View the Staples Center Pics Here

Prayer Alert: Keep our little ones in prayer; Uriah, Elias, and Malachi. Please stay tuned to this event blog for event updates. I will be posting my own photos and info during our stay in the West Coast.

We are sitting here at Sunport in Albuquerque NM. Flight is on time for departure at 12: 30 PM for LAX flying Southwest on flight #372.

Just had a cup of Chicken Green Chile stew- Next time you visit Sunport be sure to grab a cup at the Rio Grande Cafe. Its the Bomb.

These are our tickets. EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

You can watch the game from your set at 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Later Tonight: I will upload Pictures of our Day at Staples Center.

Brief About UYWI: The conference for next generation urban leaders.

UYWI08 is a place of Connection, a place of Learning, and a place of Renewal.
Features include: 160 Workshops, “In Spirit and Truth” Worship Experience, 5 General Sessions, Salsa Lessons, Legacy (Block Party), Spiritual and Personal Development, Networking, and Diverse Training.

Thursday Schedule:

+Thursday Bonus: I will be joining other non-for profit servant leaders who are part of UYWI’s Coaching and Mentoring Group for lunch.

Staff from UYWI is hosting select leaders from their mentoring and coaching initiative.

Friday Schedule:

+Friday Bonus: 5:00pm to 6:30pm I will be having dinner with the Devos Urban Leadership Alumni. It will be great to connect with friends from around the country. Hope to see some of you there.

Saturday Schedule:

Saturday Bonus: Morning Prayer with Larry Acosta/ and UYWI has selected me to participate in a Focus Group conversation be conducted by Center on Faith Communities that will meet on Saturday, May 17th to address the effectiveness of UYWI, and our experience with UYWI.

Workshops I will be attending :

Leadership Excellence—Good Governance, Glen Peterson, Executive Directors

Beginning With The End In Mind: Setting Your Ministry Up For Success!, Romanita Hairston, Executive Directors

Program Rich But Cash Poor, Dean Cowles, Executive Directors

A Roadmap For Beginning Activists, Christy Lambertson, Community Justice Issues
Deep Justice In A Broken World, Noel Castellanos, Jeremy Del Rio, Kara Powell & Lina Thompson, Community Justice Issues

On Sunday we will travel North bound up to the central coast to visit with my Mom in Santa Maria, CA

Today I was surprised with a new Myspace friend request. I introduce my blogosphere New Mexico family and friends to my first cousin Patricia (Rosita). She is the daughter of my aunt Patsy, they live in Georgia.

For family who read this blog check her out on myspace here

Pictured Below: Rositas older sister Irene and I with grandpa Estevan. Picture taken in Tujunga, California. (LOS ANGELES)

Above Los Naranjos- Pictured here is Pastor Mike and Gloria with their 7 of 8 adoptive children.

Los Arellanos

These are from the Mothers Day Set Here 

Archbishop Naumann concluded his column stating, “I have not made lightly this request of Governor Sebelius, but only after much prayer and reflection. The spiritually lethal message, communicated by our governor, as well as many other high profile Catholics in public life, has been in effect: ‘The church’s teaching on abortion is optional!’ I reissue my request of the faithful of the archdiocese to pray for Governor Sebelius. I hope that my request of the governor, not to present herself for holy Communion, will provoke her to reconsider the serious spiritual and moral consequences of her past and present actions. At the same time, I pray this pastoral action on my part will help alert other Catholics to the moral gravity of participating in and/or cooperating with the performance of abortions.”

View the full article here

Proverbs 24:11-12
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

Question for reflection: Are children in the womb a part of the Body of Christ? Is recognizing a child in the womb then not recognizing the Body of Christ?

“Suffer not the children to come to me, for such is the kingdom of God” Jesus Chirst

1 Cor 11:27-29
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Related Links:
The Consequences of Abortion- Rudy.C

Exodus 20: 12″ Honor your father and mother, that your day may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Our Mothers is the biggest blessing every child has from God. Mothers are essential in the life of children for nourishment and the guidance necessary to to be all that they are called to be.

What every child needs from his/her mother.

1. Every Child needs a mother that is committed to them.
A mother who raises her children demonstrates commitment, imparts commitment to her children.

Children want to be prioritized by their mothers.

2. Every child need a mother who loves unconditionally

A Mothers unconditional love for her child is the greatest example a child will have of the Unconditional Love of God in their lives.

3. Every child needs a mother that meets the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of her children.

Mothers who holistically care for the needs of their children will produce healthy and responsible children.

Children need: Hugs, and kisses, the affection that comes from mom.

4 Every child need a mother who Loves God with all her heart, soul and strength.

Children want to see their moms in action loving God and sometimes it comes by observing them serve others.

5. Every Child need a mother who dedicates her children entirely to God.

Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord when her promised of having a son was given to her.

1 Samuel 1: 27- 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.

John 2:1-5 1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”4″Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Every Mother has the opportunity to train and guide children to accomplish Gods work. For Mary, it was empowering Jesus to rescue the bridegroom from shame that would come if the party was ruined by running out of wine at his wedding party.

Moms yield authority that comes from God to steer their children to be a light in the darkness. Jesus provided the best wine for the party.

To every mom who may read this, You are raising miracle makers in your home teach them to obey God, to serve others, and to participate in God redeeming work.

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Solid answers: Why God made moms and other mom humor. Answers by 2 year olds.
What’s the difference between mums & dads?
1. Mums work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but mums have all the real power cause
that’s who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend’s.
4. Mums have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mum do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don’t do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mum perfect?
1. On the inside, she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of
plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mum, what would it be?
. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of
that.
2. I’d make my mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did
it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of
her head.

Why did God make mothers?
1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
Check out the rest here

May we never take our Mothers for granted.

Okay everyone, this mothers day i’d just like to say, if you have a mom,
and she is still alive to this day, i just ask you PLEASE!
Cherish your mom and everyone else in your life,
Because Life Is Way too short for you too be playin stupid little games,
If your mom is still alive, You do NOT even know how lucky you are,
you cannot even beggin to feel the pain of loosing your own mother,
it hurts more than anything you can ever imagine!
Ok, so those of you who are mad or arent getting along with your mom,
Suck it up!
Ok! Because you never know how long your going to have her in your life,
it was also my mistake!
The Last time i talked to My Mom we were arguing,
and over something VERRY VERRY Stupid!!
and look i neveer could have even imagined the she would Die that night,
okay so those of you who are fighting or arguing with your mom,
GROW UP!!
Okay that morning when i was driving in town going to church,
My Cell Phoe rang it was a Police officcer asking if,
Lisa A. Romero was my mother,
I answered ‘yea why? whats wrong’
He told me to take a drink of water, i said no just tell me!
and he said, ‘I’m sorry to inform you that your mother has past away’,
that moment was the worst ever!
this is the part no one knew cuz i was alone,
I Had to pull off the road,
i couldnt stop crying!,
Do you know how bad i felt then?!
it took me forever to stop crying,
So if you still have your mom……
Cherish Her, Respect her, and tell her you love her everyday!
If i had the chance to tell my mom i’m sorry one last time,
That would make me sooo happy, Just to know that i told her sorry!
Mom I Love You!
[REST IN PEACE MOM]

My boys at Los Angeles lost tonight to Jazz at Utah home turf, but thats o.k. Its their first loss in the playoffs.

Will see them again on Sunday (Mothers Day) and Wednesday in Los Angeles in Staples Center. They will win this series on game 6.