Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
As long as He is here :)
*I don’t mind not fitting in sometimes because God is my saviour, my redeemer, father and friend*
I was just remembering a couple of weeks ago when I faced one of my biggest fears. I ran away for so long and avoided the problem which only haunted me even more. So when I couldn’t take the shame and the fear any longer, I planned (for about a month) to put my head up high and trust that God was with me.
As I headed to a room full of people who where once my closest friends—considered them my very own family—I wanted to run away. It took me about a half an hour to finally carry out my plan and when I did, it was not as terrible as I anticipated it to be.
Some of the people were very welcoming and great, while other struggled to even look in my direction. People who know me would tell you that would have been enough to keep me away but for some strange (and wonderful) reason, I felt no shame. I was okay with the fact that some people did not want anything to do with me.
I think struggles help a person grow and shine through. Are you only happy and in content when everything is going well? Or can you still praise God when things go awry?
If you are curious to know, the place I went to was a church and I had stopped going because I was involved in a huge dramatic soap opera. A few people were at fault but I carried the most guilt so I decided to leave (for about a year). Before, I would bend and break at a normal basis but now, I feel much stronger and justified than ever—I paid my dues, I cried and crashed but now I’m back and God is with me :)
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Switchfoot!!! :D
So last night my friend, Jen, and I went to see Switchfoot at the La Jolla Playhouse :)
Swithfoot!! Surprisingly, doors opened 30 minutes (plus) late…
Jen and I waiting for the show to begin :)
There they were!! :D
This night was not really a concert but more of an intimate night with Switchfoot. They were really humble and talked a lot about their new album (Vice Verses) and their journey as a band and friends in the music industry.
Speaking of humility, a Grammy just popped out of nowhere. Switchfoot had won a Grammy last year for their album, Hello Hurricane.
John, lead singer of Switchfoot, stepped out into the audience to let them ask some questions.
Jen and I waiting to meet Switchfoot after the show!!
So close, yet so far away…
Win! These guys are absolutely amazing. I absolutely love them and I have so much respect for them. Such humble people who truly love San Diego. (Fun fact: three of them went to UCSD…only one graduated).
Signed copy of Vice Verses :)
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Happy New Year!
This past year has been the most challenging year by far. I went through so many things that almost broke me, almost killed me. I lost so many things I can never gain back; time, friends, and more. I almost gave up when I had nothing to lose, no one to turn to and was lost in the dark. I never thought I could ever show my face again, I was dealing with a lot of mourning and self-hatred.
In 2010, I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior but I did not truly open my heart to Him until the summer of 2011. God saved me; He protected me and guided me through. It’s true that God is always with us even when everyone is against us. He did not judge me for my mistakes and He redeemed me.
I’m very thankful for all that I went through this year and for God, my family and those few friends who stuck with me regardless of what had occurred. I know God still has a lot to show me next year and I can’t wait to seek more of Him.
Happy New Year everyone!
P.S.
My insomnia was stressing me out and weakening me but God answered my prayers! I am now very sleepy and I will probably miss the midnight countdown but I’m happy because I can finally sleep! :D
1 Year Ago…
Dec. 5th, 2010.
I gave my life to Christ exactly one year ago. I remember everything well. I remember the person who prayed with me at 3, almost 4AM, at Black’s Beach in La Jolla, CA. The night was cold and the moon shone like never before; It spotlighted the moment my life changed forever.
Ever since then I begun my search for something more. Yes, I struggled to keep my faith pure and strong but I am still hanging on to God. The worst time of my entire life was this last summer. I questioned a lot of things but somehow trusting in God and praying to Him was the most fulfilling (and logical) thing I could do.
I am very thankful for everyone who has been with me in this journey and kept me in their prayers. Thank you all from the past and those in the present. I would not be here if it were not for your guidance and support.
I went to InterVaristy’s fall retreat at Palomar Mountain this year. I know it happened last week but I was very busy (midterms every day this past week) and I thought I should still write about it since it was so great.
I was in the sophomore track with other students from UCSD; our track focused on Christianity and ethnicity. I was a bit disappointed with the subject at first because as a Latina, I am constantly being reminded of my ethnicity and its disadvantages at UCSD and essentially everywhere, but it was actually very interesting.
First of all, the car ride there was great (too bad I don’t have the pictures). I went with my friend (and the co-leader of the Bible study group I go to) Jaewon, Ruth, Jason and Suya. We talked about random things and Jason sang Taylor Swift songs :D
Once we arrived, we checked in and then Jaewon, her roommate Leslie and I explored the campsite. After that we finally went into our tracks (they were both in the senior track).
At the sophomore study we talked about our families with a small group as we showed each other our family portraits (pictured above). Then throughout the weekend we went over our ethnic identities as we read through Exodus 1 & 2. We discussed Moses’ ethnic identity as a Hebrew and an Egyptian (though not by blood) and how despite his identity crisis (which was enforced by both of his people) God still chose him to free His people from the oppression of Pharaoh.
I have personally already been through the journey of finding my own ethnic identity but it was still interesting to hear about what others had to say about theirs. I think something that came up that has been kind of taken for granted, is the ethnic identity of white people. I know a lot of people see Whites as people with no ethnicity but they actually do, and they are not the oppressors of the past, but regular people.
That weekend was really great even though it did make me fall behind on my schoolwork (I caught up however). We worshiped God in so many ways and made new friends. Some played softball in the pouring rain as others (me included) cheered them on.
