Thanksgiving!

Hello Everyone,
Thanksgiving is around the bend and typically on the Tuesday before, my house would be full of the aromas of a home made sofrito and adobo.  My hands would be either helping my sis and dad season the turkey and maybe preparing one of our many desserts for our Thanksgiving dinner.
This year however, I do not have to do a bunch of cooking, I will be joining my beau at his family's dinner.  While it's a great feeling to know that I can rest and just take myself and my appetite to the dinner that I was invited to... I have been going back and forth, figuring out what I should take to the hosts.  They said I need not bring anything.. but it's such a foreign feeling.. no cooking at all on thanksgiving, not even a pie or cookies?
So, I think that I may just take a box of chocolates, or chocolate covered pretzels and strawberries, with a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies.. come on, who can say no to CHOCOLATE! Chocolate is an always welcomed treat in my book.

in the mean time I will give thanks.. to have a happy stomach and free hands!

Be blessed,
Minda

Every Day is a Gift

Hello everyone,
I pray you are doing well. These last few days have been interesting and have taught me a bunch.   I am like many who believe that each day comes with it's own set of lessons, and mine senses have been opened to take it all in and further appreciate all that this day, my today brings.

Every day 

Is a gift from above. 

Arise, arise I say

From that sweet slumber, 

For the sun has risen.

With outstretched hands 

I greet the day.

With blessings on my lips,

My lids begin to flutter.

The bright light 

Speak to me this hour

as I stretch and sprawl.

Every day

Is a gift from above.

I am reminded of this 

As I toss and turn

Searching through my thoughts

For the dreams I dreamt.

And soon, the comfort of my head rest

Has gone with the dark skies.

Alas a new day has come

Arise, I say arise

and...

Take in this day 

Knowing that the dreams will come

Take in this day

For it will be like no other

Take in this day

Choosing to walk in love

Take in this day 

With a smile in your heart and on your face

For every day 

Is a gift from above.

be blessed my friends, 

Minda!

Love is on the Move

Hello everyone!
I pray you have been well, I have been doing quite famously. It has been a busy time here and I have not been able or rather disciplined enough to post a blog.. I know, I know, but alas here I am and was so uplifted today as I was reading through my devotional "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. For those of you who have yet to come across this devotional, it is written as daily notes from God to you, or me in this case.   Today's message served as a reminder that God is with us.  And how we should strive to remain conscious of His presence even in our busiest moments.
Life can be very very busy. In it we can lose sight of who we are and what we are about not to mention remember God. What's my name again? ah.. yeah.. but it is important to take time and in our time even the busy time talk with God and share with Him what makes us happy or delights us and even what makes us upset, whatever is on our mind. And to take time to spot the sacred.
Hmmm, spotting the sacred, just a few moments ago I was going through one of my books, a small little book filled with images and a keynote address given by Bono back in 2006 at the National Day of Prayer. That book, spoke to me, I heard through it God speaking to me, reminding me of His love for me, and all of creation.  It reminded me about our call to help the least of these and to see in them His face, and through service to them and all understand to new depths the power of love in this age of grace.
I leave you today with a few quotes from his book, and a video from a group called Leeland, so that you too may be inspired to meditate on God's goodness through the busy-ness of your day and remember those who are in need this day.

"Jubilee - why Jubilee? what was this year of Jubilee, this year of our Lord's favor? 

I'd always read the scriptures, even the obscure stuff. There is was in Leviticus (25:35)... 

"If your brother becomes poor," the scriptures say, 

"and cannot maintain himself...you shall not led him your money at interest, 

not give him your food for profit."  It is such an important idea, 

Jubilee, that Jesus begins his ministry with this.... 

His first words are from Isaiah: "The Spirit if the Lord is upon me," 

He says, "because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." 

and Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord's favor, the year of Jubilee. (Luke 4:18) 

What He was really talking about was an era of Grace - and we're still in it."

Love is on the move, Mercy is on the move, God is on the move.

http://youtu.be/etXqqGAPYhY


be blessed,
Melinda

Fall Breezes & Rustling Leaves

Hi Ameegs!
I hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend.  With your fair share of BBQ's and Water fun getting in the last bit of Summer!  With the end of one season, commences another, so... so long Summer and hello Fall.   Each season comes with its own beauty and awe.  While I love the long summer nights, and the sound of giggles and joy that fills the air as children are playing in the sun, I love to see the trees turn from beautiful shades of green to amazing hues of red, orange, and yellow.
The commencement of Fall and the turning of the leaves always brings me to a state of renewal.  It's as if it's New Year's Eve and I am thinking about the months gone pass and what's to come in the months ahead.  It's a time to review and re-evaluate.  Perhaps it stems from years of starting school in the Fall, I don't know, but with the crisp Fall breezes and the colorful trees that comes with it, I am excited to awaken to the next season wherein great things abound.
So as you listen to the rustling of the leaves as the Fall breeze passes by, think about the things in your life that may need to turn to allow new life to begin. A new day is indeed coming, are you ready for it?
Take a moment to listen once more and pay attention to the signs of the times.   Fall is upon us, it is time to review and re-evaluate, it is a time of change and a time of harvest.  It will take time, and definitely energy and can even be hard work... while, you may be missing those Summer Nights and lazy days of summer... the bounty of the harvest and the blessings that come are all worth it!

Fall is upon... 

A time for Change 

A time for Harvest

be blessed,
Melinda

A Walk in the Park on a Rainy day

Hi Friends,

Ever have one of those days where you just feel deep down inside like you have to get away from it all?  

Not that anything is wrong and you are fleeing from an issue or that you have ants in your pants, or una patita caliente as my mom would say... You just have to get away, separate yourself from it all, because even if you are at home alone, you feel the need to go somewhere and spend time in solitude... Just you and God. 

I felt that way today, I went to run some errands and felt an urgency to get them done and as I hit the road my eyes began looking for a park.  I thought, but it's kinda rainy, my hair is gonna get puffy and I'm a bit clumsy what if I trip and fall or what if there is a puddle?  But the desire to be alone with God and Walk with Him overwhelmed any and all questions. So on I went driving. 

I found a nice quiet park, open green and a lil path that I had overlooked until I saw an older woman pop out from behind the shrubbery with her dog.  I took my purse and keys and trekked on over and while my walk through that park did not take too long, my heart was content. I was walking with my Lord, sharing with Him my thoughts and desires and giving Him my heart.  

Beyond speaking to me through thoughts, I heard Him in the calm breeze and gentle song of the crickets.  He shared His love with me, and allowed me experience His sweet aroma through the fragrance of the berries and flowers that grew throughout the paths. It was not at all overwhelming, but one that delighted my senses and had me walking on what felt like clouds, elevated to a place where He, the God Almighty enveloped me with His love.  

Be blessed,
MelindaMinda

Pray for Prayer

By: PriscyMarie

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray …

This past Thursday at bible study we had a surprise prayer service instead and it was great.  I didn’t think about it when we all knelt at the altar but it was hunger provoking yet satisfying.  I have been feeling the Holy Spirit pulling me closer lately but frankly I have had a struggle to pray for more than five minutes.  If you are anything like me you will understand.  Some people kneel to pray and you won’t see them again for like five hours.  My mind runs on the 4^th gear for most of the day and when I kneel to pray, recently especially, I go into neutral.  I’ve been praying for God to help me pray.   I have so much I now I want to pray for but it all either gets summed up or I forget completely.

This Thursday was a refreshing experience.  As soon as I knelt the Holy Spirit did what He was probably waiting a while to do. He took over.  With Tears rolling down my cheeks I felt it.  The open void inside the depths of my soul was crying to be filled by the only permanent satisfaction.  I didn’t know what my spirit was praying but I knew I needed it.  The words my mind couldn’t formulate or didn’t know I should even ask for, my spirit requested.

I am constantly thinking and meditating on the Lord, loving on Him and thanking Him but I am far from Knowing Him.  It is a bit crazy to think that God, above all wants alone time with me and wants to bring me close to Him even when I’m an idiot, but He does.  How I long to be in His uninterrupted, unadulterated, limitless and tangible presence.  I am confident that with all the wonders and miracles I’ve seen I have yet to experience the greatness of His presence where repentance flows and His holiness is a standard as oppose to our tainted view on what holiness is.  Just be with HIM.

This past Thursday was refreshing and needed.  God answered my prayer.  He helped me pray.  I want His permanent overflow.  Forget about everything else and just have Him.  I know Christ died that we may go to Him directly but sometimes I’ve felt the veil was still covering the Holy of Holies.   I hope you join me in seeking an unveiled relationship with the Lord where the impossible is the norm.     

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program....

Hi friends,

Earlier this week, I was thinking about INTERRUPTIONS! How we can be going by our merry way and BAM! You are interrupted but a call or information that can practically shake your world.  So what are interruptions, recently I heard a minister friend describe them as abrupt changes that occur. They may not be negative, just abrupt.  

It's like when I watch episodes of "I didn't know I was pregnant" I love that show!  While I have never been preggers, I have been around my fair share of pregnant friends and family and well.. even the least 'showing' one, showed and they all knew that they were pregnant, and were expecting big changes in their lives.   However on this show, we see that these ladies unknowingly experience a tremendous and abrupt change overnight. Yet it is amazing to see how as soon as this major change or "interruption" occurs, they step into Mommy mode and then in a brief time, cannot imagine their lives without their precious little one. 

It's amazing how an interruption can change someone's life so dramatically. 

I want to encourage you that whether you know change is coming or one comes unexpectedly...embrace it and enjoy the moment... you will never live another moment, or day exactly like that one.  Remember that  change can bring about great things, and teach us about ourselves and allow us to adjust our stride and sometimes help us make changes that will be for the better.  

Keep Smiling! & Be Blessed,

Minda

You may now return to your regularly scheduled program.