China

Since I arrived from China 2 weeks ago, life has been crazy for me. In my last entry, I said my life was going to forever change when I was in this unknown land. When I came back to the states my dad was diagnosed with cancer 2nd time. It was hard on me and my family. For the last 2 weeks, I was feeling low but I have to be strong for myself and my family. I have to trust in the Lord in my life with everything. Now, I am going to write about China. Everyone wants to be on the mission field but it is harder than one can think because there is a lot of sacrifice involved with oneself. These are things that I have learned while being on a short term mission this summer in China. The reason I went to China was to teach English to a bunch of kindergarten kiddos. ( I miss all the kiddos that I taught this summer). Food…. You are not used to eating at your favorite food or restaurant in your hometown. I have found cheddar cheese was hard to find in China. I did not eat much cheese in China. There were times when my team went out to eat @ McD’s, KFC, Burger King, and Subway. I did not complain but I found the difference in the fast food in China compared to here in the USA. I did not care to eat Burger King in the states but in China I did appreciate whatever I ate even if it was rice each night. My favorite dish was fried rice and I found out that I can survive on fried rice with eggs for almost a week. I did try new dishes such as Hot Eggplant that I like to eat. Clothes-I bought a few cute dresses in China, t-shirts, but very few clothes. I did not buy a lot of shoes but a few. In China.... American clothes are cool to wear for the Chinese people. English T-shirts are cool to wear. Chinese people wore name brand t-shirts. I even saw guys wear Apple brand T-shirts which I thought was cool. I haven't seen anyone here in the states with the Apple brand t- shirt yet. Hair- Some women in China like their hair a different color. I found it was very expensive to color your hair at the salon which is around $133. I was thinking of coloring my hair from the box which was a little too expensive for me. I allowed a few of my grey hairs to show. I did get a haircut in China which I found very cheap. To cut your hair which is around $5.00. Very Cheap! The guy who cut my hair did a great job. I did not take my Chi straightener or Chi blow dryer but I learned to manage without it. I always put my hair back and use Bead head gel to keep it in place. Very little maintenance on my hair because there were a lot more things to worry about then my hair. Environment- It was hard to not be in our own environment. I did not bring a pillow, a blanket to feel at home. It was hard not to have your own car or even talking on your own cell phone. Facebook was not the site you could go on to say hi to your friends or family. It was hard to manage without the stuff from the USA . I did not watch TV in China except to explore what the Chinese people would watch at home. I found there were more things to do because there was less technology used in China. I was not on my Facebook 24 hours of the day ( China does not allow Facebook). I did spend some time watching the news online for about 10 min. I spend more time fellowshiping with new friends, eating my favorite ice cream, watching the sunsets, walking, riding the bus, eating dinner, laughing, shopping... I had time to think and enjoy the moments in China without being distracted with technology. As Americans... We keep ourselves busy with technology that we forget there is a real world with real people away from our computers or our smart phone. Language- I felt like a lost person without speaking Chinese. We had our friends help us translate when we went out in public. There were times when I had to point or act out of what I was trying to communicate. I did try to speak one word or two but Chinese language is hard to learn. Family & friends- I missed my family & friends at home. I could not speak with them on Skype because of the time difference. I found a family member who lived in Japan that I had Skype with after the school day had finished. It felt good to speak with a family member in the same time zone. One person I missed was my dad. My dad & I exchange emails almost every day and my dad was very encouraged by his words when in China. Friendships- I met a lot of great friends in China. One of my favorite times was watching Notebook movies and crying with my Chinese friends. I enjoy speaking with my friends about shopping, hair, shoes, guys, careers, family, babies, school.. etc. I miss those times with my Chinese friends, especially getting our hair done at the salon. My own space- No space in China. As Americans... you have your own space in America but not in China. When you go on the bus, store, subway or anywhere else there is no space except in the bathroom or when you went to sleep in your bed. I learned to be flexible with the culture and to accept and not complain. My emotions- No time to cry being home away from home. When I taught.... I had to be patient with my children and be understanding with them in the classroom. I was tired a lot of times and I wanted to sleep but I could not because I had to keep moving until 9pm. Religion- Americans are very blessed to live in a place where religion and churches are free. We can preach or speak to anyone about the gospel in America. China has a lot of restrictions on religion. In China, the churches have to be under the government. My teammates and I were lucky to go to church in China. We went to Christian church called “Passport Church” on Sundays. We had to show our passport as we walked into church on Sunday. No local people could not show up to church without a passport. It was amazing to worship in a church in China. Also, I was happy to carry my IPhone with my Bible on it. If I was feeling down then I could pop out a verse to encourage me in public in China. Coming home- Coming home was hard on me to say goodbye to my teammates and my new Chinese friends. I miss my Chinese friendships. I cried as I said goodbye to my close friend in China. My roommate in China, which I missed even today. China has forever changed my life.... even today. My life will never be the same again. You can read more about my China trip with my teammates from Dallas Baptist University @ http://overthepacific.blogspot.com/

Breath of Life

Everyone….There is soo much I am dealing with right now with my dad being in hospital right now that I can’t say too much but I am hurting inside. I feel it like 2006 all over again for me & my family… I am fighting with tears right now ….. I found a book that my dad wanted put together one day in his office this morning. He had written a piece call “Breath of Life” on 07/27/99. I wanted to share it with everyone because this is what he wanted you to read it at this period of this life.


Breath of Life

Genesis 2:7

And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

John Wilson is a crop duster pilot who sometimes handles pulling banner for advertisement. This assignment for pulling a banner wasn’t anything new or unusual. He had just fuel his tank full to assure enough to compare the job. After connecting the line to the banner being in flight to fly the advertisement, something went terrible technically wrong with the connection and the plane. John noticed he was going straight down toward two men into the airport airstrip. He tried his best to crash where there was no people. Immediately, after hitting the ground, flames erupted everywhere setting the whole plane on fire. When all the flames burst out, he notice an Angelic being as 8 feet tall with curly blonde hair with a white tunic in front of him holding back the flames from touching him. He could hear the two men outside saying, “John has to be dead by now”. It had been at least 4-5 minutes while the fire was burning sending toxic fumes into the cabin and he still had a full tank that could blow up any second.. While this Angelic being held the flames, he also saw the Lord Jesus approach him and start to breathe fresh clean air into his mouth for his survival. The men yelled out at him, “John, if you’re still alive, open door.” John pushed the door open to their amazement. John had escaped from the flames of death with God’s help changing his life forever.

I heard John’s testimony this weekend where he also testified on talk shows of how God delivered him from assured death. He says he longer needs to believe just by faith because he has seen the Lord Jesus Christ with his own eyes who breathed life into him. He was taken to the hospital and not a single of toxic contaminants was found in his lungs. Praise God.

While this testimony is tremendous of the awesome power of God in a time of great trouble, God has been giving us our every breath we breathe everyday since he created Adam and Eve. A drug or medicine can never work on us if God is not in the midst of our recovery. If its your time to come home to the Lord, You will not recover from sickness or a terrible accident if God does not deliver you. “ WE MUST LIVE AS IF THIS IS OUR LAST DAY ON EARTH BECAUSE IT COULD VERY WELL BE! There is no guarantee of live for you or me for the day of tomorrow. We must live for today because tomorrow may never come. The Bible says there is an appoint time of death, then there is judgment. You and I do not know our final day on this earth. EVERY BREATH, EVERY HEARTBEAT, EVERY PULSE BEAT BELONGS TO GOD. It is by his ultimate love and his everlasting mercy that we still live each day given to us. John Wilson had no idea this accident would occur to him, but he is extremely grateful to God that he will testify about him everywhere he goes. God’s delivering power will always pull us from the flames all around us wherever we are. Believe in him because you are believing in VERY BREATH OF LIFE ITSELF THAT HOLD US DAILY.

GOD HAS GIVEN YOU LIFE WHEN YOU HAD NO MORE BREATH IN YOU MANY TIMES. You thought you couldn’t go another day when new life sprang forth in you. When a man/ woman decides to walk on their own without any help from God or anyone, he had decided against life itself because without God’s help, we are out naked and alone in the dark in the middle of devouring sharks ready to feast on our foolish native flesh. Yesterday, seven people responded to our pastor’s call to salvation. “There are still three people who have not responded Yet!” remarked Sony Conaster. Slowly, I saw three more people stand and go forward to receive the Lord in their hearts. It was as if the spirit of the Lord spoke saying, “Resurrect from death, resurrect from sin!” These people heard that voice and RECEIVED NEW LIFE, NEW BREATH INTO THEIR VERY SOUL BRINGING EVERYLASTING LIFE FROM THE ONE WHO GAVE US LIFE THROUGH ADAM FROM THE BEGINNING.

BE READY!

Dan Rodriguez

Prayer warrior please keep my dad, in prayer at this time, Thank you Isleen Rodriguez. Hug over the internet.

I am proud to be American!

This 4th of July is going to be special to me for many reasons. One reason is to look back on our nation and remember those who is serving or served our nation.  We are free in this nation. Looking at my money which says, " In G-d We Trust".  You may have traveled to many states in our nation and look at the history of each city. When I traveled D.C, I am amazed of our history and where we have come from since 1776. I am proud to say that I am American and live in land of freedom. One of my favorite songs is America The Beautiful>>>> I love the lyrics to this song>>>

(lyrics by Katherine Lee Bates; music composed by Samuel A. Ward on the poem and music) American The Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassion'd stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness.

America! America!

God mend thine ev'ry flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life.

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness,

And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea.

A Little Bit of History....

The lyrics to this beautiful song were written by Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929), a professor of English literature at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, after an inspiring trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado in 1893. Her poem, America the Beautiful first appeared in print in The Congregationalist, a weekly journal, on July 4, 1895. Ms. Bates revised the lyrics in 1904 and again in 1913. In addition to those changes in the words, it is notable that the poem was not always sung to the tune presented on this website ("Materna," composed by Samuel A. Ward in 1882, nearly a decade before the poem was written). In fact, for two years after it was written it was sung to just about any popular or folk tune that would fit with the lyrics, with "Auld Lang Syne" being the most notable of those. The words were not published together with "Materna" until 1910, and even after that time, the tune to be used was challenged to some degree. For example, in 1926 the National Federation of Music Clubs held a contest to put the poem to new, reportedly "less somber," music, but no other entry was determined to be more acceptable. Before her death in 1929, Ms. Bates never indicated publicly which music she liked best, but it now appears likely that America the Beautiful will forever be associated with "Materna."

My Superhero who is my dad

My dad is my super hero and my best friend! Father's Day and his birthday falls in the same-time line so my family members chooses to celebrate his birthday on the same day.

This year, my dad turns the Big 57! He still looks like he is 35 years old.

One thing, I learned about my dad that he taught himself to read English at the age of 9 years old. My dad was a quiet child in school and very shy. My dad wanted to accomplish a lot through his education which he did. I have learned education is very important and it helped my father to accomplish a lot of goals in his life. This is one of the reasons why I went back to get my Master degree because of my dad. My dad has always supported me in my education and he continues to help me. I don't know where I would be without my dad.

My best friend.... My dad updates me on the Mavs games, Cowboys games, Rangers games when I can't watch the games or we review the games together. Priceless moments with my dad.

My dad saves me from sticky situations.... I had a few cars issues and I tried to call the toll truck but my dad came to the rescue no matter what situation I am in.

I celebrate my dad being my dad this year!

If you don't have a close relationship with you dad please remember there is father upstairs in heaven who will be your daddy or you can adopt my dad to be your dad.

Isleen Rodriguez

Calmness

When I think of calmness, I think of a windless fair day green meadow with birds singing

Thunder snapping in the night can bring all of us to immediate attention

How smooth can one be when all is fair and all is moving according to plan

The drive in all of us is different making us so unique though it seems we are the same

See the continence so relax and so handsome yet a sea whirling storm brews within

A faint sound comes from below and just the few hear the rumbling of the track

A signal is sent to alarm us within that something is not right yet we stay still

We want to shout it to the mountain tops of all the possible wrongs that may be coming

Then just as the workings of wrong seem to be growing, silence replaces the spaces

Aristotle, Socrates, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln come to mind with Calmness,

But life does not stop for even the famous or all the hopefuls of times of success

We measure someone by our success and admire those who do what we even dare

We try to see if their facials display the courage and overcoming of life’s extremes

Statues try to capture the greatness the mightiness and especially the bold facades

The search through time of serenity brings more questions of further closer examination

The smallest of creatures knows the answers we seek daily but moves to their calling

Quietness speaks so much louder than loudness because it is so special

A painting can bring so much peace and tranquility to our mind

As a beautiful man or woman does make us forget the falling leaves and raindrops

Glaciers can be so clear and magnificent in all their glory and do not ask for respect

Gracefulness can equal calmness because it brings pleasure to those who see it

I long to see those who triumph in the midst of turmoil because it brings joy and peace

The greatest can be the least because it is those that admire them once time has passed by

Speak what you want to yourself to bring what others seek in you and you in them

That which is found in the ant who is not moved by your size or your shadow

Ride that horse, stretch your arms out or yell into the wind to speak stillness

Do not allow the angry or the sad bring you down and you determine to climb higher

To where the birds sing in the quietness of the green meadows on a beautiful day.

 Written by my father Dan Rodriguez

 **Picture was taken on 05.24.11 by Isleen

 

My Motorcycle Journey

“@CSLewisDaily: Faith in Christ is the only thing to save you from despair & out of faith in Him good actions must inevitably come-CSLewis” I found this quote while researching on net and it relates of what is happening in my life right now.

Faith in the Lord is the only thing that I am holding on during these days. I went on vacation in South Texas a few weeks ago to hang with my family. I spend one afternoon and I looked at the cotton field. I asked myself of what I was going to do in the future. I did not have the answers but to trust the Lord the for the solution for me. I also prayed for an opportunity to go on a mission field in some unknown land to do something great for the Lord. It had been 10 years since I walked in unknown land call Israel to do mission work but it was time for me to take that step again but I had faith in my heart.

After my vacation with my family in South Texas, I had a choice to go home with my mom or go with my boyfriend on motorcycle to San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX is where I wanted to see my family and friends. This was the best choice I made to be close to my guy and traveled 300 miles on the open road in the country on the motorcycle. Miles and miles of freedom. It was hot and my hair was messy but it had it's purpose to be on the bike. I spend hours and hours prayed for protection for my boyfriend & I on the open road. I also spend hours and hours prayed for my life and my guy's life to change in our journey and in our near future. We came to San Antonio safely and soundly on the bike.


After we spend a few days visiting friends and family in San Antonio  and then it was time to go home.

When we started the bike trip with my guy's knee being infected. I wished, I could rode the motorcycle for him but I did not know how to drive it. Prayer and my guy taking his meds was the only thing for us to get home. Plus, I had interview at my school to take the opportunity to do mission in this unknown land. My guy was determined for me to get to my interview on time. On that morning on April 27^th, we rode through the Hill Country in Texas. As we rode on the motorcycle it was rough. It was not easy at all. The wind was blowing 30mph and it was rough ride for the both of us. Scenery was beautiful in the Hill Country. My guy and I stopped almost every hour to take a break. Plus, I had my summer purse and taken it out during our breaks. Yes, a biker chic can have her fashion purse and ride a bike at the same time.

My guy was in pain with his knee while he rode his bike. All I could do is pray for him and hold closed to him as I was rode on his bike. We went through many country towns in TX and it seemed peaceful. There was some towns that were ghost towns and been hit hard by the economy. There other towns that were still surviving and it seemed to me that these people lived a simple life. A simple life without huge homes, expensive cars, and expensive clothes. It was the schools, family, fellowship and of course G-d. You could see so many churches in many of these small towns.

Finally, as we came close to home it was 5:00pm. My guy taken me to my school for the interview and I had 10 minutes to put my make up on me. My fashion purse had everything to make myself look pretty again after being on the bike for 6 hours. I walked into the interview with full confident to know that I am going to unknown land to serve on the mission field.

My guy was still in pain with his knee after riding the motorcycle for 6 hours. The next day, he went to ER. We found later he had staph infection in his knee. My guy spend 3 days in the hospital on IV. I spend many hours with him at the hospital thinking to myself if this was my fault but it was not. Things happen for reason and we can not explain it. The next day, I went home to rest. I had sorted out my Avon brochures for my clients and I received a phone call that would change my whole summer and my life. I was going to be on mission field again to unknown land for a whole month. I am going to the mission field again! Thank you, Lord as I whispered. I rejoiced with my family of the good news. My boyfriend was still in the hospital but I believed in healing for his knee. Eventually, my boyfriend did come home and he is still recovery with his knee. I am thankful for my boyfriend and the sacrifices he made to get the both of us home safely on the motorcycle. 

Now, it will be 60 days from now that I will be in another time zone in unknown land serving with a purpose to unknown people. One thing I will say.....Don't give up on the Lord. Keep in faith and in your dreams. The Lord will show you through his word and through him where your next journey will be.

Isleen

*** Picture was taken by Isleen in Evant, TX.

Hope Floats

PS. 119:49

“Rememeber the word unto thy servant, upon which thou has caused me to Hope”. Hope is the word for today. Most of us hope for G-d's will, a better life, better career, hope to be skinny, hope to be sucessful, hope to have a good marriage, hope to have good kids,  & hope the dog is good to us. The dog part is a little too much but you get the point.

Really does hope mean to us ? Most of us are Christians but do we hope on the Lord or ourselves? Are we having faith in what the Bible says to us about our life? Are we trusting in the Lord? I found myself in hope of my life. I did not want to wake up one day. I wanted to stay in my bed all day to allow the pain to go away in my life. I cried. I cried to the Lord to help me out of the pit I was in my life. I wanted to give up on life. Yes. When you are in the deepest depression the thoughts of sucide can come across in your mind. This is where as a Chirstian you have to fight yourself in prayer to have hope in your life. I asked the Lord to help me to have hope again in my life. There are times when I wake up each morning to find hope in the word and in the Lord. I tell myself there is hope for everyone but it is my job to help other's to find their hope in the Lord and also in the word.

Isleen