Christmas Dinner

Bread- homemade

Filled Chicken

A plate of food

The whole chicken before we cut it open

Homemade Flan- someone from Pastors church made us FLAN. Yummy.

Goossen/Alsina Christmas

Christmas morning we opened gifts- Here Paul is wearing one of his gifts (a Boca Jrs. T-shirt).

We played with one of his gifts as well. Pastor and Gabby got him a scrabble game (the Spanish version)

Here are Pastor Mario and Gabby relaxing with the game and some mate. Lots of laughter and fun!

Here is Paul talking to his parents in Argentina- To our surprise Tim and his family were there too so it was a treat to be able to talk to his brother and parents.

I will post more pictures of of our stuffed chicken dinner. Yum Yum....

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my Blogger Friends.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve to all my Blogger Friends. We had a fabulous day today. Paul and I had off work today and truly enjoyed ourselves. We got to sleep in (which we don't get to do very often). Then we were taught by Pastor Mario how to de-bone a whole chicken and then stuffing it. We are having stuffed chicken for Christmas. It is stuffed with cheese, ham, egg (hard boiled), red pepper and green olives. I am sure it is tasty even though we have never had this before.

Normally for Christmas Eve we open one gift at night- we broke the tradition a little. We opened 2 gifts and early in the day. Paul got me a beautiful necklace with a butterfly pendant.

I got to enjoy some snuggle time with the puppies. They have grown so much. They are almost one month old and they are VERY precious.

The Fall

I am sitting here with my leg propped up and ice on it- the throbbing has subsided somewhat. What a way to ruin the plans I had for today. Let me go back to early this morning-
I had a really good night sleep- woke up on my own (without an alarm) ready to shower and get ready for church. On our way down the stairs I managed to slip down (not quite sure how since I cannot remember the fall very well)- Paul was ahead of me and by the time he looked back I was already laying flat on the floor. My first reaction was to see if there was anything broken which I am almost sure I did not break anything since I can move my leg, toes and ankle. The next thing was to try to get up- I felt a sudden desire to throw up- (not sure why that happened) but one I settled my stomach down I got up (with Paul's help). Paul has been wonderful. He was really worried I broke a bone. My right ankle is swollen but I am confident I will survive. I have a skinned elbow (probably rug burn).
I am going to be sore for a few days- which is not good for tomorrow since it is donations day. I guess I will rely on the men to carry everything up the stairs.
THANK the LORD I did not cause more damage. Please pray that tomorrow donations are plentiful (the church family is struggling with no jobs and the donations help them survive). Also, please pray that am able to do processing of the bags.

Grace by Laura Story

Grace by Laura Story

Verse 1: My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused. I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, Then lovingly You take me And hold me as my Father and mold me as my Maker.

Chorus: I ask You: "How many times will You pick me up, When I keep on letting You down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, How far will forgiveness abound?" And You answer: "My child, I love you. And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."

Verse 2: At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, Knowing that someone, somewhere Could do a better job. For who am I to serve You? I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.

Bridge: Patient with me, Lord.

Verse 3: As I work with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You By giving up my life to You For all that You've given to me.

To watch and listen to the song go to : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FribXzqHVE

Christmas MeMe

Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper and making the gift look pretty with everything coordinating- but the lazy part of me gets bags- this year though I am wrapping all since the cost is WAY Cheaper to wrap.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I have artificial- but I would love a real tree. The cost factor is what keeps my artificial tree going.

3. When do you put up the tree? whenever the mood hits me. I don't like to put it up in November because Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday and I don't want to take away from it.

4. When do you take the tree down? After three kings day (January 6Th) since we keep the Argentine tradition of celebrating 3 Kings day.

5.Do you like eggnog? No

6. Favorite gift received as a child? That is a good question- Gifts were precious to us so they all seemed special- I do remember one year getting a home made cabbage patch doll. I guess you could say that was special since I remember it!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband- We usually put a cap on what we will spend and his likes and wants are always SO much more than the budget. This year was fun shopping for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? my friend Gabby. She enjoys so much.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes I have 3. One my parents got for me in Israel in 1998 made of out Olive Wood. One is a Willow Tree set that I have at the office and the 3rd one is a miniature set I used to have at my desk when I taught at Faith Christian School.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail- I love sending them and I ABSOLUTELY love receiving cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? This is a good one and we still laugh about it today- Paul one year got me a fish tank- He wanted to start a fish collection so I got the Fish tank as a gift. I think that the guilt of the gift got to him because he then when out and got me a BEAUTIFUL pearl necklace.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I really like The Grinch.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to have all my shopping done before Halloween. I do not like shopping during the Christmas rush. I constantly look for gifts throughout the year. After Christmas sales are the best.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes I have recycled a gift- like Bath and Body Works scents I don't like.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? my mothers homemade rolls. They are YUMMY.

16. Lights on the tree? yes.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Ring the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Would love to travel and be with family- But not able to this year! :-(

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? no and really not interested in learning them either.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Our Tradition is one gift Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the cranky people. You would think that it is a joyous season but I see lots of CRANKY people this time of year.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love homemade ornaments. I prefer them to all the ornaments that are bought.

24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? homemade pies.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I really have no wants this year. I have been very blessed with all of my needs and wants met- so I have had a hard time giving Paul ideas this year. Let's see what he comes up with! :-)

Now it's your turn. Go ahead and fill out your own answers and post on your blog!

Madness on Monday

Here is a picture of Paul at the restaurant for his birthday!

Look at what Panevinno did for Paul!- So festive.

Paul and Pastor Mario playing Wii. Pastor Mario gave Paul the accessories for his birthday and they enjoyed playing with them.

Today has been really cold. The sun has NOT come out and it has been raining for the past hour. If it were a little colder it would be snow. I have been listening to Christmas music all day- snow would just complete the picture. Our Christmas tree is up and the stockings are out. Now we are on the countdown!

It will be a quiet Christmas- No family around- just our adopted family "friends" Pastor Mario and Gabby.

Yesterday we attended Iglesia Nueva Vida where Pastor Mario is the pastor. It was a very good service. This congregation is a very animated friendly bunch. There were approximately 60 people at church. It is great to see the Lords work at Iglesia Nueva Vida.

Paul Daniel Goossen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL! Today Paul turns 34 years old. He woke up and went downstairs to find everything decorated around the house with his favorite BOCA colors (blue and yellow). Pastor and Gabby were the ones the decorated the entire house. It was a nice surprise for him! I have the day off of work today to celebrate his birthday - Paul on the other hand was not able to take the day off. So, when he gets home we will be going to his favorite restaurant for dinner with our dear friends Pastor Mario and Gabby. I am taking him to Pannevino- YUMMY YUMMY.

I have also included a picture of my favorite little puppy. He is the only boy and he is always eating. I have even given him a name- "chanchito" (piggy) because he is the fattest and he is always eating.

Fabulous Night

As promised here are some more pictures of the puppies with Piba. It is really hard to get close to them since they are in a little crate and Piba is protective of them. It was quite funny as soon as I got close to her and the puppies she readjusts herself to cover/protect them more. She is a good mama.

Yesterday was a great day. Work was the same as always- no real change there- I did have a wonderful evening. Lana- a friend of mine (who I met through work she is a representative to one of the companies that we write insurance with). We became friends when she lost her mother to cancer. She was looking for someone/something to make her feel better. Well- I know what she needs is GOD which is why I think God sent her to me to become friends. We have on occasion met for dinner to spend time together. I invited her to join book club. I mostly listen to her- since that is what she needs right now. Yesterday she calls me to see if I wanted to have dinner with her. At first I felt like it was last minute notice and that really I needed to be home- but I kept feeling like I needed to be there fro her so I called Paul to see if it was okay to go to dinner with Lana (he quickly agreed since he had homework to do anyways). We met right after work at 5:15 pm right down the street from my work at Sammy's Woodfire Pizza. Since it was happy hour they had all of their tapas at 1/2 off. The evening started off really nice just a little chit chat about nothing of real importance- then out of the clear blue she asked me if I was a religious person- This question is one I get often- and I respond by saying- it is not a religion to me it is a relationship- which to me is far more personal than just being religious. I explained to her that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God opened the door for me to share my faith with Lana and it was exciting. She asked lots of questions- I answered them to the best of my knowledge. She was VERY receptive to listen to what I had to say. A comment she made " you always seem to happy and at peace- like no matter what happens you take it well- things seem to go well for you" made me laugh- I guess I never perceived myself as always happy and always taking things well- This made me realize HOW MUCH PEOPLE ARE WATCHING ME. It was a sobering thought- How many times have I not been the best example for CHRIST. So- in the end- Lana is asking MANY questions, which is an encouragement to me since I know a door has been opened and the Holy Spirit will work in her.

We spent 3 hours at the restaurant- and she wants to continue talking- which I told her ANYTIME she wants I am available. This Christmas is going to be hard for her since it is her first Christmas without her mother- but maybe she can find Her Saviour by them who can give the COMFORT she longs for.

Please pray with me- 1. That I be aware of all the open doors God gives me to share my faith and 2. For Lana- as I know she understands what I have told her- but now needs to reconcile within herself that God is what she so Desperately NEEDS for eternal salvation.