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Monday, December 14, 2009

Friendships

I've learned so much in these recent years about how precious friendships are. Best of all, that they're all orchestrated by God to mold us, shape us, encourage us, make us laugh, lean on when we cry or feel low. There are friendships that endure from the highest peaks to the lowest valleys, and yet come out even stronger. Then, there are friendships that are more like acquaintances. Acquaintance ARE just as important, like a dash of salt and pepper to make your life more flavorful and diverse.

Looking back even to my childhood, I remember having "friends" that caused harm than good to my emotions to perhaps make themselves feel more important. I know it's caused me to be more skeptical and more cautious in what I share to others, and barriers went up to protect me. Only a few people were willing to break through it and became my bestfriends I could trust. Of course, the Lord had more friends lined up, and He was ready to break down that barrier and open His floodgates of blessings through my friends. I received more endearing friends in Nursing School, at church, and other areas in my life. Jesus has blessed me with so many friends in SD and in ATX (Austin, TX), and has reminded me He's still totally in control, and not done GIVING. There have been times I desired to be friends with some, but He's kept them as acquaintances. And, some have been unexpected surprises, that have been encouraging and persistent in breaking that safety shell I still occasionally put up.

Some of you may think that I give God way too much credit in my friendships I have now, but to me, each of you are such a blessing to me, and have come into my life at divine moments that it's hard NOT to give Him credit. He knows me more than I know myself. He knows what I need: the Encouragers, Challengers, the Support, laughters, Comforters, and Leaning Posts that He can work through to shape me into the Godly Woman He knows I am, and capable to be. I'd say He planned every introductions of my friends I had, have now, and will have in the future. Even my acquaintances that I may see on occasion, but wonderful see, chat, and even just receive a hug from for that moment.



"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls,
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lies down together, they will keep him warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
Two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecc 4:9-12
So far, I've lost 2 important journal that had a lot I wanted to post on my blog, but been procrastinating on getting that done. I've decided to be a little more diligent on posting my thoughts in case I'm an idiot, and I lose my journal again. At least, you won't have to wait for another 11 months to hear from me. ;D

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Trip to San Diego is just as fun as being there.

My flight wasn't as "adventurous" as my friend Jen's is. Then again, things that happen to her don't usually happen to normal people, and she's extraordinary.

I sat next to this lady that was reading "The Shack." She's at the beginning of the book, so I had to try REALLY hard not to give away my favorite scenes! She's on her way to see her son graduate from Marine boot camp, and hasn't seen him since he left over 3 months ago. Just listening to her, and seeing how excited she is going to see her son, I started picturing her running onto the marching field to hug and smooch her "boy", and maybe give a squeeze to his cheeks. To all my military family and friends, did your mom embarrass you on the marching field when she saw you? :-)

For 13 weeks, the military have trained and molded these boys to fighting men, and then in one day Mom can tear that down to her baby boy again. The final and ultimate test to see if the training stuck.

That's just righteous!

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Austin's way of ringing in the New Year.

Last year on New Years Eve, I celebrated the new year(2008) by staying home with a fireplace, S'mores, and Bourne Trilogy. This Year (well, now last year), I celebrated the New Year on a Party Barge!! My church was doing a fundraiser for a group we're sending to Egypt by inviting 140 people on a barge to ring in the new year and chat with the ladies headed for Egypt.

It started mildly when my friends and I boarded the boat, and saw a lot of friends I haven't seen for a great while. Since our church is getting big with 4 different services, I haven't seen a lot of my friends so it was great to catch up last night. The Barge is a two story boat, with the outside deck as the 2nd floor. What made it extraordinary were my amazing friends Char, Emily, Wendy, Jen, Tracy, Heather, and Dana altogether, and I've been in stitches throughout the whole night that my sides hurt from laughing so hard. I wish I could put down all the details on this blog, but there's too much.

Later, we disembarked to watch the fireworks at Auditorium Shores, where the city built a wooden clock to represent the Year 2008 just to set it on fire. I guess it's an art expression of making room for the new year. Earlier, as we drove by it to the party, we watched the blazing clock while we were on the Riverside Dr. parking lot(Everyone driving decided to stop in the middle of the street to watch) By the time we got back to the Auditorium Shores, the clock was reduced to a small bonfire in the middle of the park.

At midnight, the fireworks began, and kept on going that we looked at each other asking if it was over yet. Quite a few times they had a barage of fireworks that appeared to be the finale, but it kept on going. By the time the real finale came, and we were cheering that it was finally over.

This has been an awesome end of the year for me, as in the last 2 months. Surrounded by loving friends and church family, I can truly say I've been truly blessed in 2008.