Fast

Wow. That was fast. Break time is over! I have so much to share, but I need sleep! There are some things I want to chew in my mind, and savor its memory:

Fall Quarter. Besties. Party Times.Thankfulness. New Friend. Old Friend. DLand. Big Bear. Christmasness. Futures.

I know it's a short post, but I promise that the quality will not be compromised. Details to come some day.

In a Slump

I'm in a slump, but there are so many things to do! I have to do this and do that for who knows why!

In the midst of it all, I forget why I do things at all. I fail to remind myself that my life is not my own, and that I should not let it be driven by selfish ambition. If only I were able to remember, my priorities would not be so skewed. More thoughts to come.

Meanwhile, I thank the Lord for our cable connection crisis. Maybe it isn't a crisis, but without it I wouldn't have study time with my most missed brother. Don't you love God's sovereignty in the little things?

Busy Weekend

Busy weekend! I had work Friday morning, then I had to prepare myself for the Nike+Human Race at midnight. After 1 hour and 20 minutes (just about), Noreen and I finished. Success. We met up with our carpool buddies, Krissa, Kuya Joem, and Steven, and Julius and Lani. Peniel met us up for a bit, too. It was a wonderful time running the streets of L.A. at midnight.

Later that day, I went to work. Yay. When I got home, I had to study for my midterm that had to be taken and finished by Sunday. Done.

Sunday, the Lord's day, my family and I went to church. A lovely sermon about the importance of the family's role in church and Christian living was preached. As the doors of our house were unlocked, I raced to my room to handle this midterm. 12 out of 15--not bad. My dad was super excited for me to hop on and try his newly used ATC--is that what its called? Anyway, it's some three-wheeled, off-roading type vehicle that is usually ridden in the dirt. F-U-N. Then it was off to the Land of Disney with the Mom and the Mitch. They were sick, but I don't know what happened when I mentioned Disneyland. We had a good time, like always.

After all this, I realized I forgot to do one measly assignment that was due earlier today. Regardless, I feel accomplished. What's another 10 points, right?

Finally

I am finally registered for the Nike+Human Race--Oct. 24--and the Surf City (Half)Marathon--Feb. 07. They are all for good causes. Nike will donate $5 of each registered runner to A Better LA. Surf City (Half)Marathon will be run on behalf of Faith Community Church. Their purpose is to raise awareness and support for Project Greece--it is a missionary project set in Greece to put an end to human trafficking.

Please contact me for any support you are able to give towards Project Greece. Thank you! Much love to you!

OH! And did I mention that the sweatshop made its first sale last month!? Take a look, spread the word, and tell me what you like!

Back in the Groove

If you didn't hear, ptL! I decided, after many hits to the heart, that I needed to change my major from the Finance to the Communications. The decision wasn't finalized until the end of Summer, so that meant that I had to hustle for the classes that I needed!

For the first day of class, I scrambled into the room of my first petitioned class. Yikes, no room. Bustled on over to the next 8:00 class--yess, a COM class. Success.

Then I moseyed on back again to the classroom prior--it took three days to finally make the add. It was worth it. The third was a bit of the same drama.

It was after U-Hour, and most people are sluggish then. I was one of the first ten students in the room, and I was sitting in front of a computer too. As the minutes passed, the bodies of registerd students began to trickle in. "Oh, no" is what I say over and over in my mind. It was at that moment that I realized, "Hey! God is going to give you what you need. Don't trip Choco Chip!" I did just that--left my worries, wants, and needs all at His throne.

God mos def blessed me with some real helpful professors. Most of them added more than they should have, more than what these budget plans allow. And here I am, a testimony of God's great Grace and a full load of Grace to come as I tackle these SEVENTEEN units. This ain't nothin'--nine weeks and counting.

School, check. Work, next time. Everything else, we'll see. Well, I'm off to make my groove in the books! Give a hoot and a holler, and maybe we'll catch up on things.

Autumn is Here

Autumn has begun. Will the heat ever go away? Since school time started, I should tell you how my last three days were spent.

Monday was a nice day. For lunch, my cousin treated me and few others to Korean BBQ. In the evening, I met up with Susan and Jigger, and we shared some Genki Living. Tuesday was an errands day with Jigger. Wednesday--I don't remember Wednesday. And of course, I had some TV time with Mitch, and that's how it went down.

Thursday was the first day of school. Whoa. Over the course of the summer, I received some notices that nudged a thought into my mind--"Maybe the finance thing isn't for you." What did that mean to me? Change, it's time for change. So that's what I decided. I decided to change my major for the last time--yeah, it better be the last time or I'll never finish--to communications.

So what was I to do with the business classes that I was registered for? Drop them. But I wasn't planning on dropping them unless I had a class to fill their place. Furloughs or not, it's tough to add classes that you're not registered for. How was I going to do this? Prayer and faith--lots of it.

I wasn't going to worry, though I had much reason to. I had a reason to worry about what classes to add and when I should add them. I was going to worry about if the professors were nice or not, how much work they were going to assign, if there was space to add, were students going to drop, how spread apart these classes that I had planned to add. The list is really long, but I placed my faith in God--who knows my needs and who is the great Provider. Did I have a reason to worry about my future classes, when I knew that God is the God who provides all needs for all things and people? Totally meditated on His Word, see previous links please.

Prayer began when I decided to change my major. Prayer began when I started to worry about class schedules and petitions. Prayer began as I went to bed six hours before I had to wake up again. Prayer began before I stepped foot on campus. That is what made all the difference.

My schedule this fall happened not because of a decided path, a desperate face, nor a determined will. It was because my God supplied my needs. A major ptL!

Another ptL: This past Saturday was wonderful! My family and I, including Nicole, went back to the apple orchards of Oak Glen and its surroundings! If you haven't been, I suggest you go because it is loads of fun! If I had to sum it up in five words or less--FarmVille in real life! Law's breakfast buffet and their famous apple cider in a jug, Snow-Line's apple picking, sampling, and donut-ing, and more!

Browsing Antiques

Apple Donuts

Mitch and Soda Posters

The Mom and Apples

Forgotten and Rotten

Naturally Sun-dried RaspberriesThe Mom showing the Dad what he missed

FarmVille for the Mom
Apple Cider Enthusiasts

Being Brothers

Kids' Fall in Love

Oddly Shaped Gourds

Big Mac Pumpkins

P.S. I'm still praying for one more class--MHR 318 at 10:00a-11:50a. Please pray with me!

Still Here

The summer is still here for me. I have two weeks left, but everyone--I mean Mitch--is back in school. Oh, what to do! I haven't knocked off much from my tiny list of things I wanted to accomplish. Let's make these last, two weeks count for something!

1. Day Trips or Mini Vacay
2. More DLand Time
3. LA County Fair
4. Beach Days
5. Important Errands

As always, there are so many other things I want to do before school starts! Once this quarter begins, I won't have time for much, if anything. However, God has mos def blessed me with a wonderful summer. A phrase that would have to sum it up would be relational growth--pictures portray it better.

The Baby

The Older Baby

The Shoppes

The Newport Beach

The Newport Beach, too

The Parents

There was so much fun to be had, that I honestly forgot to take pictures. What a lame excuse to not have taken any, but it is the honest truth!

Understand It

It is difficult for me to comprehend what just happened. It was a simple question that required a simple answer. How was I to know it was going to cause a much deeper conversation!? I am quite unsure how to go about things right now, for I am still a bit flustered by this situation.

What does God want me to know? Maybe He wants me to know that I need to delight myself in Him and His will. Maybe He wants me to step out of my comfort zone to serve others. Maybe He wants to teach me how to love and have a thankful heart in all situations.

Note to self: Understand Romans 8:28, especially the all things part. I suppose I can throw in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and be mindful of keywords such as: always, continually, and all things.

Sweatshop

I have two jobs, the bartending gig and the sweatshop. Maybe I shouldn't call it that, but it feels like it sometimes! Kidding. Take a look-see at the products of our labor, I dare you.

Start

It's the start of something new. Something a little crafty. Something with my cousin. You'll see--soon enough.

AND I've started training for that (half) marathon on Saturday! Noreen picked me up just before seven in the morning, and we met up with a whole bunch of other walkers and runners. It felt so good to run in the morning, especially with a partner!

Everyone has started school, except me! I feel so left behind, but I'm glad I have roughly three weeks left of summer vacation. Busy, busy, busy!

Pleasure

I find pleasure in the Lord and how He works in my family. The Lord is soo gracious to grant us understanding, growth, and other good stuffs--stuffs like this.

(FarmVille)

Uh, you get the point. Don't judge, it's for my mom.

Guilty

All these healthy strives I've attempted seem to be all in vain. No mas, starting tomorrow. Fast food chains, away with you!

Crazy Good

Oh what a day! Here's how it went down:

4:00A - Awoke in the quiet hours of the morning to watch the spectacular star show (meteor shower) God has so wonderfully blessed our eyes to see. Back to bed by 5:50A

9:00A - Wake up call for the cuzzo for bike rides and pool time.

12:00P - Errands on the bike, TGIFriday for lunch, pool time.

6:00P - Dinner, evening bike ride

And that's about it! Ceaseless praises to God for our bicycles and keeping us safe. As the week goes on, my plans are to work, work, work. God is teaching me to have a thankful heart for the job I still have. Thankful I shall be to You, O Lord!

Summer Days

Pool parties after having some bbqs, watermelons, shakes, and movies. Maybe we should throw in some Taylor Swift for more fun.

I still have a month and a half left of vacation before school starts. So let's share some of that fun time together! I miss your faces, yous know who yous are--so give a shout! By the way, this coming week, Wednesday is my only day off. Oh, can't forget about Sunday, then again I never work Sundays. The good Lord has mos def blessed me with that, for sure!

There are loads more to share about knowing and growing this summer. I am about to burst at the seams for keeping these bits of golden blessings to myself--well, they kinda are for myself.

Out for more sun and water. 'Til then my Friend.

P.S. God has blessed me some funds for fun! A new pair of sunglasses because the barely-year-old pair was washed away at the beach (with a thankful heart to Ate HoneyBee). A new bicycle, with beach status (that I may ride out with the good, ol' Cuzzo).

Summer Nights

Oh, these summer nights include much fam love and togetherness! I love it! What else do you need? Maybe some pictures, but I forget all the time. Don't judge me. Here are a few:

Hang Outs

Beach Bums

Monrovia Street Market

And those are the most decent pictures I have scrambled to find. A few more things to praise God for: There is that one summer night I came home and found my mom looking intensely at her phone. I asked her, "Ma, what are you doing?" She simply replied, "I'm texting." Another summer night as I came home, Philip, Nicole, and Mitch were swimming out in our hardly-used pool! Marco! Polo! One last summer night to share--recently, Mitch and I have been renting movies like mad men. Netflix? I wish, but it doesn't seem reasonable to me to have two accounts for one household. That's besides the point; the point is Hollywood Video is ridiculously out of budget; thank God for choices. United Video reminds me of Videos2DVD, but not quite at the same price. Nonetheless, three dvds tonight is the same price as one dvd any night at HV.

So Many

There are so many blessings to share! God has been so gracious--as He always is--to open my eyes to His glories in this life and the life to come. Some snippets...

Grama is praising God, in His Presence, with her husband and my Lola. I traded some--okay, a lot of--work time for encouragement time with my family. Mitch is a growing boy, and celebrated his 14th birthday. Jigger and Besties time. Harvey and Janet are married now. The Barrett's and their new addition to the fam. Mama Josie and fam time. Chloe, girls, and Mitch breakfast time.

More to come!

Day One

Today was the first day I've seen my Grandma in a week. She looks so different, but it's still her. I don't think I can ever get over the way she looks--or anyone else for that matter--like she's sleeping. My Grandma's skin a bit darker than what I remembered, but I noticed that a bit of that cakey make up is on her hair. It makes me want to take some baby wipes to clean it up. While my Grandma lies there, she's surrounded by a whole bunch of red floras in different shades, her fave. Even her red lipstick is in place the way that she puts it.

The two, tiny boys saw her the first time in about a year; the first thing that Nathaniel said, in hushed voice, was, "Oh! Grama's sleeping." Adam just took a peek with no words or sounds.

Seeing my Grandma today reminds me of my Grandpa and my Lola. I miss them from time to time, but that's normal. Praise God for the comfort that He gives through His Word and through His people.

Break and Brake

Brakes are good, and so are breaks. On Saturday, my auntie decided to make a quick change in plans. The overcast morning made it such an easy decision to change from the beach to Disneyland. It was a full day with two, tiny boys; the smallest didn't even enjoy Astro Blaster, but here are some pictures anyway. You can't really see the boys, but they're there.

Yeah, you saw right. Our cousin, Karina, isn't really playing because she was busy sending a text message.

No Words

What words can I use to describe the start of the summer? None. I cannot explain what my heart feels, how my mind thinks, or what my spirit leads. I am glad that my hope does not come from me, but from my God and His words. Praise the Lord.

Scratch That

You can scratch my plans of taking classes during the Summer because God has other plans. I told several of you, but if you didn't know, Summer session at Cal Poly and Mt. SAC have been scratched!

When I first heard the news from my accounting group member, I was devastated. You read it right, devastated. I was lost for words to express my feelings and thoughts because so much depended on this Summer for the Fall. It did not help me one bit that I struggled through this quarter with managerial accounting, statistics, and economics. I had Plan A, then if that did not work out, then Plan B would begin. So what's a girl to do?

How do I praise God through this situation? How do enjoy Him in this busyness? I thought about my financial situation--loans and such--and realized that God knows what my needs are. God knows how much effort I put into this quarter, and maybe He is giving me rest. God knows--I do not know how He does, He just does. PtL for His omniscience!

There are so many other ways to see God moving in this situation, but that is just a little that I would like to share. So if you want to know more, let's get together after Thursday--my last final at 9:10a. YAY!

Almost Over

The quarter is almost over, but I'll be busy with summer quarter which starts June 22.

Calendar this--
Thursday, June 4 -- Accounting presentation . Future America at 6:00p. Laker game at 6:00p.
Friday, June 5 -- Accounting lunch and study group at 11:00a. Statistics study group after 2:00p.
Saturday, June 6 -- Accounting final at 2:00p. Celebrate because ACC208 is over!
Sunday, June 7 -- The Besties are back from their vacay.
Monday, June 8 -- Last study day for Statistics final.
Tuesday, June 9 -- Statistics final at 7:00a.
Wednesday, June 10 -- Last study day for Economics final.
Thursday, June 11 --Economics final at 9:10a.

So if I haven't seen you in a while, be prepared for a phone call and a day out!!

A Happy Philip

Happy 22nd birthday Brother; you are really loved.

Philip requested Nicole's scrumptious cheesecake as his birthday dessert, and he got it. However, she opted not to make the traditional, yet simple, type of cheesecake. She combined Philip's love for her cheesecakes and apple pies. "Yum-o" hardly describes this delicious hybrid.

Philip requested Yashima--our family fave for Japanese cuisine--for his birthday dinner with the family, and he got it.

My prayer for Philip this year: To remember the grace of God and to be thankful for His mercies.

Happenings

Things that have happened--

1. Date with Dad
2. Daryl, my cousin, and Noreen graduated from CSUF last Saturday, May 23
3. Attended more EPIC meetings
4. Met a handful of encouraging people
5. Acquired new levels on Rhythm Heaven by giving up
6. Dined at the Soledad's humble home
7. "I create my own caffeine." (in response) "You mean, adrenaline?"

Things that will surely happen--

1. Philip will turn twenty-two in about an hour and few minutes
2. Jireh will graduate
3. EPIC Banquet in four days
4. Statistics final
5. Accounting final in eleven days
6. Economic final in sixteen days
7. Summer quarter starts in twenty-seven days

Things I'd like to happen soon--

1. Pass this quarter's classes so that I won't have to make major changes to my schedule
2. See more people's faces
3. Settle into a new community
4. Explore other work opportunities
5. Mini vacation and day trips
6. Highlights with Jenny
7. More Grama hang outs

More updates on life to come. In the meantime, I'll be MIA because of major study sessions.

Egg on My Face

HAHA! I worked last night (traded my Wednesday night for Monday night) because I thought that my hardest midterm, managerial accounting, was on Thursday. I thought to myself, "Oh wow! Thank God that it worked out because now I have time to study for both of my difficult classes, microeconomics and managerial accounting. Plus, my statistics midterm isn't as hard as the first; praise God that I only have one midterm tomorrow."

With those thoughts today, I finished my homework to make a trip during U-Hour to EPIC, which is the Asian American ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. After the meeting, I have 10 minutes to speedy on over to my managerial accounting class to find most of the class hustling and bustling for what appears to be like a test day. I plop down into my chair huffing and puffing from the Hills of CPP. My neighbor and group members turn towards me and ask, "Are you ready?"

I reply candidly, "For what?"

"The test!"

"The test?! I thought that was on Thursday!!"

"Oh no, it's today. So...you don't even have your cheat sheet ready?"

"NO! Oh my gosh...I was going to study tomorrow. Geez..."

And for 10 minutes, I scrambled to scribble some helpful hints to what I thought would appear on the midterm. Gosh, it took me almost the full two hours and fifty minutes to complete the exam. I walked out of class with the smallest amount of assurance that I did well, but it is alright. I trust that God will guide me--through His grace and mercies--to work hard for a passing grade. Whatever the outcome may be, to God be the glory.

One more midterm to go. One more week of instruction. Afterwhich, one more week of exams--the final kinds.

Three More

I have three more weeks left in the quarter.
I have three more midterms to take before my finals.
I have three more reasons to trust in God.

Tutor Need

I really need a tutor friend. Statistics, Managerial Accounting, and Economics. Maybe I just need to change my major.

Dear Jesus, I do not know what to do. I want to do my best--that You enable me to--in these things, but I am not completely sure this is what You want me to do. Please help me find Your Will. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

By the way, Happy Mother's day to all you mothers. Praise the Lord for my mom! Praise the Lord for the other moms in my life!

P.S. The picture above is from my mom's birthday celebration at Disney's California Adventure with Chef Robert Irvine. I forgot I had a camera, yet again, therefore, did not take pictures during today's luncheon with my family. Happy Mother's Day!

How

How do things like this happen when you don't do anything? I asked Mitch that question when he showed me his phone yesterday. Since then, I've been scrambling for a few lenders. Praise God for Philip and Nicole. I asked Philip to ask his girlfriend, Nicole, if she had an extra phone laying around that we could borrow--and she did! She didn't have the charger, but it's okay, the Lord provides. By the way, the phone she lent us is a SideKick ID, and I feel really challenged. Anyway, Mike M has an extra phone too. Thank God for providing for our needs!

Speaking of God and providing for our needs, it reminds me of my most recent visit to Disneyland with my mom and Mitch. There are a lot of fat birds. Most especially on the Pacific Wharf, near the Boudin Bakery. As they were swooping and sweeping for crumbs of food, I couldn't help but notice how pudgy these birds were! Gosh, Luke 12 : 22-34 never felt so true until then. Okay, maybe not, but it definitely was a good reminder.

Sharing blessings and prayer requests are wonderful. I've a bit of work left to do, so until then.

Half Way

Woo yeah! Let us stroll backwards to the first chapters of my university life.

Time to celebrate the half way mark of my first quarter at Cal Poly. It is so different from the semester system, and I have barely become used to it all. But--Yay! Five weeks have already passed, and so has the day I took three midterms. Although it is done and over with, the exams fail to bring happiness and sense of achievements. Boo.

Weeks one through four were such a bore, but I was able to adapt to my various professors through the course of these weeks. I am grateful for the professors that God has given to me. They are tough, but not too tough. I am just grateful.

Now, enough of school. Yesterday, Mitch squashed a beetle of some sort. No pictures because the creepy crawlies gross me out; however, I did search a little to look for it crushed body to show 'em who is made in God's image, but did not find him--there was only a ring of the innards where the whole body should have laid.

My mom celebrated her birthday at California Adventure. Our good God blessed her with the opportunity to meet and greet Chef Robert Irvine, from Food Network's Dinner: Impossible. That guy is really funny with really huge muscles, and his personality differs very little from what you see on the show. WYSIWYG type guy. God is so wonderful, that He even blessed my mom with Chef Irvine's cookbook, personally autographed for my mom. Blessings, what more could she ask for her birthday? Then dinner with the family at Pompeii's, a wonderful pizza place. Kudos to Philip and Nicole for showing us that place.

And everything else? My time in the Word has taken the backseat for a few weeks, and thus proven to me (once again) that the strength to get through the day comes from God who sustains all things. In my times of weakness and worries, He has reminded me to trust in His work and in the ways He has provided me to walk in. So, let's walk in 'em.

Would've, Could've, Should've

I would've...

I could've...

I should've...

been more productive over the past few months. It feels too soon to return to school after a three and a half month break. Now I don't know if I'll ever have time because I start school tomorrow!

Borrowed Time

I missed something today. I failed to see that my Grandma was sad to leave our home after staying with us for two weeks. How could I have missed that!? During those two weeks, we had some bonding time, to the max! Yes, I admit that most of it was errand related, but those were the best times I have had running them! Every morning, we would have breakfast, then sit and talk about the good ol' days. After an hour's worth of jibbering and jabbering, we would stare at eachother and laugh because we had no idea what to do that day! We would think about what we would have for lunch and dinner while our stomachs were full with foodies, then get ready to have lunch and go to the market. Our days were simple and fun--they were simply fun and full of smiles, but not all days.

On rare occassions--like once a week--sadness overcame her heart and flowed onto her face so that you could see. These days were hard, it reminded me of my Lola. My Grandma would start to question the unfathomable will of God, for she does not understand Him. It scared and intimidated me to answer her question. I wanted to say something, but I hesitated for too long. Before I knew it, we had moved on to another topic. It came, it lingered, and it went--my opportunity to share my Joy, my Jesus, with her.

A day like today would have been a wonderful time to share my faith with her. Her face, so round, was so sad. She did not want to leave our home, but she has no choice. Although she goes to live with her son, my uncle, it would be well with us all to visit from time to time. Maybe then I will be able to share with her Christ's amazing grace and refreshing mercies that are new every morning.

How many times have you heard that we live on borrowed time? Everyday it becomes more and more evident. It is quite the humbling experience, revealing what Truth is and how to live worthily of that Truth. Why is it that it matters so much? We will all pass away soon, and what will we have lived for?

Vulnerable

A simple life can be attained by being vague about everything. If you could pretend as if the world is as it should be, you could possibly have a happy and carefree life. If the tough times rolled along, then you could sleep it off and wake up to a new slate.

Who am I kidding? I thank my Savior everyday from waking me up from that terrible nightmare. Being vulnerable to the Truth of God is mos def the way to live. I love that His Word is as sharp as a double-edged sword. It shows me my heart and thoughts--the capacity of sinfulness that can be contained. It points me to the Cross, where all my sins hang, and to the God who saved me from my wretched self. It brings me hope in the midst of trials that all is loss for the sake of knowing Him and sharing Him with others. Oh, how I love Thee!

For these reasons, and more, I am able to make myself vulnerable to His piercing Truth for personal growth in love for God and for people--the ones I know and the ones I will come to know.

Happy Christmas and New Year

I know it's a bit late, but how could I resist!? Happy Christmas to you all, and a Merry New Year! First things first, let's thank God for His ultimate gift, Jesus Christ; for without Him, there would be no celebration of life. My family and I celebrated our Christmas with my mom's side of the family, as we often do--this time in Las Veags. We spent five, whole days, in which we all took turns caring after Grandma and going out. You see, this was nor ordinary Chirstmas; this was not an ordinary year. Anyway, good times were had and remembered.

After having a camera for a year, I still forget that I have one; I often fail in the capturing and immortalizing of moments. However, I still praise the Lord for our impressionable hearts and minds. We will never forget these times. Here are some photos I managed to snap when I remembered to.

Christmas Time in The Bellagio

The Woman of Encouragement to my Soul

These are the Men of my Life

Shortly after Christmas is the dawn of the New Year. YAY! Again, I forgot I owned a camera, so these picutres were an afterthought. For me, as long as a picture was snapped, it's all good! From now on, I resolve to make use of my camera. I wonder how long that resolution will last. Speaking of which, I do not remember my resolutions of 2008; come to think of it, I may not have made any because I knew that I would forget. Ha. Let me be the one to say, 2008 was an eventful year of change. I turned twenty-two, and the craze of alcohol died happily; I have been sober for a year! That's a joke; liquor and spirits have never controlled my life in that way, nor will it ever. I have put an end to the hurt in my heart. More than ever, God has never tasted and been so good! In 2008, God has taught me to be thankful for all things and in everything, how to trust Him more and those that He has placed in my life (and kept there), how to lovingly serve my Family and the Church, and so many other things. When I think of 2008, I think of these verses--

Hebrews 12:1-2 There fore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is what the New Year is all about. Kidding.

The Familia. This is the New Year of New Lives, hopefully. Niko was sleeping.

We missed you Auntie Juvy, Nathaniel, Adam, Daryl, and Chan!

For the second day in the first month of the New Year, we went to Whole Foods again! I really love this place. Thanks Helen for your gift; I am so grateful for you! These are some goodies we bought last night. We also had some cheesecakes--Pumpkin, Chocolate, and Cappuccino. Those were so good, they were gone in a flash!

Yummy Maple Tangerine Almonds

Coconut Water. Delish.

Tastiful Tarts

So I mentioned that this was an extraordinary year, right? You see, just around the time of Thanksgiving, my Grandma became very ill. Later, we learned that it was due to the contraction of a terminal illness, and with her age, it was unlikely that she would recover as quickly as she did. A year and half has gone since the passing away of my Lola, and God has continued to strenthen my faith in Him. That is why my family and I have the Peace of God that transcends all understanding. To make the long story short, God answers prayers. Real life, true story. These stories that God has authored in our lives are only testaments of His grace and mercy to such undeserving people. It is only by Christ and His power over the grave that allows us to enjoy every aspect of our lives, good or bad. There is always a reason to praise the Lord.