Busy...busy...

What a great few days. Busy with family and friends. It was so nice to have a 4 day weekend and hang out with the kids. Tonight was especially amazing because Marlon and I went to John Burke Correctional together for the first time in months. Normally we are scheduled the last Sunday of each month, however, with some different worship teams picking up dates, I did not have to go along the last few months. Since I was in New Mexico with work in August, I haven't been there since July! I could truly feel God work in me. It's difficult to explain the way that sharing the gospel and showing His love ends up impacting yourself. But it does. When I worship, whether it's with the kids at Elmbrook, in prison or with the congregation at church...I feel the spirit fill me with strength, peace and clarity of mind. It's so much more than singing...it's a whole experience of bringing me closer to Christ.
Marlon had a great opportunity to go to Waupun Correctional on Friday and lead a bible study. He doesn't get there as often as some of the other institutions in the state, so it is always welcomed when he does.
Busy week ahead this week. Monday our landlord is coming over...there may be a possibility of buying our house, Tuesday Marlon is always gone to Norris, Wednesday I have a haircut, Jordyn has Outtasight and Marlon has his bible study, Thursday is the holiday party for Teen MOPS. Then we are to Friday again :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving all!
I truly do love this day...even with the chaos of the
cooking. Our Thanksgiving tradition will
change just a bit with Granny gone this year. We
will still go to my Grandma Calderon's. Everyone
gathers there throughout the day. All in all,
about 65 or so of us :) There are two turkeys,
a ham, tons of sides and desserts. As our family
grows it is getter more crowded, but personally
I love it. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if it
wasn't that way.
Around 4 or 5 we would travel onto Granny and Pops
house where she would have a Thanksgiving meal
prepared as well. Normally Uncle Keith and Aunt
Gerri, Niecy, Aunt Gean, and sometimes Paula and
DeeDee, Uncle Jerome and Auntie Brenda would be
there. This year, with Granny gone, Niecy, Uncle
Jerome and Aunt Brenda took Pops down to Florida
to spend Thanksgiving with Philip, Lanetta and her
fiance Ansley. I totally understand the thought
process that it might make Thanksgiving easier for
Pops to be out of the house and doing something
different. It is hard though, because even if we
didn't spend the bulk of the day there, it was
always important to go and eat,visit, get one of
Granny's hugs...I know Marlon is going to have a
hard time today. We all are in some way I am sure.
I don't think a loved one can pass on without there
always being an empty space on holidays or special
occasions.
But today we are going to be Thankful, as we should
be everyday. Really. There is way too much in life
to be thankful about. Health, family, clothing, food,
another day to get it right, employment, a car,a friend,
education, freedom of religion, freedom of speech,
Christ's love and faithfulness, salvation, children's
laughter, a hug from someone you love, Grandma's and
Grandpa's, a home, music...the list could never end.
Too often we concentrate on what we don't have...not
the house or car we want, not making the money at a
job we want, not looking the way we want, losing a
loved one too soon for us, divorce, lack of support
in our lives. While there are some devastating things
that can happen and difficult things to face...have
faith that God knows your days and path and his desire
is to bring you salvation and peace. We just have to
accept it!

She's a braniac...lol

Well we got Jordyn's report card today.
A couple of weeks ago, a few of her
teachers made the comment that she should
probably be in AP classes. After seeing
her report card, I know why.
English A+
Child Dev. A+
Keyboarding A+
German II A+
Earth Science A-
Phy Ed A
US History A+
Algebra A

She is such a hard worker and we couldn't
be more proud of her! Although she is a
little perturbed that she only got an A-
in science :) She told Marlon and I that
she is going to talk to him to find out
why that is!

Such a special day...

What a special day it was today. Seeing Isaiah baptized really affected me emotionally more than I thought it would. It was wonderful to see him take such a step to make an outward expression that he is going to give his life to Jesus and he wanted everyone to know about it. It meant a lot to him that so much of our family was there. Aunt Annie, Billy and Stephanie came-which was so nice of them. Nana, Dee Dee and Neicy came too which was so nice. Then Connie and Rod with Nia, Baba and Papa (my parents), Aunt Darlene and all of the kids stayed back from Sunday school to see him be baptized. Hearing the words that he said-about how he wants everyone to know he loves Jesus and be a better Christian made me proud. I know that being prideful is a sin, but the feeling of joy brought tears to me eyes.
Then we went to Baba and Papa's for tacos-yummy! Then on to the Xmas parade. Even though it was pretty cold, it didn't seem as bad as other years. I think we did a better job of bundling up :) Alicia (my cousin's daughter) was in the parade this year so that was fun to see her on a float.
While hanging out at Grandma's, I coordinated a friend and her mom taking over a Thanksgiving basket to Crystal and her sister's. As most of you know, Crystal is one of my clients/ex-coworker/friends. God has been so good in bringing forth people who are willing to join in together to help Crystal and her sister's have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't ever stop praising His name!

Wonderful retreat!

The retreat was so great! The main session speakers were
phenomenal...fun and honest, really made you think.
Marlon and I really enjoyed speaking together for our
session. It seemed to go well and I hope that the couples
that came to hear us speak were able to take away something
useful or were at least encouraged by another going through
the chaos. :)
It is amazing to see what God can do with your life. Just
4 years ago...Marlon and I were on the brink of divorce...
unwilling to budge on our own beliefs of how marriage should
be, unable to forgive past hurts, and underestimating how
important our marriage was. Now we are at a place of unity
and joy...able to resolve conflict and see things from another
perspective. Do we ever mess up? Oh yes. Do we ever act out
in anger and hurt each other's feelings? Oh yes. But we know
that God is in control and He is the center of our marriage.
How can I not love and respect a Godly man like Marlon? How
can he not love and cherish a Godly woman like me? Even on
the days when we are not behaving in the most righteous way...
we know that our first priority is to be get right with God
and He will put the other things in place.
Much much thanks and love for my parents who kept the boys over
night and allowed us to have such a relaxing time knowing they
were well taken care of. I can't explain enough how wonderful
they are to us and how much we appreciate them!
Alright...on to laundry and the dishes.
Tomorrow Isaiah is getting baptized. If you think of it...say
a little prayer for him, as he is a little nervous about it.
Thanks!

Blessings...

What a blessing to work in an environment where prayer is
encouraged, unity is valued and respect is abound-even when
people don't see eye to eye. A day without gossip?? What a
novel idea!
Can you tell I am loving my new job? The tasks are going to
be more about time management and don't seem as if they will
cause me a lot of stress. The ministry is very encouraging
and seem to want input about innovative and creative ideas
for programming and activities.
It has been an utter joy and I can't do anything but praise
Him for what I have been given! What an opportunity! Thank
you Lord for continuously blessing me with your abundance and
favor...when I am so unworthy of it! The phone calls and
emails with my former clients who want to keep in touch show me
that this move was right. We've been able to openly talk
about faith, church and I can encourage and pray for them in a
way that I could not when they were my clients.
Look at your lives. Relish in the good. Even amidst the pain
and turmoil there is good. He is faithful and just and knows
the bigger picture. Have faith that He has your best interest
at heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future." Believe it and your
whole life can change!

Flashback to the Philippines...

As some of you know, Marlon went to the Philippines this summer.
This picture shows a family that the ministry visits each week.
The father was incarcerated and had recently gotten out. The
family lives very far out and away from any city. The ministry
visits with them, brings them money and food, shares the gospel
with them.
In our culture and way of thinking, there is no way to explain
the extreme poverty that this family experiences. Marlon learned
that many of the prisoners in the Philippines are incarcerated in
horrible conditions.
More about this later...just wanted to share this experience.

My First Day...

So today was my first day at Elmbrook, I must say that
it was wonderful! So inviting, so fun, so open...such
a different environment from where I came from at Lad
Lake. To start the day with prayer...to end meetings
with prayer...to see passion and respect in people's
eyes...very awesome. Will it be perfect-of course not!
But it will fill me up with the Lord and with His love,
challenging me to strengthen my walk and be that light.
On my way home, I got a little teary eyed, thinking of
how proud Granny would be that I was working at the
church and how she told me before she died that I was
supposed to do ministry full time. Little did she know
how soon that would come to pass.
My job is going to be very full, which I love because it
helps the day go faster. There is just always something
to do. As the next few days and weeks come to pass, I am
sure that I will encounter feelings of being overwhelmed,
but it so reassuring to know that if I need to stop to
pray or need to ask someone to pray with me, I can without
any issues.
And thanks, thanks, thanks to the Lord for giving me this
opportunity when He did, because I found out today that
there were some major changes at my old job that would
have made staying there unbearable for me.
On another note-Saturday is the big day!! Marlon and I
will be speaking at Elmbrook for the Coulple's Retreat.
Keep us in your prayers as we finish up our preparations.

The Kids...

Aren't they cuties? Jordyn, Isaiah, Elijah and Israel with their Auntie DeeDee. You can see the Pitchford in her with that great smile!

These are some pictures from Marlon's sister's wedding. Erin got married Labor Day weekend. Marlon is with his dad and Grandfather and with Erin and Yolanda his sisters in the other. It was a really pretty wedding and it was so special to be a part of her day.

Adios Charm!!

So we''ve had a cat for a little over 5 years. She initially
started out as a substitute for a dog...since we weren't quite
ready to get a dog yet. Also, Jordyn really wanted one. She's
been a little bit of a pain. Because we finally did break down
and get a dog she still has her claws. So furniture is her
favorite scratching post. Also, she loves being outside. So
she loves to run out when the door opens and hang around until she
decides she's ready to come in. She has made friends with all of the
neighborhood street cats. To the point that they have even come on
our porch calling for her. Since she decides to come home long after
we've gone to bed-this has meant dozens of torn
screens in the years we've had her. Marlon has become an expert at
replacing screens. She also is not much a people cat...what cat is
actually? But with her it's to the point that you'd barely know we
had a cat!
So today, we are taking her to our friend's farm and
she is going to get to be a loved farm cat!
Between the outdoors, other cats and the chase of little rodents...
I think she's gonna be in heaven!
No more litter box-yeahhhhhhh!!

Time just flies...

I tell you, trying to leave a job with not much unfinished is very tiring...lol. The past few days have been very hectic.
Work-it is very exciting to know I am leaving and quite honestly, I feel it is going to open another chapter in my life. Not that Elmbrook won't have it's stress and conflict as well, but I am really anticipating working in a positive, healthy environment!
Home-there just never seems to be enough time, between activities, meetings, ministry, cleaning...I just pray that I am doing it all in as loving and caring of a way as I can.

Tonight the boys move into a new sport-basketball. Elmbrook is having a basketball league this year and although practices and games don't start until Jan., they being skill evaluations tonight. They are very excited. So far we've stuck to the soccer and baseball, so this will be new for them. Marlon will coach--by the time they are all in high school, he probably will have coached for every sport there is!! But it's so great to see him out there with the boys teaching and training.

Jordyn has Outtasight tonight. This is Elmbrook's high school ministry. It is held in different "sponsor" homes and the youth are divided by their school. She really loves her group and it has been wonderful to see her faith grow and her conviction for her beliefs be strenghtened.

You know that means for Momma?? Woohooo I get some peace and quiet!

Just a fun, relaxing Saturday...

Although Marlon had a Brother Bob's Outreach board meeting
early in the morning on Saturday, there was nothing else
to do than help celebrate my Aunt Annie's birthday. Her
4 kids and boyfriend threw her a great suprise party on
Saturday night. It was so special, complete with a really
beautiful portrait for her with all 4 kids and 7 of her
grandkids...her closest cousin visiting from Texas and her
son's band playing. For as large as my family is, and as
different as we all are...as I looked around the room on
Saturday there was nothing but love there. How blessed to
have a family that comes together and enjoys each other's
time and shares in each other's triumphs.
This picture is of my Aunt Annie and her daughters. Becky
is on the left and Jackie on the right. Becky and Jackie
decided to party like their mommy used to in full disco
style!

Some of what we do....

Go to a prison, you say?? How scary! How sad!
How empty the souls must be! The liars there,
the sinners there, the evil that must exist!!
Look at this picture...and see them...praying,
full of hope and with faith for what their Lord
can do. Amazing, life changing things. Marlon
and I are blessed beyond measure with the great
privelege of ministering to these men and women.
This is a minimum security facility for women
here in Wisconsin. We were given permission to
take some pictures for footage on the website and
for Marlon to use for outreach. Once a month,
Marlon and I go together to lead service for
this facility. God is doing amazing things in
the hearts and lives of these women.
I think the most special thing is after they have
gotten out and I might see them on the street
or in church and they come up to us with a big
smile or hug and thank us for the love and care
we showed them while they were incarcerated. It
is more than enough reward to know that it makes
even a little bit of difference!

Kind of exciting...

November 18th and 19th is when Elmbrook is having their in house Couple's Retreats. Marlon and I have been part of the committee for two years now and it really is a fun group of people to work with. This retreat will be our first where we will be speaking. We are leading a seminar topic called "Marriage in Chaos". How fitting, huh? It is going to be such fun and has really been a bonding experience for us so far. You can see all about it www.elmbrookcouples.org
Check it out! Also, please keep us in your prayers as you know Satan will be even more alert with this coming up.

On another note, the kids and I had a busy week at Harvest Fest. I really enjoyed serving and they always love going and hanging out with their friends. Find a church. Not just any ole church...but one where there is impact being made for God's kingdom and one where there is a family atmosphere and compassion for others. I know that has been a monumental piece of my growing in Christ.

Saying Goodbye...

It has been an interesting week at work...you don't always
realize the impact you're making. So many of my clients
are really upset that I am leaving, but at that the same
time really happy for me that I am getting to move on to
something that is important to me. There are a number of
them that I will keep in touch with, especially the New
Mexico group. (8 of us went to a conference in New Mexico)
I really tried to assure them that there are other people
out there like me...who will encourage them, care about
their lives and futures...they just need to open up once
in awhile.
I am honored and proud that they would have the mature
responses that they have had.
If anyone would like to see an article about a couple of
our clients and what their lives are like after foster
care there is supposed to be an article in this Sundays
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I say supposed to because
initially they told us it would be in last week-so you
never know. We've been told that it will be on the front
page!
The exciting thing for me I guess is that I can still help
these youth. I can volunteer, donate needed items, send
emails or encouraging letters...it doesn't have to end with
my "9 to 5". I encourage each of you to challenge yourself
to leave your comfort zone and really get in somewhere to
make a difference. Not just giving your money. That, of
course, is needed and valued, but find something or even
someone that touches your heart and make a personal impact.
Work at a shelter or food pantry, join project angel tree and
deliver gifts to the children of Wisconsin inmates, visit
with the elderly in nursing homes that nobody else comes
to see. The country is full of people in need of love,
compassion and help. It is not just taken care of by
social service agencies. Funding and staff are certainly
lacking and there is always more to be done.
Okay, off my soap box now...lol. Have a blessed day!!

your heart