Engaged

Sunday's message was a simple and blessed challenge, taken from Matthew 28:16-20. I needed to be reminded about Jesus' authority and His command to go out.

I want to be engaged. I want to be engaged with God and His work for His kingdom. I want to be engaged, filled to the brim with love. I want to love God's people so much that it would cause them to pause and realize His love for them. I want to wake up from this daze of an ordinary day; I want to participate in the extraordinary wonders of God's everyday miracles. I want to be engaged.

Dear God, Give me the grace I need to live out this engagement. Amen.

P.S. Today was my cousin's engagement party. Congrats Cousin! Love you much!

Long Days

The days seem too long when you're cooped up inside a dreary building with depressing walls. Don't get me wrong, I thank God for His perfect provisions. There are a few things I need to spruce up. Pictures? Flowers? I need to see some color! I need to see some faces with smiles! I need happy!

Enough of the boring. Well, there's not much else. When I come home, I'm hungry, tired, and in need of some kind of outlet to make me feel alive. I'm too young to be livin' so old! Kidding. How's your summer? I'd really like to catch up sometime. Looks like email and text are the best ways right now, unless you'd like to schedule an appointment?

Ha. An appointment. "Do you have an appointment?" I think I'm going to watch that movie tomorrow; that's if I have it!

Summer Time

Summer started on Monday, and I missed it! How did that happen? Finals are over, school is done; how did I miss the beginning of summer? I don't want to miss one bit of it anymore. Unfortunately, life isn't that easy.

I'd love to be young and care-free again, to watch t.v. 'til the break of dawn. I dream of driving off in the early morn for who-knows-what to come home in the evenings for an impromptu pool party. I want to spend a lazy day at home in my jammies, prepared for a marathon of movies and a series of shows to watch. I just want free time to do stuff. I don't care what that stuff is, as long as it has nothing to do with an eight hour obligation.

Oh, the taste of the real world, it is bittersweet. I don't enjoy the toil, but I do love the reward. This summer's plans aren't what I want, but it's God wants for me. This summer is for learning, for growing, for attempting to understand God's plan for my life. Let's see where this summer takes me; hopefully, I'll update more!

Everyday Grace

God gives grace like no other!

I most totally do not deserve the grades, but God has blessed and kept me by His grace--including all other aspects of my life for the past two months.

God has just showered me with His blessing with a job, supportive family and friends, and wisdom to name a few. This isn't a joke. I asked, and He gave. There was so much to learn and be grateful for. One thing that God continually reminds me to do, is to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. It's by His grace that I will.

Let's get together for some stories. I'd love to share with you!

Hangin'

Remember my Surf City Half Marathon? The toes took a beating. Now my toenail is hangin' by a skin. Just thought you should know.

P.S. The other two are still too gruesome to look at, but I do it anyway. Scratch that. I don't look; I ogle over it. Haha! Ew.

Ketchup

Time to play catch up with blogging and such.

Die Familie: My momma had a quiet celebration with the fam including Nicole. She had everything, a giant pancake from the Guasti Homestyle Cafe (her fave breakfast stop), browsing stores at the Ontario Mills, and an early dinner at Yashima (the family's beloved Japanese joint). My parents are growing into their years, so we all need to watch how we treat our bodies. Philip is graduating next month. Yep. NEXT. MONTH. Mitch is hustlin'--in getting his school stuff situated! It's about time! I look at my little, little brother, and I don't see him so little anymore. They're both not little anymore, and I miss 'em being so young and carefree. Time waits for no one, for sure. I'm happy to watch these two grow into young men, though Mitch has a lot more growing. Why are they growing up so fast?! Nicole is as sweet as ever. The other day, she baked these bomb choco chip cookies. Choco ANDES MINTS cookies! Deeelish.

Die Schule: The quarter is just about halfway through! I've made a friend or two or three, including an accountability partner! God has mosdef answered my prayers about having friends at school, let alone a sister in Christ!! PtL, for sure!! And I've some challenges ahead of me, and I'm ready to tackle 'em. Which reminds me, I've got a massive case study to handle by Friday.

Die Arbeit: Crazy. Unpredictable. Tiresome. I have a job, but don't. I tutor on days the kid has math homework. Aside from tutoring, I pretend I'm an arsty-crafty type o' gal. I make stuff, doodle stuff, and other stuff. I tried the Etsy thing, but it didn't succeed much. My motto: Try, try, and try again! What about picking up a temp job at a credit union as an accounting clerk? Thank God for an opportunity like this!

Das andere Ding: Sheesh. There's so much more to say and do! I want to do this. I need to do that. "I'll tell you about it. When are you free?" type stuff. I mosdef need to fix up this computer. My dad recently wiped my hard drive clean because it contracted a virus. Yep. Sucks, but it's like brand new now. I just don't know what happened to my Google Sidebar, that icon tray at the top, and my scrolling sidebar on the touch pad. Help me. On top of that I need to download all these things I need and upload other stuff. Wah.

I need to handle this business. We'll ketchup soon! And like I almost always say, "Pictures to come soon", but it never is soon enough. You still love me, don't you?

Marathon

I ran half a marathon last Sunday, February 07. I am so thankful for the grace God gave me to finish it. Stories to come, so stay tuned.

Highlights

I miss thumbing through that magazine. On a more reflective and meaningful note, some moments I would love to relish upon as the third full week of January 2010 comes to a close are:

My Dad turned 50. My relationship with my family is tighter than it has ever been. I discovered my love for learning and physical activity. My closest grandparents--Lola, Grama, Grampa--are praising the Lord all day and all night. I had a bad Spring 2009. I had a great Fall 2009. I made some new school friends. My family has Verizon Fios. My cousin Jen and I are inseparable. I met some strangers who were later to be revealed as family; apparently I have a famous pastor uncle.

So a few of the aforementioned may seem insignificant or irrelevant to others, but it covers the spectrum of big and small things that happened. And I didn't realize that we're in a new decade now. What!? When did that happen?

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.