GIGGLING GIFTS

Christmas 2009 at Miss Sheri's. Sheri sold us our Galt home in 2012. Sheri Midgley hosts her annual gift exchange on 12/14/13. A fabulous sit down dinner is wonderfully prepared by her son Michael Midgley, the TOP CHEF reality TV star! Her smile lights up the room along with Christmas decorations that spin, chime and sing! CLICK the PHOTO and it enlarges - how many santa's do you see? Her Old Fashioned Tudor home was part of the 2009 Christmas Lights Tour to raise money for AIDS. This fa la la event has been going on for at least 10 years now and each year the laughter and joy increases with new first time guests! Debby Larsen was also lit up and overflowing with praise for her daughter, the soon to be published author of a new childrens book series! Snippets of the first of five adventures can be read online. Just google the main character named ADAM WESLEY, or become a fan on Jenelle Maloy's facebook. What a grand group of mostly single women who all have so much to be thrilled about! A birthday club of these amazing Mavericks started more than 10 years ago. Sheri, Diana, Debby, Kathy, Terry and Barbarito all went to Capitola in June for Diana's 60th! And for Barb's 60th, the party will be in Ajijic! Today Diana Cloos beamed joy for having been accepted into Jenelle's exclusive writing group as she begins to author her first book in 2010! Today Katie took home the giant reindeer as the most coveted gift! There was at least 20 santa's and 10 snowmen that were gifted, stolen and retired! Christina, Ellen, Kathy, Sheri, Diana, Debby and Barbarito sat giggling together and marveled how time flies!

Soul Surfer

In the movie Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton’s youth group leader—played by Carrie Underwood—plays a key role in the teen’s recovery from a 2003 shark attack. In real life, youth pastor Sarah Hill’s role was even more prominent. Reflecting on the journey that brought her from ministering to kids on the North Shore of Kauai to a New York City movie premiere, youth leader Sarah Hill said she feels a sense of awe—but not surprise. “I really believe that the Lord painstakingly prepares you for things in your life so that you can have a greater testimony to bring Him glory,” she said in an interview after the April 6 premiere of Soul Surfer. For Hill, that preparation involved tragedy and pain. “I was raised in San Diego by a single mom with five kids who has fought a long battle with cancer,” she recalled. “My dad was in and out of the picture, in and out of jail. He was abusive—physically and verbally—and he abused drugs and alcohol.” In addition to enduring emotional pain, Hill experienced physical trials. “I had several surgeries growing up and a lot of illnesses,” she said. “I became very insecure. I didn’t ever question if He was real or not, but I did ask, ‘How can a God of love allow so many bad things to happen?’”
Things seemed to be looking up when Hill received a scholarship to play water polo in college. But two weeks before she was supposed to report to campus, she broke her neck and back in a surfing accident, and lost the scholarship. She was one sixteenth of an inch from being paralyzed. “It’s a total miracle that I survived,” said Hill. “But all of that added to a feeling of despair, and my future and my dreams crumbled right before me.” Three months after breaking her neck, Hill sank into a deep depression and wanted to give up. “I was tired of all the trials and tribulations,” she said. Something made her hang on. “I remember asking the Lord to speak to me,” said Hill. She opened her Bible and found 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10. The red letters jumped off the page: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In the next verse, the apostle Paul writes, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in trials and tribulations because when I am weak, then I am strong.” As soon as she read those words, Hill recommitted her life to the Lord. “That’s when my journey really began,” she explained. Not long afterward, Hill completed her Associate's Degree in theology from Calvary Chapel Bible College, returned to surfing, and became a missionary on the island of Kauai. Describing the call of God, Hill said that at first she laughed. “God doesn’t call people to Hawaii. But I had this radical dream one night of kids perishing on a beach and someone elbowing me and saying, ‘See Sarah, because you weren’t going to go, people are dying without the Lord.’ “It was awful,” said Hill. “I woke up with a sense of urgency: ‘OK, Lord, you really are calling me there.’” The Attack! In Hawaii, Hill met a young surfer named Bethany Hamilton. And on Oct. 31, 2003, she received a disturbing phone call that seemed at first to be a joke. “I got the phone call from her brother Noah on Halloween morning and I thought it was a nasty trick,” said Hill about Hamilton’s shark attack. “But then I could hear the panic in his voice and picked him up.” As Hill sped to the hospital—actually beating the paramedics there—Noah was so upset he thought he might vomit and stuck his head out the window. “And I am driving and praying, ‘Lord, how do I minister to this family? I am not OK with this.’” That is when the Lord reminded Hill of Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.” “I felt like the Lord spoke to my heart,” said Hill. “I had a peace that she would survive. I shared that verse with Noah and her mom. When Bethany first came out of surgery that was the first thing her mom told her. And Bethany grabbed on to that. Hill sat with Hamilton every day in the hospital. By day three, they started to talk about Bethany’s return to surfing. “I told her, ‘The Lord hasn’t allowed this to take away your gift of surfing. He is going to use it in some way.’ All along, I felt that God was going to get her through it.” He did. Less than a month after the attack, Hamilton was back in the water. A year later, she was awarded both an ESPY for “Comeback Athlete of the Year” and a “Teen Choice Award” for Courage. By 2010, Hamilton was ranked No. 20 on the Women’s Tour of the Association of Surfing Professionals. AWESOME TRUE story CLICK for clip

Youth Group Scene from Soul Surfer

MAY 22, 2013 LANDMARK

Unleashed without boundaries, without a limit of fresh air to breathe, without an edit of any emotion, we embark upon unknown trails, without a compass, but in complete FAITH, with a destination, but without the need for a life jacket, with GREAT expectation, we explore, we stretch to utilize our gifts and bless others. With FREEDOM to roam about the planet and bring GREAT NEWS into 22 countries! Our resolve is tested and proved, and our spirits are refreshed by legions of others who have gone before us! In a CLEAR COLORFUL VISION ~~~ We can imagine ourselves laughing with the locals of Chapala as they attempt to teach us about their health and economic needs. With excitement they embrace us and help us with correct pronunciation of their dialect. Walking along the malecon and up the stony streets I bump into and thrill at surprising encounters. Flowers and people seem to bloom and emerge easily inside unkempt, imperfect, unexpected places. Suddenly a stretch of tall trees with enlarged trunks rise to wave my eyes to LOOK UP, beyond my past, and there I stand riveted by God's absolute BEST! Oh YES, as I depart from what is known along highway 88, evergreen and ever available for my eyes to see, for my ears to hear, for my spirit to connect, for my hands to touch, for my feet to tred, I feel unleashed, but not unprotected as I walk the streets of Ajijic, La Floresta and Chapala. An uncharted village that responds with giddyness to the bromide elixir that the lake emits. A cobbled street runs thru La Floresta to connect Chapala and Ajijic. This stroll allows your eyes to witness horses and children at play without an ordinance! A rich spot where artesians yearn to stay and participate in the MAGIC of artsy AJIJIC and the PACE of unbridaled IMAGINATION in downtown Lake Chapala. Johnny's Mama's Bar features live entertainment on Wednesday and Saturday. A special of the day is fish fillet with rice and salad for about $6.00 USA. Saturday enjoy Party Time Music 5:00PM to 7:30PM. "Saturday Afternoon Ladies Drink Special" of 2 for 1 margaritas and 10 peso draft beer. Lunch special Camarones (shrimp) al gusto with rice and salad for $8 USA dollars. JOHNNY's MOMMA is located behind Mail Boxes Etc. near Super Lake. There is also a Sailing Club in La Floresta which offers sails around Lake Chapala on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings. See Comment below this post for details. Adventures await as the surrounding forested places give oxygen to the villages within the state of Jalisco. As we abide in Him where EVER we travel, we rest in His hands as He opens the doors for our safe passage. My hopes, dreams and best plans have always been surpassed when it comes to swallowing fully that which has been made possible for my senses to intake. With our anchors pulled up we float freely among English speaking people that blend with the birds of paradise -- mix it up within a culture of a Mexican fishing community and feel GLEE! A brief glimpse of what "is" would allow any person to witness the simple truth --- that regardless of language, color, education or the economy - we are united by our reverance for untamed, natural beauty. Trusting God, staying surrendered to the AWE filling of His Spirit that abides, my path is filled with WONDERS to behold! May 2013 and Casa De La Luz will be placed in the name of Michael and Barbara Hoyle! Women of truth, grace and spirit. Mothers, daughters, global FEM felines, and California gurls TAKE NOTE: Dreams do come true! I TRUST GOD and His plan to BLESS ME! Indwelt by the Spirit of God, my body responds to color, music, food and the elements of nature -- a woman finds out her unique best in Mexico. We discover that we are here to experience God's love as we marvel in all that He has so abundantly provided. Raise your hand CHICA if you dream in color! Sway your hips WOMAN if music moves you! It sounds corny but popcorn is the same in the US or MEXICO. Pop culture pops up where EVER we travel --- Yet the seed of truth POPS and unites us as we bloom where we are planted. In Lake Chapala a soul is surrounded by a vast field of peace in the heart. We are cultivated by Love's way of placing us where our talents are needed. Indeed we are raised according to our bent. Taking focus on our unique personality, we flourish and our purpose fulfills. Watching, listening and ever AMAZED, we are the "BE" in being unleashed. Going forward fueled by a wealth of friends and a flavor rich past, I am packing light, wearing a LOVE that cannot be worn out, my heart overflows and I GO to where I am FREE to be ME. "He has commanded His angels concerning you." Therefore easily and confidently "I cast all my anxiety on Him, because He cares for me." You are Beautiful Barbara. You are unleashed. You are gentle. You are loved as you are. You are imaginative. You are inspiring. You are courageous. You are wise. You are protected. TRAVEL assured of lasting PEACE!

THIRD of LIFE JOY

Delight your self in the Lord and He will lift you up! JOY is delight, bliss, gaiety, favor and good fortune! The first fruit of the Spirit is love followed by JOY! God's love for me, and in me are my assurance of His JOY which sustains me regardless of the chaos around me. "For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said 'For we are also His offspring.'" ACTS 17:28 NKJ ~ As the offspring of GOD, I choose to languish NO more ~ as I have the indwelt power of the Holy Spirit, therefore I no longer lack vitality, for He is strong in my weakness, and I am given wings like an eagle to fly above any chaos and see through the eyes of God. ~ "and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who LOVED me and GAVE Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NKJV ~ Many Christians have been unjustly punished, and just like Paul and Silas no man, no demon can rob us of our JOY unless we allow it. ACTS 16:26 Yes my Lord releases captives even in 2012! As my God said to me "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 ~ NOW this is the day that the Lord hath made and as a believer, I acknowledge that I am not merely an observer of Christ and His Kingdom, I am not simply reading His word, waiting around for my departure from earth into His Presence, NO, NO, NO ~ as the holy scripture details the steps of Jesus, the good works of Jesus back then, today the Holy Spirit, the Presence of Jesus dwells within me and I acknowledge my experience of the omnipresence of God with a SHOUT of HALLELUIAH JOY! Consider our brother Moses whose retiring motive of heart was to finally reach the promised land ~ but God instead did not require that the elderly Moses walk across the Jordan River ~ our Father God instead gave Moses His highest reward, the promised land of His Kingdom, was a personal face to face encounter with God. "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem (Stockton) until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 ~ WOW our Father fulfilled His promise in those inhabitants of Stockton who believe in Him ~ God sent the Holy Spirit upon us, to fill us, teach, protect and give us His words to utter to defeat the schemes of satan! "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 NKJ ~ to the end of the earth includes Stockton. The purpose of the indwelling presence of God is that we know, that we claim, that we utilize the power of the Holy Spirit, by surrendering our plans to His way, will and words that we may share His JOY, His pleasure and by so smiling with His radiance, attract others to Himself. " I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:14 NKJ ~ Therefore let us exodus from DOUBT and let us unify with the Holy One as we BE STILL and hear what the Spirit is saying "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Exodus 19:6 NKJ - Who was God referring to? "This means a “better” hope for us because Jesus has become our priest by the oath of God. Other men have been priests without any sworn guarantee, but Jesus has the oath of him that said of him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’." Hebrews 7:20 Phillips Bible Translation

HOLD a VISION

Make a Memory, and Make it Fun! Plan a surprise ride around lake Chapala, or plan an EVENT at the park! Pick up the orphans in a special decorated BUS and deliver to the park for a day with some GRINNING grand-parents! Refresh the hearts and minds of neglected grand folks left to die alone in elder care in Chapala! A FRESH NEW IDEA for the kiddos at the orphanage, HUG a CHILD and thrill those who have few visitors! GIVE EM a SMILE with a special playlist of IPOD Spanish songs to sing-a-long! Custom decorated with FIESTA frills to make the kids a great memory and to SHOW them that LIFE is full of GOOD PEOPLE who love them! Take a spin through the park and sharing spanish fairy tales of Prince OSOS. Also a unique CAB DRIVER MIGUEL will be glad to pick up those who want to TOUR down the malecon while the Mariachies twirl about and shout "BUENO"! Holding onto this VISION of a DAY in the PARK with JESUS smiling wide for a JOB WELL DONE! Mi casa su casa, is the same as saying "My house is His house" named Casa De La Luz, the house of Light, a place selected by JESUS, a home blessed by His presence! Halleluiah, God is Good! Exit the gate of Villa Santa Paula, and walk down three blocks, to Estacion to the Art Center at the historic Train Station in Chapala. Pick up the BUS and PRAISE Jesus for His plans and greet the day with gladness for each divine appointment. Without a VISION, people perish ~ and so this very real VISION keeps me ALIVE and THRIVING with great expectations for what the Lord will do! Picturing many kids HAPPY to see me whenever I pedal with intention to bless them with a chance to HOLD A VISION for themselves, maybe plant the SEED of HOPE in Jesus, His plan, and our priviledge to serve Him in Chapala!

RESPECT

RESPECT: The condition of esteeming another. ESTEEMED: To regard highly or favorably; to admire, to perceive the value, the excellence within a person. “I have great respect for her style of communication.” Respect is a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected. It is good to examine WHY you respect God, your parents, or the person you most admire. Specific ethics of respect are of fundamental importance to various cultures. The Jewish people respect their traditions and they respect the absolute and legitimate authority of God. Respect should not be confused with tolerance. A positive feeling is not always associated with tolerance. The opposite of respect is contempt. As a young girl I wanted to be like my Marlo Thomas in THAT GIRL. The character she played inspired me to be of humble service, to encourage others, to think positively and the best about every person I meet. What was it that I respected THAT GIRL for? Her character was honest, and light hearted. THAT GIRL gained my respect not for what she accomplished for me, or for the career she held, but by her EXAMPLE of delight in each circumstance. THAT GIRL was a positive role model for a little girl who wanted to make a positive impact in her little world, regardless of her invisible position within a dysfunctional family. As a child exposed to the thinking and ways of my GOD through the movie THAT GIRL, my heavenly Father infused His will, His mercy, and His kindness. Like Marlo, I choose to LOOK UP and SHOUT PRAISE TO GOD for bringing me my husband Michael Hoyle, a man I respect and easily admire. Mike's delight in pleasing God and bringing Him glory is worthy of my respect and easy esteem.