Praise the Lord!

 Just a quick hello.......

Hope all is well. Parenthood is a full-time job, you may or may not know that my wife and I welcomed our first child last year. Our little blessing from the Lord. 

Madison :)

 

Keep the faith and God bless!

20200811

Wedding Bells!

Good Morning!

  I woke up wedding day feeling really calm. I was asked plenty of times through out that day if I was nervous. In all honesty I felt completely calm. I spent most of the morning running around and doing little errands to help out. I got up very early and went to downstairs to the hotel breakfast. Sure enough, my father in law was already there. The early bird himself. I nodded at him and sat with him. I will admit I was feeling tired because my guys didn't let me go to sleep. They were up all night! We had multiple rooms but many of them wanted to stay together, so I got no sleep. I understood they were just all excited for me.

  I told my fiance at the time, to embrace it all. You only get this experience once. All our bridal parties excitement for us, it was a long and crazy busy process for us. So as it was coming up on the big day, we really had to step up and allow ourselves to enjoy the last moments building up to it. If that makes sense. lol I wanted us to make sure our bridal party know we were having a good time.

  Back to breakfast, it was almost as a last confirmation from God. It started with me taking my father in law to breakfast and asking for his daughters hand in marriage and now here we were on the big day, having breakfast.

  So I'll fast forward to moments before the wedding. I actually spent over an hour stuck in a room. You would have to understand the the layout of the beautiful church we had the wedding at. Well I couldn't really go out because there were many guests that I wanted to wait till the reception to really talk to them so that we could really have a conversation. My coworkers came early and they brought them to the back where I was able to get a picture with them. They had been along for the ride since the moment I started planning the proposal!

  Photographers came and they are seriously great guys. Very professional and skilled. What I enjoyed was their ability to calm the nerves and make everyone feel comfortable. I would gladly forward you their information so just say the word!

   It was all over so fast and we moved on to the next phase, photos! Then back to the reception. I was living up the last moments with our bridal party and then I couldn't wait to get back to all the friends and family. I didn't know who all was there. I am not really going to talk about the actual wedding ceremony,  itself because I really can not put it into words. I am blessed.

  After the reception we drove off, till we couldn't see them in the rear view mirror. It was a blast. We stopped and changed into comfortable clothes. If you wish to run around in a suit and wedding dress all evening, more power to you! lol We then hit the road and the rest was history.

   Be faithful to God, that's what I will end this post with. You won't be perfect but God makes up the difference. He honors them that honor him.


   Okay here are some pics!

To God be all the glory, have a good day!

Elias
20171109

Been There, Done That

Good Morning!

  Its finally getting cold over in So-Cal. It feels like at this point we might as well skip winter. lol We have been having a great church as of late. Many, many, many bible studies and people added to the church.

   The main point of this post, is this...

   Although I feel like I should really take my time with this point or even make it a series of posts, I want to talk about Elders.

   I can say that for most of my teenage and adult life I have had an appreciation for elderly people. This world teaches that we really don't need to pay any attention to older folks, they are sort of a hindrance. There in the way, holding back "progress". This perhaps one of the most devastating mind sets a young person can hold. Whenever I hear of old people being disrespected its cringe worthy. Don't equate older people with wisdom necessarily. You can pray for wisdom at an early age and not all elderly people should be looked to for wisdom but for the most part they should. You see life teaches you many many tough lessons. The elderly brothers and sisters are usually eager to share a little wisdom with an up and coming young person. A pastor can't do it all, the saints serve a vital role as well. With that said, looking to peers for direction can set you off course. If the goal is heaven, we need to ask those who have had life experiences come along, tribulations and stumbling blocks. The day will come when we will have children of our own, why wouldn't you ask godly parents of now older kids, for advise? Elders are very important. 

   "Trail Blazer" seems like a nice title. There are somethings that however don't need new trails. I highly esteem those that have given a lifetime to the kingdom of God. Although there is a special place in my heart for older ministers and their family, there is something precious too about elder saints that have been a pillar at their local church.

  We were all blessed to have Elder Abbot and his family with us for a couple weeks. Health conditions have made mobility more difficult for him. You can see that his desire to help people has not changed. God has been good to him. He expressed to me his frustration with not being able to move around and pray with people at the alter. That really stirred me up, we hear preaching about the importance of alter working all the time. I will end this post here, don't forget the gift that God has given the church. Elderly folks, pillars in the church. Elders in the form of ministry, all help saints stay on the right path. A valuable asset to God's people. After all, they have been there and done that.




   The Abbott's are, as many people know, very musically talented. I'll include a link to their iTunes songs. The family album, has a track titled, "He's my Lord and my God". Check that one out.

"Take me to Jesus" is actually on Danae's solo album, which is one of my favorites.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-david-abbott-family/id639829470


Have a good day and God bless,

Elias
20171108

 

 

New Chapter

Hello,

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths". 

I just wanna testify ;)

Trust God and stand by the man of God in your life, be a fisher of men (Soul winner). That's the only life worth living. All the other things, material etc. are blessings but how you live your live and what you live it for, is the most fulfilling part. Eventually God will send the one your way, but don't ever forget that even with the blessings and .....

Even after marriage, your prayer should still be for revival, souls can never cease from being the goal. The one you marry should share that same vision and never hinder it. If Saturday outreach is not a priority in that persons life, that is a red flag. That is just one simple area to use as a gauge. If its all about you, marriage is not for you. Do it God's way and in all ways acknowledge him, for we are not worthy and his ways are higher than our ways.

I have more wedding pics if you would like. Send an email to Crystalandelias0826@gmail.com to request more good stuff, I don't mind sending them.

Love you all and God bless,

Elias
20170913

Proposal Story

Good Afternoon!

Do you want to know how the proposal unfolded? 

To all the faithful readers, I'll get straight to the point.

I will be getting married this summer to best friend :) In this post I only hope to encourage someone and as the saying goes, "A joy shared is doubled". By the goodness of God, I am marring a godly girl, kingdom minded, that works hard. I will have to do a post on the type of person you should look for. Anyway, as members of God's church, it is a time to rejoice. I look forward to the next wedding in our church, to rejoice with whoever it is. With that in mind......

I took Crystal on a date, we for the most part each live pretty busy lives. At the time, it was high stress for both of us. I hope this would play well into the element of surprise. I can recall telling her that we needed a date and time to just hang out. I reached out to our most faithful chaperone. Thank God for Mary Perez. lol (Name Drop) I did not tell Mary about our plans. I called some close friends of ours and family members.  

Where did you propose at? I thought this would be the hardest thing to determine. I looked at many different places. I am not a "Cheesy" kind of guy. If you are and you're reading this, more power to you. lol I also don't believe in making something like this a public spectical. So it had to be breathtaking and peaceful. When Point Dume came across my search, I felt so at peace with it. I also became super anxious once I found the location. 

I went to the location days before and scouted the area. Took pictures and even stood in the exact location. I looked for a restaurant that was close by. 

Interesting details of the planning: 

1) Hiring photographers, a great team of guys that were referred to me by a close friend. They are the same group that shot the proposal, engagement, and will be doing the wedding. I will gladly forward you any information should you need it. They really captured the natural joy of each moment. Nothing felt scripted. I told them about my plans to propose and so they posed as guys simply taking pictures up at the top of the cliff. 

2) Hiring a musician. A guitarist and vocalist all wrapped in one. I had him work directly with the photographers and they even pretended to take pictures of him up there. He would begin to play my request once she said yes. 

3) The restaurant was a place I had taken her before, only further adding to the element of surprise. (Talk more about this shortly.)

4) I had to be very short with crystal and misleading in our conversations leading up to this. It was rough but I really wanted to surprise her. 

5) I will never forgetting calling one of her best friends the day of the proposal. I called at 9am and basically said, "____ where are you?, it's happening today" She had no idea what I was talking about, took her a few more seconds...She said, "No way!" and screamed. I was very careful with all the planning. I didn't even tell our Chaperogne! lol 

6) Buying the watch, it was the most difficult part! guys start your search early on that! know what she likes and start your search early. My coworkers were touched when I explained the reason for the no rings and how we really don't need a ring or watch to represent our commitment. It was about the way we conducted ourselves. There are those that where rings and don't act as if they are married. My coworker, even cried when I explained this to her. She was so deeply moved. 

6) Working with my pastor through the whole process leading up to being able to propose. Just know that your pastor desires to work with you and is there to help. 

There are many more points but those are just a few.

They day of

I had breakfast with her father that morning, she did not even know. Her father and I are both very early birds. I will never forget that breakfast and our discussions....

So the day of, I gave the impression that I was very busy that day. Even changing the time once I believe. We all rode to the restaurant together which was a very short drive from the location. I felt I was for the most part calm. My biggest fear was her finding out, I worked so hard at keeping everything under wraps. We made reservations but the place was very crowded. We had no choice on the seating location. Which was nice however seated right in front of the road that lead to the entrance of the proposal location. I feared she would recognize one of the cars of those that came to be a part. Girls, never underestimate them. They are very very keen. Almost like a 6th sense. So for me, the seating location really set me into a panic. I complained about being cold where I was sitting at our location and traded places with her. I felt like she was still looking at the outside, who could blame her, it was a coastal view. I didn't feel safe so I switched seats with her again. I will never forget Mary's look on her face at my actions. lol! I saw some of the cars cross by and got her attention each time with random statements. Once it was getting time I excessed myself and paid bill and sent a text to my main contact, that we were heading up!!. I had the watch I had purchased. I somehow fit in my back pocket. I drove us up to the point and we walked and walked. I pointed to the location and we started walking there. Somehow we ended up loosing our chaperone in the process!! I knew there were at least a dozen pair of eyes glued on us so we continued. I found this to be the weirdest part. I remember thinking, what is wrong with Mary?!! (I later found out that my main contact told her!!!) I will never forget once we reached the cliff. 

I checked what time the sun would set. It was beautiful and windy. The photographers even found a way to hold down our spot, my heart was racing as I lead her to that point. I really can't explain the feeling. We got to the edge (some words were said, none of which I will share) lol I got on one knee and the rest of was history. We then heard a bunch of snapping and a lot of screaming from the distance where our family and friends were hiding. lol! 

Pictures :)

Bonus picture of some of our Bridal Party on our trip to Disney.

This post was rushed for the most part but I wanted to share with you all. To God be all the glory and keep living for God. Have a blessed day!

Eli

20170821

Good Morning! Summer Time!

Good Morning!

 I haven't posted in a while, I had some ask me at PCC about my blog. (2 people) lol jk 
 I hope everyone is having a good summer and staying busy in God's kingdom! I have various  pictures I hope to post. So brace yourselves...

With that said, have a good day. Excuse the lazy blog post!



-Eli
20170712

When God Unfolds The Rose

  "When God Unfolds the Rose"

There've been times when I thought my prayers

Didn't even reach the ceiling of the room

Where I knelt to pray

And a voice inside kept asking me

Did I think God was really listening

To anything that I had to say

But I just kept on a praying 

And holding on by faith

Knowing God is always in control

And I waited like a rose bud in the garden

For only God can unfold the rose

When God unfolds the rose 

He always gets it right

When the petals are in place 

Oh, it's such a beautiful sight

God knows when to hold on

And the perfect time to let go

So let God have his way

And watch God unfold the rose

There are trials and tribulations

We must all go through

When it comes to heartaches 

We've all had our share

Oh, but when times are the hardest

We need to hold God to the promise

He said He'd never give us more than we could bear 

So, I'll just keep on a praying 

And holding on by faith

Knowing God is working all things for my good

And I'll wait just like that rose bud in the garden

For only God can unfold the rose

When God unfolds the rose

He always gets it right

When the petals are in place

Oh, it's such a beautiful sight 

God knows when to hold on 

And the perfect time to let go

So let God have his way

And watch God unfold the rose

God knows when to hold on 

And the perfect time to let go

So let God have his way

And watch God unfold the rose

Hello, I think I might have me a Co-Contributor to this blog. ;) As another chapter closes, another one opens. To God be the glory. 

20170411

-Eli