Saturday Inspiration...

Fear: No Longer Slaves...

The other day Rhonda (Kane) asked me what my favorite worship song is right now. When I stopped to think about it... THIS is definitely the answer! I struggled with fear for MANY many many years. In this life there are people around you that have been through unspeakable things. Experiences that leave scares that penetrate deep into the soul... I'm thankful that MY God can deliver and heal us from every unimaginable thing. We can trust Him to be our deliverer. I will NEVER forget the day I was standing in the shower and realized I WAS NO LONGER A SLAVE TO FEAR! Thank you my Jesus for being my everything... This song is a declaration, a remembrance, a thanksgiving...

Enjoy and thank you Rhonda for asking me the question...xo

B

Monday Prayer...

Reaching to the heavens for you today. Leave any requests you may have... here, facebook or private message. 💕

Saturday Inspiration...

My Holy Roller Life 3

My first faith building experience (Miracle) happened before I could talk!

I have ALWAYS had sensitive skin... which is quite the pain! Sometimes literally... When I was still in diapers and before my parents decided to follow Jesus. I had been struggling with severe diaper rash. So bad that I had OPEN and even BLEEDING sores on my nether regions (OUCH). As you can imagine this was very concerning to my parents. They had taken me to the Dr and were instructed to keep me out of diaper as much as possible and to switch to disposable diapers, which was VERY new at the time and probably pretty expensive I would think. Okay so... my parents had a gig (gig: A live performance, either musical, theatrical, or physical) with my grandpa in Santa Paula Ca., which is my grandfather and father's hometown :) My parents took me with them to Santa Paula and I was going to spend some quality time with my Mighty Woman of God (Great Grandmother Rufugia) who I'm sure was proclaiming and declaring over my future as she also prayed for my horrendous rash dilemma.  After my family SMASHED it at the gig (refer to definition above) they picked me up and were on their way back to Long Beach Ca. where my young, very hip mother, whose voice made people's heads explode as soon as she opened her instrument, began to change my diaper and as my face contorting, long corkscrew locked (long curly haired), bass slapp'n father looked on, they saw their babies bottom, and other parts, smooth! Free of any evidence that there had been anything wrong with any part of my skin! Healed completely!

This began the questions. The questions from my mother to my father of what could have possibly made this happen. And so she began her journey toward a Father like no other that would fill her life with story after story of His unfailing, unwavering faithfulness...

to be continued

B

She's Crafty!

Today's project was fun and only took about 15 minutes! I bought a bulletin board for my entryway. I like the natural look but wanted to dress it up a bit. Super easy and super cheap!💰

$14.99 Bulletin Board from Hobby Lobby on sale 50% off $7.50 and some cool tape I found at the $.99 Store.
Grand total $8.50ish!

Monday Prayer

Prayers going up for you this morning... Feel free to leave requests here, Facebook  or private message me.

❤️

B

Thrift Store Haula!

This weekends Thrift Store Haul! So I'm on the hunt for specific things I need and want for the Summer Adventure program and man did I make out this weekend! Giving it up for my Jesus! He provides all our needs! Can I get an Amen!!!! 

Really wanted this size easel with dry erase board for teaching time and the ability to store teaching tools in the middle (easy access) and would hold the Calendar for circle time! Woot woot   $8.99

These are a lot of fun! I wanted one but was pretty pricey at the store... This one is way bigger than the one I was hoping to buy at Walmart! $5.99

Now this was just an unnecessary  secret desire! There are even princess barbies! 2 Snow White's, Pocahontas, 3 Jasmine's even Marida, and Rapunzel   $20.00

Rex $.78, Captain America that talks $1.50, a really cool shark $.78 to go with the other animals I have, and a cool wood puzzle to add to my collection which I've been picking up at thrift stores lately. I think I have a total of 5 so far this one was $1.50! 

Okay I saved the best for last!!! This was like a pie in the sky dream! I really wanted these Marbleworks. We have them at the preschool and the kids just LOVE to play with them. However, they can get pretty pricey anywhere from $40-$80 and up depending on brand and how many are in the set etc... This is 2 complete sets that I got for $6.00!!!
God  you're so good!

Saturday Inspiration...

Matters of the Heart Test Results...

Tests results are in!
Here's the breakdown:

20% blockage in my right carotid artery
10% blockage in my right leg
my heart is enlarged and has a murmur do to my diabetes and weight.

They don't do surgery unless there is 70+ blockage.
He is not ordering an angiogram at this time. However, if I continue having heart palpitations or chest pain that is the next step.
I was prescribed Lipitor to help clear the blockage.
He's still requesting 4 miles of walking a day... ugh no salt and veggies, veggies, veggies. booooo Weight loss of course. I think with this diet and walking that shouldn't be a problem...

Man my pill box is getting full!!! If you met my pill box before you met me you would definitely figure me for a little old lady!
Thanking the Lord for a mostly good report. Time to put in the work. Thank you so much for all of your prayers! Glad to have a game plan and to know I'm not going to keel over with a heart attack or stroke!

Much love,

B
  

Monday Prayer...

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

Praying for you today... Let me know if you have any requests here, Facebook or private message.

B

Matters of the Heart 4

The Stress Test was very stressful! All in all it seemed to go well. I ended up having to have an IV which I was NOT expecting! The IV was to administer a radiation medication into my bloodstream. It was injected at the beginning of the test, I was given 2 cups of water, then ushered to lay on this skinny table, legs straight out, arms above my head and this amazing machine moved VERY slowly taking pic of my resting heart at all angles. After this I was escorted to the treadmill room, yes with the IV still in my arm! We begin the next phase of the testing. I got strapped with LOTS of wires and had lots of those circle sticky things stuck on me with stuff attached to them. Stepped on the treadmill and away we went. It started off at a pretty easy pace and I was feeling pretty good about things however every few minutes the speed increased and the treadmill inclined. By the end I felt like I was running up Mt Everest! Okay a little dramatic I know! As I was sprinting up Mt Everest the tech makes me release my death grip on the handle to administer more radioactive meds. I was praying LORD PLEASE HELP ME TO STAY ON THIS THING AND PLEASE KEEP ME FROM FARTING!!!! Have no fear my God is a mighty God!!! I finished the test glowing and panting a little but I made it through the entire test and with no breaking of wind! After this I was released for an hour to have food and COFFEE! Came back to the facility, back on the skinny table, legs straight out arms above my head amazing machine taking pictures of my very active heart. In total the test process took 3 hours which includes the hour break in between. Can I just say modern technology is awesome!

Tomorrow, Monday 4/4 at 4:00 I will receive all the results of my heart tests... Thank you so much for all your prayers! I know our God is listening...

I'll keep you posted

B

My Holy Roller Life 2

Homecoming 1987

My ONE of a kind father. Words that come to mind... artsy fartsy, spiritual, giver, compassionate, romantic, conversationalist, philosopher, deep thinker, artist, joke teller, peacemaker, musician, teacher. Just to give a few ;)
Feelings the thought of him evoke... joy, love, protected, strength, bravery, confidence, creativety, special

My dad was raised by his grandparents. Mexican culture, Spanish speaking, strict and Christ following. My grandfather, his dad, was a musician who had my father when he was a child himself, 16 I think and my grandmother was 14, I'm pretty sure. The way I've heard the story told is that my Great Grandmother Rufugia, Ruth in Spanish which is my middle name. My mother's mom's name was Ruth also cool huh? I'm named after both! Anyways... Rufugia a mighty woman of God, which we will discuss another day, went and asked my Grandmother if she could take my father, little Jimmy, and raise him as her own. And so... it was so. My Christian heritage begins...

Stay tuned
B

Matters of the Heart 3

My Stress Test was rescheduled for this morning at 8am. No caffeine for 12 hours before and my little paper of directions says it can take 2-3 hours! My caffeine headache is going to be scream'n when I walk out of that place! I'll get my fix at SB on my way home. That is such a long time! Not sure what to expect but I do know a treadmill is involved. Maybe I'll be able to sneak a couple of pics. If I do I'll share them with you ;)

Talk to you soon!
B

My Holy Roller Life: The beginnig

I was born in 1970 to Jim and Bonnie.  On my birth certificate for occupation under my father's name says "Musician" place of employment? The Copa Room in Long Beach California. I laughed when I read that. Yes my dad was a musician and my mom was a singer in the band. For 3 entire years I lived my life as a "flower child". Jim and Bonnie didn't believe they needed a piece of paper to dictate that their love would last forever (stated with dramatic flare). Did I fail to mention? Jim and Bonnie were incense burn'n, funny cigarette love'n hippies, that took showers because my dad is a body cleanliness freak!

While Jim and Bonnie were out in the cover of night scratch'n a living at the club. I was at my caregiver's (babysitter) apartment living a cherished life full of love, bockers (bottles) and the whispers of Jesus being planted in my soul...

stay tuned
B

Monday Prayer is Back!

Galatians 6:2 (nkjv)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

Monday Prayer is back!!!

I will be setting aside time every Monday to pray for you. Please feel free to leave any requests you may have here in the comments section, on facebook or private message me.

Praying for you today...

B

Matters of the Heart Update...

Yesterdays tests seamed to go well. I had an ultrasound done of my heart which was actually pretty amazing to watch! I was telling Brittani after watching that amazing organ pumping away it seams we should be obligated to learn how it works! It looked so vulnerable as it danced around in my body!

I also had the test where they check the blood flow to my arms and legs... this one was a little concerning to me. Of course the tech says nothing to help you feel one way or the other. But... I haven't heard anything so I'm thinking that no news is good news? Here is my concern. For the test they place one of those blood pressure things on both arms and both ankles. Then you lay down and they place some kind of mic thing that amplifies your pulse on a machine. So you can hear it, kinda like when you listen to your babies heartbeat. Anyhow, she starts with my right arm no problem! We hear my pulse thump'n away. She moves to my right ankle and nothing,,, she moves the mic around quite a bit and nothing! She moves the mic to the top of my ankle nothing! Finally she moves back to the inside of my angle and finds a very faint pulse. As the pressure increase the thumping got a little stronger sounding. She moved on to the left ankle strong pulse! Left arm strong pulse! So there you have it... a little concerning huh? But like I said I haven't heard anything... so???

My next test is on 3/28 I'll keep you posted and thank you so much for your prayers!!!! Keep'um come'n

Mucho Love!

B

Matters of the Heart

Long story short... I have type 2 diabetes along with tons of other Americans so I've heard. Currently my Dr. and I are in the process of getting my sugar levels under control. However, as my blood sugar levels have been running very high for quite some time we have been checking my organs making sure all is well. During the last year I have had heart palpitations and random shooting chest pane and tingling in my arms so... I was referred to a cardiologist. I've already gone for my first appointment and the Dr. found my heart to be slightly enlarged with a murmur and wanted to run more tests to make sure I don't have any clogged arteries. I have been assured by many that a murmur isn't all that serious and I could have had it all my life. Of course I'm probably fine but there is that small percent of my mind that is concerned and even though I'm laying my worry down in prayer every day, sometimes minute by minute, it wares a little on the soul.

Tomorrow at 9am begins a series of 4 tests through the end of this month that I'm hoping will result in peace of mind that all is well with this old girl. I will also be having my 46th birthday in the middle of all these tests which for some reason with all that's going on makes me feel very old. I'm supposing  this makes sense since, after all, it is the oldest I've ever been  lol!

It feels good to admit that this is going on! There's some kind of crazy thing that is able to go on in the mind when you keep these things inside as secrets. So... I'd like to say prayers are so very welcome and appreciated!

I'll keep you posted.

B

The Armor of God Study

I am currently doing this Armor of God study by Priscilla Shirer... I highly recommend it! To be honest it's kinda kick'n my butt. However, as I journey through it's exactly what I need. This week I'm studying the Belt Of Truth or should I say girding myself with truth! Truth is God's opinion on EVERYTHING! Am I living a life that runs every decision under the light of God's truth/the Bible. Well... I'm working on it! Here's to girding myself in truth one day at a time! Love you God thanks for meeting me today...xo

B

Our Summer Adventure!!!

My friend and co-worker Amy and I will be running a Preschool Summer Program out of my home called "Summer Adventure". I am so excited about this! We have 9 kids registered and can't wait! I am currently in the process of getting licensed for a Large Home Childcare. 

We have planned a really fun summer for the kids. From music and story time with "Grandma Hummingbird", pastel art with Mr. Flores, to learning sign language with special guest Mrs. Gaye! We have super fun themes planned like The Very Hungry Caterpillar/In the Garden, Superheros, Stars and Stripes Land of the Free, even a bible lesson every day learning the 9 Fruits of the Spirit. One each week found in Galatians 5:22. And of course we'll be reviewing our ABC's and 123's. We will run from May 30 - July 29! Wrapping up with a fun BBQ and backyard drive in movie for all of our families! 

I will share some pictures of what we've been doing around the house to get ready for our big Summer Adventure soon!

B

Life Update...

I forgot how much I love working with preschoolers! I am really enjoying the time I get to spend with the kids at Future Hope Preschool! I've been learning so much from the ladies I get to work with. Such a blessing.

I quit school... college life was hard and frustrating. I'm still working on not feeling like a failure but the fact remains I quit school and so far don't plan on going back any time soon if at all.

I'm back on the worship team! That's exciting! I'm getting back on the horse this Friday. I am leading worship for our Good Friday Service at Koinonia Church. I am so honored to be doing so. If you aren't already attending somewhere we would love to have you! It is a very touching intimate and creative service. A reflection of what our beautiful Savior went through for each of us on the cross. The service is 1 hour and starts at 7pm. kchanford,com

I am VERY excited about my summer plans! I will share them with you soon

B