* Well Traveled Shoes*

Imagine being an orphan due to AIDS, malaria, polio or war at a very young age. Imagine being found in a dumpster or being born during a famine and your mom or a close relative desperately having to make the decision of feeding themselves or you leaving them no option but to drop you off "somewhere". Imagine being dropped off never to see a single family member again, to not know who you really are, where you come from or to have your birthday determined by the day you arrived at your drop off location......


Now imagine being drop off at a place where they take you in like family, they place in one of their villages, in a home with a "mother" and seven "siblings" where you recieve an education, nourishment, protection from the violence from a corrupt military, you're brough back to health through good health facilities, you feel a sense of community a sense of belonging but even more special you are taught about God, our and their Heavenly Father, about Jesus and His death on the cross and about the gift of eternal life through salvation! Talk about having a second chance...


This place does exist and their main goal is to rescue abandoned and/or abused children due to AIDS and the cruilty of war. This amazing organization is in Uganda in Africa and is saving these childrens' lives not only to give them a home but with the desire to help them become strong men and women of God so they can make a difference in their country of Africa and set it free! They are raising future leaders! AMAZING!!! One way they evangelize is by taking a kids choir all around the world to share the Good News. . Eash child only get to come once on the choir since they have 1,7000 children so they rotate. We had the honor of having Alex and Lindah (marriaed couple, lead singer) as well as Ian and Dovin two very bright and beautiful boys stay at our house this past saturday! We knew we were in for a treat...it was such a delight! We are blown away to see how spritually strong these children are. Ian was asked to say grace for our meal and he prayed a beuatiful prayer for each person at the table. He asked God to cover u s with His precious blood! Also.....I have to say that these kids show such respect for others...



(Notice the picture of the shoes up top? Ian and Dovin took off their shoes first and left just enough room for the two adults to place their shoes...can we say respect? Oh and they each thanked Manuel and I for each meal with a hug. They called us Auntie Susan and Uncle Manuel. They were so appreciative with something we take so lightly) I also noticed their joy! It was so cute watching them as they laughed finding the slighest thing amusing and laughing with so much joy! It was hard to believe that these were once orphans. Lindah was an orphan herself...her only raltives alive are her younger brother and a few cousins yet she seems so content, so fulfill and they never stop thanking God! They really taught us alot about what it means to have the kind of joy Paul talks about in the Bible. These kids travel 6 months on a bus all around the west coast and some even go to other countries. These kids are the:

(Our boys were some of the main stars and Alex was one of the lead singers! Ian is on the front left and Dovin is on the dead center...what how talented and ful of the Spirit these kids are...the loveeee the Lord!)

Here I am with my new friend Lindah or as the kids call her "Auntie Lindah" She's a very strong woman of the Lord!

This is Ian with his Auntie Susan - what a sweet boy he hugged us as soon as he saw us!

Video: Ian "sweet smile"

Video: Dovin "Strong spirit "

One last picture before we had to say goodbye. It was such a blessing to have them over, our lives will never be the same! We plan on staying in touch and maybe even go visit them one day!

This is what I have to remember them by, it'll always remind me of the special place Uganda has in my heart. They make these in Kenya along with other jewelry to help them with their expenses. It's so cute and so special!

If you ever have a chance go to www.watoto.com and see for yourself how God is working accross the world!

When I can't sleep at night.....

Last night I must have spent about two hours tossing and turning. Mission: figuring out why I couldn't sleep. Was it too cold, too hot, was I full, was I overwhelmed with my mental "to do" list, or was I simply not tired, not sleepy??? While all these possibilities ran through my head over and over I finally took a deep breath and said, "well I've heard that when you can't sleep it's because God wants to spend time with you, He wants to reveal something to you so ya know what....I'm gonna go for it..it's never failed in the past" As reastless as I was, I managed to grab my Bible and as I made my way towards the bathroom I began to feel refreshed as if God was showering me with alertness so I can fully comprehend what He's about to whisper to my heart. Huh.....God has a way with a restless heart!

I grabbed my Bible and first I felt the need to read from Psalms 119 but I felt adventurous so I turned to numbers 23, 123, 91..read them all and said, "uh huh pretty good stuff but I still don't see it". I then realized I that all along Psalm 119 was "the one" I needed to hear. God speaks to our hearts ladies and is very powerful and yes you can def. hear HIM!!! I would like to share with you the amazing things He so kindly brought to me. I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed me last night...well more like very early thins morning:D I will put in black what the verse says and in red what He revealed to me. As most of you know......this Psalm is the longest in the Bible it will be lengthy but worth the time reading. You might want to take it in a little bit at a time to really meditate on it. Fastened your seat bealts.......

PSALM 119

v. 2 Blessed are they who keep His statues (laws) and seek Him with all their heart - Are you seeking Him with you "whole" heart or are somewhat distracted by everything that going on around around you? Are you holding back areas of your life because you're afraid to let go?

v. 4 Ypu have laid down precepts that are to be "fully" obeyed - It's not a choice whether we follow God's laws....it's a command that every Christian should accomplish.

v. 7 I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws - I looked up the word "upright" and this is what it means:

raised or directed vertically or upward or adhering to rectitude; righteous, honest, or just: an upright person. Are you striving to be honest and just as you serve God? Is there anything that is coming between you and God that needs to be brought before the Throne? God doesn't want to just be served, He wants to be served with an honest and just heart.

v. 11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You -

The word of God is powerful enough to keep you out of sin...that is...if you seek it, meditate on it and apply it.

v. 14 I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices over great riches - Are you serving God with joy, with sincere smile?

v. 16 I delight in Your decrees, I will NOT neglect Your word - This one really spoke to me because a few hours before I had told myseld that I had "neglected my scrapbooking" WOW.....talk about perfect timing! I felt convicted because I was more concern about preserving earthly memories instead of building up eternal treasures. Not that scrapbooking is bad but when it comes to mind in such a strongly way not allowing me to realize that I've also neglected the Word then something has to change.

v. 18 Open my eyes that I may wonderful things in you law - God can reveal beautiful things to you, you just really have to focused your eyes on Him and be ready to listen. There is beautiful in God's word!

v. 19 I am a stranger on earth do not hide your commands from me - With everything that's going on on this world isn't it an amazing feeling to know that we are not of this world? We are only strangers..this is not our home. I don't know about you but this makes my heart smile knowing that one day I will go home!!!

v. 23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on Your decrees - While we're going through tribulations, trials, hardships...we are to be in the Word. We tend to call everyone else and tell them our problems before we go to God is we ever go to God. This verse shows that the only things that should matter in trials is not the trial itself but that our eyes are glued on God as we seek wisdom.

v. 28b My soul is weary with sorrow strengthen me according to your word - Claim the word of God when your prayer, He wants you to hear it from you. This not only shows God that we know His word but that we believe in it's power....that we have great faith!

v. 30 I have chosen the way of truth- We have a choice to make..the way of truth or the world. God is calling us to be proactive in our spiritual walk and be make bold decisions for Him every day, every where we go.

v. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things - As we mature we need in Christ the things of world should become more and more unattractive. They are only tempprary and we need to hunger for real joy!

v. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant so that You may be feared - When God works in us, He is gloried. That is His purpose we are here to serve Him not to see what we get out of everything that comes our way. He honors humility!

v. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statues - We need to a spiritual inventory and evaluate our spiritual walk. This lets us know if we are on the right path or if we need to make adjustments in order to better serve Him.

v. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees - God puts us thrugh the fire with a great purpose.....to make us stronger, more knowledgable of His word as in despiration we seek His face so that we can be trusted with even bigger tasks.

v. 72 The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold - God's Word should be of top priority. We should not put anything before it husbands, children,education, work, hobbies, interests. He should be our #1.

v. 92 If your law had not been my delight I would have prerished in my affliction - The Word of God is life and gives life! Imagine what would have happened with us without His wisdom....talk about bad decisions...no guidance?

v. 117 Uphold me and I will be delivered - I looked up the word "uphold" and this is what it means: to support or defend against opposition or criticism, to keep from sinking, to raise, to take care. This is what God wants to do for us always!

v. 133 Direct your footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me - Don't become a prisoner or sin. You will become a prisoner to that which has your heart, thoughts and dictates you actions.

v. 150 - 151 Those who devise wicked schemes are near but they are far from Your law. Yet You are near oh Lord and all Your commands are true - Your enemies seem to be close BUT God is closer!!!

MAY MY LIPS OVERFLOW WITH PRAISE

MAY MY TONGUE SING OF YOUR WORD

*Hope it blesses you and inspires you to be more like Christ! God bless you:D

********** FUN FACTS***********

Here's a few fun facts so you can get to know me better :

* My name is Susan (Hebrew) Denisse (French) Reyes. I was named Susan because my mom's aunt had just lost her grand-daughter Susan whom she never saw again due to her son's divorce, it means "lily" or "rose", Denisse is a name my mom really liked

* Oldest of 5 (3 girls, 2 boys)

* I am totally in love with my husband, We love cuddling, playing pranks on each other, discovering the world together, trying out new restaurants, laughing, comtenplating on life, playing video games, going to baseball games, but most important...growing strong in Christ together and loving every minute we spend with our Lord and Savior together.

*I definitely married “Goofy” like I always wanted to

*I make people laugh but it happens out of the blue which people seem to love

*My favorite number - 2, color – red, burgundy, sage, sky blue

*Own a Silky Terrier mix named "Mugsy" looks like a mix of Benji/Alf

* my maternal granfather who just passed "Papa" was like a father to me

* Totally love the 80's...best cartoons!

*Traveled to 30 US states

* Speak basic Portuguese, fluent Spanigh and English

* Love taking pictures of nature...it makes me feel closer to God!

* Had 6 sticches on my face when I was little…fell on my cousin’s bike (handle bar to be exact) going down hill and into a rocky area..I know I was daring..what can you expect with 12 boy cousins older than you

* Nicknames are cachifletas, chiquilina, Susitan, Doc Corazon, Cotton Princess, Angelita, Sue, Preciosa, Baby, mi amor, Mi Joya Preciosa, Doc Sue, God’s princess, Tia Chuchan

* Was at my nephew Isaiah's birth…INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!

* Have IBS so I can't have spicy, too much grease or citrucy food

* Taking piano lessons, next violin

* Sunsets make me cry..they're beautiful and special..my hubby proposed to me by a sunset at the beach

* We attend an amazing couple's Bible study group

* I collected stickers and keychains as a child

* Once wrote a song and would like to continue writing for my God

* Have never borken a single bone

* Love chicken, salad, plaintans, and Acai sundaes at Roebiks

* Not a coffee drinker

* A totaly romantic, child at heart, poet

* Music has a special place in my heart

* Love my family anf friends

* Have a blue beta fish named "Chechup"

* Make friends everywhere I go

* Focus my thoughts and energy on what truly matters in life

* Dreamed as a child to open an orphanage in the states for street kids...ya never know what God has in store

* Has gone on missions, done discinpleships, decorated for women's conferences, has overseen the planning of a missions trip, been in several church dramas/choreographies, done church choir and been in charge of a youth group. I like to stay busy at church and I'm really looking forward to what God has me doing next....

* Learning to be more spontaneous since I’ve always been a planner

* Wanted to be an OB/GYN or Pediatrician and went to school as a Biology major but God had other plans for my life and graduated as a clinician medical assistant where you can still make a difference in people’s lives

* was called by Tapestry (an all girl Christian band) “the giggly girl”~ totally loveeee the smell of roses…there’s just something about it

* Have written many poems…made and read one to my hubby on our wedding day

Hello Blogger!

Good morning blogger world! After much thought I've decided to enter the new and innovative world of blogger. My one and only reason of doing this is the same reason I entered myspace...to glorify the Lord!!! God has used my myspace to touch people, to minister to others, to make people think about their own spiritual walk or lack of, He has even used music I've included to reach down and reveal amazing thruths or soothe a restless soul. Yes...the myspace that gets a bad rap and it's only because there's so much filth like in everything the world has to offer but YES....God has created a mini ministry out of it. Many a times I wanted to let go of this so called myspace only to come accross an amazing message or comment that included something like "that songs is amazing, it's really soothing to hear" or "wow, I can really tell you love God just by looking at your page" or the latest one was having my 16 yr old cousin from Houston call me and tell me that it took him 25 seconds to scroll through my myspace cause I have sooo much and he realized that I am a strongn Christian oh and to top it off to follow with... how can I talk to God? He even told me that he wanted to change his "religion" from atheist to Christian cause he does believe in God. I told him how to talk to God by the way....I told him all about the salvation of his soul.I planted the seed and believe it or not God used myspace which is now "HisSpace". With that said....I've decided to give blogger a try and to put give it to the Lord and use it to share with you my blessings, to tell of His good works in me and through me, to show Jesus to the world and to let you know that there's peace and hope in the cross. I want to put God on the spotlight and tell you about the many wonderful things He does for me, through me and around me:D So this too will become HisSpace!

God blesses me every day:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

And I must share it with the world so HE can be glorified!!!

Til next time.... ~*~ SUSAN ~*~