Christmas in July - The Story of Liana

I found out that I was pregnant with Liana just a few days before Thanksgiving in 2006.  My initial reaction was shock, mixed with tears.  At the time my other child, Caleb, was only 7 months old and my husband, Bruno, and I thought we were done having kids - I was even on birth control.  But - God had other plans in store for us. 

We already had two older girls and a boy.  Bruno was rooting for another boy.  I, on the other hand, secretly wanted another girl (mostly because I wasn't the best mother to my first born daugther in her younger years and I really wanted another chance with a daughter).  Not only did I pray for a girl, I prayed for a girl with colored eyes.  Bruno's father has colored eyes and my grandfather had colored eyes, so I thought it wasn't too far fetched - even though my husband and I, and all three of our other kids, have dark hair and brown eyes.  I prayed every single day... Lord, if it isn't too much trouble, can I please have another chance with a daughter and I know this is asking a lot, but I would be so happy if you would give her colored eyes (keep in mind, I was praying this BEFORE I received Jesus Christ into my life).

On July 24, 2007, my son - Caleb was really ill.  Bruno, one of our daughter's, Sarah, and I took him to the emergency room at Children's Hospital where we sat for 3 hours in a waiting room... and then, I went into labor (around 9:30 pm).  We left Children's and started driving to the hospital I was scheduled to deliver at which was about 25 miles away.  But of course, there was a wreck on the highway.  I can still vividly remember being in the car, Bruno driving, I was having contractions and then Caleb was vomitting in the back seat while Sarah was trying to tend to him - all while we were stuck in traffic.  We called my mom and step dad to meet us at the other hospital.  And after what felt like an eternity, we finally got there. 

We went to the ER, where I had to fill out paper work for Caleb since he had still not been seen at Children's - then once that was finally completed, we had to find a security guard to open the locked elevator to get to the second floor since it was after hours.  I filled out more paper work in the labor/delivery ward and got a room so they could monitor me.  It was about 11:30 pm at this point.  Bruno was going back and forth between the ER (where Caleb was with my mom) and being with me.  It was a crazy night!  Then, at 2:41 AM, it was time.  I told the nurse and doctor - "I think this baby is coming out."  They said, "don't push!"   And I said, "I'm not - that's how I am talking to you right now - but it is coming out!"  ( I said 'it' because at this point we had no idea if it was a boy or a girl).  Our baby was born at 2:42 AM on July 25, 2007.  And it was.... a girl.  Not only was it a girl, it was a girl with blue eyes!   It felt like Christmas!

The Lord had answered my prayer.  Bruno and I debated over several names for the next 10 minutes or so - Sophia, Olivia, Christina, Lisa, Claudia, and after much discussion, we decided to name her Liana.  I wanted to name her Liana Rene' (after me), but my husband said that there were already enough Rene's for us all to deal with in our family.  I am the only Rene'... and he's probably right.  At the time of naming her, we did not know what Liana meant.  We just liked the way the name sounded.  Years later, after I came to receive Jesus Christ, I looked up the meaning of her name and Liana is a short version of the name Eliana which is Hebrew and means 'My God Has Answered Me'.  IS THAT NOT INCREDIBLE?!?!!!!!   It just goes to show you that God is ALWAYS in the midst of things, even when we don't realize it - and even BEFORE we know we are His.  He already knows how His perfect plan will come together in our lives and every year, this story of Liana is just one of the ways that I am constantly reminded of that.

From Left to Right - Our Children:  Alyssa, Liana, Sarah, Caleb

The way she entered the world is a reflection of the kind of personality she has, so far, in life.  She keeps things interesting, tends to do things at her own pace when she wants regardless of what anyone says or thinks, and she is headstrong.  She is our chatter box, caretaker, defender, sassy prass, rough & tough, girlie, animal lover, fearless, and our little firecracker (looks like she may have gotten some of that Rene' in there after all - no middle name needed)! 

Praise God for answering my prayer.  He is faithful and hears our prayers.

Happy Birthday Liana ~ Mommy loves you, but God loves you even more!

Three Years Ago Tomorrow

Three years ago tomorrow... I received Jesus Christ into my life.

Three years ago tomorrow... my husband recommited his life to Jesus Christ.

Three years ago tomorrow... my husband and I both allowed Jesus Christ to break the bondage of alcoholism within our marriage and to change the legacy of alcoholism within our families. 

Three years ago tomorrow... with the Lord's prompting, we both committed to stop drinking alcohol and have not had a drop of it for the past 3 years.

Three years ago tomorrow... I felt a zeal and joy that I don't think I had ever experienced in my entire life prior to that date.

Three years ago tomorrow... I saw my husband change before my eyes and become an amazing, selfless, giving, servant of the Lord.  He continues to grow in this area and inspires me everyday.

Three years ago tomorrow... I began to forgive people, including myself.

Three years ago tomorrow... because of the immediate grace, mercy and peace I felt - all I wanted to do was tell anyone and everyone that would listen about the good news of Christ and to invite them to taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Three years ago tomorrow... changed everything. 

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Growing up I have had many different friendships, all at many different levels.  Most of them have lasted for a season of my life, but I do have one friendship that has lasted for 20 years.

I met Erica when we were in 6th grade (both 11 years old).  When you ask her what she first thought of me, she will say that she was a little intimidated by me and my big ol mouth straight forward personality (some things never change) and I thought she was too quiet, or too much of a goody two shoes.  But, nonetheless, we became friends.  We went to the same middle school where we were on the same 7th grade pep squad and 8th grade cheerleading team.  In high school, we hung out with pretty much the same crowd, went to lots of during after school activities together and even rode to our Senior prom in the same limo.  After our high school graduation, most of our friends all kind of went our separate ways.  Erica and I, however, always seemed to maintain our friendship and could always pick up right where we left off, even if we hadn't talked for a while.  At one point we even worked for the same company and we were pregnant together.

    

I will never forget the day she told me that she had received Jesus Christ and was quitting her dancing career with the Dallas Desperados.  I didn't even know what that meant, to receive Jesus Christ, I just knew that she had changed a lot and was making a lot of changes in her life.  Even though I didn't understand what she was doing, or why, I continued to be friends with Erica (sadly, many of our mutual friends didn't).  Erica would often talk to me about the Lord, but I didn't understand the language she was speaking.  I was of the world, and even though the things she said to me sounded good - I wasn't really up for having to change my lifestyle nor did I have an open heart to hear what she was saying.  But, our friendship still continued.

Then, on July 24, 2009 - I knew exactly what she was talking about!  That is the day I received Jesus Christ into my life.  I was at my house, in my bedroom - and I fell to my knees and cried out to Jesus.  I called her and told her and I don't know who was more excited in that moment - her or me?!  It was then that she told me that she had been praying for my salvation every single day since the day she was saved on May 14, 2003.   It was, and still is, the single best gift anyone has ever given me.   If you ask her about it, she will tell you that at times she just didn't even know what that would look like, for me of all people, to be saved since I was so far in the deep end.  But she never gave up and knew that God was able.

I am still humbled and brought to tears when I think that someone loved me as much as Erica did, to be that intentional about praying for me every single day - and trusting God to do His work in my life.  I am brought to tears even more by knowing that even with all of the unconditional love Erica has shown me, God still loves me more. 

This week Erica's husband, Chris, was speaking at the YFN camp at the Christ for the Nations Institute.  She asked me to attend, just like she has for the past 2 or 3 years, and Bruno and I attended with our two oldest girls.  Chris' message was so powerful and clearly inspired by the Holy Spirit that I recommitted my life to Christ this past Monday.  We went back with our girls to hear his second message on Wednesday, and Alyssa, one of our daughters, received Jesus Christ into her life during another powerful message that Chris delivered.

I am in awe of God as I type this blog.  I am also very grateful for Him bringing Erica into my life 20 years ago.  It's amazing at how our friendship was hand orchestrated for her to pray for my salvation, and for Him to use Erica's husband and his message to inspire Alyssa to receive Jesus Christ. 

I have often whined felt that I have a hard time with friendships, particularly maintining them, in my adulthood.   But I am finally at a place where I really trust that God knows what He is doing, specifically with my friendships.  Some friends will be woven closer than others, but I am so glad that He has woven Erica and I as tightly together as He has, a chord that cannot easily be broken.

Erica, if you are reading this - I love you girl!  Thank you for the wonderful gift of unconditional friendship, for being my cheerleader, my encourager, my voice of reason when I am being completely irrational (ha!), having the courage to tell me when I was in the wrong and for praying for my salvation.  Even though we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like you are always in my heart.

For everyone else reading this blog - I am a direct product of an answer to what seems like an impossible prayer.  I encourage anyone reading this to pick one person that you know that has not received Jesus Christ into their life and pray for them incessantly in the same way that Erica prayed for me.  It could be a complete game changer for your friend or family member and for their children and their children's children.