Super Arteaga Family

Hi All! Manda here! Here are photos that me and my husband took yesterday along with 2 of our furbabies!!  We realized we had several shirts of Superman/blue color so decided to take pictures which was awesome idea of ours!!

 This photo...too cute! Have to give my husband a credit for coming up with cute "mini-cosmic book" of our girls! Heh! Looked like Lola just landed from flying so David came up with these cute story!

 Cute posing of our 2 supergirls! Cannot resist this moment so had to take the picture *credit goes to my husband*

 Family posing along with our superman shirts!!!  Our dogs were little difficult to control at the time but perfect timing and the camera caught it at the right time! Yay!

 The love of my life and me!  What am I gotta do without this superman! He's my hero ;)

Our Super family! *our secret: we have powers so if you need some saving, call us and we'll be right there to save you!-snickering-*

Fact: Me and David both are in LOVE with television show called "Smallville", have any of you seen that?  We also own dvds from season one to season eight!  We were able to borrow season nine from a good friend of ours and completed watching all of the season nine!  Looking forward to watch season ten and eleven!!  I was in LOVE with the show EVEN BEFORE I dated my husband!  Then later on, found out he loved the show too...which made my day that day! =D

Hope you all had a great week, mine was good even with sinus infection along with awful throat sore and bodyaches!  I might have gotten some spring flu/cold but I am handling it pretty well, still done my things during the day! 

Also, thought I could drop some verses here so you can think about the verses during the week!

Proverbs 16:3>> "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." 

Boy.....knowing that I am struggling with looking for jobs (which I know I am not only one in the shoes of seeking for the job) but all I gotta do is commit my actions to the Lord and whatever HIS plans that He has got me will succeed.  I know that I have MY own plans but that won't usually succeed unless you allow the Lord to take a control of your life, right?  Give it all to the Lord, and HE SHALL take care of it! 

Here's other verse that helps me think more.....

Galatins 6:9>> "Let's not get tired of doing what is good at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

 That verse IS powerful!  Sometimes I feel like giving up with seeking for job (even if it been 2 weeks BUT I have to remind myself that verse everyday to NOT give up on the Lord, He WILL bless us if we keep our endurance with our actions for the Lord, like serving the Lord!  I serve the Lord daily by gospeling His words and praying and on Sundays, I teach Sunday School class which I EXTREMELY enjoy doing!  So I ask each of you to think and please PLEASE do NOT give up on the Lord.  He did NOT give up on us, he DIED and ROSE again for ALL OF US so we ALL COULD LIVE!! Amen! 

I think that's all I needed to say...whew, I got that all out there!!  Oh also a reminder, for these who lives in Lincoln (or Omaha, you're welcome to come too), will have women bible study at Spring Of Life Deaf Christian Church at 6:30pm tomorrow evening (May 2nd).  Will be studying the book of Ruth, chapter 3 along with ASL video of Ruth!  Come and join us, ladies! Otherwise, have a wonderful week!

God Bless,
Manda

Show yourself as hard worker; Another people will recognize you

             Hello, this is David Arteaga. I’m pretty sure that you guys have been waiting to hear from me on the blog which my wife was dragging me into.  Honestly I agree with her that our life is about testimony.  EVEN a testimony is part of GOSPEL and PREACH!

I got that word from Deaf Mission for Leadership Christian Conference.   One guy inspired me by his story about what happen to him before he arrived to Deaf Mission.. He got a free ticket to fly because he is best customer that travels, so the airline company gave him a free trip. He booked his flight, and get on the plane.   There are 2 stops between the start point and end point, from JAX to Atlantic airport then to OMAHA. That was his original plan.  Later, he flew down to Atlantic, he missed his next flight because front desk person was supposed to inform him when it’s time to board on the plane.  Apparently,  the person forgot about him, so he had to book another flight which required him to fly to CHICAGO.  He was not frustrated because he knew that God had a plan for him.  He flew to Chicago then when he hopped in the airplane to OMAHA, he was assigned to sit in the last row on the plane. So he sat and read the bible and noticed  the guy  that was sitting next to him was reading the bible too.  So he decided to talk him (write paper back and forth to communicate) and he ask that guy, “You reading bible? You a Christian too?”.   Hearing guy said  “Yes, my father recently passed away and is on the way home from his funeral.  I have been thinking a lot, but I am glad that God send someone to talk to me, now I do not feel alone anymore.”  Deaf guy announced at the Leadership Christian Conference, that SOMETIMES when you make a plan, and then the plan ended up being MESSED UP, to KEEP IN MIND that God have ANOTHER plan which is usually the best plan and KEEP your eyes open when you notice the frustration.  

So that story touched my heart at that moment.  It is so true because God always make every plan for everyone’s purpose.  HE REIGNS!  You and I have to know that HIS plan is always better plan than ours. 

Anyway. My topic is “Show yourself as hard worker;  Another people will recognize you.”  It happened to me recently.  I still couldn’t believe but it is going to be hard on my wife being lonely at home by herself, but in some way, God will show us about our blessings.   

So  4 weeks ago, my wife and I have noticed our budget was going downhill  so we had to find a way to stable our fianicial situations,  since my wife’s job as a in-home daycare for an disabled child was not too dependable.  I decided to tell my wife that I have to find second job to keep our fianicial stable to pay our household bills.  So we prayed and asked God for His best WISE choice/plan for us and take care of our fianical situation.  So I asked Him if you give me another job which it fine, if you don’t , then I will still TRUST in you, God.  Usually, I would  struggle to find another job, but  on April 12th, which is on a Thursday, I started applying for jobs, even my mom saw that some restaurants were hiring.  I went ahead and applied at Beacon Hills Bar & Grill.  I already have a job at Olive Garden, my schedule daily has always been Monday through Saturday 7am to 3pm.  A week later, on the 19^th that’s on a Thursday, I called Beacon Hills to follow up on my application. They replied that they wanted to do a job interview so they asked me if I could come by tomorrow at 10am, Friday of 20^th, so I had to check my OG schedule.  I was shocked and thought,  “GOD IS SO GOOD!”   Because at OG, I was scheduled to work at 11:45am! God’s plan were working out for me!  I became a little bit excited and  I realized it was a last minute to get a interpreter.  I thought about  one of my friends,  Emily B, from Olive Garden.  I decided to ask her if she was able to interpret for me at my interview.  She said that she normally have to work on Friday mornings, turned out she only has to work at 4pm.  So she was willing to interpret me.  AGAIN, How great God is!  So I went to the job interview.  Everything went really well!  My friend, Emily, did a GOOD JOB as an interpreter!   And last thing.  the assistant chef and owner of the restaurant walked in the kitchen then came back, ask me if I want this job.  I replied, “Yes”, then guess what they said! “YOU’RE HIRED!”.  I was so surpised!  That was a quick 15 minutes interview and decided to hire me right there! 

                Then, yesterday, I went to Beacon Hills to meet Chef Craig and sign the paperwork.  We chatted without having a interpreter with me this time but we communicated through writing on the paper.  It all went very smooth, until he mentioned about my old boss, Jeanette from Southeast Community College that works in the cafernia kitchen.   He mentioned that he knew her since 1992 because she was  working under Craig’s restaurant.  Even they lived close to each other (right across the street from each other).  That moment caused me to become curious, so I asked him, “Did you talked to Jeanette about me?”  Chef Craig said, “Oh yes, I did. I asked her many questions, but Jeanette gave me one answer.. “HIRE HIM quick before YOU ARE TOO LATE!”  At that moment when Chef Craig told me about it, my self-esteem boosted! Chef Craig continued to write what Jeanette said.  She told him that she enjoys  having me work with her.  She always knew that I’m a hard worker and tries myself to be the best chef. She also mentioned that she misses working with me.  I felt so grateful to God that He taught me to be patient with job even if it puts me under stress or struggling.  I showed them that I am a dependable and worthy to work with. 

So, that’s my thoughts!  So IF you do this through His righteous and show by being honest with yourself then people can see you through God’s deed work, and God will bless you more..

Now, It will be harder on my wife with me working a lot, so I’m asking you to please pray for my wife and I and for us to have a healthy relationship of marriage while I am working a lot. Thank you for reading this blog and enjoy your night!

God Bless,

David

Staying Faithful

Hello!!

Amanda here today. David's at work and should be home anytime soon. My day was pretty good, little bit bored but that's okay. I needed a day like this....to pray and think about what to do.

Think about what? Hmm...well, yesterday, I was told that the mother of the daughter I work for (through DHHS) has decided that I am not right for the job. Not too sure why she think that but that's okay. I've decided to give it all to the Lord and that if that happened, then it's His plan. I believe He has other plan for me and my husband. Right now, my husband is working 2 jobs (2nd job starts next week). God has blessed us, but myself, I do not feel...good about that part..about my husband working 2nd job...he only does it because we do not have stable paychecks (since I quitted Wal-Mart job).

Myself, I feel lousy...not too great because I am not working anymore. But I've decided to trust Him and move on, and I am going to make sure I do something about it, by going out and look for jobs. So far, I've applied at Nebraska LabLinc (where my friend works, she reccommended me to apply there for any position--no experience needed), also I am going to apply at Bow Wow Camp (dog camp) because of course, myself, I love dogs--got 2 of my own. I am going to apply as much as I can and stay strong and stay faithful. Losing a job isn't easy, that's for sure.

You guys may wonder if I regret quitting my job at Wal-Mart. Half yes, half no. No because I am enjoying my time being a housewife and making sure my husband is happy. He has been more happier ever since I quitted beacuse I focus on him and cook every night and spending time with him. Before when I was working at Wal-Mart, the house cleaning wasn't always completed, the dinner wasn't always made on time, I always ended up having to take naps before headin' off to work, and my husband misses my chatterbox hands! Yes because I miss my buddy, Regina, and having someone to talk with every night at work, we do silly things and make videos, and also I miss staying busy and having a "life". But I do it for my own health and for my relationship with David.

Ever since I quitted Wal-Mart, I have noticed I have more time with the Lord. I am sure God's pleased with that, amen?! :)

Hmm..what's on my mind now....husband's off to bible study this evening so I am gonna be busy..walking with 2 ladies (my workout buddies) and hopefully it will not be too hot this evening!! Going to start off trying to lose weight by eating right and going on the walks. Am excited. Went on the walk with my husband last night and tried to jog some. Loved my husband's support and encouragous words!

Body of Proof is on tonight...looking forward to it, I love the show for some reason. Heh.

Anyways, I ask all of you to please pray for me to find a job, and pray for these who lost job or couldn't find the job. I know there's many out there that needs a job to be able to pay the bills and such. My advice, if you ever feel...like losing your faith or whatsoever, PLEASE contact your Christian friends and ask to have them pray with you or pray for you. That's what they're here for, to support you, making sure you don't fall off the boat. Here's the verse that reminds me of myself yesterday/today.

Matthew 25:23>>> “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Am keeping my eyes upon to the Jesus and knowing that He suffered worse for all of us sinners, and am not going to complain because His love is greater than any of us.

Hope you all have a wonderful week, God bless! =D

Blessings,
Manda

PS: Going to try and get my husband to post on here sometimes soon! Heh.

Amanda's Trip to Oklahoma for CWDC/Our weekend at Deaf Mission Leadership Conference

Hello everyone!!

Me and my husband, David, just got home from Council Bluffs/Omaha! It was good being home....looking forward to sleep in our own bed!

I (Amanda) had a GREAT weekend in Norman, Oklahoma last weekend! It was VERY inspiring and a great experience! It was my first time going to christian women retreat conference. I went there with 3 other ladies--Lynda, Candice, and Jan. From their faces, they were gloried and had so much fun too! We fellowshipped with women from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Missouri! We 4 were only ones from Nebraska! We ladies from Spring of Life Deaf Christian Church hope to change that for next year!

The 2 speakers at the CWDC were fanastic! The topic was "FAITH THROUGH THE FIRE" and we had two speakers which are: Laura Hill---from Tyler, Texas, a pastor's wife....which was a great oppounity for me to learn from her and share the experiences we've been through as a pastor's wife. I have to say this, she inspired me and makes me more excited to share God's words, I am hoping one of these days, I will get to travel and gospel God's words and share the experience being a pastor's wife and meeting other Christian deaf women! Her testimones inspires me and made me cry! If you're curious, ask me and I'll explain away! (If that's okay with you, Laura?! Heh)

Other speaker were Stacy Parks which is also from Texas, (not sure which town, I am sorry, Stacy, I got bad memory just like you, heh!). She will be moving to Ecuador in July to continue her ministry for deaf people that needs to know who is God, in Ecuador! She has a gift to work with deaf people and trying to set up a deaf church, she is not a pastor's wife like Laura but she does lots of ministry in different countries (Venezula, South America) are one of them! Her stories inspires me too!!!

I am looking forward to gospel more with my sister-in-law, Candice, and going to share our experiences and try to pull more women who are deaf and Christian to come to the women retreat conference in Norman, Oklahoma! Will have it again next year in April 2013! Interested for more information, contact me at Amarie23fick87@gmail.com or facebook: Amanda M. Arteaga, will give you more information about the retreat!

Some of you were curious about the weather there....right?! YES, there was tornado in Norman, Oklahoma, but with God's blessing, the tornado did not hit our area where we stayed at--although it did hit about 8 minutes from us! But prayers goes out for those got hit by tornados that weekend! God has protected us all weekend, I praise Him for His gracious love and being my shield!

We got home safely Sunday night and it was a good trip, chatting, eating, playing UNO and some 1-minute silent moments *snickering*. We all came home with HOLY SPIRIT that is fired in us and inspired us to go out and share God's words and gospel and gospel! Amen! =D

Now.....this weekend....Deaf Mission hosted an Deaf Christian Leadership Conference in Council Bluffs, Iowa! We all 4 Arteagas went to the conference! Many leaders from many different churchs in many different states came to Council Bluffs and shared our love for the Lord! We had several speakers that shared their experience and gave us FANASTIC ideas with creating powerpoints, videos, skits and many more for our church! The leaders that we all 4 Arteagas (Me, David, Jonathan, and Candice) have met are from Missouri, Texas, Florida, Canada, Maryland, Iowa, Nebraska, Massachusetts, and am sure there's more but cannot remember! But WOW, see, how God work through everyone who is leader for their church! We thank the speakers>>Bob Ayres, Linsay Jr. Darnell, Joseph Josseyln, Jose Abenchuchan, and Alex Abenchuchan for giving their presentations about leadership! We also thank the Deaf Mission staff including the IBTC students (International Bible Training Center) that set up the conference and provided everything that we all needed during the week and sharing their love to all of us! You guys did fanastic job!!!

I have all the notes written down from the presentation, it was just a great experience for me and my husband, along with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We learned a lot and will use the techs that the speakers has taught us!! Curious about the information? Go ahead and ask awaaay, I would not mind putting down some notes if you're interested!

Am proud to say that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Moises and Kristina Arteaga) were called by God to go on an missionary trip to Kenya, Africa in starting in June and help teach the children in Africa about bible and how God is powerful for us! They are accepting dontations to help with their missionary trip if you're interested!! Here is their blog: mkarteaga.blogspot.com , check it out and share their blessings with them! God has touched their hearts! God's so good!

Hmm...trying to think what I needed to say...it was just amazing and wonderful experience last 2 weeks going to 2 different conferences! Looking forward to going to more of these conferences! I always feel...inspired and could feel God touched my heart and thanked Him often for guiding me into the path to meet many deaf Christian people!

Had a good afternoon today after the final presentation at the conference. Went to my sister's house and had lunch with my sister (Kirstin) along with my husband, my handsome little nephew (Japheth) and brother-in-law (Jay). Our dogs Lola and Molly enjoyed other dogs' company (Star, Fox, Soby, Libby, and Cooper!) and came home and was so WORN out and slept pretty much entire evening! Also visited my mother too, she is doing great and makes me happy seeing her. Hoping to see her and my sister later this week! =D

Now..I think it's the end of the first day of our blog, heh! Will continue to post once awhile! Hope you all have a blessing weekend! Never forget what Jesus has done for us! Praise Him daily!!

Much Love
Amanda

Psalm 32:8
"The Lord says, "I will guide you
along the best pathway for your
life. I will advise you and watch
over you."