A Day in the Life

Being married to a seminarian is kind of interesting. Though we're both done with our secular education, Sergio has a good job, and I'm making my transition into full-time motherhood, we don't exactly adhere to the "traditional" schedule most families post-university do. And that's great!

The only thing more unpredictable than Sergio's study hours are his sleeping hours. Some days, we eat dinner at 5pm. Some days, dinner is at 10pm. Walking up next to my husband is rare. Sleeping in is even rarer.  "Free time" is less and less of a reality when we're faced with a conviction and desire to make every moment profitable for eternity.

On a Tuesday, his only commitment is his morning classes at the seminary. He doesn't teach at the university or the college. So, today he got home at around 12:45pm and lay down on the couch. He's been asleep ever since. I'll probably let him sleep until early evening.

Last night, he pulled an all-nighter because of a Hebrew test he had at 7:30 this morning.

All-nighters are not the norm, but they are definitely not uncommon. And they do affect me too. I'll use last night as a for-instance.

Around 10pm, I noticed I wasn't feeling all that tired (though by this time, I usually am -- especially with the pregnancy). I asked Sergio if he was going to stay up late and he said he was. So, I decided stay up a bit and read my Bible. Well, I got really into it. Around midnight, Sergio asked me if I was going to bed soon. I told him I still wasn't really feeling tired. I also asked him if staying up with him helped him. He said it did because it didn't make him feel like it was as late as it was. So, I decided to stay up studying a bit longer.

Normally, by midnight, even if I'm not feeling tired, I'll lay in bed until I fall asleep which happens pretty soon after I've made the decision to turn off all the lights. But, considering I wasn't feeling tired, I decided to stay up and read especially knowing that it was an aid to my husband.

By about 1:30 am, I started to feel my brain lagging. My husband was still going in the dining room. I told him I was packing it in and wanted to know how much longer he'd be. (He usually doesn't stay up past that time unless he feels it's really necessary). But he informed me that that night was going to be one of those nights. I decided to sleep on the couch (which is easily seen from the dining room) because I know that him seeing me there helps him feel less tired. He appreciated the gesture.

At 5:30am, he ushered me into the bedroom for a 30 minute power nap on our bed. At 6am, he was up and about to get into the shower. I asked him to wake me up when he was done so that I could make him a good breakfast. I knew that after a night like that, he was going to need a lot in his stomach to get him through the morning. So when he got out of the shower, he woke me up and while he was getting dressed, I made him a breakfast burrito. He ate and was out the door by 7am.

I went straight back to bed until around 11am this morning.

This is definitely not the life I envisioned we'd be living when we got married three years ago. But, I love to see my husband devoted to something he so values and esteems. I love getting opportunity after opportunity to demonstrate how proud I am of him and how much I love to serve him.

Sergio and I don't do things conventionally. We're just not that couple. And that's ok! We're doing what we believe to be God's will for us. Sergio is giving his time and energy to learning how to be a faithful teacher and servant of God's Word. And I am learning that being a wife (and eventually mom) is a 24-hour-a-day job. Sure, there are temptations to complain and grumble. But I once heard a very wise woman say, "If you don't get on board, you're depriving yourself of the joys of the ride."

A Truly "Good" Marriage

Happy New Year everyone!

It has been so long since I've posted. And that's because a lot has been happening. I won't go through everything, but know that I have been challenged in many good ways to be more organized with my time, more intentional with my decisions, and more thankful for my husband's free time.

Though there really is tons I would like to share, this post is really the result of a conversation I had last week and my own contemplation that has ensued from it.

Last week, after church, I went to lunch with a friend of mine and a friend of hers. The latter had recently been through a difficult break up with a long time boyfriend and asked me a poignant question. She asked, "Would you say that a good marriage requires both individuals compromising and meeting in the middle when they disagree." I said, "No."

This may come as a shock. On the surface, it would seem that the answer should be "yes" as a peaceful marriage does require selflessness from both husband and wife. But let me explain why I responded in the negative and what it was I said a good marriage required.

*Please note that in this particular scenario, there was an understanding that we were talking about a Christian marriage, though I don't think it would surprise anyone for me to say that a Christian marriage is the type that is most pleasurable to be in anyway.*

Firstly, it's important to define "good." The reason this is important because it was a significant condition in the phrasing of the question. I don't doubt that there are many decent, peaceful, and even pleasurable marriages where compromise and "meeting in the middle" are common place. But how I define the word "good" is why that mode of conflict resolution is insufficient.

I'm talking about "good" in the most ultimate sense of the word - in the sense the bible talks about when it talks about good for believers. Yes, I'm going there. We all know the verse right? :

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose
Romans 8:28

Ok well, that's all well and... er... good. But that doesn't really tell us what the "good" is for the believers that love God (which, by definition, is all believers, by the way).

The answer comes in verse 29:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 

Here's the "good" that is resulting from God working all our circumstances towards: our sanctification - our conformation to the image of his Son.

So, back to the original question. Does a good marriage require individuals compromise to meet in the middle for the resolution of a conflict or disagreement.

Here's what I said. A good marriage (in the ultimate sense of the word, "good") requires - from both individuals - a complete self-denial and unconditional preference for the other's benefits and desires above their own. In order for there to be a truly good marriage, both people must deny their needs, wants, and preferences, for the needs, wants, and preferences of their spouse.

Interestingly, when this is occurring, the result may often be the same as it would be in a relationship where each spouse is compromising and meeting the other half way. So, if you end up in the same place, why bother opting for the harder of the two. One requires little sacrifice - really only when there is a conflict of interest which may only occasionally arise. The other requires a complete change of mindset that governs your entire married relationship.

There are at least two reasons for the believer to opt for the harder of the two practices.

The first is that the harder of the two requires the help of the Holy Spirit and accomplishes what Romans 8:29 promises: to make us more like Christ and therefore, honoring and glorifying the Lord (which is the purpose mentioned in v. 28). The easier of the two options still leaves room for some selfishness. If two people are meeting half way, they can keep around 50% of their self-interest against the interest of the other person. Yeah, it's better than 100% selfishness... I guess.

The second reason the believer should opt for the harder of the two is simple. The journey towards resolution is a joy to travel. While you're preferring your spouse and you see your spouse is preferring you, you can't help but love each more deeply for two reasons. The first is simple: it's easy to love someone that loves you selflessly. The second is deeper: it's an immense pleasure to love someone who loves his/her (and your) Savior so obediently that it governs all they do.

In the end, God is glorified and magnified. And, as believers, if God is our supreme treasure, what better reason to do anything?

Follies of Trying to Transcend Gender

Looking at trends in academia is a good tool in predicting where our society is headed. After all, our culture's future ought to be mentored and guided by the best minds we have to offer, right? Isn't that the best way to ensure progress? Exactly what kind of education is being received though? Having just made the transition out of a secular university with that coveted piece of paper in hand, I can tell you exactly what type of education America's young people are receiving: one unconcerned with absolute truth. I'm sure that this is not the case in all departments. Mathematicians do not reside in the realm of subjectivity. A rectangle will always consist of 90-degree angles, and 25 will always be divisible by five even if you insist to look at it through a Marxist lens. But in nearly all of my humanities courses, there was no such thing as absolute truth. The closest we came were well-supported theses. This absence of truth naturally led to an abstraction of definitions. When this “logic” is followed, it doesn't take too long before you're convinced there is no such thing as “gender.” Gender becomes a social construct – a tool used by a society or culture to categorize the sexes in ways they ought not.

Any new bride will tell you that the idea that gender only exists as a social invention is nonsense. I was never more convinced in the reality of gender distinctions than the first few months of marriage. It's real. Not only is it real, it's intentional. God didn't create male and female to be different only in anatomical components. He created them to be different in strengths, weaknesses, abilities, functions, and purposes. It's beautiful to realize that He didn't just create them to be different: He created them to be complementary. But is it really a danger that we abandon the distinction? Can't the distinction be like small pox: real, but no longer a concern because of the advancement of society? It is impossible to advance past gender, and to attempt to do so (especially as believers) really is dangerous. There are at least three broad dangers in this abandonment of gender and one individual danger.

Firstly, embedded in the premise of ignoring or denying the existence of gender is a disregard for the absoluteness of God's authorship. Genesis 3:18 describes God's intention for women. It says, “Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'” God intentionally authored woman to be a helper to her husband. By choosing to deny or ignore this role, women deny or ignore God's intentional authorship. And if God's authority in gender cannot be seen, how will his authority and sovereignty over the more complex aspects of life be seen? Without God as authority, feelings and/or experience is enthroned as that which governs and dictates life. It's important to see what is happening here: God is being denied Kingship. And that's a very big deal. Refusal to see God as intentional author of the role of the female gender is a dangerously cracked foundation upon which some are choosing to build their lives.

The second danger that results in a refusal to accept God's biblical authorship of gender roles is a discontent in marriage. When those feelings of pride and selfishness creep in (when), because emotions and experience have been enthroned as governors, conflicts are not resolved in godly, self-sacrificial ways. Selfish desires and that which we think we are entitled to, not God's will revealed in scripture, become a priority over husbands, homes, and sanctification.

Lastly, because of a refusal to accept gender roles, families suffer. I don't have children, but I have seen the effects of this post-modern mentality in family members and friends. Without biblical commitment to God's will in gender roles, mothers cannot teach daughters how to pursue biblical femininity and they cannot teach sons how to pursue biblical masculinity. A new generation of post-modern, subjective evaluators is formed and their tendency to apply this absence of hard-and-fast truth won't stop with gender.

On the individual level, the saddest result of women refusing to submit herself to the role God has given her is the reality that she will not be able to experience the joys of submission to the Lord through submission to her husband. She won't be able to be that radical woman who is so rare in our culture that finds fulfillment and satisfaction and complete contentment in being what God has told her she ought to be. She cannot be an example to her sons to encourage them to be providers and protectors of such women. She cannot be an example to her daughters by showing them that their joy and worth is found in Christ and in obedience to Him. She cannot teach her children how not to be swayed to and fro by every new philosophy that comes along, but rather be grounded, governed, and guided by the sufficiency of the Word of God.  

Valentine's Day 2012

So I know that in my last post, I said I was my own Valentine this year. When we woke up on Tuesday morning, Sergio and I had no plans of doing anything special or out of the ordinary for Valentine's Day.

Last year, we had a very romantic evening in. He got ready at his parent's house, I got ready at our apartment and gussied up for him. I actually wore my wedding dress! (The one I wore for our reception, not the gown - can you imagine!?) I prepared a delicious meal for us, set the mood in our entire apartment just right, etc. It was great.

This year, however, since we're at his parent's house, we were both working all day, and really didn't feel like having a night out on the town, we were content to embrace the day as just another day. Besides, Valentine's Day is corny and insignificant, right?

Well, yes and no (the classic English major answer to all of life's tough questions). Our culture's interpretation of it, for the most part, is definitely shallow. It's riddled with obligatory expectations, selfish motivations, and vacuous understandings of love. And yet, when we're given a day that at face value celebrates love, albeit for the purpose of consumerism, for those of us who do have a complete understanding of love, why not eliminate the fluff and the filth and embrace a celebration of love?

So, on a whim, on my way home I stopped at Lark bakery and purchased four cupcakes. I also stopped at Trader Joe's for a super quick, cheater meal. That's right, frozen food. (Enter suspenseful organ music here). When Sergio came home, we went outside, turned on the fire pit, and enjoyed a simple, super fast dinner by firelight. It was a far cry from last year's effort in preparation, but it was just as special to me!

We got to step away from chores a house can be decorated with, and just enjoyed one another. He told me about his day, and I told him about mine. We told each other what the Lord is teaching us in this season of life and what we look forward to in the next. We prayed with one another and expressed our thankfulness to God for this temporary marriage.

Right now, very little after the month of May is planned. We have no idea where we'll be or what we'll be doing. What we do know is that we'll have our Lord, and we'll have each other. I often call Sergio my companion on life's journey. I don't think I've ever felt the weight of those words more than I do now. Sometimes, when you're on a trip, you know exactly where you're going. But other times, you're somewhere unfamiliar and you rely heavily on trust. Well, I trust my husband, the driver. He's trusting the road signs he's given on the way as God reveals His will to us according to His plan and timing. Getting the opportunity to stop for a minute or two and just refresh that marriage relationship is like a rest stop to refuel before you hit the road again. (That was the last road trip - marriage analogy, I promise).


So, all in all, great Valentine's Day. Another great year. Same great husband. Same great, great God.

P.S. The cupcakes were out of this world! ;)

Thoughts on Marriage

Today, Sergio's cousin, Diana is getting married to a godly upright man. Diana and Tyrae, all my love and prayers go out to the both of you in the beginning of this new stage for you as husband and wife!

A few weeks back, Sergio and I were reminiscing about our first few weeks and months as a married couple. Thankfully, it wasn't as hard a transition for us as it is for some couples. We're both very down to earth, easy going people. That isn't to say we didn't have arguments or conflicts. We definitely did. But by the grace of God, they were resolved pretty quickly and with relatively little emotional injury to either party. The greatest thing that was bruised was our pride - which was definitely a good thing!

While we didn't have out and out shouting matches, we often struggled with inconsiderate comments, hurt feelings, and unexpressed emotions. We learned pretty quickly that if either one of us refrained from communicating what we were feeling/thinking out of pride, fear of discomfort, or fear of ridicule, it only strained the relationship making things even more difficult to work through later.

Something that was very difficult for me was communicating my emotions that I knew were sinful, but that I couldn't deny I was still feeling. Especially at the beginning, I often felt that it was better me to keep my sin hidden and just "deal with it" on my own regardless of the fact that it was affecting my marriage. When Sergio would ask me what was bothering me, it would be common for me to respond with, "Don't worry about it. I know I'm wrong. I just need to deal with it and get over it." I thought that I was doing a good thing by not burdening my husband with issues that I knew were not justified. I didn't realize that this was more damaging for our marriage than it was helping.

To begin with, I was basically telling Sergio that I didn't need his help. This does nothing for his confidence in me. Secondly, I wasn't allowing him to connect with me on that level. This meant he didn't know what sins I was struggling with or how to specifically pray for me. I was preventing him from learning about me which would have enabled him to be a better husband - one that lived with me in an understanding and loving way. Thirdly, I was designating and restricting certain parts of my life from my husband. That's not what marriage is. I am his and he is mine. We are one.

Believe me, I still struggle with the temptation to shut him out. Every time I share something I'm ashamed to be thinking/feeling, I really have to check my pride at the door and it's uncomfortable. But, afterwards I always feel better. The conversation that ensues is always encouraging and edifying for both of us. This only strengthens our relationship.

So, when we were reminiscing, I asked him, "What advice would we give to newlyweds? What would I tell a woman about to be married, and what would you tell a man about to be married?"

Here's what I said (for women):
"When you're in the middle of an argument/conflict that seems to feel damaging to the relationship, take a deep breath and remind him (and yourself) that you love him - that though there is a temporary rift in the relationship, the love is present regardless." When we're angry or feel hurt, sin and pride so easily creeps in and its deceitful nature tempts you to put your own desires as the priority of your heart. It tells you that your feelings are more important than your spouse's and because of this, he must yield to you. It's hard for a husband to lead a woman who demands to have her wishes met regardless of her husband. Reminding him that you love him not only refreshes him, it forces you to take a step back and out of a potentially sinful state of mind and re-prioritize. I can't be loving Sergio properly and resenting him at the same time. Impossible.

Here's what he said (for men):
"If your personal relationship with the Lord is compromised, your relationship with your wife will be also." When he said this, my heart filled with joy because of the profundity of this statement! Men have a huge responsibility. One day, they will have to stand before God and give an account for how they led their family. They will be responsible for their leadership over other sinners. This task is too much for a man who doesn't draw his strength, joy, and endurance from the treasures of knowing Christ. Resolve, without Christ, will eventually fade and the marriage will be put in jeopardy.

These two statements are obviously not all-inclusive of the secrets to a successful marriage. There really are no secrets anyway. Just obedience. Sergio and I are far from the example of a perfect marriage - mainly because we are each far from perfect. But we're both thoroughly enjoying to journey, and I can't speak for Sergio, but I am so beyond happy with my companion.

Once again, Diana and Tyrae, congratulations! May the good Lord fill both of you with the joy only He provides and may your marriage help you love Him more!

Because Wife-ing Often Demands Cooking

I have been a wife for a little over two years. Surprisingly, I've done relatively little cooking. When Sergio and I first got married, my grandmother and aunt would send us food three times a week. They make large amounts of food, package it, and send it to several members of my family. We return the tupperware at the end of the week. This was a huge blessing to me. I do love cooking, but between finances, school work, and coming home well after 8pm on some days, it was so much easier to just heat up already prepared homemade food and eat left overs on the days that we didn't get food. Combine that with the fact that my in-laws often took us out to eat or had us over for dinner on Sunday, I cooked maybe once a week. (Not including breakfast and lunch - but those are a piece of cake.... sometimes, we had cake!)

Fast forward a year and a half later and we found ourselves living with my in-laws. for the last five months, we've been very glad to partake in the meals my mother in-law graciously prepares for the family almost nightly.

But lately, I've had a growing conviction that I really should be more proactive about what I'm feeding my family (which, as of right now, only includes me and my husband). I enjoy both my grandmother's and my mother in-law's cooking, but I've felt a heavier burden to be responsible for making sure my husband is fed well without being dependent, or at least having an assumption of dependency, on other matriarchs.

At the very beginning of our marriage, (like the first few weeks) I cooked a lot more - and most of it wasn't as healthy as I cook now for the sake of expediency. Once school started, I began to rely heavily on family and that never really faded out as I would have liked it to. So lately, not only have I been more diligent about preparing meals for me and my husband, they have been healthy and economical.

Tonight, I prepared Shepherd's Pie:

Ingredients: (I don't measure things - sorry).
Carrots
Celery
Cumin
Parsley
Scallions
Garlic
1 lb Lean beef (96% lean)
Pasta Sauce (tomato-based like marinara - PROBABLY about half a cup)
Baby potatoes
Skim milk
Butter substitute ( I like the taste of Earth Balance )
Salt and pepper to taste
Extra Virgin Olive oil

First, quarter the baby potatoes and boil until tender (about 10 - 15 min)

While the potatoes are boiling, sautee the carrots in 2tbsps of olive oil then put away the oil for the remainder of the process. Add the celery and scallions, cumin, and some of the chopped up garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set this combination aside. In the same pan (now empty, but still a bit oily) brown the meat and add the parsley. Add the veg combo to the meat and add the half cup of pasta sauce.

When potatoes are done, drain. In a cup, combine 1/3 cup of skim milk and 1 tablespoon of butter substitute. (Use this ratio if making large amounts). Heat the milk/butter combo so the butter melts. Add more chopped garlic to the mixture. Add the mixture to the potatoes and mash. Add salt and pepper to taste.

In a baking dish, place the meat/veg combo into the dish and top with mashed potatoes. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 15 min to get the top bits slightly burnt and crispy.




Taken with my camera phone so it actually looked a bit more appetizing than this. I was in a rush, but adding dried thyme and/or oregano would probably be a nice addition.

Remember, this is a healthier recipe so it's not going to be uber rich in buttery goodness, but it is pretty dang tasty, REALLY easy, and very affordable.

Thoughts From the Plane

The following I wrote in my journal on my way back from Jamaica. I'm sorry if it's sort of jumbled in thoughts. But ... well... it is. :)

Sergio and I are on our way home from Jamaica. We spent a wonderful week at the Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios in celebration of two years of marriage. It was such a fantastic vacation and the accommodations couldn't have been better. Really, the best part about going anywhere with Sergio is the company. He's the best friend I've ever had and the greatest encouragement and companion. He makes me laugh, he serves and loves me selflessly, and time with him is never dull. What makes me especially thankful for him is his desire and drive to seek and please the Lord individually and in our marriage.

On the trip, challenged me. He asked me how much of the time in that distraction-free environment was spent focused on the Lord. Quite honestly, I couldn't say that very much had. Is it such a great surprise then that I often feel like the times at home (that in fact are filled with distraction) are generally characterized by spiritual luke-warmness with the occasional bursting gasp for the air of divine grace when drowning in the complacency of my own mediocrity? I'm thankful for those bursts. I'm having one now. And it kinda hurts. But it hurts so good. God is that air. My lungs have never complained of too much air. I've never had to deal with that problem. I've especially never complained about the accessibility of oxygen when I'm swimming. So why should a soul that has taken a dive? God is that air. And I want more.

So now we return. We return to a home with children and a dog. To laundry, bills, jobs, chores, and eventually school. We're returning to a distraction-filled life that demands you give at least some time to sleeping, eating, and chores, but so easily provides excuses for disciplined study for the nourishment of your soul.

Tonight, I'm going to attend Sem Wives for the first time. I'll report back. :)

I'm back, baby!

I, Daniela Orozco, by God's abundant and continuous grace, have just completed my junior year at California State University Northridge! I will be a senior next year. Frightening. But! I have an entire summer ahead of me before I have to think about that.

Last year, I posted a list of things I wanted to accomplish in the summer. The same goes for this summer. The difference is that this summer, I'm fortunate enough to not have to work. It's honestly a little bitter sweet. While we could definitely do great things with the extra income, not having work in the summer is going to be a blessing. I get to focus on my relationship with the Lord, serving my husband, and my commitment to my home. (The apartment looks like a disaster zone right now - as it always does the week after finals). I will have extra opportunity to spend time with friends and family, go hiking, read, and begin a project or two that have been on hold.

The plans for this summer (in no particular order):

- Catch up on my Bible reading plan. I'm several (SEVERAL)weeks behind.
- (FINALLY) Put together my wedding album.

- Read at least one new John Piper book - Probably Think

- Read at least one new C.S. Lewis book - Probably Til We Have Faces

Here are the two biggest projects and so they each deserve a paragraph worth of explanation.

First of all, memorizing scripture has always been a tremendous weakness for me. I can easily remember principles and doctrines, but I always have to look up where the evidence for those principles and doctrines are. To combat this unfortunate proclivity, my plan is to read even MORE C.S. Lewis fiction.

For a research paper on the influence of the Bible on C.S. Lewis fiction, I had to do a lot of cross references with certain C.S. Lewis novels and scripture. I found that those scriptural references remained a lot clearer in my mind for a longer period of time. So, big project #1 for this summer is to read through as many C.S. Lewis fiction as I can and write in the margins of the books the different scriptural references to characters, lines, situations, plots, etc.

Big project #2 is to begin on my book-writing endeavor. Many of you know that I have been wanting to begin writing a book exploring the spiritual perils of books like the Secret and other self-help new age nonsense. I plan on beginning my research for said book. All I need is to get MacArthur or Piper to write the forward and I'm set for a while.

In addition to these things, of course I'd like to make time to hike semi-regularly, keep up with a gym-schedule, keep the apartment presentable all the time, and try new recipes.

I also have one more significantly-smaller project concerning my blog. There are so many blogs out there whose thematic premise are things like, "Little things that make life great." I like the idea a lot, but considering it's very man-centered and ultimately temporal joys that will fade, I would like to regularly post things under the umbrella of, "Things that remind me of God's unwavering grace that result in my joy and admiration of his goodness." I don't think they put themes like that on coffee mugs, unfortunately.

The first thing that reminds me of God's unwavering grace that results in my joy and admiration of his goodness is.....

Sweet and juicy summer-time fruits :)

Another Week Begins

So all the spring breaks are done. The Easter festivities have come to culmination. There are a couple things I still have to look forward to in the not-too-distant future. The first is the Desiring God regional conference! This Friday and Saturday, my husband and I (and maybe my mother-in-law as well) will make our way to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest to attend the Desiring God regional conference. Any opinions of Rick Warren aside (either negative or positive - I'm not getting into that right now), I am greatly (GREATLY) looking forward to listening to John Piper. Prepare for a deluge of opinions of John Piper.

I first heard John Piper back in 2007 at the Resolved Conference. From that point on, I have had an insatiable thirst for his books, blogs, sermons, video clips, etc. There are many reasons for this. I'll begin with the most important. I think everyone can have a favorite preacher without taking glory away from the God about whom and scripture from which they preach. This is so with John Piper. It is primarily because I feel that the Lord has equipped him so tremendously to relate profound truths to my own heart that it's through him that I feel God most strikes my soul. Since I have listened to/read his works/publications, I have experienced significant spiritual growth. God is the master craftsman and when it comes to me, John Piper is his favorite tool.

There are a few reasons I believe God uses John Piper more so than other preachers for myself. And these go into the other less-important reasons I like John Piper so much. We have a mutual affection for C.S. Lewis. C.S. Lewis' writings have influenced me more than any one else. (Clarification: Piper's ministry as a whole has influenced my spiritual walk more than anyone else). Piper often refers to Lewis in books, sermons, blogs, etc. which I truly appreciate.
Another reason is that Piper and I are both Lit nerds. (Literature majors). Gotta represent. :)

I'm also greatly encouraged by his wife, Noel's blog which can be found on my blog list to the right of this --->
I'd encourage you to take a look.

Anyway, this Friday and Saturday are going to be (Lord willing) nothing short of Christ exalting excellence!
http://www.desiringgod.org/events/regional-conferences/2011-lake-forest

Of the other things I have to look forward to with eagerness (which I will write blogs about later, I'm sure):
End of the school semester
The Resolved Conference
More free time this summer!


On another note, a class assignment took Sergio and me to Red White and Bluezz in Pasadena last night. It turned out to be sort of an unplanned date. (Which was really nice!) I purchased a groupon to Red White and Bluezz that we needed to redeem, and I also have to write a concert report for my jazz class this Friday. So, Sergio and I had dinner before hand ($40 doesn't get you very much at RWB, so we had to make sure we had eaten a bit) and drove down to Pasadena to enjoy a romantic evening with live music. Most of my pictures didn't come out at all. And only two came out somewhat not-horrible. My phone's camera is pretty terrible to begin with and on top of that, I forgot to turn on the flash :( I have to learn to start bringing my camera along to things like this.



This was the cheese plate that we had. It was superb! Red White and Bluezz is technically a wine bar and they have an EXCELLENT selection of cheese and wine flights. Not super extensive wine list per se, but everything is good - if you're into that sort of thing. We are. :)




I'm very picky about crab cakes. It's almost to the point that I cringe when I order them because they're almost never up to par. The best crab cakes I've ever had were at the Mustard Grill in Napa. These crab cakes were pretty darn good. No where close to to Mustard Grill crab cakes, but that's a really tall order. These were very tasty. I was pleased :)

I love spending time with my husband. It's really nice to go out once in a while. We don't get that opportunity too much as school and money usually restrict us. But the times that we do are always so sweet. We reminisced about our early dating relationship, and talked about how we fell in love with each other. You could almost see the blue birds landing on our shoulders. It was a nice break from our usual nights in in our semi-messy apartment, both of us with school work on our minds. (Even though I treasure those times as well)!

The End of a Very Long Week

In a few minutes, Sergio and I will be off to Grace Community Church to enjoy fellowship and worship on the day our Lord sacrificed for our salvation. I've been so thankful this afternoon for so many reasons. The biggest one is the ability to rejoice in the salvation we have in Christ. More of that will be done tomorrow and Sunday.

Another reason I'm thankful is that today is the end of what was a very busy school week. Though having a busy school week is not uncommon, this week was particularly heavy. I stayed up until about 3:30 in the morning last night finishing a paper that I had forgotten was due this afternoon. Sergio was sweet. He stayed up with me until around 2. Well sort of. I was at the dining room table and he was waiting for me on the couch.



I love him so much! It was such a sweet gesture even though he was exhausted from a long week as well! I'm so blessed!

(He takes up the entire couch!!)

He went to bed around two and I kept on truckin'. I finally finished and went to sleep after snapping this other photo.
Oh the life of a college student!



Though I love my education, (I really do - no matter how much I otherwise indicate), I definitely could do without the late nights of reading/writing and drinking my body weight in coffee.

Motherhood should be a lot less demanding, right? ;)

CSUN's Spring Break and Monday Morning Fasts

This past week was Cal State Northridge's spring break. Despite my predictions of productivity, I pretty much just hung out with my husband. While I still had to go into Los Angeles City College for work on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, I'm overall very content with what I did with my little break.

I did virtually no school work. I tried to read Lolita for one of my classes, but just couldn't. I read about 65 pages of it and gave it up. If you know anything about Lolita, you know why.

I decided what I was going to do one research project on (the role/influence of the clergy/church in the Revolutionary movement of a Central American country) but I have yet to pick a country.

I purchased a book necessary for another research paper on the influence of the Bible on C.S. Lewis fiction (I'm REALLY looking forward to this assignment), but I have yet to begin it.

No, my contentment for this week can be understood when I tell you what I chose to invest my time and energy on rather than school work.

This week, I did the following:
Went to the gym
Had a picnic with my husband and his two little sisters
Read through some of Desiring God
Journaled
Had a friend over for dinner
Tried two new recipes
Went to have lunch with a dear friend whom I've missed terribly
Went running
Had an enjoyable evening in with my husband - he cooked a delicious dinner for me!
Decided that one of the C.S. Lewis books I'm going to read for the summer break will be The Weight of Glory. Still not sure what the other one will be.

Yes, overall a pleasant break. After this week, Los Angeles City College will have their Spring break. I'll try to be more academically productive, but that's the week before Resurrection Sunday so, no promises. In fact, let's just say I'll try to try. :)

I have also begun my Monday morning fasts. Every Monday, I plan on skipping breakfast to be immersed in prayer in the pursuit of an insatiable hunger and thirst for God. Today's Monday morning fast was so humbling. The satisfaction of knowing that I can completely depend on a perfect provider for strength and endurance is quite comforting. As time passes, I might extend the fasts for the entire Monday. The fact that the bulk of my prayer time transpires during my morning commute is also pretty convicting.

This morning I committed marriage to prayer. My own marriage. The marriage of other believers. The marriage of unbelievers. The marriage of our pastors and their wives. It's pretty amazing how I can already see the Lord answering some of those prayers. I'm eager to see how much more this unravels throughout the week.

My Birthday Amazingness

I turned 23 this past Saturday. It was, by far, the best birthday I've ever had. The first reason it was the best birthday is because it was the first birthday of my marriage life. And it was wonderful to enjoy everything and be able to come home with my husband to our humble home. Secondly, it was a three-day event.

Friday, Sergio and I had dinner at the Bowery where Sergio had, arguably, the best burger of his life. I had a pretty amazing bowl of Mussels and a very tasty Ginger Martini. We then saw Inception at the arclight.

Saturday, my mom and dad organized a birthday dinner for me and invited my in laws. Sergio's parents, grandparents, little sisters, and niece all came over to my parents house and my mom put on a pretty amazing spread of food for us. Including lamb, parmesan risotto, and among many other things, chocolate espresso cake. (My little cousin, Esther made this really great Chocolate Peanut butter cake as well). Everything was delicious and good times were had by all. I feel so blessed to not only to have married into a family that I love, but that my husband's family and my family like each other and enjoy spending time together. What an amazing blessing!

Sunday, Sergio and I woke up, got ready, and went to church together for the first time, EVER! Sergio has been working 7 days a week for about a year now which means that we usually just meet at church. But yesterday, it was wonderful to be woken up by my husband to get ready to go to church together.
After church, Sergio's family took us out for lunch at La Parrilla in Downtown. Then for dinner, we met up with my cousin Isabel, her boyfriend Greg, and my friends Anna, Sharmin, and Oliver at El Carmen in Los Angeles and had some amazing Mexican food and kickin' margaritas. It was an amazing time and I'm so thankful to everyone who contributed their love, presence, and time to make my birthday so special! I love everyone of them with all my heart and I praise God for his graciousness in provision of all these wonderful individuals in my life!

Another Reason I'm Thankful I Got Married Young

I love food that makes your breath smell like death. You name it. Garlic, onions, coffee, sauerkraut, stinky cheeses (the stinkier the better!), everything. I'm thankful that I'm already married so I don't need to suppress the desires for these delicacies to which I might sporadically yield. (Dear Beloved Sergio, this is how you properly use "sporadic" in a sentence). Not that I hid my tastes from Sergio during our courtship but I have a feeling that as I mature in age (much like a fine and stinky cheese), my appetite for such indulgences will increase.

Basically, Sergio's stuck. But then, it is a two-way street. Looking forward to every minute! :)