fast free

Hello There!

I'm squeezing in some time to write to you all and bring you up to date. 

For forty days I embarked on a fast with the Lord: no solids and no shopping. It was a wonderful time of worship, sacrifice, reflection, a lot of discipline, and over all life transforming. The Lord ever so gently called me out in areas that I thought I was in the right. There were days that I did all things through Christ who strengthened me and other days the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. All in all I have learned that when I am weak then He is strong. Whether it be in a physical weakness or a spiritual one, His grace is sufficient for me. 

A few Lessons that I learned:

God fills those who are empty. 

You can never pray enough. 

The Word of God truly is the bread of life.

A disciple of the Lord must be disciplined. 

The condition of my heart may cause God to reject my offering.

God knows true repentance.

In the pursuit of self satisfy we find ourselves empty.

Only God can satisfy my soul.

Confession is the best medicine.

Godly accountability is a life preserver. 

God is jealous for me. 

When I am secure in God's love then I can be free to love someone else. 

Loneliness is a field of hidden treasures.

My loneliness is a gift from God, not only to be accepted but offered as well. 

I am not my own.

God will never ask me to do anything that He won't equip me for. 

When I break covenant with God, I bring reproach upon myself. 

I must check my vision: Can I see the mountain or the mountain mover? -Carl Lentz

And my favorite: 

    Greater is He that is in me than He who is in the Mall. -Paola Andrea Vega (my bestie!)

Three of the many great verses that my prayer warriors sent me during the fast: 

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

The Lord is good and just. May the Lord bless you and strengthen you as you seek to know Him and make Him known. 

little princess

Yesterday was a wonderful day. My dear Mother, her best friend, my Aunt, her daughter (my cousin) and I went shopping together. Not only did I see beautiful jewelry, but I got to take a few pieces home. Yet the most valuable and treasured keepsake I have of this day is not a tangible jewel but a picture and a lesson.

My little cousin is 7 years old and is fitting of the title, "Little Princess". She is vibrant, smart, funny and like all little girls a lover of all things shiny, sparkling and pink! Every shop that we went to there was something that she liked. Whether it was pretty or tacky in our eyes, it was beautiful to her. She tried on countless bracelets and if given the opportunity she would have tried on every piece of jewelry in that entire Mart.

My Mother's best Friend has a heart of gold. She is a generous giver of her love, her friendship, her time, her talents and yes, her money too. And every shop we went to she wanted to buy a gift for someone, my little cousin being one of them. Indeed, she did buy her little girl sets and some adult jewelry for her to play dress up with. My little cousin learned rather quickly that if she wanted something all she had to do was make sure that our dear friend knew it. LOL I told you she is smart!

This morning the screen on my phone lit up and there was this picture of my little cousin and I. A huge smile came upon me as the Lord spoke to me, "You are my Little Princess. Talk to me, what is it that you want?"

So often, We get caught up in the distractions and affairs of this life that we forget that we are God's Little Princess' and He wants nothing more than to spoil us with His love, His goodness, His grace and His blessings. He has His best for you, for me!

You are God's Little Princess. Take Delight in YOUR God, YOUR King, YOUR Daddy! What matters to you, matters to God... so talk to Him. Tell Him what you lack. Tell Him what you want. Don't be afraid to ask for BIG things. God is greater than our dreams.God is greater than our disabilities and our infirmities; greater than failures and shortcomings. God is greater than our debt. God is greater than our insecurities. God is greater than our faithlessness. God is greater than that which we fear. God is greater than death. He is greater than the box we put Him in, He is limitless. And don't you ever forget that every good and perfect gift comes from our wonderful Father, so thank Him.

Childlike faith is what Jesus requires of us.
Like my little 7 year old cousin, let's look to God, the one whom is the giver of all good things, and humbly share with Him our dreams, our desires, our hopes, our petitions and thanksgiving.

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

birthday blog & birthday lessons

Yesterday was my birthday. I must say, Tuesday is a odd day for a birthday.


Once again the Lord has demonstrated His faithful love for me through those around me. My morning started with homemade breakfast and a special prayer from my Parentals. The Brotheroonie named our internet after me, lol. The Sisteroonie picked me up from work and took me shopping (always amazing). A couple of friends surprised me and showed up at my house with balloons, gifts and food. My dear Mother cooked one of my favorite dishes. And the most special of all, my two younger cousins surprised me with homemade Nutella brownie cupcakes (yum) and gifts (see the picture).

These two little ones (that I consider more than cousins, they are to me my children) reminded me of the the Widow in Luke 21:1-4. They looked for a recipe to bake for me, went to the store and thoughtfully picked out a gift to bless me with and together chose a card that described me to the T. Not that any of the other gifts are meaningless or insignificant, but my Cindy and Gaby don't have a job, they don't have wealth or riches, nor did they give to me just because. They gave to me from the little that they have, they gave me their all. It pleased me so much. It taught me a lesson, It pleases God to give to Him the little that we are, to give him our all. God isn't fooled by boastful giving, or elaborate donations. God doesn't care for our lip work. God cares more about our heart and the conforming of it.

Another lesson He taught me yesterday had to do with their gift: a candle.
I am a bit obsessive when it comes to candles and scents. I never told anyone but there is a candle that I've been wanting to get. Its a bit costly so I haven't bought another one. Just last Saturday, I almost bought because it wasn't in my budget to buy it. So I prayed... "God, please help me buy this candle next weekend. Or better yet, put it in some one's heart to get me a --store name-- gift card. Amen." By now you know I pray silly little prayers. Three days later, it's my birthday and I open up Cindy and Gaby's gift and you won't believe it, they bought me the candle I wanted. God whispered to me: "What matters to you matters to Me, even if its a silly little candle. I not only care about the "BIG" stuff, I also care about the "little" things too." Maybe that's a word for you today.

Last year I shared with you some of the texts and Facebook comments my friends left me. This year I will do the same. These are some of the wonderful messages I got throughout the day. Beautiful reminders from the Lord, through His people. All glory to God, because apart from Him I am nothing.

MT- Happy B-Day Raquelita! May the Lord keep blessing you daily with all kinds of blessings from above. You are a dear friend and sister and I love you lots! Have fun in your birthday & Celebrate your life!! :)

SN- Happy Birthday Beautiful!! You have been such a huge blessing in my life! I praise God for your life and rejoice with you on your big day! Enjoy it, Embrace it! Its just one more year of growth and blessings. love ya! (:

CN- Raquelita! Happy birthday to you! You are such a wonderful example to our young ladies. I am thankful for you! God bless you and have an awesome day!
 
LA- Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." proverbs 31:30-31
This is how I wanted to begin telling you that above loving you just for being my cousin, I love and honor you just for being YOU!  May your day be filled with love, joy and riches :) you deserve them all! Happy birthday my Kelibubu!! I love you forever!!! Have a blasssst on your day ♥ ;)

MF- Happy, Happy, Happy birthday to a special and wonderful friend!! I thank God for your life and pray that He will grant you many more blessed years. Hope you have an awesome day. I love you.

JL- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! I thank God for your LIFE!!! YOU are a SPECIAL and WONDERFUL blessing in my life!!! May the Lord bless you abundantly with every desire in your heart and may this year bring you closer to Him!!! love u!!! ♥

BS- Happy Birthday sweet Raquel! You are so special and I just know you make God smile a whole lot. Blessings

MF- Happy Birthday Raquelita! Have a good one. May you be blessed with lots of money to shop with!!! :P xoxoxo ♥ ILY! (I had to put this one!!!)

OS- Happy Birthday beautiful may the Lord Bless you today and everyday. What a joy you are.

JF- raqi!!! happy birthday!! I pray that you have the most amazing and loving day!!! Im so happy you were born, =) you truly are a great friend and a blessing to have in my life!!! love you Raq!!! I pray that the Lord blesses you with your hearts desires !!!

VG- Happy Birthday beautiful women of God. So thankful God made an amazing person like you. Have a fantabulous day. Xoxo

IA- Happy BD!! You fill any room with joy and happiness. May God continue to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit for HIS GLORY!!

DC- Happy birthday my beautiful sister! May our Lord bless you abundantly today and forever more.

ZB- Hi raquel....I don't know you for too long..but long enough to know that you are such a beautiful and Godly woman!!...may God give you many blessings in your life and keep smiling...that smile can move mountains...:-)..Happy B-day!!!!

MG- Happy Birthday Raquel! May God continue to bless you and shine his light and glory all around you all the days of your life! Thank you for being such an awesome Youth Leader!

DH- Happy birthday Raquelita!!! :) I love you & pray for the Lord to continue to bless you and use you!! Xo

JH- Happy birthday emi! Hope you have such an incredible day. May God continue to bless you and use you to bless others :) You're an amazing person and I love you! ♥

CS- Happy birthday my wonderful special friend! You are such a blessing to so many.. May God shower you abundantly with His blessings :)

CV- Happy Birthday Mama Hen. only God knows how much I miss your words of wisdom and comfort. Rachel you are such a beautiful person, your is one that is rare and on fire for our King. Your passion and desire for the word challenges, inspires me daily. Happy Birthday Rachel. I love you and I miss you like a crazy person. (But I know my God sees my heart and that either in this world's paradise ot the real deal I will see you again, I cannot wait. -Corina (you know this made me cry, cry, cry)

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4