FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDSHIPS
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Speaking
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Speaking
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Welcome to Our Blog

Grab a cup of coffee and dive in. We pray that you find hope and truth in these posts. This blog is written from three perspectives.

p.s. if you're looking for perfection, you won't find it here. We are but two broken people, in a broken world - loving each other and our family. 

6/26/2018 Comments

Megyn Kelly Today

So grateful to the Megyn Kelly Today team for their hospitality and kindness during our interview this week. We were touched by how genuine and kind Megyn is off camera. We’ll be lifelong fans.

We are excited about the continued speaking opportunities presented to spread hope through sharing of the role God has played in our Love Story.


Click here to watch the full clip.
Comments

6/20/2018 Comments

Lessons I learned in the storm

Picture
During our time in the Storm (as I call the season that began in September 28, 2016), I learned some valuable lessons. Now, I'll be very honest with you - I'm a stubborn woman with many flaws. As a result, these lessons weren't learned willingly or easily. :)

Every now and then, I need a reminder for these lessons, because I'm all too human. So I pull this list out and remind myself of truths I can not deny. I hope they help you as you're facing your own giants.

I praise God and I thank Him for these lessons. Better to learn them at 37 when I have the rest of my life to enjoy and serve Him, praise HIm, and enjoy my time on earth with my Husband and family.

1. God will always have the best plans for my life (even if current circumstances appear to demonstrate the contrary).
  • “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

2. Aligning my plans to his Will reaps many benefits.
  • “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
  • “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord ’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV

3. Don’t fool myself thinking that I can control my circumstance - surrender my circumstances to God.
  • “Lord , I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” Jeremiah 10:23
  • “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 NIV

4. God doesn’t need me to worry about protecting my children. He takes better care of them than I ever will.
  • “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11
  • "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace." Isaiah 54:13

5. Don’t worry about pleasing everyone. Instead, focus on pleasing our Father in Heaven and seeking his Favor on your life.
  • “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
  • “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

6. The priority of your relationships should be: 1. God, 2. Your Marriage, 3. Your Children, 4. All Others. Allow God to lead your husband and for your husband to lead your Home.
  • 'She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12
  • “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.” 1 Timothy 3:4
  • “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7

7. Rather than worrying about the future of my family, pause those thoughts and go to God first. He will carry all those burdens for me.
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
​
8. Love is kind and yes, it’s sweet. But love is also about perseverance. Showing up, fighting for each other when things aren’t so sweet. Knowing that this relationship is eternal empowers you to persevere.
  • “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails … 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

​
Picture
Comments

6/14/2018 Comments

Radio iNTERVIEW WITH BBC OUTLOOK

During May 2018, we sat down with the lovely crew of BBC Outlook. The local partner station in Phoenix, located at the Rio Salado campus, was so wonderful to us. 

Click here or the image below to listen.
Picture
Comments
    SEE ALL PUBLISHED BLOGS

    Author

    Raquel Gonzales (Kels) - Raquel is a 38-year-old wife of an amazing man, and mother of three beautiful blended teenagers (Elijah 20, Lulu 18, Abby 16). She has thrived in a creative career for over 11 years. Her passion is to empower others by the lessons learned in her own life and challenges through transparency and honest conversations. As a creative soul, she loves to write, design, create and publish. She hopes to please God in doing his work by leveraging the talents he gave her. This blog is but one of those digital artisan crafts. She hope it pleases Him. 

    Adam Gonzales (AG) - Adam is an 44-year-old  husband and father of three beautiful blended young adults (Elijah 21, Lulu 19, Abby 17).  He felt called back to the ministry during 2017 and has been serving as a leader in the Men's Ministry at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship since. Raquel refers to him as a "soul on fire for building up leaders in Christ." He has devoted over 12 years to growth ministry work and has over 16 years of corporate leadership experience. He's completely focused on ministry work in this season of his life and obediently following God where He leads Adam. In addition to ministry, Adam helps local homeowners advocate for their roofing needs. His transparency about his life journey and deliverance is in hopes that witnesses are compelled by the Truth, that there is always Hope in Christ. And that no battle - no matter how impossible - is ever over until God says so. That He has, ultimately, won the biggest battle of All - and we can find hope in that future. Whether he's guiding someone as a shepherd or a roofing expert, he sees everyday opportunities to spread hope. 

    Archives

    July 2020
    July 2019
    June 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017

    Categories

    All Faith Family Friendships Heaven Love Marriage Miracle Practical Lessons Prayer Testimony Vulnerability

    RSS Feed

    BACK BLOG NAVIGATION
Home
Blog
About
Resources
Contact Us
Speaking
Copyright © Gonzales