It’s summer! It’s time to spend a long weekend at the beach. get some sun, put my feet in the sand, take a dip in the salt water, look out on the ocean where the sea meets the sky Breathe My family and I anticipate these long weekends at the
Summer Book Club Love
“It’s been hard, but the Lord is with me” It was the Women’s Outdoor Summer Book Club’s last meeting. As we were discussing the book, one of God’s breath-taking sunsets stopped us. As the sun receded, the light shimmered across the sky, through delicate clouds creating flowing colors of pink
Gold Nuggets
We sat across from each other talking. He reached for his napkin and started ripping it. I curiously and quietly watched. His fingers tore pieces from the napkin and set them aside. When he was done, he quietly extended to me…a heart. Are you a collector? I Google what people
The Rhythm of Rest
“Break time!” The GMP trainer called out as she looked around at glazed eyes. I shot out the glass door into the sun. The hotel courtyard with the pond, water fountains, bridges, ducks, and turtles were all calling to me. I walked around the lake taking pictures of the two
Walking Amongst the Wildflowers
Waiting for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit? It’s here! My soul and spirit were in a drought condition for many years, similar to California’s drought season. My soul and spirit were dry; the colors were dull, growth would sprout, but soon die for lack of water. In “I Made
Moms of Free-Range-Adults Club
Every year there are birthdays to celebrate, your own, friends, and family’s. My children’s birthday celebrations start in January. Having children brings on many different emotions – love, hope, excitement. Let’s be honest, there is also fear, but love overcomes the fear. Your child will be depending on you and
The Sound of His Roar
It’s building up, wait for it, watch the swell of the ocean, watch the swell form into an enormous wave towering over twenty feet high, then curl as it comes down and breaks into the surf. It’s even better when you see surfers riding the waves. Whether I am on the shore watching
Road Trippin’
ROAD TRIPS! The thought of getting in the car and taking off for a day, or two, or three, or longer… to places known or unknown…leaving behind, for a while, the familiar…to look at beautiful land, sandy beaches, blue oceans with breaking waves, animals in the wild, blue skies filled
Beloved Be Love
Do you ever get attached to a word? The way words are used interest me, like hangry (when you are so hungry that your lack of food causes you to become angry, frustrated or both), steward (manage or look after), or beloved (greatly loved; dear to the heart). The first
Why I Can Call God Papa
I love looking at photographs of my Dad (Ralph Rivera Jr.). They bring back so many fond memories… I remember the sense of protection he provided to me at night. I would wake in the middle of the night and hear noises. Eventually, I would venture out of bed and walk down the