A Peaceful Experience

A Love Story

2009-02-13T16:09:00.000-08:00

Angels???

2008-11-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

Well... something very "weird? beautiful? terrifying?" happened two nights ago...

Ok... here is what happened:
That night I was about to put Natalia in her crib... so, we have our routine and we followed it... Natalia seemed to be tired... but... when I was in the rocking chair... all of a sudden she was completely awake... and not only that... but she was looking at "something" in the dark of her room.... she started smiling SHE EVEN STARTED GIGGLING, LAUGHING and making all sort of noises she had NEVER made before and she seemed TOO excited and trying to "grab" something in the air.... I REALLY REALLY REALLY got scared... she was acting like she had never acted before... not even when she is really happy to see me or when I am dancing for her.... I had a very weird feeling... and I started praying that if she was seeing "something" it would be angels from God.... I kept praying and trying to put her to sleep and even turning her head in another direction but she wouldn't want that... I got so scared that I went downstairs where Josh was watching TV and I told him what happened and that I was really scared.... (Too bad! Because I should Trust GOD MORE I KNOW... but the whole thing was just weird) .... Josh looked at her and Natalia seemed "back to normal" now... in fact... she wasn't excited at all... She fell asleep right away so I was going to put her in her crib but I asked Josh to go with me to her room so we could both pray for her (I always do that, but this time I felt I needed Josh there) ... So, we went upstairs, put her in her crib, prayed and left the room... I closed the door (as I always do so the cat won't get in) and that was it... I went downstairs to wash her bottles and turned on the monitor in the kitchen so I could hear her....

when I turned the monitor on... I just heard her SCREAM!

I looked at Josh so he would come upstairs with me again because I still was feeling very unsettled... he followed me upstairs and when I got to the door of her room.... the door just WOULDN'T OPEN! ... Natalia's scream was just a "ONE TIME" thing... no more crying... I couldn't hear her at all... and the door WAS JUST LOCKED! ... THAT WASN'T POSSIBLE! THOSE DOOR KNOBS we have don't even have a way to lock! they have never locked! The door knob is one of those that are just so the door will close but not lock.... I felt the blood rushed down to my feet... I felt cold! and I just looked at Josh (I can imagine my face) and I said: "It won't open!" HE looked at me (scared too now) and he tried to open the door... IT WOULDN'T OPEN! I just started praying! IN SPANISH! I couldn't stop saying: "Senor Jesucristo por favor que se abra esta puerta!" I can tell you something... Josh looked terrified too! .... he tried to calm me down and he tried to seem peaceful and just said "This is weird!" ... He ran to the basement to get some screwdrivers.... He tried everything... he even removed the doorknob and NOTHING... THAT DOOR WAS COMPLETELY SHUT! .... I at least wanted to hear her cry! It wasn't possible she wasn't crying! she usually gets scared even with her own yawning ... even when I leave her room the noise of the wood under my feet makes her cry a little bit... we were making so much noise trying to open that door and NOTHING! I could hear nothing! ... I prayed that at least I would hear her cry... and there she was ... some "whining" but NOTHING MAJOR... but I had heard her.... Josh ran downstairs for the drill ... and he was drilling trying to do something... THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD... And Natalia wasn't crying... just that little "whining" once in a while... Josh ended up REMOVING THE FRAME of the door... and we could finally get in there after about 30 minutes that seemed the longest in my life!

In a very weird way the thing that "works" to "close the door" was "locked" ... the door knob had broken (who knows how!) and even when we removed it... that thing was still stuck....

Natalia was very peaceful, kind of smiling and with her eyes open but very sleepy...

I KNEW IT! SHE HAD BEEN SEEING ANGELS! some of you might think I am crazy... But I knew it wasn't normal the way she was acting before all that happened... I am sure the angels "knew" what was going to happen.... and they were there even before all that so she would be happy and peaceful during all that crazy moment!

I could barely sleep that night... My heart was still jumping out of my chest for a while.... I praise the Lord because I KNOW HE is always protecting us! and even Natalia was fine and everything was OK His angels were there with her so she wouldn't get terribly scared with all that noise (drilling, kicking, pushing etc.)

I had to share this... I can't stop thinking about it all...

By the way... Natalia had a very peaceful night... after Josh installed the door frame back and a new door knob she was back in her crib sleeping.

... Do you think I am crazy thinking she was literally seeing angels? ... Do you think it was all just a coincidence?

I have still been trying to see if she acts like that again ... and nothing.... she is just all smiley and some panting here and there... that's it...

Hugs!

Paloma.

"The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7

GIVE THANKS!

2008-11-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

Well... This month we celebrate THANKSGIVING.... But we should Thank everyday for all the Blessings from the LORD, for those things we receive and we don't receive... we should GIVE THANKS!

Are you thankful with GOD? Take this opportunity and think about all those things that God did for you this year...

Please post a comment and share with us all those things that you have to Give thanks for! We want to rejoice with you!

I want to give thanks for:

1. Salvation! (That's always the greatest! This and every year!)
2. My husband! Praise the Lord for another year together!
3. This year my daughter was born! What a great and wonderful blessing! God has provided everything we've needed for her and even more!
4. My family in Mexico, Thank God I can always be in touch with them and that God allowed us to travel and be with them the beginning of the year.
5. For my mom and brother who could visit us before Natalia was born.
6. God saved our house! We were about to lose it and God saved it!
7. My Husband's family! They are all so loving with me! Thank God!
8. My friends! I thank God because they are wonderful! And for all those new friends I've met (Thank God for the C-moms!!!)
9. Church! God has provided with a wonderful church, great pastor and wonderful brothers and sisters there!

There are so many more things... I will probably keep adding... But that is my initial list! ;)

What about you???

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

When will HE come back?

2008-11-08T08:27:00.001-08:00

Listening to the Radio the other day, I heard a great analogy about Jesus coming back... and I want to share it with you...

The person talking said that Jesus is of course coming back for His church... one day, we don't know exactly when. Some people debate about it, many think He will take His church BEFORE the great tribulation, some others think it will be during, and some others think it will be after....

This has been a topic of discussion for many many many years... and I know we will never really all agree on this....

Here is the analogy:

"There was a family and they were all fighting... Someone arrived to their house and saw them all arguing with each other, the visitor asked: -Why are you all fighting? What is this all about?- And one of them answered:
-You'll see, William, our oldest brother, has been gone for many years and we are waiting for him, we know he is coming back but my mom thinks it will be next month, my sister says he will be here next week, my dad thinks he is coming back with some friends, and I think he is coming back on his own and it will be until next year... so, that's what we are discussing about because we want to be ready when he comes- The visitor left them arguing so they continued, fighting with each other when all of a sudden the door opened and there he was: William! he was back and he found them fighting about his return"

It doesn't sound very smart, huh?

-------

I really liked this analogy, I think neither of us really know when HE is coming back.... but we should be ready all the time... we don't know if He is coming today... I remember I asked my ex-pastor many years ago: "When do you think the end of the world' will be?" He said: "I don't know but for many people the end of the world is today"... yes... we are so worried about knowing "Dates and times" and we don't even know we will live tomorrow.... we don't know if we will make it the end of the day....

So, How do we want HIM to find us? let's all be ready for HIS return... Today!

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."Matthew 25:13

President Elect: Barack Obama

2008-11-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

Well... as we all know Obama won.... did America win though??

What do you feel about Barack Obama being elected as President of the United States? I know there are different opinions about it...

In my case ... I felt sick yesterday when I heard the news.... I know we have to trust God with it... so ... I have much praying to do...

So, please post your thoughts here.... I want to know how most of my friends, contacts and whoever reads this blog feels about Obama winning...

In my case I can say: "Help us Lord!"

(Special message for the c-moms: if you already gave your opinion in the forums, feel free to copy&paste it here, I would like some of my other contacts to read about it and give their opinion too)

Paloma.

Are you checking your ounces???

2008-10-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right.... I didn't make a mistake with the title.... I am asking YOU... are you constantly checking your "ounces"?

What do I mean? Let me explain...

Some days ago, my handsome husband ;) got home and seemed a little bit "down" ... he said: "I know I shouldn't worry about money but I do! ugh! I don't like it but I just started thinking about money and I got frustrated" ... we needed to buy bottles for Natalia and we had no money... so, he seemed aggravated, but trying to have a good and Godly attitude about it.... he told me about his "frustration" while I was feeding Natalia.... So, it just came to my mind... like a flash.... "Can you imagine Natalia worrying about the ounces of formula she eats?" ... NO! that is my problem and she doesn't even worry.... she just eats! she does her work (cry and open her mouth!) and that's it.... there is nothing else she can do... the rest is my responsibility... she just "trusts" the food will be there! she doesn't know how and doesn't need to know how.... but the formula will be there whenever she needs it! so, she eats! I can't imagine how it would be if she kept checking the bottle to try to "administer" the ounces she has! ... she would be always worried! she would hardly eat because there are only "two ounces left!" so she would try to make it "stretch" as much as possible... she would be always wondering.... "What if I finish my bottle right now and there is nothing left for later?" it doesn't sound right... does it? ... So... If I take care of my daughter ... How much more our GOOD GOD will take care of us? of course I am not talking about spending like crazy and irresponsibly... But... He will definitely take care of our needs! when there is nothing you can do... and you think the resources are low... God is there... even when it seems that the "bottle is almost empty" ... Don't worry HE has more... Don't try to figure out HOW HE does it! HE just does it! .... I don't know where He keeps the formula! ... but I don't need to know! as long as I do what I can do... He will do what I can't ... :D

So, I invite you... to have peace about it... even in the Lord's prayer He teaches us to pray only for TODAY... "give us today our daily bread" ... not for next month, not even for tomorrow! ... Don't check your ounces... if we do the math... we will realize that it doesn't even make sense... we have much more than we could've ever had with our own resources... HE is the one who has provided all the time!

:)

So, enjoy your bottle!

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeSince you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Luke 12:22-26

Paloma.

They are succeeding! Where is my stuff?

2008-06-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

I just want to share with you yesterday's sermon at church (06/29/08) - Paloma K

Preacher: Joshua K.

Click:
http://rapidshare.com/files/157767117/01_Track_1.wma.html

And then just click the button that says "Free"... and that's it! the download will take about 4 minutes to do it... and then you can listen!

God bless u!

Paloma.

A testimony!!!

2008-04-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! What can I say??? I am just amazed everyday by the things God does!!! In this case I want to share with all of you something God (and only Him) did for my husband and me....

Well... some of you know that.... our house... well... it's a long story... Josh was working in Target when he got this house... was making good money and could afford the payments of the mortgage, interests, etc... then... he lost his job and the money was gone! when the savings were gone too.... we knew we wouldn't be able to continue living here! Josh... started working for the Bank "as a coincidence" that owned his house (or at least the loans) ... - Josh had never worked in a Bank before, when he started working there... he explained the situation with the house and they said the loan had been sold to another bank, so, there was nothing they could really do to help. Even with the new job we wouldn't be able to afford the payments, so the bank gave us some options: Foreclosure , surrendering the house or selling and that way the bank wouldn't lose as much (Banks never want to foreclosure or to keep your house because there are so many administrative costs involved and they would have to deal with the sale of the house on their own...) ... We, well... the house was for sale... and GOD gave us so much peace through all of it... as a wife I can say that the only pain losing the house caused me... was all the work that Josh had put into it.... But we both knew anything would be for our good.... So, we were of course ready to lose this house and live in an apartment (we would try to find a cheap one of course)....

After 3 months of the house being for sale... nobody is buying it! The price has gone lower than what the loan with the bank was ... so... it wasn't looking great! at least for us... since the difference between the price the house would be sold and our debt, we would still pay (of course in a reasonable amount of time) Well... to make this story short.... Josh..... Received a phone call from a guy from lending dept. in the bank and the HR manager (last week).... they were asking about his situation and stuff.... Then they asked... "Josh... do you want to stay in the house?" ... Josh said yes!.... they said: "Here is what we are going to do... we will buy your loan back from the Federal Reserve.... and... instead of paying about 7.8% - this number I am not sure of - for your loans, and interests... you would be paying 3% ... but not only that... since you can't afford even that.... right now you would only pay the interest (not even the house payments) ... which is 600.00 USD a month! is that ok???" OMG! We couldn't believe it! Josh was shaking and ... of course said yes! (600.00 USD would be the same amount we would pay if we rented an apartment) ... and ... we will be able to keep the house... I want you all to know WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING... WE DIDN'T call everyone to try to keep the house the only person we called for help was GOD... and that's the ONLY one who could help us!... even Joshua's boss said: "I can't believe it... they never do anything like this for employees" ... AND JOSH has been working for the bank less than a year! so... IT IS GOD... People who knew about our "problem" said there was no way around it... even Realtors who came to show the house to people who were interested... said it was so sad we would lose it... and they tried to figure out a way so we would keep it ... but the numbers and well... NOTHING HUMAN made it possible! ... There was no way out... but God could open the Sea... and he could keep us here!

We are staying in this house... (as long as God wants us to!) and if tomorrow we were to lose it... well... we would know anyways HE IS ABLE! ... To do anything...

As soon as Josh got back from the Bank that day... he removed the "FOR SALE" sign out of our house...

It is such a great miracle! the "big bosses" in the bank made the decisions.... when... we didn't even ask them to... but we believe that God moved everything.... and all the Glory is HIS...

I hope you rejoice with us... not for the house... that ... well.. of COURSE we are so happy!!!! But for having such a powerful God.... that teaches us how to trust Him in every circumstance...

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1

Give thanks....

2007-11-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

Hi you all! It's been a while since my last post here..... and it's not for lack of things to say.... it's been more for being a little bit lazy and I always think... does anybody read what I write anyways??? hehe.... But this time..... I want to take advantage to give THANKS..... Last night we celebrated thanksgiving with my husband's family... it was great..... but.... it was more about eating... talking and watching TV..... later.... when we came back home I really wanted to have a "Thanksgiving" session .... so we started thanking God for how GOOD HE has always been with us... we mentioned all the things we could remember we must be thankful for (there were so many... and we were only mentioning those that happened this year!) ..... after that we sang some praises to GOD! ....

Of course we must all give thanks EVERYDAY for everything! but.... as encouragement for all.... would you share in your comments what you are thankful for??? What were those things that you can remember were outstanding this year and you are thankful for???

Let me start....

I Give thanks for:

Salvation... THAT... I WILL ALWAYS THANK FOR!
HEALTH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS... BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY FOR:

- God gave me a GREAT, AWESOME husband (the picture of this blog is a picture of the celebration of my wedding).
- That included a whole change.... so now I have MORE family and friends... My husband's family has been great with me.
- We got an amazing telephone service that allows me call my family and speak 3000 minutes every month!!! so I am always in touch with them!
- I attend a great church where I am learning so much.
- My sister could came up and stayed for 9 days! It was such a blessing!
- The residency process that takes years for some... took 4 months for me.... I am a permanent resident of USA and God provided for Lawyer and every expense involved.
- My husband got a new job and he was recognized as the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!
- We planted a garden and gave more tomatoes and peppers than we could ever eat!
- A friend gave us a laptop my husband had always wanted ... (God takes care even of those things that are not exactly a basic need).
- God has provided amazingly in our house..... we EVEN go out to eat at least twice a week and it's always GOD who provides through people!
- I've become a great baker... hahaha..... and trust me.... God has been the one helping me!
- We got a dining set... and even a desk my husband had always wanted.... we didn't do anything to get those.

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It's amazing... I could continue all day.... BUT .... It's now your turn... share with US those things you want to thank for!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

God bless u!

Paloma.

I know! I know!!!

2007-09-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

WoW... Do you know someone who was born knowing EVERYTHING??... WELL... I was born knowing everything! (yep! that's what I thought) since I can remember... "I know" has been my favorite "phrase" ... I have said "I know" so many times... without knowing that I didn't know anything at all!!!

Last Sunday I was reminded of it... 'cause in the sermon Joshua said.... " When I was a little boy my uncle used to tell me... 'don't chew with your mouth open' ... and I would even chew harder and with my mouth open even wider... how could he tell me that?? I knew what I was doing... I was 6 years old!" ... and we all laughed when he said that... 'cause he said "I was 6 years old" as if he was a big boy who knew everything.... who nobody could teach him anything at all... of course he was mentioning this in the sermon to make us reflect on how we act even with GOD... we are so arrogant and proud... even without knowing it...

So ... I started thinking about how many times I've been like that... and it's been so many that I am embarrassed... It's amazing how many times my mom or dad tried to explain something to me... and I got frustrated 'cause ... I KNEW IT ALL!!! I closed my ears to their advice... I was so smart in my own opinion!" and that was so stupid!!!.... Now I can really appreciate their patience with me... wow! they knew that sooner or later I was going to realize they were right.... they tried to give me their advice to make it sooner for me.... to avoid me the pain of learning "the hard way" but I was such a big head!!! and I always Knew!!! I remember myself not paying attention many times in class 'cause they were things that I already "knew" ... or not paying attention in church 'cause "Oh! I've heard that before!" ... or my pastor telling me to do one thing but I would do exactly the opposite... 'cause in my mind I thought: "he doesn't really know" my "situation is different" ... until "pum, zock, cuaz, paz!" (just look at my face in the picture hahaha)... I found in painful ways... that I was so wrong... I fell so many times... and do you know what I did when I was still on the floor after falling??? Do you think I learned my lesson??? Well ... no! many times even still on the floor I kept saying:"I know! I know!" .... Now... even when I write this posts in my blog... I feel terrified to have that attitude, I ask God to save me from myself... 'cause the worst things that have ever happened to me have all of them been because of my pride.. for following my own "smart ideas"... for feeling "I knew it all".

It's amazing but I didn't even know that I was being proud. (MAN! I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!!!)

Are we like that with God too??? if we have been like that to the authorities HE has provided for our own protection... then... I know we do it to HIM.... it's sad but we even "pray" asking for HIS wisdom and will... but in our hearts already set to do what "we want to do" ... looking even in the Bible for verses that will even "agree" with us.... etc... etc...

what can I say??? I just can say... God... I NEED YOU... THANKS FOR MY PARENTS... FOR MY PASTOR.... FOR THOSE WISE PEOPLE YOU HAVE PROVIDED! it's better for me to listen than to speak! make me really listen... to your voice....

the weird thing is that ... after all... when we are still blind and deaf because of our own "loud voice saying I know" we say... why doesn't God speak to me??? Why did He let me go through this and that??? .... when all we needed to do... was... to be quiet... silent....

ok... I will be quiet now.... I won't say more....

God Bless you!

"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish". Proverbs 12:11

Amor de telenovela.... Soap opera love

2007-09-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

What do we call love? feelings? Emotions??? those butterflies in the stomach? ... passion???

It's pretty easy to get confused with what love is.... mainly for the wrong idea we get from TV... movies... magazines... etc... But ... we forget that ... love is a decision... an action.... Jesus said "Love your enemies" ... and... we think that is impossible to do! why?? for our wrong perception of what love is... we think it's about feeling just good! ... if love was like that... it would be about ourselves... it would be a selfish thing... When we go to the Bible... and to Jesus... the right source of Love... we then can apply it... we can really understand what "loving" is about.... and even without "feeling like it" we would be able to love those who have hurt us... those who are different from us... We would be able to love our husbands and wives the "right" way... our children... our neighbor... our enemies....

It's so sad to see all the wrong things that are done "in the name of Love" .... for the "cheap" lie that we believe from the devil.... and the consequences for not knowing what love is ... are terrible... lack of forgiveness, bitterness, adultery, fornication, division (even in the churches), etc... etc... etc...

I am a very expressive person... and I am usually telling my mom "I love u ... I love u!".... and haha... I remember... that some of those times she would say.... "Then wash the dishes!" hahaha.... but it's true... I don't feel like "washing the dishes" but... that would be LOVE... DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR HER.... praying for others, doing something for others... giving ourselves to others.... Through time, effort, etc. ... God has shown HIS perfect love... through GIVING... He gave HIMSELF for us... who... didn't deserve it... who ... sometimes even reject that love....

My question is... am I loving??? Are you loving???? or are we just saying we love??? are we "waiting" until "we feel" those butterflies to love someone??? until we feel like floating over clouds??? well.... then we are not really willing to love.... let's love now... when it matters!... when it's hard... when it might be even painful... it's not an option... If we really consider ourselves followers of Jesus.... then... we have to do as He has done.... so... let's go wash the dishes!

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35

A peaceful experience...

2007-09-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

Well... this is the first time I have a blog... I am going to write in English so more people can understand... so forgive my mistakes ... since I am sure there will be many hehe...

And I am starting this blog because I saw pastor Josh has one... (copycat!) but that made me realize I could do something like this... Since I have so much time on my own... and I am always thinking I need more contact with human beings (since most of the time I spent is with my cat... "George") I am sometimes afraid I will start speaking his language...

So, I am hoping I can share my thoughts with you... whoever you are...

Why "A peaceful experience"? Well... everything started with... "cleaning" ... my husband and I have been trying to start a cleaning business and we thought our slogan would be ... "A peaceful experience"... because that's what we feel we can offer... Many people can clean... but not many people will offer zero turnover since we would be the owners and employees too.... zero stealing, things misplaced and things like that...

You know??? And I was thinking... that is what we have when we are with God... A peaceful experience.... You know? many things in the world offer joy (at least temporary)... excitement, etc... but... none of them can offer... "A peaceful experience" ... you can have sex out of marriage... what a great deal! no commitments... no responsibilities... just excitement... but.... peace??? None! ... instead you would have guilt, regrets, wounds.... You can also have "joy" without God... you can either use drugs, hang around with friends!, alcohol... parties... but... what's left??? Peace??? No! what about the time you spend on your own??? What happens when you are alone in your room at night? Is there any peace???

In the world there is always a "search" for happiness.... and peace.... But the problem is that when you get joy or excitement from the wrong source... sooner or later you will pay the consequences.... when... with GOD ... everything is a peaceful experience! it doesn't matter if there are (which there will always be)... problems, tribulation, affliction.... there is always a peace beyond any understanding...

Like me... I can't say that I don't feel sad at all for having left my family in Mexico to get married... and come to live here in Milwaukee... Sometimes I feel the pain is more than I can take.... But.... it's amazing... there is PEACE... that peace that only knowing you are doing God's will can give... and then.... when I know I put everything in His hands..... there is a conviction that He can handle things better than I can.... and that He can take care of my family and my heart....

I am really so blessed... Do you feel like there is no peace in your life??? Maybe you are being fed from the wrong source... sometimes we even confuse "church" with "God" .... we get involved in all types of activities in Church (which is great) but we forget about our personal, intimate time with our Lord.. (which is terrible) and we wonder why there is lack of peace in our lives....... because... we went to the wrong source.....

well... I was just thinking... and writing.... sharing this with you... knowing I go to the wrong source many times too....

I just want to encourage everyone.... including me... to never forget to go to the ONE and ONLY who can really offer... A peaceful experience....

Love!