Thursday, January 22, 2009

MLK weekend....

I had a great time this past weekend...got to love those 3-day weekends. Actually this entire month has just been fabulous! I had the kids and a lot of activities planned for the extended weekend. I have really missed my parents who have been on a 3 week hiatus to Mexico, the "mutha land"! I got to help my dad load his truck and trailer for the 19 hour trip. My parents usually load up to the max in order to deliver items for all my peeps in Mexico. And we got peeps...we reproduce like rabbits! What do you expect with a Palomo family whose families average like 10 kids each (All with a Luis in them)!
This weekend included the much anticipated return of mom and dad. They brought goodies to, cheese, chiles, cinnamon, like a years supply of garlic, did i say cheese? mmmmmm....
Ok, let me get back on track. We left Friday immediately after the kids were released from school. It took us a while to get to my parents house on the account of one of my kiddos having to go pee at every time he saw a service station. Saturday we joined my nephew, Josh at my sisters house to celebrate his 29th birthday!! Yes my sister had a 2 year old toddler when my mom had me! That was fun all my family gathered to share in the festivities.










On Sunday we then ALL gathered at my little brothers new house in Cedar Hill for a house warming party. This is he and my niece Sha-Nay-nay, (Aleyah). It is always good to have family around. This weekend was very significant to me. I can share these pics with you to allow a glimpse into my family life. However, the ability for me to reflect on my life is truly the reason for this personal post. As I spend time with my family I start to realize that there is a void in my life. I have been apart from them for too long. Many of you know I have had a really hard few months (years) recently and if you did not know, please continue to pray for me. This time of refection during MLK weekend 2009 has truly allowed me to realize what a gift we have from God as it pertains to our families. My immediate family has gone through so much and has endured intact! My church family is also so important to me. I also reflected on that this weekend. I am making a commitment to abandon my self imposed sabbatical and return to active, visible and tangible ministry. I think I can speak for a lot of us and say that we have all endured so much in this Amazing Race we call...LIFE. I have some massive announcements I will be making in the weeks to come. Although I have been seeking direction from God as to where I go next. I have received confirmation during this significant weekend with regards to my future. Again, I pause to let Him continue to be in the drivers seat of my journey on this earth. We returned on Monday and I loved the time spent with my kids and the ones I love. My parents returned safe and I promptly jumped back into the swing of things at work and in ministry. I truly appreciate my good friend Tony Lara who has been instrumental during these hard times..Love you bro! One thing I have learned these past 2 months is the importance of telling those you love how much you appreciate them and love them. (I intend to finally post something stemming from that statement soon.) Wednesday's youth service was great. those kids at Tab are amazing..so much talent. I pray that I may remain faithful to my family, my calling and my God. I wish to honor those who have finished before me and hope to one day be able to recite these words....I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Reload Houston...Youth Ministry Training


reloadhouston.jpg, originally uploaded by luis847.

i want to invite you to this training...you may register at http://www.uywi.org/372328.ihtml

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Soldier boy!


IMG_0456.JPG, originally uploaded by luis847.

Cleaning out my iPhone and ran across this picture of my son Sean. I took this picture over the Christmas break while visiting a wonderful friend in Dallas. It was a great Kodak moment! Snapped pic with just the intention of capturing the moment and hopefully digitizing a family memory. No forethought went into the picture nor did I analyze it in any way.

Recently I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions. I am preparing for a new journey in my life..a new chapter in my book. As I asked God for direction I am constantly reminded to do just that, prepare. The fact is I know it will definitely be a long drawn out battle.

So I stumbled upon this picture of my innocent son...and I am reminded to ask for their protection on a daily basis. I also ask for it for my self and for those who are precious and dear to me.

this passage came to mind...

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."

Ephesians 6:10-18

Reload

Houston












Rates $20 Pre-Registration $25 At the Door

RELOAD Houston/files/RELOAD/08-09/pdf/houston.inside(thumb).jpg
February 28 , 2009

Covenant Glen United Methodist Church
401 Present St.
Missouri City, TX 77489

map it

Speaker
Harvey Carey, Citadel of Faith Covenant Church, Detroit, MI

Musical Guests
National Recording Artist: SoulFruit
Local Artist: Perfect Praise

Workshops

> 2020 Vision For Schools: Transforming Public Education
Within a Single Generation of Students
taught by Luis Palomo, Life Strategies, Inc.
> Discipleship: An Effective Method of Mentoring Urban Youth
taught by Roy White, City on a Hill Bible Church & Alecia Caufield, Mt. Zion MBC
> Rev Up Your Bible Teaching: How to Counter a Culture that
Would Rather Watch TV than Listen to You
taught by Jason Hess, Southway Community Church
> Girls & Boys: Adjusting Your Ministry to Be More Gender-Sensitive in an Urban Environment
taught by Kim Kossie, Living Well Youth Center & Thomas Walker, St. Mary's UMC
> Jump Starting Your Youth Ministry: Planning for Success
taught by Johnny Gomez, Templo Aposento Alto
> Core Values of a Youth Worker: Laying a Foundation for Ministry
taught by Vernon Hubbard, Solid Rock Baptist Church
> Teen Leadership Track (for high school students only)
Dealing With Life: Let's Get Real
taught by Lloyd Anderson, Bible Way Fellowship

Schedule
8:30am Registration, Breakfast & Networking
9:15-10:30am General Session - Welcome, Worship & Speaker Challenge
10:45am-12:00pm Elective Workshops 1
12:00-12:45pm Lunch
12:50-2:05pm Elective Workshops 2
2:15-3:00pm Closing Session - Giveaways, Worship, Speaker Challenge,
& Corporate Prayer

3:00pm RELOAD Ends


Local Sponsors
> DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative
> SHOUT Houston
> Next Level Enterprise

Monday, January 12, 2009

A pic from Christmas 2008. We had a great time making this Gingerbread House...had a great time eating it too!


Stephanie and baby Cali


Stephanie and baby Cali, originally uploaded by luis847.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

All smiles...


DSC04755.JPG, originally uploaded by luis847.

My lil bro and my great niece at my sisters wedding. i am glad that God continues to bless and grow our family.