Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blessing 365 - THE END

Seize Every Moment. Count your Blessings.

I chased the sunset and caught it just in time. What a great symbolism for my Blessings 365 as it comes to its "sunset" moment. I am never the same because of it. I am better because of it. This was God's gift to me to GIVE to you. I already miss "everything" about B365, but I am looking forward to what God has in store for me. Stay close ... for new blessings will come. Until the next journey together, I would love to say ...
THANK YOU.

Revelation 1:8
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Come visit me at Stillimpressions.blogspot.com !!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Blessing 364 - The Bridge to Contentment

Bakers Beach

My kids and I drove out to Bakers Beach today to meet Christine Leong (my personal photographer), who I have asked to take our pictures for the second to the last day of Blessings 365. I owe her much gratitude and love for doing such a wonderful job!

It's no accident that I chose the Golden Gate Bridge to be our backdrop for today's blog. Blessings 365 has been a "bridge" to reach God, to touch lives, to create new friends, to encourage a weary soul, to grow more thankful, and to appreciate the small things in life. It has been my key to contentment.

My family has been very supportive and ever so patient with me as I have tried to meet my 12 o'clock deadlines every night to blog my daily blessings. It's just too bad that Jon couldn't be in this picture with us. But he has been my silent strength each day as he spurs me on.

I have had so much fun doing this project! For the most part, I have jumped for joy over all the wonderful blessings that I have been able to post! From the smallest smiles to the biggest laughters, God has instilled within me an inner joy that no one will ever take away.

At times, I have found myself alone on this project, not knowing who are still reading and following me. There has been countless times when I have wanted to give up for it has been an almost impossible endeavor to finish. Sometimes it has been very trying to have to blog a blessing when I have had such a terrible day. But God never fails to bring in someone or something to keep me going. I may never know where my ripples may reach, but I just need to keep making those waves.

Just when I have nothing else to give out, God fills my hands with love that overflows again. I have found these heart rocks over this pass year. Each one represents a special time and place. I have always said that if I go looking for love, I will always find it.
... AND I DO!

So once again, God reminds me to count my blessings ... even those that are disguised as burdens. The hardest things in your life brings about the biggest blessings.

Each little act of kindness will bridge those who need to find God. I have been given this great honor to be a bridge to those who I may never meet and to those who I love dearly. But who am I to have been given such a task? I am so unworthy. I just know it's because of God's grace, I have accomplished these beautiful blogs of blessings.

Out of all the heart-felt blessings that I have shared with you all...

This one has to be my favorite...
And I praise God that Christine's images today
are the ones that I will enjoy forever!

So from my HEART to YOURS ... may I just say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ... for coming along on this journey with me. Tomorrow will be our last day together on BLESSINGS 365. But it won't be our last day as friends. We will always have our bridge to connect us. Please come back tomorrow so I can give you a farewell hug.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His love endures forever.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Blessing 363 - Miss UC Davis

Leiza Guerrero
Class of 2010
Psychology

What a wonderful time we had walking all over the UC Davis campus for Lei's graduation photo shoot! This one particular picture stoled my heart away! How could you not with such a lovely face! What struck me like lightning was the fact that Leiza was no longer that little junior higher that I first met, but is about to be a college graduate! A beautiful young adult suddenly appeared before my eyes as we were both enjoy an adult conversation over a healthy salad we had for lunch. I just praise God for the giving me the honor of being her photographer at this pivotal time of her life! I really enjoyed today.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Blessing 362 - Heart Rocks



This shall be my last week on Blessings 365. It has almost been a whole year since I began this blessed journey. I shall leave you with these Heart Rocks that I found last week at my favorite beach ... My Dear DRAKES. God always seem to know where to guide me in order to find His tokens of love. Whenever you go looking for love, it shall always find you astounded!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Blessing 354 - From Little Girls to Young Ladies

From little girls...
3-18-01

To beautiful young ladies!!!
6-6-10

It's such a blessing to see these young ladies grow up from being playmates to establishing meaningful friendships. When I posted their old picture on Facebook, I had no idea they were all going to be together today! Thank goodness Rachel had a camera and now you see them as they are. I am so blessed that Ashley has a close personal relationship with each one. That was something that I never forced upon her. God knew she would need her ATES" in her life. God always knows what is best for us and who to put into our lives to encourage and strengthen us.

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Blessing 353 - Nathan's Baseball Championship Game

Nathan has been Niko's best bud ever since they were very little. It was such a blessing to watch Nathan and his team win the championship! We are so proud of him!


It's awesome to see strong and supportive friendships develop at such an early age. It was important for Niko to watch his buddy play. It was double to blessing to see Nathan at his best!

Here's Nathan running to 3rd base! This was my actual first action shot that I really liked! Poetry in Motion ... is Nathan Sanchez #5!

Oh to bring back our childhood is a wish that I would make instantly! Long summer days playing ball in the park. Buying ice cream from the ice truck as it drives though your neighborhood. Swinging on the tire swing until sunset. Well, summer is back and we all hope to do all these things to make childhood memories for our children.

Thank you, Nathan, for an awesome game and for an incredible show!
You started our summer with a GRAND SLAM!!!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Blessing 353 - Ashley's 8th Grade Graduation

Happy Graduation, Ashley!

Ashley and Michelle with their favorite teachers:
Mr. Dwyer and Mr. Petree.

I'm just so proud of my baby girl! She was given the Presidential Award along with some of her classmates as well! She tried so hard to study diligently during her Junior High years and we just praise God that all that hard work paid off! Their plaques even had President Obama's signature! But more importantly, I praise God for her spiritual maturity. Her teacher told me that she has been very instrumental in creating the strong friendships within her class. Her love for God is demonstrated by her love for her friends.

WOW.
This is where AMAZING happens!