13 Years

13 years.  13 facts I’ve learned being married to Vince.

1)      When he tells a story or event he tells the middle first, then the beginning and then the end.  That’s just the way he does it.
2)      He never relaxes. Like NEVER.
3)      He can fall asleep ANYWHERE and at ANYTIME. Probably due to the 4 kids or the never relaxing.
4)      He organizes his shirts in his closet in order of when he last wore them, so that each shirt will be worn the same amount of times.
5)      He could handle having 20 more kids and would not be stressed one bit.
6)      He talks to EVERONE EVERYWHERE. Bank teller, waiter, mailman, and get this TELEMARKETER.   
7)      He has no concept of time. What is 5 minutes to him is 30 minutes in real life. 
8)      After 13 years he still doesn’t always understand that my “maybe” means yes, my “no” means yes, and my “yeah” means no. 
9)      He can’t get up in the middle of the night to help with the kids because he is so out of it. He once “not knowing” put one of our babies under the bed because it was crying. If I send him out to the kitchen in the middle of the night to refill a bottle with milk he will forget what he’s doing, sit down at the kitchen table, and fall asleep.
10)   When driving he thinks you don’t have to put your blinker on until you are half way through the turn.
11)   In the 15 years I’ve known him when we go to a mall he loves to try on multiple pairs of expensive sunglasses. He has YET to EVER buy a pair. Just tries them on.
12)   When he comes upon a stairway he counts the number of steps, in his head, not out loud. I didn’t know this for years until he told me once the number of steps in every stairway at church and everywhere else we go regularly.
13)   He tells me he loves me multiple times a day.

I have to honestly say that we’ve argued about several of these things over the years.  I have even unsuccessfully tried to change some of these things at times. But, I will say right now that I would be very disappointed if he stopped doing ONE of these things. Some of these things are the very things I first fell in love with 15 years ago. These are a few of the things that make Vince who he is and who I was privileged to marry Thirteen years ago today. That day we made a commitment to each other, our friends, family, but most importantly to God.  There have been times when the day ends and our marriage feels like a fairytale. Then there’s the ordinary days when the only time we’ve had to talk is while we are eating dinner with our wonderful loud boys, giving the little ones baths, reading bed time stories, cleaning the kitchen and picking up toys. In the midst of busyness there is no one else I’d rather do or share life with. We will continue to have lots similarities, and several differences, but the most important thing we share is our relationship with God.  This morning I read Philippians 3:20 “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” So, until then we will keep serving the Lord together with our family and telling others along the way. We will keep laughing at each other’s quirky habits, arguing over stupid things and enjoying life together. Happy Anniversary to my husband of thirteen years! 



Defender of the Minivan

The intention of this blog is to defend the poor minivans in the world. As I’m sure you know minivans tend to have a bad rep among moms. I would know this because I use to be one of the typical moms that would say “I will never drive a minivan, they are such mom cars or mom mobiles, I want an SUV!” Well, then the day came when we had 3 kids and wanted a bigger vehicle. For nine months we smashed all 3 kids in the backseat of our car, we actually had to take the arms off of Josiah’s car seat and Elisha’s booster just to make it fit. Somehow we even managed to go on a road trip to Arizona with all of us in our car.

Anyways, it was really cramped so we knew we had to start thinking about a getting bigger vehicle. So of course I start researching SUV’s and after lots of research I realized that they didn’t make SUV’s in our price range. Then one day it hit me! And I have to contribute it to the wise words of my second favorite Pastor (Vince being my first) Steve Wilburn! He said, “Needing a minivan is the stage of life you’re in, enjoy it!” Then I began to wonder why didn’t I want a minivan again? Oh yeah, because that’s what mom’s drive! Wait, I am a mom! A mom of 3! When did this happen? I’m 30 and a mom of 3. It’s not like I’m a teenager driving my mom’s minivan. I am now “the mom”. I’m grown up and yes I think I qualify for a minivan. Yes maybe I look like the typical 30 year old mom driving a minivan but in my defense that is what I am! I am enjoying every second of being a mom! I cook, clean, wash laundry, change dirty diapers, get spit up on, homeschool, wipe off cute dirty faces, make cookies and drive a minivan. It’s the stage of life I’m in and I LOVE it! I love driving my minivan and looking back at 3 precious happy kids in the backseats! I also know someday when I’m older, and my kids are grown, and my minivan driving days are over I will look back and miss these days! So if you need a bigger vehicle save your money and get a minivan, I promise you will enjoy it! And don’t worry if you drive an SUV we can still be friends!

Wells of Grace

Some of us pastor's wives at church were asked to write on the subject of Grace. So here is an old blog I decided to re-write:) Because it is still applies to me today! There are a million things that come to my mind on the subject of grace but this is what stands out to me the most right now.Wells of Grace

Being a mom with 3 small kids at home comes with lots of joy, laughter, smiles, love, cuteness, busyness, and energy. My days normally consist of making breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, diaper changes, and occasional temper tantrums either the kids or me. There are plenty of times my days feel overwhelming or monotonous. But as I sit here looking around our house at crackers ground into the carpet, toys covering the floor, and the smell still lingering of a diaper I just changed, I can’t help but smile and be thankful for His grace on this ministry He has given me here at home.

I love that with kids you can get a kiss whenever you tell them to kiss you. A hug when you ask for one. You can dance to kid movies, crawl around on the floor or play hide and seek. All things you wouldn't normally do. I love taking care of our boys and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

When those times come and I find myself losing perspective of what God has blessed me with I often stop and meditate on verses like 2 Corinthians 9:8 which says, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” I am confident that God will abundantly provide all I need. When I choose to rely on His Grace He faithfully pours it upon me. My daily tasks are then filled with joy, strength, contentment, love and delight. After I turn to God’s word I realize the very chores that threaten to drain me become wells for grace that God is pouring into.

The wonderful thing about these wells is God doesn’t just fill them but He overflows them. As a result the abundance of grace washes into the lives of my family and those the Lord sends my way. It blesses me to know that my need for grace will also turn into a means of grace for those that I love.

Our ministries can be hard at times with all that may be on our plates, but when we meditate on Him and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we will have the strength to glorify God in all we do big or small. Now if I just continue to walk in God’s grace while I'm scraping food off the wall, or refolding the laundry, He will use me as a channel of His undeserved favor to all that are thirsty for grace.

by Vince Bueno:)

Stole this from my hubby's facebook:)

Daddy, look at me!
A couple evenings ago we had boy’s night. Mommy went to do one of the things she loves to do, serve at church, and we put a sign up in the window that said “No girls allowed!” We dished up our pizza and settled in flipping on a movie that, according to Elisha “WE HAD TO WATCH FOR BOYS NIGHT!” It was the completion of the Open Season trilogy (let’s just say I’m glad Red Box had it for $1). Elisha suggested another idea which is true to his form, “Daddy, let’s all sit on the green couch together.” He always wants to be together. Half way through the movie it was time for dessert so we dished up the rest of the left over chocolate cake and ice cream, threw in the last couple Oreos, sprinkled on the remaining chocolate chips and topped it all off with some chocolate syrup….improvise, adapt, and overcome! Bowl 1…Elisha. Bowl 2…Josiah. As I was crafting the daddy-bowl Josiah calls out to me wondering “Daddy, are you going to sit on the blanket with us?” (The boys aren’t allowed to eat on the couch so they have spread a blanket to prepare for the feeding frenzy.) And if I take my eyes of the screen, almost in unison the question arises “Daddy are you watching?” How could I say no?

Jedidiah is getting SO BIG! You dad’s know how fast they move from phase to phase. It is as if by the time you finish assembling the multitude of parts labeled “Ultra Swivel & Glide Rock Bounce and Raise Contraption” they have already raised themselves. But anyways…Jed’s new phase, which I have been thoroughly enjoying (check back with me in a couple weeks), involves me walking him to sleep, sometimes multiple times per night. In the midst of my prayers I approximate my paces, 160 laps…120…180. Here’s his cue, he lunges. It seems that non-verbal communication is the best way to convey your desires when you don’t know any words. So, if mommy’s holding him, he’s ready for bed and I walk in the room he turns, smiles, and luuuuunnnges for me. “Oh, hey mom”…turn…luuuunnnge… “Oh, hey mom, you’re still here?”…turn…luuuuunnnge. What he’s saying is “Daddy, let’s take a walk…a very long walk.” How could I say no?

It is with emotion that I emit these words hoping that my children never stop desiring my attention. And it is with great compassion that the Father sent forth the Word which dwelt among us and died for us striving for the same attention as myself but in a much holier pursuit. As a student of theology I know that God is omniscient and omnipresent, that He is everywhere seeing and understanding all things (Psalm 139:1-12). As a son of God I know that Jesus has opened the door for me to boldly show the Father my needs (Hebrews 4:16). Isaiah 66:2 informs me how I can gather the particular gaze of the One I love; “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” So how do I attract the special attention of God? I must be of a humble and contrite spirit, I must tremble at His word. When on the inside I am poor and broken before Him, free from any pride or worth. When I am afraid enough to respond at the sound of His voice. When I am nothing and He is everything, THEN He will look to me.

If I turn toward my children I simply displace a small amount of air but when God turns toward his child it is as if all of creation is drawn toward us in one sovereign sweeping motion being held captive to do His will in the life of the one that has been able to effectively leverage a look from Him. Is it worth it to a grown man to humble himself declaring “Daddy, look at me”? How could I say no?

some things never change...

2005- Sammy, Elisha & Natalie laying on a blue blanket

2010- Sammy, Elisha & Natalie laying on a blue blanket
I'll have another updated picture in 2015 :)

Happy 10 year anniversary to us:)

We just celebrated 10 years of being married! When we were first married Vince was a janitor and I was a receptionist. He drove a 65’ corvair that he had to crawl underneath the car to start (seriously), and I drove a white Toyota tercel. We dated for a year and a half got engaged then married 5 months later. I was 19 and he was 20. The Lord provided for us to get married and serve Him together. We felt like we had so much when we got married. We had a 486 sq foot apartment that was all ours, well ours because we paid the rent. We had two pretty good running cars, a bed, a couch that was just big enough for the two of us and a coffee table, that’s it. It was all our stuff. We didn’t own a TV or computer but we did have a phone in our apartment with our own phone number. I didn’t really know how to cook and we were so busy with work and being involved in ministry that we were hardly ever home. So… I’m not sure what we ate those first few years but I do remember shopping for our groceries at the 99 cents store all the time. I think I shopped for everything we ever needed at that store. We ate lots of macaroni and grill cheeses….and dollar hamburgers from Carl’s jr. Then after 4 years we had our first baby boy (Elisha). I quit my job and Vince worked 2 jobs to provide for us. While he was gone a lot I learned to cook and I made some great meals and some horrible meals, I packed his lunch’s everyday and even started picking out his clothes….but he didn’t really like that very much so it didn’t last. I then for the first time, got to make our house a home. It was hard at times with him being gone a lot but when he came home at night we just loved being together and wanted to do whatever it took to keep me at home with our baby. We loved being parents so much that the Lord blessed us with another baby boy (Josiah) a year and a half after our first. Since then we’ve bought and sold a bunch of cars, rented a house, bought a house, found out we were pregnant for the third time, sold a house, lived in a 1 bedroom apartment with our two kids and now just bought a house again. We’ve had extra money at times and been so poor at times that we had to search our entire house for pennies and eat lots of beans and rice. The Lord has always provided and satisfied us. He has given me a wonderful husband who loves me, provides for me, and always points me to Christ and two (almost 3) beautiful boys. Sometimes it may not look like we have all the earthly possessions to those that are in the world, but I still feel like we have so much, and so much more then we even need. We have each other and we have our Lord. When I stop and think about all the Lord has given me I feel so rich!

New house, nice neighbors, and harvest crusade!

Most of you probably know we moved to new house a few weeks ago. I guess I will use that as my excuse for not blogging in awhile. The house is a 1955 house and we are very excited to have the extra room for when the baby comes along as we were starting to out grow our 2 bedroom, 1 bath house. Anyways one thing that is exciting about moving is a whole new set of neighbors. After living here for 2 weeks the only person we had yet to meet was the guy who lives right next to us, only because he was in his backyard when Vince peaked over the fence…so they obviously started talking. So last night Vince thought we should take our little family and walk around to each house on our street and introduce ourselves and invite them to the Harvest Crusade. I thought that was a great idea (at first); I even thought maybe I could make cookies and we can bring them to each neighbor and welcome ourselves to the neighborhood. Luckily I didn’t have the time to make the cookies because when it came time to walk up to each house and introduce ourselves it seemed so out of place. It seemed so funny as we stood at the door of each house and me being 8 months pregnant. But Vince is totally into stuff like this so I went along with it although I was thinking I wanted to turn around and go home. I was just glad I wasn’t carrying a plate of cookies that would have been even more awkward. On a side note I thought when you move into a house neighbors are suppose to come to you and say “hi” instead all 4 of us were walking up and down our street to each house. So after the first few houses I realized this was going to take awhile….as each house was taking like 10 to 15 minutes to meet the people, invite them to the crusade and so on. So as we talked with our various neighbors the kids ran though the grass, picked flowers out of flower beds, drove their scooter across the lawn, and stood at people’s gates and made their dogs bark the entire time. Josiah even managed to crack and break one of our neighbors lights on there walk way that leads up to their house. And even as I’m sitting here typing this I can see Josiah’s transformer water bottle sitting on the window ledge of the lady’s house who lives across the street. I guess he set it there last night and there it sits. So we definitely welcomed ourselves to the neighborhood and I’m really glad we did, it ended up being fun. Although it was kinda awkward at first it was worth it to be able to invite them to church and the crusade and hopefully be able to share with them more in the future. So the point of this blog is go invite your neighbors to the harvest crusade or even church. You may be the only Christian neighbor they have!