What's YOUR Passion???

Passion is something that has been talked about a lot lately between my circle of friends and at church. Our house is filled with 4 individuals that have some alike and some very different passions:

Eric- my husband is passionate about what God has called him to do! He is working on it and God is revealing those specific things to him and I love watching it come to fruition. I am I AWE of him and so proud of him.

Grant- my son amazes me on a daily basis! Through his struggles with Asperger Syndrome, he has blossomed into one that easily finds his passions. He has always loved music, with his favorite being the "Indiana Jones" soundtrack. Grant has recently discovered a gift in playing instruments. From playing the viola in the school orchestra, guitar lessons and piano lessons, this boy fills our home with sounds of music on a daily basis. I cannot wait to see what comes of this and how God uses him through this gift.

Isabel- DANCE! Isa has been dancing her way through the world since she was 2 years old. This past year she was invited into one of the "Company teams". What an amazing experience for her it was and she is honored to once again be part of it. Her heart is to dance, she loves it with a passion. Isabel loves BALLET the most and one day would love to be a POINTE dancer. If you see her in class though, she is not smiling (something she needs to work on). I asked her about it one day and she said, "Mom, I am thinking, this is serious for me." Ok, I get it. Once on stage, however, the smile is as big as Texas and you can see the pure joy radiating out of her. She has very specific goals on where she wants to be in a year and 10 years with her dance. I love that! So Nikki, Jenn, Angela, Bonnie, and Chad, if you are reading this, work her hard!

Me- This has been something I have struggled with lately...what's my passion? I have spent some time listening to God and discovered some things I am passionate about. MARRIAGES. I am passionate about my own marriage but also in the marriages of others. I have been so blessed to have a great marriage with Eric. Yes, we have had our share of struggles, but allowed God to be the center and always seek Him, has made us stronger as a married couple. I would like to be an instrument of the Lord to impart Godly wisdom into others marriages. I am a nerd, I own it. I love to research stuff! I am always looking things up, reading, finding out ways to be creative. I am also passionate about teaching. I love the CALLING God gave me to be a teacher! He has opened my eyes to a love for those who desperately need it and to also teach, not only in education, but in other scenarios as well.

So, that is a look into what drives the Hayes family! Our passions, likes and ministry. If you don't know what your passion is, I challenge you to seek God and pray about your passion. If you have a passion, how can you hone it to become better or apply it for the work of God? Own it. Use it.

Tale of a 5th Grade Teacher...

To teach is to learn twice.

-- Joseph Joubert

Five years ago, if you were to tell me that I would be finishing up my first year teaching, I would have laughed--literally. I would be the first one to tell you that teaching is not in my bones--but God has a way of changing us to what He has called us to do. My good friend Kim says that God is just showing off, and boy did He ever in this unthinkable ministry He has placed me in.

Yes, I said ministry. You see, I have strived to live my life as God calls me to live it. I am not perfect and yes sometimes I don't want to do it, but I know that when I do, I am always blessed beyond measure. This is where I am, blessed.

BLESSED to be able to impart something positive in these kids.

BLESSED to be able to see these kids with "real" and "spiritual" eyes.

BLESSED that I have been given a greater love for those that need it.

BLESSED to know that God placed me where I am at.

BLESSED by those friendships that have been cultivated and deepened during this journey.

BLESSED by the never ending prayers and support from my family and friends.

I LOVE what I do, I LOVE the passion that I still have in these final days of the year. Yes, it is HARD. One of the hardest things I have ever done--I have wept for the lives of my students. I have wept feeling unworthy and discouraged. This was not meant to be easy--is it worth it? YES.

This class of students will always be special to me--they will have a special place in my heart. Why? Because they are my first. They make me laugh, they make me want to pull my hair out, and they have made me cry. I love them for it.

For "My Hermanas"

In Spanish, the definition of "Hermana" means sister. To me, it means so much more than that. I am blessed to have a group of women in my life who are not just family members, but women that I love, admire and trust.

For the past two years, we have gathered together at Grandma's house and have sleepovers. They are so much fun and really loud! We bring our daughters, the "Hermanitas", and reconnect with each other. What a wonderful and blessed time it is!

This post is dedicated to each and every one of you--

Grandma: The strongest woman I know! I am so blessed to be your granddaughter--you have shown me what it is like to be the best mother, wife, and friend I can be. Your love for our family is made evident and I hope I give back to you what you have given to me. Thank you for your encouragement and most of all prayers. What a blessing it is to have such a mighty prayer warrior for our family. Te amo mucho...

Mom: Another prayer warrior who is always there. Thank you for your daily example of loyalty and service. The older I get, the more I see you in me. I love that! I am thankful that out of your love for me, you found the perfect person for you that was also the perfect father for me. I love you so much!

Aunt Emma: ¿Cómo me encanta tu corazón! Estoy agradecido de que te tomas tu tiempo para venir a nuestras reuniones traer sus regalos de punto! Lo que una hermana maravillosa que está mi abuelo y abuela.

Aunt Blanca: I love you more than you know and am so thankful that I spent so much time with you when I was a girl. I will never forget it. I will also never forget your sons, my cousins, calling me "Big Head." Good times! :)

Kristen: The only one that is really my "Hermana". Thank you for understanding me and loving me anyway. I love that we have the same taste in movies--no one else besides Mom can sit through a "Chop Suey" rendition or watch "Anne" for the millionth time! I don't always say things the right way but know that I love you so much!

Aunt Kathy, Michelle and Denise: The 3 women who know EVERYONE! Thank you for bringing your cameras and documenting all our family events. Without you three we'd have no pics to reminisce. Seriously, I love ya'll and Michelle please tell me how you have time to do all that you do! Superwoman!

Jessica and Candice: You two just make me smile! I admire your devotion to your families and wish I lived closer to spend more time with you. Can't wait to see ya again!

Andrea: I am so happy you choose to come to our sleepovers. Even though you have lived away from all of us for so long, it is like we see you all the time when you are here. I pray blessings on you and your husband--love you!

Jennifer: I wish I knew you better--I admire your love for your daughter. You have a bond with her that no one else has. Cherish that and build her up to be a beautiful young lady.

"Hermanitas": Take note! You all have a gift--these wonderful women in your life to look up to. Allow them to speak blessings into your lives. Tori--thank you for being a "role model" to the younger Hermanitas. I know Isa looks up to you already. I am enjoying how wonderful you are growing up to be.

There are so many more, those that were not here but I still cherish. Aunt Charlotte in Georgia, Anna in North Dakota, April in Dallas, Allee, Mia, Alivia and Anna in Kyle and Shae in Granbury. I love you too!

Until Easter....

Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord!

Today at church, we watched a video of a ministry taking place in a park in Plano. What an incredible witness of how God used one man and how he has openly allowed God to work in his life and to spread the Word of God to others in need. People who have been hurt by friends and family--those in dire need of LOVE.

I have certain things that I know God has called me to and some seem unattainable; but I am trusting that God will allow those to come to fruition. I have to say YES without any doubt to the call he has given me. Saying yes can be scary and it will be with some distractions and turmoil. But, if this man who used to work in a welding shop say YES and be a Barbarian in my backyard, then I can too!

I'm a little teapot....but don't tip me over!

I have been struggling with living a life of balance and wondering how am I going to do it all? How can I be a better wife, mother, friend, teacher, etc...? "I know I need to do this, the kids have to go here, I have to exercise, the house needs a deep cleaning, dinner needs to be made..."we all have these thoughts in our head daily! I've realized that I can't do it all at least not by myself, it has to start with my relationship with God! In my personal Bible study, I have been reading about this and was reminded that in Luke 12:22, 23. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing." (ESV) Yes, we do have to take care of our practical needs, but here is Jesus telling us not to obsess over them! The same goes for exercise...I said at the beginning of the summer that I was going to get my body into shape and exercise everyday! Ha ha! Well, I have exercised but not to the point I wanted to. But you know, that's ok! I have however, deepened my relationship with God, which is more important. Paul draws a comparison to this in 1 Timothy 4:8, "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (ESV) This is not my excuse for exercise because I know that I still need to do it, but I am not going to let myself get down about it.

Why do we as Christians need a balanced life? I want to be able to give the proper time and attention to God's purpose in my life and in my family's life. I want my life to bear fruit! So I will do what it says in John 15:4 so that my life will glorify God.

Fireproof

Ok, Ok! I am probably the last person on Earth who had not seen this movie! Well--second to the last because E still has not seen it. I finally sat down one morning at 6:30 AM and watched it. WOW! I will say that I am very happy in my marriage and E and I have worked really hard for it to be the marriage that God intended us to have. Yet, we are not pros and still have our moments!! I got so much from this movie that it gave me an increasing desire to love my spouse and do for my spouse more than I imagined.

Wouldn't you know it! We had the "Love Dare" book on our bookshelf! I think my mom gave it to E for Christmas or something. It had papers in it so I assume he read it, not sure. But I just did! I love the part on Day 1 that compares the Love Dare to running a marathon; a race that is hard but worth running. As someone that wished they were a runner I love this analogy!

I am inspired to be a better wife, which will make me a better mother. I am ready.

Grandma's 75th

Last night, we celebrated my Grandmother's 75th birthday. The evening was filled with great memories shared by family and friends. I wrote the following and shared last night as a tribute to my Grandmother. I am also including the slideshow documenting her life. Enjoy!

My Turn

Grandma--the matriarch of the Segovia family; the glue that holds us together is celebrating 75 years with us. Her cherished family and friends. Wow! I am constantly amazed by her; she looks so young in her 75 years--not at all her age. Her beauty radiates from every inch of her being. You can feel her unconditional love the first time you meet her, the warmth, the kindness, the generosity just comes out naturally. She is a prime example of what it means to be a wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

She has raised 6 children who in turn raised 13 grandchildren who are now raising 22 great-grandchildren. With the added number of spouses you can imagine how crowded and loud our family gatherings are! Each family unit is so busy! We have church, sports, friendships, work and just everyday life; but when Grandma calls--we come running. Will we still come running? I pray in the future that the busyness of life will not overwhelm us to the point that we will not be intentional about getting together as a family.

Think about what Grandma has done for you. She has been our confidant, encourager, caregiver and the list goes on! Can we as her legacy give back to our children and parents what she has been to us? What have I learned? What have you learned?

I have learned from my mother how to have a servants heart. A trait no doubt she learned from Grandma. How can I keep the legacy going? Will I instill those values and traditions into my children? I will try. I will cherish the times I have with Grandma to gain all that I can. I will learn to cook like her, be a better listener like her, love unconditionally like her and most of all be a better mother and wife like her. Traits my mother learned, traits I hope I have and am continually learning, and those I pray my daughter will learn.