Saturday, January 31, 2009

Introducing: Baby Isabella!

Hello blog sisters,

I hope that you are having a wonderful Saturday afternoon! I am here in B&N updating the blog, reading your blogs, and checking emails...such a nice and relaxing way to spend the eve of Super Bowl Sunday.
So, my friend Yanet had a baby on Jan. 16 and I wanted to introduce you to this new little princess....
Allow me the privilige of introducing you to Isabella Raye Kensey!

Here she is sleeping...she is so tiny! Much tinier than Kensely.
I loved holding her! I was honored that Yanet felt comfortable enough leaving baby Bella with me, Julie, and Ginny while she ran to McD's for Happy Meals for all of us! This baby girl is so little, I just could not get over it!
This is a cute picture....she has so many expressions! She had just opened her eyes and probably realized that I was NOT mommy!
Another funny expression...she is going to be quite the little charmer!
Yanet and her little girl! What a neat thing to see her as a Mommy!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Can We Talk?

So...I've started my new bible study at BVG. This time around we are studying a book called "Can We Talk: Soul Stirring Conversations with God" by Priscilla Shrier.



It is not the typical type of bible study material that I usually do. I am a devoted pupil of my favorite bible teacher, Beth Moore. When I first saw that this season's bible study material was not going to be a Beth Moore study...I must admit that I was a bit disappointed but quickly got over that the first night of the study. This study is going to be so great! It is focused on teaching or more so, facilitating a way for us to have a meainingful conversation with the Lord. It follows five pretty simple steps when reading a passage of scripture.

Here they are:

1. Position yourself to hear from God
2. Pore of the passage and Paraphrase it in your own words
3. Pull out any scriptural lessons learned
4. Pose a life question based on the scriptural lessons pulled out
5. Plan and Pin down a date to act upon what lessons have been learned

Pretty cool huh?!

You should try this format sometime when you are spending time in the Word. They've been helpful to me so far to truly get into the Word and internalize lessons that God wants me to learn.
I am so excited to see where God will lead me over the next six weeks while I pour over His word and He teaches me. I can trust Him to teach me because his word says,

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

Saturday, January 10, 2009

How do I get more readers?!

Ok you all...how do I get more readers?! I love blogging so far because I love to write and I love to take lots of pictures so this avenue is perfect for me...however, it is hard to keep it up when there are not many people reading....so how do I get more readers. I've told family and friends but they rarely comment.
MANY THANKS TO STACI AND KATIE! You girls are so sweet to comment regularly! I love reading your blogs too!

Here are a few pics of our Christmas celebrations with my family. Fun times!


The Cortez women with our brown bags from Bloomindales! Thanks Ricardo!

Me and my brother Matt...I love my brothers very much!
This is a picture that I took from the side of the road coming back from my folks house...it was really pretty so I had to share this pic with you...beautiful Christmas morning!
Tiare and Melissa being silly girls!
Me and my cousins Melissa and Stephanie....it was good to see both of them especially Stephanie and she now lives in Reno, Nv so we don't get to see her too often!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year's 2009!!!

Happy New Year to all my bloggy friends!
I pray God's blessings over you this new year. Praying that you come to know Him in new and fresh ways as you seek to do His will in your life.
Did you decide to take on any new years resolutions?
I did....(hope that I will be able to stick with it). I've decided that I will choose water before any other drink....I don't drink enough water and have actually become quite sick because of dehydration. This is a problem that I NEED to get a handle on. Figure that there is no better time than the present!
I also am going to work on memorizing scripture. If you are interested in joining me...you can do so by checking out the LPM Blog on this post here. Beth Moore has enlisted the accountability of about 1500 Siestas to join her in scripture memorization. It is a good thing to do and so fun to do so with so many sisters as accountability partners! Check it out.