Friends will bring us to the Cross

Today I had the pleasure of encountering someone searching for God. It took me by surprise and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, but I was immensely pleased with being presented with a random prayer with a good friend.
Prayer, I believe, is very important in daily life, and to have the honor of praying with another was something that brought warmth to my heart. After praying I thought about the effects of prayer and my friendship with others. Then I began to think of going the extra mile.
Yes, prayer is a beautiful thing, but action is also a great thing. perhaps after praying with someone you could take them out for ice cream or go bike riding. Whatever the action is, it will go well appreciated.
My walk with God is definitely a compelling one with action and a love that I must share with others. So when a friend comes to me, I could only hope that I can bring them to the cross.
Not show them what I can do, but the wonders that God can do in ones life.
Become that loving friend that prays
become that loving friend that takes action
become that loving friend that shows support
become that loving friend that brings him/her to the cross

Who's in Control?

As I was revising my research paper my mother was talking to me about how I am going to pay for college, the idea stressed me out to the point that I began researching bank loans and financial aid. I even started filling out my FAFSA. My body became tense as I started to worry about being able to do all of this in time for me to transfer. My mom helped me calm down and apologized for making me stress about money while I was studying for my finals. I then got back to studying. 

Why did I worry so much? Did I not feel that I was prepared? Did I make a mistake by leaving so quickly? 

Psalms 46: 10 says "Be still and know that I am God "

Such a short verse but it really calm your nerves. Here I was going crazy and being anything BUT still because I forgot that He is God. He is in control and I can relax now. I did my part. 

Sometimes we can get angry and stress out about life because of deadlines and money. But take a step back and realize that God there with you and watching you stress out and just waiting until you pray for his help. All He needs if for you to have a little faith in Him to help you in your situation.

Hot Chocolate

I was craving hot chocolate so I immediately whipped up some Ibarra after coming back from my Biological Anthropology class at 1030pm. I usually don't drink anything or eat anything besides water after 9pm, but today was an exception. BOY am I glad I did. It made my day. I sipped it while reading my lesson in total silence. Everyone in the house was asleep besides me. I was about to turn on the TV right after finishing the lesson, but instead I just sat snuggled up with the hot chocolate in my hand and began to realize what a lucky girl I am. I have a wonderful house and amazing family.
Im very blessed.

Defeat through Jesus

I have been struggling

I kept telling myself that in order to change my ways I had to stop thinking about it and keep away from certain things.

But last night, I had a horrible nightmare about me being evil.

I woke up frightened and felt like I was indeed unable to escape my evil ways.

I felt like crying, I felt hopeless.

I kneeled side my bed and began to pray, "God I cannot do this on my own, I am a sinner, I cant keep myself from my evil ways. Lord Help me, Please."

I began my regular activities and felt like I had unpacked a huge load.

Here I was, trying to carry this load myself and not asking for help. Instead I tried doing it all on my own. God was just begging me to give him my burden but I kept refusing and refusing.

Last weeks Sabbath lesson was about depending on God.

I told myself that I knew that already and not depending on God was not a problem for me.

I was totally wrong. Sometimes I think I am okay and that I don't need certain advice or help

but I am quickly shown that I do need it. I need God.

everyone does, we are all sinners falling short of the glory of God.

I thank God for taken that burden off of me, I felt free

Ones spiritual life is an everyday dedication

You can't do it one day then not another because then you find yourself lost and say "how did I get here?"

Take Gods hand and He will help you

Dont try to carry your own burdens because one day we will become exhausted and give up

with the help of God we can walk freely, without load, without worry.

Wedding

Today was my cousins wedding and to my surprise I was at awe with the theme, decorations, ceremony, and reception. EVERYTHING was so original and sweet. The wedding was so personal, you could really tell that they took the time to think of the cute ideas that appeared in the wedding. My mom and I couldn't get over the fact that they washed each others feet at their ceremony and had a bit of praise with good worship songs by hillsong united (:
Overall I give it a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. It was simple yet very very cute.
I loved every minute of it.
Listening to Josh's vows were so touching.

They are a couple dedicated to God and that it the way it is supposed to be.

God really did make them like puzzle pieces.

He created marriage as a partnership in encouragement and achievement of better things that one could not do on their own. If God is at the center of your relationship/marriage then it is guaranteed to be a success. Never does God promise that it will be perfect, and He outlines the basis of a legitimate reason to divorce. Marriage is not easy, but it will be a lot easier when God is who you both look to. 

Something the pastor said "When you have God in your heart, you are whole and you do not need another to complete you, but when two complete people come together it makes something spectacular"

Love each other and grow together in God

Today I watched I.Q., it was a great movie. It really made me want to expand my knowledge and take the higher level maths. Although, I think it would be unnecessary because I wont be applying it to anything. I think it would be cool to try something that most people don't have the courage to do. It also reminded me of how Einstein was actually very philosophical and had advice for the common individual. He never took life too seriously. He was also very aware of the fact that science was nothing without a divine creator. There is way to much order in this world to accredit it to chance. Anyone can be as great as they wish to be, only if they allow themselves to. Most of us believe that we might not be able to handle our dreams, we are scared that we cannot achieve them. We can achieve many things if we believe we can. Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't.
I know that laziness can really be a big part of the reason why we don't achieve things, but tell yourself that "great minds do not become great until something extraordinary has come out of them" (that's my own personal quote, it took some thinking). Challenge yourself and force yourself to get moving and start thinking. 
Now, if I could spent one day with him...or just have his brain. That would be nice. 

God is Constant

Working for God

He's the best employer ever, you do not need to look for the job. God looks for you, and he calls you to respond. I cant wait until I begin working for Him. I have this extreme joy and excitement when I look outside my window. I see the world that is left to conquer and how God will be using me to do it. 

Im beyond excited. 

Hopefully I get the acceptance letter soon so I can begin planning accordingly. 

I love the Lord and His plan. 

I know that I will be challenged now that I have agreed to work for Him. 

I pray that I will be able to handle it and keep my eyes looking at God. 

He would leave a million for One sheep

Never in my life have I quite understood the parable of the lost sheep like I do now.
How in the world could God leave His flock of sheep for one straying, unfaithful, and doubting sheep?
Its unbelievable that He would do such a thing.
But when one strays, God takes notice, and He does everything in His power to get him back with the rest of the sheep, but only this time he will be carrying this sheep on His back. God is love. We tend to forget that, everything He does is driven by love.
Seventh-day Adventist, especially, tend to press rules on people and forget what God and salvation is about! Yes, God made these rules, but he didn't make it to hurt, judge, or enslave people. God make these rules with the intention of protecting and aiding their happiness.
God would drop every broken rule committed by the sheep in exchange for salvation.
Without thinking twice.
God is a God with dedication and love for every sheep out there.
If murderers, rapist, and doubters can live with Him happily in Heaven, we also can.
its just a matter of letting Him enter your life.
How can I love anyone more than God? when He loves me no matter what?

At the End of the Day

Review your day, see what you liked, see what you didn't.
Then realize that you just completed an entire day and if you did not smile the entire day
take the time to try it!
A simple smile can transform your entire day, it allows you to express yourself quietly.
Whether a half smile, a full teeth-showing smile, or a closed mouth corners of your mouth reaching towards your ears smile. Whichever is your preference
Take the time to make someone else smile, if you haven't yet
Because if your truly know that a smile can change your own day then perhaps it can brighten another's

Reconsideration and Affirmation

Today, I spent a couple hours doubting myself and doubting my intentions.
Others had pointed out that I'm rushing and doing things for the wrong reason
My friends were convinced that I was following my dreams and supported me totally.
I thank God for them, they showed me the true reason for my decisions.
Given the pressure of making the right decision, I took a step back and reconsidered my attendance to a certain university and quickly researched my other options.
I suddenly felt free and like what I was doing was correct.
I let myself soak in the information and found that maybe I would like to go to a different university.
I pondered the thought and was happy with my open-mindedness
I felt like looking further so I looked up youtube videos.
Affirmation crept up my spine as I watched the spirituality of my original decision.
I remain open minded yet I also saw that I wasn't making rash decisions.
I really did see something in Tennessee. 

Plans Change

Never in my life did I ever think that my future plans would ever change, but leave it to God to show me that life isn't according to my own plans. 

He has a greater and grander plan for us that we can ever imagine. 

When it happens it goes so fast that you don't even see it happening, but what you have to do, is stop, think, and appreciate what has been set before you and what you have done. 

I think back on my life and decisions and see how it all added up. It was set up. This was the plan all along. 

Keeping the concentration and allowing God to take a handle of your life is difficult at first but I think eventually everything will fall into place.

I can not wait until that happens. 

Mingling with the Theologians,

I'm excited to work for Him

SHOUT

Sometimes I wish I could shout the name of the Lord. 

Sadly, I am embarrassed, hopefully one day that will go away

But why is it that people are so scared to express themselves audibly?

We seem to think that others might not agree with us, 

or might think we are crazy.

Well we are Crazy, if that's what it means to Love Jesus.

Luke 19:37-40

Looking to the Stars

Today I found myself looking to the stars while I listened to "with everything" by Hillsong United. I felt so peaceful. I began to weep, but it was weep because I knew that as I looked at the stars that God was staring back at me, but I couldn't see Him. It was like He was hiding behind one specific star that shined so bright it stood out from the rest. I 'd love to think that He was actually the star, and that heaven was right in front of my eyes. I cannot wait until the day when I can see Him and be in His total presence. I could never keep myself from God. At least not when there is a sky and there is nature.

Love suffers long and is kind,

Love does not envy; love does not parade itself,

is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked,

thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity,

but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:6

from a great book of wisdom,

a book where you can find the answer to anything

from a book that God left for us, so that we may be able to hear Him when we call for Him.

His voice of reason, His voice of comfort, His voice of discipline, and His voice of love.

Love is defined better here than in a dictionary.

God knows love.

What do we know about love?

Unhealthy Relationships

Today as I was washing my car, I found something so disturbing that I almost spoke unkindly to someone. He was outside talking on the phone with his girlfriend and they were arguing. . .fine people are argue all the time. Its normal. The one thing that set my eyes wide and made me look over at him was that they were cussing at each other, to the point were he was yelling. By that time he stepped back inside the house so that his yelling could be muffled. I heard it all. He began calling her a dumb ass and began telling her how worthless she was and how she had no life. I am sure that she reciprocated with hurtful words also. I was so close to knocking on his door and telling him "that is not the proper way to speak to a lady," then leaving. I am still currently compelled to do it. Writing here is the only way to express my disapproval without getting myself in trouble.
I then also pondered my own relationship and thanked God for Christianity and SDA's.
Honestly, what would the world do without it?
Obviously it would be normal to treat your significant other with disrespect.
My mother and grandma would always repeat the same phrase to me when I was younger,
"A person will only respect you as much as you respect yourself" 
Its true. If one does not respect his or herself enough to not let people treat you a certain way, then people are going to disrespect you all the time.
Thank God for giving us morals to work upon and showing us that disrespect is not the way to handle situations.
Kindness all the way!!!
Hopefully I will be able to speak to this person about his actions and maybe inform him about the proper way to converse. 

Anger and lack of appreciation

At times we may find ourselves angry for some reason. Whether a good reason or not a good reason. We must remember that what we make of the situation determines the next set of circumstances. If one reacts with harsh intent then the situation may get even worse.
Thoroughly think through your actions because at times it may not even be worth the anger.
Sit down relax and examine the situation. This actually may increase your anger but wait until the feelings have settled. If you then realize that the reason you are angry is not a serious reason, then I say, ignore it.
Yet, if the situation seems like it might affect future your relationship with that person if not confronted, then fix it.
The problem with anger over silly reasons is that tomorrow may not come.
Its really scary to think that, but it helps me in certain situations.
If you really care, you will try to fix it. Whether that means that you simply ignore it, you confront it, or you just be patient.
Also very important is that patience is something that must be consistently practiced. it is not a simple thing. If you find it difficult to do, then ask for help from the most patient person ever, God.
We may fall into a hissy fit and only concentrate on that particular problem, and we tend to forget that there are many things in this life that are to be thankful of.
Look around and appreciate what love we have from others, what accomplishments we have made, and what delicious food we have eaten.

Psalms 4:4
Be angry, and no not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city

Psalms 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life.
Weeping may endure for a night.
But joy comes in the morning.

Growing Up

There is this point, where everything becomes your responsibility and you are seeing your family less and less. Then you look back and see that you have slowly grown up. Its amazing how your way of thinking has changed. Drama is no longer a concern of yours. School and your future is all that is on your mind. You worry more, but yet you have this independence that makes you proud of your own accomplishments. You look back and reflect on the years where you were not thinking of anything besides boys and friends. You continue walking forward and you see yourself having the same amount of fun, but in a different way. Your friends suddenly have matured and then you look at yourself and see the result of your parent's upbringing. then smile. 

You just rocked my world

Pre and Post Sermon.

I wasn't planning on writing about my experience giving a sermon, but I decided it would be cool to look back on this. I got to say though, Carrie Underwood is one of my inspirations, her song "change" is GREAT and it helped to to get into that sort of thinking when I was doubting myself and my actions.
Giving a sermon was something that would only play out in my imagination, but to my surprise, it actually came true. Although it was probably the most nerve racking and stressful few moments of my life. . . I think in the end, I felt it was worth it. My youth pastor told me that I wouldn't regret it, and I think him saying that was one of the convincing points for me.
I honestly do not know how I did it. I really believe that I was not up there. That I was not myself and that God just took over and showed me the ropes. An experience that is beyond words. Its crazy, if that helps in describing it. I think that most chilling thing for me was the conversations I had with people after. I felt like I was changed. Got had flipped my world.
I'm still trying to deal with the result of what God did. I feel like my mindset has changed. I honestly thought my mind was done changing (religiously I mean) but I was wrong. Its weird how God can just rock your world like that. I have never in my life ever thought that this would happen to me. I can only pray from here on.

But I do have one thing to say to whoever reads this.

IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU TOO. 

God can step in and rock your world. And when it happens, all you can do is stand there in Awe and watch your life change before your eyes.

Winchester & Berkeley

 

For a long time My goals have been set and my eyes have not looked away from my dream school, UC Berkeley. I had heard many good things about the bay area and how prestigious UC Berkeley was, so I told my mom that I wanted to visit the campus! She told me that she would make a reservation for August and we would go a couple days before my birthday. I was stoked!

I was finally going to have it all become real! My future was becoming materialized. I am only two semesters away fro going to Berkeley! Finally I will be able to dorm!

I told one of my friends about my trip to Berkeley and she threw me the news that she Also wanted to go to Berkeley. Of course, I quickly invited her to come with me and my family to Berkeley. Our parents chit chatted and soon enough everything was planned out!

My step-dad was actually excited to go up north because he had been wanting to see the Winchester House for a long time. This was finally going to be his chance. haha. We left about 9 am on Wed off to Berkeley!! My friend and I could NOT stop talking about how nice the campus was going to be and how the people were going to be so sophisticated that we would not be able to slap off our smiles. About 5 hours into the trip we finally arrived to our first destination. The Winchester House!

The Winchester house was actually pretty cool, yet creepy.

Basically the lady that owned the house had kept building on to the house because she thought she would live forever if she kept constructing and constructing. The house was really weird because it had stairs that were really low and some of the stairs would lead into walls. Some doors even opened up to drops! Like two story drops! it was almost cartoon-like. It still was a very gorgeous house. That lady was rich as can be. She owned many acres of land and married a very wealthy man. You might know about the Winchester Rifle. Her husband was the son of the owner of the Winchester Rifle. 

The next day we headed off to Berkeley quite early. I was stoked.

So was my friend. We kept talking about music and dorming and how nice the University campus was going to be. We got off the freeway and I wasn't expecting a nice area...but it was pretty ghetto.

There was bums and weirdos everywhere..I suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable, but I knew the campus wasn't going to be located RIGHT on the ghetto part. So I brushed it off and waited until I arrived to make judgement. We arrived, and I didn't feel any better. The campus WAS literally RIGHT on the ghetto part. You walked out of the school and BAM it was right there. It was gray, and wet, and cold. I began seriously thinking about whether I could go to school there or not.

We went inside the visitor area and waited for out orientation. The orientation was helpful in learning what kind of school I would be going to. It seemed so, boring..and serious. 

But that's school right? 

When I went to UCSB it was quite the opposite, and UCSB began to seem more appealing to me. 

I wanted to get away from the city and go to a place that was peaceful and a campus that is easy to get around. Berkeley was so hilly, and the beauty of the campus was not easily seen because it wasn't flat land. Then they told us about the housing. . . it was off campus housing and the tour wasn't going to show us where they lived. . .

I was just slapped with disappointment. But I'm sooo glad I went.

It definitely opened my mind to applying to more than just 3 colleges. 

I will still apply to Berkeley, because I know its a good school and it has its perks. 

Baby Gomez

Girlies and Princesses

I went to go see my math teachers baby today, and boy was it so adorable to Finally see him holding a baby. I think my class harassed him about having a baby from freshman year until we graduated. It was great. A momentous moment. I have never seen a man so happy in my life. I know he will be a good father.

I can't wait until shes older. Shes a beauty and I know that she will be a humble and smart girl.

Congrats to the happy family!

Dep Bug

Ways to Kick the Depression Bug,

1. Eat your favorite foods, but make sure they are healthy foods

2. Listen to classical/inspirational music (stay away from songs that you think Appeal to the way you feel. i.e. sad love songs, hard core rock songs, etc. ) Those will just encourage the negative emotions

3. Read a book that you really like, Water for Elephants is a good one, maybe try the Bible, or Mr. Darcy's Diary. Whatever your preference might be.

4. Take the focus off yourself, go do something for someone else. Maybe some community service work. I remember reading in an article that you feel better and its actually physically healthy for you to help others gladly. It gives you happiness and satisfaction. It sure beats depression!

5. Act a bit wacky. SHAKE IT OFF! Just goof off and be yourselves. Sometimes we just need to loosen ourselves up and have fun. Not in a Party Hardy kind of way, but in a Dancing in your room by yourself kind of thing. Talk in a British accent, or American accent if your already British! Do something funny with your hair and wear extreme sunglasses. Do what your heart pleases.

6. Take sometime to cheer yourself up. maybe listen to a Disney song (A dream is a wish - sleeping beauty), or just a good classical or upbeat (clean) song and take a walk. Take time to look at your surroundings. Notice the air running through your lungs and tickling your nose. Study the trees and the colors that surround you. Look up to the sky and think about the great world out there and the small world we live in.

Think about life itself and how its so incredible and complicated! but it works! I hope that the day you are depressed is a sunny beautiful day because great weather helps.

If its gloomy outside, maybe open a window and listen to the wind and the rain while you drink some hot chocolate and savor a danish. Wear your favorite Jacket, sweater, socks, shoes, scarf!

TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF! and put your feet in the sand, grass, water, or concrete. There are nerves on the bottom of our feet that are supposed to make us happy and more aware.

7. Pray Sincerely

WordPress & Corinthians

Can it be more complicated? I am so Frustrated with trying to make the layout the way I want it to look. I might just stick with blogger! Anyways What I wanted to post on Wordpress was what I read today in the Bible. Its in 1 Corinthians 7.

I found it to be actually really helpful. I like the Idea of not being in a relationship and only focusing on God. It clearly states in this text that staying alone and committed Solely to God can only be done by not being in a relationship. Its odd to think that anyone would not want to be in a relationship but nuns and monks do it!

At times I think I want to be alone and just focus on God. Although I'm not married, being in a relationship still takes away focus from God. It is almost disappointing, but in the Bible verse 8 it observes that some people cannot contain themselves, and those people should marry if they wish.

Expressing love is no sin, it does take focus of God, but some people feel the need for a life long companion. Adam felt that way and God gave him Eve to share everything with. Love is a wonderful thing, it is a gift from God. Life partners are seen well in his eyes, especially those who encourage each other and glorify the Lord. He sees great couples, and great individuals.

Sometimes the individual by him/herself is at best.

Sometimes the individual is best with a companion.

Awakening

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a haze, and life you by day by day without change. Well, it is a normal feeling. Usually when people feel like they may not be in the right place in their life they think about dropping everything and leaving. But do they really do it? No.

People are frightened by the thought of dropping everything and leaving to do what makes them happy. We make up excuses to continue with our lives the way it already is. Change may be difficult but it is not impossible.

I always begin to think that if I had the chance to be the young rich man that was given the opportunity to drop everything and follow Jesus, I would have done it.

Matthew 19:16-26

19:16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good deed should I do to have eternal life?"

19:17 Jesus said to him, "Why ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to get into that life, you must keep the commandments."

19:18 The young man said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said,"'You must not murder, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not give false testimony,

19:19 honor your father and mother,' and 'you must love your neighbor as yourself.'"

19:20 The young man said to him, "I have kept all of these. What do I still lack?"

19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the destitute, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

19:22 But when the young man heard this statement he went away sad, because he had many possessions.

19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven.

19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished and said, "Who, then, can be saved?"

19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "For humans this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." When we realize that we cannot hear the voice of God, and that we have not made decisions based on Him. We should stop and listen intently to what our lives are supposed to be like. Stop and pay attention to God's word. When you cannot hear his voice at home or at work or anywhere else because you are distracted by the things that surround you, leave. Go to a place where you feel that God will be the first and only thought in your mind. Then you will hear His voice. Just like Job heard God's voice in the silence. Walk and breathe in the fresh air. Walk as long as you need and disregard time.