SPEECHLESS

WOW. GOD IS SO AMAZING, I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY!!!

but i guess i'll tell you why He's so amazing.

So I had a long day at work today, although I was getting through it fine cause tomorrow's Friday. Woo hoo, I was getting so excited at the end of the day to go home get ready for friend's speak and then have it be Friday the next day!. It was gonna be a great night. So as I am thinking about these things I am taking down all the decorations from halloween at daycare at the end of my day and just SO anticipating to go home. I grab my bag and put on my winter jacket since it's below zero and stinkin COLD, and I walk out into the cold bitter air. As I wait for the bus I just keep thinking about being home and what I might make for supper, and as I get home, I do what most people might do and go look in the mail box. Sure enough, we have mail, and it was a lot of mail, more than I have ever seen before in one day. So I grab the handful of mail walk into the house and lounge on the couch. Ah, it feels so nice to be home. I see an envelope from Manitoba student Aid, and my first thought, is OH CRAP!!! I open the seal and the letter inside and begin reading. Sure enough, this is why God is so AMAZING....... I being reading,

Dear Ms. Roberts (haven't changed my name yet), we are pleased to inform you that you have received the Manitoba Millenium Bursary, (oh goodness, what does this mean) this means that we have paid directly to your lender (what!!) the amount of your outstanding loan!....

I begin crying and sure enough God has just forgiven us almost 4000 dollars in student loans! HOLY CRAP! I am still crying and shaking cause I can't believe it... God is SOOOOOO amazing, he never ceases to amaze me. We have just been so incredibly blessed, and at a point when I am stressing about money and thinking (oh no what are we gonna do, this is too tight) God goes and does it again.. He takes care of us, he provides. HOW AMAZING.. That's all I have to say.. How can you not believe in a God that provides, loves you so much, and continues on a daily basis to show you how he will ALWAYS take care of you! ALWAYS........!!!!! SO SPEECHLESS!...:)

Lectureship

ell, I have to say, I think this was the funnest lectureship I have been too. It was so great to see so many people and so much family, and we spent lots of time laughing. We sure missed Grandma Roberts being there with grandpa but we knew she was there watching us..!!


Check out some of our pics from the weekend.. We got to spend time with Blair and Melissa and Makena. We also got to see Lori and Lia, and Uncle Blair and Aunt Susan, and one of Alvaro's favourites, Avyn Sue. We had a great time getting to know her and hang out with Helen and Karl and we had a great time. And is it ever strange seeing your neices/nephew grow up so fast.. Kiara is going to be four soon, Kori is walking, Makena is so big and talking a mile a minute and running everywhere, and I can't even imagine how different and sweet Eva will be the next time we see her. We are just so thankful for family and feel so blessed by how God has provided and is taking care of each one of my brothers and their families. You are all doing amazing and it is great to see you as parents.. We also got to spend time with Joy, thanks for putting up with us:)

So we had lots of fun, full of lots of memories and we just with Pete and Chels and Mark and Melissa could have been there, that would have just been icing on the cake:) Miss you all, and thank Blair and Lori and everyone for a great and memorable weekend:)

Ode to Alvaro

Well it's been one year, and the best year at that. On August 19th I got married to my best friend and I am so looking forward to the next eighty years or more. There were some adjustments we've had to make, but it is all worth it. I would not trade anything in the world for what I have right now. God is so good and had blessed me and our marriage so tremendously, I don't even know where to start. Thank you all for your support, for your love and prayers through the year and thanks for your friendship. Alvaro and I are so happy and feel so blessed and are so happy we made the decision a year ago to spend the rest of our lives together. I am looking forward to the rest of my life with Alvaro. From our first child (which isn't on it's way yet), to being able to meet our great grandchildren. He is an amazing man and I am so grateful for the sweet, caring, loving, Godly man he is and how much he loves me. Thank you Alvaro for the past year, and I am looking forward to so many more...

So, for the exciting part for all you readers, our anniversary was spend at Falcon Lake Hotel and Resorts, we went there for the night, and spent time walking on the beach, swimming in the pool, watching a movie, having a nice romantic supper and just relaxing. It was so nice to get away and I did get spoiled a little, here was one of my gifts. A beautiful anniversary band to match my wedding rings....... And I also got some beautiful earrings, I know I got spoiled but Alvaro said I deserved it, so I am not gonna argue.
Well, here you go. Our first year anniversary. Click on the ring to see more pictures of our getaway and anniversary I will never forget!! I love you Alvaro:)

hold on..

I know, we are long overdue for a blog, BUT there is one coming.
And it'll be a good one..
Just hold your gitch, it'll be here soon enough..

hello hello.. well back to the real world again. camping was fun, a little burnt since it was in the thirtys today, but the beach and water was beautiful and it was so relaxing to get away... talked to mom and dad tonight, so glad they're home and just am so thankful for them, they are great people and miss them lots... well i'll write again when i have more time, but it's off to bed for me.. just wanted to say, peace!

Well here's before..And here's afterahh. it's a little short, but it's so nice. haven't gotten too many headaches lately so maybe this will help. and only one more week of school. woo hoo. Alvaro's job is going well, still yet to see a picture of him in a suit, but we'll get there..:) have a great week everyone..!!

Here's what's going on in our world:

1) Alvaro has officially graduated and completed his degree and he becomes part of the working for tomorrow. At 10 am Monday, June 4th Alvaro walks into TD bank and begins his training. A lot of mixed emotions but he will be great, so please keep him in your prayers. Stay posted for a picture of the new and employed Alvaro:)
2) I am done school in only two more weeks!! June 15th is my last day and I have an extremely busy week handing in many things and completing and presenting last minute things, so please keep me in your prayers as I need to stay strong for Alvaro as he starts his job. And I only have two more weeks, that's only 8 more full working days, woo hoo...... Exciting... And p.s. I also cut my hair.. completely chopped off, stay posted for those pics too...
3) Clayton and Nadine came into Winnipeg Friday night and we had a delicious barbecue supper with them and had a fun visit as we strolled around the Forks here in Winnipeg! We had a great visit with them and mom and dad Roberts came in Saturday so we had mom and dad, Joy, Clayton, Nadine the boys and Alvaro and I over for an amazing roasted chicken supper that I made, if I do say so myself..
4) Then this morning at church they celebrated the grads of this year and it just so happens Alvaro and i graduated the same year so it was nice to be there and do that together and it was really nice to have mom and dad and Joy there to celebrate with us as well..
5) you'd think I'd be out of things by now, but there's one more very important thing! Lori Sue comes in two days.. yay.. I am very excited. Although it's sad some company left we have more on the way and we are very excited and happy and anxious about the next couple weeks...

Just thought we'd update everyone.. Stay tuned for some nice pictures and some more stories to come! Have a great week everybody...

The best is YET to come

Well, we just got back from our may long weekend and the weather wasn't quite what anyone wanted, I don't think, but it was great none the less. My third week of practicum, only three more to go after this week. And I just signed my contract today for my job, so I am officially employed as of May 18, 2007! And Alvaro starts his job in under two weeks, a little excited, nervous and anxious all in one. So he's finishing up school and we are both ready to move on to this next part of our lives!!!
I am also pumped cause my great friend Lori Sue is coming to visit me in a couple weeks and I can't wait. Strawberries and chocolate all the way.. So life is great and we are just anticipating and anxious about everything that's coming up!! Continue to keep us in your prayers though, as we are stressed and tired from SCHOOL....boo.. Talk to you all soon, sorry there's no pictures, no cute kids to show..... YET........

LONG WEEKEND

WOO HOO...

Aren't they so cute..!! We had such a great past week.. It started with Pete and Chels and Eva coming to visit our home here in Winnipeg, which was so much fun...!! I am so thankful they could take the time to do that.. Then we hopped in the car with them and Joy and went off to Weyburn and celebrated Grandpa P's 80th birthday..!! Wow, hey! It was so much fun, so much family time and it was so great to all be together! For those of you who may or may not know we also celebrated mom and dad's 30th wedding anniversary that is in August..!!!! We love you mom and dad and are you so happy to call you our parents.. God is so good! So yeah, we had an awesome week and a great weekend and although practicum starts next week, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I am very happy and blessed that we got to spend that time together as a family. I miss you all already..!:) Take a look at some more of our pictures from when little Eva came to visit our house!
P.S. Have fun on your cruise mom and dad!. haha..!!

we find the defendant...

GUILTY.....

Say hello to the newly employed Mr. Valdez.

Alvaro hadn't heard from the bank since today and so he decided to call this morning to see how the process was going. The lady didn't answer the phone so Alvaro left a message. Not even five minutes later, the lady called him back, apologized for taking so long to call him, and then offered him a job.

I wasn't with Alvaro yet when he found out the news, he was on his way to pick me up from school and when he picked me up there was a sticky note on the dashboard folded up, and he told me to open it cause he wrote me a message. I opened it, and it said, "I GOT THE JOB." It was so exciting, I apologize Alvaro, I think I hit him on the arm a few times cause I am just so proud of him. Then we went out for lunch to celebrate.

So starting June Alvaro is working at TD Canada Trust, working as a Financial Services Representative and will begin by going through training for six months.

I just really wanna thank you for all of your prayers, because I know that this was only done by God and we just feel so blessed at this point in our lives. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we go through finishing school, we will both be finished end of May, middle of June, so that is very exciting and we are so thrilled to see where God will send us and what he will do with our lives..
Praise God, He is so good.. Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement, we love you all. .:):):)

still waiting...

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart

and lean not on your own

understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make you paths

straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Continued prayers please as we await the news about Alvaro's job interview. We know that God has a plan and a will for us and we are learning to trust him completely...

But we know that when we do trust him he will show us his path for us and he will set it straight.. The bible says it.. Preach on!!

We'll let you all know as soon as we hear anything, thank you so much for your prayers..!:)

Interview!!

Well, Alvaro got a phone call Monday morning and he has an interview Friday morning. That is tomorrow, for those of you who don't know, so, if you'd like to keep him in your prayers, he'll be in the interview at 10am tomorrow morning.. So yeah, we're trying to figure out which shirt and tie he should wear with his suit, grey or green? What a toss up, it's a hard choice.. But I think we'll go for the grey.. Looks so classy..!

(Of course he'll shave in the morning)

no worries..

Anyway, keep him in your prayers as I am sure he'll be a bit nervous. Luckily I'll be home in the morning to send him off... So proud.. ha.. Well, I am sure we'll talk to you all soon to let you know how it went. Hope you're all having a great week.. If you choose to leave a message, you could send him a few words of encouragement..Thanks.. Gotta run, lata.. So proud of you Alvaro whether this is God's will for you or not:)

Homecoming

Well we are back home, I am not sure if that is good or not. It is nice to be in our own bed again and to just sit here and relax, but it was also hard to leave and so great to see so much family and friends. We had an amazing weekend filled with so much fun and laughter and cries and prayers, and singing, etc, etc, etc... And I am so thankful we were able to go... We got to see these beautiful children,there was just one little Eva missing:(

Click on either photo to see more pictures

Not only did we get to see these great kids and my bros and sistas, Alvaro also reunited with his class he graduated with, five years ago. I know, he's old... Ha, and it was mark's 10 year, haha.. Anywho, Saturday night we were out till 4 in the morning, our time, chatting with his class, singing, sharing stories, and we had so much fun... I am glad Alvaro got to go, there was a good size of his class that attended, and it was great..

So after our long night at the party, we woke up Sunday, went to church, and had a delicious lunch with the whole family... Brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, neices and nephews were all welcome:) So, that was the jist of our weekend and we are home and exhausted. So I hope everyone else had a great weekend, and please check out our photos.. So many memories..:)

The whole of life...

"The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it." Plutarch

You know, lately I have been self reflecting and thinking a lot about my attitude and how I act in every day situations. I have been thinking about school and how I act around my friends.

"Am I letting them know who I really am and what I believe? Do they know I love Jesus? Am I missing an opportunity to be telling them about what they are missing in life? Can they tell I am a Christian, and that I am different from them?"

These are all questions that I have been thinking about and I am not quite sure why.. I see people inviting their friends to church, bible study and being very open about who they are.. That's great. I am so proud of who I am, but for some reason it's so hard for that to come out when I am with others who don't have the same beliefs as me. I sit on the bus and see a sad, stinky old man, and wonder "what if I went and said hi, smiled at him and gave him some encouragement", but on the other hand then I think, but what will everyone think of me.

So as I go on day to day I just pray for some way for me to become less concerned about what people think of me, how they portray me, and I pray that I can really be a witness for God and have people look at me and know that I am a Christian, I love God, and that I can someday have the guts to do things I feel like doing, thanks Blair...!! Like talking to older people who look lonely on the bus, or standing up and knowing the right thing to say when your religion is being bashed!:)

I know that my words are all jumbled, but I pray for everyone of you that God can be shown through your everday life, your attitude, the way you speak, the way you act, etc... I know we were put on this earth to love God, let his light shine and to be able to share His word, so God, please help us be more appreciative about who we are and our purpose here on your Earth and to use and take advantage of everyday to live for you.

DEATH!

Doesn't make you wanna read this blog with that title, but that's what's been on my mind lately. There have been many deaths and so many sick people that I just can't stop thinking about it!! First of all just let me say that I love JP and Penny so much and their children. They are such a great family and we have been able to be there for them for support since JP's mom passed away, and family is just so powerful and it is so great how we can rely on each other.!! Secondly, because of this, and because of a man from our church passing away, Merle Johnson, I have been reflecting a lot about my life and taking advantage of every day, because although it will be great to go to Heaven and be with God, there are so many things that I can't imagine leaving behind right now! Since I still am on this earth, cause it's obviously not my time to go meet with God yet, I just want to say a couple of things to everyone. I love you all, and life is so precious.

CLICK HERE 2 SEE SOME PICTURES

God brought Alvaro to me for a reason, to be my husband and to someday be an amazing father and I just love you so much Alvaro! You love God, you love people, you are caring loving and always willing to help with anything. I love your giving spirit and I could not have asked God to send me anyone better.. I love you!
I also want to thank my mom and dad and know that you two are amazing parents, friends, examples and I feel so blessed to have you as such a huge part of my life. I think I speak for every one of my brothers and my sisters and even cousins and everyone else, that you two are true examples of Godly people and I just can't imagine life without you two. I love you and thank you so much for my siblings and for bringing us up how you did!
I also want to say how much I love my siblings. Mark, Pete, Blair, Joy and of course all my amazing sister-in-law's, Chels and Melissa and Melissa. I just feel so blessed that we all love each other as much as we do and I love that we all talk to each other and get along, and that all my older brothers have always been there to wach over me. Watching them grow up, and seeing them make their mistakes, haha, I learned from them quick, and looking at them now and who they have all grown to be it just amazed me and I could not be more proud to call myself their sister! I love you guys!! And your wives are so amazing and are all such great moms and I know all my neices and nephews are going to have a great childhood just like I did because their mom and dad are so faithful and love each other so much! I love all of you, and Joy of course I love you too. I loved growing up with you, and I still love growing up with you! I love having you around, to have a friend to talk to about anything, to still have sleepovers with and I just see us growing closer and closer and you are such a smart and amazing lady that I respect so much. I love you Joy, and never forget all those memories we shared when we were little.... I know I never will!!! Kitty:)
I know this is getting long, but I just really want everyone in my life to know how much of a role you have played in shaping me and making me proud of who I am! My whole family, Peterson and Roberts and all my friends are just amazing and I feel so blessed.. That's all I can say, BLESSED!!! My life has been filled with so many good things and I am just such a blessed person, that if I were to die I would leave knowing that people loved me and that all of you would be here to love eachother and take care of each other!:)
I am sorry, this is not meant to scare anyone, I just wanted to talk about what's on my mind.. Life is so great and precious.. LIVE EACH DAY AS THOUGH IT'S YOUR LAST.! love u all!

Oh Lori!

I have been thinking a lot about Lori lately. For those of you who don't know her, you should. She is an amazing person, and so much fun.! Lori and I grew up best friends, and we still are, as far as I know!:).. No matter how long it's been since I have talked to her, it's always comfortable and there is so much to talk about..!she Always makes me laugh and is always there to pray for me when I need it or just to talk to!

I am so proud of Lori for going to school to be a nurse because it is something she has always wanted to do! Another thing is the medical missions she goes on that I think is so amazing. She just listens to God tell her where to go, and I am sure she does great things in those places where He sends her.! I just wanted to thank Lori and let her know how much I love her and think about her! And I want everyone reading this to think of someone special in your life, when was the last time you told them you love them and appreciate them!:)! Praise God for good, honest, true and loving friends:)

PEACE OUT!:)

A gift from God...

As many of you know, I had my phone interview this morning with TD Canada Trust. It was just as I expected, a lot of questions and some of them quite tricky. But what I did not expect was to get a second interview at that moment!! YESS I GOT A SECOND INTERVIEW!!! This is funny because this is how sometimes I feel about God, sometimes he gives you things that you don't even expect, sometimes they are good, sometimes bad, but what we need to realize is that he is doing these things because he loves us. It is amazing because somedays I feel like I am lost but I know that God is always with me, and I know this because he has blessed me with so many wonderful things, like a new family, and the most wonderful caring wife in the whole wide world! I am just so thankful. I know times may get difficult but with the help of family and friends and specialy God, everything is possible.

"What is impossible with men, is possible with GOD"

Luke 18:27

Thanks to all of you that prayed for me!

So blessed!

Well, this week, actually I guess this past six months I have been feeling especially blessed. First of all, I got married which has been such a blessing and so much fun. Since Alvaro and I are both students we haven't been too financially set, but we realize is that it doesn't matter.. Whether you have a million dollars or whether you are thirty thousand dollars in debt, God is always there and he is going to bless you. To acknowledge some of these blessings first things first, Alvaro has a job interview tomorrow!! YAY! We are not sure if this is what God wants for us or for Alvaro, but we are praying that whatever comes from it, that it is God's will. Because we know he will have something better in store if this isn't what his will is.. So he has a phone interview tomorrow morning at 10 am Manitoba time, for anyone who could please pray for him and it is a financial services representative position at TD bank!!.. So, prayers please.. Our second blessing was that I got a phone call today and there will be a job opening at the centre I chose for my final practicum and this job opens the end of June which is when I am graduating. I was a little disappointed after christmas because I didn't get a paid practicum and I wasn't sure where I should go, because I had a choice, so I chose this centre not thinking there would be a job available when I graduate, but now there is, and I am thankful because I loved it there and I loved the staff and children there..! So I am going there in May and June and could be working there full time just coming out of school!! I can see the different ways in which God may be telling me he wants me to go to this place... Maybe I can do some good at this centre and I am just amazed at how God is speaking to me and taking care of us! Taking care of our future! What more can I say. I see God continually opening doors and providing for this small family of two, and he is just so good.! So continued prayers and just don't forget to thank God for all that he does for you! God is so good! p.s. don't forget to look down below at another blog posted today!!

Scaredy Pants

Hello all! I wanted to post this picture when we got back from our trip, but I forgot.. So, here it is. Alvaro, Chelsey, Eva and I all went for a walk one day on the Mann's farm... We found something out that day, Chelsey is scared of horses. I am too, but I can at least stand by them.. :) I guess the horse was just rubbing Chelsey the wrong way.. :)

SURPRISE!!

Well, lastnight, I threw a surprise party for Alvaro. It is his birthday next week (March 1), and I just love surprising him, so I did... We started off going to the IVORY restaurant with "Joy", but he didn't know other people were there to celebrate with us. So, we had a nice supper and then afterwards came back to our house and had cake, chips and dip(thanks Pen, it was good dip) and we had a delicious fruit platter! We then played cranium, too many people for Settlers of Catan, and that was a lot of fun. A lot of laughs and it was fun celebrating Alvaro!:)

!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVARO!!

(click on photo to see more pictures from his birthday)

Also, this week Alvaro and I stole Austin and Justin from Penny and looked after them for the afternoon. We had lunch, played with playdough, watched movies and had lots of fun. We love these kids

(& Brandon too of course)

From +10 to -30

Well, we flew away from BC yesterday! Talking about flying I have to say I think we had the worst luck this trip with our flights, but needless to say we survived. On our way to Victoria last Saturday we got on our plane in the morning from Winnipeg and were ready to go, and they told us we had to get off the plane again because there was a security breach... Don't ask we what it was, but I just listened cause I really wanted to leave. So the rest of the trip was fine, but yesterday on our way home we left Victoria about half an hour late and had an extremely bumpy ride, which if you don't know, doesn't sit well with me. Then we landed in Calgary, unfortunately after we landed supposedly there was a fire in an electrical outlet or something and so the runway lights weren't working and therefore we were stuck in the airport for an hour and a half, which means our flight was super late home and we didn't get home until two in the morning, oh what fun hey? But anyways, to the highlights of the week.

We got to spend the week with these wonderful people:

(Click on above photo to see more)

We had so much fun, and getting to know Eva was amazing. We got to get up early with her and feed her, we changed her bum (which may not sound fun but it was), we also got to cuddle with her so much. Alvaro and I are just really grateful for the time we spent there and how much it meant to us. It was a great holiday and well worth any amount of money..

Some highlights from the week are singing in the worship team with Uncle Kirk and Pete, that was sure fun. I am sure for Alvaro his highlights were golfing, 2 times... Lucky for him, it will probably never happen again.. haha, jk.! We got to go on walks with Chelsey and Eva, we walked on the harbour with Pete, and drove around to see the ocean, and then walked up Mount Doug.. It was just great, and I could go on forever, but this is getting pretty long. So, check out our photos! And thanks Pete and Chels for the talks, the walks, and for letting us hold that little girl so much....

Happy Birthday to me!

Well, it was my birthday last week and I just wanted to share with everyone what my sweet husband did. I came home from work to a clean house, flowers on the table, and a gift and a movie. Then he took me out for a nice dinner, it was a great birthday and just wanted to brag about my hubby.. He's so sweet.. AND it's our six month anniversary next week!

Click on photo above to see more pictures from my special day!

Thanks, come again!

Hey everyone, thanks for visiting our blog... I can't believe we never thought to get a blog. We love reading them but never thought of getting one.. So here, we are.. Thanks Chels, for the help getting it started.

p.s stay tuned for stories and pictures of our holiday in B.C. We're having such a good time!