Old Friends=New Joy

You know how there are times when you won't see or hang out with someone for a long time?
Then when you finally see them you ask yourself, "Why hadn't we hung out in so long? I like this person, they're fun to be with. I should make time in my schedule to be with them more often."

Exactly that (times two) happened to me a couple of weeks ago (I was meaning to blog about it but didn't have time because of my Easter fiasco).

I met up with two of my Biola friends: Rosalba and Jason.

Rosalba is amazing. She was a friend, counselor, mentor, accountability partner and my boss while at Biola. We clicked once we met. And have been great friends ever since. She really is one of the most influential people in my life.

Jason and I weren't close while at Biola but after he got back from Iraq God did something special in our friendship and we have remained good friends since he graduated.

We hadn't seen each other for a couple of months so we met up for dinner at the Fitness Grill in Brea.
It was so much fun! I love being with them because we have GREAT conversation (lasted until 1AM). I really missed them and I hope to reconnect with them soon.

They are old friends, but still they brought tons of new joy to my heart.

Easter: the most busiest time of the year

I have often heard that Christmas in the most wonderful time of the year. I agree...it is!

This year I found out that when you're in Children's Ministry, Easter is the most busiest time of the year.

Let's compare:

1. Easter while ONLY in youth ministry:
-All student ministries weekend services are called off for the weekend which means little to no planning throughout the week.
-Students are on break from school so you get to casually hang out...and it counts as work.
-You get to enjoy the "big church" services (only need go to one).
-there isn't a care in mind as you hang out with family and friends.

2. Easter while in BOTH youth and children's ministry:
-Plan (months in advance) for 4 weekend services to do for kids on Easter weekend.
-Not only do you need a program with kids, you also need snacks, games, gifts, prizes, etc.
-Prep with a team that doesn't want to be there, they'd much rather be inside the "big church" enjoying the service.
-Get to the church at 7:20am and leave at 3:30pm on Easter Sunday.
-Bake 158 cupcakes the night before Easter.

I don't want to complain but is was rough.

I am so thankful for all of the hardwork that all my youth ministry friends invested in this day although it wasn't even part of their responsibility. They are amazing!

Maybe that's why I've been on such an emotional rollercoaster ever since Easter-it's probably been sheer exhaustion.

*I'd post pictures, but for some strange reason, I can't load them right now...it won't let me.

Tour de Dodgers

(*Note: the picture below was my favorite from today's tour!)

Last Sunday night Howard, Bibi, Jorge, Edgar and I went to go see the Dodger/Padres game at Dodger Stadium.

I hadn't been to a game in years so I was excited. Especially because Bibi and Jorge had practically been raised going to Dodger games so they gave us lots of inside scoop stuff.

Bibi gave me a tour around, what seemed like, the entire stadium.

Here are the pictures:

Everywhere we went seemed to say this:

Vin was busy inside the press box, all we could do was swoon.

We did a little shopping.

I even got Howard something.

We visited the Stadium Club Restaurant.

Here's the view from inside...simply amazing.

The game was sold out.

The higher we went, the lovelier it got.

It's a long way down (it made Bibi queasy).

Oh, I was thinking blue alright.

The view was so nice.

I tasted garlic fries for the very first time...delicious!

The Dodger Stadium staircases aren't very safe looking.

The boys had fun too.

One of the ball boys got hit in the face with a ball. Yikes!

It got cold!!!

We had so much fun!

Can't wait for the sequel!

Howard is Blogging!!!

UPDATE!!!

Howard has begun to blog.

He will be posting of all of his adventures from Chengdu, China for the next three months.

Don't miss it!

http://ihateyourblog.blogspot.com/

Please be sure to read and comment, let's show him our love and support while he is away.

P.S. Please remember to pray for Howard as there is much spiritual warfare in and around China, pray that God would strengthen his faith like never before and that he would be a light under all circumstances :)

Chengdu...lucky you!

We dropped Howard off at the airport this morning for his 1:40am flight out to Beijing...from there he flies over to Chengdu where he will be living for the next three months.

I will miss him, actually I already do!

Here are some things I did today in honor of Howard:

1. Think of fun things we have done.
2. Tell my boss about him and cool things in his life.
3. Recollect that we have been friends for 4 amazing years.
4. Look Chengdu up online and find out it's exact location.
5. Find out how many hours ahead he is of Los Angeles time (15, in case you're wondering).
6. Pray for him throughout the day-safe travels.
7. Look at some pictures of us.

Chengdu, count your blessings because in three months he's coming back to Cali.

Picture of the Week Vol. 3

I LOVE this picture!
Howard is one of my BEST friends and is an amazing musician, friend, counselor, listener, leader, mentor, man of God.

This picture reflects a lot about who we are as friends:
*Me, mad because he won't smile
and
*Him, afraid of what I'll do if he won't.

We have so many fun memories!
-Disneyland fireworks under the castle lights
-the Beach praise
-Janette's house
-Beee-have!
-IM-ing
-driving endless hours at each other's side
-some tears
-"eeeeeeehhhhhh" (on Mulholland Madness)
-two fingers up!
-funny faces on ride photos
-s-l-o-w comebacks
-planetary pasta
-"are you wearing shoes?" (my moccasins)
-"once a skank, always a skank!"
-jalapeno cheese pretzels
-I hate it!
-"How can you love someone so much yet not have any thing there?"

There are so many more memories...

I love this picture...mostly because he's in it.

A Good Weekend

I'm going to go to:

*a Dodger game

*a t-ball game

*a BBQ

*a concert

*some services

*the airport

*say goodbye to a friend

-minus the goodbye...it's going to be a good weekend.

Weekly Prayer #12

To be more like Jesus.

Can't find the right words.

It's been a hard couple of days.
It's one of those times when the feeling doesn't just go away.
When it's so hard to just forget about it.
When just the thought of it all turns your stomach into knots.
It's hard to feel like this.
To feel sad.
Confused.
Disappointed.
Feel like crying.
Feel like you are the bad guy, or the one that makes things harder.
Feel like you have caused people you love frustration or sadness.
And feel like you are the one that makes yourself more miserable.

It's been in these last couple of days that I have felt God's unfailing presence in my life.
I don't feel like He will somehow rescue me from the things that are going on around me...but I do know that he is rescuing me from myself. That I don't lose sight of what really is important in my life.

And if you (anyone who reads this) has been a part of this journey, thank you for letting God use you...because He definitely is.
The journey is that much better because you have walked alongside me.

A Tiny Little Post

I have had so much work this week...that is why I haven't posted.

Once Easter is over I shall return to the blogging world!

Heads Up!

Here are some posts to be looking out for in the near future of my blog:

* Palm Springs...oh, how I long to see thee.

* Grey's Anatomy-sick obsession or endearing love affair?

* Easter: the most busiest time of the year.

* Old friends=New joy.

If there is anything you think I should be blogging about...give me a heads up!

Plans for this weekend: UPDATE

All things on my plans post were completed, except for two:
#4 and #8

Reasons why they weren't completed:

#4 I found out I need both of my parents to accompany me to the shop...not as easy task.

#8 Howard is still looking for a better/cheaper deal for my camera (if it means I save cash...I'm willing to wait).

Overall...a very productive weekend.

Oh Monday!

Today (Monday) is unfortunately a slow and tiring day.
I'm really sleepy and feeling lazy.

I think all of the Spring Break talk is getting to me.
So many of my friends are enjoying their time off this week and I'm not. It kind of sucks to be a grown up when things like this pop-up.

Oh Monday, how you got me down.

Plans for this weekend:

#1 Go to Invasion.

#2 Do a little Target shopping.

#3 Get a little cleaning out of the way.

#4 Get tires changed.

#5 Spend time with my family.

#6 Hang out with missed friends.

#7 Weekend services.

#8 Buy new camera.

#9 Rest.

Some Thoughts on Jeans

* They are comfortable
* They are easy to coordinate with just about anything
* The fit so well
* They are my favorite color: blue
* They can make anyone's booty look good
* I can't wear them to work unless it's Friday...BOO!