It has been a whirlwind around here since Feb. 26th. We traveled to Miami the weekend of Feb. 24th. While in Miami we received an offer for the purchase of our home in NC. Is that God or what? We put a sign up about 3-4 weeks before and did not hire a realtor. Since we recently purchased our home we thought this may be the way to lose the least amount of money. Well God is bigger than all of my worries and he brought us an offer (we are losing some money but definitely not as bad as it could have been). The catch was that we would have to move by March 30. the new owners need to take ownership on march 30th and we have a contract at the school till June 1st. It is a great dilemma nevertheless it is a dilemma. So have been busy packing everything we want and selling everything we don't want or wont have room for. We found a corporate rental that we will live in for 2 months prior to moving to Miami. God opened the doors for a rental in Miami (right across the street from the school) at a VERY affordable price. This will allow us to save money up for a down payment for an overpriced, micro-sized house in Miami.
I am slowly getting used to the idea of Miami living. However I am going, going, going!. packing 3500sf and trying to fit in 1500SF is going to be quite the challenge, hence the daily selling on Craigslist.
I am actually ok with all the selling i have been doing. I feel like I am simplifying our life every time i get rid of something in our home. so here is the plan
march13-26: cheer practice, travel to myrtle beach for cheer competition, volunteer at school for kids class, pack, monogram end of year gifts, organize taxes and file taxes, meet with builder to fix things covered by warranty, try to work somewhere in here (don't think i will be able to), pack, pack, pack
March 27: UPAK trailer arrives and movers load everything we aren't taking to the corporate rental with us.
march 30: close on the sale of our home and move into Temp. rental in Raleigh
april1-June 1: enjoy the last 2 months we have in Raleigh. i will definitely try to catch up on work during this time. we will travel to Miami for Easter and spring break.
JUNE 2: MOVE to Miami!!!!
THANK YOU LORD for your provision, your peace and your omniscience.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Why?
WHY????
That 3 letter word seems to flood my thoughts quite a bit these days. While talking to my friend a few days ago i mentioned that "why" is the prevailing question to God in the recent days and she responded "don't ask God, Why?, ask Him, What?" She stated that I should be asking Him "what are you trying to teach me?". So that is what I am trying to do. It is definitely hard because I want to know why. On this side of heaven I may never know the answers i seek but I have my ideas and I am going to continue to try to find the blessings and lessons in everyday.
Today it occurs to me that so many aspects of our life quite possibly could be dramatically different had we never moved from Miami 6 years ago. Our move to Clearwater changed our family forever (at least this is what I truly believe). We attended a church that was pastored by a wise, godly man that God used to impact the coach and me forever. i believe that the time spent in that church, school and city changed us. We grew spiritually (I know i did), our friendships grew, our way of handling money changed and my appreciation for Florida and all it has to offer certainly changed. I don't know in what way our family impacted those we came in contact with but I certainly know that we were IMPACTED greatly. I would NOT have my sewing biz and most certainly not my digitizing biz. My biz was an answer to prayer. It has been the means to which our family has been able to do and experience many things that otherwise we would not have be able to. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that i would be doing what I do. I am thankful for the Lord's blessing and pray that He continues to bless our family by means of our biz.
Our move from Clearwater to NC was a hard one in some ways and amazing in others. We were thankful for the great opportunity to attend (my children) and work (coach) at an amazing Christian School. NRCA is like none other that i have ever seen. The Lord has blessed the school with phenomenal facilities. It is a convenant school that partners with parents to guide the students in the ways of the Lord. I am so thankful for the 2 years that my children have been able to experience this amazing place. We have learned what it means to be humble (coach did in his first year as an assistant) although be humble seemed to come easy to him. I on the other hand had to learn from him. I have had the opportunity to live in my dream home (size and space) even if it was only for a year. I may never have that opportunity again. I would love to have this amount of space again but If I never do then life will go on and I am thankful for the time I did have.
(this post was never finished and since then so much has changed. today is march 13. I have decided not to finish this post but wanted to post it so that i can remember what i was feeling during this time)
That 3 letter word seems to flood my thoughts quite a bit these days. While talking to my friend a few days ago i mentioned that "why" is the prevailing question to God in the recent days and she responded "don't ask God, Why?, ask Him, What?" She stated that I should be asking Him "what are you trying to teach me?". So that is what I am trying to do. It is definitely hard because I want to know why. On this side of heaven I may never know the answers i seek but I have my ideas and I am going to continue to try to find the blessings and lessons in everyday.
Today it occurs to me that so many aspects of our life quite possibly could be dramatically different had we never moved from Miami 6 years ago. Our move to Clearwater changed our family forever (at least this is what I truly believe). We attended a church that was pastored by a wise, godly man that God used to impact the coach and me forever. i believe that the time spent in that church, school and city changed us. We grew spiritually (I know i did), our friendships grew, our way of handling money changed and my appreciation for Florida and all it has to offer certainly changed. I don't know in what way our family impacted those we came in contact with but I certainly know that we were IMPACTED greatly. I would NOT have my sewing biz and most certainly not my digitizing biz. My biz was an answer to prayer. It has been the means to which our family has been able to do and experience many things that otherwise we would not have be able to. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that i would be doing what I do. I am thankful for the Lord's blessing and pray that He continues to bless our family by means of our biz.
Our move from Clearwater to NC was a hard one in some ways and amazing in others. We were thankful for the great opportunity to attend (my children) and work (coach) at an amazing Christian School. NRCA is like none other that i have ever seen. The Lord has blessed the school with phenomenal facilities. It is a convenant school that partners with parents to guide the students in the ways of the Lord. I am so thankful for the 2 years that my children have been able to experience this amazing place. We have learned what it means to be humble (coach did in his first year as an assistant) although be humble seemed to come easy to him. I on the other hand had to learn from him. I have had the opportunity to live in my dream home (size and space) even if it was only for a year. I may never have that opportunity again. I would love to have this amount of space again but If I never do then life will go on and I am thankful for the time I did have.
(this post was never finished and since then so much has changed. today is march 13. I have decided not to finish this post but wanted to post it so that i can remember what i was feeling during this time)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I am getting a little excited!!! (sort of)
I am actually getting excited about some aspects of moving to Miami. While watching Color Splash Miami with David Bromstad today I heard the Spanish music playing in the background in between scenes and saw some historic places, furniture stores i have visited in the past and actually got excited. I don't know what our future housing situation looks like but I pray that the Lord provides us with a house that has good bones, that is open (or that i have the funds and creativity to open up), that is on a nice street with some trees and that I can infuse my taste and design desires into.
I am excited about teaching my kids about my Cuban heritage and exposing them to the culture in Miami while still endeavoring to raise godly children that can impact their community.
today's verse to hang on to and live day by day, today is:
Isaiah 41:13
New Living Translation (©2007)
For I hold you by your right hand--I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.
Matthew 14:30
But when he (Peter) saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Peter looked around at his circumstances and was afraid and began to sink. When he focused on Jesus (he had faith) he was able to walk on water.
Lord help me today to walk in faith by keeping my eyes on YOU and not my surroundings and circumstances.
I am excited about teaching my kids about my Cuban heritage and exposing them to the culture in Miami while still endeavoring to raise godly children that can impact their community.
today's verse to hang on to and live day by day, today is:
Isaiah 41:13
New Living Translation (©2007)
For I hold you by your right hand--I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.
Matthew 14:30
But when he (Peter) saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Peter looked around at his circumstances and was afraid and began to sink. When he focused on Jesus (he had faith) he was able to walk on water.
Lord help me today to walk in faith by keeping my eyes on YOU and not my surroundings and circumstances.
Monday, February 13, 2012
My hope is in you Lord!
Last Wednesday I missed a phone call because I was on a special field trip to Kanki with my youngest daughter. I truly enjoy that field trip because I love hibachi cooked food, she loves the show and we both love spending time together. When i called back the person on the other end proceeded to inquire about the house we are selling. This very pleasant gentleman was sent by the Lord to encourage me and give me hope. Just 2 days prior i had been completely emotionally drained, only 1 day before i watched as the couple i thought would make an offer on our house, completed the inspection on the home 2 doors down that they did actually make an offer to buy. Now, here i am speaking to a man who has no idea our circumstances, has no idea that we are Christians and that we felt lead to follow the Lords call back to Miami and has no idea the emotional roller exhaustion that i recently encountered. In speaking to the man i state that we only have lived in this home approximately 7 months and that we had no idea that we would move so soon but had we known we definitely would not have bought when we did, however plans change and it is what it is. He then says "its timing, it's timing, it sounds like you are being led. I will just say that." I am thinking "WHAT! how do you know that?", I haven't mentioned God, Him calling us or anything else. How in the world does he know we are being led. at that point i say "well actually, We have been called by God to go back to Miami and so that is what we are doing." He says, "And who are we to question the almighty God".
He was an encouragment and I feel the Lord sent him just to give me hope. I don't know if they will buy the house or not (they did come by and see it on Saturday 2/11) but I know that the Lord hasn't forgotten us. We may sell the house and we may not. Maybe it is his plan that we simply rent it I have to believe walk in faith knowing that He will take care of us. He knows my desire and if my desire isn't in line with his plans then my prayer is that He change my desire to sell this house.
Not knowing what will happen with this home in NC leaves me in limbo about our housing situation in Miami. We certainly can't buy a home if we don't sell this one so looking at the inventory available is useless at this point. I don't feel like renting is a viable option because rent is so high (i can buy cheaper than i can rent of course can't buy if i don't have a down payment- its quite the problem) and the reality is that what is on the market to rent today probably won't be there once we move. I have tossed around the option of buying a 2 bedroom condo but that will be really tight for 5 of us. I don't know and can't possibly know what things will look like in 5 months but I am trying to be patient and wait on the Lord. I am praying for faith and peace.
In the meanwhile i will continue to try to sell our big items on craigslist. Since i don't know where we will end up living I feel like the less "stuff" that we have the more options that we will be able to consider when making our decisions for housing.
I had a dream last night that we were buying a house in our old neighborhood in Miami. Its not a bad neighborhood but after living in clearwater and NC my expectations of neighborhoods and house have changed. I just don't look at Miami that same way. If we had greater resources (don't get me wrong the Lord has blessed us over and abundantly what i could ask for) then we could live in some prime areas and my visual issues would not be a problem but since we are average middle class people our choices in Miami are what they are.
I struggle and constantly ask God "Why?" but i don't know if i will get an answer to that. I am thankful for the time and the experiences that we have had outside of Miami the last 6 years and I pray that those things we have learned and experienced will be forever ingrained in my family.
For now I will continue to pray and wait.
He was an encouragment and I feel the Lord sent him just to give me hope. I don't know if they will buy the house or not (they did come by and see it on Saturday 2/11) but I know that the Lord hasn't forgotten us. We may sell the house and we may not. Maybe it is his plan that we simply rent it I have to believe walk in faith knowing that He will take care of us. He knows my desire and if my desire isn't in line with his plans then my prayer is that He change my desire to sell this house.
Not knowing what will happen with this home in NC leaves me in limbo about our housing situation in Miami. We certainly can't buy a home if we don't sell this one so looking at the inventory available is useless at this point. I don't feel like renting is a viable option because rent is so high (i can buy cheaper than i can rent of course can't buy if i don't have a down payment- its quite the problem) and the reality is that what is on the market to rent today probably won't be there once we move. I have tossed around the option of buying a 2 bedroom condo but that will be really tight for 5 of us. I don't know and can't possibly know what things will look like in 5 months but I am trying to be patient and wait on the Lord. I am praying for faith and peace.
In the meanwhile i will continue to try to sell our big items on craigslist. Since i don't know where we will end up living I feel like the less "stuff" that we have the more options that we will be able to consider when making our decisions for housing.
I had a dream last night that we were buying a house in our old neighborhood in Miami. Its not a bad neighborhood but after living in clearwater and NC my expectations of neighborhoods and house have changed. I just don't look at Miami that same way. If we had greater resources (don't get me wrong the Lord has blessed us over and abundantly what i could ask for) then we could live in some prime areas and my visual issues would not be a problem but since we are average middle class people our choices in Miami are what they are.
I struggle and constantly ask God "Why?" but i don't know if i will get an answer to that. I am thankful for the time and the experiences that we have had outside of Miami the last 6 years and I pray that those things we have learned and experienced will be forever ingrained in my family.
For now I will continue to pray and wait.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord speak to me with just the words I need to hear. Yesterday was a rough day. For some reason i woke up at 3am and was unable to get back to sleep. Needless to say i was physically exhausted by the time the afternoon rolled around. I was emotionally drained because the buyers I had hoped would put a contract in on our home chose the the house 2 doors down. By the time evening rolled around I was ready to sink in my bed and forget the day. I retreated to my bedroom at 8:15 and watched a little HGTV (probably not great to watch since i can't do anything to this house and i don't have a house in Miami to dream about doing anything to).
I woke up this morning rested and ready to conquer the day. wouldn't you know it- the Lord had something to tell me. However, the words that He gave me would not have resonated had i not been emotional and physically drained. The emotions and exhaustion i felt yesterday are still so fresh in my mind that the words pierced and hit right where i needed them to renew me.
I usually read my two year Bible and then I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. WELL today's devotional was Come to Me for Rest. I litteraly weeped as I read through it. the verses that it referenced were
Psalms 42:11
New International Version (©1984)
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God.
and
Romans 8:28
New International Version (©1984)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
28We are assured and know that [[a]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
God used the devotional writing itself spoke volumes to me. these are the things that stood out to me.
So today I committed (as i will probably will have to do everyday) that i will not worry about the sale of the house (As i did yesterday-so much so that it exhausted me emotionally). We are following Gods calling for our family and I will Hope in the Lord, for I will again praise Him for the help of His presence.
Lord your will be done. Thank you for knowing me so well and providing just the words i need to bring me comfort.
I woke up this morning rested and ready to conquer the day. wouldn't you know it- the Lord had something to tell me. However, the words that He gave me would not have resonated had i not been emotional and physically drained. The emotions and exhaustion i felt yesterday are still so fresh in my mind that the words pierced and hit right where i needed them to renew me.
I usually read my two year Bible and then I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. WELL today's devotional was Come to Me for Rest. I litteraly weeped as I read through it. the verses that it referenced were
Psalms 42:11
New International Version (©1984)
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God.
and
Romans 8:28
New International Version (©1984)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
God used the devotional writing itself spoke volumes to me. these are the things that stood out to me.
- "The journey has been too much for you , and you are bone-weary"
- "Remember the I can fit everything into a pattern for good , including the things that you wish were different."
- "Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where i intend you to be."
- "Let Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway."
- "You are on the path of my choosing, so do not give up!"
So today I committed (as i will probably will have to do everyday) that i will not worry about the sale of the house (As i did yesterday-so much so that it exhausted me emotionally). We are following Gods calling for our family and I will Hope in the Lord, for I will again praise Him for the help of His presence.
Lord your will be done. Thank you for knowing me so well and providing just the words i need to bring me comfort.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wait on the LORD!!!
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Friday, January 27, 2012
I will sing praises about my husband (because he will not)
I am writing and documenting about our lives so that our children and grandchildren can see how Chris Rivera's life and love for the Lord impacted their future but most importantly I want them to have proof of God's blessings, promises, and provision in our lives.
As of now, no one (not my kids, husband or anyone else) knows that I am journaling on this blog but one day when the time is right I will let them know.
Coach - My husband, Daddy to our 3 kids is a wonderful man. I cannot express enough how blessed we are to have this man as the leader of our family. He has a servants heart and denies himself many a time just to please our kids and me. I witnessed my husband be a son unlike any other I have personally known. He cared for his bed ridden mother in our home for years. Her day to day care was quite extensive and exhausting yet he did it day in and day out with out even questioning it. He seeks to please God and follow what God leads him to do. He is diplomatic and has the gift to see things from a different perspective. When I am frustrated and on fire about something his level headed thinking brings me back to earth. He has the gift of discernment and for this I am very thankful because i don't think i do. I am thankful that he loves me even when i am unbearable. It takes a special man to put of with me and he does very happily. I love that he is decisive. When he makes a decision he never looks back (if he has prayed about it and sought God's blessing).
Once he accepted God's call on his life to Christian School ministry he spent many years coaching and working at his Alma Mater (head FB coach 1996-2005-assistant before that). After being gone for 6 years we are returning. As of August 2012 Chris will once again resume the duties of Head FB coach at FCS.
Press Release about his return: Miami Herald Press Release
2006-2009- Head V. FB Coach at Calvary Christian School in Clearwater. (we loved it there- what an awesome place). leaving clearwater was a tough call. so many great kids, parents and our pastor. When God calls we follow and that we did.
Press release about him leaving (newspaper didn't quite get the story correct but isn't that usually the case with the media) Tampa Bay Times Press Release
This was amazing- this was a blog post that our pastor wrote-Pastor Willy's Blog-Calvary Baptist Church-Calvary Christian High School
2010-2012- Assistant V coach 2010 (what a story behind that one- i need to document that one) and Head V. Coach 2012-
As of now, no one (not my kids, husband or anyone else) knows that I am journaling on this blog but one day when the time is right I will let them know.
Coach - My husband, Daddy to our 3 kids is a wonderful man. I cannot express enough how blessed we are to have this man as the leader of our family. He has a servants heart and denies himself many a time just to please our kids and me. I witnessed my husband be a son unlike any other I have personally known. He cared for his bed ridden mother in our home for years. Her day to day care was quite extensive and exhausting yet he did it day in and day out with out even questioning it. He seeks to please God and follow what God leads him to do. He is diplomatic and has the gift to see things from a different perspective. When I am frustrated and on fire about something his level headed thinking brings me back to earth. He has the gift of discernment and for this I am very thankful because i don't think i do. I am thankful that he loves me even when i am unbearable. It takes a special man to put of with me and he does very happily. I love that he is decisive. When he makes a decision he never looks back (if he has prayed about it and sought God's blessing).
Once he accepted God's call on his life to Christian School ministry he spent many years coaching and working at his Alma Mater (head FB coach 1996-2005-assistant before that). After being gone for 6 years we are returning. As of August 2012 Chris will once again resume the duties of Head FB coach at FCS.
Press Release about his return: Miami Herald Press Release
2006-2009- Head V. FB Coach at Calvary Christian School in Clearwater. (we loved it there- what an awesome place). leaving clearwater was a tough call. so many great kids, parents and our pastor. When God calls we follow and that we did.
Press release about him leaving (newspaper didn't quite get the story correct but isn't that usually the case with the media) Tampa Bay Times Press Release
This was amazing- this was a blog post that our pastor wrote-Pastor Willy's Blog-Calvary Baptist Church-Calvary Christian High School
2010-2012- Assistant V coach 2010 (what a story behind that one- i need to document that one) and Head V. Coach 2012-
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