Party like you're getting married!

Yes, the party is still going. We are a few weeks away from Sylvia & Gilbert's wedding and the celebrations are taking place. Check out their wedding website at www.sylviaandgilbert.wedquarters.com.

Last weekend Maribel (Sylvia's maid of honor) planned one of the best bachelorette parties I've ever been to. We started off with dinner at a cool Houston restaurant and then off to the . . . . PARTY!

Here are a few pictures.

Okay people, I was only posing! Ya know I don't drink.

School Has Officially Taken Off

I am exhausted. I sit here typing and I feel like I'm in a complete daze. I 've tried lying down, sleeping, working out, going out but I still feel tired and restless. School has officially taken off so I've been grading exams, planning lessons, etc. It's also time to make the ever so dreaded parent telephone calls for failures. Yes, it has begun.

Well, here is a pic of our great looking Foreign Language department. There are a few missing. Here are our Spanish, French, German and Japanese teachers. Our Latin teacher, one of our French teachers and one of our Spanish teachers are not in the pic.

La Familia Villarreal/Jimenez

I had forgotten to post some pics of my hubby's family.

When we were in San Antonio I got some recent ones.

This pic is of Phillip's mom and his sisters.

This is part of the rest of the fam.

Grandma, Phillip's aunts, cousins and spouses (significant others).

I made it!

Okay, I finally got to audition for the worship team for the Spanish Venue at our church. The audition was very casual. I had to sing a couple of songs to three guys in a small office. I almost freaked but made it through. My voice is so out of practice. I have a sore throat just from practicing for the audition. I've never experienced this before. I guess it's because I've been singing all my life. This last year is probably the longest I've gone without using my voice for singing purposes. Anyway, one of the men I auditioned for is a guy who collaborated with Marcos Witt on a CD. It was pretty interesting!

Well, today we practiced with the group I will be singing with. It was so wonderful to do that again. The ladies I sang with today did a fab job. We did a three part harmony in most of the songs and it sounded really well.

The man leading the worship is a Juan Salinas. He looks and sounds very familiar. He is very talented. I know he has produced records but I don't have all the 411 on him yet. We are practicing tomorrow with the actual band. I am excited since our Spanish Venue services resume this Sunday. If you can, please pray for our service.

Calling All Teachers

Another school year has begun! I just can't belive how fast time passes. I am very glad to say that my classes, even though large are quite good. This year seems so different from the last. I don't feel like I'm completely lost anymore. Our district and more specifically our school are just so organized and on top of things, it's fascinating. I have the same schedule as last year which kind of bites because I have my time off in the morning. We have lots of new teachers at our school since we now have a Senior Class. Last year was the school's first year in operation and we only housed 9th-11th grades. So, we have a full house! There are approximately 2,300 kiddos.

My classes are very large, anywhere between 25-32 teens. I teach Spanish I six times a day to about 180 bodies. Whew! As you can imagine, I am pooped! This year my classroom is being used for After School Detention! Why? I really don't know or understand it but when asked I said "yes." Call me crazy. Hope this gets me a good evaluation. Well, we'll see what this year has in store for me.

To all teachers out there, may God bless you and keep you! Take time to rest up, take a walk, get a massage and most importantly fuel up on Spiritual strength. I pray that the daily tasks and struggles don't distract us from the mission set out for us. Honestly, some days I really don't know how I make it through. Surely, by God's mercy and grace things are possible.

acenar

Ooooh! I have cool news. If you are ever in San Antonio you have to visit a new restaurant on the Riverwalk called "acenar." Phillip's aunt Lisa owns this and another restaurant called "Rosario's." Both restaurants are awesome but the new one is gorgeous with three floors and beautiful patio seating. You've got to try it! (Sorry about the bad picture!)

A Shower for the Bride

Sylvia and Gilbert will wed on October 14th this year. We were able to get together for an intimate shower for the bride-to-be in the Valley. It was really cool to be able to take pictures with our childhood friends as well as our moms. The shower was a success and now begins the countdown to the big day!

Grandpa Jimenez is no longer with us.

Phillip's grandfather Edward Jimenez died this morning at 6:30am in San Antonio. He had suffered various illnesses in the past months. He collapsed yesterday and was taken to the ER where he never regained consciousness. Family from all over came to see him and shortly after his blood pressure decreased until no more.

Grandpa Pooch (as Phillip called him) took Phillip under his wing when his parents divorced. Grandpa introduced Phillip to bowling and soon it became his hobby too. When Phillip lived in San Antonio he'd pick up Grandpa once a week for a night of league bowling. Phillip says that he is grateful for Grandpa's care, concern and patience for him. He was and always will be a powerful influence in Phillip's life.

Grandpa Jimenez was the cutest and sweetest little old man I knew. When Phillip and I began dating he was the first to make me feel welcome. I remember a time when I was still trying to impress the family. I had offered to iron a shirt for him. He gave it to me hesitantly. As I attempted to iron the shirt I noticed that the iron had leaked and made a huge stain on the front pocket. I was so embarrassed and was certain that he knew exactly how to work the ancient iron. He was willing to risk losing his shirt in order to help me feel useful and accepted. He took the shirt and hid it so no one would know. What a sweet man! We will miss him greatly.

Please pray for a time of reflection and unity during this time. Also pray for peace and strength for the family, especially for Grandma.

.... and Many More

Samantha, my friend of 20 plus years celebrated her 29th birthday yesterday! The night started off with a yummy dinner at a Japanese steak house.

After dinner Samantha attempted to cut the cake wearing the chef hat and using the sharp sword.

People gathered from all over Houston to celebrate with the nicest and friendliest girl I've ever known!

Here are a few pics from this morning as she opened one more gift from Phillip and I. We were very honored to be able to give her a Bible of her very own. Sam has officially become a member of our church and has committed her life to Christ.

Steevo visits The Woodlands

My little bro Stephen spent a few days here with us. We went bowling and to the movies among other things. Here are some pics of him as well as pics of my hubby Phillip.

Phillip has started bowling and golfing again. He really enjoys both but he is definitely a better bowler. He is part of a Men's Bowling League on Monday nights. It was hard getting a good shot of him since he does not like to pose.

Mi Familia

Well, I just got back from a 4 day trip to the Rio Grande Valley. My family did me the huge favor of posing for some pics. Hope you enjoy!

This is my oldest brother Milton and his wife Wendi. They have been married for almost three years and just bought an H3. It's a cool ride!

My brother Sam is 20 years of age! Yes ladies he is quite the bachelor. He will be graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems. He recently acquired a purebred beagle and named him Jimmy.

My two younger brothers are Stephen and Jonathan. Stephen is 13 and will be playing football for the PSJA North Raiders in the fall. Jonathan is 15 and plays basketball.

Finally, here are my parents!

A Hole In Our Hearts

Today I talked to a friend who is considering living her life for Christ. She expressed the emptiness, hunger and unsatisfaction she has experienced in her life - the "God-shaped hole" in her heart. I was greatly touched as she explained how God has started to satisfy her hunger and thirst for him. As a child I often heard people talk about how there comes a time in everyone's life in which only God can quench our thirst. We acknowledge that something is missing. I myself experience that on a daily basis but I really wondered how it works with nonbelievers. Today my friend reminded me that God created us all, believers and nonbelievers. We not only have to acknowldge we need God but we have to be honest enough to admit it and accept it. This is where the line is drawn. Do we accept our depraved state or do we pretend it does not exist? Do we allow God to complete us or do we resort to all else the enemy offers for "fulfillment?"

A Summer of Change.

Miguel and Brenda have been our faithful friends for a very long time. Miguel recently graduated from the Dallas Theological Seminary and will be working in Weslaco, Texas as an Associate Pastor. I thank them for being a great example of faithful and obedient servants of God!

Is there a doctor in the house?

Who would have known that there would be such an array of talent in our PSJA Class of '96?

On May 27, 2006 (ten years since our high school grad and twenty since we met) we celebrated our dear friend Sylvia's graduation from the U of H Medical School! Congratulations to my friend. We will soon be celebrating her and Gilbert's walk down the aisle.

Picture (left to right) Lora - genetics researcher, Samantha - special agent, Sylvia - doctor, Me - teacher

Gorgeous Backdrop

This picture was taken after church one beautiful Sunday morning. This fountain/pool was donated to our church. On Easter Sunday countless people were baptized here.

Everybody's doing it!

It seems that everywhere I turn people are blogging! I want in on the fun too! Don't know how exciting my life is but I hope someone will be interested! My church Fellowship of the Woodlands is doing a series on BLOG and our Pastor Kerry Shook is sharing insights into his Spiritual Journey. If you want to check it out go to www.fotw.org.