A little late, but with Much Love!

Abba-Aramaic for "Father"
Father's Day is a day set aside to honor our fathers, grandfathers, and the men in our lives that have helped to shape us into the men and women we are today. Throughout the ages the word father has been used. The bible refers to God as our "abba" meaning father.
In Mark 14:36 it states, "Abba father all things are possible unto thee." Romans 8:15 proclaims, "Ye have received the spirit of adoption, where we cry Abba Father." Then again in Galations 4:6 we read, "And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba father." I am blessed with a heavenly father who claims me as his child, who hears my cry, who holds me tenderly, and above all knows my name.
I am so thankful for my Abba daddy, but also thankful God has blessed me with an earthly father, to not only honor one day out of the year, but everyday of the year! I believe that the most important feelings in life are never expressed; especially to those we love the most.
Daddy, no matter how many miles life parted us, you were always there for me. I love you dearly and am so thankful for your energy, your dedication, faithfulness, love and selflessness. You have taught me to love, laugh, fear God, love some more and just have fun doing it. Life had its ups and downs, set backs and set ups, we are still climbing and reaching, and learning but I am so glad I have you by my side. I remember those songs you used to sing to me, "You are my sunshine, my only Sunshine" and "Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name." You taught me to love and serve God will all my heart and that is one of the most import lessons anyone could ever teach me. The question has been asked, "When does a woman stop needing her daddy?" My answer, "I'll let you know when I find out!" You are my #1 man and I appreciate all you do and all you are. I wouldn't trade you for the world, even if you are a grumpy old man sometimes.

Love always,
Your Sunshine aka Ambergelbercups

Baby Dayz for Auntie Angel!

I have had the amazing opportunity of getting to know a miracle baby over the past year. Carisse Lynn is the only child of Tim and Jennifer Butts, a dear couple in our church. Her story is incredible and tearful, but God has shown his mercy and grace through every lofty step.

Carisse is my little Princess and I love her to pieces! Feel free to visit her website to learn more about her remarkable story and see her smiling face.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carisse

Look who's getting younger!

Courtney...my Moreshay de la Coffee Queen...my friend...my example...my prayer partner...my blessing! I am so thankful to have such an inspiring friend! I love you!

Happy 20th Birthday!

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Happy Birthday to my favorite Phillipino, God Loving, True Christian, Canadian VREN!!

(Sorry my dear for not having any pictures of you, the ones I have are either umm....not decent or not very becoming) But I absolutely Love you the same! Hope you have a wonder day!

The happenings!

The internet is cluttered with sites about anything and everything you can imagine…a heap of rubble where one has to search laboriously to find something of value. Fortunately for you, you've just accessed a site that is a diamond among the rocks! Why? Because we’ve found something uniquely valuable, priceless and full of wonder. You can say we’ve found a treasure, and the best part is that we have a map for others to trace back to this place of discovery. Sound mysterious? Good, that’s because it really is quite a mystery! But hey…we’ve got a map so you won't have to take our word for it, but you can find it for yourself! Want access? Want to know what this is all about? Want to be apart of a growing,diverse community of young adults that are radical about God? Come hook up with us and let’s discover Him together!

C&C Ministries is comprised of young adults, 20-somethings and college & career-age singles who pursue God in every aspect of life: our career, our relationships, talents, time and finances. Realizing God's perspective on our life, we've found liberty and blessing! Please visit our home page for Upcoming Events and we look forward to seeing you next time!

http://www.mission242.com/

Why Knock....

The doors of wisdom are never shut!

-Benjamin Franklin

LIFE-Comes at you fast!

Life has a way of sending you unfortunate events that rock your world! Wednesday evening a childhood friend of mine and a dear friend to our family was involved in a motorcycle accident. At this time he is stable, but his life will never be the same. The accident has deformed his lower leg and after 6 hours of surgery the doctors have decided they could do no more. Below is a story that was sent by his mother hours before the accident. The young man along with his father are not in church nor serving the Lord, but know the truth. I only heard this story second hand so I have added my own adjectives and twists, but I know you will understand the purpose and meaning. Please keep the Seward family in your prayers, and pray Michael comes to know how precious life is and how threatening it is without the promise of eternity. God has each of our lives in his hand!

I heard of a story of a not so wise, yet not so negative King who had a trusted servant whom spent every moment with the king. The king had a jolly phrase he quoted each day, "It's all for the good!" One warm afternoon the king took his trusted "side kick" hunting with him, in the confusion and excitement of the sight of game, the servant pulled the trigger of the gun and unfortunately blew the kings thumb off. Angered the king had the servant thrown into a bitter jail. Many years later the king was traveling in a foreign land and was captured by an ancient tribe. He was tied to a stake and prepared for an offering. One brave noticed that this so called king was missing his thumb, and superstitious as they were, released the king for all sacrifices were to be whole in every way. The king gratefully returned to his kingdom and was met with the familiar phrase, "It's all for the good!" The king quickly ran to the jail and had his long time ago friend released. Upon their glorious reunion the king told of his story and ended with "It's all for the good! But I am sorry I so hatefully threw you in prison" The man heartily accepted the apology and said "But my king, it was all for the good that I was thrown in prison for all this time. For if I had been with you, I would have taken your place as the sacrifice and would not been able to celebrate this precious life with you my friend, my king!"

We Trusted-Luke 24:21

I have always felt so terrible for the disciples as I reflect upon their walk to Emmaus that they had not said to Jesus, "We still trust"; instead of "We trusted."
If they had only said, "Everything is against our hope; it looks as if our trust was in vain, but we will not give up; we believe we shall see Him again. "
But no they walked by his side declaring their lost faith, and He had to say to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe!"
Are we not in the same danger of having these words said to us? We can afford to lose anything and everything if we do not lose our faith in the God of truth and love.
Let us never put our faith, as these disciples did, in a past tense-"We trusted." But let us ever say, "I am forever trusting!"

The soft, sweet summer was warm and glowing,

Bright were the blossoms on every bough:

I trusted Him when the roses were blooming;

I trust Him now...

Small were my faith should it weakly falter

Now that the roses have ceased to blow;

Fail were the trust that now should alter,

Doubting His love when storm clouds grow.

Sincerely,

a.rose 2007

Friday was an interesting evening!

Well... sleep did not come for Courtney and I until close to around 3:30am Saturday morning! But nothing but fun preceeded! lol Around 8:30pm Friday evening Walmart was raided by two pennies in lifejackets, sun bonnets, with the world's ugliest beach bags! You should have seen those two cuties! lol Slippered football players in Bel Air down the Depends aisle, cookie monsters on Lark Street, and the most amazing house shoed basketball players at 12am on the corner of Bradshaw and Calvine. What a night to remember! MEMORIES!

A quotable day

"To err is human: To forgive; divine." Alexander Pope

Worship- Chiefly British word...

....with a powerful meaning!
Worshipe: worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being...
extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

Once again the doors of The Rock Church will be open for yet another "Evening of Worship" An annual event intended to express our sincere and honorable God the praise and adoration he deserves.

Come join us as The Rock Church Mass Choir along with Psalmist C. Myles Young lift their voices in song. Click on the link below for more information! Hope to see you there! God Bless!

http://www.therockchurch.org/worship

Think on these things....

"For God Loveth a Cheerful Giver!" When we hear these words we immediately associate them with $$$ Money! Right?.... But what if we apply these words to TIME, ACTIONS, WORDS, and LOVE.

God asks for us to be cheerful in all things!

" In whatsoever state I am, therewith to be contect" In the Hebrew content simple means to "Not complain" Challenge yourself and say...."No matter what situation occurs throughout my day, I will be Cheerful and not complain, but give a smile and offer a tender word or prayer."

"Sing a song, and let JOY begin to play along!" a.rose 2006

Sincerly,

a.rose 2007

In Dedication to a Mother!

Each of us have one, many are one and everyone needs one. A mother is an integeral part of our everyday being. From the moment of our conception a mother begins to prepare for this life long goal, raising the best you. Our mothers wear many hats, often changing from moment to moment, wife to her husband, keeper of her home, and a nurse to comfort both our physical and physcological hurts and fears. Mother is more than just a name, she is a comfort, a gentle listener and most of all, your best friend. She is a strong tower in the middle of a storm and the fundamental element that holds the family together. It has been said that what shows on the outside is what is happening on the inside. A mother prepares her home, decorating and organizing, adding her gentle touch to the outside appearance with love and care. She daily washes dishes, does laundry, makes beds, irons, prepares meals, and tends to the needs of not only her family, but those around her. She is seamstress to missing buttons and holes in the knees of your favorite jeans. Mother works daily to add comfort and the warm fragrance of brownies and milk after your long day out in the world. She adds her fingerprints to our lives, praying daily for the Heavenly Father to guide and protect us as she ushers us out each day with a tender kiss on our cheek. As children our imaginations tend to lead us into believing we are famous airline pilots, the first astronaut to land on the moon, a rodeo cowboy, a princess in training, a soldier in a far away country and Miss Betty Crocker Jr. But in the midst of the couch cushions, kitchen table, and mothers high heel shoes, accidents happen. Cowboy tripped on a stone chasing Indian and scrapped his knee, and who else but Dr. Mom could possibly come to the rescue. Mother is a tender to our childhood scrapes and bruises and a mender to our teenage heartbreaks and friendships. She is like a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night. She is the one by our bedsides with a steaming bowl of soup and a calming song on her lips; reassuring us that everything will be all right if we just leave it in the hands of someone more capable.
A puzzle is not quite complete unless each piece fits together. A milk shake would not be as sweet and perfect unless the ice cream was added. Our flag would not wave as proudly if the stars had been removed. Just is the same with our mothers, she is the glue that keeps us all together. She is the missing piece, the component that makes us all complete. Without her influence and support we would never be the individual she set out to create. Each story we tell, and each memory we create shapes us and forms us, developing our habits and traditions. I have been blessed with two incredible mothers. Both are unique in there own ways; but both remain my strength, my comfort, the one I turn to when it hurts. They have always been there, and I know no matter what they will continue to fight for me, even if it means they must first lay down their life in exchange for my own.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who have had such an impact upon my life! I love you dearly!

Sincerely,
a.rose May 2006
Revised May 2007

An New Revelation!

All my life I have been raised to believe that there is a God, one God and his name is Jesus. He loved me enough to die for me, he died to save me, and he saved me to live with him in heaven. A true Pentecostal child brought to believe this God could do anything and everything. I was instructed in the one god denomination; yet compassed about by Trinity, Jehovah witnesses, and Catholics. I believed in one God because that is what I had been taught, this belief was firmly grounded into my heart from a young age by my parents, pastors and elders. Taught by example and preached into existence. Everything about my walk with God pointed to his solo being; yet I had only the basic scriptures to back me up. I believed because that is all I knew to believe, and it was the most logical of all.
But something within me stirred the afternoon I read James chapter 2 and verse 19. “Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Never in my 21 years of life have I ever read such an incredible scripture. I was content to stay with the one line I had used for years, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…” that summed up the whole Bible for me, yet this verse shook me. I believe in one God, and he tells me, "You are on the right path, but do you know that the devil himself believes in me. Yes, the one who tempts you with everyday sin, the one who whispers words of bitterness into your ear, the one who attempts to steal your joy every lonely evening. Yes, even the one who haunts you with your past and torments you with dark nights of fear." He and all his colleagues tremble with dread at the thought that there is one God! They have no choice but to believe against their false doctrines, and petty cults; their made up fantasies and devilish tricks. They were created by the one true living God, and no matter their attempt to exalt themselves; they will forever be subjects to the one and only, Jesus Christ! This somehow gives me a greater fight towards victory, not only in my own life; but hope in those lives I come in contact with each and every day.

This revelation has given me a new found strength that on my knees, no matter what I may go through, no matter how lonely, how hard, nor how tedious my steps may be, I have a relationship with someone that is to be reverenced by all, including my greatest enemies!

a.rose 2007

I love the very "thought" of this quote!

"It doesn't matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going."-Brian Tracy

This is an article you can not pass up!

Gods amazing miracles are not just for the book of Acts. They are alive and real and being played out all over the face of this world. For the locals here in Sacramento a miracle was handed to them and then added to the daily news. Two gentlemen from my church, John Allen and Bro Danny Walker we just coming in from a day of fishing when a man came running up to them with tears streaming down his face screaming, "I can't find my wife, I can't find my wife!" Bro Allen and Bro Walker turned their boat around and headed out again coming upon an object in the water. There they found the woman, deadly purplish blue, swelled up and already stiff. They took her to shore and 911 was called. The operator attempted to to explain the method of CPR but John Allen would have nothing to do with it, he is such a man of God, and not a quieted one at that, began to do the only thing he knew how to do, PRAY. Over ten minutes went by before help arrived, but by then the woman had already began to cough up the mirky water and talk to the men who saved her. Death had proclaimed her body and it was evident it had several hours before yet God, who stepped beyond death many years ago, gave life and raised her up before the eyes of the witnesses. How could you not share such a story!

Click on the link below for a full story featured on Channel 13 news!

http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_123083904.html

Bored Silly

Well...its Wednesday night and Elk Grove has closed down. All residents are dreamily drifting off to slumber land. Everyone except the Midnight Spa Bandits!
Beware to those attempting to sleep you will be prosecuted. All organized pizza parties will be raided!

I was enjoying a quiet evening at home in my jammies and the cutest slippers. Face mask and whitening strips, working on my writing when Joey decided to come over. There goes my evening...I ran and got dressed and then he gets the big idea "Hey "paint" my face, I want to be a mime." 20 mins later everyones' face was "painted" and we were at the Jones trying to scare them. Try being met with a pizza cutter, its quite an experience! It was just one of those boring Wednesday nights!

Joey, Tamsen, Ayla, Katie, Vincent and I, The official MSBs!

One of a kind..three of a kind

There is something about having a friend that you can share everything with. A friend you can argue with; yet love even more because of it. A best friend you can tell your secrets, your sorrows, and share your joys. Few can find a true friend that is there no matter what life may bring, who is not only there to listen, but there to walk with you and go through the storm by your side to ensure you make it out strong. I am so proud to have two incredible sisters who have been there through thick and thin. We have laughed together, fought each other, and in the end have learned to cling to each other. Ayla...Tamsen....Thank you for being such incredible lil sissys'! I am so proud of you both!

"Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters!"-White Christmas

*photo taken in Mom's limo for her 40th birthday, sparkling cider anyone?

Free at last!

After 20 months of wires, colored ties, pain and manipulation of the jaw, April 25th, 2007 will forever be a monument in my life! Though there comes a sorrow with the loss of a close "friend" I will forever be indebted to my nearly two year companion and orthodontist. At 8:40am this morning I was free of my chains called braces! WOO HOOO!! I am very much excited about the change and am pleased with the results! I just want to give a public thank you to Dr Gregory Adams DDS and his incredibly talented staff! You make me Smile! =0)

Got a riddle for you!!!

What king can you make if you take

~the head of a lamb
~the middle of a pig
~the hind of a buffalo and

~the tail of a dragon?

If you think you know the answer please don't hesitate to let me know!

I would like to know what you believe the answer is!

Hint:Think out of the box, or "in" the box.

Your secret place...A Psalm 91 Experience

Have you ever looked into the mirror and noticed how odd the world you stand in looks in that object of glass? It reflects your present world, yet everything is different, the left is now the right, and the right becomes the left. Have you ever imagined yourself drifting beyond the glass and entering that reflective world and looking back? What an experience that would be! This adventure would, in a spiritual sense, "mirror" the presence of God. The Bible states we see through a glass darkly. We see our present situation, and know God has a plan and a purpose, but we don't see the purpose nor the true expected outcome. But when we come into the presence of the Holy God, things that looked dark and dreary, become purposeful and grow bright. In the presence of God; we are still in our same room, the tangible things are still within our reach, yet the world takes on a new and different light. The storm around us still rages, but we have a protection, the eerie darkness surrounds us, but light illuminates our souls, fear reaches to grasp our minds, but a powerful existence binds and gives peace. It is here you have not only stepped into the world beyond the glass, but into an intimate place of peace and love, your own secret place with the most high.

Psalm 91 clearly proclaims that, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the all mighty!" What a time of refreshing~ Have you visited your secret place today?

Sincerely,

a.rose 2007

www.holyghostdrama.com

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*******"The Secret Place" *******

written by A. Lombardo and K. Horton