Blissful Blessings

I was so blessed to be able to spend this past Saturday in celebration of both Ryan and Jordan graduating from college. We had a huge party at Daniel's aunt and uncle's house in Irvine. It was a gorgeous day! And I was so relieved I was finally able to go out in public after dealing with that skin infection the past week, but it's almost 100% cleared up, so I was so exicted to get out of the house! There were so many people there to support them and celebrate with them in this accomplishment. It was so nice to see everyone. Daniel has a very special and unique family and I feel so blessed to have married into this beautiful family. It's a big Mexican family and when everyone gets together, it really is a 'fiesta'! Daniel's mom, Carmela, has 3 sisters and 3 brothers. Daniel and all of his cousins are very close due to that fact that his family has always been consistent about having family gatherings, camping trips, etc since they were young. There is always an overwhelming amount of love when you get the whole bunch together and truly is something special. I really enjoyed my time with everyone, but did feel a sense of incompletion without having my hubby there. But I can not be more proud of him and the hard worker he is! I am beyond excited to see him! 2 weeks can't come soon enough! I also got an exciting praise report- Daniel had a career high and went 4 for 4 last night in his game last night (Praise God!). I was visiting with Daniel's parents and we listened to the game online and screamed in excitement every at bat! It was a sweet blessing from the Lord! Super stoked for him, but we're still taking it day by day and trusting in God! Thanks so much again for the continued prayers!

Ryan & Jordan Graduate College

Special shout out to my brother in law Ryan and cousin in law Jordan who just graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara!!!

We're so proud of you guys and love you both so much!

Beautiful Lord

As I sit here writing this, I have just clicked the repeat button on my iTunes for at least the 5th time to the song "Beautiful Lord" by Leeland. The lyrics are just, well, beautiful.

"When the storm is raging all around me. You are the peace that calms my troubled sea. And the cares of this world darken my day. You are the light that shines and shows me the way. Oh, the beauty of Your majesty. On the cross You showed Your love for me! Beautiful Lord, Awesome and Mighty, I’m captured by this love I see. Beautiful Lord, Tender and Holy,Your mercy brings me to my knees. It's Your mercy that has made me free, Beautiful Lord"

As of the late,especially these past few weeks, it has felt like "a storm raging around me". To wrap it up in a nutshell, these are some of things that went down:

1.Daniel went on the DL for 2 weeks due to a strained hamstring.
2.May 9th marked the one year anniversary of my cousin's death, which was tough.
3.Having to deal and adjust to being in a long distance relationship with my husband right now.
4.I had to go to the ER because my face started to swell, itch, and I broke out in this crazy rash. Turns out I got this pretty bad skin infection. It was scary to say the least, and not fun at all.

That's just some of it...And to be honest, just being loaded down with thoughts had alot to do with the 'storm' I felt I was experiencing. [Thoughts of doubt, insecurities, uncertainties]. It becomes way too easy to get caught up in 'circumstances'. You know, when you just have one of those days when you just want to dwell on the negative thoughts just to try to find some sort of satisfaction in throwing a pity party for yourself? Don't deny it, we've all had them. I've been catching myself do that too often lately. But the Lord has been reminding through Philippians 4:8 to turn those negative thoughts into thoughts that are 'admirable' and 'praiseworthy'! How much more do those thoughts please the Lord? I mean, yes, He knows my heart even better then I do, He knows the things I feel, He understands that things aren't always going to be easy, but He truly is the "peace that calms my troubles storm"... He has never failed me yet!
I share that just to give an understanding of what's been going on in my life and in my heart. I know life is a constant battle and I know things aren't going to be perfect. But I am writing with a refreshed heart today that has regained it's joy and has seen my beautiful Lord come through for me once again!

Praise Reports:
1.Daniel is now off the DL feeling healthy and strong.
2.I booked a flight to see Daniel in 3 weeks, which we're both very excited about! Also, Daniel sent me the sweetest care package in the mail today! I love him!
3.My skin infection is 95% cleared and healed!!!

I know our life is always going to be full of ups and downs. Just like in baseball, you can go 4 for 4 one day and be on a high, then go 0-4 the next day with 4 strikeouts! You never know what "pitches" you're going to face or what's going to come your way in life. It's great and beyond comforting to know I can find consistency in an unchanging God even with my ever changing heart... Thank you beautiful Lord!

Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Daniel and I were apart for 3 weeks before I was able to visit him for 9 days last week. We had such a great time together! I am now back in California and Daniel is still in Iowa. 3 weeks really isn't too bad. I think of wives whose husbands are in the military and am convicted in my own complaints about having to be apart from Daniel. We are truly blessed in the fact that he is getting to do what he loves, he's in no true endangerment (besides the 95 mph fastballs pitched towards his head) and we are able to talk on the phone on a daily basis. So when I start to feel down or am missing him; I really just need to keep things in perspective and be thankful and happy he's getting to do what he loves.

Being apart truly makes me appreciate the time we have together though. I am so proud of my husband and how the Lord has used the trials we've gone through the past 2 baseball seasons to grow us stronger in our relationship with Him and with each other. God has been showing me more and more the true meaning of being His disciple. If we claim to be a disciple of Christ, then that means we need to be ready and willing to follow Him wherever He may lead us. Following Jesus doesn't mean that we're following Him to the big leagues or to move up in the minor league organization- we are following Him to be with Him and to be wherever He places us. As easy as it is to get caught up in the thrill of baseball and the idea of Daniel being in the big leagues someday.... that is not what matters in the end. In the end, it matters what we did to make an impact for our God. It's been a fresh reminder to be content in where the Lord has us. I know Daniel is in Clinton, Iowa for a reason outside of baseball and that excites me! As much as we both would have loved the convenience of Daniel playing in California we know God is working this out for a greater purpose and everything is in His perfect timing. (Ecc.3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in His timing"). Key words:His Timing. Not ours.

For those of you who may have been following him and wondering why he hasn't played the past few games...it is because Daniel actually strained his hamstring this past Sunday after running out a basehit. It is only a strain (not a pull) which we are thankful for and will take this over a broken bone any day. He should be back playing by tomorrow or Saturday :)

Thanks again to all our prayers warriors out there, keep them coming please!