Annie.

Babe.

Sister.

Mija.

Banana.

Trompis.

Me.

favor like Esther's

I am in a situation where I am in need of the Lord's favor over my life. So, tonight (it is very late) the Lord directed me to the book of Esther (isn't it great that God speaks to us through his word? I'm so thankful!). The word "favor" is all over this story. It's not only about Esther's courage to save her people, but it's also a testimony of how God gives us favor with men in order to carry out his will and plans. Esther had a need. She placed herself in the middle of God's plans. She put even her own life on the line. She (and her family) armed herself with prayer. She is...me. You are my Mordecai. I need your prayers. Although my situation is a lot different then Esther's, the Lord has encouraged me through her life. I am seeing myself in Esther, and she was given favor.

I am exactly where the Lord wants me to be. Where I am was in his plans and I know he will show me favor to continue in this beautiful journey he has set me in.

We are blessed and HIGHLY favored. Amen!

in this forever

I recently purchased "In this Forever" album by Rita Springer. She's always been one of my favorite singer and worship leader so I couldn't wait to buy it on itunes! I took my mom to a concert she held in Southlake and even she felt God's presence through her music & she doesn't even speak English that well. I've had her songs on repeat since I got it...it's just so uplifting and it has helped me spend some time in worship, which I love and can't live without. I wanted to share a few of the lyrics and how they have ministered to me...

1. In this Forever: "and I can hide in your shelter. you reach down to me, I reach up for you...cause i'm in this FOREVER!!" A song about giving everything to him, completely surrendering to him because he is worth it. There are so many other directions I could go as a person who has been given free will, but I have chosen Jesus...and I am in this FOREVER.

2. Oh How you Love Me: "how wide, how deep, how great your love is for me. how high, how endless, and oh so beautiful." A song that just sings his love all over me! "Let go of your heart, let go of your head...how great is your love for me!" & how much I just want to surrender to this love and be completely intoxicated with it.

3. Make You Happy: "You make me fall here at your feet in total abandon...you make me happy!" I can dance to this song :)

4. Come In: "with every turn, with every breath, with all my life, my thankfulness. My heart your home. call me your own, and come in" All about inviting Jesus to come in and dwell in our lives.

5. I Call You: "I call you one who always will come through" One of my favorites on this album, especially this lyric.

6. You are good: Your good and your faithfulness go on, and on, and on , and on, and on (you really have to hear this part of the song)." He is so good and I LOVE to sing about it!

7. All I need: My song. Being away from my "normal life" and my loved ones has been tough at times. Therefore, this song is on all the time. "All I need to do is worship. All I need to do is say his name out loud. All i need to do is lift my hands, surrender and bow down. All i need to do is let his presence fall." There is nothing I have experienced in my lifetime that compares to being in his presence. It's like being home.

I love these songs so much! I'm so thankful for divine timing. I'm thankful for the immediate mood booster worship gives me. I'm thankful that God uses music to encourage us to worship him. I'm thankful for the voice God has given me...I'm not trying to say I have a great voice or anything, but I do LOVE to sing like I'm the best singer in the world when I worship...I'm singing to my King, so I have to saaaannnggg it! lol.

So, this is it for tonight. maybe after reading this you'll go read your bible, or turn some p&w music on, or pray...just go be with the Lord already!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

Go Cowboys!

I always look forward to the weekend here in Mexico. There is almost always something going on. I especially look forward to Sunday because I go with my family to their mass service, which even though it's really different then what I'm use to God has really spoken to me through the messages. I'm really starting to miss taking communion, though. The Catholic church is kind of particular as to who can take communion. From what I understand communion is such a sacred act you have to be in full accordance with Catholic church teaching and theology to take part in it. I don't really understand it, and maybe it's because I believe communion is for all believers. No one is worthy to partake in it, but Jesus invites us all to his table. Either way, I appreciate how the Catholic's treat communion as something so sacred. So many times I have come to the Lord's table without even thinking about it...I've done it like it's something so mundane, and it's totally NOT. It is something we should feel privileged to do. It is something we shouldn't do out of ritual, but as an act of gratitude and worship.

Sunday also means my uncle takes us to dinner & a movie. I've seen more movies in one month in Juarez than I ever have in Ft. Worth! BTW, everyone needs to see "Planet of the Apes" It is a wonderful movie! Um, skip "Cowboy's vs. Aliens" though...it was a snooze fest for me.

My Sunday has changed, though, now that football is here :) My uncles is the biggest Cowboy's fan I've ever met. This also means there will be many profanities throughout the game! {must wash ears out after Sunday night football}. I understand, though. You can't help but get so into a game to where you're screaming and hollering. I'm for the most part a composed person, but if you've ever watched a sporting event with me you know I usually lose it (example: when the MAV'S won the championship game). I can't wait till next weeks game! :)