Ruth Nieves

So, guess what? We are moving! Not from our church just from our rental. Woohoo! After 4 1/2 years (marvelous ones), God has allowed us to buy a home. We feel blessed beyond measure. But along with the joys of buying a new home are the woes of packing up our rental. And to top it off, I am cramping. Ay-ay-ay! And if that weren't enough my 12 year old is acting like an alien from another planet. Seriously, "who is this kid and what have they done with him?" No, I am not complaining. This is the only place I can vent and not one of you can tell me I'm nuts or overreacting. It's nice to get it out. Things I have learned while waiting: 1. I hate waiting. 2. It's hard to wait. 3. Waiting requires trust in God, my source and the One who sees the big picture and knows what's best for me. 4. It strengthens me. It matures me. It removes toxins I didn't even know were there. 5. It teaches me to relinquish control and allow God to have His way. 6. Teaches...

What an incredible weekend we had at the first ever Hillsong Conference in NYC. It was an incredible spiritual experience. At one point during the worship I felt as though  was being transported to Heaven. It was that incredible. I find it hard to believe the tons of neigh-sayers. And I have also found that those that have the most negative to say have not experienced an actual Hillsong worship experience. There were young and old, black and white, charasmatics and quieter versions, there were Christ-followers and those who had never heard the name of Jesus before. It was a diverse place. A diverse experience. Tell me that this isn't a spirit-filled, anointed bunch of worshippers. This is one of my favorite songs. Put on your earphones, close your eyes and let God move on your heart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqTZ07ja7g This one was short and simple. But one more thing...Joe and I did some headbangin' too to this song...see if you can do it too. http://www.youtube.co...

Today, I had the privilege and honor of speaking to a bunch of wonderfully youthful middle-schoolers. I know that my son, who was in the group must've been a little nervous at what would come out of my mouth. After all I hold the secrets and the pictures to prove it all. Little does he know that I would carry these to the grave unless forced to use them...LOL! I struggled with the topic because I knew what they were going to say as soon as I said the "P" word. They were going to roll their eyes, they were going to put their heads back in exasperation and wonder why they even came to school today. I've had the same reaction when using the "p" word many times as a young person and as an adult. I've thought it was boring and sometimes senseless for different reasons, but I knew that as a Christian I was supposed to do it and do it often. As soon as I said, "Prayer" they looked glossy eyed and I could hear their brains shouting, "Noooooooo....

Can I say that I am so happy that today is Wednesday? This means that the weekend is near and I get to chill and spend some time with my husband and kids, uninterrupted. I can also spend some quality time with my pillow. Don't you just feel like that sometimes? Just act like being a lump on a log? I am also so sore. Doing the Crossfit regiment 5 days a week takes a toll on this 40+ body of mine. Love the way I look and feel, but man does it tire out this middle-aged woman (I can't believe I just said that!! Did I really just say that?!). Am I considered "middle-aged?" I'll jump on the band wagon and say that 40 is the new 30. Hey, it works. Denial isn't so bad sometimes...muahahahaha... I've been enjoying the fall thus far. Loving the brisk mornings and nights. The spicy scents of pumpkin candles and pumpkin lattes. I think I posted this before but here goes, "If you can't beat the Fall then you gotta join it." So I've decorated the hou...

Yes, folks. I have it. I've had it all my life. Struggled with it all my life and I think I will struggle with it all my life. I've had and still have a love affair with food. I love it when I'm happy. And I love it when I'm down. I love it when I'm celebrating. And I love it when I'm not. Dr. Phil has no cure for me. I just love it. And now since I've been eating better and lighter I have diagnosed this problem that I have mentioned. I think I know how to overcome it since I am an overcomer. But man, it's hard. This syndrome, this thing is called...the Forbidden Fruit Syndrome...FFS. If only it was fruit that was forbidden, but no. See, back in the garden when the serpent, who was really satan, tempted Eve, he told her that God really didn't want her to have the "benefits" that came from eating that fruit. She tried to shut his mouth by saying that God told her she could eat from the thousands of trees and the fruit they grew just not that...

Dear Boys,    I know you think that I was put on this earth to say "no" to a lot of things. Believe it or not I am not here to make your lives miserable. I am really not a party-pooper. Like the day I had to pick you up early from the tailgating party even though the game had not officially started because you had school the following day. Or the time I took your bike away after telling you not to go too far up the driveway. I so hate doing those things, because believe it or not I was young once too and I remember wanting to stay up late and ride my bike further up the sidewalk. And it hurts my heart to see you so upset. One day you'll be a responsible parent too and understand why daddy and I do the things we do.    The day that you were born I thought my heart would burst with the love I had and have for you. I never imagined just how much love one little person could exude from me. That at the slightest cry, I would drop anything and everything to be by your s...

So today has already been "one of those days." Got up late; later than my littlest guy. Made a quick breakfast of cereal and toaster waffles. Ran around rushing them and me, trying to get out of the house before 8 so they wouldn't be late for school. Made lunches. Begged my husband to pack my lunch while I got dressed. Couldn't shower. Forgot to brush my teeth...don't judge me! Put on two different shades of purple or pink (does it matter? They are both hideous). And what I'm wearing is way too tight. Yes, muffin top exposed to the fullest. Thank God that my jeans were in my car and have been for two days since coming out of the gym. I couldn't kiss my kids because they were running late so when I dropped them off at the school they had to run in. Didn't pray with them either. It's been one of those days already and it's only 9:24 in the morning. I pray that your day has started out so much better than mine. And I pray that my kids take all t...