Monday, February 27, 2012

A day off on the North Shore

Yesterday I had an opportunity to take the full day off to relax. The day started off as I spent the night at a friend's place, crashing on the couch. A wonderful nite of couch surfing, with a nice morning wake up. To my surprise, well, okay, not really, my car, Keone, was covered in pinkish maroon flowers and a lovely yellow love note from the city and county of Honolulu for parking on the easement of someone's driveway...whaaaa! Yes, lovely morning wake up.

I wanted to buy Keone's one month anniversary gift a little early so off to Walmart for the morning's iced coffee {with sugar free vanilla and room for cream} and I purchased a set of matching seat covers, a steering wheel cover and vent cell phone holder. The whole set was black with pink embroidered hearts and diamonds. We almost drove off to meet Mikey in the north shore with the top down but it was pouring rain!

We picked up Mijo and off we went to Three Tables...I don't know how to tread water so it was fun and scary at the same time, especially since there are sings warning of visitors "no swimming". It was a perfectly over cast day with a few wet showers, but it was fine, since we were already wet. This by far was the longest day I've spent at the north shore...

We ended our beach sesh with shave ice in the historic and pleasant town of Haleiwa, we were treated to a live band playing out in the street and we got a chance to visit an art museum.

This day made me realize that I am so lucky that God placed me on this beautiful island where every day is a vacation. We have the best beaches and the most comfortable weather around! Most mainland states are enjoying snow at this time and here we are, relaxing on the sandy shores.

It was super cool because we got to see whales breaching water off in the distance!!! It's such a magnificent sight to see!

The night did end after Vel and Todd aka Russell came out to meet up for late a late night hang out and late night din at Zippy's. These are nights to remember.

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mardi Gras

Mardi gras
 
For the first time, I had a chance to experience Hawaii’s version of Mardi Gras with my best friend.  It was a good experience, we enjoyed oyster shooters, we were under a blue moon, listened to good music, ate hot dogs, and we met some cool companions. 
 
The thing about this experience was how it affected me, not the party in the streets but the emotions that came with it.  Walking around in the streets of China town made me analyze the kind of person I am.  I’ve been striving to become a woman who God created me to be, but in light of recent events…it’s making me question who I am as a person. 
 
See, there are things that I do enjoy and I’m struggling with grasping the ideas of following in light of God’s ways.  The very thing I struggle against, I don’t want to be so closed minded about the situation that it becomes and makes me into the very person I do not want to be.  We all have these things: it’s called sin. We label it differently but because I want to protect myself from judgment, it’s all sin. 
 
It’s ironic to go through last night’s experience, and knowing that it was to celebrate, in masquerade, the overturning of daily life; where it’s known to be the last night of eating richer and more fatty foods, in preparation for lent.  The fact that the celebration occurs as people dress up and put on masks represents the masks that I put on daily.  There are certain masks that I put on and for many, have not been able to see the true deep me. Understandably, we all do that, we all have certain things that we don’t allow others to see. 
 
During lent, many people may fast or give up certain foods or some have given up on certain activities.  On this Fat Tuesday, the day to basically splurge on things that are not necessarily healthy for our lives; I came to realize and begin to ask myself, am I ready for lent?  Not in the sense of just the next 40 days but for the rest of my life?  Am I ready to give up things in my life that are not necessarily healthy for me?
 
You see, I have been pondering these thoughts for a long period of time prior to last night and I have not reached a conclusion as of yet.   I hope one day soon I will gain that answer and it may change my paradigm from that point on. 
 
Until then, Cheers….

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentines 2012

To me, Valentines day is just a day of hogwash.  This day is so commercialized and so into the materialistics of buying superficial items such as flowers, candy, jewelry, and other stuff to apease the one you love.  I hate the idea that for some people out there, this is the only day that they express their love to their signifigant other. 

Valentines day should not be the only day a person shows love towards their loved ones,
it should be anyday and everyday! The thing is, is that I feel so bad for the kids, the youth of today.  They feel so much pressure to show off, buy stuff, and maybe this day they will ask someone to be their special someone. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I would love to have a special someone in my life treat me to goodies on this day but don't let this day be the only day he does it! I would love to receive treats and/or flowers just because it was Tuesday or just because.

As far as love goes, WE do not even know what it truly means to love if we do not understand
the love of God.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16. 
This is love, God's love.  
"This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other."
1 John 4:10-11

This is love, God's love. 

It was such a treat yesterday to be with so many special friends.  God is so loving that He is Soverign, We GET to be a part of his work.  

Since we love God, are we loving others, not on this day of love, but all day and everyday as He loves us?

Monday, February 13, 2012

Season of Ouch - new old shoes

Today I got to wear a PAIR of shoes!!!
After 4 months of my season of ouch, I wore the same pair of shoes that I wore the day I ruptured my achilles.  I love this pair of chucks, my pink and grey ones. 
They are so .

Altho I did not get the formal "okay" from my dr., I did get scoldings from my Pastor becase I was baby-ing my leg.  I did get to a point where I was comfortable with my boot; I was enjoying my "pimp walk, my ganstah stroll".  David said "Why are you still in that? YOU need to stop babying it and get out of that boot!" Knowing this as true, I vowed to really work at getting my leg back into shape-right now my left leg is so gross, it's so skinny and weak. 
Yuck!

The reason I did not get the "okay" is because i have a new health insurance and they needed me to see a PCP, {idk what that stands for right now} and that new doctor needed to refer me to see my othopedic doctor.  So for now, I wait-without the boot. ;p

V-day creativity in process

On Sunday, I had a chance to get all creative and make treats with the girls at the NHCC dorms.  It was so nice to get together and make a bunch of goodies!  These girls had a ton of fun and they are so talented!

I love these girls so much! 
from left to right: Megan, Esther, Lauren, Yuzuri, and me!!

When creativity happens...

to the loves of our lives: our friends <3

up close and personal ;p

The mustache ones are my favorites!  They were done by Megan! <3

a prayer letter...

Dear Friend:


“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

I love you! I am so enthusiastic to open an invitation for you to share in the fruit of what God is going to do in and through me in Honolulu, Hawaii as a student of New Hope Christian College in 2012.
In the fall of 2011, God led me to apply to NHCC. My first semester has tested me scholastically as well as spiritually but intentionally I strived to cultivate relationships with the others. He aligned me with so many prominent individuals who continue to guide and mentor me in His ways. You are one of them! I am super excited to ask you to partner up with me in this upcoming year!
First and most importantly, I ask you to pray! This upcoming semester is going to be an exciting new season, because of a few ministry opportunities are in store for me. One is the “love out loud” ministry where I will be seeking God for divine appointments via the student lead ministry called “The Parking Spot”. Secondly, is for an upcoming Missions trip to California in the summer or if called to, a foreign country; please pray for an opportunity to work, at a job to be financially self-sufficient either via self-employment or with a company which values my skills and talents as their employee. Third, my semester is filled with multiple classes, where I will definitely need prayer support as I continue with my studies. Fourth and finally, I ask for prayers as I continue to cultivate more relationships with you, my mentors; my classmates and professors; and others I meet. Please pray that God’s light will continue to shine forth so all will be drawn to Him as He uses me for that purpose. If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please send me your email so I could keep you up to date with any prayer requests.
Paul said in Philippians 4:17, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account."

I get really excited when I think about building relationships with people that could be ushered into the Kingdom of God because of this upcoming assignment and I would love for you to be a part of it. I promise to share with you the remarkable things He will do in and through me. Please join me in the Kingdom work!
In Christ,

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Trust


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Proverbs 3: 5-6

This verse is my life verse, if you've been a part of my blog since the beginning or was bored enough to read from the very start of it; you will notice that i have created a card using this verse.  It is what gets me through those rough patches of my life.

A new semester has begun and i know that in this it is the beginning of a transitional season of my spiritual walk.  During my winter break, God allowed me to go through a time of tearing down and times of crying.  In this process, He allowed me to see things in my life where I need to depend on Him.  To accept this new season of building up and to forsee a near future for times of laughter.  In the circumstances I was in, although there has not been a conclusion; I know that my life verse is what I cling on to.  I know that God's ultimate purpose and in His soverignty His glory will shine forth; all I have to do is press on. 

In this new transitional time; I ask you to partner up with me in prayer.  Please feel free to email me your email address if you would like a prayer letter and to be a part of my prayer team. 

This new year will bring forth so many opportunities for me to learn and grow but most of all, I get to be a dependant and a recipient of His grace and mercy.  For that, I am truly grateful. 

i <3 God. ;p