I can only imagine

Hope ~ Peace ~ Joy

We had a joyful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. I will praise the name of God always, and will magnify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30), for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).

On Christmas Eve, we went to visit my parents in Homestead, here are some of the pictures:

My nephew Mandito

Jacquelyn

Jared

William

Jack, my brother Mandy, Richard and my Dad

Jack and the boys

Jack, Jared and me

Me, Jacquelyn and my mother

Christmas Day was at our Home Sweet Home. My parents and my brother came over. Jack's mom and his sister Peggy and her kids also came for dinner. We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed all the cooking and gathering. The kids helped me prepare our Christmas feast in the kitchen. Jacquelyn made a sweet potatoes souffle that was delicious. We got the recipe from the Tolley's from our church. William made his famous Berry pie, with fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. And Jared, well, he just helped.

Grandma Lois (Jack's mom) and Buffalo with the kids

William playing the bells on Christmas morning

Grandma, Jacquelyn and her friend Lauren peeling sweet potatoes

My nephew John Henry opening his presents

My niece Alice

My Mom & Dad

William with his famous home made berry pie

Today, we went to the cemetery and brought flowers and balloons to Madelyn's resting place. I couldn't ever imagine that I would experience peace and joy inside a cemetery. My Lord is awesome, for He is my peace, my joy, He is my hope of Glory. I know my daughter is in heaven at this very moment and I will see her again someday. I think about her everyday of my life, I miss her smile, her cry, her hugs and kisses, her sweet voice. I can't believe that two years ago during this time of the year, she was in the hospital fighting for her life.

Here are some of the pictures from the cemetery.

My four precious children

Our Family

Rejoicing in the Lord, always.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost ~ Romans 15:13

I am Yours

Merry Christmas

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel ~ Isaiah 7:14

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace ~ Isaiah 9:6

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:5-11

Mary, did you know ...

A dear friend and sister in Christ sent me this beautiful song in an e-mail. Thank you Lisa.

Click here to enjoy.

God's Greatest Gift

Pastor Glen Caneel from our church (First Grace Church of Plantation) has a daily devotional website: http://mychangedmind.com/ , and here is what he posted today about Christmas. I've could not explain it better myself.

Check Your Facts - Christmas
Posted by: Pastor Glen Caneel

(Matthew 1:18) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:..”

We visited a re-enactment of the birth of Christ last weekend. There was an entire Bethlehem village set up. Roman soldiers were wandering around yelling at people. And of course, there was a manger scene with angels, animals, Mary and Joseph, and a live baby. A great deal of research had taken place to ensure the historical accuracy of everything we saw. But how many people take the time to ensure they understand the Biblical accuracy surrounding the birth of our Savior? Let’s take a few minutes to check our facts. See if you can answer the questions before reading the answers.

How many wise men were there?

The Bible doesn’t tell us. We only know there were three types of gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Was Jesus born on December 25th?

The Bible doesn’t say but it is likely that he was born in April or September.

Did Mary remain a virgin the rest of her life?

No, she actually had more children - yes Jesus had half brothers and half sisters! (Mark 6:3).

Were the wise men present at the manger?

No, they probably didn’t show up until Jesus was about 2 years old. (Matt 2:8-11).

Did Mary give birth the day she arrived in Bethlehem?

The Bible doesn’t tell us.

Were angels surrounding the manger singing?

No, there is no indication there were angels at the manger.

Did an angel tell Mary or Joseph to name the baby Jesus?

Both Mary and Joseph were told as we see in the accounts in both Matthew and Luke.

Did the animals at the manger speak miraculously the night Jesus was born?

No, there is no indication this occurred.

How many of the answers surprised you? We are continually influenced by culture and religion. It is so critical for each of us to have a Biblical literacy that extends beyond these influences. If we have difficulty sorting through the facts of the birth of the Savior, how can we be sure the other doctrines we believe are actually “sound doctrine?” Ignore the manger scenes and television programs a few days. Spend some time this week learning the truth by reading it for yourself and coming to an appreciation for the truth of God’s gift to us in His only begotten Son.

Renewed Thought - Invest yourself in the written Word of God. The Living Word has invested everything in you

My cookie monsters

Today the kids did not have any sports so we wanted to celebrate big. The plan was to spend the day baking cookies. We started with our sugar cookie recipe that Jacquelyn and I created last Christmas as gifts (cookies in a jar). They are delicious and simple to make and decorate. The problem is the more cookies we bake the more cookies we eat. That is why last year we just gave our friends the recipe and the mix instead of the finish product.

This is what was left after baking 6 dozens.

After we were done with all the baking, the kids wanted to decorate a ginger bread house. It was a lot of fun and they did it themselves. They did a great job for their first time.

Just Jared

Jared, my third child, second son, number one younger boy. He's fair, honest and caring. One day he will become a judge. Sometimes he can be shy, but loves to laugh and play. He's very smart, only in first grade but can read chapter books like the bible, he can multiply, divide and knows square roots. His favorite day of the week is Thursday, because he gets to spend time with his favorite teacher in the world, he's PE coach (Curtis Veach). Jared plays soccer, football and baseball. His favorite football team is the New England Patriots. He's my test child in the kitchen, he's brave enough to try anything I cook. Jared you are just a delight. I'm blessed to be your mom.



For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. ~ Romans 1:17

Wonderful William

William, my second child, amazing, adorable and handsome young man. At school he made straight A's honor roll, he's in the GEM program (Advanced Math, Science and Language Arts), did I mentioned he's also a highly gifted child. He plays soccer, football, baseball and plays the bells for his middle school band. He's my handy boy, he can do just about anything around the house from cleaning the pool and mowing the lawn to cooking and baking.

William loves the Lord with all his heart and understand God's amazing grace. One day we were having a conversation about the birth of Jesus and he told me that there were two miracles that happen at His conception not at His birth (he explained that giving birth to a baby it's not a miracle) so I asked him to please tell me. He told me that the two miracles were: 1. A virgin conceiving a child without a biological human father and 2. The child being God himself. Wow I could not believe my ears. I love you Wonderful William and I'm humble to be your mother.

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Out of the mouth of babes hast thou ordained strength ~ Psalm 8:1,2

Joyful Jacquelyn

Jacquelyn, my awesome strong-will teenage daughter, kind and graceful big sister, full of compassion and patience. She loves to learn and she's an excellent writer. She is a very intelligent young lady (high achiever), member of the National Junior Honor Society at her middle school, she's also in the GEM program (Advanced Math, Science and Language Arts). She plays soccer, softball and is a Wildcat cheerleader. When she grows up she wants to be a dentist. She is a great help around the house. She's my little mama and personal hair dresser, loves to babysit, cleans the house better than me, cooks (not her favorite thing to do), and she's very organized with her personal stuff. The moment she came into my life, I knew she was special to me but mostly to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's a joy having you in my life, thank you Lord for allowing me to be her mother.

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. ~ Psalm 35:9. My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. ~ Psalm 63:5

Getting ready for Christmas

Every year I wait till the last minute to do all the Christmas decorations. I guess it's lack of enthusiasm or just plain laziness but I do not enjoy all the work that is involved in the process. On Sunday while I was at the movies with my friend Marci watching Twilight (I have to confess that I've read all 4 books), Jack & the children went and got a tree and all the Christmas decorations, ready for the job. The following day, we spent the whole afternoon and evening decorating around the house and setting the Christmas tree. The children were a big help this year. Jacquelyn did all the tree lights, William added the tree top and Jared helped me with all the ornaments, loosing only one glass ornament. Mission accomplished!!!






Thank you Lord for all the Blessings in my Life. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesians 5:20

... all ye that hope in the Lord ~ Psalm 31:24

At church this Sunday, the message was about Hope by Karl Trimboli. Not earthly hope but our hope of glory. What a coincidence that the title of my last post was Christ in me, the hope of glory ~ Colossians 1:27. In the message Karl mentioned a verse from the third lamentation of Jeremiah, (Great is thy faithfulness ~ Lamentations 3:23), what a powerful verse; I love the Lord so much.

I went back and read Lamentations chapter 3 and it brought tears to my eyes. My heart was filled with joy for the Lord's mercy and compassion. I started thinking about an old bible hymn by Thomas O. Chisholm (1923), title Great is thy faithfulness, here are the lyrics:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!




In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began ~ Titus 1:2

Christ in me, the hope of glory

It's unavoidable, we all have dreams. The weeks and the months following the death of my daughter Madelyn I wanted so much to dream about her. I wanted to hold her in my arms again, even if it was only in a dream. Last night I had that dream. I was dreaming that Madelyn was here with me, I was holding her and protecting her from getting sick again. She appeared fragile but alive and I was happy to be with her. The hard part was when I woke up and realized it was only a dream. The dream that I long so much to have, was indeed a sad reality for me.

But, I believe that my daughter is alive today in heaven and one day I will see her again. Thank you Jesus for giving me the hope. For I reckoned that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which should be revealed in us ~ Romans 8:18.

Giving Thanks always for all things

This year for our Thanksgiving Holiday, we decided to visit Bush Gardens in Tampa and Disney World in Orlando. Our Family left to Tampa on Monday, November 24 to visit with Grandma Lois & Bufalo (Jack's mom). We also got to see PaPa (Jack's Dad) and his sister Bonnie and husband Rick.

On Tuesday we went to Bush Gardens for a day filled with lots of fun and roller coaster rides. The weather was perfect.

Jack & the children @ Bush Gardens

On Wednesday we left Tampa and went to Epcot in Orlando. It was the children first visit to Epcot. They really enjoyed going through all the countries and riding Test Track.

Me & Jack @ Epcot

The Three Caballeros @ Epcot

Wednesday night after visiting Epcot, we got together with The Hendrix's (Jack's cousins visiting from Ohio) and the Arnold's (Jack's cousins visiting from South Carolina). We've made plans to spend Thanksgiving Holiday together in Orlando.

The next morning (Thanksgiving Day) the three families visited Animal Kingdom. The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins again after 2 years. Their favorite ride was Expedition Everest.

The following day (Black Friday), we all went to Magic Kingdom. Jessica joined us and my brother Mandy with my nephew Mandito. We were a group of 16 by Friday. The favorite ride of the day was space mountain.

All of us @ Magic Kingdom, Nov. 28, 2008

Us @ Magic Kingdom, November 28, 2008

Jacquelyn with her cousin Emmy

Jack with Hunter

My brother & my nephew decided to join the fun @ Magic Kingdom

Jacquelyn, me & my brother @ Magic Kingdom

On Saturday our family together with the Arnold's, the Hendrix's and our friend Jessica visited Hollywood Studios. My brother decided not to go with us and went shopping instead. Faithanne Arnold became an expert at getting extra tickets for the baby swapping and fast passes. I'm not giving her secret away, but we got to ride the rocking roller coaster and tower of terror a lot in just one day. We were having so much fun, we did not want the day to end.

Our Family @ Hollywood Studios

It was a great family vacation, we enjoyed every second of it. I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord ~ Isaiah 63:7

From my kitchen with love

Today, the children had soccer games at different times and fields. Jared played first at Central park and his team tied the game. William played next at Pine Island and his team won. Jacquelyn played last at Pine Island and her team lost the game. ~ always fun to drive around with a car full of sweaty kids.




Last night, after the bike ride we had our very own pizza party. We made a peperoni pizza, a ham & onion calzone and a tomato and basil pie (not a pizza). My friend Rebeca gave me the recipe for the tomato pie and I just didn't believe her when she told me how good this recipe was. Thanks Rebeca, it was delicioso.



We are going to our church tonight for a nice Christmas dinner. I'm bringing a fresh spinach salad with cranberries. My friend Michelle gave me this recipe 5 years ago and I totally forgot about it. On Monday during our PTO meeting for the middle school Michelle made the salad for us and I remember that I had the recipe somewhere in my kitchen. William found the recipe inside one of my cook books, (he was in 1st grade when Michelle gave me the recipe and now he's in 6th grade). I'm also making a croissant bread pudding to bring with us, I got the recipe many years ago from the food network channel; it's one of Jack's favorite. His grandmother Alice used to make bread pudding for him when he was a kid.

I did it.

Finally, I made my first blog. Ok, I have a myspace blog that my dear friend Monica created two years ago about my daughter Madelyn Rose (http://www.myspace.com/powellprayers). It was for family and friends to be informed on a day to day basis about our daughter's medical condition. It served a purpose at the time and I'm very thankful for that. But this blog it's way different; this blog it's about my family now; a new chapter in my life; something that I have been wanting to do. Today not only did I created the blog but I'm also posting - my first post. Two years ago I had no clue what the words blog and post meant.

My name is Milagros but I prefer Millie. I am a child of God saved by His amazing Grace, married to Jack and together we have 4 beautiful children. Jacquelyn 13, William 11, Jared 7 and Madelyn Rose forever 2. The three older children live home with us and our youngest daughter, Madelyn Rose lives in heaven with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She left this earth January 8, 2007 at the age of 2.

I have no idea why my profile it's under my daughter's name - Madelyn Rose - I kind of like using her name, even though she's not physically here she's still part of our family forever.

I have to stop writing right now because today the children and I are going for a bike ride around the neighborhood before dark and after that we are baking pizzas and watching a movie.

Millie
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, instant in prayer (Rom 12:12)