming and in about a week or two when we come back there will not be any more flowers here until next year. The flowers will bloom again and start all over again. That had me thinking about how the Lord has taken care of us and how things change in our life as we follow or not follow God's word. I keep wanting to say us Christians but I mean me , I choose daily to rejoice in the Lord or not. Homeschooling as I said in a previous post would not be my first option for my kids but I know it is the right one(now). I am still learning and trying different things and taking it day by day.  I even joined a homeschooling group and the moms have different ways of homeschooling but in the end we are all teaching are children. I am on my 3rd year and as the new homeschooling moms join in and ask questions I felt like I have some knowledge or guidance here. It makes not feel so much like a rookie. Even though I still feel I need to do better, I have been thinking back to the first year doing this and the stress and emotional days I had because I did not or would not give it to the Lord. I just wanted to dwell on the negative and ruin my day and everyone else's. I guess you can say I was throwing a tantrum.  As the season changes I am thankful and ready for each day of school.

I try to think of a verse through out the day to keep me positive or when I a frustrated a one that kept coming to mind was  :

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecc.3:11

  

 

End of the summer

What should inspire us:
     * The wonder of God
     * The will of God
     * The miracle of God
     *The work of God

Psalm 16:8-11  I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in my presence is fullness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

       This summer we had some visitors to our church. One reason was because my husband had to go to India for work. Then some passing through on vacation. It was a bit weird to not have him preaching( even though I am usually in the class with the kids.) I praise the Lord for the family who came and helped fill my husbands spot. I think what was even better was the our group really enjoyed them. Bro. Pierce and his wife are missionaries for the military and also help small churches in their new ministry.  I loved that his wife played the piano and sang! My girls also made a new friend with their daughter.

 

    I have realized how different it is to have your own church and to be a part of one. What I mean is , we are in charge of everything from unlocking the church, collecting the offering, bringing food, making the bulletins, teaching kids class and nursery at the same time. We have not been able to visit other churches lately so it was nice to have a guest preacher. Occasionally we get some missionaries that my husband went to school with come visit us. Also we were able to attend a missions conference in Daly city. www.afbmissions.com

 

Our friends from Central Valley Baptist Church came to visit as they began their summer vacation and introduced their ministry F.I.T. which helps get men off their addictions and  hindrance's in their life.  They shared how they lived, this family serves these men daily! And they live on the same property as them!. Now that is serving the Lord. They have a great ministry helping men get their life back in order using the BIBLE not some worldly therapeutic way. That may help some times but God works a lot better.  If you would like to know more you can go to www.FITMINISTRY.ORG

   It is always great to see the Vong family. They are missionaries to Cambodia, South East Asia.  They are dedicated and excited to go back to where they are from to help spread the gospel to their people. Their story is amazing if you would like to hear more go to www.thevongfamily.com

Happy 4th of July

      Well for summer I thought I would be a bit more productive but that hasn't really happened. I have been trying to have some fun with the kids and their summer reading programs. Our library has had some things going on there. Of course we have our park days especially since it has been pretty nice here in Oakland.  As the summer gets closer to ending I have been trying to get ideas on my scheduling. We have our homeschooling and our church and thinking of getting my 3 yr old to do some schooling. Then I get myself frazzled and forget about it.

    The girls received some coupons for a few places around town and I cannot wait to use them but then I can.   I am excited to get them to go to the ice skating rink at  www.oaklandice.com. I have not gone here yet but it seems fun. I have ice skated before but not the kids.  Then we have to take a trip to Oakland' s fairyland www.fairyland.org.  So I will post picture of that when the time comes. I am really enjoying the programs for the kids, Buki the clown, the vivarium, and more to come. Every
time the kids say they do not want to go they end up having fun. So glad to live near the Dimond library.

We did get a beach day in, it is hard to get there when it is not to hot. WE had fun and got a little tan. We had a nice time at the 4th of July parade in Alameda, it was a bit hot but the kids loved it.

 

Happy Sunday ?

We are six months into our new building and it has been a slow baby type of roller coaster ride. We had some momentum then we just have slowly been going around the track.
     We have had some visitors here and there and them some "family time".  I know the Lord is in this with us but I am just human.  I get my kids lessons ready and always have extra snacks or activity pages for kids. Then the time comes and it is just us. Of course I tell the kids God knows and when he is ready to give some more kids in class he will. We have two boys who come every other week.. I guess I am waiting for that family who has been looking for a church to serve in 3x on Sunday, Wednesday evening and Saturday soulwinning.  I guess it is not to be right now.
    We did grow by one this month. A family that attends had a baby and yesterday was her first sunday.!
     I did have a scare this month and had to go to the hospital. As I lay there I thought maybe this is why. Who would be at the church taking care of things right now. I am better now but alot has gone through my mind. I even was supposed to speak at a mother daughter banquet and was not able to because of the surgery.It is true everything is in God's time. I was able to go to church for Mother's day and my mom came from San Diego to help me with my kids. It all could have been for my mom. Her blood pressure has been down since she has been here with us. I guess I had to take one for the team.
   I am praying that this summer will bring some great things.We are going to have a chili sunday for Father's day. 

Ecc.3:11  He hath made everything beatutiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find the work that God maketh from the begining to the end.

Hopewell Baptist Church soulwinning with us .Jan.

Missionaries to China

Easter in our new building.

Visiting our newest member.

We have moved!

Well we have moved to our own building! I am excited , nervous, relevved, and stressed at the same time. The Lord definately was with us as we got this building. It needed some work and money but as soon as I went with my husband to see it I loved it. I didnt care that the bathroooms floors were just cement, or that one room did not even have drywall up. I just thought to myself " it just needs some love" Our sending church in Manteca has helped with money and labor. Our church family there has been such a blessing and encouragement through this time.

    Well, 2013.. We have not explored Oakland as much, mostly because I do not want to be out in the cold. One reason is we have not been sick in our house for quite some time. Second I teach our kids Sunday school class and do not have a back up yet.  So I am definitely praising the lord for that.

   We did go out to the beach and it was really nice, the tide was extremely low in Alameda but beautiful and calm. The girls had a blast, my oldest even found some coral. there is something about the beach that is calm and relaxing. It never lets you down, unless its a super hot day.  It always amazes me how the Lord made so beautiful.

    Last month I came across a wonderful little store in Alameda, new and used shop for girls, women, babies. I am in love with it. I was looking for a jewelry box for my niece and I just could not find one. This was my last stop. I wish I had took a picture of it. It was handmade, wooden, with some flowers and scrolls panited on it. The cover was a screen so you can see through it. Well my niece loved it and is using it for her photos instead of a jewelry box. Anyways, the store is Lauren's Closet in Alameda.

    Well for food we came across a donut store, we take goodies to our church on Sunday's.  We usually go to La Farine in the Dimond District(they have great stuff to) we decided to take a break from that. We went to Dick's Donuts on High St. right under the 580 across from Walgreens. They were delicious.!  Next to our church a cupcake shop opened up! That takes the cake!  The owner gave the kids some mini cupcakes, chocolate, vanilla with Real strawberry frosting,  and some red velvet one. They were great also. My fave is the red velvet. My Laura loved the strawberry.   That's all for Oakland right now.  Just enjoying my homeschooling and realized I have not been taking to many pictures of the sites. Maybe tomorrow.

New Friends and a New year for Seaside Baptist

      As we start a new school and our second year of Seaside Baptist Church I was thinking of the new people we have met while we have been in Oakland.  The Chantigian Family at Hopewell Baptist church in Alameda and their church family, Pastor and Mrs. Fong in San Leandro at Heritage Baptist Church.Then our church family, The Denard family, The Ruiz (my cousins)  , The Wong family, (our Landlord). then recently the Lord has allowed us to bumped into another christian family on the girls picture day, The Jensons.  Our landlord has been very kind to us since we have been here every time we try to be a blessing they end up outdoing us :) I give them some fruit they bring bigger and better fruit, they are just kind and love our kids.  They even remind us when its time to move our car for the street sweeper.  My girls do not have the old friends near them as in Stockton but I have told them that when the time is right the Lord will bring them to us. The Chantigian always think me and my girls when they have activities and such. They are just great to be around.  I believe this has also been a time for me to be closer to my daughters. I want us to have friends but I do not us to be close to each other as I have seen other Christian families.
     As we go out and about here in Oakland it makes me want to pray more and have that desire to reach people here. I see many broken families and they just seem unhappy as they try to "be green". I think many people think of Oakland as ghetto but I have found  another group of lost people  here.  Their are those that are trying to give hope to the community with their recycling and clean up programs. They really are about trying to do good but without God.  As we have passed out tracts I have had many look at me with a look of I don't need God or scoff and say I don't need that.  I know that is going to be a tough group to reach. They are the ones that believe they will go go to heaven because they are "good people". They give community hours, donate to homeless shelters,  have food drives and clean the beach. They are lovers of the earth.  It make me think of this verse.  Matthew17: 24-28 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? for the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.     
     

Me and my little sidekicks at the beach.