Old Blog thought was fitting for our now season in Life!

So this is something I wrote about our transition from Tracy, CA to Pleasanton, CA. Who would have know that we would be where we are at now in Kansas City, God preparing us all along...so I just reread it and thought I would post it.



Thursday, May 31, 2007

Transitions of Life Current mood: determined Category: Life
Soooo....we have entered what I believe is a new season in our lives. We have moved out of the comfort of our own home where we found our peace, our tranquility. There is nothing like your home it is yours and your families santuary. Sometimes though God moves you out of what we would call our comfort zones. He wants us to reach farther to go deeper in our faith.
Some people think it is cruel or you have to be doing something bad to be put in certain difficult situations. But I beg to differ...God puts those that He has really great plans for through really great fire and testings.
Some people run to God more when they are having problems and fall farther away when everything is great. I have found myself to be the opposite. I find it harder for me sometimes when I am going through what sometimes are the hardest things in life. I still seek but feel alone even though I know with all my heart I am never alone.
As a mother your mind is so hard to find a down time or rest it never stops. What if my kids get sick, what if something happens at school, how do there friends treat them, am I doing enough, what can I do to be a better mother/wife? All these questions go through the mind of a mother day in and day out. So with life getting at you in every direction life is sometimes so harsh.
But through all of this transition I look at my husband and children and know that I am working towards a bigger and better future. And no I am not just talking about a nice house, picket fence and an RV. I am not even talking about the day when my kids graduate high school, bless me with new son in laws and daughter in law. Or even the day my babies bless me even more with my precious grandbabies...tear, tear. I am talking about the day I see Jesus face to face. When I know this race I have run, the blood, sweat and tears I have shed where not all for nothing! This is the day I truly have my home!
I don't care (even though there is days I do :O) ) if I never own a home or if I never see the other side of the country. But as long as I know that I have been the best wife, mother and daughter I could be and have instilled all the values that my heavenly Father and earthly mother and father has tought me. Then and only then I know that I have done my job.
We will get through this transition in our life...there is nothing impossible for those that love the Lord. For His yoke is easy His burden in light. So I give it ALL to Him. The One that can carry it all that has carried the sin of the world on His shoulders, My sweet Jesus. We will get through and move on to our NEXT transition in life.
We just have to believe that we will succeed!! And above all trust and love with all our hearts.

OM Goodness its snow!!

So we woke up on Sunday morning with the ground completely covered in snow. The kids were freaking out this being there first time actually seeing snow. They ran outside to just run back in realizing this is not just a picture this stuff is cold and so is it outside! lol We could barely get Keilani back in the house to get ready for church. Then after we did get ready they were all out there throwing snow balls at each other...including Elijah pegging me in the neck with one. It is much funnier now then when it happened. :o) Well here are some pics from it...otherwise we are trying to stay warm and gearing up for more family coming this week, Will just leaving a few weeks ago and that was a really great time. He said he is forever wrecked by what was poured into him while he was out here! God was hitting him with word after word of confirmation!! Love it!

Thanksgiving...was actually great!

We truly had an enjoyable time on Thanksgiving. Even though we were a lil sad that we were not with all of our family we had the Maldonado Fam here so we were not completely with out. We also had the privilege of opening up our home to some new friends. Had a blast with the one couple we have probably become the closest to. Steven, Chriss and there son Brett have been a blessing to us. We get along great and have stuff in common. Chriss also helped me cook and did most of the baking...she makes some amazing pie's!!
So needless to say it was great. We are truly blessed! Can't wait for my sister in law to come in two days then more fam the end of December!!

We have a new addition to the Echevarria's

So after years of begging and pleading by our children and years of us promising once we got a house it would happen...we broke down and got our kiddies a pup. She is a Mini Schnauzer and absolutely adorable!!! Her name is Sophie and she is 12 weeks old. Kiana, Ismo and Kamia were all excited that she was born August 18th is the same month of all there birthdays. So lucky me a 4th birthday in August. :o) So here she is...

A Few New Pictures

I wanted to also share a few pics of the kids and some of the Fall colors and our property...Here is Elijah with one of the catapillars he found. Then 3 of the kids with a friend of theres from our internship playing during our bible study.



Here is Kiana and Mia being silly!

Here is a few random pics I took of some neighbors trees that have changed to such pretty colors!

The beautiful fog...I love taking pics of our property. Well I love taking them anywhere.

The Beauty of It All...

So another week has passed and the fun never ends. It has been a real turning point for me especially. God is really starting to show me some deep things. I am experiencing freedom in areas I did not really know that truly held me back. God is really one funny God! Its funny that He has been dealing with me on stepping out in more boldness and not having fear of speaking and sharing in front of people. Especially right before it is our small group teams turn to pray on the mic at the Justice House of Prayer. Funny huh?

So this has always been part of my personality but God wants to use me through that and I feel show me that He is speaking through me. What is amazing to me is that me and Kiana our 9 year old really bonded on a deeper level through this. Being that mine and her personalities are sooooo similar I shared with her my feelings and what God was showing me and she agreed she has the same struggle. So I was able to pray for her and release us both in prayer to have more boldness and confidence in ourselves not just in front of our immediate family but in a public atmosphere.

We are so proud to be part of a community out here that is in constant prayer for our country and all that goes on. Not only for our country but also for issues all around the world. We are seeking together to know the very heart of God on a more intimate level. To not just go about our lives living the mundane but really pushing...pushing for more of God. It says in Psalms 23 Your Kingdom come Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. That means we can truly have a piece of heaven here on earth! I want it, we want it!! We are pushing everyday to know more of God and to truly see peoples lives radically changed! Oh that touches the very depths of me just saying it. There is nothing more amazing then seeing people's lives be touched. Our families mission is to touch as many lives as humanly possible through prayer and however else we are led. This is now our job...where exactly will this lead us I dont know. But we know this is where God wants us.

I'm officially FREEZING!!

So Ismo has been reminding me that the coldest has yet to come...but I am freezing now! This Cali girl does not have thick enough blood for this. This is probably my only issue with being out here is right now Im not feeling the coldness. My knees hurt people! My knees dont usual ever hurt like this...can we say I need some thermals! lol But we now know that winter is about in our midst and the holidays are here!!!! I can not believe another year has gone by...it seems like I just took this pic of the kiddies for our Christmas cards, but it was in 2006. Time flies!

So another picture will be taken and another holiday will come. It will not be the same without all of our family, but I can truly say that it will be memorable. There is those that are coming for Thanksgiving and those right after Christmas. But we have made some new friends that have truly blessed our lives. We have opened up our home for those like us that are from out of state and dont have family around. So we are really excited about this. I am already looking up new recipes for deserts!! Whoo hoo!