Loving Students!

One of the perks of leading teenagers are the special relationships you make along the way. Each year, I shed tears as that special group of seniors leaves the nest of Student Ministry to find their place in the world. The cool thing is they come back and share the ups and downs of young adult life. About 6 years ago, at a summer camp, I met a group of teenage girls that the most important thing in their life at the time was how they wanted to stay up all night and talk about guys, prank their roomies, and decide what outfits they would wear each day at camp. As 10th grade turned into 12th grade, the group of girls grew as they lived out their walk with God at school and invited their friends to Student Ministry. These girls are all now in their junior year of college. Most have gone away to school, some are close to home. We try and hook up each Christmas and Summer break to get together, share memories, laugh, touch base with how they each are doing. We are still trying to get everyone together at the same time, hopefully one day we will have that reunion. I am really proud of all of them and the choices they are making to follow Christ with their talents, their choices, their lives.
This weekend, I was given the privilege of speaking to the High School students with the first lesson in our "Me, Myself, and I" series. The topic, "It's All About Me!". I asked some of the girls that would be in town this weekend to share. At first they were like, what can we share. I expressed to them how I have seen in their lives how they have matured and their world is not just all about them. I wanted them to share how God has taught them that living for Him, is less about what can they get from this world, and more about what can they give to this world.
We are all in the battle of selfish flesh versus an unselfish heart. What better way to learn than from one another. Teenagers listen more to their peers, than they do to adults. And tonight was awesome. Jenna and Patti, I am very proud of you. I know you may have been nervous, but it did not show, I believe because you made it more about Him and less about you. You were transparent and true leaders to teenagers trying to find their way in this journey we call Christianity. The students in our ministry each have a special gift God has given them, a special calling. But many of them struggle with whether it is "cool" enough to step out and use that gift. Right now it may just be kindness to a hurting friend, a smile to a lonely person, standing for what is right in the midst of peer pressure, finding a way to meet a need. I pray that tonight a high school student is thinking about how they can live out the Christian walk, not by a set of do's and don'ts, but by making a sacrifice for someone else, even if it means coming out of their comfort zone, to greet a stranger, to invite a friend to church, to....whatever it is that God is nudging them to do. :-)


Come check out the rest of the 4 week series, Student Service times at Cooper City campus are: Middle School - Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 9:30am, 11am and 12:30pm
High School - Saturday at 6:30pm and Sunday at 11am
Check out www.therd.org for the other student services at our multi-sites!

Merry Christmas #2

Here are some more photos from the day. Marcus also stopped by for Christmas breakfast and we opened gifts with him and all the kids. He is showing off his new jacket, while Amber shows off her new boots and my new sunglasses, (that Amber wishes were hers, haha). Corey and Amber love to pose for the camera. Corey got Jamie a really nice necklace. (This year instead of celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with Jamie, he decided to come up with 8 Crazy nights. He was very creative with evenings that included from riding the roller coaster at Boomers to Building a Bear to dinner and shopping at Target.) After breakfast, we went to visit my cousin and family. This Christmas was hard for my cousin, not only was she dealing with this being the first Christmas without her mom, but her dog had also died last Wednesday. I know how hard that first Christmas is and just wanted to be there for her. (I remember not even wanting to put up a tree, just wanting to go somewhere, anywhere but home; all the memories were in my home. 13 years have passed since my mom and dad have passed, but the holidays are always the time that all the memories just come rushing back.) Maddie was so happy to see Corey and to be able to play some football. She had missed out on the Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl. We ended the evening having dinner with the Watson's and watching Ratatouille.

We miss being able to be with all our family. If you are reading this know that we send our love and hugs your way(scroll down and read my Christmas letter). This Christmas was simple, simple in gift giving, simple in preparation, simple in the activities of the day. The greatest part of all, that we were able to be together...to laugh, to share, to build more memories, to celebrate Christ's birth! Thank you God for the gift of your Son!

Merry Christmas #1

Here are some photos from Christmas! The first one is Corey helping me get the tree off the car and into the house! We had a blast getting the tree this year. Corey helped me pick it out and Amber helped decorate. The other 4 pics are from today. Our day started with waiting for the kids to wake, watching the Disney parade, and opening gifts together. Do you see the excitement on Amber's face? She had just opened her gift from her brother, he bought her tickets to the Chris Brown concert. He is taking her tomorrow night to dinner and the concert.






After the kids opened their gifts, we headed to Jamie's house for Christmas breakfast. All Corey really wanted for Christmas was the ability to come home between his Interterm and Spring term in January. The pics are of him getting some help putting together the puzzle pieces of his gift. Jamie bought him a one way ticket home and his father and I bought the return flight. We each gave him puzzle pieces and he had to put the puzzle together to figure out the gift. (Thanks Craig for creating the puzzle) Do you see Corey's BIG smile, he loved the gift!

Christmas Eve

I can't sleep, no, I am not waiting for Santa. I am just in awe...of my Father! But before I move on to Christmas Day, I share with you some highlights from the past 5 days. I woke Thursday morning not feeling well at all. My body ached and I had the pepto bismal song symptoms. Lord, please, I can not get sick for Christmas. I made it to our Student service and was even able to sing and dance my way through the NSync song without heaving. After the service, Susan Marquez asked me to pray with her for her mother-in-law. She had just been diagnosed with needing open heart surgery. Susan and I prayed and I also shared with her how I felt terrible, she laid hands on me and prayed for me also. When I woke Friday morning, I felt good, like really good. I knew instantly it was the power of prayer. When I saw Susan tonight, she shared with me that at the moment we were praying, the doctors were telling her husband that they were only going to be putting stints and not doing the open heart surgery on her mother in law. They did the procedure and her mother in law is feeling better and recovering. The power of prayer.
Tonight my family and I all spent Christmas Eve serving at the church services, and having dinner together courtesy of Noreen and the Hospitality ministry. I sat with my family at dinner and was thinking how simple we were spending the evening, but it was what it was all about, giving. God gave. When I went back into the church lobby, I was told by a Pastor that they had seen some of my friends go into the last service. Wow, I was again, floored by God, so excited that they had come. Many years ago, their names written on the concrete floor of that building. The power of prayer.
I was given the privilege to stand at the alter and pray and assist those that heard God call their name. Some with such pain to give to God for Him to carry for them. I pray they awake tomorrow to celebrate the greatest Christmas they have ever had. I pray that this past weekend of attending a church service is just the beginning for many. That 2008, they will add that activity to their calendar and continue to walk through the doors to find hope, to find peace, to find unconditional love, to find the Power of Prayer!

Christmas Services with Friends & Fam

My Christmas Letter

Each year I include the family update with my Christmas cards. This year it comes via my blog. Tim is still coaching and teaching at Hollywood Christian. His football team had a great season going to the second round of playoffs. Some highlights from coaching, he was nominated this school season for a coach of the year award in football, his football team for 2 weeks was #1 in the state, he had Dan Marino in his office, and was invited by Randy Shannon to a UofM practice. Those are highs to him! Tim was also diagnosed with diabetes this past fall. It is hereditary and the dr said, being in his 40's made it inevitable to get. But now that he does have it, he is on a strict diet and has lost over 40 pounds. Everyone in the home is learning to eat sugar free and it will be good for all of us. Amber is complaining she is losing weight and there is nothing to eat, but Corey is very happy especially because when he was home this past summer he had put Tim on a workout regimen, walking 2-3 miles each day. Corey is 19, turning 20 this February. He just finished his 3rd semester of college and made the dean's list for the 3rd time. He had his first college start on his football team and played the entire game this past season. He is dating Jamie and they are doing pretty good with a long distance relationship. Amber is 16 now and got her driver's license in August. Unfortunately, she had her first accident Thanksgiving eve, but it was not her fault. But in South Florida, it is inevitable. Amber and I joined the gym this year, and Tim will be joining after his next doctor's visit. Tim and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary in July. I am still working at Flamingo Road Church and this past summer, I was given the honor of being licensed as a pastor. My life is so very blessed, not perfect, just blessed. Each year seems to pass faster and faster. And I find the only things that matter, are the times I invest in others and the time I spend in relationships: family, friends, students I lead. As I write this, Tom Brady from the New England Patriots is on 60 minutes. He just said something very interesting, he says he has 3 Super Bowl rings, and yet he still feels like it is not enough. He is still looking for something else, something greater (that is not an exact quote). I know the "what" he is looking for, I have found it and therefore, I have peace! I have joy! I pray this Christmas season that you celebrate the One who brings PEACE AND JOY! I pray if you still seek HIM, that you will find him and no riches or things, will ever fill the void like (baby) Jesus, God has sent us this Christmas! Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

If you are looking for a Christmas Eve service to celebrate the holidays, log onto
www.flamingoroadchurch.com/internetcampus at 3:30pm, 5:00pm or 6:30pm eastern time, Dec 24 and catch the celebration live! Or if you are local, come by the Cooper City campus at the same times above. See you there!

Do you hear what I see?

As I drove to work this past week, I heard the DJ's on the radio talking about how listeners judge them by their voices. They said that they receive comments from listeners about how their pics on the website don't match the first impression from the voices the listeners hear each day. One of the DJ's was saying how he received an email from a listener that said, "Oh, I saw your picture on your website and didn't know you were black, you don't sound black." Another listener said, "You sound so smart, I didn't know you were black." (Yea, how offensive). Some other comments were, you sound younger than you are, or the lady DJ's got, you look hotter than you sound.


It got me to thinking that blind people really have an advantage in life. They can not see, therefore, they can not make comparisons of how one looks compared to how they sound. A blind person has not seen their impression of beautiful versus ugly, black versus white, old versus young. What an advantage, because they can not place judgement. They see everyone the same, and can really only have the ability to judge based how they are treated or spoken to, versus making an impression by voice without seeing or getting to know the person.

Each day we make judgements of others based on what they look like or sound like, the scary part is what we do with that impression or judgement.

James 2:12Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.

Christmas Traditions

I love the fact that Christmas allows families to get together and share traditions. Each family is unique and I always love to hear others share their different Christmas traditions. Here are a few of our family Christmas traditions:

1. Christmas Pajamas - I give the kids new Christmas pj's each year to wear on Christmas Eve, even now at 19 and 16 years old!
2. Going to a Christmas movie together - as the kids got older this was a tradition we added to get them to hang out with family. Some movies we have seen in the past: Polar Express, The Nativity. For some reason, Amber always falls asleep. We're taking bets for this year.
3. Getting the tree - read previous blog
4. Playing the N'Sync Christmas CD and dancing in the living room like fools..."Merry Christmas and Haaaapppy Holidays!"
5. Giving each child a new ornament for the tree - Each year I buy them a new ornament for the tree. I try to find ones that are relevant to what they are into or who they are.
6. Christmas morning video moment - this started when they were very young, they would have to wait for us to set up the camera before they could enter the room and see what Santa brought; the funny thing is that even now, they wait for Tim and I to get set up before they come downstairs, only now they call us on their cellphones to let us know they are ready!
7. Going to the mall together - It started when the kids were young with visiting Santa. Now that they are older it includes shopping and lunch. The malls are always decorated so nice and it puts you in the Christmas spirit to see all the decorations. We love Aventura, but don't always make it there.
8. Going to Christmas Eve service as a family - this seems typical, but as a staff family and having teenagers, this does get harder to do. We also each find a place to serve during the services.

I have a few more, but I would rather hear what your Christmas traditions are!!

Real or Fake?

It's time to get the Christmas tree! Each year I ask myself the question, continue to get the REAL tree or cave in and get the FAKE tree. Since I always get a real tree, I usually wait 1-2 weeks before Christmas so it will stay alive throughout the holidays. Now, I also have to take into consideration to wait for my son to get home from college to be a part of the event. He is supposed to be flying home tomorrow on standby, so I was deciding that this Sunday would be a great day to get the tree. I was talking with my cousin and she was telling me about the great deal she got on a fake tree and how she loves it. Both her and my sister have shared their pros for a fake tree, such as: it doesn't die, you do not have to water, it doesn't make a mess, it's branches don't wither down, therefore allowing the ornaments to stay on and not fall off.

BUT I still can not cave in and get a fake tree. My pros for a real tree are more personal, the biggest one being: growing up my mom always got a real tree, we never had a fake tree. The real trees smell so good and those smells remind me of the good memories I have of Christmas' past with my mom. So, in honor of her memory, I have realized that I can not give in to fake. I also have great memories of going each year as a family to the tree tent and picking one out.

ONE story I will always remember about getting the Christmas tree was when my kids were about 7 and 4 years old. The tree handler was bringing the tree to our car and helping us tie it to the top. I gave Corey a couple dollars to tip the man for his help. As we went to get in the car and leave, Corey came up to me and handed me the money. I said to him, "Corey, go give the money to the guy." He said, "Mom, I did, but the man told me I could keep it for myself and not tell you." That was one of those proud parent moments and I was able to have a teachable moment about God with my son. I told him, because he was honest, he could keep the money. I explained that when we do the right thing, it allows God to bless our lives.

So for all those reasons and more, I choose REAL! I can sweep up the needles that it will shed, it's only for a couple weeks.

Another gift idea

Ok, I found another gift that keeps giving. If you need a music gift, you can go online to http://www.familychristianstores.com/ and order a CD. (It applies to a select few) For every one purchased, they will donate one to a soldier.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that we are at war, when we get up and live in freedom each day. But I am sure many families are reminded of war by the absence of their loved ones, especially at Christmas.
One of my son's good friends is in the Air Force and stationed in Turkey, this will be the first holiday season in his 19 years that he will be this far away from family and friends. We are praying for him to have a safe Christmas. Praying for all the soldiers defending our country and for their families!

Gift Giving Idea

Only 13 more shopping days til Christmas. Are you done? I wish I could say I was. My kids are older now and only one gives me a list. The other is harder to buy for, but has no list or special requests. Can you guess which is which?
I love the Christmas holidays and the fun of gift giving is finding that special gift for our friends and family. I am really excited about this find. I first heard about these shoes when the creater Blake was featured on a CNN show. Toms are comfortable shoes created with a vision in mind to give. For each pair you buy, they will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. You can even style your own.
You can log onto http://www.tomsshoes.com/ and check out all the different styles. The pair in the photo are the "flower power" style from the summer line. I thought this style would go great with the Retro Christmas series that Flamingo Road Church is currently doing.
Each year we give and recieve gifts, but do we even remember what they were. I have been challenged personally this year to remember that celebrating the birth of my Savior happens each day and I need to be giving Him my best the other 364. It is not that I do not know this, but I have to live the celebration part more each day. Because each day is a celebration that God gives me.
What can I give this Christmas that goes further than just Christmas day? Well, these shoes for one, but also my "Greatest Gift" tithe to my church, serving others with my talents, and my time to those that just need a listening ear. How about you? What is that special gift you are giving or receiving this Christmas? I pray it helps you step closer to the King!!!

So excited, I can't sleep

Ok, so I should be getting ready for bed. But I am so excited for Christmas Express tomorrow that I can't sleep. My husband, Marcus and I just went and dropped off the shuttle bus that we will use tomorrow to help transport families and gifts. While we were there, I saw the Student Ministry door open and went inside to see the "Toy Mall". And can I say, WOW! It is overwhelming, gorgeous, amazing, full of toys. I am not sure many of you will read this in time to see the room before the families arrive to choose their gifts. But what you see when you walk into that room is the goodness, greatness of God being shown through the kindness and generosity of His people. WOW! I know that Christmas is the time of year where people are more motivated to give to those less fortunate. I pray that the power of Christmas Express motivates people to give not only in December, but also January-November. We all have something: time, talent and/or money that can be given to God's church to allow it to minister to the hurting and the hungry the other 364 days. Aren't you excited to discover what gift you can give Him each day in the coming year?

Party Time

I know, I know, you're wondering, where have you been? I really don't have time to explain or make excuses. Life has been busy, yeah, what's new. Anyway, the next few blogs may be out of sequential order, but hey, it's my blog.

PARTY TIME

Yesterday, was the All Day Staff Christmas Party at FRC and can I just say it was off the chain. Honestly, when we were first told to reserve the whole day from 12:01am-11:59pm, I thought we were going to meet at the gym in the middle of the night. Carson and I were trying to increase our reps on the machines at the gym. We were wrong, but we did need endurance for the day. It started at 8:30am and included lots of fun and surprises. Our staff was separated into teams and we spent the day competing for the "bag of goodies". The coolest part is that each event is strategically planned by Pastor Troy to teach us lessons of leadership. We participated in games like, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader", a photo contest using our values, cookie decorating, judging team diversity, undercover agents, a mall scavenger hunt and it all ended with a trip to the movies. FRC has a very competitive staff and we all want to win, but what I have learned over the past few years is that it really is more about the relationships and life lessons than the win. As I spoke with some of my co-workers throughout the day, one of them mentioned to me how they didn't even remember who had won last year, but they did remember who they got to know better and the fun they had being with everyone for the day.
Here are the great things I learned yesterday and the people I got to know better:

• Sam Gielow and Brandon Holder are cousins. I helped recruit them both for Jorge's team and never knew this until yesterday. I've known Sam for about 4 years and didn't know she was related to Bev Santiago and Brandon!
• Oana L. went to school with my son at Cooper City High; she took spanish with him, helped him with his homework, graduated the same year he did and she lives in my neighborhood!
• Bev Santiago's husband, Noel works for Sunrise Fire Dept, and so does Marcus Williams dad. And Mark Varca has been praying for someone in the Sunrise Fire Dept to help him out with his fire alarm issues; I think we may have a solution.
• I learned to keep the focus on the prize, to continue to push myself toward's my potential, even when it hurts, that we are all on the same team, but so many times it is who you know and who you have on your team that helps you reach your destiny, and we can always learn a new truth each day, because we are not there yet!

Thank you so much to Pastor Troy, Stephanie, Espy and Greg for a great day of fun! Thanks to all my fellow co-workers, you are all a blast to do life with. I am encouraged, inspired, motivated and energized to get ready for 2008.

Turkey Bowl photos in December

I really wanted to get these photos and post on the blog before November ended. But it didn't happen. Yes, Thanksgiving 2007 is the past, and we are now preparing for Christmas. But here are some photos from our Turkey Bowl.
Corey came home on November 17 for Thanksgiving week. He was excited to be able to be a part of his dad's football team practices. (Tim's team was in the 2nd round of the playoffs on November 23, so for the first time in a few years, there would be football practice on Thanksgiving day)

Corey also organized the traditional Turkey Bowl (flag football game) we have each year on Thanksgiving Day. It began years ago with my dad and uncles playing and Corey being a little tyke wanting to get into the game. Now he is organizing it and he wanted revenge this year, because Amber and Jamie's team beat his team last year. He also secured a trophy, not sure whose mantle he swiped it from. Unfortunately for Corey, Amber and Jamie's team got the victory again. Well, he has a year to prepare and recruit a new team for 2008.