"Beauty is Ugly" Oxymoron

I stumbled across this pic, looked at it & thought: "Beauty is ugly!" Can I get an amen? Think about it, what's at all beautiful about:
-foil wraps in your hair?
-a wax strip above your lip?
-dead skin removed from the bottom of your feet?
-a girdle?
-plucking (even the word "plucking" is ugly)
But it is what it is. The only thing I can recommend is when undergoing "ugly" treatments, do it in hiding & don't take pix!

Ramblings (probably from the Demerol)

Yesterday & the day before I had two minor surgeries. As I type this, I am minus a gall bladder. Speaking of, I wonder what they did with it? Like did they just pitch the gall bladder in the trash? I should've asked the surgeon to take a pic of it for my blog. He did have an iPhone on him.
Anyway, post-op is causing a crazy amount of pain. I'd like to tell you it's because they cut my stomach in 4 different places. But I'd be lying. The pain is because I have yet to pass gas. This, of course, is very humbling.
So this is my 6th hospital stay in 14 months. Without Raul, Pastor Troy, Steph, my fam & my church fam's prayers--I know I'd be depressed by this. But I'm not. God heard & God helped; I feel protected by His peace & coated by His love. That's what happens when people pray. Prayer is life's greatest weapon. I really believe this. That's why Paul said: "Pray about everything."
Well, I'm off to stroll the halls again. The nurse said if I walk it'll help me pass...
well let's just say...be glad you aren't near the halls I'm walking. ;-0

I read this in The Message bible. It rev'ed me up, man! Wherever you're headed today, hope it rev's you up too. I like to think of it has a little sticky-note from God:
Dear Kids,
"I can see your pain and poverty...
Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer...
Don't quit, even if it costs you your life.
Stay there believing.
I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you."
Love, God

Live Chat on IveMissed.com

My Pleasure!!

I read an article in my "Purpose Driven Connnection" mag, by Dan Cathy, Pres. of Chick-fil-A. It TOTALLY gave me a fresh thought. Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-fil-A) visited a resort one time & when he told the front desk man, "Thank you," the man replied, "My pleasure" (not "you're welcome" or "no problem"). Suffice it to say, this became part of Chick-fil-A's culture & since then, they've asked their team to say, "My pleasure." Well I just think that's awesome. I'm inspired to change that in my culture & look for opp.'s to say, "My pleasure," in my daily convo.'s.

Hurtin' Marriage

In 2000, I wanted out of our marriage. Raul didn't. It was a hurting marriage. If you're hurting in your marriage or you know someone who is, please come to Flamingo Road Church or watch Flamingo Road Church online at www.frclive.tv. This weekend, April 25-26, I believe hurting marriages will become hopeful marriages. If mine did, yours can.

Buried With Books

If I could be buried with one book, in addition to my bible, what book would it be? OK, forget that, I could never boil it down to just one. But if I could be buried with 3 books, in addition to my bible, they'd most likely be:
1. Thinking for a Change by John Maxwell
2. Search for Significance by Robert McGee
3. Oh the Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss

Man, I Needed to Read This Today

I'm working through the book of John. I don't know what it is about my Bible, but it never stops giving. It's the infinite Giver of wisdom, encouragement & solace in my life. And this verse? Man, it blessed me:

Jesus said, "Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go."
John 6:37

I'm Getting Better

I struggle with relaxing on getaways, for 2 reasons: I worry when I unplug from things AND I get bored really fast. Anyway, I'm working on it. Here are a few pix of proof that I'm getting better. The one with the big tree? You guys know how much I love trees. I just had to get a pic of me being completely enveloped by this one. Just awesome!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CUBAN!

Today is Raul's birthday.
How many years?
Who's keeping track!
Happy Birthday, Raul.
You lead well, you live well, you love well.
DJ, Andy & I are extra happy to celebrate today with you because without you, there wouldn't be us.

If you have a sec, leave some birthday-love for Raul.
Love,
Me, DJ & Andy

My Head in This Mirror is Closer Than it Appears

The hotel room we're in has an illuminated magnifying mirror. I have a bittersweet relationship these. Bitter cause these mirrors reveal the stray eyebrow hairs I missed. Sweet cause they allow me to see what needs to be removed.
God's spirit in me is like having my own, built-in magnifying mirror. His spirit reveals crap (sin) that I didn't see; His Spirit is there to remove the crap forever & for good!
So if you have both: a magnifying mirror AND God, you are blessed! You can walk around with groomed eyebrows and more importantly...a groomed soul.

Less is More & Menos es Mas

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing." These 11 words changed my life. But what if Jesus would have hung on the cross and said:

• Father forgive them because they're a bunch of screw-ups who...
• Father forgive them because I want to get off this cross and...
• Father I'll forgive them but why did I have to...
  

But He didn't. He forgave the world in 11 words. One short & complete sentence. How about me? Consider these common babbling phrases:

• I'm sorry, but I didn't think you'd...
• I love you, so will you...
• How are you, you'll never guess what happened to me...
• I forgive you but that really hurt when you...

I tend to say so many & add so much, yet I really desire to be a woman of few words.
If I weighed my words on the scale of eternity--how many words would I really need?
When Jesus died on the cross, He only needed eleven.

Writing English

Today I read a short book about writing. This isn't exactly mainstream book genre, but I DID think this might be widely helpful:

1. Affect or Effect? "Affect" is a VERB. It means to change or to influence. "Effect" can be a verb OR a noun. As a verb, it means to cause. As a noun, it means a result.
2. "Alright" is not a word. We'd never write "alwrong" would we?
3. Allude or Elude? You alude (or make reference to) a book. You elude (or run away from) someone who is chasing you.
4. Alot or A lot? Alot is not a word. "A lot" describes many.
   
5. Irregardless? No such word. The word we want is "regardless."
   
6. Fewer or less? Fewer has to do with numbers (Fewer employees spoke at this year's conference). Less has to do with quantity (People are smoking less and exercising more)
7. Secondly? Thirdly? If you wouldn't say "firstly" stick to "first," "second," and "third."

Her Huge Honkin' (Easter) Highlights

Another amazing Easter at my church. Pictures are worth 1000 words, but to me, these pix are worth 1,000,000:



Clockwise:
1. My boys have a mommy & daddy who work on Easter Sunday. But early this morn, we had a blast hunting for eggs & toys. It is SO fun to live Easter thru their lil eyes.
2. Pastor Troy taught 11 services. I witnessed all of them. He started off with 100% passion & he ended w/ 100% passion. God completely infused him AND used him.
3. Pastor Allen & Pastor Marc - two great voices inside of two great men.
4. My buds, Rob & Marie, have been coming for several months. Today, they brought 2 friends. All 4 went forward to invite Christ into their hearts. I'll now party with them in heaven, forever. LOVE this part of what God has called me to do. It's NEVER routine.

What Has Died in You?

Today we remember that Jesus died.
Sunday we celebrate that Jesus lives.
And Jesus lives in my heart.
By simple math, that means what dies in me can live again too.
If my passion dies, Jesus can resurrect it.
If my love for Raul dies, Jesus can resurrect it.
If my perseverance dies, Jesus can resurrect it, etc.
What is dying in you? If you know Jesus,
Friday is a good day to recall what that is.
Sunday is a good day to believe it can be resurrected!

A Time to Cry & a Time to Laugh

My grandpa's funeral. He was a Korean War Vet and a professional artist.

My brothers, Jason, Jamie & Chris; grateful for the cool relationship I have with each of them.

Ecclesiastes says there are times to cry & there are times to laugh.
I can't imagine life without either.

It's a BIG Request. Yes, I realize.

53:
3 at Alex Day Spa
1 at Trina's Restaurant
1 at Longhorn's
1 TV producer
1 Doctor assistant
1 at Japan Inn
1 at LA Fitness
1 at Starbucks
1 at Maggie's salon
2 at Pure Elegance
1 Publix cashier
1 at Starbucks
1 at a Security gate
1 at a hospital front desk
3 cleaning ladies
1 xray technician
1 Chipotle cashier
6 Nurses
2 Nurse interns
3 Respiratory Therapists
3 Dietary workers
8 at an airport bar
1 cab driver
1 waiter at Zeas
1 boutique owner
1 pet therapist
2 maintenance workers
1 chaplain
1 Doctor
1 Radiologist

God, for these 53 and for those added to these 53, I pray BIG & BOLD that their path, leading to Flamingo Road Church this Easter, is straight, clear and life-changing.

E, E, E...

Big E
little e
What begins with "E?"
E-vite, of course!

Don't go to Easter alone! Bring someone with you.
Click HERE & send an E-vite today!

Tudie, 1927-2009

Friday at 1am, my grandpa died. It feels weird to i.d. him as grandpa 'cause for 31 years, I've never called him that. I vividly recall when I officially renamed him. I was 4 years old, sitting on his lap in his favorite burgundy recliner when I told him I didn't want to call him just grandpa but I wanted him to have his own special name. And what popped into my lil "word-nerd" head was "Tudie." And so for 3 decades--6 grandkids, 6 great grandkids, 3 sons, his wife, family, colleagues, friends & even his customers--endearingly & exclusively called him Tudie.

Graciously, in my life, I haven't seen a lot of death, so I guess in my naivete, one thing making my heart yearn is where is Tudie now?

When I was 4, I joined my Dad in what would become a 31-year mission to help Tudie personally know Jesus. As his grandkid, I got a way with a lot & knew it! I'd shamelessly ask him to pray with me, write him poems about God & send him tapes of me speaking about God.

Last night, not really having much to say, I told Raul, "The weird part is that the mission is over."

I know I gave it my best with Tudie. We ALL have the shameless-wonderful opportunity to speak & show God's love to people everyday. I think when we do our best, there are no regrets...

Woman

A woman's heart
should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first
to find her.

-Maya Angelou

This Can Be You

There are 2 things that VERTICALLY move me. They get me so close to Heaven I feel like my fingertips are under the glass ceiling of Christ on His Throne. I can't get any closer to Heaven on Earth than when I am experiencing them:
1. Worshiping Jesus in a Choir





















2) Sitting under the passionate, visionary, motivating, stimulating, moving, compelling, groundshaking teaching of my Pastor.

















And tonight? I got to experience both. And if you haven't invited this Christ into your heart, you aren't experiencing things like this. Open your heart. Let Him in. And you WILL know what I'm talkin' about. God Bless You.