More Rebekah Sayings

Here are a couple more funny terms Bekah uses:

Conditioner (for your hair) = "air conditioner"
McDonald's - "Old MacDonald's"

Women's Discipleship Conference

Last summer I was privileged to attend a conferernce called "Women Discipling Women" at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley. It was amazing! It was designed to equip women who minister to other women and children. The keynote speakers were captivating and the individual seminars were so helpful. I have found in the last year and a half, particularly, a need to be equipped. It seems like so many people have been going through major life issues and I want to know how to offer biblical, truthful, loving encouragment and wisdom. This year the conference will be held on July 17th and 18th. One of the main sessions will be on the topic of "gospel-centered counseling". I'm so excited to hear that one. I've always known that biblical counseling is key, but to hear about how to counsel from the gospel....that's going to be interesting.

Check out the link : Women Discipling Women
Be sure to see the topics for the general sessions as well as the individual seminars. There is something for everybody!! If anyone is interested in attending, let me know.

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage" Psalm 84:5

Remember I mentioned one of the speakers, Catherine Martin, from the women's retreat I attended? Well I bought one of her Bible studies called "Father, Lead Me on a Pilgrimage of the Heart". It is a little different than other studies I have done because it supplies a complete devotion. The acrostic the author uses for devotions is: P.R.A.Y.E.R.

Prepare your heart
Read and study God's Word
Adore God in prayer
Yield yourself to God
Enjoy His presence
Rest in His love

Even though I am only on day 3, I am thoroughly enjoying this devotional. I wanted to post a few quotes that stand out to me.

"Keep in mind that quality time leads to quality of relationship. The more time you spend with God, the more intimate your relationship with him will be. Intimacy with God is the goal."

"To be on pilgrimage means to find your home in God while journeying in a foreign land until you reach your grand destination: heaven."

"A heartset is a deep determination and resolve that flows as a passion from the heart. It is your response to God's call to pilgrimage. It is the determination and resolve to find life where life is really found: in Christ alone."

"What is the result of setting your heart on pilgrimage? The blessing of God. The word 'blessing' is used throughout the Bible The New Testament word for blessing is 'makarios', which means one who possesses God's favor and, as a result of being indwelt by Christ through the Holy Spirit, is fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. 'Makarios' (blessed) is the one who is in the world yet independent of the world; his satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances."

Has It Really Been Almost a Month?

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but I didn't realize its been almost a month! We've been crazy busy, as usual. March started out with a wonderful trip to Glen Ivy . One of my girlfriends turned 30, so to celebrate we enjoyed a day of pampering. At first I thought I'd have a hard time letting go of my thoughts of all that needs to be done, but that lasted about 10 minutes. :) It was so nice getting to catch up with my friend and not be rushed.



The next day Jose left to a 3 -day conference at his school and the girls and I took off to my dad's house to spend the night. My dad is amazing...he had bought activities to keep the girls busy and all our favorite treats to eat including my favorite breakfast - homemade blueberry pancakes and turkey bacon. One of the benefits of homeschool is that so much of it can be packed up and taken anywhere. So we did a little bit of school at Grandpa's the next day and spent most of our time doing P.E. (the park). :)



That Friday I left for our church's annual women's retreat. It was fantastic! The theme was "Renew and Restore" with none other than a "spa" theme. We had wonderful speakers who were all very encouraging. I particularly enjoyed a teacher I had never heard before, Catherine Martin. She gave a captivating teaching on being faithful to spend time every single day with the Lord. She has written several books and Bible studies as aids to our devotional time. She was also quite generous in giving away lots of materials to the ladies.



Last weekend we were honored to attend the wedding of our friend, Todd Barry , and his beautiful new wife, Tina. Their wedding was just so classy and completely brought glory to the Lord. I love weddings. I never used to get weepy, but since I've been married I see it different now. I know the bride and groom have so much joy ahead of them and if they continue following the Lord, it all just gets better and better.



So we've just been keeping up with all the things the Lord has us involved in right now...work, school, homeschooling, women's ministry, couple's ministry, and now children's ministry (only 1 service a week, though). Its that homestretch from now til mid May when things will settle down and I'm trying to stay encouraged and energized. I know God is faithful and He'll strengthen us to finish well.



Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks:










We went to the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena for a fieldtrip.




Another fieldtrip was to Amy's Farm in Chino. It was fun to have my mom and our friend, Tina, along.



This is my sister-in-law, Moni, and I at the women's retreat.