3 New Additions!

Kenzy Coronado

Born April 1, 2008

Evan Christopher Gonzales
Born May 8, 2008
Ansley Kate Khader
Born May 19, 2008

Salt Lake Reflection

When we went to Salt Lake for a weekend in March, something struck me. We had left sunny, seemingly summer, Texas weather and had traveled to a place that was still experiencing winter. The signs were everywhere, trees without leaves, snow on the mountaintops, yellowing grass. What occurred to me in the morning moments of looking out at the barren trees, was how God has ordained seasons for particular times all around the world. Some seasons last longer than others. It made me remember that just because I was living in summer, it didn’t mean that the rest of the world was too.

I have always thought of winter as being the season where things die and disappear. But what I realized was the things I thought were dead in winter were really alive. The only reason I thought they were dead is because I could not see the life on the outside. I was depending on what I saw to be the judge of whether something had life, when in reality, that life is being transformed on the inside to produce something even more beautiful than the season before.

When we are tempted to think of our own period of winter and mourning as leaving us stagnant and barren, we must remember that just because the signs of life are not apparent on the outside, God is still breathing His life into us and growing us into something that will be beautiful again. Being in Salt Lake also helped me remember to be sensitive to those who are in a season of winter even though I might be living in summer.

Through Death comes Redemption, Togetherness and Peace

This has been a very weird month for me and Alia. In 1 month, we've had 1 wedding and 3 funerals. Almost sounds like a title for a movie. We experienced the loss of my grandfather, a former band parent of mine, and a father of one of Alia's students. When you sit back and think of it, what a sad month for all 3 families. Losing a loved one is never easy, and at that losing a father. All three being the rock of their family. These past few weeks I have really been thinking about my own life. How am I as a husband? How am I as a son? How am I as a brother, a friend, a teacher, or even a stranger that no one has met? What am I doing right now to lead others to Christ? This month I truly have seen how life is short. We are only here for a little while.

I was was inspired by all three of the men that passed this month. Of course my grandfather, as he taught me and my brothers many things growing up and showed us how to be a man in supporting our family. The father of my former band student was such an inspiration. He showed how much he loved his wife and kids by devoting so much of his time to them. The father of Alia's student I had never met, yet his life made a huge impact on me. His love for the Lord was evident to his family and friends. In the last weeks of his life he continued to go to church, barely standing, despite his illness. The letters he wrote to his children and the smile on his face in his pictures, taken weeks before his death, put me and Alia to tears. His family and friends knew his relationship with Jesus and it was powerful even in his death. It is amazing how Christ can radiate through people even when they die! I pray for that kind of faith. I know that is what we need to pray for everyday. The Lord gives us joy even in times of suffering (James 5:7).

I pray that the Lord will lead me as he did these men. It is so easy to become impatient with other people and even with ourselves. But we have to remind ourselves that what we say and do must be pleasing to the Lord because it just may be the last thing we say or do here on earth.

Please pray for the families that the Lord will give them strength, guidence and a clear path.

Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone, What an eventful break this is. First and foremost we are celebrating our Christ birth! Secondly our time with family and friends, whom we cherish so dearly!
Alia and I have just come back from Boston where we attended our friends Erik and Kelly's wedding. It was a very beautiful wedding which was held in the Old Meeting House in downtown Boston. We then migrated to The State Room for the reception on the 35th floor. We had an amazing view of the city and bay!! One of the highlights was (you know me) the food. We had a 5 course meal. I had no idea there was such a thing. I have heard of 3 course, but 5...? It was AWESOME.
We stayed until Christmas morning and then headed back to Houston. What a great time seeing most of the historic sites and getting the opportunity to walk everywhere.
We are really looking forward to spending the rest of our break with family and friends and enjoying the chance to rest. Especially after a very busy 1st semester of teaching.
We are very thankful for all that God has provided for us and we pray that you all have a great Christmas!
I will try my best to keep our blog updated;)

You can check more pictures of our Boston trip here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/nickgg79/BostonTrip2007

No Worries

The beginning of the year has come and another year of adventure starts. Nick has finished his 1st 6 weeks at his new job. As with anything, there has been challenges in the midst of change. We are looking forward to see where God is going to lead in the new school. Alia is again enjoying her school and students. This year has started so much smoother for her this year than last!!! We are truly blessed to have all that we have (marriage, family, friends, a place to live, food and work). It is so easy to go through the motions everyday and miss all that God has given us. So easy to complain over little things that we have no control over. Jesus says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27) and also concludes, "But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.". I have to constantly remind myself that through difficult times. When we keep Jesus first in our lives and follow in His direction, any obstacle given to us will be superseded by His grace to overcome. We all have times of frustration and want the world to listen and help, but we must first speak to our Lord for He will show us His way. He will show us the fullness of life in times of pain, suffering, frustrations, busyness, etc. and He will always pull us through as He always has when we believe with our whole hearts and live faithfully through His Word.

Summer Fun

This has truly been a wonderful summer. Alia and I have spent the majority of our summer out of town. We were in Salt Lake City visiting family and friends for 3 weeks. It was a true blessing seeing everyone and also being in the mountains! Alia and I also ran our 1st 5K! We had been talking about running one for a while but never got around to doing so. The altitude hit us pretty hard but we got through it alive!

As soon as we came back to Texas, we got to rest for half a day and then got right up and left for Raymondville and Harlingen, TX for the Gonzales Family Reunion! What a blast spending time with our family and catching up with those we haven't seen in a while. The family reunion was filled with great conversation and fun games like Mexican Bingo!

We can't forget the wonderful wedding of Tony Brown and Erica Shinya in Kansas. We were thankful and honored that we were able to play for their wedding!

Unfortunately, our stay was a short 0ne. I was hired to play trumpet in a musical (Once Upon a Mattress) for the week at Tomball College and Alia had a few gigs she was asked to play. It was extremely fun but we are happy that it is over. We finally have our nights back.

So far that has been our summer. We are happy to be home and happy that we will be able to go back to our home church. We will keep this updated as the summer and year go on. We should have pictures from Chris and Kim's new deck that we built with the help of Mike Singleton!

Nick and Alia

Rehearsal- Peace Concert w/ Anthony Brown & Haude Choir

Here are a few pictures of the rehearsal and night of the concert at the Centrum in Spring, TX. What a fun and memorable time! The choir was amazing and Tony and Alia sang amazing. We will have the CD and DVD of the concert out in the next few weeks. Very exciting!!

So Many Blessings!

Where do we start? Well so many great things have happened these past few months. Just a week ago, Alia had a Peace Concert with her students featuring a very close friend of our family, Mr. Anthony Brown as Baritone Soloist. It was such a great event! Alia spent a few months preparing for the concert and needless to say, the hard work payed off. The students performed great and Tony Brown was amazing. And there was this trumpet player that was asked to play that did ok :)
We were blessed to have Alia's parents in from Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the concert. What a great time!! Here are a few pics from the concert that I hope you enjoy.

Blessings,
Nick and Alia