Krystal – Page 4 – Trees Of Hope

22Jun 2020 by Krystal 4 Comments

Writing from Weakness

Faith, Personal Testimonies, Teaching Your Children

I write from weakness. My book and my blogs were and are birthed out of my own life filled with joys amidst lifes' hardships and unanswered questions. Nonetheless, the finished product of my writing can misleadingly seem like “I have it all together." Truth be told: I am an imperfect mom with imperfect children. The difference, the game-changer: having a PERFECT and HOLY God who LIVES in me! This means if I can give him my “pen” (or my keyboard), and my thoughts, He can bring godly insight and eternal blessings of encouragement from me, a broken vessel that HE provides HOPE and HEALING to. I chose this random picture of me because one of my kids snapped it without me knowing...not a glamorous picture but it shows imperfect ME.…

11May 2020 by Krystal 4 Comments

TOP 11 Homeschooling Tips and TRICKS!

Teaching Your Children

Homeschooling is a LIFESTYLE. It’s been our family’s “normal” for five years now, with all the blessings and challenges that it has brought our way. I am a former K-6 ESL(English as a Second Language) and high school Spanish teacher. I worked at a private school abroad and then at various public schools here in New York state for a total of six years, receiving tenure in the West Seneca Central School District. I made the decision to leave the public school classroom and begin homeschooling my little ones even though no one in my family had done so previously. It's been an adventure ever since! So, my kids have never been to "school" outside of our home besides homeschooling co-op groups once or twice a month and weekly Sunday…

04Apr 2020 by Krystal 10 Comments

Last Flight

Faith, Personal Testimonies

My heart is now broken. Why did it take so long for me to GRIEVE for humanity? I was numb when the coronavirus spread through China, intrigued and concerned when it made its way here, and now that the death toll will be “good” if it hits 100,000-200,000 cases in our country: devastated and emotionally overwhelmed. It finally HIT HOME in more ways than one. The numbers are daunting and chilling. The president of the United States reported that we will be saving at least a million lives potentially if we continue the measures in place. There is no doubt that COVID-19 is a pandemic of epic proportions. Paradise Park in Cuenca, Ecuador Though the coronavirus was on the news, it had not yet made its way around the world.…

25Mar 2020 by Krystal 13 Comments

“Corona-Crisis”

Faith, Teaching Your Children

Two little cousins who are missing each other right now: My Davin and nephew Dawson We are living through a historic time right now. Each day I try to ask God what I can do in the midst of it. I keep living, breathing, teaching my kids, cooking meals, doing laundry, but inwardly I know my little routine somehow matters more now. I am in compliance: the stakes are higher, as public health is top priority. The weirdness of the new term “social distancing” is already being “embraced” (pun intended)! It's our new reality, our temporary "normal" worldwide. My mind can’t completely wrap itself around the implications of this pandemic, but here are some I have noticed: People can’t mourn the way they normally would when someone passes away, as…

01Feb 2020 by Krystal 9 Comments

Blessed Assurance

Faith, Personal Testimonies

The day of the accident she came. Out of nowhere her arms enveloped my weak and broken body when I couldn’t move. Reassurance had arrived, love from God above. The kids were okay, I couldn’t believe it, but there I was lying in the street. I cried out, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me!” She echoed every one of my pleas with her own calming voice. The noise of the ambulance, the crowd, the stares, nothing mattered in the next few moments apart from her embrace: her face behind me, her arms around me. My sweat was no deterrent to the many motherly kisses she planted on my head. “I have to go now,” she said, “I am picking someone up. He is with you.” I had to get a glimpse…

04Jan 2020 by Krystal 9 Comments

Your “Unwritten” Goals…

Faith, Personal Testimonies, Teaching Your Children

2019 has come and gone, but its memory in my heart and life will always live on. It began with a warm Ecuadorian family celebration to ring in the new year, each one of us sharing our hopes and aspirations. I had written down a few goals for the year, including teaching myself how to play piano by ear and writing a new book. In another sense this would be a year in which physical suffering would remind me of my weakness and frailty to accomplish anything on my own. It started in the spring as I was planting seeds with my children: I hit our metal mailbox and had to get stitches on my head. That didn’t stop me, and summer was a pleasant time of family bonding, active…

24Dec 2019 by Krystal 10 Comments

Do You Believe?

Faith, Teaching Your Children

I’ve realized people, even adults, desire something magical that they can at least pretend to believe in, whether they know it or not. Laurelle and I..sleeping beauty! We recently returned from a Disney vacation, and you could see every parents’ desire to create wonder, joy, and memories for their little ones everywhere you looked. The girls are dressed as princesses, waiting in long lines to meet and greet with Queen Elsa and Cinderella for a few treasurable moments. A sweet moment...Laurelle and Fancy Nancy! The disappointment comes when, as my five-year-old Laurelle realized, Fancy Nancy doesn’t talk to you, her costume being a huge painted replica head with skin-colored stockings covering her arms and legs. She looks like the Disney Junior and book character that we have enjoyed and come…

28Nov 2019 by Krystal 2 Comments

Thankful

Faith

Thankful for a dirty table to wash, crumbs to sweep, mouths to feed, leaves to rake, snow to shovel, toys to put away, baths to be given and a noisy, messy house. Thankful for this day. Thankful for a devoted husband, children, siblings and parents through thick and thin; steadfast hearts bound together in Christ will always win. Thankful for my family. Thankful for an unanticipated note offering hope from above, a meal prepared with sacrifice and love, the care of others flying in like doves. Thankful for humanity. Thankful for a sun that shines, trees that blossom, lose their leaves, and rest, for in each season God displays His splendor and best. Thankful for creation. Thankful for sophisticated medical treatment, the restorative healing process, and damaged legs that can…

27Oct 2019 by Krystal 8 Comments

Being a Receiver~ Would You Catch that Ball?

Faith, Personal Testimonies

a few days before surgery with my dear husband The day of my ankle surgery last month my husband and I got there before 6 a.m., early as recommended. We checked in and took our seats in a waiting room full of people. I was in a wheelchair and across the way an older woman, let's call her "Elaine," was using a walker. We exchanged a few words with her and then, very promptly, a door opened at the far corner of the room; my name was called along with hers. Two hospital personnel accompanied us, initially focusing on holding the door for me because of my condition with two ankle injuries in a wheelchair. However, the attention quickly shifted to Elaine who had arrived alone. "Is anyone here to…

24Sep 2019 by Krystal 11 Comments

The Gift of Immobility

Faith, Personal Testimonies

Thirteen days have passed since the accident, since I was crossing an intersection with my four children and was hit by a car. It was a sunny afternoon and we were on our way to the library. The plan was to return books and spend a few hours reading and then picking out some new selections. In the middle of the crosswalk that would all change for us. The moment before it occurred was peculiar, helplessly watching a car coming towards us and yet inwardly anticipating a miracle. The miracle came, though the driver never slammed on the brakes. My older boys had made it safely across seconds earlier on a bike and a scooter; I was thrown into the middle of the street and the stroller I was pushing,…

Author: Krystal