Friday, September 28, 2007

Are you Watching? Here are his notes:

TroyGramling.com

Innovation can sometimes feel like being naked in a public place.

-INNOVATION TRANSFORMATION-



EARS –
Traditional Ears listen to everyone.
Innovative Ears LIMIT who they listen to.

People have equal value but NOT equal priority.

If you listen to everyone you won’t hear anyone.

How do I determine who I listen to…

Do they BELIEVE in me?
Do they LOVE me?
Do they have MORE WISDOM than me?

EYES –
Traditional Eyes broaden my focus and narrow my influence
Innovative Eyes narrow my focus while broadening my influence

Protecting the Vision
Producing the Product
Pushing Out the Values

HANDS –
Traditional hands work on today’s task
Innovative hands are executing for tomorrow

Today’s success or failure is the result of yesterday’s execution


FEET –
Traditional Feet make the next step a big step to prove you love God.
Innovative Feet make the next step small because the goal is to love God.
Always thinking: What is the NEXT step?


BRAIN (OR THINKING) –
Traditional thinking – God blesses a method.
Innovative thinking – God blesses a person.

Do you know who YOU are?

Today is the Day...

Check out www.mynakedpastor.com at 1:00 pm as Pastor Troy teaches at the Innovate Conference. Instead of having lunch break at 12:00, work a little longer and take your lunch break at 1:00 to see him teach. You can watch and comment on his blog at www.troygramling.com.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

What's up with Heredes?


Well, Heredes is having a great time right now in Indiana...He told me about is time in Chicago and everything he got to see...I am so happy for him...Today, all I have done is try to catch up with the crew at the Innovate conference....I've been kinda of bummy....I got to chat with him online and it was wonderful...Here are some pics I took of him at the conference ;) He got a cookie, a notebook, there was a cool countdown, and he got to meet up with his friend Dan, who is one of the worship pastors there, & his wife...make sure to check out Dan's blogand the videos him and his wife have done...sooo talented....



I'm not going to lie, but it's been a bit hard without my husband...I don't know if it's cause i'm a newly wed... but I miss him sooo much....Last, night I stayed home and didn't go over my parents house...It was brave of me to stay home alone...Brave because I know Jesus was with me....I'm the biggest scardy cat of all time....But I got to stay home and just do stuff around the house....and unwind for a bit....



Well, I'm going to exercise and get ready to go to the parents house....Keep checking mynakedpastor.comand
Pastor Troy's Blog

Monday, September 24, 2007

Recap of the Weekend & Heroes Premiere

It has been a great weekend. My husband came back Saturday morning and I was sooooooo happy. I really missed him and miss him right now. He left on Sunday night to Chicago. He is there right now probably having dinner with Pastor Troy. I just can't express how much I miss him. The weekend was also exciting because Pastor Troy spoke on the second lesson of the My Naked Pastor Series- I get Angry. It was a great service. Even though I didn't stand up during the invitation, I do need improvement with anger issues. I've noticed that I get mad, maybe not totally angry, fairly quickly- especially on the road. I really have to pray before I hit the streets because every little person in their cars that don't respect the law really irritate me. So yea, I'm getting naked right now.

Sunday was Beach Baptism. I had the privilage to speak to one of my students and her brother about salvation and baptism. Their parents sat in with us and I am just so blessed by that family. Even though Heredes and I couldn't go to the Beach Baptism, we did see the whole thing through www.mynakedpastor.com and let me tell you, it was soooooo cool. I saw my student and her brother take a pic with Pr. Troy and Stephanie. They are on his blog. Congrats guys! It was so cool to see couples getting baptized, wives getting baptized, husbands, teens, and one that really got me was a little elderly woman who got baptized. Phew, I almost broke down with tears of joy right there on my bed. It was so awesome. God is awesome. He is so great! And to see people taking a stand for Christ and making a commitment its just what its all about.

My Life in a Fishbowl has been going great. Our kids at Doral have really connected well and I think we are all having a great time learning about God's word and being Authentic. I bought two little fishes as our maskots. The kids called them Fiona and Shrek. This morning though, I found Shrek dead :( so I have to go back to Walmart and buy another one. I introduced Jesus is my Superhero and the kids loved it! I am going to record it next week and post it because that truly has to be the ultimate best kids worship song ever!

Well, Heredes is in the windy city and I hope Pr. Troy and him are enjoying dinner. My mom cooked this awesome Tilapia with Tostones and my dad made the salad. Delicious! And yesterday she made Aji de Gallina. Woo Hoo! And today the second season of HEROES started. Wow! Okay, as always I am lost but who cares..it's what makes the show. There are a couple of new characters and it just looks like it is going to be an amazing season. If you guys haven't seen any of the episodes, buy the DVD for season 1, finish it, and start the second season.

Well that's about it for today. I have an early and exciting day tomorrow :) and I'm just praying that Heredes can get back home earlier.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

I miss my husband....



My husband, Heredes Ribeirois in Tampa as we speak. I dropped him off last night at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. I'll be staying with my family until Saturday morning. I totally miss him. It's so weird; I miss sleeping in my bed with my husband. My sister has been kind enough to share her queen size bed with me. Thank you Chanti. It's times like these that you realize how much loved and important people in your life really mean.

Heredes has been working really hard to help Pastor Troyand the church make MyNakedPastor possible. There is a bunch of people who are really doing a great job, like: Arturo, Megee, the staff, the video team, etc. But I just wanted to brag on my hubby because he really is doing alot. Good job handsome! Heredes comes back on Saturday morning and then, from my understanding, leaves again to Chicago & Indiana on Sunday night. Ohhhh WHHHYYY!!! I think he is out for like a whole week. :( Either way, I am very excited for him because he will be visiting Granger Community Church for the Innovate Conference(check out the video) & Willow Creek & taking mynakedpastorover there too.

So, I am very proud of my hubby. And I just wanted to mention that the new series started off on a great start. We had over 8,000+ in attendance or viewing the service on Saturday and Sunday. The teaching on I Fight was really good. Pastor Troy and Stephaniedid an excellent job teaching together. They are such a blessing! And I am really anxious about this weekend's topic on I Get Angry. God knows I need to hear that. The devotional that I am on today in our Fish Food book ( I think I am a day behind) gave the verses of Ephesians 4:31-32- "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." I don't think I need to go in depth about this verse; pretty clear on what it's saying.

So, now I will wash my car, run some errands, try to draw, and come back to my parent's house and not be home alone.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

The MyNakedPastor Series...



Officially starts TODAY! I am so excited. I am encouraging everyone to join us in prayer for this new series. My heart is yearning for God to just speak to me about what He sees about me that needs to change. That I would open up and get NAKED before Him. Pastor Troy, Gramling family, and everyone who is on staff & volunteers to make everything happen, I am praying for you guys. God is being honored and glorified. To my volunteers in the kid's ministry- you guys rock, I know you'll be prepared, and pray and have fun!

This weekend Pastor Troy will be speaking about I Fight. Stephanie and him will be speaking together on marriage, fights, etc. It's going to be great. If you guys get a chance and want to check it out, check out www.frclive.tv Everyone have a great weekend and Sat. or Sun. service. God bless!

Happy Birthday To You....




I would like to say Happy 21st Birthday to my sister Chantal Alexandra Meza. A.K.A.- Chanti. Since I haven't blogged in a while, I am going to blog and brag about my best friend, my sister. Many of you have seen the mynakedpastor UTube videos of my friend and her. Yes, that is my sister & no, that is not me. :) I can't believe she is 21! Man, life goes by fast.

My sister is the greatest person ever! She is soooo funny. I really think there isn't anyone who makes me laugh more than she does. She is my Mia Rudolph (SNL). She is in Texas this weekend. She is a hard worker. She works with my mom at Rowland Coffee Roasters...yup the wonderful people who make Cafe Pilon. (yum, nothing like Cuban coffee) She was in Vegas last week, got back on Tuesday and left on Thursday for Texas. She is doing a little marketing here and there & is at some music festival having a good time passing out coffee drinks. :) She is a full- time student & full-time worker. That alone is amazing.


I remember when we were younger, we would fight here and there. i think I have a picture of us with the same outfit (my mom found pleasure dressing us alike), my cabbage patch, & me pulling on her ear as we smile for the pic. I also remember having wrestling matches in our huge walk-in closet. Aww, good times, good times. I think when Heredes leaves to Indiana & Chicago I'll have to go over & have a wrestling match with the sis. I also remember me being so afraid of the dark. I think God healed me from that like at the age of 16.lol. But my sister was such a good sport at night. We use to have 3 beds in our room- our nanny's, my sister's, and mine. Of course, my bed had to be near the door (scary) and my sister's was in the middle. In the middle of the night, I would carry my sister out from her bed and place her on my bed and then I would sleep in her bed thinking that I would be safe because I had her on one side and my nanny on the other. The when morning came she would wake up and realize that she was not in her own bed. Let me tell you, she always looks out for me, even if I was the biggest scardy cat of all.

I remember our No Doubt, Googoosdolls, Dc Talk , and Oc Supertones times. Rock the universe, pink hair, spikes, and hot green. Ha, making our own headbands and shirts. Playing in the band. Playing soccer together on the same team. Woot woot! Learning through hard, weird times & getting stronger. (hopefully :D ) You being the most beautiful Maid of Honor, driving, working, and owning a dog.

I LOVE YOU CHANTS. I can't express that enough. You are beautiful inside and out. You have a heart that is bigger than stupid drama. Thank you for being my best friend, my sister, the one who beats me at every card & board game. lol. I love you and don't you forget that! I'm so happy that you & the family are at FRC. So happy! And I love to see you serve and SING. Yay! Can't wait to hear you.

Chants, happy birthday once again and IIIIIIIIIIIIIII lOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE YOUUUUUU!!!! May God continue blessing you with many more wonderful years, so He can continue using you for His glory! You are wonderful. Enjoy the pic. LOL

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Get in tune...

Hey guys...The Launch Party was fun, fun, fun. And the most exciting part was to know how many people were watching. Everyone put such hard work into it- it was great!

Just want to encourage you guys to visit www.mynakedpastor.com on a daily basis to see our pastor and his family get naked (being real). Keep them in your prayers and just be a part of it...Pastor Troy is doing 5 am devos., etc. So, watch and be a part of it. Thanks guys...

Friday, September 7, 2007

Gwen Stefani for you

I visited www.hp.com/gwen and I made myself as a paperdoll... or at least what I would like to look like...so there I am...sooo cute! I dedicate it to my sister, who is in Vegas right now..

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

1st Classical Drawing Home Study

So, any year now I should be graduating from Art Education. I am taking my first ever Classical Drawing class. Heredes is always telling me to post my work up (even though it's not that great), so here it is- a master study on Saint Anne by Leonardo da Vinci.. I like my lines, but for sure I need to work on proportion. :) So, if you'd like to critique you are most welcome too..



Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Jesus You're my Superhero!

So I was checking David Wakerly's blog...He's one of my favorite resource bloggers. He is one of the kids pastors at Hillsong Church Australia. Anyone who has served with me knows this song. Totally awesome....We will be doing it really soon at FRC. If you can, check his blog out because he has like 6 vidoes of kids doing this song. Thanks Dave!


Reminders about Marriage...


This morning I drove up with Heredes to Cooper City. It's a day of meetings, planning, and doing homework. As he is down stairs in a meeting, I was looking up some devotionals about marriage. Can you believe it! It will be 3 years of marriage on December 27. So far, marriage has been great. I am so blessed- I've been given such a great gift, my husband. I take that for granted to much I think. I take alot of things for granted. Sucks! As we all know, marriage is filled with good times, but sometimes those nasty, ugly little times show up. It is those bad times that I believe so many people give up on their marriages and end it with that ugly D- word. (divorce) I never want to even think about getting a divorce or even having that word come out of my mouth.

As our marriage grows, sometimes it can be tough. I'm not going to lie, I am such an emotional person that sometimes I let the stupid things pile up rather than having fun with my best and only half- HEREDES. Every month women, we get a little friend that passes by and ruins 4--6 days out of that month. I find myself so weak during that time..and i mean weak in every area of my life. Spiritually, physically, & emotionally. I think the only good thing that happens during this time is the fact that I can't stand seeing the house dirty, so I start to clean. :)

So, this morning I wanted to read a bit about what God has to say about marriage, feelings, and commitments through His word and some devotionals. First, I read my friend HP's devo. about how in the beginning GOD created everything and that TODAY (& everyday) I need to lift His glory up and not mine. Then I jumped into James McDonald's devo. about "...walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Galatians 5:16,22: meaning- Marcy, stop getting angry and bitter about stupid, small stuff and walk in the Spirit and let His fruits flourish within you.

Next, I stopped by www.crosswalk.com and read a devo. about kids and parents (holy cow, that is another level that I am not even ready for), The next two devos. are the marriage ones and the first one is titled: Three Attitudes Needed in a Successful Marriage. The three attitudes are: trust, appreciation, and acceptance of differences. I sit here and think, Lord, I trust my husband. And when I say that I trust him...I really trust him. "Baby, I trust you." To my friends who are newly weds or are about to wed, trust your husband's and tell them that you trust them and encourage them in their most weakest moments. If I am an emotional freak, then that tells me that my husband struggles with something too. So, be sensitive to his needs and reaffirm him constantly.

Appreciation and acceptance of differences are areas I need to work on. I hope I am an appreciating wife. "Heredes- from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank youuuu so much for washing the dishes yesterday. It means alot and I am so thankful. :)" The auther writes, be honest & sincere in you appreciation. Lastly, it's funny how "we" say that our husbands/wives are our better halves, but so many times we want to change them or wish they weren't the way they were. I'm guilty of that. So, I go back to HP's devo. about God creating each one of us so differently and uniquely; all creation is like that. So what right do I have to want to change my husband. Of course, there are always areas that need improvement, but I think we understand what the author is trying to say here.

The last devo. I want to share (bc this is getting to long) is titled "Building Marital Securtiy while Living in a Culture of Divorce". This is a conversation between the author and his wife. Something that really hit me was the question "How do you build security in 'our' marraige?" She answers by acknowldeging that she would never say the words hate, divorce, or leave, even if she thought them. ;) And second, (and I remember my mom always telling me this) is her vows were not only said to her husband, but they were a true commitment before the Lord. And that my friends is what I find so amazing. How true is that!!! My commitment the night of our wedding before the whole congregation, was for my husband, but above all to my Heavenly Father. She reminded me that "feelings will change so many times during the day because situations change- but my decison to love him was a commiment for life". A solid foundation in Christ will produce a solid foundation in the HaM relationship. LOL. I remember the song by Geoff Moore and the Distance: "Right here, right now, in the midst of the crowd...I stand alone and make my vow. Whatever it takes I will be faithful. Right here, right now, Let there be no doubt. Let every whisper, with every shout, Let the whole world know I will be faithful. This is my vow." (Oldskool, but great and so true)

These were all great reminders to just keep at it. Fight the good fight. Honor God, Remember I am not even close to being perfect or knowing it all. And that as a wife, I have a responsibilty, duty and service of commitment to my loving husband and my AWESOME, forgiving, merciful Father. My encouragment to all the women who are late in years in their marraiges, in the middle, are new, are about to get married, or are single and one day it will happen....keep those attidudes fresh in our brains: trust, appreciation, and acceptance of differences and remember your commitments. (not only in marriage, but in everything) I was having a weak weekend, but thank you Lord for pushing me to get out of my lazy, dull feelings and getting up and reading your word and thoughts to encourage me today in my relationships- especially my relationship with my husband.