Awakening

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." ~2COR1:3-5~

Growth group, the night of AGO Banquet, breakfast the morning after, random talks with random people.

Lately these things and so much more have helped me to see spiritual gifts in other people and in myself. One thing that has truly been confirmed about myself is my ability to simply listen to people. Meeting new people and hearing about their life is a love of mine. But what I love more is to be able to impart encouragement and a spiritual perspective on whatever they may be struggling with. And it's not merely advice that I think of to give them, rather it's something more. My voice but not my words. That's all I can really say.

And what's funny is that of all the things that I listed in the beginning of this post, it is not the things I did or the places I went to or what I had to order that makes each of them memorable- it's the people.

Just talking about life and listening to the other guys in my growth group share each week about what's going on. At banquet- chatting with old friends and later giving a bold pep talk to one about how I truly see them (while outside getting some much need fresh air;) Having a good talk with Joe the next morning over an awesome breakfast... It's all these interactions and encounters with people that I remember the most. Listen and Build 'em up- from the inside.

I won't stop. I can't stop. This what I am. This is all I got.

Nothin but the blood of Jesus.

an aspiring book worm

My new quarters (if you want to call it that) is in a library/study room. Do you reside in a room like mine?... most likely you don't. It's cool. If anything, being surrounded by books, maps and a nice little desk convicts me that I need to read more. A lot more.

I say that, but usually I am so wiped and exhausted from the long days on mine that I just barely have enough energy to get to bed. I actually just finished Max Lucado's book, Fearless- it was a book that I read in my small group and provided good discussion and all; honestly though, I felt it was kinda cheesy and watered down near the end of the book. Not sure if I will read another book by Lucado anytime soon- and that's all I got to say about that.

In Random News- Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave... too good.

Weird though how you never see any of the great classical composers smiling or looking happy in their self-portraits.

FREAKIN SMILE! haha!

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8

The quiet stillness that I find in the early morning and in the late night hours of the day- the birth and death of a day- it's in these times when I can easily sense the peace and presence of God. It's definitely in the stillness that we are better able to hear His voice. The busyness of the day and the polluting noise that fills the air makes it harder and harder to simply keep that peace of being in His presence. To keep the focus on what God wants to do and not only on your To-Do list. Seriously, there has been more and more times where I just wish I could mute the world.

But that's not how it goes.

However, since I finished school (Only God knows if and/or when I will return) I have discovered that I have been in much greater need of times quiet stillness. Its like sitting down for a pep talk with my coach before a game, regrouping at halftime to re-focus, and going through the highs and lows in the post-game wrap up.

*You wouldn't ever guess I'm a football fan, huh?!*

But that's how it has been for me in these post-grad months. Life is simpler, but more complicated. Less busy, but I got work to do. Much has changed, but much has stayed the same. IDK. It's all different though. Life moves on. Seasons change.

God keeps me moving with a near-sighted vision of what is to come. Every season brings something new; yet He keeps me moving. For me, this season is soon coming to a close. This past season of searching, learning, waiting, working, and serving. Make no mistake- many times I wish I was in a different season- like in a season of romance, vision, and wealth.

But that's not how it goes.

Just as Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes, pretty much there's a season for everything. And as mentioned numerous times throughout the bible, it is crucial to wait on the Lord. To wait on Him and to expect nothing other than Him; my lesson that I am continually learning.

Thank God for community.

Highlights

-I respect and appreciate Starbucks- even more so when traveling.

-I am over sushi- yet always a sucker for Mexican;)

-I dig intimacy.

-Dallas lost. Houston lost. But Texas Won!

-AGO Banquet. My 1st as an alum.

~PEACE~

A Lesson Learned

Expect God.

Expect nothing else.

It's all too much

As I type this post with tired eyes and listening to Radiohead, I sit in the near empty front room of the house that I have lived in throughout the majority of my college career at SDSU. Dudes are moving out to other apartments and houses due to the impending demolition of this one. So me and my pledge bro remain--- for the time being anyways.

But I yearn for a furnished house, working kitchen, and living in community rather than staying isolated in solitary confinement. Very soon though I sure hope to pack up my belongings and reside in the fraternity house for the remaining time that I have here in San Diego... It will be nice to be back in a house full of bros--- for the time being anyways.

Community- We need it. We were designed for it. So why try to go it alone?

*ponder*ponder*ponder*

It's all too much. It really is.

In a nutshell, I have been a traveling man for the last week and a half.

Start off with driving from San Diego to Modesto then to San Francisco then back to Modesto and San Diego all for the sake of adventure and seeing my family. Having my bigbro, chacho, and Hillary come along made it all interesting indeed. Fun times. Good memories. After the 3 day road trip, I readied my suitcase and caught my flight that would take me to Houston, Texas.

Now my week spent in Houston for Thanksgiving can simply be described as- WOW.

The Clements. Ron, Bonnie, Lizzie, and Ryan.

Ya'll treated me way too good;) But I'm sure you know that already.

I was blessed to be treated like a member of the family and always felt the love in everything that they did for me... it's all too much to truly put into words just how good they were in not only showing me incredible hospitality but just showing me crazy love. Well if any of you ever end up reading this- thank you for everything.

You are all beautiful people, a beautiful family, and I was honored to be part of your household for the time I was with you.

p.s. I miss the dogs;)

Now my traveling and vacationing has taught me much about myself. For the most part I learned that I never have known truly what future holds for me- even when I have planned it all out... Truth indeed.

Thinking about just much of what I have gone through and the experiences that I have lived and just the person that I am today which was all shaped by the path I have walked- it is clear that I am pretty different. haha! Seriously, I know no one else who is doing anything like I am. Idk. It's like there's a typical path that college grads generally take (i.e. looking for a good paying job/career and looking to get settled in with something stable in order to support themselves and prepare for a house or marriage) Yet I reflect on what's to come for me, and I am doing quite the opposite. Honestly, what did I do to get to this point? If you ask me, I did nothing. Jesus! Spiritual guidance from above is what I give credit to.

Having community to keep me spiritually strong. Costa Rica. Full time missions as my job. Being blessed beyond words in so many ways.

Thank You, Jesus.

You are all I've got to hold on to

And you'll never let me go.

Stay Strong.

Trust Christ.

You can't go wrong.

...uuuffff!

I was Ryan's 'high' for Thanksgiving Break.

That's a 1st.

It's all too much.

transition training

Howdy howdy to you.
Hope that all is well and that you are experiencing peace and joy in your days though they may be long and hectic.

I have not posted in a while. Pretty much cuz' I like to think through what my post is going to be about and just what my message is that I am trying to communicate to the few that actually look over and read To Burn Again. But I have realized that I am blessed by this blog and it helps me to keep track of what my life is going through as I strive to follow Christ as much as I can. So simply put, I am wingin' this.
Life as of late has been interesting to say the least. I don't know why it has taken me so long to realize this myself, but I am in this transition period.

No longer a student by occupation; yet still learning. And I have got lots to learn.

Being done-ditty-done with school and a SDSU Alum has brought on changes in the relationships and the community that I once was comfortably part of. It is clear that there are some relationships that God only had purposed to stay in place while I was an AGO Active and student at State. So things are different but I thank God for the brothers who have remained closer than a brother- you know who you are (PRV18:24) and for those new people who have entered my life.

One thing however that I have realized. one thing. one truth.
I can not hope, expect, wait, depend, and trust on anything or anyone else like I can upon God. There have been many times where it seems like no one has time to hang out or meet up or to even seek me out. Many times where I can it seems like I am left all alone. But it is during this time of transition that God's voice and spirit have been speaking to me more and more as I have been seeking Him out. How easily it is to get caught up with putting a greater focus on wanting to be with people to keep us company rather than simply taking time in silence and solitude to meditate on what God has to say to you and you only... There have been many times when I just dont know what to do and I just realize that God wants me to be still. to be quiet. and to worship Him to see and take in His Will for me and feel His great sovereignty over every thing... I have found great peace and wisdom in the words of Mother Theresa- realizing that prayer is truly a lifestyle. Also that just as I have great joy and passion in training my body, I much more need to train and discipline my spiritual life to be a more godly man (1TIM4:7&8).

Geez, I have rambled off. There's more stuff, but I guess I'm still chewing on it and will spit it on a post soon.

Peace.


-less than a month til Thankgiving week in Houston.
-less than 2 months til I fly over to Costa Rica and can start the life of full time missions Work.
-may there be no cover over you other than the blood of Christ.
-pray for the persecuted church- www.persecution.com
-God Bless You.

Chariots of Fire

You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.

-Eric Liddel, Chariots of Fire

wisdom and truth from a sister I've never met before

I have been reading, A Simple Path , a compilation of the words and writings of Mother Teresa. If anything, it has pounded my head and heart about the power and need to pray. She writes that

"Prayer feeds the soul-

as blood is to the body, prayer is to the soul-

and it brings you closer to God."

(page 7)

I seriously bought this book and two other books of Mother Teresa for $0.01 off of Amazon. So pretty much I just paid shipping costs ($3 or $4).

But it is the words of Sister Theresina, a fellow nun of Mother Teresa, that definitely spoke to me when I read them in light of me learning to wait on the Lord and to be patient. Sister Theresina is talking about how all their work with the poorest of the poor in Calcutta is for God's Kingdom and how they must continually rely upon His providence and nothing else. (highlighting is emphasis mine)

We are working for the Kingdom, we have devoted our lives to the Kingdom of God, so He definitely has to to be the one who guides us and leads us and provides for us, For instance, we never lose sight of God's providence, so we try not to store the things that we need, and just manage with whatever comes as it comes. I think this way we will continue to receive God's blessings, especially if we don't become extravagant and if we don't get caught up living for the future, instead of right now in the present.

We need to be flexible-

when it is God's time things are easy

and when it is not His time things are difficult.

We must really listen to the invitation that God extends to us

in whichever way it is manifested.

(page 44)

AMEN!

HE WILL REIGN

This is a track from Sleeping Giant- a hardcore band of Christians that I love and respect.
You just need to give it a listen and just dwell upon the words and the message of it.
This song and its words and its message of God's power never fails to touch and shake me up whenever I give it a listen. I hope and pray that it does the same to you.
Lyrics are below...



SLEEPING GIANT-> HE WILL REIGN
In my mind I know how to sing this
But I need your light, God there's no other way
He says I try, the words all come jumbling out
As I rest in your light, I hear your spirit say, you say
"Come"
I don't know why it was that I hated you so
It was before I really knew youBefore I touched your heart and it became unto me, the very substance of my life
I've stayed at your side, I've seen the things that you do
I'm blessed, I'm broken, I'm honored inside to be called your wife
"Come"
Then my heart cries out
You Will Reign Forevermore... I love You Lord
You are worthy Lord, so worthy Lord You're so deserving Lord, take my life Oh God
We Will Reign Forevermore!
Then You sing out over us Oh Lord You respond and I thank You Lord
You sing
You lift up my head and sing
You call me beloved Lord, so we sing
You are worthy, You alone, we sing out
We exalt You Lord
We Will Reign Forevermore! [ He Will Reign Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

...

...WE are all evil.

but GOD is good.

Thank You Jesus...

Love. Blessing. Life. Death.

Pastor's sermon today that left a mark. It was titled "To Be A Blessing". And as he started out speaking and preaching, I honestly was feeling completely out of. Seriously, though I got at least 6 hours of sleep the night before, I felt as if I had stayed up all night banging my head against my desk or something because I had a pounding headache and could not focus for the life of me. Odd.

And as I began to think to myself 'geez this guy is goin long on his sermon' that's when he introduced to us all a story... and I thought he was going to be wrapping it up his message!

The story he shared goes something like this:

There was a certain hairstylist named Jane who was accustomed to having a busy and tight schedule of clients that would come into her salon to get their hair done and styled for important events. Those people that came to have their hair done by Jane, loved her because of the awesome job that she did and also for the special attention and care that she gave each person whose hair she styled or cut... Now one day, Jane receives a phone call from Sarah, a usual client of hers, asking if she could fit her into her schedule of daily appointments for a very important event that she has later in the evening. While on the phone, she flips to her appointment page and sees just how full the day is with people coming in to have her do their hair. But after looking through and making some switches here and there with the appointments that she already had, she was able to pencil her in for later that same day!

So though Jane was busy busy all day working on fixing and styling her clients hair, when Sarah came in, she welcomed her in and as she started to work on Sarah's hair styling Jane asked her all about how her day was going and about random stuff. Though she didn't ask anything too personal or deep, she gave Sarah special attention and a loving touch that is tough to find nowadays. When Jane finished up with her hair, she commented on just how beautiful and dazzling Sarah looked for her evening event!

Sarah left smiling and feeling beautiful inside and out.

Later that day nearing the end of the work day, Jane receives a note from Liz, the salon receptionist.

She open it up and reads it.

Jane, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful job you did on styling my hair earlier today. But I must let you know that you ruined my evening plans. You see what I didn't tell you was that I wanted to get my hair styled today because I wanted to look good for my own funeral. I indeed had important plans this evening- plans to end my life and commit suicide. But your love and your care made me realize that there is hope and meaning to this life. You gave me more than a beautiful hairdo; you helped me gain a second chance a staying alive in this life.

Thank you for the love. Thank you for the hope. Thank you.

-Sarah

After listening to this story and the rest of the pastor's message, it was as if I was slapped in the face, had the wind knocked out of me, and kicked in the pants...

Love. Love is all you need. We can overcome the burdens, pain, and hopelessness of this world with love. And its simple. but not easy. Follow Christ in the love that is poured out in the cross of His sacrifice. God is Love and we must BE God's love to everyone in everything that we do. In the end of the day, its not so much about what we do, but rather who we are.

May we be God's Love to all and be the blessing to others... a blessing that can mean life or death...

more to come.

sooner than later.

PEACE.

Because the flesh is weak!...

howdy howdy. I don't know how your last month or so has been during this summer so please share and let me know how its all goin. I would love to hear about what you're learning, doing, etc... But anyways, I do hope that your summer time is all good and that you're getting readied for greater things to come.
As for me, my weeks have pretty much been filled up with working two jobs M-F (7-3 at HYP then 4-9/10 at the restaurant), sometimes working Saturdays, waking up at 4am in order to exercise before my full days, spending time with close bros on my time off, aaand sleeping when I can.

Though this may all sound crazy and probably makes you a bit more physically exhausted when you start to really think about it, some words that describe how it all is for me:

overworked, underpaid, overjoyed

Yeah, I am busy. But I love it. I have learned so much every week and every day that I look forward to it all. Whether it be serving people craving some cheap good sushi or hanging out with kids at camp, there is always something to give and to learn. *And btw, spend time with kids and they will teach you more than you even imagined; a lot of times its more than what you try to teach them...

Over the course of these past recent weeks that have constituted to become one of my busiest summers, one major major lesson and truth that has been continually reinforced in my mind and heart is the utter weakness of our flesh and bodies and the supernatural power of God's spiritual strength that He provides us when we seek it and depend on it.

"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~MT26:41~

"Be anxious for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Phil4:6&7~

Two pieces of scripture that have been with me all this past week.

Truly the flesh is weak and it limits us and it weighs us down. Yet the spirit of God is beyond the limits of the flesh.

The Power of Prayer. It blows my mind to think of how crazy powerful it is and how brings us into the great peace, joy, love of God above.

stop worrying or daydreaming or whatever and be intentional to pray throughout the day and memorize a verse or more- you will see a change in you and in your daily life.

+Pros/Random Good Stuff+

-time with the guys. always random. always good.

-being disciplined in going to the gym throughout the week-Its spiritual. discipline yourself physically and that discipline leaks into other areas of your life.

-regularly going to my new church- First United Methodist Church- and realizing that tradition and structure are good to have...and I'm not a traditional person.

-AGO Epsilon's new house... we used to have a frat tent compared to the huge house we now are blessed to have.

-time with my big bro; I get more brown every time I'm with him.

-the Beatles and Dizzy Miss Lizzy. lol.

-keeping touch with friends- both near and far

-gaining peace from knowing that I don't know it all and that in the end; Only God Knows.

My Prayer Request:

To grab hold of the strength to love and serve those around me everywhere I go. To truly be filled with the Spirit despite the weakness of the flesh.

That's all for now. Hope to update more frequently. PEACE.

"You Put Your Flesh Before Blood"

No Innocent Victim screams this convicting truth to those who listen to their track "Your Freedom". The scream of conviction has truly been resounding in my head and my heart...

"Sow with a view to righteousness,

Reap in accordance with kindness ;

Break up your fallow ground,

For it is time to seek the LORD

until He comes to rain righteousness on you"

~Hosea 10:12~

Comfort... in no way can you find peace and comfort in the skin you are in when you neglect to seek the Lord to feed your spirit. No way can the flesh and body that we have from God give us the same satisfaction that comes from being filled by the Spirit of God.

Being full of craving and selfish desire can easily drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit. Truly, I have been convicted of the need to become empty. To empty out all I have to glorify the Lord and to be filled with all of His goodness, wisdom, love, peace, and blessing.

Crazy and awesome how the conviction and voice of God is spoken in such mysterious ways. Whether it be while I am at work and hating customers that come in when I am wanting a bit of a break, or simply talking with a dear friend about their experience in ministering and serving the hungry homeless of downtown Houston... the Spirit speaks through anything, anyone to make you realize how He wants to use you... you simply need to open your eyes and see the greater picture that lies before you...

Emptiness I need. Emptiness I desire. Break up this fallow ground of comfort within my flesh and heart and gain the vision, the spirit, the path that God seeks for each of us.

Flesh before Blood? before the Blood of Christ?.... how can we go on settling with that.

Thank you for the phone calls, the texts;), encouragement, the love, the prayers.

You know who you are.

Please don't stop... I won't.

God Bless You All.

RanDoM

I have an ear for a lot of different music.


But the top band?







Hands down...

the mustaches are the cherry on top...

Different Soil- Same Heart- Same Fire

What's up? How you doin?...seriously.

Well, it has been a week since I have been back. Though it has been an interesting and long week, the call to serve and work has not been lessened.


10 of this week:

+ I started working at HYP camp; working with the lil'kids... they are fertile ground. I hope to plant something.

+ I returned to work at SushiMan; visit me! I love the people I am around when I work here.

+ By weeks end, I will have worked approximately 66.5 hours... Thank You Lord! I am truly blessed to be working this much in tough economic times such as these.

+ Seeing a small Toyota pick up truck on my way to work with a lawn mower and other gardening tools in the back. Instead of reading Tacoma Pre-runner, the writing on the tail gate was modified to read- 'Taco Runner'... ghetto ghetto.

+ I have been thanking God for all that He has blessed us all with. For me, its my health, being able to laugh and smile about everything in life, the relationships that I have and time spent with those brothers and sisters, and just tuly seeing that regardless of what happens in life- staying faith-full will get me carried through.

+ I passed on being able to go to Scream The Prayer Tour... yeah Sleeping Giant was playing but I wasn't looking forward to pay to be surrounded by high school scene kids with emo hair who think they own the place... my taste is maturing I suppose... Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday have caught my ear.

+ Me doing groceries with my bigbro since coming back from Costa Rica- "okay...well I'll be in the rice and bean aisle"
why change my diet? lol. Its cheap, healthy, and it gets the job done.

+ Methodist churches look nice and traditional service reminds me of catholic mass- but more Jesus.

+ Never thought I would attend another Vespers service once I left Taylor U... but I was wrong.

+ Brown and White go well together...

Here below are the final 10 pics that I will post from my internship trip. Pretty much they highlight the things, people, and places that struck me the most in the last week or so while there...

Somehow I got natural highlights in my hair that got stronger while away...
I blame the sun- but I am being asked if I surf a lot more now...

Working and pounding concrete with a sledge til my hands felt funny.
That was a good day.

The Beach...

Will- no one else could I have imagined to have been able to put up with me so well as their roommate in a space no bigger than a walk-in closet. You taught me the beauty of living and sharing experiences with other people. Life ain't the same without people to share it with. Life and Relationships.

The traveling 'extranjeros'. Tammy, Carolyn, Sarah, Ben, Will, and a mix between Cheech and Chong...Awesome people I lived with who are full of passion to serve the Lord.

Charlie. You taught me the importance of leading and pastoring groups of people and of how it is possible to convey Christ-like character while still being the genuine person that God made you to be. I respect you and the great vision you have for Strong Missions...
God willing, I will be helping to shape that vision.

The food caught me off guard. This 'burrito de carne' was deep fried, the size of a deck of cards, and 98% black beans and cheese/2% carne...

A typical casado plate- I miss this... its love on a plate that is super cheap (about $3) and plated in about 5 minutes.

God's Creation.

what?! me all up in it...lol

- "But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”" ~Acts4:19&20

- "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." ~James1:22

-"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." ~Phil3:13&14

*I like NLT more than before.

God Bless You. Thank You for letting me know how this all has impacted you.

PEACE.

Home is wherever God has me.

Beginning this week I was more than bummed and discouraged at the fact that I will be returning back to the States and leaving Costa Rica. It was hard for me to get over the huge calling that the Lord has placed upon my heart and life to enter the missions field for more than a mere few weeks or portion of my summer. As I have mentioned in previous posts I´m sure, but I finally have gained insight as to where I am going in regards to my career choice and choice of lifestyle.

MISSIONS- this is my passion and is what God is calling me to pursue and do.
So realizing that I need to return back to the States and away from the foreign field- was somewhat of an overloaded barbell upon my shoulders to say the least.

However, throughout this week of travel and adventure with Will and the other interns Becca and Rebecca, I have been able to listen.
Though I have reached the point of finally feeling at home here in Costa Rica, the deeper truth is that Home is wherever God has me.

Since my start of college, I have never really had a sense of being at home. Even in my hometown whenever I visit my parents, home is not home in the sense of it being where I belong.
I am always traveling. Everyone is always traveling. Going somewhere different. Traveling spiritually and physically. From highs to lows. From deep growth to superficial distractions that blind us all from the greater panorama of life.

Coming to understand that my home is wherever God has me has given me such as huge and overwhelming sense of PEACE. So going back to San Diego and wherever after that, its the deep peace and truth that is: I am where I am for a purpose.

Whether it be to learn a life lesson, to prepare for something greater to come, to impact those around me in a way to see Spiritually, or to simply be patient.
Its all for a reason and a season that ultimately only God Knows.

So why hate where you´re at? Why worry on the future?(which wont ever really turn out how you expect it to anyways)
Why think that you do not have a special purpose, a special mission Right Now wherever you may be in life?

The world wants to keep you blind and afraid. break away from it. Make a difference beyond this world.

¨A man will not be established by wickedness.
But the root of righteousness will not be moved.¨
-Prv12:3

¨Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.¨
-Ps73:25

I choose to stay true to my name and my maker. I choose faith and peace in the name of Jesus Christ. I choose to see the greater panorama of wherever I am and make my home wherever God has me.

What do you choose?



And...below is what happens when you backpack for too long surrounded by Sugar Cane fields...enjoy.

*more to come*

WEEK 3

*Picture update in previous post*

Normally I am healthy as a horse. But after a week of leading a team in church construction, guiding them thru different sites around the city THEN bussing it to the Caribbean coast where the water is sketchy to drink, white-faced monkeys are found everywhere, and the suns heat rays are beyond toasty- somehow I transformed from that healthy horse to being sick as a dog.

Lets just say I have been sipping on pedialyte and gatorade for the past day and a half... thank God I am feeling better and just had a normal solid meal- I should be fine but I pray nothing rewinds itself back up from my stomach.

Well, this past week has been very different for me to say the least. It seems the every day and every week is something completely new and unexpected... The WUUMC Houston group was the first church missions group that I have known and worked with since last summer being part of the leadership team here in Costa Rica. This group works hard, plays hard, and eats hard LOL- though they set the standard of a highly spiritual missions group for me- I have been reminded of how different people and groups are.

Last week, Strong Missions had its first fraternity/sorority group come to work and serve!

I definitely felt honored to be assigned to guide and translate for the 18 PKA/KAQ guys and gals coming from Cincinnati. I never thought I would find non-Christians doing missions work- but it happened. Being a greek alum myself- AGO woo woot!- it was not too hard to find some common ground with them and to use that to lead into deeper conversations about faith, religion, and life...Though most of them got atleast buzzed during the time off at the beach and I had to do a bit of babysitting to make sure none died- I had fun and am thankful for the crazy experience that I shared with them.

It still continues to amaze me how I seem to get along and connect with nearly everyone that I come across.

These Pike guys and Theta girls definitely taught me (again) how you can't simply pass judgment on someone without putting forth the time and effort to get to know where their heart is at and where they are coming from... this world neglects getting to know the heart and the deepness of the individual and sticks with the superficial...Sad But True.

Being an intern for Charlie and for Strong Missions has beyond blessed me too much. Though its easy to just get caught up with working, serving, translating, traveling- even to the point of getting sickly ill- this internship experience has blessed me in discovering that international missions work is my passion.

Though I am returning to San Diego next month, I know that I will be yearning to for next opportunity to leave the country again haha- the latest will be next summer for sure (God willing).

No Way am I going to be bound to a single country, state, city, or zip code...not that there is anything wrong with that- but how can you neglect the calling of your passion?

Take this to heart:

Letting someone or something interfere with reaching your hearts passion is a sure path to being miserable.

Never settle for anything less than your Hearts desire and passion.

And may you be boundless in the discovery and pursuit of your God-given passion and calling. It is life changing.

Time is flying by... dang it.

God Bless you all.

Mas fotos de viaje- los 23 de la tercer semana.

Facebook uploader is still blowing it for me. Blogger does it.
So these are all pics from about the last week and a half. The first few are actually from today!
Enjoy...

Men at Work-
me and my new adult group from Florida.

Taking advantage of my break in the company van...
i know its all ghetto but that's me.

Waiting room at a clinic. We were not feeling too good.

You get bored of waiting... and literally sick.

From 330 til midnight... nothing but fun.

My diet for more than a day.

Ben, Sara, and Luis- My travel buddies.

My roommate Will. He goes to Brown University and I am his brown roommate. Perfect match.

The Caribbean coast...pre-sickness.

Zip-lining Captain Morgan style...kinda.

The PIKE bros and the Theta girls...and me pointing.

In the slums of Los Guidos. A work site that changes you.

One of the oldest Catholic churches in Costa Rica- Iglesia Coronado.

This takes me back to my Catholic days.

Areas in San Jose stricken by a recent massive earthquake.
I hope to be working with relief and construction in these areas next year with Strong Missions.

The Strong Missions team. Charlie, Becca, and...

Mi Jefe

At Volcan Poas... hot stuff indeed.

Firewood Dried Bananas...i passed on trying them LOL.

La Segunda Semana

Week 2 of my missions trip in Costa Rica.
Another week has gone by. And so much has happened.

I have been seeing that the Lord has been guiding my decisions and direction in life...
He is like the ultimate romantic who pulls you his way when you just take a step to follow Him with an open and desiring heart.

Change. Transformation. Passion. Insight.

The Holy Spirit has started all these things in this past week.
Through working hard long days at construction sites, serving with all I got, and having random conversations with people during time away from the noise of the city, I have heard God's voice that whispers where He wants me.
There have not been many times in my life where I was 100% positive that I was exactly where I needed to be and no where else doing something else...
being here in San Jose, I am at peace.
I love what I am doing and have been experiencing the peaceful pura vida that God has blessed me with and that He wants us all to have.

And so I will continue to move forward. I will keep on working and serving.
I see the beautiful light of the abundant life that is built on Faith in Christ and I will chase after it. NO WAY can I go anywhere else when I am being called to take a leap forward beyond my sight. I know my passion is Christ...I don't want anything else but for more of Him in my life. To lead me in the true path for my life...


¨But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ¨

-PHIL3:7&8


*Well...looks like that International Business degree will actually come in handy...LOL.


_Random Stuff_

- the movie, UP, good movie tho it was dubbed in Spanish. But it revolved around a couple wanting to travel to South America- WORD. That earns my vote of approval.

- taking coffee breaks to the panaderia with Ben, Sara, and Becca makes the day much easier to get through...crap, I have become more and more of a coffee drinker here...merr.

- keeping touch with friends in the states is a blessing, even if they just came home from the gym or watching recorded tv shows.

¡Fotos De Viaje!

Facebook photo uploader- failed.

Luckily Blogger makes it happen.

Well here are some picture of time spent with my favorite missions church group from Houston, Texas. I seriously love and respect all of these guys and girls who have hearts to love and serve the Lord that I dont see enough of.

The couple in the third picture, Ben and Sara, though arent part of the group but they are currently my favorite young married couple that I know.

Traveling with your wife... I hope to experience that someday.

The last 3 pics are random examples of what I have been putting into my stomach while here... so far no speewing illness cuz of food poisoning...thank God.

More to come soon in Week #2.

Much Love and Respect.