BellaViaje

Happy Birthday Mom..

2010-08-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

A MOTHER'S LOVE
A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.
~Helen Steiner Rice~

Now this is Sacrifice...

2010-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Recently my sister went to the hair salon before moving on to a different state. Instead of her coming out of the Salon feeling like million dollars she left in tears feeling her hair had actually been ruined, rambling rubbish in the car all the way home about how she had wasted a good amount of money.

Upon arriving home and working to pack the car with a tear stained face, her children saw a teary eyed Mom wondering how they could make it better?

My 8 year old niece, who like her brothers loves and looks up to their mother in every way, came up to be me before leaving, leaving a book on my chair. In tears she told me "Aunty Marianne, this is my favorite book but i want you to sell it and give the money to my Mom for her hair". Wow! that melted me into so many little pieces. She had felt so bad she gave what she thought to be her "best book" to rectify the problem.

I look at this book now as i'm posting up an add on criagslist and feel convicted about how much more i can do for others. She gave the book that she had planned on reading on her 20 hr drive after she had already given away most of her other books.

Will i sell this book? No. I want to mail this back to her and let her know that everything done in love always comes back to you.

2010-07-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a thought Mom shared with me today...so true!

A friend recently told me I was like an abalone. “I admire you because no matter what happens, you still hang on to your faith and to the Lord,” he said. It was a compliment and I was touched, but it also aroused my interest. Maybe I should try to learn more about abalones. Perhaps I could learn to be a better abalone. Here’s what I found.

An abalone is a shellfish that sticks to rocks in coastal waters. It is a gastropod, which means that its stomach is its foot; it walks on its stomach. Its stomach-foot, which is like a living suction cup, is also its means of clinging to rocks.

Apart from its shell, an abalone is practically all stomach. It sticks to a rock and then raises its shell off the rock about half an inch. As water sweeps past the portion of the stomach that is exposed between the shell and the rock, the abalone catches and consumes microscopic particles of vegetation that are in the water.

The abalone’s shell is not only its house, but also its armor. When threatened, the abalone can instantly clamp itself to the rock it’s on as tight as a vise. That big stomach can create a tremendous suction. In a flash that great big shell can adhere to the rock so tight that it takes a crowbar to pry it off. So when people stick like abalones they really stick.

Perhaps sticking like that is learned with time. The first waves of trouble usually throw me off for a moment as I see everything turn topsy-turvy around me, things swirling in the surf, and my world turned upside down. But then I find my rock and cling to it like everything depends on it. Such turbulent times used to be frightening, but I eventually learned that that’s just the way it is, that that’s the natural order of things, and then it became easier.

As the waves come and go, I understand and know what to do. I know the waves and the rock, I know that I have a suction device that helps me stick, and I’ve learned that it gets easier the more I do it. Sticking has made my suction stronger. I’ve also learned to relax when the ocean is calm, but to always be ready at a moment’s notice to hold on tight to the rock. I never want to repeat that awful feeling of being tossed and turned about in the ocean of woes. I’ve also learned to never stray far from the rock, because that it is the one thing I can depend on.

My rock is Jesus, of course. He and His Word are my strength and salvation in time of trouble. I’m just a simple, vulnerable creature, but I know who to turn to and hold on to. And believe it or not, I have actually come to love the tumultuous seas. I am, after all, an abalone. The stronger the waves, the tighter I cling.

Austin...

2010-05-12T19:54:00.001-07:00

Saints of Valery performed in Austin, it was great fun-- good music!

Jono and Cecy's closing home party...

2010-02-25T22:14:00.001-08:00

Jono, Johnathan, Sharif and Danny

Steph and Danny

Mitzi and Marianne

Cancun & Playa del Carmen

2010-02-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Chris chilling with a BEER in Cancun...

Steph and Marianne, along with the boys getting ready to kayak.

poor Jason had so much sun...

oooo...that water was cold against our burnt skin.....

Que nice...:)

My darling niece was out snorkeling for hrs collecting shells..

This is Chris and Steph stuffed in the back with the all the kids...:)

A sprouting coconut tree..

On the way down we stopped on the the side of road so the kids could collect coconuts.

updates...

2009-12-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Sweet Mel with Chris....we'll be seeing you in 3 yrs heh...

Performing...

David's band playing...
(well the band that was put together for Cervantino)

Witnessing to some people that were waiting to go into the prophecy tent.

This man helped coordinate aspects of Cervantino...very sweet

Advertising the Concert...

Chris playing with his second band...

So we've been unfaithful with our blog, i know.....
There has been a lot to happening on our end, for the month of Oct we were in Houston, sold the car, celebrated Chris's birthday and I cut my hair.
We then flew down to Mex city spent a few days at the CTC, which was an experience in itself that place is HUGE! Chris teamed up with Tony, John, David and Johnathan to put some of David's songs together for the Cervantino (we miss you guys by the way). We then spent almost a week in Guanjuato, sleeping in tents and then witnessing late into the cold nights. It was great Chris had so much fun helping out with the music.

After that we came home started planing the Christmas push....We have a Christmas singing team, we'll be hosting a dinner for 200 people, we'll be visiting 3 hospitals with the Dr. Payaso program, sent some friends to a benefit dinner in Mex City and of course we'll be doing all the other regular things that Christmas involves...so that is where our time has been spent.
Last night we got together with our volunteers talked about our projects and also got to explain in greater depth who we are etc...at the closing of our meeting everyone prayed to receive the Lord. It was so inspiring!

I'm posting a few pic's of the Cervantino, i don't have very many pictures at the Moment...but i'm sure by the end of the yr we'll have a few more to post...Love to you all and Merry Christmas...

PS: we continue to pray for dear Owen & Becca..
and David congrats on your woman (joy and I figured it out) and baby of course...we are praying for a smooth pg and delivery.

My Beautiful Wife

2009-09-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken 2 days after I met Marianne. Isn't she beautiful? Marianne is the best part of my life. I find out how much I need her on a daily basis. Getting Married to her is the smartest thing I ever did. In the last 3 years, she has taught me more in her silence than anyone has ever taught me in words. Besides Jesus, she is the only constant thing in my life. Contrary to what she would say, I cannot do without her, I would not be fine without her and I would definitely not be complete with out her. She takes up such a big part of my heart, I love her. I am completely in love with her. Thank you Marianne for your love. I need you more than music.

Padre Island...

2009-08-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

For all you that known Chris this is him after almost finishing a beer....hahaha....

These are from like a month ago, not so recent. Chris and I spent a morning at the beach while we were fund raising in Corpus Cristi. We had not taken a day off for like 3 weeks and since Padre Island is right there we decided to kick back for a couple of hrs...anyhow here are a couple shots of that day nothing -wow....

New baby...

2009-08-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Noelle recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. We are so glad he's in the world with us. We've been expecting him for a long time and are thrilled that he's now here.

Steven and Noelle congrats on your new little one we can hardly wait to meet him.

Hospitals..

2009-08-18T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here in Veracruz there is a project we do called Dr Payaso. Today was the day, we prayed with lots of sweet children and parents and made a fool of ourselves. More importantly it was a good reminder of how life is fragile and the ripples we make in others lives do matter..

the cost of beauty

2009-08-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

beauty is in the eye of the beholder don't you agree?

more beauty....

more...

and just tinny bit more.. :)

We have the best kids ever in our home...they are so much fun to be with, one afternoon we decided to do something about our delicate skin so we put on some mud masks... and this is what it looked like..check it out.

the latest...

2009-08-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

Some of our evenings together in puebla...

-awww...Chris looks so sexy in that picture.

Chris is the faithful smiler, and I'm making a weird face in both of these pictures...ay jesus.

Ok So, our home just took a small vacation, for the kids sake mainly, before heading back to school we
wanted to do something special for them well you know...the parents did but our hearts were with them all the way of course.
Everyone piled into our cars and went to Cuernavaca. We went to this awesome water park; burned our little feet on the hot sidewalks runing from one ride to another, got freaked out on rides and yes, almost drowned (that would be thanks to Jesse...I love you tho, in case you read this). After that we went on to Puebla, we fished at this beautiful mountain park, drank beer, ice skated, and in the evenings got together for some wine and cheese etc..all in all had a good time. The homes treated us like kings, thank you so much for everything.

A happy Birthday to Cancers...

2009-07-13T18:51:00.001-07:00

For Andrew's birthday we all went out to a Jap restaurant, it was fun. We love you Andrew.

To the rest of the special Cancers in my life---Happy Birthday Nick, Carmel, Anita and Noelle. I love you all so much and I'm wishing you the best. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you in this new year.
You are all such dear people in my life, I know I dont always keep in touch, but there is something special about each of you that i'll either talk about and laugh, or that i'm thankful for. Each one of you has taught me something different and i'm glad to have had you all as a part of my life at one point or another.
Carmel you always had a way of making my stomach ache from so much laughing. You made things feel so at ease while at the same time pointing out the things that really mattered in life,
Nick you were always so kind and generous even to the ones that least deserved it,
Anita you put up with so many of my late night rambling, my tears and my stressed days, you are such beautiful soul in every way
And Noelle you are so loyal to the ones you love, slow do judge and quick to embrace. I love you all and miss you---HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Twins..

2009-07-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Pearl gave birth June 27th/09 to, two wonderful baby boys-- Andre Shay and Julian Cole, are the names of these lovely boys. Here are some photo's she sent us.

Congrats from Chris and I we love you and are praying for your speedy recovery.

Prayer Request against flooding

2009-06-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah, ummm....we do not want to look like these unfortunate people in this picture.

Please pray for us, as there is a big possibility that our property could potentially be flooded. The rest of our dirt is suppose to arrive tomorrow and with flooding that would put all our building on hold. (we are in the middle of raising the level of dirt so we can lay the foundation down ) We need a miracle as the house needs to be partially built by Dec. We are all claiming the keys of miracles and would like to ask you to please uphold us in your daily prayer vigils...Love you and thank you

2009-06-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

I'm missing Chris so much, it seems like once he's gone and I'm all to myself I begin really counting my blessings. He's so wonderful and completes me in so many ways, when he's not around i find my self with so many empty gaps.He seriously never goes a single day without telling me about his love for me...and when i'm short tempered or feeling annoyed he's always there patiently listening to me...ready to tell me what i need to hear, not necessarily what i want to hear.

Our humble livng quarters...

2009-06-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is our temporary room, (for all those who were wondering if we were living in tents)the icky fish tank is not ours!! We are waiting for the little house to finish being built.

I do have more to post, and so much has been happening since being here. I'll have to post some of the pictures Hana took of the other night, there was so much good food and so artistically made. We were invited to a private dinner to meet the Governor & his wife, we ended up only talking to his wife,But it was a delightful evening with new angels to learn from.
I'll get them from Hana when she comes home.
Its been great so far, feeling needed again and finding time for the simple pleasures. For a while things felt stressful, so I'm thankful for this period the Lord has given us. I say "period" because it seems the Lord has a way of putting us back in the grinding machine just when we think life is getting peachy. :)Although I wouldn't trade anything the Lord put us through this past year. We grew in our marriage and in our service for the Lord and its been a beautiful journey....

Our trip to Veracruz Mexico

2009-05-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Mothers to be...

2009-04-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

It just continues to amaze me who ends up getting PG each year.
Noelle will be having a beautiful baby boy! That for me, makes me feel like i will be an aunt all over again.
And Pearl will be having TWINS--two boys, so her little family will now be 5 wow!!

I just know that these special little packages from the Lord have a wonderful purpose to fulfill here on earth, cant wait to meet them. Children are awesome...

2009-04-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight I took Chris out on a date. This was our 3rd "official date" together, we went had some amazing Thai food. We enjoyed ourselves immensely!!! Their soup is to die for (the spicy sour one) anyhow we had a good time and it was fun I only wish i could have taken some pictures. No batteries! Bummer.
So our next date is on him... he's a much better at planing these types of things so I'm sure it'll be good.

Just wanted to share a good time with everyone....

In the sTuDiO luanching "Atrevete.."

2009-03-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Chris saying...."More expression, we need hear the tone in your voice.."

Hannah Banana trying out for the Radio Show...

The Ranch..

2009-03-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Liz and I with Armando, i was half asleep...

My dear husband cracked open about 50 coconuts so that we could
have our mixed drink for the party, it was a drink "a la natural"...turned out delicious!

2009-02-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

Chris and a couple of the guys from the other home climbed a mountain the other day.
here they are just starting to trek up the mountain...

Steph's night out dancing...

2009-02-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

Our dear Stephanie will be leaving for Puerto Rico, so in her honor we all went out dancing.
She will be missed in Mexico, she's such a crazy, loving and all together cool sister I'm wishing her the best! Chris say's you'd be a cool bass player with that hair of yours...

missing you....

2009-02-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

2009-01-31T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here is more of Mexico's history we got to see...the kids were great! we'll miss them when we leave.

More of our sight seeing day..

2009-01-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

Visiting the pyramids, ruins etc..

2009-01-22T13:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Heart

2009-01-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Heart! We love you so much and were thinking about you on your special day....we miss you.

Something beautiful to read...

2009-01-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

Waking Up With Angels

It’s easy to forget what it is like to wake up with angels. – even when you are still living with them.

Perhaps it’s the fires that we all go through – the soot and the grime – the smell of smoke. The breaking.

When you have seen your angel after the battle – or if the battle rages long – then during the battle - it is sometimes possible to get jaded to the angel hidden beneath the ravages of war and hate – cruelty and deprivation that we all encounter. – Even the angel that is obscured by the tension and stress of our daily lives.

When it happens, and you have lost touch with that precious angel that God, in His mercy – has entrusted to you – then you have really lost something. You have “traded your birthright for a mess of pottage.” – The Ancient Texts--

In all endeavors – the very heart of the matter is resolved when all – both small and great – give themselves without dissimulation or partiality (favoritism); or recompense – or guile.

Then, the light of love shines through – and you once again see your Angel – just awakening from a night of passion and intimacy, and love unfeigned – and of the sun, and the moon, stars.

---Written by Gabe Iowa

christmas day..

2009-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

new yrs BBQ

2009-01-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

puebla, Mex city etc...

2009-01-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

MEXICO...

2009-01-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

a couple pictures are of our night out dancing...

let it snow...so beautiful

2009-01-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

here and there...

2009-01-02T10:08:00.001-08:00

Life in Ca....

2009-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:00