The Ackerman/Mejias Family est. 1991: July 2011

23 July 2011

Suffield, CT Concert

As I've mentioned before, Roci is part of a group called The AT express. She's been with the group for over a year and enjoys it. I don't enjoy all the running around involved, BUT I love to watch her and her friends perform!! They have so much fun and sound great together. It has been a wonderful opportunity for her and Dan Kehoe is one of the most generous people I've ever met. He is responsible for forming the group and has been extremely supportive of them.
Todd Madison is responsible for the photos below:

Parade float

Roci performs 'Lean on Me'

A tribute to the Armed Forces. Roci represents the Marines... of course;)

If you look close, (but please! not too close!), You will see myself and my sister-in-law Joanne on that stage!! Yikes! We were picked to help sing Cher's Shoop shoop song... Oh my!

July

By the way, before I continue, I would like to say that our potential disaster was averted. God did hear our prayers of desperation and had mercy on us! I will just say that it had something to do with being potentially unemployed. We are one of the many American families that live paycheck to paycheck:(
I believe that this was a wake up call for us to get our finances in order and take control. We have been debt free before and it is a liberating feeling. I am ready to experience that again!
God IS good.

On a lighter note, here are some picture updates for July:

Rocquel turned 12 on the 15th of July and can now attend the Young Women's program! That leaves my little Aalyia in primary. It is only a matter of time before I have her picture here:(

Rocquel, with Bella and Isabella, make up the AT express. They are getting ready to perform at an outdoor concert in Suffield, CT. Aren't they beautiful??

Jenn Baird and her daughters joined us for the festivities,

This is at the Yellow Sofa in Northampton. They actually had a yellow sofa!! You can't really see it in this photo but it was YELLOW. Noel arranged for us, and our friend Janine from Cali, to hear Calvin Betancourt perform. I enjoyed the concert. He had a very calming voice. I, being one who can't carry a tune, am very envious of those who can!

18 July 2011

Seriously...

(I learn from my mistakes... most times. I decided to look for someone else's not-so-great picture to post on this entry. The last time I posted a not-so-flattering picture of myself it ended up being one of my most seen entries! Not so great.)

Why do I need a picture of a frustrated person?? It is how I have been feeling for a few days. You see, there is something personal I am going through and although I'm not at liberty to talk about it now, it is very stressful!!

I know that there are lessons to be learned from trials, but it is so hard to think about that during the trial and even harder for me to remain faithful and optimistic. I always feel like this will be the time that God decides not to help or comfort because He sees how often I screw up. He'll think, "oh well... too bad. Can't keep bailing you out. Tsk, tsk."
I know that fear is the total opposite of faith. I get it, but it is difficult to understand that God loves me no matter what and even bigger, that Christ's attonement works even for me. Every time I ask. Every time?? Really?? Hmmm... I'm feeling a lot like Peter when he denied Jesus. And Peter walked with Him and witnessed miracles first hand! And yet, he went on to become a powerful apostle.
To fear and doubt is to deny Christ. That is why Peter denied Him, because he was scared. And here I am doing the same thing, "Who Him?? Uhh, I don't know Him. He won't help me. I'm a screw up."

But then, I read a scripture that says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrightousness."
Or this one, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Or this biggie," For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Wow.
I think I'm feeling a little better... for the moment;) I think I'll have some yummy birthday cake that an angel friend made for me with some coconut milk ice cream that another angel friend gave me!! That will help remind me that God is full of love and mercy;)
Some prayers thrown our way would be much appreciated as well... Thanks for listening.
God IS good.

11 July 2011

Life is just a bowl of cherries..

What the heck does that saying mean anyway??? I love the E.G. Daily version of the song, but what does it mean? Soft on the outside, hard on the inside? Sweet and sour? Oddly shaped, but pretty color? I know the idiom means that life is carefree, but really, are cherries carefree?? Why not pineapples or nectarines? Just one of those things I think about that NO ONE cares about, but I can't help. In moments of poor judgement, I share them on my blog:)

I am in awe when my kids say we never do anything! Look at these pictures. Are they proof of being lazy and doing nothing?? I ask you? Really?

Roci's 12th birthday...