"Let's Do This!'

Photos from a MLK Day flume hike with my three favorite peeps.

I've given quiet a bit of thought this past year to how Jesus exited the earth for heaven; about how He gave us Himself in the Holy Spirit, and then gave us one more gift- Peace.

 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27

Here's how The Message says it-  

"The Friend, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.  I'm leaving you well and whole.  That's my parting gift to you.  Peace.  I don't leave you the way you're used to being left- feeling abandoned, bereft.  So don't be upset. Don't be distraught."
John 14:27

A year ago I was, in many areas, the opposite of peace. It was a struggle that was deep; my soul was easily rattled~
Rattled by insecurity.
Rattled by a few relationships.
Rattled by health issues.
Rattled by financial difficulty.
Rattled by comparison.

"I'm leaving you well and whole"...SIGN ME UP! 

The moment I signed up for Peace I sensed the Spirit saying' "Let's do this!" 

"Let's do this" -Thank God He doesn't leave us to figure things out on our own.

His Spirit lead(s) me through Peace; when the time was right revealing areas where "well and whole" needed to be formed in me.  

He didn't waste a moment, and to start 2013 had me reading "So Long Insecurity" (You've been a bad friend to me) by Beth Moore.  Through the book I came face to face with ache from relationships. Lies I'd bought about myself were brought to light.  More importantly, lies I'd ruminated on about others were brought to my attention.

I could share with you the nasty details of the crap about me and other people that's sloshed around in my head, but I won't. It's a daily choice to keep the lid on that can-of-worms, so I should not open it. 

Beth pointed out the following scripture, which has helped me keep that lid on-
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." 
Psalm 8:3-5 

She points out that the Hebrew meaning for honor is dignity, and adds that we have dignity because God Himself gave it to us. 

Moore also points out this important tidbit-
"Notice that God didn't put this honor/dignity in our hands. He put it on our heads. He wrapped it as a crown right around our minds, just where we need it most. Our possession of dignity is not always something we feel. IT'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING WE KNOW. SOMETHING WE EMPHATICALLY CLAIM."

Are you getting that?  No one and no thing can take your God-given dignity- your security from you. 

It IS YOURS.

KNOW IT. 

ClAIM IT! 

I've done it~ 

I've been with people whose very presence usually undoes me -not necessarily because of any fault of their own, but most often because of those lies I mentioned above that I ruminate on.  Instead of ruminating, I take a deep breath, into my soul, and choose "no one can take away my God given dignity/security." 

I've looked at the numbers in the bank account getting nearer and nearer to the red, and
repeated "nothing can take away my God given dignity/security. Nothing can take away my God given dignity/security. Nothing can take away my God given dignity/security."

I've been in tears, aching from physical pain, and instead of shaking my fist "why," the Spirit reminded "I have been crowned with glory and dignity," and no circumstance has permission to take away my security.

The Spirit knew that claiming this Truth would provide me with what I'd need to continue the journey to Peace for 2013

God also provided me with one more sweet gift for the journey when Kat from Simply Silly Life surprised me with her word of the year Peace necklace!  Kat also prayed for and encouraged me throughout the year. 

Her necklace became a tangible way for me to grab hold of Peace.

On days I wanted to throw in the towel I'd reach for the necklace; reach for it like it was armor, and strap it on, repeating "Let the Peace of Christ rule in your heart." 

Other days when peace came easily, I'd gently clasp it on. I loved that it hung on my chest, near my heart. I'd breath in the Peace that is mine. Breath it deep into my soul; my very being, and consider "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you." Isaiah 26:3

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I want  peace for you.  I want YOU to know that you are crowned in glory and dignity; crowned in security. I pray as you read you will see the Living God actively involved in the life of His children. I pray that you see Him provide Himself, and that you see Him leading, equipping, and healing. I pray that you will be nudged (or full on shoved- if that is what is needed ;) ) to grab hold of the PEACE THAT IS YOURS in Jesus. 

May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.  Hebrews 13:21 

The Message

In the next post I'll share about the most difficult leg of the journey to Peace. The one that wrecked me. 

Live in Peace! 

Happy Groundhog Day!

a few years ago I threw in the towel on sending out Christmas cards, and started sending this instead- 

Highlights from  2013

Michael and I began a small group for young married couples which meets weekly in our home.  Coming alongside these sweet couples together has been a gift to our marriage.

In April we took the Kiss the Sky shop to Big Hat Days in Clovis, Ca (arts & crafts fair with 140,000 attending). We broke even financially, but what we gained relationally filled our souls with riches that are too many to count!

In the spring Noah and Emilie participated in “I {Heart} Fresno” - For 5 days they joined other teens to love Fresno by serving school-aged children with a daily recreation program, cleaning parks, painting over graffiti, and investing in the elderly.

Our dear friends the Cannedy’s and Gages joined us for Presidents weekend and Maycation at the Jones’ Bass Lake house. 18 of us FILL the house with laughter, music, games, stories, and enough food to feed a small island.

"The home of the world's greatest campers"- YSSC, POURED Jesus, fun, and friendships into our kids (and 3 cousins) for 2 fantastic weeks again this summer!  We love YSSC.  Also, there are only 132 days until camp... Josie’s counting.

While the kids were at YSSC, Michael and I traveled to “The South” to visit friends, Spinner & Ginger Allen. In North Carolina we ate BBQ "that'll make your tongue smack your brain."  We caught lightening bugs in South Carolina, and visited the Blue Ridge Mountains and historic Charleston. We finished our trip just the two of us traipsing around Atlanta, Georgia.  Michael would tell you that his highlight from the trip was stopping to smooch EVERY TIME we crossed a state-line. 

We had the privilege of being a host family to two teenage boys from China for a week this summer.  Jun Wen and Tanwey were terrific! Noah taught Jun Wen guitar, and they performed a little ditty for an audience at the end of the week. The boys, who marveled at the stars (which they don't see in China due to the thick pollution) had their first camp-out in our backyard.  

We stole the kids for one last hurrah before the school year started and headed to our favorite camping location, Sunset Beach. Unplugged from the world we plugged into each other with bike riding, beach play, campfire lounging and storytelling, and serious s’more indulging.

We became the parents of TWO HIGH SCHOOLERS! Noah (10th) and Emilie (9th) attend Minarets High School, where they're challenged by the digital learning environment and are involved in FFA, Key Club,Track Team (Noah) and X-Country (Emilie).

Sayonara Rick Springfield and Bryan Adams, Noah is my new teenage heartthrob! When he plays his guitar or ukelele I swoon!  Noah is a young man who walks in truth while seeing others with grace. He's not too cool to play with his sisters, to tackle his dad, or to show his mama love.  

We call Emilie “the house bestie." She's hands-down best friend to each one of us. She's intentional to play with Josie, to chat with Noah, to work alongside or joke with Daddy, and to melt with me in sweet conversation. She is tender and encouraging and fun. Emilie gives 110% to everything she does, Oh! and she is BEAUTIFUL in every. single. way. 

“Here comes the sun, du du du du” ... Josefiney Tortellini is a spunky, home schooling, 6th grader, who continues to delight us with tutus n’ mismatched socks, witty words, Spirit-filled prayers, songs, and with her scrumptious baking and cooking. She is joyful and thoughtful and looks for ways to serve others.
 
In November I turned thirty-ten (thirty-ten is the new forty).  2014 isn't just a new year, it's a new decade for me (and Michael, who'll be joining me soon).  And here's what I want for this new year and decade- to BE EXPECTANT.  These words are my prayer- "God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess in your wildest dreams!  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently with is."  Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

XO,
Denise, Michael, Noah (15), Emilie (14), Josie (almost 12)

...to really want something

This week I'm going to share a bit of the journey to Peace the Lord took me on this last year.  But before I get started, join me in taking a look back at where I began.  

Originally posted January 2013

My word for 2013 is Peace.  

 I didn't choose Peace. It has, over
time, been choosing me; whispering in my ear to "take hold" of it.

The thing is for a long time I didn't want it. Taking hold of Peace meant relinquishing control, and nestling into Sovereign God.  And as much as I wanted the later, this control-freak couldn't give up the reign over her own life.  

BUT GOD. 

Sometimes the way God communicates mercy is by allowing us to experience some turbulence.  Discomfort is often the quickest way to get this knucklehead to recognize she needs the God-of-the-universe to step in and take over. 

Here are just a handful of areas where I have held onto the reigns and missed out on the peace I have so desperately NEEDED: 
Relationship
Insecurity
God's will
Finances 
Health

I'm tired just recalling for a moment the emotional agitation just one of these areas have caused me (and my family- sadly, the 4 I love the most have had the ugly consequences of my lack of peace projected onto them).

I'm also grateful for the turbulence.  I think a person has to really want something before they can fully receive it.  It took a long season of being emotionally weary and frenzied to cause this girl to finally WANT Peace! 

And this year, I BELIEVE Peace can AND will be mine.

I believe it because Jesus gave peace to me (and you) for the taking.

"My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." 

John 14:27a

"Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD. "And I will heal them." 
Isaiah 57:19

(these are just two of the more than 200 verses that speak of God's Shalom-peace). 

Since His peace is mine for the taking- by faith I grab hold of that peace-gift, and of the VICTORY I already have in Christ my Savior, and I...

A hurtful relationship can't take His peace from me. 
Comparison or fear that I don't measure up cannot take my God-given peace from me.
A change in financial circumstances or in my health can't take His peace from me.
The liar Satan cannot take the LORD God Almighty's peace from me.


With His peace ruling my heart 2013 is going to be a very good year! 


Live in Peace! 

  

Unwrapped

We unwrapped the 2013 Christmas season with some wonderful people and festivities.

Here's a peak

A fun evening with our small group.  We surprised them with Christmas breakfast

(Gingersnap Rudolph pancakes), followed by a few rounds of Christmas Speed Scrabble and Christmas Pictionary.  Clearly, I am a better artist than "The First Joel."  Right?!

This is a shout out to Great Gram (who regularly sneaks a peak at mine and Lindsey's blogs), I love that I inherited your Christmas place-mats, napkins, and napkin holders.  They are adorable and liven up the table. Thank you!  

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This Christmas season I checked something off of my bucket list... well, halfway checked it off.  For years I've wanted to go to the Bracebridge Dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. 

It's a fancy shmancy event, dress is formal, and so are the prices!  Around $400 dollars for the dinner.  For one person. And no one wants to go for just dinner.  No.  If you go, you stay at the beautiful Ahwahnee Hotel.  Dinner and stay package prices begin at $1,100.  Soooo you can see why THAT'S not going to happen.  

But then I was invited to the Bracebridge Rehearsal Lunch for just the price of my lovely Ahwahnee Hotel lunch!  I had the Bracebridge experience for just $27!  Woot woot! And it was FANTASTIC!
(I can also see why it costs an arm and a leg- and a few other appendages- to go to the real deal).

Maxine and Traci were a hoot!  Yosemite in winter, you take my breath away. Bracebridge Rehearsal Lunch, plan on seeing my face (and anyone else I can round up to go with me)  next year!

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In December I had the privilege of speaking at MOPS.  Mommyhood puts most mamas through the ringer.  I want to be someone who comes alongside other mothers with compassion and encouragement.

This cute little guy was flirting with me.  Had his sweet mama not had a tight hold on him I would've have taken him up on that "No mistletoe required" offer! 

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 Much of our holiday season was spent with Michael's family in Bass Lake. All his sibs were together, visiting from Maui, Australia, and "the happiest place in America to live"- San Luis Obispo (didn't want you to feel left out Linds).

 Ice skating and Smore's at the Tenaya Lodge.

Thanks Gramps for making a box drum with Noah for his Christmas gift.  Josie really loved that you planned a pasta making night with her and Lily.

 Nana shared her time and recipes making cookies with all the girls. The yummy cookies were gobbled up before I could snap a pic of them. 

  Christmas eve service followed by the tradition of Nana reading a Christmas story to the grand-kids. 

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We ditched the Jones family for Christmas day and headed to Joseph & Mary's house to spend the day with my Portuguese family (38 of us, not including the two girly buns in their mama's ovens). My kids always comment on how they "love being with my Teodosio family."  Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding?  We Portuguese could take the Greeks down in volume level and entertainment.

L-R; Joseph & Mary with fruitcake (ick!). My cousin Aaron, who made the Sweet bread this year (if I said it was better than my grandmother's the entire family would disown me). Favorite Tia Violet and Noah.  Some of the great-grands with Vava.  F.A.V. crocheted a dolly for Ava. Uncle Nelson, who's from Chili, treated us with an animated reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas in Chiliean.  

Family is a gift.  Like all families, we're a messy and beautiful bunch of people.  I'm pretty sure I am the messiest of them all.  But God.  He came down at Christmas time to be Savior.  And as if that wasn't enough, He also came to Restore.  I rejoice in the Love that came down at Christmas time, and pray that it will reign in my heart and yours every day of 2014. 

 Live in Peace,

  

Our Christmas 2013

When Noah was 2 and Emilie 5 months old we threw in the towel on having our own Christmas traditions on Christmas Day.  Like many we're blessed with multiple places and people to celebrate with.  We decided then that we'd celebrate our Christmas the week before on Sunday. 

Over the years we've created our own traditions.

On our Christmas eve we gather around Michael who reads us the love story of Christ's birth from  Matthew. 

After the kids are asleep Michael and I get to work prepping stockings, putting out last minute presents, and setting the breakfast birthday (breakfast birthday parties are a tradition in our house, and we make sure Jesus, who is so much a part of our family gets his party too).

 In the morning the kids rise (this year they all slumber partied together in Josie's room. Can I just say that I L.O.V.E. that my high schoolers are not to cool to pull an all-nighter with their lit'l sis!)

As is tradition after they rise they wait for me to be ready at the end of the hall with the video camera in hand. This is the only day they do not complain about me and my camera; they gift me with allowing me to capture ALL the memories my mama heart wants.

They open their stockings. Always happy for a few little treats and a fresh set of day-of-the-week undies.

And because I have a teenage boy...

Next we gather around Michael to read the story of Christ's birth- the Gift we really are most grateful for- from Luke.

 From there we enjoy breakfast together. Jesus has become a fan :) of donuts and treat cereals for b-fast (Life cereal is obviously His treat cereal of choice) This year donuts were fresh from the local bakery (a warm Boston cream had my name on it).

After breakfast we tear into the presents.  The past few years the kids have chosen to use their own money to purchase gifts for each other.  These are the gifts they are begging to share and open first. And that, well, that is my favorite present.

 Because Noah and Emilie are big high schoolers only Josie remains to make me school-made Christmas gifts.

This wrapping melts my heart. I love being Mommy.

 I'm to hang a family Christmas snapshot on this frame she made.   It knocked my Reindeer socks off that she remembered that Peace was my word for 2013.

For each of us a thoughtful gift means so much more than an expensive one. 
This thoughtful gift was the one I was most excited to give this year was to Josie. We cleared a kitchen drawer, filled it with new cooking supplies, and wrapped it up for our cook. 

She was over-the-moon excited.
 
After presents we typically go to church.  This is always the Sunday that there has been a Christmas cantata or a focused time of Christmas worship.  It's exactly what my Spirit craves this season. However, this year we needed to wrap our Christmas up early because family from Australia and Maui were visiting! We mixed things up a bit, and went Wednesday (listen to a delicious rendition of Away in a Manger from our church, The Well, here). 

The kids requested foods I would NEVER make for this year's Christmas feast-
BBQ spare ribs and homemade Mac n' Cheese. Guess who added the salad and broccoli to the mix?

 A moment I don't want to forget from our Christmas was after gifts were open, when Michael and I sipped coffee and snuggled together on the loveseat for a very long time.  We sat there quietly watching our kids.  Neither of us said a word, but I am certain we both felt "and I can't afford it but it's mine." And the reason we experience such wealth; such fullness of life, is because of the Savior Jesus, who was born for us that first Christmas.

I know that Christmas 2013 is "so last year," but pray that we would ALWAYS BE MERRY because of the life we have been gifted with because of and in the Lord our God.   

 Live in Peace,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... in January

One thing I love about blogging is that it is a scrapbook highlighting the happenings around here.

Like flipping through the pages of a photo album, from time to time one of us (and most often one of my girls) will be seated here in front of the computer scanning Victory Rd.'s posts.

In that moment I am thankful for the hours I've poured over posts, because I know that this little space in blogville is ultimately a gift I am giving to them.

With that in mind, you'll indulge me the next few posts as I "scrapbook" Christmas of 2013. 

Let's kick it off with a merry little gathering my only home schooler, Josie, and I whipped together-

A cookie/ornament exchange for Josie and her gal pals

 

The table

Decorating for a Christmas party is easy peasey. 

Especially when you have the cutest Christmas dishes EVER! 

For the first 6yrs of marriage my m.i.l. gifted me with two different Christmas plates with matching mugs.  I've since collected a few more, and have also continued the tradition for my sister, Toni. 

This Rudolph plate is my favorite.  I made it for my sis in 2002, using Josie's baby hands for antlers, and her tiny thumbs for holly berries.  At the time I couldn't afford to make one for myself.  A couple of years ago my sweet sister gifted it back to me.

 Games

20 questions-  ask questions to figure out what Christmas character is post-it'd on your back, and Christmas Picitonary.

Food

Thankfully, Josie chose a simple kid-friendly lunch 

of pizza, mini-croissant-dogs, chips, and

this "Oh Christmas Tree" veggie tray

Dessert  

 These little fellas

The ornament exchange

The cookies
(thank you at Maya for the extra lbs I put on eating your insanely delicious orange zest sugar cookies!) 

And the best part of all-
this girl!

Josie beamed
with hospitality and thoughtfulness as she blessed her friends 
this Christmas season. 

 Live in Peace,