“ABBA, Father in Heaven"

I was 16 years old almost 23 years ago when I wrote this small piece to myself from my Bible.

Little did I know this written piece would bless me this past week and may it help you in your life.

“Father” Who lives in the sky above me. Every second he is watching me and seeing what I’m doing. His hands are always open to me. Sometimes I feel his hugs against me. When I praise to him and my hands are high in the sky. I feel like they are close to mine. I cry and my father stands up above me. His love is towards me when it’s needed 24-7. This world need him and they don’t know how much greater than anything else is. I’m writing this to those whom are reading this posting.

If you are lonely, sad, rejected, depressed, have a broken heart 💔, you are never alone in this world. There are others who love you and a father above who is looking out for you.

As my father would always say to us kiddos, “Jesus is Lord." In memory of you dad, Dan Rodriguez on my birthday this week.

Super Hero Dad

To the next generation of dads, “Be a hero to your kiddo.” Be there to cheer your kiddos as they finish their goals in the race of life.

This past year, I have prayed & watched other dads grow with their kiddos. My brother taking his only daughter to her dance class & watching her grow. 

Also, I had watched my boyfriend’s son graduate high school & receiving Eagle Scout award. We are very proud of his son.

My dad never thought of himself as hero to us kiddos. 

He always put us first. An example: Dad would order a pizza for us kids on a Friday night. When the pizza arrived dad would let us eat first before he ate. Dad always made sure we were fed, safe, loved & happy.

Bulletproof by JD Rodriguez (my Dad). 06.30.1999

2 Corinthians 13:9

“We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.”

I have always enjoyed watching the old movies of Superman where George Reeves (later Christopher Reeves) portrays the man with the big S on the chest just waiting for the bad guys to shoot at him. I always knew that those bullets would bounce off in every situation but nonetheless I watched intently.

Superman was expected to defend the fears of all men by using his natural powers for the cause of good. Even the bad guys knew that their bullets were just being wasted when they shot at the man of the steel, yet then shot him for our entertainment. I often thought when I was very young that if I just wore the right uniform or the right cape, I would be just like Superman. Up to this day, I still have not found anything that I can wear to help me against the bullets of life except for Word of God.

Paul tells us that when we are weak God is strong in us. Many times we forget that God is right there the whole times we are so low because of comments made towards us. Paul wrote from experience of so many lows in his life when he rejected, neglected, abused, and refused. He came to his Christian walk to the point to where he depended on God’s word more than he did on man words. No matter what he was told negatively to him, he held God’s word much higher than any words from man. In other words, whatever bad things he was told, he let those words directed to him just bounce off of him. He bulletproof himself with word of God for the bad days when the enemy would come against him through individual not in line with God. I feel so good knowing Gods hold me up so much higher than any man on this earth. Paul speaks for us to continue to be strong in God striving for perfection just like Christ.

Yesterday, I visited a friend who’s thyroid glad was removed because of cancer in his throat area. He told me that while he was in intensive care room recovering from the operation, he spoke the word of God to his nurse. 

He quoted Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Tears ran down her eyes because here was a man laid wounded from surgery, but yet he was quoting encouraging uplifting words to her. 

Through his misery of surgery he was very weak but became strong when he focuses God’s word. When are weak, and ye are strong. God will make us bulletproof to our pain to our misery to our weakest areas when we remember and lift up the word God to over selves and those around us.

Isn’t God just wonderful to have words that go far beyond what our frail vulnerable bodies that can only tolerate so much, yet the word of God can lift our hearts and minds to where eagles, Boeings and space shuttle fly no matter how much our emotions shakes.

Be Ready! 

Why ?

    

It’s been 6 years since my dad passed from colon cancer.  This year will be 6^th year not celebrating Father’s Day on June 19^th and his 64^th birthday on 28^th of June.

I ask myself Why God? Why did you take away a good man from this world? Why did you take away my father from our family? Why did I have to have this pain in my heart for sooo long? Why did I have to walk in this depression? Why did my mom have her husband taken away, since they had known each other since high school?  There are many “why” questions on my mind.

As, I look back, the Lord had told me as my dad was dying 6 years ago, “I am in Control and you are Not.” Today, I still remember those words loud and clear from the Lord.

There is a purpose for everything. The struggle is tough in life. Nothing is easy in life including losing your loved one. It’s a fight each day to be focused in our daily life. Life is not easy. It’s a true test if you are going to pass the test each day in your life. My dad told me once when we were at the gas station, “You are breathing, alive, have a good job, healthy, blessed and cancer free! Be happy where you are! Look at me. I’m in chemo and struggling with cancer.” I never looked at life the same again.

This is one of my dad’s stories: 

Glimpse of Jesus as of 02/10/2000 written by Dan Rodriguez

Job 23:9-10

“When he is at work in the North , I do not see him, he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way  that I take: when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Paul of Tarsus did not even see Jesus when he was struck by a light from Heaven that flashed around him on the road to Damascus, but it completely changed his life when he spoke to Paul, “ Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” A glimpse of a light shone so bright that it knocked  him down beneath himself.  Before Paul could really see Jesus, he had to be knock off his pride, off his high horse, off from the chip on his shoulder that he had against Christians. Before he could even get a glimpse of who this Jesus was, he had to travel on this road to Damascus. Many of us know this road to Damascus because we had to be lowered before we were lifted in Jesus.

In this verse above, Job was saying that he could not see the Lord in the North, South, or any where else but yet he was trusting in him because no matter if he didn’t see him he would continue to serve and trust in him. Job was so low that he could hardly see above the grass, but yet would say things like, “ when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Paul and Job both got very low in life to the point that eventually the Lord lifted them as he has you and me where no man, no thing, no event could hurt our spirit. The mere glimpse of seeing him or expecting to see a glimpse of Jesus can either way dramatically change anyone’s life.

I myself was attending a Bible Conference by T.D. Jakes being held here at Reunion Area back in 1997 in February. There was a great worship atmosphere in the whole place. After Ron Konolis’ thundering worship song and Joyce Myers speaking, all of sudden, for a glimpse, I saw someone walk in front of the large speaking stand. I seemed to have seen this person before many times even though he had long brown/blondish hair, a glimmering shiny white robe, wearing a beard, with sandals. For about three or four steps, I saw him causally walk in as if he had done this hundreds of times before. I quickly turned to see if my wife was seeing what I had just witnessed, but when I turned back to look, he was gone from my sight. I seemed to be the only one seeing this phenomenon. I continued to look for him in the stands to my left and to my right, but I could not see him any longer. When I looked at each side of this large place, I heard commotion coming from each area. One woman was jumping so high that, I though she would fall.  Later, I found out that God had healed this woman and another from a shattered leg from an accident while the other was healed from extreme leg and angle bone problems. Jesus somehow had walked in and healed them miraculously touching both individuals that day. Somehow, the Lord had allowed me to just catch a glimpse of him walking in before he actually did these healings. My Life also has not been the same since that day.  

 A glimpse of Jesus whether you expect to see him like Job or whether you’ve actually seen him does not matter because ITS FAITH THAT ALWAYS CREATES THE MIRACLES in our lives. If you loose faith in yourself, you loose faith in everyone around you eventually. You must hold on to the reality THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL SEE THE LORD IN PERSON BEFORE YOUR EYES. All the questions, all hurts, all frustration, all of your crawling on the floor experiences, all your tears, all of your loneliness and isolation times, and all your problems will ceased to exist once YOUR FAITH IS REWARDED not only by a GLIMPSE OF JESUS, but a real hugging, arm in arm walking experience with the one and only Lord of all Jesus Christ.

BE READY!

Revelation 3:12 “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”

Forget me Not!

Today my dad would be 61 years old on 06.28.2015. I want to remember my dad with the words he had written on September 08,1999 during his morning devotion. He had written this devotion call,"Forget Me Not." Daniel R. 

I hope you are encouraged today. 

From his oldest daughter, Isleen R.

Accepting Changes

Everyone will be writing review of their year in 2013 and their goals of 2014 online. I would write about my year but it's already on my blog. Here is a small video that you can check out out my year in review for 2013 by clicking here. My goals for 2014 is something that I will keep in my journal.There is a lot that I would like to accomplish in 2014 but I would like to keep it private. I want change in 2014 in my life.

I will share my dad's writings about three changes that occurs in our lives: Natural, Self Induced (brought on by oneself or itself) & Uncontrollable Changes. This will make you think about you life this past year in 2013 and help you plan your goals for next year in 2014.

My dad, J D Rodriguez wrote this on 01.05.2000****************************************

Writing the year 2000 on our checkbooks, Daylight Savings Time, Graying, Loosing/Making Friends, Loosing Hair, Loosing your figure, Kids growing up, The weather, Your Memory not being the same, Spending & Making Money.

Matthew18:13, “And he said, “ I tell you the truth, unless you Change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Changes comes when we least expect them. Changes come through many ways. Some changes we accept them while others we reject them initially. God put animals on this earth so we could learn much from them. If they could talk, I'm sure we would know more information about ourselves regarding change. There are three type of changes of which includes Nature Change, Self-Induced Changes, and the Uncontrollable Changes. We mostly accept the Natural and the Self-Induced Changes except when there is a conflict with other human relationships. The final kind of change, which is the Uncontrollable, become a decision we have to make whether we accept the or reject them.

Natural Changes

Live Right ( Everyone accept a good man)

Prov. 16:7 “ When a man's way are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Self-Induced Changes

All seem to be lifestyle inflicted of which can be bad or good:

Positive: Setting positive goals, exercising, good diet, making each day count, living to the server instead of serving to live, keeping positive NO MATTER WHAT, & knowing your place with God/family/friends/and habits

Negative: Gambling, drinking (too much of drinking) hating, mindless music, cursing, living fast, spending trying to keep up with the Jone's, not loving to love but living to putting trust on possessions ( material) instead of God and loved ones, treating people as things instead of living breathing beings, living an immortal lifestyle ( No).

UNCONTROLLABLE CHANGES:

ILLNESS, AGING, DEATH, TAXES, I'm sure we can mention others like visiting the MOTHER IN LAW (my dad loved his Mother in Law, Maria) unwanted Relatives, hurtful friends like BILLS, Etc. But Seriously, I was young and had a great job in Sales when I was called into my managers office. My wife was 8 months pregnant (with me) and I got laid off. After laying around feeling sorry myself, it took courage to find another job because of my PRIDE/ my expectations/my success story/my routine had been ripped apart. That experience was a turning point in my life. It taught me well to always prepare for the unexpected. (my dad was laid off several times in his career.)

Things we can learn from animals regarding changes:

1. They're born without being cuddled and wrapped in a blanket or a nice soft pillow to rest on. ( My dog Gigi ( Toy Poodle), always sat on a nice pillow on the family couch)
2. Many Species have to do their own work in their birth instead of the mother pushing them out.
3. Their weaning period from their mothers can be instantly, days or just a few months.
4. No one knows when a sparrow dies except God and their parents.
5. Animals don't call their parents or their siblings on Holidays.
6. Sometimes it's hard to tell when they're sad, hurting, cold or even dying.

A mind set that can help you with unwanted changes:

1. Realize change do not have to ask you for permission to come. They come regardless.
2. You can not stop change. YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE BUT Change is in charge.
3. It's how you direct the change to flow where you want it to flow.
4. Do not just see, hear,feel, taste change but ask yourself, “ Why Am I am so special that I can not accept this change?”
5. Lastly, the very first step in knowing how to handle change is knowing you have change standing right in from of you!

Thanksgiving & Christmas 2013

Thanksgiving is this week. Black Friday is the best deals of the year. What I will be doing this Black Friday is working instead of shopping. Black Friday is one events of the year we wait for the good deals. For me Black Friday is just another day. When I was younger, I would be that crazy person waking up 5am. I will be waking 6am getting to work. I have become a person who is willing to skip the Black Friday events. When my father passed away, Thanksgiving & Christmas was not the same for all of us. It's been hard enough to get my mom to get the tree up last year but she got the tree up. The old tree is gone and a new Christmas tree is up now in our family home.

Last year, we wrote a letter to each family member of how thankful we were for each other. My dad started this tradition many years ago. Presents are for the kiddos and less of us. This year, we are starting a family tradition by giving one gift to each adult family member. Christmas has become a marketing tool for America. Just turn on your TV. You will see every commercial during prime time talking about Christmas or open up your mail box with a bunch of Christmas ads. It's hard enough to see families who are struggling this year. There are others who are trying to save for next year with our health insurance, 401k, retirement, a new beginning in 2014, trying to survive for the next pay check or looking for a job. It's hard to see Christmas for a celebration with finding that perfect gift for your love one. I understand. I have been committed to help others especially during this time. If it's a Dollar Store gift, volunteer event, toy drive then I'm there in my free time. Material is less what I desire for myself and thinking of those who can't afford gifts for their child. What would Jesus do when I think to myself?

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus. When I think of Christmas as kid which I would think of toys. I also think of my dad opening the Bible and reading of birth of Christ to us. My dad taught us Thanksgiving & Christmas is celebration of family but above all Jesus. 

Three years later...

I was being interviewed by a local organization this past summer. One of the questions the interviewer asked me, “ How did you cope with the loss of you father from colon cancer 2 years ago?” I had to think very deeply for a second because I had almost cried before  I answered the question.

I had told the interviewer, “I had saw a counselor at school, I had my family around me, I did not drink any alcohol beverages during that period of time and Lord was my strength."

Three years of missing my father. I grew up from a child who was at age of 30 years old to a strong woman who feels like she is 80 years old inside at the age of 32. 

I was looking back at a picture of me in the hospital. My hair was falling out. I didn't do my hair for many weeks. I didn't sleep or eat very well. I had wore the same clothes for days while in the hospital with my dad. I was in deep depression. Each night, I had held my father's hand. I didn't want to let go my daddy's hand. I want to hold my dad's hand forever. I finally had to let go my daddy's hand when he passed away on September 14, 2011.

Two weeks ago, I had taken a picture of me in downtown Austin.The Lord is my strength for two years. It was a very difficult road to battle depression in my grieving seasons. Prayer and talking to the Lord was my only hope. There were times when I felt alone. I didn't know who to talk to during those times. I would turn up Kari Jobe's song and cried to the Father in Heaven in my car. The Lord was my salvation. Ladies, I didn't turn to my guy for a hug during those painful times. I was alone and I had to battle my depression.

Today, I am strong. My past experience was a battle to make me a stronger woman in everything I do. Don't get me wrong but I had sad moments but I continued to live my life. I lived my life to be there for my family and others. If you have a family member who is dealing with cancer or have passed away, please look to the Lord. Your strength is the Lord.

Psalms 23

“1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”

In Memory of Kidd Kraddick & Tom Dooley

There are two DJs in my life that I enjoyed listening to Tom Dooley & Kid Kraddick. These DJs reminded me a little of my father, Dan. When I moved away for the first time from my childhood home, Tom Dooley would encouraged me on the radio with the Word in 2008 each day. I did my best to be independent & not call my dad every morning. 

Sometimes, I would listen to Tom Dooley on ITunes while I worked on my studies. Tom Dooley had passed away on November 9, 2010 with brain cancer. I remembered telling my dad our favorite DJ who passed away. Dad reacted with sadness.Tom Dooley was part of my life & my dad's life each day. 

1^st Annual Tom Dooley's Memorial Gold Tournament on September 14, 2013. I will volunteer for the event in memorial of my dad, Dan.

http://www.mastermedia.org/mm/eventInfo

I would listened to Kidd Kraddick each morning to laugh. There were times I didn't agreed with Kidd but I accepted him as he was on the radio. He made me laugh while I was grieving for my dad last year. There would be times I would turn off the radio because I didn't agree with Kidd on certain topics or I couldn't stand what they were talking about that morning but I always came back to listen to Kidd's show. 

I was driving to work last Monday, I heard Kidd do a segment of the show call Dying Dead Bed Confession. It was hard to listen to this part of the show. I heard Kidd Kraddick making fun of Kellie at the end of segment of the show. It's funny but difficult to listen. It's surreal to hear Kidd passed away after doing that radio segment of the show last Monday. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/headlines/20130728-days-before-his-death-kidd-kraddick-spoke-about-deathbed-confessions-i-ve-got-a-few-minutes-to-live.ece 

What do the listeners do now? Go somewhere else to listen another family morning crew in morning? All of us come from different backgrounds but I know one thing we have common is Kidd Kraddick & the morning crew. 

To listen Kidd Kraddick online  http://www.kiddnation.com/

1^st concert will be held on August 15, 2013 with the Jonas Brothers at House of Blues for the terminal ill kiddos. Come and support the kiddos! 

http://www.kiddskids.com/  Kidd Kraddick's foundation

Remember life is short but our days are numbered. We all need to leave our legacy like these great DJs. Do something great with your life. Focus on the helping the hurting. Don't waste your time hating on others or hurting folks with your negative words. Do something positive like Kidd & Tom Dooley as they did with their lives. Remember to look up & focus our hearts on the Father above, Jesus. All of us will be called home one day.

Haunted by the word cancer

Angelina Jolie's story came out on May 14, 2013 of her having double mastectomy. I can relate to Angelina Jolie. She is 37 years old and I am 32 years old. Angelina lost her mom at the age of 56. I had lost my dad at the age of 57 to colon cancer. She had lost her mom a few years ago. I had lost my dad to cancer 2 years ago. I was thinking what if cancer happens to me. I'm not claiming cancer at all. It's hard to think when you have a love one who had passed away from cancer. All the doctor visits you went with your love one. You had to watch all the chemo your love one went through. It is pain in our hearts.

You would say to yourself, “NO!” I don't want cancer to happen to me. I don't want to live in fear but it is hard to thinking about it. I had some issues in my body recently. I will not go in detail of my issue. This is a private matter for me. This issue wouldn't stop for about a month. I was worried about this issue in my body. Here I am reading Web MD and many online articles of what the cause of this issue in my body each night. One article stated to consult with your doctor since this issue can cause cancer. I was freaking out after reading the article online. I didn't want to tell my mom or my sister. We went through enough crap with my dad. So, I had decided to speak to my boyfriend about this issue in my body. My boyfriend said, “Go to the doctor's office tomorrow.” I did. My doctor had taken a few tests to see what the cause of this issue in my body is. She had looked at me and said, “I don't see anything wrong.” One thing she said to me, “You are healthy young person.” Her words brought life to me. The doctor told me if this issue does not stop please go to another doctor’s office. My doctor handed me business card. After I left her office, I was asking the Lord to heal. I was crying inside and outside. I didn't want to do extra blood work. I was scared for the outcome if I did extra blood work.
A week later, everything was normal in body. I said Amen to myself!!!


Fear of not living. We can say I'm ready to go to Heaven. This is what my dad said when he was normal. When he had cancer he didn't want to die. He didn't want to leave his family that he loved soooo much. My dad knew in his heart that he couldn't change the course of his life. I'm oldest daughter to be involved with cancer awareness. This week, I have decided to become involve in Be The Match at http://m.marrow.org/. I am going to give myself to be a match for patients with leukemia or other forms of cancer. I'm taking the step to help others.

Also, Angelina Jolie's story makes me wonder if I need to do blood work to see if I will get cancer. I'm considering it. Maybe, in my next doctor visit this coming August. I have to fight the rest of my life of this ugly word call cancer mentality.

Iamisleen


Angelina Jolie's Story

We often speak of “Mommy’s mommy,” and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. They have asked if the same could happen to me. I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a “faulty” gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.

Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average.

Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.

On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work.

But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.

My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a “nipple delay,” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple.

Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours. You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life.

Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.

I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.

It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.

I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition. Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has.

For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options. I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.

I acknowledge that there are many wonderful holistic doctors working on alternatives to surgery. My own regimen will be posted in due course on the Web site of the Pink Lotus Breast Center. I hope that this will be helpful to other women.

Breast cancer alone kills some 458,000 people each year, according to the World Health Organization, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live. The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women.

I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.

Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.

She didn't give up in life

As children we talk about our parents to others. When I talk to people about my mom which I tell them she works for huge auto industry company at the age of 57. She is a single lady. She likes to shop like me and do her hair. Then, I show my colleagues or my friends my mom's picture & me. One colleague looked at me with confusion. She didn't want to pick out the wrong lady in the picture. I told her it was the lady on the far right. She said to me, “ Is that your mom?” I told her yes! My mom is not a old lady with gray hair sitting around with her rocking chair. My mom is a mover and shaker. My mom did not give up in life when the storms came through. My mom went through a lot of hell when she lost her husband. My dad was her soulmate. When I see my mom alone. I just want to hug her or go watch a movie with her. I hate to see my mom alone. My mom met my dad when she was 16 years old. My parents had issues in their marriage but they continued their love story like the Simpsons. My mom was like Marge Simpson and dad was like Homer Simpson. My dad liked the sweet foods. Dad made crazy mistakes. Mom was like Marge trying to save the family from the silly mistakes Homer made.

Then, Homer Simpson which was my dad passed away. Can you imagine what the show would be like without Homer Simpson? The show would be cancelled. The show was not cancelled in our real life.

Well, the blue hair lady continued her life with her children. I'm Lisa Simpson the oldest. My brother Mark is Bart Simpson. Sarah is Maggie, the baby. The blue hair lady is not crying her eyes out or depressed at home without Homer Simpson. She is strong and living the life. The blue hair lady just went to Florida with Selma ( her best sister in law- Mona). Selma is a pretty woman in real life.

So this blue hair lady continues to help her coworkers at work. She puts parties together during lunch times. The blue hair lady talks to her 91 year old father, Grandpa Abraham ( Papa). The blue hair lady babysitting her grand children. The blue hair lady dresses in her best and goes to church. The blue hair lady sometimes she misses being next to her Homer Simpson in church. The blue hair lady says she is trusting in the Lord. The blue hair lady is making major decisions in the next few years of her life.The Blue hair lady didn't give up with her dreams. The blue hair lady is still moving and loving her family each day. This blue hair lady is one amazing mama to me and my family. We love this blue hair lady waited a minute she has brown hair. My mom is not Marge Simpson. Her name is Emily. She loves red roses. This brown hair lady is my mom. Happy Mother's Day!

Iamisleen

My Heart is in his Hands

Late Friday night my niece had cried to me that she couldn't fall asleep. My niece was nervous that if she didn't fall asleep then she would not focus on her studies Saturday morning at her tutoring center. I asked my niece if she wanted milk or water which she had shaken her head "no". The only solution which I could help my 9 year old niece is to pray for her. I had put my hands on her head and asked The Lord to give her peace while she slept. 2 minutes later my niece was sound asleep. I had thanked The Lord for this little miracle for my niece. Being a part time parent to my niece is important to me. It is important to teach her having a relationship with The Lord. Reading his word or sing a worship song on Pandora. Or getting a reminder on her iPhone to read her Bible in her quiet time. Or running to church when I can to hear the word from the preacher.

All my life my dad taught me to find The Lord. Having a relationship with The Lord didn't come official until I was 16 years old which was 17 years ago today. I remembered one spring morning at the church retreat The Lord had spoken into my heart ask him into my life. Life wasn't the same for me after that day.

Life has ups & downs. The Lord has been my only hope in my life. When I was hurting which I would call my earthly dad to pray for me like my niece. I don't have my earthly dad to pray for me in my life now. My earthly dad is in heaven. Now, I have The Lord to guide my steps especially if I'm part time parent to my niece.


"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. "(Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

A love for a Father in 2007

This morning, I was talking to my dad and at the end of our conversation he responded to me that he loved me. Not many fathers tell their own daughters that they love them. Many of you guys on myspace may not know what my father is all about but with one word I can describe who he is. He is one to have compassion for others. My father would go out of his way just to help my family, friends and myself with anything. I mean anything. There been many times I would be stuck in a situation and needed help. He would always be there to help me. He would always encourage me to finish on getting my degree when I had tough times at school. I am soon to finish at the end of this year. He would be my Friday night date to the movies when I was feeling lonely. Now, I'm in a great relationship with another man in my life that I am dating. My dad is my hero in my life. Sometimes the hero has to fall to the ground. I look at my dad dealing with colon cancer and fighting for his life with this darn disease. I feel helpless for him and I want to fix this problem but I can't. The only way I can be strong is to have faith in the Lord. I have to believe the Lord will heal him from this cancer. One day, I will see his healing come to pass in his body. For now I wait and pray.

I wrote this piece in 4.12.07**** on MySpace

March is Colon Cancer Awareness month.

My dad was a survivor for 1st time with colon cancer.

http://www.butt-check.org/survivor-stories/dan-rodriguez.php

2nd time my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. My dad passed away from colon cancer on 09.14.11

I promised myself that I would continue the rest of my life to get the word out of colon cancer to others.

Iamisleen

Isaiah 53
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

" Why I Serve the Lord" By: Dan Rodriguez

This past weekend two families are mourning for their love ones who had passed away. My heart is with sadness of the love ones who had passed away. I did not know these two individuals very well but my heart breaks for all family members.

I am mourning the loss of my dad who passed away a year ago on September 14,2011. I have struggled all year missing my dad. Some of you guys miss my dad too. My dad encouraged you during difficult times in your past. Today, as I was going through my dad's written notes. I found this interesting note that will make you cry.

"Why I Serve the Lord” By: Dan Rodriguez 1999

I want God's word to continue to flow through me like a river of living water where there is no beginning and no end providing pure clean blessings from his word to all areas to all places to all people within reach.

I want my kids and all my family to do the same. I can not expect them to serve God if I'm not willing. Surely only good can come when we serve the living God who gives us all authority and power through Jesus Christ. To overcome the adversities of this world because of the Blood of the perfect lamb who died on that cross on Cavalry. Thank you Jesus for that amazing task that none of us could do.

I want to meet the people that we read everyday like Moses, Paul, Elijah, Daniel, David, and Joseph whom God used greatly in the assigned tasks in their life while they lived like you and I waiting for their savior to appear in the clouds with a loud trumpet. ( My dad said this quote to me few times.)

I want to make a difference even if it seems so small. I know that my redeemer lives within my heart and anything I do will be in the same body of Christ of whom we will not know until we all gather together with the Lord. We will find out all the pieces really did come together without loose ends.

I want to see Jesus and the Father whom we know is love, joy and everlasting. I want to tell the Lord that I love him and wish I could do so much more for him and his gospel.

I want to see my parents who I know made it with the Lord because they accepted Jesus in their lives before graduating home. I want to have so much more of him everyday. I know I can always use more of Jesus and less of me.

I want the Lord's word to spring out of me refreshing and enlightening those individuals who I know need a fresh shower of his word so life can begin to flow forth where there has only been emptiness and loneliness so shouts of JOY can come from these folks touched by his mercy and truth!

I want to take every individuals around me with me to God's home because I know many are lost, hurting, without hope. I want them to see the Lord while yet there is time, energy, and life left.

I want to walk on the streets of Gold. I've only seen very small amount of gold only on rings and chains and gold bars in pictures.

I want to see the chariot of fire Elijah rode in to Heaven. I want to talk to the man who moved God so much to do the mighty miracles while he lived on the earth.

I want to see all the Angels of the Lord for I know they are numerous as the Sea and more variety compared to the people on Earth. Having been made by our heavenly father.

I want to rest in the Lord knowing he has got me covered without having to look around for the opposition on every corner every crack everyday everywhere.

I want to spread this peace within my heart to others in turmoil and constant pain to release the much hurting the much afflicted from their bondage through our Lord and Savior Jesus.

If I don't do anything else, I want to be at least light to others to see that serving isn't about things, places, time, but a real significants relationships with the one and only Lord of who's name every tongue will confess and every knee will bow. A name above names that has earned our most deepest honor and gratitude that name would be Jesus Christ of Nazareth from Galilee who still today is saying to all man kind as he did to two brothers Simon and Peter while were fishing besides the sea of Galilee Follow me.

Be Ready