cherylmendoza

Christmas traditions….

So I was a little sad on Sunday night. My hubby’s cousin is a music pastor, and they were having the last performance of their annual Christmas program. It brought back memories of previous years, and the annual tradition of Round the Table Carol Sing.

That was the name of the Christmas program at our previous church. It was a huge undertaking of music, drama, sets, and a whole lot of Burnt Almond Cake. There was a contemporary story, that was mixed in with a retelling of the story of Jesus birth. What I remember most about Carol Sing was the reaction of those who came to watch. They were always amazed by all of the surrounding sets, lighting and costumes. It was pretty over the top! I was privileged to be a part of it for a couple of years. Nothing special, just a part of the choir, except for that one year when I played a Santa Baby. My hubby still enjoys that hazy memory. It was such a wonderful experience. Why? Well, to be a part of something that brought so much joy to people was exciting. It was something that I could not do alone, but with God and a whole group of people, amazing things happen.

So as I was putting silverware on tables at the Lemoore Christmas Community dinner, I teared up a little. I was just feeling a little homesick. Nostalgic. Well since I am not a pretty crier, I quickly got myself under control and got back to work. I was an Elf after all, and nobody likes a sad elf. So my duties for the evening would be to help facilitate the craft and presents at a couple of tables. Greet the families and just help to ensure that they were having a good time. After I gave my new friends a general idea of what would happen during the evening; dinner/presents/raffles/pictures, we just started having a fun together. Talking, laughing and teasing each other. The kids enjoyed making their ornament and who doesn’t love some cake after dinner.

I made some extra special friends at one table. I had some bells that I had put on ribbons a couple of years ago, and they had been hanging on my tree each year. Before I left home, I had grabbed them and put them on my wrist. There is nothing better than walking around jingling, much to my hubby’s dismay. Anyway, at one point during the evening, one of the girls said she liked them. So I took them off, separated the strings and gave one to each girl. I was very happy that I had three, how perfect was that! I now have friends for life.

The organizers made sure that those who attended were lavished with care, food, pictures and then there was more. They were shocked, then excited and then they were delighted by each new surprise. At one table a fifteen year old young sat with his family. He was a happy guy. Those were his words, not mine. He seemed truly impressed by everyone’s generosity and gave me a big hug before they left. I have never met him before and may never see him again, but I will remember the look in his eyes for the rest of my life. Their table did not open the presents they were given, so I told him that I hoped the present would be good. I stood with his mom as they pulled tickets for the raffle, hoping she would win that gift card to Payless. Funny how excited you can get for someone else when you are not in the raffle yourself.

One of the boys at the other table was excited. He whispered that he had peeked into the package and the present inside was good. Then I was excited too! We laughed together, and I was so relieved that he was going to like what he received.

As the night ended I could not believe what an amazing time I’d had. It was then That I remembered Carol Sing. It was that same type of feeling. The one that comes when so many people come together and do a great work, that none of them could have done alone. When they let generosity, hope and grace flow from God through them. So many presents, so much food, so much time and so many people! Those who organized this event not only provided a meal and presents, they gave those who attended a night where they were treated as honored guests.

And as for me? Next year, no more tears. I am excited to say that I have a new Christmas tradition.

December 14, 2016 1

Darkness and light

I am more of a sunshine type of girl, but now we are in December, and I marvel at how dark it gets. Even now as I look out the window, there are storm clouds in the sky with patches of the dark sky showing through. The clouds, sky and even the trees in my yard are all shades of black and gray. Cold, dark and somewhat ominous. In the clouds there is a promise of storms, but also of life giving rain. There is also a reflection in my window, it is the Christmas tree with it’s pure white lights. A distinct contrast to the darkness outside.

I thank God today for the birth of His Son, and for the work that would take 32 years to accomplish on earth. I am thankful on that day so long ago…that the work was already done. That there was nothing in heaven or earth to stop the blessing that would come forth.

I also thank God that, even though we may not know the exact day of His birth, we celebrate it in winter. At the time of year that truly reflects our fallen state; darkness, cold and separation. Against this backdrop we contrast the light of the world. Where He is truly reflected for who He is. Light, peace and above all hope.

**This was something that I wrote a couple of years ago, but it came back to me as I was looking at this picture. The day was a combination of shadows and light. It was warm in the light, but very cold when you stepped into the dark shadows. I had cropped this picture to get some of the light out of it, so that I could have a uniform look. I was not totally successful, as you will see that there is just a hint of sunshine in the left hand corner.

December 10, 2016 0

Yosemite

Last Saturday we ran over to the coast and explored the area between Cambria and Morro Bay. This Saturday we headed to Yosemite. There was no rain, and the weather was sunny with plenty of SNOW on the valley floor. Since I am a big chicken, it took some cajoling and prayer for me to go this morning, I hate mountain driving, and I am so glad I did!! We got some great pictures, more so my hubby than me, and we enjoyed a wonderful day trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world! I took a bunch of pictures of anything that caught my eye.

Some pictures show different textures, some showing the wintery conditions, and even got a shot of the elusive hubby tramping through the woods.

Plus that cute buck that ran up the mountain!

Could not have asked for a better day!!

December 4, 2016 1

Joy….or what math means to me

So I woke up Sunday morning in a very bad mood. I think it started with the dream I had right before waking up? I had dreamt a lot, but the part I remember most was when my head was chopped off. Horrible, huh? So as I laid there, I tried to think of why I would dream something like that? I mean, I kind of use that analogy a lot. You know the one, “sticking my neck out.” Was it a premonition for the day?

I did not waste too much time though as I had to get to church. My hubby knew I was not OK as soon as I got up, but because I didn’t know what was wrong, he didn’t know how to help. So I got ready and went to church. I was there to help some students put on the bible skit for the preschool class. There is a script with a narrator, and then a couple more act out what is going on in the story. So as the youth were doing a quick run through, we started to have a little fun. One of the girls was hungry, and at one point in the story the people are hungry. When she had to deliver her line, we all started laughing as she emphasized her great hunger. She went a little overboard, but that is what made it fun.

So as we waited for the kids to finish their circle time, we quietly chatted offstage. They asked me what I was doing, because I was attending to some last minute props. Part of our story was of God providing manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel. I was taking some white tissue paper and tearing it into small pieces. It was perfect, as I stood there one of the students asked “what is it?” I then said…..exactly! I love God’s sense of humor! We stood there and I was able to tell her about manna. How the word means “what is it,” that God provided this never before seen substance to feed His people, and how once they reached the promised land it was gone. We were all talking, laughing and learning together. That immediately reversed my mood. I still wasn’t sure what was wrong with me, but serving with those students had given me something to counteract my grumpiness. It wouldn’t be long before God showed me exactly what that “something” was.

It was then that I walked into service and got an earful about JOY. Oh that was it. Joy! That is what I felt with those students, and that is what conquered my foul mood while I was with them. I was not feeling joyful, and that was not a good place to be. Why? Well, it was something Pastor said that made me take notice. He called JOY a safeguard. It was then I remembered my math.

Holy Spirit + Me = peace, love, JOY, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

I never liked math until God started using it to help me understand Him. If JOY was not a part of what I was feeling, then I knew that something was wrong with my math. If I did not have that JOY, I could definitely say that the Spirit was not in the equation. So what would hinder the Spirit?

On went the brakes! I had a problem and I needed to find an answer fast! So I looked to where I knew my blessing would come from, and it did not take God long to show me what was the problem. Right then and there I took care of it with Him. Suffice it to say, it was my own pride that had to be dealt with. Again!! By the time service was out, I was ready to have a different kind of day. I not only talked about it with God, but also with my husband. God gave him to me to help keep me honest. By the time I was done JOY was again in the forefront of my mind, a little more pride had been overcome and my head was still firmly attached.

December 1, 2016 1

Thankful for the alley….

On this day before Thanksgiving my hubby and I went over to China Alley. This is the area of Hanford, where there was a Chinese community when the town was founded. I took a few pictures, and enjoyed wondering about the generations that had called it home.

There is some very traditional architecture and lots of red! I took a couple of pictures of the doors….they are so interesting. The hardware seemed so old…I wondered if they had an old skeleton key to open the doors.

A few of the buildings had offices and were still in use today. I could close my eyes and imagine what a bustling area this must have been in the past. Why am I thinking about this little Chinese enclave on Thanksgiving eve? Well, I guess it comes down to the fact that every place has a story. And the story of any town, is made up from the stories of its people.

In this little alley were people, who were working hard to make a good life for themselves and their families. I think of these people and I know they are like me.

I know they are like all of us. We find so many ways to separate ourselves from each other, but this alley reminds me that we are more alike than not.

I can just imagine that many years ago, there was a little Chinese woman who thought too much, was a bit of a dreamer and procrastinated so that dinner was late to the table. She loved her husband, children and cat, but forgot to do things they needed sometimes. They loved her back, even though they did not understand her all of the time. The only difference between us was that she would have worn a lot of red. Me? Not so much.

November 24, 2016 0

I am NOT…..

I AM. God’s name. I’ve always thought it was kind of a weird name, I mean really…. I AM. Well of course you are…right?

It wasn’t until this week, when I was doing a script for our preK class, that I got a better idea of what it meant for me. So as I was reading about Moses a sentence jumped out at me. I’d read it before, but today I really HEARD it. d2ca09d8868423819bd7b85d27b29d6e

It wasn’t something God said, but it was what Moses responded that caught my attention. God had just told Moses that he was going to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. Great news right? Moses then starts arguing with God, telling him all the reasons why he was the wrong man for the job. Moses asks, “who am I?” And in that question, I found a different way to look at God’s name.
God is the I AM. You can put anything you need after that statement, and it works. I AM holy. I AM truth. I AM wise. I AM peace. I AM joy. I AM provision. Whatever we need, the great I AM is always the answer. The I AM statement about God is always true, but like Moses, for me it doesn’t work so well. As a matter of fact, even at my best, there is always an asterisk.

I am encouraging.* Except when I am tired, have given it all out already and haven’t sought out my own encouragement from God.

I am patient.* Except when I’ve done all the calculations in my brain already, made a decision and have to wait for others to make theirs.

I am generous.* Only after God has to remind me that He’s got my back, and the resources at my disposal are truly to share.

I am a good listener.* Except when I have to listen too long. Ugh!

These are things that I strive to be and some are even my gifts. So it should be easier for me….right? Well that is a definite NO! God is all those things and more! He is anything we need, perfectly every single time! He fulfills the purpose of His name….I AM.

November 16, 2016 1

Election Fog….

images So it is the day after the election. For us here in Central California, it is a foggy day. Now when I first moved to Lemoore, people warned me about the fog, but I didn’t really listen. I mean, I grew up in San Jose, where fog would roll in from the Santa Cruz mountains. How much worse could it be? Well, it is like night and day! The Tule fog in the valley can be truly dangerous. After being in both types of fog, it seems to me that the fog here goes all the way to the ground. Driving in it is awful because you can only see so much in front of you, and then you cannot even see the lines to get a good bearing as to where you are. And at nighttime? Well to tell you the truth, after the Christmas in 2005 when the fog rolled in while I was shopping, and then I could not find my car in the parking lot? I don’t really drive in the fog at night.

Today though was not a horrible fog day. It was patchy, and did not go all the way down to the ground. As I walked though, it was interesting to look ahead and see how the fog distorted what was ahead of me. Now I walk the same way pretty much every day, so I know what is to come, even before seeing it.

The barber shop is always open, people are stopping by the ATM at the bank, there is a clock in town that has the wrong time and kids are on their way to school. There is so much that I expect to see when I walk, and even in the fog, I know it will be there.

So as I was walking, I thought that the fog was a good analogy for the near future. We know some of what to expect, but there are some details that are a little hazy the farther we look ahead. In the distance we can see things moving, but we don’t necessarily see the details or how it may all fit together.

We don’t have the whole picture.

That may make some of us uncomfortable, and others downright scared. Then there are others that think they know what is ahead. They will travel under the assumption that things will be just how they expect. They may or may not be surprised by what they find.

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For me, I am optimistic. Is it because my candidate won? No. It is because I have used the only power that I have in politics. And that my friends, was my vote. I did what I was supposed to do in the election process, and I cast my vote in the best way I knew how. In that sense, I am content, but my job is not done.

Today is another day where I have the opportunity to live like I say I believe. This is really where I think we have the most impact on our communities, the country and the world.

So today is really just another day. No better or worse than yesterday. Today is a day where I am going to try and continue to live out who God made me to be.

I want to love God, and love my neighbor more than myself. To seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly.

November 9, 2016 1

Choose to Influence

influence-graphic-300x169 “10 Historical Records That Tell Another Side of Bible Stories”, was the name of the article that showed up in my Yahoo news feed this morning. The article went through ten Bible stories, and matched them with some historical accounts that were written by non-biblical sources. The one that caught my eye was the story of Esther, and the historical account of the man most likely that was her husband, King Xerxes I of Persia.

What do you wish? Whatever it is, I will give it to you, even if it is half of my kingdom!” Esther 7:2 NLT

When Esther goes in to see the king, she is greeted warmly and he is delighted to see her. How do we know? Well, it is because he says that he will “give her anything up to half of the kingdom.” So I think we can safely assume that he was glad she was there. As her story goes, she asks him to a banquet, where there will be a guest list of three. Her intention is to use her influence to save her people. After the banquet, she invites him to another with the same three attendees, the king, herself and her enemy Haman.

When she had shown care, kindness and hospitality to not only her husband but her enemy also, the king asks her again “What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Talk about influence! It was then our story comes to its conclusion. Queen Esther unmasks Haman’s cruel plot to kill all of the Jews and the King is outraged. Long story short, Haman is executed and the Jewish people are safe.

As I read the story, I thought about the position of influence God had given her, and how she used it for good. My morning thoughts did not stop there though. The King’s statement sounded familiar, like I had heard it somewhere else. I looked and confirmed that there is another record in the bible where another person had said pretty much the same thing. Where influence was used, but the outcome was markedly different.

“Ask me for anything you like,” the king vowed, “even half of my kingdom, and I will give it to you!” Mark 6:23 NLT

Now these words were spoken by King Herod. He too was at a banquet, but this one was very different from the one Esther had given. There were many people attending, and that included Queen Herodias and her daughter. It is written that at this banquet, the daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod. When she was done, Herod told her to make her request known.

Again, another woman, another banquet, another King with ultimate power. What would she use this great moment to ask for? The power of influence right then is staggering. He was surrounded by people that would be a witness to whatever she asks, and they would then be looking to Herod to grant that request. There was only one problem. Someone else had influence over this young woman, her mother Herodias. She went and asked her mother what should she request? Herodias’ fatal answer meant death for John the Baptist.

I know most of us may never have that kind of history making influence, but that does not let us off the hook. While our circles of influence may seem small, how we use it can still have far reaching effects. So it is important to ask, how do I use my influence?

This morning as I think of the continuing message series about mercy I am hearing at church, I know that influence is part of that equation. Where do I have influence? How can I use my influence to show God’s mercy to someone else? Maybe even more important, will I use my influence for my own promotion or will I use it for someone else’s benefit?

We all have influence in various circles in our lives, through work, church, family and friends. Sometimes we may have a little, and at other times much more, but I believe that one thing is true. God does not give me influence to squander only on myself, but to help those around me. And while I may not feel that I have much, I do know that the right thing for me is to advocate for those who may have even less. Small amount or not, I believe God gives each of us just the right amount. All it has to be is enough, for “such a time as this”.

October 26, 2016 0

Acknowledging loss

I am always amazed by the way life ends. Today, a mother lost a son. In her grief, she will drop everything. Her world has narrowed down to a small point of focus. As a mom, I hurt with her. I can feel some of her pain. I shed tears and know that in the back of my mind that it could have been my son. It could have been any of our sons.

As I sit here though, in the first few minutes of shock, I hear birds singing and the hum of our pool filter. Outside are cars, a dog barking and the faraway engine of a plane. The sounds of people going through their normal routine as the work day is winding down. I always wonder….why doesn’t time stop? How can life still go on so normally, when so much pain has been unleashed? When a precious life is no more.

I know. This happens every day, all over the world. There is loss, and there is grief. And yes, that loss and that grief deserves that same kind of respect, but it is something that the world gives to no man.

So today I grieve with my friend, for her beautiful son. And if no one else will or can, I an going to take this moment to stop and to pray. To put aside my normal life and acknowledge the great loss that is not only hers, but all of ours.

October 12, 2016 2

Cheryl Mendoza

How He speaks to me…..Or… can't He just call my cell when He wants to talk?

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