Woohoo!

Merry Christmas to me.

Count Your Blessings

For the most part I hate my job but good things have actually come out of it. Besides being able to pay off bills and gaining work experience, I've also gotten the chance to know one of my old high school classmates in a more intimate level.

Branch Christmas 2012

Theme: PJs/sweats
Hosted by Joan!

Another Year Older

Hello, I am 22.

So I was wondering why my mom was putting so much effort into this little party she was throwing me and then I realized that I haven't been home for my past four birthdays.

There was nothing too special about this day. Usually I'm celebrating with friends and staying up for finals, but this year I quietly ate at home and found myself in bed by ten o'clock.

... I'm officially a grandma.

Aaannndddd I just got my camera back so hopefully I'll be taking more pictures.

Thankful

Rebuked Thanksgiving

Sometimes it's hard to see from someone else's perspective when you're so preoccupied by your thoughts and emotions. All you can think about is how you're hurting, how you've been wronged, and how you deserve better.. that is, until God intervenes.

Ezekiel 36:26-27:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Who is able to pierce through this calloused heart? Who is able to keep a dysfunctional and broken family from falling apart? None other than my King.

Lakers vs. Rockets

LA

And then there are some nights where I think living in this city wouldn't be so bad.

Hello, Goodbye

Long distance sucks but I'm thankful for the moments we are together. See you again soon.

YOLO

Debated whether I should get this or not for at least a year.
Finally decided I needed something new in my mundane life.

Y So Cute?

Arm is going numb.

Just a Thought

It's a little sad to see how excited and pumped up some people are over the Giants' win, but when it comes to Jesus that same kind of passion and joy isn't there. And maybe it's not even the Giants. Maybe it's a preoccupation of fashion, food, cars, the latest technologies, relationships, video games, etc etc...

I have to admit, I'm guilty of this as well.

I constantly struggle with the idea that I'm not of this world, that "things" are ultimately meaningless when it comes to God and His kingdom. I need to take a step back and really see what my heart is made up of.

Set your mind on things above

Hm...

There's a beautiful world out there but I feel trapped within these walls.

Bring on the Rain

And now comes the long-awaited post about my current life -

In all honesty, it's been difficult adjusting back to Southern California culture. Some obstacles were expected while others seemed to slap me across the face out of nowhere.

Awkward. Confused. Insignificant. Lonely. I guess those are the words that I find myself associating with lately. But it's okay, I'm okay.

Sometimes it takes a little stripping and a little beating from this world in order to be reminded that He's all you need. Nothing else and no one else, just me and Dad.

I know I'm here, and not anywhere else, for a reason. I'm in a place of silence and awe, where I'm rediscovering my identity and heart. It's not an easy place to be at, in fact it's been attacking my spirits pretty hard, but I cling onto the hope that the pain from this pruning will reveal it's purpose in due time.

50

I don't care what anyone says. I think aging is beautiful.



My mom hates to go out and eat at restaurants (or so she says) so every birthday/graduation/special occasion we end up staying indoors and having a small home-cooked meal; however, this year we decided to do something different. We all dressed in our nicest clothes, prepared individual gifts, and had dinner at a local barbecue house. It was the first time my family went out together to celebrate an event. It was my first time buying my mom a drink and it was also the first time my mom witnessed me drink. It was the first time in a long time, or maybe even ever, my mom was actually treated like a queen.

:(

Lake Berryessa

Crafty

Light tent made from a cardboard box, paper, and fabric.

PTL

Sometimes you think your smallest actions won't have much effect but you just need to be patient and have faith with the Spirit's working.

I took a last-minute trip back home because of certain family matters and just discovered an interesting section on my sister's white board. A couple months ago, my sister was really stressed and tired from pulling multiple all-nighters and I, knowing this, decided to send a few comforting verses just for the heck of it. Her response was unclear and I didn't think much of what I had done since I wasn't able to see an immediate impact or outcome.

Well here I am at 2AM, many months later, almost on the verge of tears from finding those same verses written neatly with a black dry-erase marker.



After 7 years, I'm finally able to physically see God slowly moving in my family and it's so beautiful. For the first time in her life, out of her own longing and desire, my sister has expressed interest in going to church and learning about God. Tomorrow morning, I'll be driving her to youth service with a huge smile on my face. I'm so proud of her and extremely excited to see the Father touch her life.

Dang, I know I always say this but HE IS SO GOOD. I think it's mind-blowing that He chooses ME to serve and reach out to the lost, in my sister's case and in others. How could a perfect and holy God think that this lowly sinner is capable of expanding His kingdom?! I don't understand it but then again I guess I don't need to.

JESUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS may my life be fruitful!

Contrite Heart

Psalm 51:16-17:

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

C/O 2012

A little uncomfortable being in front of the camera for once but oh well. More pictures coming soon! I'm sorry for taking so long.

 

Credit: Edmond (Good job, your photography skills are improving!!)