Yes, here we are again…and this time, I feel like we arrived in December rather quickly. I’m sure we can say that each year, but it seemed like it came abruptly for me. I was navigating troubled waters this year, and the waves kept coming, and I spent a lot of time trying to get … More Here we are again…
Join me this month of Thanksgiving as I have engaging and thought-provoking conversations. I start off by reading a blog I wrote in November 2017! And it still rings true. We often take for granted what someone is praying for!!! I share how we need to give thanks. My following conversation is with Conservative Pundit … More November Podcasts
I am excited to share the upcoming podcasts for October! Firstly, I want to thank all the listeners who have joined me in this endeavor. It is a wonderful platform to share my life stories, hacks, and experiences. If you have not caught up on the podcasts, just go wherever you listen to your podcasts … More October Podcasts
I am back! Starting today! I return with the second season of “Conversations from the Green Couch Podcast!” Simply tap on the link and listen in on any and all platforms where you listen to your podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-from-the-green-couch-w-annette-ortiz-mata/id1566969656 I am excited about this season. I am doing something different, and I hope you join me … More Breaking News!!!
Someone asked me what prompted me to write a book on faith and when did my outlook on faith shift? It began when I realized that indoctrination (the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically) was no longer working in my life.I had equated church attendance with a relationship … More My Why…
He said, “we have a beautiful life….” I didn’t understand….until I did. All I knew was my heart was broken; how can that be called a beautiful life. I let the words settle until the realization of what he was saying became greater than my simple understanding. Our life is beautiful- Every test Every trial … More A beautiful life…
She simply said “What do you want?” Ask yourself “What does Annette want?” and just like that the tears flowed. She asked me not to answer her but to think about it and write it down. She jokingly said, and please don’t write down “World Peace.” I appreciated the levity at the moment, for I … More Do you know…?
The audacity of writing. I have felt strongly in my heart to write about my faith journey and its outcome. It’s unconventional, but here are some hard truths which are embedded in my heart that I need to share. This is a small excerpt of what is a much lengthier chapter. It is my hope … More Unpredictable Outcome…(excerpt)
Six months of quarantine exposed a million little cracks that, if left unattended, would shatter…it would shatter our family. Awkwardly sitting together in our first virtual session… Family therapy. Looking at a screen trying to communicate why we are here. How did we get here? It was grueling! It required us to hear words spoken of … More Seek Therapy
During this physical distancing time, I have re-organized my closets, my dresser, the kitchen cabinets, my office desk, and the bookshelves. I have sorted in stacks of what I will keep, donate, and throw away. So it occurred to me, what in my relationships do I need to re-organize? How am I relating to the … More A Seat at my table…
The other day I read the funniest tweet ever… “been quarantined with my wife for four weeks now. At this point, I have more risk of getting killed by her than by a crummy virus.” I laughed out loud and shared it with my friends and especially my husband. I couldn’t help but think how … More You are safe…
Coincidence – the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection. (Merriam-Webster) Have you ever thought and said to yourself, wow, that’s such a funny coincidence? Oh my goodness, how crazy is that? Or that can’t be possible? What are the chances? All comments that connect to what we believe … More Coincidence…I think not!
Here it is – 16 months, of school, completed and now what? I found myself experiencing a real sense of anxiety. I normally am not one to get anxious. I’m pretty laid back about things. I wait and pray and trust. Yet I found myself panicking and fretting and worrying about what is next? What was … More Now what…
Dearest Robert, Tomorrow, February 5th, we will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. The moment we cried (well I think you cried more than I did) and said I do to each other. And with that being said I want to say the following… Thank you for asking me to be your wife. Thank you for … More It’s the little things…that adds up!
“Don’t accumulate possessions; accumulate experiences – Mark Batterson Have you walked up to a garage sale or estate sale and wondered how much the homeowner must have “loved” these items, and now here they are laid out on a table going for just a few bucks? I often wonder did these things bring joy, love, … More Garage Sale…
I challenge you!!! Set three goals for the next year! One that is attainable One that requires a bit of work One that is so out of your reach will take a miracle!!! I challenge everyone to put their faith to the test and see what GOD can do through you! I love writing goals … More Set three goals…
This was the year of weddings! We received six wedding invitations of which we were only able to attend three. It seemed that each time I opened my mailbox, there was another engagement, save the date and wedding invite. We take our attendance at weddings very seriously. Someone very wise once said, when you commit … More Six Weddings…
How do I keep my faith when those representing Christianity keep failing me!!!!! Who are we? What have we become? A divisive people fighting each other over politics A divisive people arguing over moral rights A divisive people judging the life of one another A divisive people that tear each other down A divisive people … More My soul counts…
It’s that time of year… I sit still and spend time meditating and asking God to reveal to me what the focus of the new year will be for me, my marriage, my family, and my businesses. Immediately He prompted these words; it will be the Year of Yes. My heart stopped…what, Yes! NO!!!!! I … More Year of Yes…
It was our recent trip to the country’s largest IKEA that prompted this blog! It was our first time walking through this monstrosity of a home goods store. We didn’t think we were going to buy anything, we just wanted to walk around, but we grabbed a bag. By the time we got to the … More Where are the instructions…to parenting?