Sharing my love of Missionary work and the Portillo Family!

I recently had the humble honor to have fellowship and dessert with the wonderful Portillo family!
They happen to be the brother and sister in law of a sweet friend from church. I am sooo happy that she chose to share them with  us while they visited the USA this summer!  Are they not the sweetest family? 

Juan Carlos and Johanna are Missionaries. They currently serve in a remote area of Mexico. The unique part of them being "missionaries"? You see, Juan Carlos is a pilot. And a good one too! His "oh so kind" wife, is part of a medical team. Together (and with others), they serve in a mountainous, hard to reach area of Mexico. Flying to the area is not easy. It is in the mountains and therefore landing is not easy.

The most interesting aspect of their work to me? The people they serve.... You see Juan Carlos and Johanna speak English and fluent Spanish. They have both been educated in the US and abroad.
The beautiful people they serve are "indigenous". They do not speak Spanish or English.  They speak their own dialect. There is not running water, and there are orphans. Their is infant mortality.

This couple serves because this is their life work. They bring the love of Christ, offer medical and dental care, clothing and educational experiences to the Oaxaca region of Mexico.

After spending time with this family and hearing their life stories, I had a deeper understanding of the fact that as we walk through this journey of life; we are to LOVE each other.  Juan Carlos and Johanna; their hearts are FULL of love. They fly to remote areas in the world and bend down to help those who have never even asked for help. AMF also has Social Workers to assist with care for the patients that Juan Carlos flies into a major city for a hospital visit.

Having worked in healthcare and social work fields for years myself, I know how much of a "servants heart" is required as you "literally" serve others. It is a blessing to be able to meet someones need. I know that many times when you serve others, you actually end up being the one who receives.

I am blessed to know this family. I pray for their safety as they return to Mexico to continue their life work.

If you would like to learn more about Mission Aviation Fellowship and the ministry's dedication to reaching those in remote areas , please visit their website @ www.maf.org. You will also get a glimpse of the beautiful people they serve.

Mission Aviation Fellowship : "Sharing the love of Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed.  "www.maf.org"

Summer 2012

Could it be that the Summer of 2012 is coming to a close? Oh how fast this summer is passing us by. This summer has been VERY busy and although I have gone on a few trips, attended quite a few church events, and participated in an awesome Monday night Womens Bible Study, (more on that in an upcoming post)....I sigh...HEAVILY.. because I don't feel rested. I have a 4 day weekend coming up for our family reunion where we have a BLAST!! I look forward to a beach weekend in the OBX (Outerbanks of North Carolina) before this summer ends. Until that time, I will attend my Soaring Spirit Yoga class! :) This past weekend was busy but ended with the celebration of s apecial cousins birthday! Enjoyed the company of my honey and family and in the spirit of "Gratituesday" ( Gratitude Tuesday) , I will end with some photos of the weekend birthday celebration!

That would be me on the far right with the white top :) Oh...and that guy in the middle of all the cousins (in green) ...thats my husband to be! ;) Have a Blessed week!

Thankful Thursday's (a link up) !!

I always enjoy reading the Thankful Thursday link up over at: www.blacktagdiaries.blogspot ! This blog is awesome! and it is veryyy important that we take the time to be Thankful! Here is my Thankful Thursday message... Today I am Thankful for: FAMILY.... The joy of family. The beauty of family. Those who know you oh so well... and love you unconditionally. FRIENDS...The full happy heart I have when I speak of my friends, see my friends, pray for my friends, think about my friends...ALL of them SO special..They are the family you get to choose! (My grandmother used to say that). Church Family...So fulfilling in my life..Love, love, love everywhere in this circle! Fills my heart with joy! My Monday night Bible Study group of ladies...They make Monday nights exciting!! This Thankful Thursday is all about people for me!! and love...never forget to love. Join the Thursday link up over @ black tag diaries.blogspot! Blessings, Shay

R & R @ The Hotel at Arundel Preserve

A few weeks ago, I was in need of some serious R & R.  May I just say, this girl was tired...in every single way. My sweet husband to be offered to take me to a little town just over an hour away from home, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed.

Although I did not do much of anything at this luscious spot ( besides eat, watch a movie, eat, and have a Mojito) the scenery in this boutique hotel was sooo lovely.

Here are a few photos of The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Arundel County, Maryland.

The above photos are the lobby area of this relaxing boutique hotel.

The very cool pool area. I did enjoy this relaxing space. :)  Let me just say, I am not brave enough (yet) to place my bathing suit pic on this blog....Ha!

The room and bathroom here at The Arundel Preserve really have a clean/ modern/ eco friendly feel.

Although  I did nothing but relax here .......

Sometimes relaxation is well deserved and necessary.

If you have the opportunity to visit this quiet area of Maryland, you will be pleasantly surprised.
There are many quaint eateries you can get to quickly by foot or car. An outlet mall nearby if you want to browse and do some shoe shopping ;), lots of coffee available ;) , and....a certain brand spankin' new casino.....that's if you like slot machines. :)

Hope you all are having a great week!

Word for the day ...."chocolate chip cookies"

Life is like a chocolate chip cookie....a couple of chips within a circle of goodness!
Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Here's hoping everyone had a great weekend! I will be back this week to blog about a couple of my favorite things....good food and some travel!!

Writing ? Me? ......and my very FIRST blog post

Hi ! This is a blog post , (as if you all did not know you were reading a blog post) :) but...it is really a HUGE, BIG deal for me. Why you might ask?

Although writing has been a really big part of my life for many years, I still freeze at the thought of someone actually reading what I write. I have no idea why. I guess its sorta like "stage fright"?, except...well;  "noone can see you", but they can read your thoughts and to me that's a little more frightening.There is no particular reason that I feel this way. Oddly, I have shared some of what I have written over the years with others and it is usually well received. It's almost like I sit on my writing due to fear. Okay, not almost...I sit on it.

Blogging means I am about to share my writing, and so for me that is BIG. Whew....now that I have said all of that, I can share that I do have a body of work that I hope to someday publish. I have contributed a foreword for a book that a friend of mine wrote (which was also a big deal to me). I was once invited to do a piece in a magazine which actually became an article and I was featured in it! Most recently, an editor that I had some idea discussions with a whiiiile ago contacted me. For what ? To discuss that idea again. I think that prompted me to blog, along with one other very special person.....

 Vanessa @desumama!  I have read this wonderfully smart, loving, creative blog since its birth. I love the writing and the wonderful writer!  In a very special email, desumama once told me that she thought  I had something to say......Thank you Vanessa! You do not know how those words stayed with me....

So, here I am..ready to write and share,  and hopefully Blog to Bless 1 (or thousands) ;)

Love and Blessings to All,

Shay