san diego...shopping, the beach and ships

before we went on the ride of a lifetime...an actualy navy jet simulator we flew!

during

after the ride

sea world

more pics on flickr...click to right :)

christmas with the fam :)

more pics on flickr...click my pics to the right :)
Hope everyone had as blessed a Christmas as I experienced!!!

disneyland...reunited with the happiest place on earth at last!

more pics on flickr...click on the right

amazing

Romans 8...I've probably read it over 100 times, but not until a few days ago did it click. Well I mean I have always understood it, but I don't think I have always appreciated it or looked at it the way it should be viewed.

God has taught me over the past months how BIG He truly is, but more importantly how blessed I am. We deserve nothing...yes thats right, we deserve absolutely NOTHING, but as His children He has bestowed His love upon us, and in that love His grace. Do you understand that? Can you fathom that? The God who made the universe, who made everything, every person, LOVES you and me. Amazing...absolutely. I have come to realize that that is my first blessing. That I don't deserve anything. And that anything I have, whether that be my amazing family, awesome friends, or even my earthly possessions, are all blessings that He has bestowed upon me. Therefore my insignificant trials, my little problems that come up in everyday life are trivial...they dont matter in the end. I have to keep fighting the good fight, and running the race that has been set before me.

Do I understand everything that happens...no. Do I want to...not really. For starters I dont understand this
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
but I don't need to. I can rest in the fact that I as a child of God will one day meet my savior face to face and hear those long awaited words..well done my good and faithful servant, welcome home. And how I cant wait for the day I get to bow before my maker, my King, my savior, my Lord, my Father, and my best friend.

weddings?

she looks beautiful, i being sick look sick, but whatever...i had to share the memories
today was absolutely amazing...looking at wedding dresses with my best bud! and bridesmaid dresses too.

20!

I work at preschool with my mom on Thursday mornings...this thursday was my bday and they threw me a little bday party. :)

I can't believe that I have finally entered my "20s". It seems so surreal. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me over the next ten years of life. Hitting this point has allowed me to reflect back on the past 20 and see how blessed I truly have been. Amazing.

Christmas in the City!!!

Pics

http://www.compasschurch.org/uploads/high%20school/cinc.swf

Dont Be A Burnt Out Bulb...SHINE

Its been a while since I have actually written something on this blog and I thought it was about time.

Christmas time is officially here...well I guess it was officially here November 1st, but, the cooler weather, the lights, the hot chocolate, the shopping till you drop...it has arrived. Its funny how during what is supposed to be the most joyous time of the year, it is the time of year when most people are the most stressed, upset, depressed, or just plain downers. Does it surprise you? At first maybe, but when you think about it, it makes sense. Think about it...crammed into one month is finals, holiday parties, shopping for everyone on your list, the bank account is tapping out, the time is running out...and then theres the stress of having to put on that phony "holiday cheer". But thats the world's perspective...

For Christians, this time of year should be different. Take a behind the scenes look at what Christmas really is:
Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Wow! Yeah yeah we you might be saying, I know Christmas isn't about the hot chocolate, holiday parties, presents, and an old fat guy in a red suit, I know its Jesus' birthday. Read those verses again. Sit for a second and think about how incredible that truly is!

Take this Christmas season and use it to your advantage (CHRISTmas) to spread the good news of Christs birth, death, and resurrection and the salvation we find in Him! Be a light in the darkness. Take the Christmas lights for example, they are beautiful, but when you drive by the house that has one bulb out, you notice it immediately right? Well we are God's lights, don't be a burnt out bulb! Shine for Jesus this year, relax...slow down, and think about what really happened that Christmas morn...ponder that and see if you can't be joyful. =)

ucla vs usc

so i never thought i would love football so much! more pics on flickr