Momma Glaze

This day comes twice a year...the day after Women's Bible study at our church has ended. I do not like it! Reality is setting in, as I sit down to do my quiet time, that I will no longer be seeing my sweet sisters every Tuesday morning. I will no longer be able to share in the excitement of our weekly homework lessons. I will not be getting those weekly embraces from my sweet friends. What's a girl to do?! I guess I'll be thankful for and reflect on the last 13 weeks with these women. The title of my post comes from Proverbs 27:9. I looked up several versions of this verse and they are all truly "sweet!" The version from the Message Bible is, "Just as lotions and fragrance gives sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." But of all that I looked through I think the NIV speaks to what our group experienced this semester: "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." I love it! Except, I think I want to replace advice from NIV with counsel from the ESV! I was not only blessed to be a part of a small group of women, but also a part of the leadership group of amazing women! When I was asked to be a co-facilitator this semester I was a little nervous because of having a new baby. I knew I was going to be going to Bible study, but I really didn't know if I should commit to doing leadership, as we meet early for prayer. Having three littles to get out the door so early was going to be a bigger task! I told Denise that I would do it but I wasn't sure I would be able to make it every Tuesday by 8:30 for prayer. She was obviously very understanding. The Lord is so good because I made it to every prayer meeting except one (and that one was because I was sitting in traffic for an hour due to an accident!!!). I made sure to make it by 8:30 because I did not want to miss that sweet time with the group of ladies who were becoming like family to me. That small group was such a blessing...we came to each other with really tough things and we came to each other with some things we could even laugh about but still wanted prayer for! Everything was taken to the Lord in prayer. Everything. There were times when one of us would break down in tears and were immediately surrounded & embraced, and praying the sweetest prayers for our broken sisters, myself included. There is honestly nothing sweeter to me than being surrounded by sisters in Christ, locked in embraces, and feeling hands on my shoulders and back and feeling the love and concern that these women had for me. The tears were flowing but the prayers flowing even more! The wisdom and godly counsel that came from that group was amazing. I am truly BLESSED beyond measure!

Andrea and I had the great privilege of being with a small group of such sweet, amazing women. One of the things I love about women's bible study at my church is the different generations getting together. Those of us who are in the trenches of mommy hood with babies and terrible twos (heck, terrible 3's!!) and diapers, and never-ending laundry, and the never-ending struggle with feelings of wanting to be the perfect wives and mothers are surrounded by those women who have been through all of it and encourage us. Because of the different ages being able to study together you have those that are in the same stages of life that help you feel like you're not alone- "Oh, you too? You feel like that too?!" That is really encouraging to me- I'm not crazy!! And I love being surrounded by the "mature" women. Women who become like spiritual mommas and grandmas! Our small group was AWESOME!!! There were tears but there were also so many laughs!! We were challenged and encouraged by each other. We got to hear of God-encounters! We saw answered prayer. We saw spiritual growth. We embraced one another and became a group of sisters who felt comfortable sharing our concerns and our short-comings, our fears and our failures, our joys and triumphs. I believe we all grew in our faith. Every single lady in that room has a special place in my heart. New friendships were formed! There's no mistake that God puts each group together! These reasons are why my friendships are so sweet and that each Tuesday they "refreshed my soul!"

My sweet friends and sisters! Missing our one and only Miss Gaylan!

We did two studies this semester: Gideon (Priscilla Shirer) and The Kingdom Agenda (Tony Evan). Both were great but, by talking to others, Kingdom Agenda really hit us in the middle of the eyes! Tony Evans doesn't mince words! Every week there was conviction, encouragement to make changes to be a Kingdom woman to enhance His Kingdom. Every single thing I do should be with His

Kingdom in mind. If I say I'm a Christian, it better show. Every person I meet should know that I am a Christ follower. That His ways, His plans, His purposes are far more important than anything I have planned. Fearing God means just that. His ways are higher, His plans are higher and we seek that. Is it easy? No way! Are there trials? Of course! But our God is greater and more powerful than any trial. The question is, do we trust Him in this storm? Do we give him our greatest even at our lowest point? Do we trust Him with our kids? Do we trust Him with our marriage? Do we trust Him with our jobs? When we are on the hilltops and things are going great, do we forget Him and what He did for us? Do we believe He is who He says He is? He can do what He says He can do? Now more than ever we have to know what we believe and why we believe it. In the first video session of Gideon, Priscilla talks of approaching a friend with a question of passion for God: "How are you so passionate about God?" Her friend's response? "I've seen God do too much to not be passionate about Him." I really thought about that. It's so true!!! In my own life God has been so real- in big ways and small ways. I've had amazing God encounters and I've had sweet little answers that God has answered in amazing, fun ways! I've seen God do so much in the lives of my friends and family. It really is true! I should be bursting at the seems with a passion for God!!!! That's one of the things I'm taking away with me. Praying each day for more passion. Praying that my passion for Christ can encourage others. Praying for passion even in a storm. I pray that those who read this know and experience Christ in their lives. If you don't, please send me a message so I can share with you! You are the daughter or son of a King! Embrace it! Open yourself up to Him!

He loves you!

...no One like our God. There is none more able, Christ our Savior, great and glorious.
Those are the lyrics to a song that is constantly playing in my head these days. There is no One higher than God, and oh how I often stand amazed in His presence. The past month has been has been filled with so much planning in preparation for the big ESL celebration at our church (Humble Area First Baptist Church). We had such a great turn out last year and the Lord really went before us so we were excited to do it again this year. Alan Hernandez was returning from Monterrey, Mexico to do our event and preach the Word as well as share his music with us. We were very excited that he was on board to come back this year. Everyone loved him last year!
Because we saw the hand of God so clearly lay out all the details of this event last year we were confident that this year would be no different. Matt and I wanted to be extra prepared this year and it was easy to decide what to change to make the planning process run a little smoother. I felt calm and excited about everything and how it was all falling into place. Until...Monday. Our event was to take place Wednesday. That was the day the enemy was working to discourage me. It seemed as if all of my kids were ganging up on me all day! Having three kids under 4 isn't ever uneventful but for some reason Monday was even crazier than normal! I had a screaming baby that all of the sudden didn't want to be put down or take naps. Two boys who were fighting like crazy. Carson got his finger slammed in the door and cried for nearly an hour. I think that would've been a tough day anyway, but given the last minute preparations I had to do for the event my stress level & anxiety raised! Finally, at 5:30 I threw out an S.O.S to all of my prayer warriors on Facebook! I was feeling overwhelmed & like a horrible mother. When I went to bed that night I was thankful that God's mercies are new every morning and that Tuesday was a new day! God answered all those sweet prayers because I woke up feeling refreshed and free of the anxiety I was feeling the night before. God is good!
Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with last minute preparations. Come Wednesday night I was finally ready to see what the Lord had in store. The night went great! We had a catered dinner from Italianos and guests got to hear Alan's music and a message. We served about 120 people! Alan shared the gospel message and many people raised their hands to accept the gift of salvation. But can I say that even if only one person had raised their hand, the whole night is still worth it. It's not about numbers, it's about lives. We prayed specifically for the precious people who were going to fill those chairs. God was there!
Matt and I are truly humbled that the Lord has called us to work with these precious people. Humbled that we have the opportunity to work with the Hispanic community. Blessed that we are a part of a church that trusts and supports and encourages our vision for the ESL program and those who attend. The Lord has put a passion in both of our hearts for missions. No, we are not in the jungles of Peru or in a large city of Nicaragua. We are missionaries in Houston, Texas. This is where the Lord has placed us. I would love to do full-time missions abroad some day, but for right now I am thrilled with where we are. We are just two "gringos" with Spanish blood running through our veins, ready for whatever comes next!
Thank you so much to all of you who did so much to help us! All of our ESL teachers were awesome! Thank you also to a few of my sweet Bible study sisters who were quick to step up to help! Tammie, Miss Catherine and Miss Millie, thank you for your help decorating tables! Thank you Sheri for EVERYTHING!!! I have to write a separate blog post just to thank you for all you did for us! Thank you to Jo-Ann for watching my boys all day on Wednesday! I owe you! Thanks to Pastors Barry and Rick for your constant encouragement and support to the ESL ministry. It is so much appreciated! And thank you to everyone who prayed continuously for the event and for Matt and I.