We call Lacey our miracle puppy. Our family has loved this dog since the summer of 2009, and she is officially a member of the Blanco family. She was a treasure to find, and has been a blessing to keep, but those aren’t the real reasons she’s our miracle.
Last month, she was not wearing a collar and name tag, and she did the inevitable. She ran out while one of us was putting out the trash, and none of us noticed. We didn’t notice the rest of the night that she was gone, either. We didn’t even notice the next morning (a Saturday) until Daddy asked us where she was. After calling for her and whistling (which usually brings her bounding to us within a few seconds) we began to realize with horror that she was gone. I began to panic as I realized the reality of the situation. It had been a hard freeze the night before, and I hadn’t even noticed my puppy was gone! Because she was not wearing a tag, if someone did find her, they couldn’t call!
I was in tears by the time my son Jovanni and I were driving the neighborhood in the mini-van. I was an emotional mess, due to my sadness, panic, and tremendous guilt that I hadn’t even noticed she was missing the night before. After a few moments of trying to console me, my mature son straightened up in the passenger seat and declared, “OK, Mom, you can cry. I’m gonna pray that God helps us find her.”
That’s exactly what he did. He prayed a heartfelt, passionate prayer in full belief that God would honor his request. Then he told me, “Mom, let’s go back home, I feel like she’s close to our house.” I kept quiet, but obediently turned the van around, all while mentally picturing my Yorkie, dead, in one of the neighborhood bayous.
Jovanni and his sister Isabella took off on their bikes, stopping and knocking on every door close to our house, while I made a “wanted” poster with my puppy’s picture on it. I began to tape it up to the street poles, stop signs, and mail boxes in our neighborhood. Three cul-de-sacs down from our house, as I was taping up a sign, I heard a shrill bark form the garage of the house right in front of me. Could that be Lacey? No, I must be imagining it! I called out, and whistled. Now she really started making noise!
That kind lady had put Lacey up for the frozen night in her garage, but now willingly gave her back to me. I took my shaken puppy home, and yelled for Jovanni and Isabella to come see. The prodigal puppy was found, and as we tousled and played with our baby again, I gazed with pride on my son. He looked at me, grinning, and now I cried healthy tears in appreciation for a son who acted in faith.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Living With Intention - A Call From God
This post is for the precious few people who read my blog and faithfully support me! I am writing today to let you know what Juan and I have been working on for a while now, and are ready to launch into cyberspace soon! It is a new interactive website with opportunity to grow and involve more resources and individuals as time goes on.
It has been impressed on our spirits recently, more and more to "get ready." Ready, not just for Christ's return, but He has been teaching us how to ready ourselves for our life here on this beautiful earth he has given us. We’re learning how to pursue His best for us; in body, soul and Spirit. He has been talking to us through His Word on letting go of our "stuff," downsizing our previous priorities, and tightening our belts in our finances and food!
We are on an exciting journey of training - for His call on our lives as a family. I used to think only of MY call from Him, like it was just something special for me, and the kids would figure theirs out when they graduated high school! Juan and I have had some major revelations recently, as we're realizing that our children ARE our calling, that this life in this place right now IS our calling, and that what He has us doing today is as vitally important to our journey as anything else. Even when that is eating healthier, spending less, clearing clutter, learning how to give... REALLY give, and exercising more! I'm learning to give up my time, my efforts, my creativity for Him - it's all His, anyway - I didn't give these gifts to myself!
So we invite you to join us on this journey. Join us as we get ready for more with Him. As we ready ourselves in strength and health, clear minds and spirits, clean homes and hearts - an all around lifestyle change for Him! We're calling it The Intentional Lifestyle. It is a fresh take on the classic instructions found in the Bible for how to live our lives; with purpose and passion and walking in His love towards others. There is so much He has for us, we just have to step up and receive it - in faith.
Please visit our new website, sign up for our newsletter, browse our articles and ideas. There will be new material posted almost every day, as the ideas flow and the inspiration hits! Are you ready to fulfill His great calling for your life? Do you want to change anything about your current lifestyle? Then join us at www.theintentionallifestyle.com and walk the road with us! There is so much to come, and we cheer you on in faith as you strive to live with more intention!
We love you all, and thank each of you for your support over the years - you are truly a blessing to us!
Change Happens, Might as Well Embrace It
My three-year-old daughter likes routine. Her schedule runs pretty much the same for her every day; she gets up at seven, she watches cartoons for a couple hours with her juice cuppy, she eats lunch at noon and naps afterward for a couple hours – life is good for Sophie. Until her routine gets interrupted by…well, by life! Then the moods elevate, the irritability grows, the impatience kicks in…you know what I mean!
She’s a lot like me. She is in a great mood as long as things are going her way, but the minute her way is interrupted by someone else’s need - or, way - then it’s all over. I’m coming to the realization that I am more than my children's mother; I am them, just older and with a little more self control. I throw tantrums sometimes. I get sleepy and irritable when I’m not rested. I need hugs, kisses, and cuddling to reassure me. I am my children!
So as much as possible, I try to keep Sophie’s routine for her. Not only will her day go a lot smoother, mine will too! There are days, though, where change is inevitable. We may have to leave our house to run an errand, go visiting, or – gasp! – got to preschool! Sophie is learning that despite her resistance to change, change still occurs.
As time goes on, she will get older and have to release me - and her routine - from her iron grip. Hopefully her life will become more about embracing change, instead of merely tolerating it.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Our Family's Healthy Pursuit - An Update
The last three weeks of being on a low-sugar lifestyle change have been eye-opening, to say the least! Saying no to the old way of eating (mindlessly, mostly) and bringing in the new way (completely, constantly mindful) is not easy. It’s even more difficult when feeding four snack-addicted youngsters, and to further complicate the transition, we’re doing it all on a tight budget! Well, at least we’re figuring out that it can be done.
It has taken a large amount of creativity, little dose of patience, and a well-deserved and strategically planned cheat or two to make something like this work for the whole family. For example, tonight my thoughtful husband got us out of the house and over to McDonald’s, one of our family’s favorite haunts “pre-low-sugar diet.” I had a sugar-free cappuccino, which curtailed my annoying sweet tooth, and the girls and I shared frozen yogurt sundaes. Not too much damage done, while my growing obsession with something sweet is quenched.
Gigi, my bread lover, still gets to eat her carbs, just less of them. She is finding the transition smoother than she first thought it would be when she stood horrified as I threw all the “crap” that was in the pantry into the trash three weeks ago! She is relieved that I am finding creative solutions to meet her bottomless need for all things carbohydrates, even as I sneak more protein into her previously sugar-infested diet.
The variety in our diet as a family has not been eliminated; in fact, we are finding that we are getting more creative with the foods we are allowed to eat. We eat more “colorful” food now, beautifully full salads and soups, loaded with such delicacies as avocado, cheeses in all forms, and crisp, fresh nuts. I was also so happy to get guiltless permission to enjoy my occasional bacon again, and the once a week red meat serving in the form of a juicy steak is always a pleasure!
So, as we are finding, in the deprivation there is reward, similar to walking closer with Christ, right? As we die to the flesh, we find less really is more, and the small things matter more. The taste of some pure chocolate now, in a small bite, is more fulfilling to my palate than a full size candy bar used to be; that sinful treat always leaving guilt as an aftertaste.
As we enter our fourth week as a low-sugar, low-carb eating family, we have renewed commitment and an excited expectation as our waists are shrinking and our energy levels increasing. No more rise and fall all day long, of sugar levels and emotions! More stability, less irregularity. We can do this!
It has taken a large amount of creativity, little dose of patience, and a well-deserved and strategically planned cheat or two to make something like this work for the whole family. For example, tonight my thoughtful husband got us out of the house and over to McDonald’s, one of our family’s favorite haunts “pre-low-sugar diet.” I had a sugar-free cappuccino, which curtailed my annoying sweet tooth, and the girls and I shared frozen yogurt sundaes. Not too much damage done, while my growing obsession with something sweet is quenched.
Gigi, my bread lover, still gets to eat her carbs, just less of them. She is finding the transition smoother than she first thought it would be when she stood horrified as I threw all the “crap” that was in the pantry into the trash three weeks ago! She is relieved that I am finding creative solutions to meet her bottomless need for all things carbohydrates, even as I sneak more protein into her previously sugar-infested diet.
The variety in our diet as a family has not been eliminated; in fact, we are finding that we are getting more creative with the foods we are allowed to eat. We eat more “colorful” food now, beautifully full salads and soups, loaded with such delicacies as avocado, cheeses in all forms, and crisp, fresh nuts. I was also so happy to get guiltless permission to enjoy my occasional bacon again, and the once a week red meat serving in the form of a juicy steak is always a pleasure!
So, as we are finding, in the deprivation there is reward, similar to walking closer with Christ, right? As we die to the flesh, we find less really is more, and the small things matter more. The taste of some pure chocolate now, in a small bite, is more fulfilling to my palate than a full size candy bar used to be; that sinful treat always leaving guilt as an aftertaste.
As we enter our fourth week as a low-sugar, low-carb eating family, we have renewed commitment and an excited expectation as our waists are shrinking and our energy levels increasing. No more rise and fall all day long, of sugar levels and emotions! More stability, less irregularity. We can do this!
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Habits, New Health
Frankly, I am shocked at my “progress” with this brand new health and lifestyle change my family and I have implemented this year. I emphasize the word progress because the scale doesn’t say anything different than last year’s weight yet. The clothes I yearn to try on without popping the front button off don’t fit me – yet. No, nothing has visibly changed as of now. On the outside, that is. Inside, however, there is change – and it’s good!
We began a low sugar, carb counting regimen early last week, and we are already noticing substantial improvement in energy and sleeping habits. Right before I began this plan, I was not sleeping much at all, averaging just four or five hours a night, due to a busy mind, and restlessness. I also was dragging all day, napping at least three days a week, and always off balance in the “regularity area!” The funny thing was, I wasn’t concerned about any of these symptoms, or how to improve them, because I had gotten so used to them and was assuming they were the norm!
So when we cut our sugar intake down to 15 grams a day, and carbs down to six or less servings a day (a serving is 0-20 grams per helping), we thought we would have withdrawal or something. Nope, nothing. Not even a headache! The tiredness and drag disappeared almost immediately (maybe two days in?), I have no bloating, gassiness or any other digestive malady (I had forgotten what it is like to “go” normally!) I’m sleeping like a baby every night, getting up with alertness (that’s before my coffee!) and going all day, no dragging or napping. It’s weird, feeling this good, I feel young again! I had heard that saying before, but never really knew how much it meant until now!
I have also been exercising –and if you really know me, you know that I DESPISE exercising! So, what I told myself was, if I just do something active for twenty minutes or more every day, then I could do it. I couldn’t just come out of the resolution gate, “working out” three times a week, I had to convince myself just to get up, get out, and move for a few minutes every day, and it would be better than nothing! So the first day, I rode bicycles with my kids around the block a couple times, the next day, I walked fast for twenty minutes with my husband, and by the third day, while walking with my friend, I was starting to get excited. I could do this exercise thing! We pounded the pavement for an hour, and I didn’t even realize it!
So, I am on the road to improvement, twenty minutes at a time. 15 grams of sugar at a time. One day at a time. That’s the moral of the story, really – just start some kind of an improvement , any improvement, and take it one step at a time! That will put you on the road to success, and that’s a road we all can travel in 2011!
What about you? Are you tackling a healthy new lifestyle too? Tell me what you're trying, and how you're feeling! I want to share in your success with you!
We began a low sugar, carb counting regimen early last week, and we are already noticing substantial improvement in energy and sleeping habits. Right before I began this plan, I was not sleeping much at all, averaging just four or five hours a night, due to a busy mind, and restlessness. I also was dragging all day, napping at least three days a week, and always off balance in the “regularity area!” The funny thing was, I wasn’t concerned about any of these symptoms, or how to improve them, because I had gotten so used to them and was assuming they were the norm!
So when we cut our sugar intake down to 15 grams a day, and carbs down to six or less servings a day (a serving is 0-20 grams per helping), we thought we would have withdrawal or something. Nope, nothing. Not even a headache! The tiredness and drag disappeared almost immediately (maybe two days in?), I have no bloating, gassiness or any other digestive malady (I had forgotten what it is like to “go” normally!) I’m sleeping like a baby every night, getting up with alertness (that’s before my coffee!) and going all day, no dragging or napping. It’s weird, feeling this good, I feel young again! I had heard that saying before, but never really knew how much it meant until now!
I have also been exercising –and if you really know me, you know that I DESPISE exercising! So, what I told myself was, if I just do something active for twenty minutes or more every day, then I could do it. I couldn’t just come out of the resolution gate, “working out” three times a week, I had to convince myself just to get up, get out, and move for a few minutes every day, and it would be better than nothing! So the first day, I rode bicycles with my kids around the block a couple times, the next day, I walked fast for twenty minutes with my husband, and by the third day, while walking with my friend, I was starting to get excited. I could do this exercise thing! We pounded the pavement for an hour, and I didn’t even realize it!
So, I am on the road to improvement, twenty minutes at a time. 15 grams of sugar at a time. One day at a time. That’s the moral of the story, really – just start some kind of an improvement , any improvement, and take it one step at a time! That will put you on the road to success, and that’s a road we all can travel in 2011!
What about you? Are you tackling a healthy new lifestyle too? Tell me what you're trying, and how you're feeling! I want to share in your success with you!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Christmas in Mexico
Freshly made tamales stuffed with spicy beef, menudo steaming on the back stove, too many kids running underfoot shouting and playing, an excited air of anticipation to the house. You wouldn’t guess it’s an apartment in northern Sonora, Mexico – it’s just Abuelita’s house to us. Warmth, joy and family was what Christmas in Mexico was about this year. A last-minute excursion all the way from Houston, Texas – we drove fifteen hours in one day to save time and money – we spent precious time with the family we left in the southwest when we migrated to Texas sixteen months ago. After building more memories, eating way too much delicious holiday food Mexican style, and visiting Nana Antonia’s gravesite, we headed back home. Another fifteen-hour drive straight through.
It was on that drive home that I realized how hard this trip had really been. Not for the kids, they had the usual “too much fun, candy and fireworks!” But for Juan. And his siblings. And Zenon (Abuelito), and everyone else who loves Kikey (Abuelita) and her family. This was the first family Christmas in Mexico in twenty-two years.
She lives in that apartment now, located just a few yards from the fence that towers over the border between Mexico and Arizona. Just a few miles on the other side of the fence sits her ghost-like house, empty of her matronly spirit, no mouth-watering smells in her kitchen. No more sitting under the cool, expansive porch next to the rosebushes, watching the kids play baseball. There is no one swinging quietly on the porch swing, spitting out sunflower seed shells while the bees cruise the garden.
I realize that this is a familiar story for too many in this country now. There are far more tragic stories out there, children separated from their families, spouses forced apart by the law. But when it happens to your own, and you live a moment in their struggle, and experience just a glimpse of their pain, it changes perspective a bit. Just a bit.
So we accept this new trial; anyway, what can be done? We stand by our Abuelita and try to give her enough hugs, enough love, to last until the next visit. She does have family there, thank God. They take good care of her and are truly holding down the fort. So we pray for them all; for strength to get through this, creativity to find a better way if there is one, and most of all, that God keep everyone safe and healthy, as He so graciously does.
It was on that drive home that I realized how hard this trip had really been. Not for the kids, they had the usual “too much fun, candy and fireworks!” But for Juan. And his siblings. And Zenon (Abuelito), and everyone else who loves Kikey (Abuelita) and her family. This was the first family Christmas in Mexico in twenty-two years.
She lives in that apartment now, located just a few yards from the fence that towers over the border between Mexico and Arizona. Just a few miles on the other side of the fence sits her ghost-like house, empty of her matronly spirit, no mouth-watering smells in her kitchen. No more sitting under the cool, expansive porch next to the rosebushes, watching the kids play baseball. There is no one swinging quietly on the porch swing, spitting out sunflower seed shells while the bees cruise the garden.
I realize that this is a familiar story for too many in this country now. There are far more tragic stories out there, children separated from their families, spouses forced apart by the law. But when it happens to your own, and you live a moment in their struggle, and experience just a glimpse of their pain, it changes perspective a bit. Just a bit.
So we accept this new trial; anyway, what can be done? We stand by our Abuelita and try to give her enough hugs, enough love, to last until the next visit. She does have family there, thank God. They take good care of her and are truly holding down the fort. So we pray for them all; for strength to get through this, creativity to find a better way if there is one, and most of all, that God keep everyone safe and healthy, as He so graciously does.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Our Journey to Bethlehem
This weekend, the Blanco family experienced Christmas in a new way. We went to Current Church on Saturday night, which hosted a live Biblical experience, called “Journey to Bethlehem.” From the time we entered that church, we were treated like part of the production, and we loved it! We were placed in the “Abraham family,” and ushered outside into the frigid air after refreshments and a brief overview. Soon, the reality of what Mary and Joseph and all the other Israelites experienced on their way to be “counted” in Bethlehem, began to sink in! The girls and I held hands nervously, but with a twinge of excitement, as we experienced firsthand the evening of a traveling Jew from our various hometowns to Roman-led Bethlehem!
Everyone was dressed in the garb of that day, complete with beards and sandals, and though we were “tourists,” we were participants in the adventure! As we followed our guide, Benjamin, and his wife, Hannah, we not only met horses, sheep, camels, donkeys, and goats along the way, but we also began hearing the word of the coming Messiah. Not only was He prophesied to come to earth, but He was going to save us from Roman rule. As we were stopped along the way and checked by the dreaded Roman soldiers, we began to see why relief from their cruel rule would be miraculous! Later on, we came upon the traveling Maggi, who graciously showed us the gifts they were bringing the new King – they were so elegant and royal in their wealthy robes and headpieces!
We passed shepherds in the field, who spoke excitedly of the rumored Messiah. Just then, angels appeared in the far field and in the incredible glow of light, prophesied the coming King! Moving on, we shivered in the cold, and at another checkpoint, our money was taken for “taxes.” Benjamin was livid, as we were told about the census, but not about more taxes! There was just enough money to find a place for the family to stay somewhere in Bethlehem, and to give each child a shekel to spend at the town market! The kids excitedly held their shiny coins, and as we entered the market, vendors began their sales pitches, “Ten shekels for this plump chicken!”
From the marketplace, the kids left with wooden tops, handmade necklaces and other goodies. We moved on to find a place to stay, and soon realized there was no more room! The man at the inn told us about the stable around back that maybe had a little room left, but to keep quiet, as a young woman had just given birth to a baby boy there earlier that night. As we rounded the corner, a trio of village worshippers sang greetings to us. And there, in the back of that humble shanty, a young mother held the Savior in her arms, gently rocking him as her husband looked lovingly on. A donkey stood just feet from them, calmly chewing. Tears came to my eyes as this experience came to a close, and I realized that we had lived just a moment in the real experience of Jesus’ first night here on earth.
Everyone was dressed in the garb of that day, complete with beards and sandals, and though we were “tourists,” we were participants in the adventure! As we followed our guide, Benjamin, and his wife, Hannah, we not only met horses, sheep, camels, donkeys, and goats along the way, but we also began hearing the word of the coming Messiah. Not only was He prophesied to come to earth, but He was going to save us from Roman rule. As we were stopped along the way and checked by the dreaded Roman soldiers, we began to see why relief from their cruel rule would be miraculous! Later on, we came upon the traveling Maggi, who graciously showed us the gifts they were bringing the new King – they were so elegant and royal in their wealthy robes and headpieces!
We passed shepherds in the field, who spoke excitedly of the rumored Messiah. Just then, angels appeared in the far field and in the incredible glow of light, prophesied the coming King! Moving on, we shivered in the cold, and at another checkpoint, our money was taken for “taxes.” Benjamin was livid, as we were told about the census, but not about more taxes! There was just enough money to find a place for the family to stay somewhere in Bethlehem, and to give each child a shekel to spend at the town market! The kids excitedly held their shiny coins, and as we entered the market, vendors began their sales pitches, “Ten shekels for this plump chicken!”
From the marketplace, the kids left with wooden tops, handmade necklaces and other goodies. We moved on to find a place to stay, and soon realized there was no more room! The man at the inn told us about the stable around back that maybe had a little room left, but to keep quiet, as a young woman had just given birth to a baby boy there earlier that night. As we rounded the corner, a trio of village worshippers sang greetings to us. And there, in the back of that humble shanty, a young mother held the Savior in her arms, gently rocking him as her husband looked lovingly on. A donkey stood just feet from them, calmly chewing. Tears came to my eyes as this experience came to a close, and I realized that we had lived just a moment in the real experience of Jesus’ first night here on earth.
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