Thank you..Movie review..Guitar Hero...

Thank you to everyone who wished Heredes and I a happy anniversary. It means a lot and we love each one of you.
Heredes and I have had a nice mini vacation of doing nothing and spending time together. I started work today and he is still on vacation, which I am happy about. I'm not going to lie, it was hard to wake up today and I have been eating really bad and not exercising. I know getting back to eating right and exercising will be difficult, but we have too get to it.

During vacation, we were able to watch two movies: Enchanted and I am Legend. So, it's time for a movie review.
If you haven't seen Enchanted, go watch it. It is corny and hilarious at the same time. I loved it. In a nutshell, it's Disney animation coming to life- real life. The actress who played Giselle was great. Now I know what a real princess would be like if she was real. It was a cute little love story- finding your prince or princess and living Happily Ever After. I give it 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

If you haven't seen I am Legend, ha, go watch it as well. It wasn't amazing or terrible- it was good. I'm not going to lie, I almost had a couple of pant accidents because of the uncertainty of scenes. Will Smith is a great actor, but I have to say Sam the dog was my favorite. Oh, poor Sam. I give this one a 4 stars out of 5.

On Friday, we went over Connie and Mike's house- if you follow Heredes' blog, you read about it. We passed Guitar Hero II on medium. It was incredible. On Sunday, Mike, Connie, Cassie and Carlos came over to play Guitar Hero III. We got 22 songs or so out of 44- that means we have to jump up to hard to be able to get the rest of the songs. I just have to give a shout out to my partner Connie because we rocked it on those songs. And of course, Mike made much improvement and my Husband- He's just the bomb. I loved playing that song with you. We did great! And Cassie and Carlos did a great job as well- being it was their first time. Thanks again Mike and Connie for bringing it over.

Tonight we are spending New Year's with my parents. I'm happy about that. Though I really don't like New Year's, I am excited to see how 2008 will turn out. I just pray for continual faithfulness to Christ, a strong marriage, and spend lots of time with family and be able to travel soon to visit our family in Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. Hope everyone's New Year's is a good one.

Part 2 of 2

What can I say, but that I love the man you see in the Comic Life stripe. We have entered our 3rd year in marriage and I am so thankful. It has been an exciting ride and I can't wait for the fifth year, the tenth year, and the sixtieth year. WooHoo!!! We had a nice anniversary. Had a picnic at a park by coconut grove, watched Enchanted, and then ate at Chef Adrianne's...Delicious...Thank you baby for putting up with me and for the beautiful 3rd year dvd. I love those.. Keep them coming. I had a wonderful year and a beautiful day. Can't wait for what's ahead of us. Muah!!!

Part 1 of 2

I am following after my friend's, Vicky, footsteps in adding many posts in one day.  This post is a recap of our Christmas services- especially the kids at Doral.  We had 35 awesome services in total, 11 at Cooper City and 3 at Doral.  Over 1300 decisions for Christ, of which 16 were kid decisions at Doral.  The service ranged from great praise and worship, with hip hop dancers, touching videos, and a simple, to the point salvation message by Pastor Troy.  The kids ministry had a fantastic Winter Wonderland and Christmas service. Cooper City's courtyard lit up with lights, giant inflatable's, karaoke, and more.  It was fun.  The best thing of all is the fact that FRC is one church where you are- so, a Winter Wonderland where you are.  Doral, Sawgrass, and Hallandale all created their Winter Wonderland at a High School, Movie Theatre, and a renovating church building.  Yes, it was hard work, but I heard fantastic stuff about each campus.  I have placed some pics of what ours looked like, though it looked way nicer in person.  There was cookie decorating, a snow machine, a bounce house, a chocolate fountain, arts and crafts, a family photo station, and face painting. (Doral)  The team of volunteers were just amazing. Thank you everyone for stepping up and making that Sunday a possibility and allowing God to use you through the giving of your time not for me or anybody else but for Christ and those who need Him.  My kids team also did a terrific job during the kid's service, making sure the gospel was preached and allowing the Spirit to move in the hearts of our kids.  It was a long Christmas at FRC, my body felt it afterwards but it was SOOOO totally worth every second of it.  Praise God because He is so good and so real and I am so unworthy, but thank you for calling me Yours.

As an end to this post, just wanted to say how nice it was to end monday night with my family eating and opening gifts and just being together.  I love you mom, dad, chants, gabo, and xena.  And of course my husband and all my family in Peru, Venezuela and Brazil.  

I had too...

I always stop by Dave Wakerly's blog, Hillsong kids, to check out what new kids stuff he's posted. (or plain funny stuff) If you go to www.grinched.com you can see what your Whoville name would be if you lived there. (Just drag the compass to your left hand side, and you will see it) So, I had to do it and this is what came out:

Magnificant Marcella Razzle-foo-Who

Cute. Well, don't forget about our services. :)

Spread the Love Sign...

Cooper City
Dec. 20 - Thursday at 7:00 PM
Dec. 22 - Saturday at 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM
Dec. 23 - Sunday at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM
Spanish service at 2:15 PM
Portuguese service at 7:00 PM
Hungarian service at 7:00 PM
Dec. 24 - Monday at 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM

Doral
Dec. 23 – Sunday at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM

Hallandale Beach
Dec. 23 – Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM
Spanish service at 12:30 PM
Dec. 24 – Monday at 5:00 PM

Sawgrass
Dec. 23 – Sunday at 9:00 AM and 10:15 AM

Lima, Peru
Dec. 23 – Sunday at 10:30 AM
Spanish service at 9:00 AM

Internet Campus
Dec. 20 - Thursday at 7:00 PM
Dec. 22 - Saturday at 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM
Dec. 23 - Sunday at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM
Spanish service at 2:15 PM
Dec. 24 - Monday at 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM

If your looking for a service to check out, I invite you to any of our campuses at Flamingo Road Church. Mi familia en Peru (y en Venezuela), si estan leyendo, lo pueden ver en el Internet o visiten ayi en el cine al que mi mami fue cuando estaba con ustedes. Where ever you guys are attending, may your hearts be filled with the glorious gift we were given that sweet morning 2,000 years ago. Let us come and adore Christ the King! And invite someone to join you.

1 Corinthians 13: Christmas- Style

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - It profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

I get these Girlfriends in God devotionals through email and this poem was part of today's devotional. I read through it and I just thought it was so great! Not only is 1 corinthians 13 the Love chapter, but what a great way to combine it through poetry and remind me and us that no matter how many pretty little things we make or cook for the holidays, if I forget to love my family, my husband, and forget that I am celebrating Jesus' birth and resurrection than, yup, I've missed it and I don't want to miss Jesus and His message or my family. Hope you all have a great Christmas and be encouraged today to love.

Wow..It's about time...

Life has been moving pretty quickly in the Ribeiro residence. I've been wanting to blog and catch everyone up on what's been going on with life, but everyday it just seems harder and harder. Today though, is the day that I WILL BLOG!!! I made my first comic life with pictures of events that have happened within the past three weeks.

First, our church just finished up The Domino Effect series. I had the privilege of making a prop for Pastor Troy's message- clay dominoes. The final pieces are not shown, but they came out very nice. (Sharon did a great job finishing up the paint job) Pastor Troy clamped them and then with a hammer would smash them; illustrating those things in our lives that need to be broken so we can move on and be healed and transfer that over to our future generations.

Second, we are now in our Love Sign- A Retro Christmas- series which kicked off this past weekend. The message was "Being a Love Sign to the Persecuted". Heredes, video team, & Pr. Troy flew to NY for a video shoot that was used as part of the teaching moment during the service. The message not only hit persecution as we would usually think of, the government overpowering the people, etc., but also in our daily lives. We are persecuted financially, spiritually, physically and in those moments of our persecution God's word says that our God is a Refuge. So, when you feel persecuted or overwhelmed, call out to God your/our/my Refuge. He is always a present help in trouble. Amen?!
The offices had a Christmas decorating contest last Monday. We were each to decorate our office with a Retro feel and include our ministry. Since I am the receptionist, my tree is a supply room Christmas tree- with pens, mini tape dispensers, etc. We had a 4 way tie- and I was one of the winners. I was very excited. The pictures of Heredes and I was a project I did with some of the staff people in the office. I took their pics and then added them as part of my room.

Third, there were weddings in the month of November. We had four in total, of which we could only make three. Our friends Kenny & Amy got married about three weeks ago. They had a lovely beach wedding and a wonderful, gorgeous, umm, delicious reception. :) Then my cousin got married two weeks ago and that was another beautiful wedding. It was some busy weekends getting ready and dressing up. My sister was my date for most of time, which I never complain. Our friend Tammy got to join us as well, and Tammy thank you soooo much for my makeup and hair and for making me laugh soooo much.

Lastly, I never got to post about Thanksgiving. Last year I baked an apple pie, pumpkin tart, and mashed potato all from scratch. This year I told myself I would keep it simple. I baked the same pumpkin tart and this time it was much easier. Then, I decided to make Sweet Potato Gnocchi with a maple and sage sauce. OMG, I was tired. Dough is never easy, but it is my goal to perfect it- one day. At the end of the day, I felt really frustrated that they looked funky and that they wouldn't taste good, but thank the Lord they were a hit. Usually for thanksgiving, we have friends and family come over, we pray, share, and sing. This year we prayed and then ate. I know it may be horrible, but I had fun meeting some new people and seeing people just talking and getting to know each other a bit more. I was just really thankful for my husband, family, our new church, and those close special friends. Above all, I am just so thankful that I have a God that is real and really loves me. Jesus thank you.

Once again, this has become a long post and I will try to post more often so they are shorter. I am excited for the month of December. God has a lot in store of all of us and I can't wait to see the beautiful things that are going to happen.