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.