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.

Ahh, what to blog about...

Lately, it has become difficult for me to update and keep track with my blog. I find myself writing nothing for a week and then come back and write like a book! The weekend has been incredible. Heredes, my sis, and I went to our friends Kenny and Amy's wedding. It was beautiful. The food was AMAZING! And if you know me, I love, love food. I wanted to put pictures, but I think I will add them to Picasa.

Today, OMG, Doral had to have hit it's highest attendance mark. We had two great services. Pastor Troy is such a great teacher. We had 26 kids in the 11 am service alone. That is ALOT! I have some pics of our beautiful, umbrella room. After the services, we had our Thanksgiving Lunch. There was so much food. Grecy and her team are so good at organizing. Great job everyone! There was a bounce house and a cotton candy machine. Good request Pastor Igor. I have some pics of that too. I think I made more parents laugh at me then have them enjoy the cotton candy. It was all over me. We had three of our friends join us today for church. Our friend David who has been coming consistently and our friends Veronica and Fernando, which was really nice to hang out with them and see how they were doing. I think Doral hit like 380. I don't know, I have to ask Heredes for the accurate count.


Now, I really have been wanting to POST about this very special person in my life- my DAD. This past week Heredes and I finally had the chance to go visit him at his new store. His moped/scooters, etc. store moved into a new location. Though it was a rough start, God is sooo in control and I am not doubting that. My father is such an amazing man...as I write this I am about to sob. You guys don't understand how precious my family is to me and it sucks that many times I can't see them because of this thing we call life. I can't even imagine how my husband feels with his family being in Brazil or my parents and their family in Venezuela and Peru. But I just wanted to recognize my dad in this post because I am SO STINKIN' PROUD OF HIM. He has always been there for my sport games, piano recitals, and I will always remember when he would take my sis and I to the park or the pool. Life isn't easy and I know my parents, my family, can attest to that, but what I have been seeing over the years is how God is really teaching us and my parents that at the end of the day God is ALL we need and He will always provide. That is a promise- He will never leave us nor forsake us. Aren't we more precious than the sparrows? OH God how grateful I am to you for the family I have and all the blessings I have. I love my DAD, my MOM, my SISTER, my BROTHER, my HUSBAND, my XENA. Daddy and my family I am praying for overflow of blessing for you guys. Daddy, thank you for your hard work and integrity and faithfulness to God and your family. Good things are coming your way, I believe that for my family here and in Brazil. Phew, I just had to express those words on this blog of mine. If those who read this and know my family, just keep them in your prayers and for Ciao Motos to flourish :)
Today or tomorrow, take the time to call your parents or loved ones and tell them how much you love them!

Alot of Catching Up...

Last week, daylight savings began. Even though it doesn't feel like we have gained an hour, last sunday was one of those beautiful mornings you just had to take a picture of. So, I did. I love the view Heredes and I have from our balcony. There is a tree, which I think is dead because nothing grows from it, that I love to just look at. Sometimes, birds just sit around the branches and other days you have a view like the one in the picture.

Since there is a bit to catch up on, I will begin with Trunk or Treat. I know, so like 2 weeks ago but I have to share. It rained like crazy on Halloween, but the rain could not stop what God wanted to accomplish that night. There were some thousand families come by, rain and all. Though there was alot of preparation, from games to food to music, that seemed to have been a waste, it wasn't. The band still managed to play live music, there was candy every where, I had a Winnie the Pooh and an Alligator walking around (Thank you Amy, Chief, & Josue), and we played some games with the kids that were there. I want to say thank you to our friend Alex Comesanas for his game ideas. (I will have pictures of the boots and hats I made)

I have to share the prayer that has been answered for Heredes and I. I now work at FRC as the- Yup you guessed it- Receptionist. Wow, the job just follows me around :), lol! It has been a great 2 weeks. Everyone in the office has been very helpful in answering my Many questions. Sometimes I feel so bad, but it's better to ask than mess up really bad. I've already had some pretty interesting phone calls, from mean ones to ones where I have been able to pray for people and listen to them speak. It truly is an HONOR to be working there.

This past week was pretty hectic. Heredes and I would leave the house at 6 am and get home around 11:30 pm almost every night. We had Tuesday staff meeting, which all I can say is Wow. Pastor Troy you rock! There was 1st Wednesday, which once again WOW. Then Thursday, Heredes had a dress rehearsal for our friends Brian & Jackie's wedding, and then Friday was their wedding. Can I tell you that it had to be one of the most beautiful weddings. Brian & Jackie Fuller CONGRATULATIONS! And guys, know how much we love you because right now I am watching the Hillsong United Conference that Heredes and I missed. : P We love you guys and can't wait to talk about the "kits"...lol!!!


Not only did we celebrate our friend's wedding, our friends Ashley and Darwin had their beautiful baby boy: Darwin Alberto Ortiz. Congratulations guys!!! We are going to try to visit tomorrow.

We had another wonderful Sunday at FRC Doral. I've got some great volunteers. Thank you all for jumping in and subbing, being there on time, and just making it wonderful for the kids. Thank you , thank you!! Our virtue for the month is RESPECT. As I was reading the lesson yesterday morning, I was just realizing how much that lesson or that virtue is for me. How important it is to "Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's, and God's what is God's". God wants our obediance and love, and in the midst of those times where we have authority that we don't agree with, God wants us to still show respect because we will never know how that alone can make a difference in someone's life. So, to those who have been in authority over me at one point who I have lost some respect for and have allowed my flesh to kick in, I ask for your forgiveness.

Pastor Troy also started the new series: The Domino Effect. This weekend he taught about making the right choice; making good decisions. And he shared the verse where I believe Christianity is pretty summed up in: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And though at the moment I misplaced my notes, I know that He hit some pretty hard stuff, that is so needed- for all of us, trust me.

Well, as I wrap up one last exciting note: THE AMAZING RACE STARTED LAST SUNDAY AND I AM ABOUT TO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW WITH MY HUSBAND. Mark my words, it is our goal to be on that show someday. IT IS THE BEST SHOW EVER. Well, so is Heroes. :) And another goal is going to Australia to sight see and attend Hillsong Church- which Hillsong Kids came out with their new album- CAN'T WAIT TO BUY IT AND OWN IT. "Pastor Troy, please don't take Heredes to Australia without me." Hope this makes up for my poor neglected blog. Eveyone, have a great night.

Cafe Bustelo Sleepless Night...

Guys, if you aren't doing anything tomorrow night...go join the Cafe Bustelo team as they launch their new Bustelo Cool...Art, music, cirque du soleil like acts, and more....