sharing my testimony

Hi there-- I just want to say I just had a amazing time meeting with Cristabel. She is amazing and I know God has connected me to her for a reason and I am excited about it! i am getting more and more involved with womens ministry stuff at Flipside and it is such a blessing when I get to hang out with ladies and get to know their heart. I love love love love it!!!



Ok so about my testimony. I shared it with my mugs n muffins ladies a few weeks ago and I think it went well.



As I prepared for it I was led to 1 Peter 3:15--But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. -- I think this means that God wants us to have our testimony prepared in our heart. It is a tool that can be used to defend my faith and it is powerful. It is not meant to be kept secret, it is meant to be shared. It is meant to be shared with pre/non believers. It is fine to share amongst believers as well but it is truly meant to be shared as an account for the hope that is in you to people who do not have the same hope.



I felt the Lord telling me --it is great that you are sharing your testimony in your Bible study that will deepen your relationship with those ladies but it is just a practice field. Ultimately you are called to share it with non-believers.-- In Acts 26 Paul shares his testimony with non-believers and it is a great example. I used it to prepare my own.



If you do not have a testimony prepared I want to encourage you to prepare it! To me it is clear that God wants it ready in your heart.



The crazy thing is that once I shared(practiced it) with my Bible study. I was immediately(one week later) called to share it with a non believer. that person is a close friend of my husband who is thinking of divorce. Through sharing my testimony that person has commited to coming to church. God is so good!! But all I am saying is don't block God from using you by saying-- I don't really have a testimony or my testimony isn't worth sharing-- because we each have a unique testimony that has been given to us by our creator and each testimony is equally important!







good night and god bless, momma A

I haven't had internet in 3 months!!!

To whom it may concern:

I finally got internet at home and it feels great. I have missed writing in my blog. I'm not really sure if anyone reads it but it has made me sad that I haven't written in so long! Anyway, finances are killing us slowly and there in no end of it in sight. Dante has little to no work and since no one likes to have candle parties I am unable to contribute. I know I could go back to work but I am not sure that is the right thing for my family.

Dante has to take any work he can get so he cannot stay home with the kids so if I go back to work then we have to pay for child care which almost makes it useless for me to work. I KNOW GOD HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL-- but I won't lie I get really freaked out sometimes. . .I mean REALLY freaked out. Especially when I look at the credit card balances--urg!!! I hate money and ultimately i know it is not important and that God will provide but its just hard!!!

I feel God telling to take care of all the loose ends and then the path will be more clear. So I have ordered certified copies of my kids birth certifcates and our marriage license. This is all stuff that I just never did--why?? cuz I can be really lazy about anything that involves paperwork!!! I am about to celebrate my 6yr anniversary and I haven'y changed my name officially to AVILA(this doesn't bug Dante). It really bugs my in-laws and my brother! I will do this as soon as I get my marriage license. Health care for my family is bad too. We pay way to much so I am trying to research and find better solutions. --these are some examples of the loose ends I think God wants me taking care of. Each time I accomplish something I feel good for 2 seconds until I look at the long list of todo's i still have to complete...

okay so enough complaining.

I love my life. My kids are so awesome! Dante is a great husband. I have a home and a car(in the shop getting a new radiator but I have a car). I have food in the fridge. I have internet. I have great friends. I love seeing women grow at Flipside church and I love the relationships I am forming there. In the last year I have met some awesome ladies. I am gonna give a shout out right now to some of the ladies God has blessed me with in the last year
Lisa H(you have been a huge blessing for my growth as a christian and a mom),
Andria--such a blessing that I get to call you my friend,
Kim C(my financial adviser and accountability partner--thanks for doing the hard stuff with me--LOVE YOU),
Heather M.--love your stories and love your heart--can't wait til you find time to work with me on a blog!,
Lindsay H.--not sure where we are headed but I know it is somewhere together. . .and I am excited to take this adventure with you.
Beth H--such an amazing example of unconditional love!
Frances--love your energy and passion for working for our Lord!
Cristabel--so sincere and real.
Jaymee G.--my prayer warrior friend--you have helped me step up the prayer in my life. I know you have more to teach me--can't wait!,
Chela-Matthew 6:33--you are an answered prayer in so many ways.
Michele--love, love, love, you have seriously helped me let go of some serious termoil in my life!!!
Jen A. a silent beauty and this is such a treasure--I love spending time with you!,
Kamy--its your marriage that inspires me-- you guys truly bring out the best in each other! Pam--you are so warm and hospitable. I feel so warm and welcomed in your presence.
Eileen--you seriously are a selfless person who sacrifices not only for your family but for people in general. That is a rare treasure!!
Nicole--I don't know you that well but I laugh a lot when we are together and that is awesome! Ashley--best hugs--

Finally my luv dove--shellie--I struggle to find the words but basically without me even asking you have taken me in under you wings. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I will stop there but I hope you know the special place you have in my heart!


alright I feel better--good night--sparkle:)