In 2011, I…
1. Moved to Victorville, CA . High Desert town smackdab in the middle of LA & Las Vegas. Dirt, gravel, Joshua trees & a butt-load of fast-food restaurants.
2. Helped start up a Master’s Commission {one year leadership training school} in the desert. I got to be with these people pretty much every day for a year, and have no regrets. Shared tears, road trips & plane rides, donut runs in the morning and had many freestyle rap/singing/dance sessions. I miss this.
3. Moved in with the Vasquez family. After my first night at their house, I fell in love. God knew who I needed, and He put me with the perfect family . Nick & Christine… amazing, full of wisdom, hilarious & SO caring. The boys… incredibly cute, funny & charming. I can go on and on about how grateful I am that God didn’t just give me a roof over my head.. but a new family. For life.
4. Fell in love with the Ostrich farm. Ostriches and Emus. *slightly odd, I’m aware. haha.
5. God showed me that I have a BIG heart for those in need. Even if all they want is booze…
6. Made a lot of new friends… might have lost some due to the intense musical chairs though ;)
7. Went on numerous road trips… all over the place. The worst one yet - Denver, Colorado. I was convinced that someone was playing a nasty joke on us and not telling us that Denver didn’t really exist. It took forever to get there.
8. Was introduced to Baja Taco and never want to try any other fast food Mexican restaurant ever again. Their bean & cheese burrito IS CRACK.
9. Got a season’s pass to Disneyland… probably one of the best life decisions I’ve ever made.
10. Got a tattoo. Love it. Samoan tribal. Hibiscus flower. To me, it represents the beauty of grace.
11. Had my first trip to Nicaragua… where I did lots of playing with the kiddos and eating lots and lots of good food (oh pupusas & plantanos… how I miss you!).
So many amazing things happened in 2011. I keep reminiscing. I could put a lot more up here, but here’s just a couple snapshots of 2011! It makes me all the more excited for the wonderful things that will happen in 2012!
harbor me, in the eye of the storm. i’m holdin’ on to the love you swore.
it’s easy to get caught up in the crap of life. hold on to the love He swore for us. it’s His good pleasure to love us, to have mercy on us and to lavish His extravagant grace.
KING & LIONHEART - Of Monsters & Men
Taking over this town, they should worry,
but these problem aside I think I taught you well.
That we won’t run, and we won’t run, and we won’t run.
That we won’t run, and we won’t run, and we won’t run.
And in the winter night sky ships are sailing,
looking down on these bright blue city lights.
And they won’t wait, and they won’t wait, and they won’t wait.
We’re here to stay, we’re here to stay, we’re here to stay.
Howling ghost they reappear
in mountains that are stacked with fear
but you’re a king and I’m a lionheart.
A lionheart.
His crown lid up the way as we moved slowly
pass the wondering eyes of the ones that were left behind.
Though far away, though far away, though far away
we’re still the same, we’re still the same, we’re still the same.
Howling ghost they reappear
in mountains that are stacked with fear
but you’re a king and I’m a lionheart.
And in the sea that’s painted black,
creatures lurk below the deck
but you’re a king and I’m a lionheart.
And as the world comes to an end
I’ll be here to hold your hand
cause you’re my king and I’m your lionheart.
A lionheart.
Sigh. Being an aunty is one of the best things in the world. I think my nieces and nephews are the cutest. I get to spoil them. Love them. And be one of their favorite aunties, forever.
i know you love….. yes i know you love me… lord, i know you love me. right here, right now…
mmmm. such a good song. makes my spirit happy!
Just when I thought He didn’t care..
Tonight, I felt a little yucky. down, sad, just.. blah. Sat on my bed, opened my journal, spilled my heart out & just had some time of speaking to God about what was going on in my head, and in my heart. Opened my Bible and read:
“Answer my prayers, Lord
For your UNFAILING LOVE is WONDERFUL.
Take care of me,
For your MERCY IS SO PLENTIFUL.”
Just when I felt like He didn’t know what I was going through… He answered me. I don’t know where you’re at in your life… if you know God, if you don’t; if you knew Him at one point and aren’t quite sure about this Jesus that you hear about… or if you have no clue who He is…. but please take note: HE CARES about your life. About every detail. He cares about your heart. Those deep things that no one knows about.. those thoughts that you think no one would understand… He knows, cares, wants to take care of you…
this song speaks to my heart in volumes i couldn’t even express…
Jaye Thomas - Song of Love
50 plays
Random fact about me:
I love Jesus Christ. He isn’t some far off person to me. He’s personal. I know He cares about every detail of my life. Some people are weirded out about that kind of stuff. I just think they have no clue about His goodness & love. God is amazing. He’s changed my life & I’m full of thanksgiving for it.
[random fact of the day: oct 23, 2011]
elsa… if you’re looking at this.. i thought of you when i saw this pic! ;) this one is dedicated to you!
