Thursday, February 28, 2013

Lupe's Story! - Inspiration for the Rev Shirt: THAT'S SO COOL!


They say that with God all things are possible and I always believed that. But sometimes we just “believe” it you know, we just say it because it’s there. But there’s always a moment in life when you experience something that changes your perspective and faith in God and you truly realize that with God all things are possible. That life changing experience for me took place several years ago on October 3, 2008 but I still remember as if it was yesterday.
 
Almost two years ago on October 3, 2008 at about 10pm my sister Dellie suffered from a cerebral aneurism. It all stared with a headache while she was at a church retreat in San Bernardino. Eventually the headache got really bad and she fainted. She was unconscious for along time until the ambulance got there since she was in the mountains. She was then hospitalized at San Bernardino hospital. We of course were in Fresno and didn’t find out until she was at the hospital. When she arrived at the hospital she was in really bad condition. Much of the blood in her brain had spread throughout her body and the doctors said she could only live up to 4 hours and then she would die. The only other option they had was to do her a surgery; however they said her chances of surviving were extremely small. My 2 other sisters who were there with her decided to do the surgery. Eventually the rest of my family, who were in Fresno, found out and drove to San Bernardino. I was terrified when I hear what had happened. I had just seen my sister completely well the previous day. How could this be? I wondered. My entire family and my church began praying because we believed God could do the impossible and he had a far greater purpose for my sister.

Since the surgery was done quickly they had to cut off all of Dellie’s hair completely. Thankfully she survived the surgery but was in a coma. I still remember the moment I first entered that hospital room where she was and saw her laying on that bed with cables connected to her everywhere. It was rather heart breaking seeing my dear sister lying there with no hair and her whole body swollen. Her eyes were closed and she didn’t move. She couldn’t even breathe on her own. As soon as I entered the room I ran out because I just burst into tears. I felt so desperate and helpless. But now I realized I wasn’t helpless because any prayer of an earnest child of God reaches Him and he does great miracles. The doctors didn’t have much good news for us. They told us Dellie could live only a few days. Or if she survived she would probably stay in a vegetative state and perhaps be sent to a nursing home. They also said she could stay blind, mute or even paralyzed. It was so hard hearing those words but God was telling me to hope and have faith so I did as well as my family and many others. And God heard our prayers. Within 4 days my sister opened her eyes. She still couldn’t move but we knew God was doing a miracle. Since she was all the way in San Bernardino we could only go see her every weekend because we had to go to school and my dad had to work. My mom of course stayed there with her.

Eventually she was transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center near San Bernardino. For me the days seemed to go by really slow, but we continued praying and trusting God. Dellie was in the ICU for about 1 month. Eventually she began moving little by little. In November, half way through the month, she was transferred to the Rehabilitation Center where she began walking little by little, as well as eating solid food and writing. The doctors were all amazed by her quick recover, but we knew it was God doing the impossible. I remember on Thanksgiving my family as well as my youth group drove down to Loma Linda to be with her and my mom. It was the best Thanksgiving ever. No turkey, mashed potatoes or gravy, just my whole family together in a hospital room with my sister. That was all that really mattered.

On December 6, 2008, about 2 months later, my sister finally came back home in Fresno. We (my sisters and I) put up balloons and signs all over the house. We even bought a cake which read “Welcome Back Home Dellie.” We were all happy to have her back. I remember waking up that day at 5 am in the morning to wait for her. I remember when we opened the door and my sister Silvia pushed her in with the wheelchair. Dellie was crying and I knew why. She was happy, but she was also thankful. She was thankful because God had done a miracle in her life; he had done the impossible. I too began to cry. I hugged her and I said to her “Welcome back Dellie. I love you.” That was a day I’ll never forget and forever thank God for.
A year later she was back playing the piano at my church and I realized that with God everything really is possible. She was diagnosed with meningitis, but she still remains strong and that strengthens my faith. She continues living life as it is and sharing her testimony with anyone she can and for that I admire her. I understand we live in fallen and corrupt world but it amazes me how God can still love us and listen when we cry out to him. I used to read Mark 10:27 “with God all things are possible” and be like “That’s kool.” But it wasn’t until I witnessed a miracle that I realized how real those words really are. I’m, glad to know I serve and follow an awesome God who can do anything even when we feel like there’s no way out. – Lily (Lupe) Remigio



Every Revelation Revolution (Rev) t-shirt made is designed around someone’s testimony! Every design represents the hand of God in their life; miracles of healing, answered prayers, dreams come true, and hope of a magnificent future. This is the story of the THAT’S SO COOL design:
Meet Lupe!
Lupe’s sister, Dellie, was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and told that she would not live. If she did survive, she could be paralyzed or in a vegetative state forever... This diagnosis was unacceptable to this family of faith! Together they stayed by her bedside and prayed night and day. There wasn't a doctor anywhere that could convince them that their God wouldn't heal Dellie!

I first met Lupe when I was the guest speaker at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes lunch when she was a Senior in high school.  I asked the students that day to simply answer the question, “What has God done for you lately?” Out of the many testimonies that were submitted, Lupe’s story of faith, in the face of extreme adversity, touched our hearts! Her story became the inspiration for our very first shirt design. It was printed in her school colors and represents the "unexpected twists and turns of life" that Lupe described in her testimony. Mark 9:23 was the scripture they hung on to during Dellie’s illness: "Nothing is impossible with God."

One month later, on October 3rd  at the local fair, we unveiled the t-shirt and to our great surprise, got to meet Lupe, Dellie and their family. It was an absolutely incredible moment surrounded by a reverent hush all around our booth! It was if everyone knew that something very special was happening. We gave her family shirts and took pictures in the booth. Tears flowed as Dellie shared her own story with us. What an amazing girl! "I don't ask God why this happened to me. I know with all my heart that he loves me and that he has a good plan for my life. I have a lot to share and tell people about what I have gone through and what God can do with our faith." said Dellie. "I have to tell you something else...." she said. "My aneurysm was a year ago TODAY."  God had arranged for all of this to happen one year to the exact day of her diagnosis! There wasn’t a dry eye in the place....

Friends, I tell you this story of Lupe and Dellie's faith to remind you to open your eyes to the confirmations and blessings in your own life. God is busy loving you and is interested in evey detail of your life! Release your faith and let God do his miracles.

We are so thankful that Lupe and Dellie have shared their life-changing story with us. Dellie is an amazing young woman with a truly humble and unshakable faith in Jesus! She enjoys playing piano again and is such a gift to everyone who knows her. God is good ALL the time!! As a way to celebrate God’s  continued healing in Dellie’s life we are blessing them with $5 from the sale of every THAT’S SO COOL shirt sold! Be part of the blessing to this family. Visit us at www.Rev2Rev.com and order your shirt today! - Kim Hoff, Rev2Rev

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Boost Your Mental Focus

Welcome to 2013! With the turning of the calendar to a new year, inevitably comes the wiping of our blurry eyes to gain a new, fresh life vision. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the emotions we leave behind in 2012 and the excitement and possibilities of all that 2013 holds. "Out with the old and in with the new," right? Well, that is a lot of work and takes a lot of mental focus!

We are created to handle difficult situations, but prioritizing them when everything seems to be knocking on your door at the same time can be stressful. The kids are bored, the Christmas decorations need to come down, things are falling apart at work, the phone keeps ringing, text messages are loading up on your phone, the dog is sick, Aunt Lilly wants you to come visit and all you really want to do is pull the blanket up to your chin, watch movies, and eat junk food (not to mention you haven't begun the work-out schedule you listed as your New Year's Resolution)!

Listed below are three simple things you can do to FOCUS YOUR MIND:

Replace Old Thought Patterns with New Thought Habits
Its not just about thinking positive thoughts, its about recognizing thought patterns. Do you let your mind spin out of control in negative directions? Do you amplify "the bad" until it is "the worst" in your mind? You know.... "I shouldn't have eaten that cookie! That was a bad choice. I just can't do this with all the holiday food around. I should just eat another one because I already blew it today! I'm not going to fit in my jeans, the buttons are going to pop off! I'm such a mess... My entire life is out of control. I give up!" - ever do that to yourself?

STOP allowing negative thought patterns to beat you up! PUT a POSITIVE THOUGHT in IT'S PLACE ON PURPOSE! Replace it with thoughts like: "I shouldn't have eaten that cookie, but its okay. No biggie. I work out hard and I'm still on track. A few more squats tonight before bed!" THE ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF A BAD HABIT IS TO REPLACE IT WITH A GOOD HABIT!

Take Mental Mini-Vacations
Make time through out the day to "quiet your mind." Make time to allow yourself just 60 seconds of relaxed breathing. Intentionally take your mind to another location that is peaceful for you. My peaceful place is the beach. I often go there mentally and gift myself that mini-vacation. I visualize the ocean lapping the beach and the sun setting over the horizon. I can feel the warm sand between my toes and hear the seagulls calling to each other over the pier. There is a gentle breeze blowing warmly across my face and in the distance I see a small fishing boat gently rocking in the waves..... - And....I feel better already! Take in every sensory aspect of your mini-vacation; really GO THERE and release your tension. You'll be amazed at the affect it has on your entire body. Your breathing is calm, your heart rate comfortable.... This is a good thing to do several times a day. MAKE THIS A HABIT!

Put Good Stuff in Your Head
Similar to positive thinking, but this is purposefully taking in the goodness around you and becoming part of it. There is enough bad stuff all around us to depress the most uplifting thinker, but there is also some really beautiful things happening that we miss. You may have already begun smiling, saying "Hello" or holding doors open for strangers; "paying it forward" by buying lunch for an unsuspecting friend; calling Uncle Joe just to brighten his day. But, did you really take in what you did or did you just let it go? YOU WERE PART OF SOMETHING GOOD! You made a positive difference today! KEEP TRACK OF THE GOOD IN YOUR WORLD and STOP KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THE BAD STUFF! It will change your outlook on life!

It only takes one simple thought to throw us completely off-track! Remember these simple tips and really practice them! It takes repetition to replace any habit, but setting new mental habits can be the key you've been searching for to really make great progress this year. BOOST YOUR MENTAL FOCUS! Don't give in and NEVER GIVE UP! You were designed and created to "Live A Powerful Life!" Now, GO GET 'EM!!

Happy New Year

- Kim Hoff, Hope Coach
www.Rev2Rev.com, 
www.BeautifulInsideOut.com
www.Bootcamp2Beautiful.com