puppy love

Summer lovin'

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What a year it has been so far...

My best friend Julie and I met in Hawaii back in the early 90s. We met while getting certified to have childcare in our homes on base. At that time, we were the only two in our class that did not already have children of our own. Julie invited me to lunch that very first day and from there we built a friendship unlike any other I have known. We have been through thick and thin together.

On February 20th Julie's husband, Abraham Lincoln Monteiro returned home to be with our heavenly Father. A few weeks ago, Julie sent me the cd that we played at his funeral service. I haven't been able to watch it until this morning.

Abe and Julie came to Corpus Christi to meet little big man Asher just after he was born. We had a wonderful time together. Abe fell in love with Asher and Tug, one of our English bulldogs. Little did I know this would be the only time I would spend with him. I am thankful for that tiny glimpse into his life with my soul sister, Ju Ju.

I flew out to Las Vegas to be with Julie and help in any way I could. Before I left, my mother-in-law prayed over me and told me that God was equipping me for the future. I didn't know how I could handle seeing my best friend go through this. I was so scared. But He was with me and held my hand as I boarded the plane.

I sat down next to two young children, a girl about 10 and her younger brother. As soon as I sat down, the sweet girl says to me, "Oh, do you go to Bay Area Fellowship?" The question took me by surprise as I answered, "Yes, how would you know that?". She replied, "I have a bracelet just like yours. My friend gave it to me." I looked down to see my pink, plastic bracelet that was my ticket to our upcoming women's GLO conference. At that moment, I knew this trip would be a good one. I was at peace.

My trip was filled with tears, preparation, soul-searching, prayer, fellowship, and pain with tender moments of laughter and joy thrown into the mix. Julie's friends and family became my own during those six days. I missed Jeremy and Asher like crazy, but my friend needed me. Julie was strong and gracious through it all.

Julie has seen me through some very tough times. Times I don't care to revisit very often. It was during those times that Julie would point me back to God. For many difficult years, Julie was the only person who could calm me (often over the phone after I moved from Hawaii) when I was crying uncontrollably from what felt like pure agony. When I was single and lonely, it was Julie who would tell me, "Just you wait Cheryl, God has the perfect guy out there for you. Trust in Him."

I am in the middle of redoing my office to accommodate both my real estate business and my new photography venture, graced images. As I was sorting through years of files and photos, I came across a box filled with cards, pictures and letters from my Ju Ju. A box filled with many many years of love. What a treasure. Thank you Lord, for this friend of mine.

Julie, I miss you and love you more than you will ever know. I thank God for you and our friendship. We have made so many memories together and I cannot wait to make more. I am so proud of you and the woman you are...the SuperMom, the dreamer, the people-fixer, the party planner/hostess with the mostess, the student who wouldn't give up, the caring nurse, the loving wife...My forever friend, my best friend, my Ju Ju.

beachy photo shoot with Papa and (sm)Asher

Please pray for Baby Audrey!

This sweet baby girl was admitted to Driscol on the evening of March 1st. Thanks to Tasha for keeping us up-to-date.

Below is the latest from her courageous Mom, Jessyka:

Hello once again,
Today (wed) was not easy. Audrey's condition seems to have changed and not for the better. The infection in her kidney and blood has increased. Dr took another urine test via catheter, more blood work and the saddest, a spinal tap. That one freaked me out as I signed the consent form! Dr's need to rule out meningitis even though they don't think Audrey has it.

A kidney specialist talked with us and will see us again tomorrow when the results come back. Audrey was also hooked to continuous IV fluids and a catheter was placed to remove all urine so that nothing is sitting in her bladder. She continues to recieve antibiotics via IV twice a day for one hour. All of these tubes now make it impossible to take a walk around the 6th floor area with her and hard to pick her up without getting tangled. It was overall a very difficult, anxiety crazed day for Audrey and Paul and I.

Paul had been at work (just to stop in for a few hours) when all of this was happening, all so fast and when I called him, he immediately decided to forget about work for the day. Who wouldnt?
Thank you all for your prayers. We believe their power will get baby Audrey through this.

Love Jessyka, Paul, Baby Audrey and the cats

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Lord,

Please guide the doctors and nurses and heal baby Audrey. Please wrap your loving arms around her parents and give them the strength they need. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Please keep praying & paging for Manda!

From her friend Shay via my sister-in-law Kel:

Hey class,

I just went by and visited Manda's house. Manda was napping but I had a chance to chat with Cindy (Manda's mom). Guys…the battle is really just beginning for sweet Manda. Please continue to lift her up in prayer throughout the day. Aaron and Manda are at the beginning of a very long battle to get Manda better. You have all been so generous with your cards, donations, and prayers…but many more are needed.

From what I understand, Manda will hopefully be going to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment. We will be collecting money for their family for many months to come. If you would like to make a donation, please give it to me or Andrew and we will put it in the fund we started. Manda is one of the strongest people I have ever met. I think she is going to fight the fight of her life. Please continue to pray (and page! 972-229-4207). Love you all, Shay Shull

P.S. Yes, Asher took this picture of himself. What a stinker!

Please continue to pray and page for Manda- details in the posts below... Thanks!

reaching for the dream

I have been noticing a stirring around me...many of my friends are right in the middle of some tough life. Pray. Pray.

Myself, I am on fire for my Lord and am working on longer listening to the lies of the enemy. For too long I have let doubt, fear and worry mess with my head and paint pictures of situations that have never even come to pass.
Thank you for this post. I know this season of great energy and enthusiasm will change as life always does, but I am going to take new ground for God while I am here.

The Holy Spirit has been moving me. I have been trying hard to obey without talking myself out of certain things and situations. Each time I do this, His voice becomes more clear and it makes me trust Him even more. I can now say that I truly know what it feels like to surrender control to My Maker. Valentine's Day ended up being a huge turning point for me and one of the best days of my life. Has God ever set up a Divine appointment for you and you didn't even know it was coming? Yeah...He is just that good.

I am still processing it and will definitely write about what happened that day once I can focus on it without bursting into tears of joy and gratefulness (like I am doing right now). This story involves my Big Dream. The one God put into my heart as a small child....It involves a ranch, wanting to reach the lost, my own insecurities challenged, a sweet horse trainer named Linda from Canada and an Appaloosa named Chocolate Chip.

Simply put, I will never be the same. To God be the Glory.