Family Archives – Page 11 of 12 – Strength Of The Small

Father Daughter Relationship Faith Parenting Strength of The Small Love Family Life Lessons

Love that Strengthens: Thoughts for My Fathers

By JM PerezJune 16, 20123 min read1.3K views

“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.” — William Penn

I am lucky to have many great men around me I call fathers, and these individuals are some of the sweetest men I know.

As a child, my biological father was one of my biggest fan before I could understand and appreciate the meaning of friendship. We’ve had our tough moments followed by a period of deep sadness and profound sorrow. While the Earth stopped moving around us and the Lord revealed His plans for us; we experienced the love of God that strengthens and renews. That was our moment of awakening.

For the first eighteen (18) years of my life, I learned tremendously from my biological father, who was not the easiest person to live with. Some people judged him by what they saw him to be and others by what they knew him to be. Yes, my biological father was a disciplinarian; however, those he taught knew they would be going to bigger, better things in their life. Those who knew him or got to know him well regarded him with respect.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NKJV)

Good fathers are a blessing. They are necessary and invaluable to their daughters’ development. They teach us:
» To obey the Scripture
» To love ourselves just the way we are (self-worth)
» To respect our Mothers/Elders
» Family values
» Self-defense
» The difference between right and wrong
» Honesty, Integrity, Gratitude, Loyalty, Hard work
» Forgiveness, Accountability, Patience, Persistence
» The male side of things (to seek out healthy relationships)
» They encourage us to be the best we can be … etc.

Image Source: HappyFatherDay2013.com. — *Image Source: QuoteSaying.net.*

I suppose one could safely say that I am my father’s daughter, even though him and I are similar opposites. I have learned so much about the gift of giving, loving and forgiving just by watching him. We give of ourselves totally and of our time freely to those in need. We continue giving, even to the ungrateful.

To those who have lost their earthly fathers and those who are estranged to their fathers for one reason or another, the scripture points out that God is “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” — Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV). The Heavenly Father loves and watches over you.

Happy Father’s day Dads! Thank you for always providing for us.

May our Almighty Lord bless and keep you safe always.

I Love You.

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By JM Perez

Blessings Death Faith Love Family

Deathless Bond

By JM PerezMay 2, 20122 min read1.6K views

On this day fourteen years ago, my sister left the world of mortals.

Jacky was truly one of a kind. She was amazing, smart, available, funny, strong, gentle, kindhearted, open-minded, sensitive, forgiving, and true. She had beautiful big brown eyes and a smile that literally lit up a room. She was a people person and always fought the good fight.

From the moment I became aware, I claimed her as mine: my sister, my friend, blood of my blood. I wanted to be just like her. She was my role model. We prayed, shared, talked and laughed a lot. We fought and argued about everything (I fought just as much with my brothers). At the end of each day, we always remembered that we only had each other. All we had was each other. ‘I had her back and she had mine.’

1997 was a bittersweet year. It was just the two of us against the world and our bond intensified. In a series of letters, I told her how much I loved her and how much she meant to me. She was all I got. We were deeply connected as I could feel her emotions and her mine. She was truly a free spirit in the purest sense of the word. On a beautiful afternoon a year earlier, while conversing in her room, she told me about her past two lives and I was amazed at how much detail she recalled. She encouraged me to practice kindness, especially toward those who hurt me and never to seek vengeance, regardless of circumstances.

"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." — Proverbs 31:25 (NLT). — *“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”*
*— Proverbs 31:25 (NLT).*

Though physically gone, she is closer than ever before. Her spirit has not left my side. Like a soldier, she’s on standby; patiently waiting for instructions. I have called upon her for strength and she has comforted me. In my times of anxiety she’s the second best thing after my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’ve all heard of guardian angels and it is said that we each have one. I am grateful, blessed to have met and walked the Earth with mine. I claimed her with a pure heart and the Lord made her mine.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

“Claim your loved ones in Jesus name so that their path will be true and safe.” — Joan Ambu

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By JM Perez

Yahoo! 360° {Archive} Home Improvement Family Gratitude High Desert

Our Front Yard Landscaping

By JM PerezJune 12, 20102 min read882 views

Today has been such a wonderful day. We were able to accomplish so much, all thanks to Mom’s babysitting services. She is and has always been a tremendous help when it comes to lending a hand.

We now have some Before and After pictures of the front yard landscaping to share with you (the pictures speak for themselves). Those of you who visited with us have seen some of the progress we’ve made around our Home and while there’s still much work to be done, we will take a break for now.

I purchased a couple of Phoenix Roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm Tree) a few days ago and planted them. I know they will look lovely in a few years and add so much charm to the yard if they survive the Winter.
We are still debating about whether to grow grass (perhaps installing synthetic grass), using stepping-stones or just let the middle section as it is (plain dirt). After all, isn’t the yard colorful enough?

Do you see the dried plants below? Those are weeds. It saddens me to know that a family with children once lived here and never thought about getting rid of those dried and ugly plants. This is a front yard for goodness’ sake! Forget for one minute about what the neighbors think of you and how much you will have to pay in fines for being careless. How do you feel going home? Those things right there are a fire hazard.

We are changing the exterior appearance of our Home one day at a time. We purchased the gravel from The Rock Yard, the garden edging from Big Lots! My husband surprised me with the Cherub Fountain and we did the work ourselves. The next outdoor project will be the backyard landscape and continued clean-up.

Happy Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Yahoo! 360° {Archive} Personal Quest Love Family People

Holy Week and Us

By JM PerezApril 1, 20102 min read627 views

My daughter turned two months old. She now gives out genuine smiles and makes our hearts flutter whenever she smiles back at us in response to our silliness. She loves looking around; mostly at the chandeliers, ceiling fans and lights. She’s getting heavier (ferocious eater with good appetite) and we are just happy she’s a healthy baby. We had visitors last weekend, who prepared delicious meals for us and bought gifts for the baby. My older son is wonderful and a very protective brother; he’s just full of surprises and love.

Physically and mentally I’m doing alright. I’m going through a ‘Soul Searching’ phase. Though I’ve pretty much lost my post-pregnancy weight; I’ve gained muscles from my daily exercises and I’ve reached an ideal body shape. I’m happy where I am now. My husband too, has been losing weight, thanks to his routine exercise and he has never been happier. We owe it in part to our ongoing commitment to a balanced and healthy diet.

Holy Week this year is very meaningful to us. We never truly realized how lucky we are until lately. We’ve seen so much pain and destruction around the World. Just last weekend, for instance, we visited a family friend in Los Angeles, CA whose son got shot a few times (and survived, thankfully). A week earlier we visited a friend in Upland, CA who lost her sister-in-law and while at the residence, we found out about the dead of someone else. Life is just too short and too fragile to waste lingering on meaningless things.

While using our time wisely, helping others and keeping ourselves happy; we are clinging to hope, thriving to do the right thing and praying for the forgiveness of our sins. As we look back at the past, we hope for a better tomorrow.

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By JM Perez

Yahoo! 360° {Archive} Destinations Home Decor Family

Weekend In Maryland

By JM PerezMay 4, 20092 min read871 views

We returned home yesterday from a three day vacation in Maryland. It was the first flight we took together as a family. At first, I was worried about flying with a one year old; but it actually turned out great. He was calm, well behaved and slept almost through the entire flight. For me, those were signs of a wonderful weekend.

The White House by night. — *Partial view of the White House by night.*

One of my brothers picked us up from the airport along with my dear Mother and dropped us off at the residence of my other brother. As soon as I got a chance to close my eyes, I slept almost half a day. My brothers got to meet their nephew for the first time and we met their significant others. Despite everyone’s busy schedule, we had a great time and we created beautiful memories that will last forever.

On the morning of our last stay, my brother surprised us by driving down to Chesapeake Beach Veterans’ Memorial Park (one of the major attractions). It turned out to be a lovely day and we quietly walked along the Chesapeake Bay. While visiting a shop on North Beach, my Son had his eyes on what appears to be a Vintage replica of a Leviton Truck by Branch Electric Supply Company. After making some purchases, the shop owner decided to gift him the truck. Oh, boy, was he happy.

Beach Sign & Decorative Paddle with Lighthouse Scene. — *Beach Sign & Decorative Oar with Lighthouse Scene.*

Of course, the trip wouldn’t have been complete without seeing my friend and sister in Christ, Emilienne, who drove all the way from Virginia on our last night with her sister and daughter to see us.