And it all continues...

This year (2013) started with a white Canadian winter, full of hopes, dreams, expectations and plans. Although I was away from my loved ones, I felt their love and care all the way there. The year passed and many things happened: apparent failures and also triumphs, lots of love and heartbreaks, but most of all many changes.

I had to leave Canada and return to Mexico. I applied for different scholarships and had some job interviews, but things were not working out (or so I thought). After a long search –and feeling a bit frustrated already— I came across an M.A. program in Guadalajara that was just what I had been looking for. It was there all the time and I hadn’t seen it. By August I was ready to start a Master’s that had been a dream to me until that moment: Translation and Interpretation.

The second half of the year was very difficult. Although I was very content with my academic life, it is not only about studying and working, and things were getting tougher on some other areas of my life. I was on the top of my rollercoaster, but little I knew what was next: what the end of the year had to offer. Then it happened, almost as a free fall and it was hard! But as I’ve always known, we won’t go through all our free falls alone: I knew my family was going to be there to catch me and God to support me.

I may have more free falls this year and the following years (that’s what life is all about), but I know that it is all part of my character building and though it is difficult, there’s always something to learn. So facing another hill in the rollercoaster of my life, I am ready to climb!

Keep a song in my heart

So I've noticed that for the past few days I've been waking up singing. Literally, when I wake up I start singing; every morning a different song. First I thought it was just, you know, for a day or so, but it's been like that every day. So I've decided to try to keep a record of the songs I sing every morning, or at least of the most significant ones.

Today's song is of one of my favourite Bible verses. In fact, the whole song is about Joshua chapter 1, but the very part that I started singing this morning was from Joshua 1:9: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

"Sê forte e corajoso, não temas nem te espantes

Porque o Senhor teu Deus é contigo onde andares"

The song is in Portuguese, from Pr. Daniel Lüdtke's second DVD Filhos de Israel (Children of Israel). I love this song because it's as if you're reading the Bible while listening to it. It's a promise and encouragement at the same time. So good for today, perfect song!

God of the impossible

(Numbers 11:21-23)

Moses was worried because the Israelites were asking for food. He tried to reason and think of possibilities to feed 600,000 men (+ their families). To his human perspective, it was definitedly impossible. However, God showed Moses that there's nothing impossible for the Lord.

It is interesting that Moses, the great leader and man of faith, goes to God and tries to convince Him that it is totally impossible to feed all those people. Moses even tries to look smart and give reasons why it is not possible (vs. 22). How many times have we done the same? We go to God and tell Him that it is not possible. Isn't He the God of the impossible? Didn't He say that everything is possible for Him? Isn't He the Creator? Then, why do we try to limit God with our limited mind?

I love God's answer to Moses' concern, which is an answer to my concerns as well.
(vs. 23) "And the Lord said to Moses, Is the Lord's hand waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or not."
The way God provided food for the Israelites was so great and magnificent that it showed how powerful He is.

God wants us to never forget that everything is possible for Him. Even when it looks impossible to our human perspective. We do not need to worry, God has his own powerful ways.

A sweet naughty boy

Jean was one of my English students during Caleb Mission. He was not supposed to be in my class because of his age, but somehow I could not reject him in my class. I felt like I had to accept him  even though he was older than the rest of the kids. Soon I discovered he was a naughty boy! He also had a look of a little gangster boy lol but somehow he would always come to class. Sometimes his older friends would come and tell him to go out with them, but he never went (I also did not let him lol).

The last day I was there, I sort of had a party with the kids. When Jean came, he just opened the door but did not get into the classroom. I could see in his face that he wanted to get in, but I did not understand why he wouldn't, so I left the kids inside and went to talk to Jean. I asked him to go in but he did not want to. He looked sad, so I asked him what was happening, I told him it was my last day with them and that I wanted him to enjoy the party together with the rest of the kids. Then he said something that almost made me cry. He said that he hates goodbyes because he does not like missing people. I tried to convince him to go in the classroom but he did not want, so we took a picture together. Then he finally accepted to get in, but he just sat there and did not really enjoy the party. I could tell he was really sad. In the end, I had prepared special gifts for the kids who did not miss any class during the 3 weeks, and luckily I had an extra gift, so I gave it to Jean.

Jean showed me that every kid has a sweet side, even the naughtiest of them all. He also made me remember that every single kid is important to God and that we should love them because Jesus loves them.

"And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." 

(Matthew 18:5)

Cuando estes desanimado, ora a Dios!

"No se inquieten por nada, mas bien, en toda ocasion, con oracion y ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias." (Fil. 4:6)


Cuando estes desanimado, ora a Dios. Al acercarse a El cuando estamos en problemas nos ayuda a no derrumbarnos. Si has tenido una semana dificil, ora a Dios. Si todo se pone mas complicado para ti y no sabes que hacer, no te desanimes, ni cedas, ni te des por vencido. Ora a Dios y confia en El. Te dará fuerzas para seguir adelante.

Prayer

"Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful heart offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." (Phil. 4:6-7)

Trusting God

"Trust God and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of refuge." (Ps. 62.8) 

It has been another week and I have not been able to make any progress. Lord, I was sad, worried and discouraged, but I know that you are in control. I trust you Lord, and I know that your timing is the perfect timing. Thank you for your promises :)

Los tiempos de Dios

No importa cuánto tiempo crees que Dios está tomando en contestarte, recuerda que los tiempos de Dios son diferentes. Él nos prometió que nos llevará seguros en sus manos como en alas de águila.

A Gift from Jesus

Do not become overwhelmed with the great amount of work you must do in your lifetime, for you are not required to do it all at once. Let every power of your being go to each day's work, improve each precious opportunity, appreciate the helps that God gives you, and make advancement up the ladder of progress step by step. Remember that you are to live but one day at a time, that God has given you one day, and heavenly records will show how you have valued its privileges and opportunities. May you so improve every day given you of God, that at last you may hear the Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

From Maranatha - Page 85

*E-mail from Mrs. Teodora Nae

At least I tried

Now I know why her attitude really hurt me. It hurt because I cared about her and because I opened myself to her. And yet, she did not care at all, she did not appreciate it. It is not that I do not care about her anymore but I am not going to give something to someone that is not willing to accept it. It is a pity because I thought she was different, but at least now I can say that I know how she really is.

Opening yourself to someone can be risky because not always the other person appreciates your friendship. However, if you never try, you will never know.

Do not be discouraged

"Don't say you're too young... I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid."

(Jeremiah 1:7-8)

"I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I'm the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go."

(Joshua 1:9)

Sometimes we feel like we have done our bet and yet other people say it was not good. When someone tells you that it was not a good job, or when you expect someone to be happy with what you did and they simply do not appreciate it, you can easily feel discouraged or inferior.

Today I felt that way. I had done my best and I thought it was a good job, but then I was told I had to do it again. That really made me feel inferior, and I was afraid of having to do my work all over again, this time with more pressure on me and higher expectations. Then I open my Bible and read that God told Jeremiah not to be afraid. Immediately after that comes the story of Joshua to my mind. God told him not to be afraid or discouraged. These two Bible character, Jeremiah and Joshua, were young people just like me, facing situations that most probably made them feel inferior and afraid, and yet the Lord told them He was going to be with them.

Now I know the Lord is telling me the same thing. He is with me and He will help me wherever I go and whatever situation I encounter.

If you feel the same way, if someone has made you feel inferior, or if you think you cannot do it, just remember what the Lord says:

"Do not be afraid or discouraged." "I promise to be with you and keep you safe."

dreams, visions or plans?

Dania wrote this as a comment on Aaron's blog... and I just love it. It shows that even if we try our best to succeed in life, the only way we can do it is if we let God lead us.

I have a dream. -Martin Luther King
I have a vision. -Ellen G. White
I have a plan. -God

Today was a brighter day ;) and I like these kind of days hehe

Quoting a friend

I got an e-mail from a friend and he wrote this to me:

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do. Occasionally what you want to do is what you have to do and that's really great.

Thanks a lot for your encouragement!!

* I just wanted to share this with you all 'cause when I first read it, I thought it was funny; but when I read it again and thought of the real meaning of it, it really helped me a lot ;-)

Too often we don't realize what we have until it is gone.

Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong."

Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones we hold dearest to our hearts;
And we allow foolish things to tear our lives apart.."

Be sure that you appreciate everything you've got;
And be thankful for the little thingsin life that mean a lot.