April

My goal has been to be creative enough and disciplined enough to write something each month; and I thought I had done so in April but I guess I didn’t.  It was mostly for a good reason and some of it was because I was not feeling like I had anything to say.

So, here’s a little recap of what happened in the month of May…

Part of my family came for a visit.  The primary reason was for Joseph’s ankle replacement surgery; which was very successful actually.

 

Joseph, my mum Jenny and me

Out to dinner with the Borns (Jarron, Keilani & Ron).  The Borns were very kind and helped me a lot with taking care of the family when I wasn’t able to.

Old friends – dinner with Lindsey

Mum and me :)

It was so good to have my mum here and to spend time with her.  I wish I had more time than what I was able to afford but it was a crazy season of life.  Thanks mum for taking care of me and for the many good conversations we shared.

Another thing I got to do during the month was to lead worship and play in the band as well for our AG Network (District) Conference.  It was a huge honor to be asked to lead one of the main sessions and I had a blast.

That pretty much summed up April 2010.  Now to try and stay on task and keep up the writing.

Jesus is Lord and He loves you…

Pictorial Updates

The last few months have been pretty uneventful so I haven’t been able to post much pictures of my adventures.  I have, however, been able to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and keep up with good friends.  It has been fun engaging these people in conversations and relationships and walking along with them on life’s journey.  I am very blessed and grateful for the opportunities and trust.

My big brother, Joseph, came for a visit and for a doctor’s visit.  It was so good to catch up with him!  Looking forward to have him back for a longer period in a few months.

Celebrating Chinese New Year with my closest childhood friend, Aik.  He is living the “bachelor” life now because his family has return to Asia for a long visit.  They’ll soon be reunited when he heads over, but in the meantime we get to hang a little.

My life group feasting at Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant.  I love these guys and have thoroughly enjoyed living life alongside them.

(L to R – Jarron, Kami, Elise, Lindsey, little Zoe hiding under the table, Dave, Jireh & Sheree)

Enjoying a meal with dear friends in honor of Kami’s visit.

The New Year

I have been trying to keep up on my blog the last few weeks but it has been a slight struggle.  I have been pretty busy with work and various holiday events and I have had a hard time getting motivated/creative to write.  I have definitely been thinking of things to write about and having conversations in my head about different topics – I am strange like that; I do talk to myself too.

Well, I figured I should at least post some pictures and provide some update about the last few weeks.  It has definitely been eventful to say the least (more on that later).

Few days after getting home from Spain, our life group celebrated our annual Christmas Gift Exchange Party.  I am blessed to be a part of such an incredible community!  Here are some highlights:

Everyone showed up!  So cool!

Critical instructions on how the gift exchange game was going to go down.

Marcelo showing off what he picked up.

Cozmin giving the thumbs up.

Brent with his gift.

It was a fun night with lots of food, fun and interesting gifts.

Christmas came next.  I had a very different Christmas this year; very quiet and personal one.  I actually took time to relax and unwind – there were times I wasn’t sure what to do with myself but the break was good for me nonetheless.  I played at the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at Cedar Park Church.  I enjoy that service each year and it definitely is a part of my tradition since 1997.

My view from inside the drum enclosure at the Christmas Eve Service.

From the other side.

 

Lighting up the room with just candles.

One for the festive season.

The weekend after Christmas was a nerve wrecking one for me.  It was my turn to speak at church on Sunday.  I have the highest regard for the guys who communicate week after week; it is not an easy task speaking.  Give me a guitar and microphone and I get some nerves but once I start playing it all becomes natural; take away those elements and ask me to speak in public and I cringe.  I actually had some restless/sleep deprived nights leading up to this weekend.  I prepared for it and knew what I was going to try and communicate to the people but oh mama!  I did my best on Sunday and I was very thankful for the kind people who came up to me after to encourage me and tell me that I gave them something to think about going into the new year.  Let me say that it is all Jesus.

Then Monday came.  Most times, I tend to coast through the week leading up to the new year but this year was different.  I don’t think I have experienced such a week as this.  I am still processing it even till today.  On Monday we discovered we had an AWOL personnel at work and it set some major changes into motion.  More than just dealing with an AWOL co-worker, I had to deal with the emotion of disappointment I had never really felt before.  Along with my other co-workers, I had invested a lot personally and professionally into this person; and with one decision all of that was lost.  A traditionally slow week became one where I had to work long hours trying to keep up while dealing with mixed emotions and trying to find some answers.

By the time new year’s eve came around, I was spent, physically and emotionally.  I tried hard not to let it ruin the holiday weekend; it was going to be an exciting weekend.  I spent New Year’s eve with some friends, watching a movie, playing UNO and just hanging out.  It was a nice low key evening that lasted till 4:30 am New Year’s day!

I got home around 5:30 am and tried to get to sleep, planning to sleep in for a bit but I was awoken 3 hours into my nap by an important phone call and I couldn’t get back to sleep.  As such the first day of the new year began.  I wandered around the house for a few hours and made some plans/reservations for an evening birthday celebration for Sheree.  I was looking forward to having a fun evening with friends and celebrating.  We had dinner at Barrio’s in Bellevue – good vibe and good food.

The birthday party.

The birthday girl, Sheree.

After dinner, a few of us went to Lucky Strikes to bowl the night away.  It was my first time there and was surprised to have been able to reserve a lane there.  We had a blast bowling and we had a most encouraging people in our group, cheering everyone even when they didn’t bowl well.  Fun times.

The bowling after party. (L to R – Jarron, Jireh, Shannon, Sheree, Stephanie, Rachel & Brad)

It was so fun to celebrate life and a new year – a new beginning.  I am thankful for my family and friends.  There are so much unknown this new year but I am certain with Jesus as Lord of my life, it is going to be a good year and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.  There’s so much I need to work on in life but it is going to be a fun journey.

Here’s to the end of one decade and the start of the next!  Happy New Year!

October In November

I celebrated a relatively significant milestone in life when I turned 35 in October and I realize I had not posted anything about it, so for those who have been waiting to see some pictures here you go.

After a really long day working (on my birthday), it was nice to have a friend like Jarron take me out to “celebrate.”  We hit up a new establishment that seemed to have a decent happy hour.  The food was good but in very small portions so we spent more money that we thought we would for a happy hour.

My birthday cake compliments of Lily – she made an delicious Chocolate Cake for me.  The Chens invited me over after my birthday to have a belated celebration.  Aik bought food from our favorite Indian restaurant Shamiana.  It was tasty!  I love these guys!  We didn’t keep track of time that night and by the time we were done catching up it was after 2 am!  We’re a little old for that these days.

Baby Alexis napping

Baby Alexis posing for the camera.  She has grown so much!

Miss Janelle picking out candles for me.  She asked how many I needed and I said two would be great :)

Aik and Janelle lighting the candles.

Janelle staring it down – the girl loves the chocolate frosting

Birthday boy with the Chen girls

I am so thankful to Jarron, the Chens and my family and all my friends who sent wishes and made my birthday week fun.  It wasn’t quite the way I had planned to start my 35th year, but I know God is in charge and it is going to be an amazing year and I am looking forward to it.

Here’s a random picture of the sunrise as I drove to church the Sunday after my birthday – we serve a incredible Creator!

Weekly Recap

It has been a while since I’ve had a week like I just did; and I definitely am not used to the schedule I kept.  It was a week full of work and ministry.  I figured I played my guitar/music everyday from Sunday through Sunday.

The first 3 days of the week was spent coming to work earlier in the mornings so I could leave earlier to make it to a youth camp I was participating in with worship.  It was fun to see old friends and worship with them.

Then on Thursday night, I had a rehearsal with Jarron for a worship night we were a part of on Friday night.  I was glad when Friday rolled around though I knew I was not done with the week yet.  Worked all day at the office and then headed out after to the worship night at Cedar Park Northshore.  Jarron and I were excited to be a part of this event and help lead people in worship.  It was a good night and we had fun.  Here are some pictures of us:

Getting ready to play and was reading some scripture

Jarron and I during our set

Saturday rolled around and it was supposed to be a relaxing one except I forgot that I had some drivers working, so I woke up and got started with my communication with them.  After getting things squared away, I head out for Andy and Sarah’s birthday party.  I was looking forward to seeing friends and hanging out, celebrating life and friendships.

Birthday kids – Sarah and Andy

With the fellas (me, Jordan, Jarron, Andy, Aaron & Eric)

After the party, I finally had a few hours of alone time and I was excited.  I need to chill a little and get prepared for Sunday.  I went home, watched a little Seahawks football action, practiced a little on my guitar and then worked on some Sunday stuff.  It was a good way to end my Saturday.

Somehow Sunday comes quicker than most days; I think partly because I wake up the earlier than most days.  It was an exciting Sunday at LATR.  We were going to have baptisms after the gathering and I was going to assist in my first baptisms.  It was a busy day for me – I lead worship, watched some kids in the nursery, did an interview for the kids about my baptism experience and then I got to assist Josh in baptizing a couple of people.  One of the guys getting baptized was one of my worship team member so it was special for me to be a part of this day.

Jarron and I figuring out his “new” iPhone

Posing for a picture

Not sure what I was looking for…

Assisting Josh in baptizing Gregory -  a kid from Kids At The Ridge

 

There he goes!

So proud of Gregory and for his testimony and choosing to take a step of faith in baptism to show his commitment to follow Jesus!

Here with Josh and Kenny.  Kenny’s story is cool too.  He gave his heart to Jesus as a child but never took the next step in water baptism.  So when the opportunity came up at church, he decided it was time to make a stand and his family came and got to witness his faith.  Awesome!

 

 

 

Showing a little love here; managed to stay dry until the hug…

It was truly a great ending to a busy week.  Seeing transformation in the lives of people and hearing their stories and celebrating with them is so fulfilling.  Thank you Jesus!

Have to finish off this recap with the cutest thing ever – Abby and Andrew…

 

 

 

Ah…kids :)

Cheers!