daddy's little girl ( :

Christmas time... i loved presents : P

of course we knew how to eat!! : D

he could always carry both of us... DUH he was the strongest man in the world ( :

My daddy has been working out in our yard ever since we moved to this new location about 4 years ago. And when I say yard I mean 5 acres of land in the middle of nowhere where we have HUGE pine trees, etc. His goal is to clear out these HUGE trees so that eventually my parents can move out of their tiny little place and into their settlement home that they will eventually design and build.

So anyways, when I would come home for break I would always go out for one of those days to help my dad (and I couldnt do much other than gather little things, etc.), but I would spend time with him each visit and make it a point to help him with what I could do.
Since, I am now living with my parents I am able to go out more often.

Yesterday, I came home early, grabbed a bite to eat and went out to help him clear some land. In those moments my dad and I always share things here and there and its our father, daughter time where I connect and just get to know my daddy. For some reason yesterday as I saw my father working I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such a loving father. And I began reflecting back on my childhood days when I thought the world of him.

He was my hero and nothing could stop him. He was the smartest, strongest, hard working, loving guy in the world. 

Smartest because: I asked why for everything and in my mind he always had the right answer!

Strongest because: He could lift me up with one arm (and I asked for this quite frequently to be amazed by his strength : ). I remember my father being away every now and again for work. In first grade he was away for at least a year for the dessert storm and I remember the difference in the atmosphere of my home with and without my father's presence. His presence alone assured me that nothing bad could ever happen!

Hard working because: He was in the army and he trained hard! He would help out at home and he always had time to make me pancake, egg, and bacon breakfasts upon request and on weekend mornings.
.
Loving because: I always knew my father loved me, esp when he would give/buy me sweets when my mom was so strict and wouldnt. Or when he'd tell me to wear extra clothes when I was going to be spanked if I got anything lower than an A+. LOL! Just kidding! Whether we played board games, he helped me with my studies, the way he served me, his big daddy hugs, or just the way my father looked at me. I just knew my daddy would do anything for me because I KNEW he loved me based on the consistent ways he showed and affirmed this love.

So yes, yesterday I started to think back on the way I saw my father as a little girl and I began to calculate the years. I've known my father for 28 years nows. He had me when he was 23 and so I've know him for more than half of his life. We talked about time flying by, his marriage to my mom, his purpose in life, when I was a little girl, etc.

I'm still daddy's little girl. Of course I'm much older and I see ALL his flaws... ahahaha. But yesterday, I was reminded of why I love my daddy and why as a little girl I thought the world of my father. : D.

 <3

INCEPTION.

It's been 7 years since I lived in Washington state and after visiting twice a year for the past 7 years, I felt that same, old, "visitor" feeling when I arrived back at "home" on July 30th.

The first week everything was surreal for me. I knew in my mind that I moved back to Washington and this wasn't just a visit, but because I'm a creature of habit and I had been moving from apt to apt every year for the past 7 years, and I have been traveling to Washington twice a year for the past 7 years, I couldn't shake this feeling in my heart that THIS was just another visit.

It wasn't until a couple of days ago that it hit me that I had MOVED here. 

This isn't just a visit... this is for good.

I know it'll take much time to transition into a new location, but with everything being so new I've been longing more for what I know to be comfortable. I KNOW I'm a creature of comfort. Don't get me wrong, my friends can vouch for me in saying that I LOVE adventures and new experiences, but I also enjoy the familiar especially when it comes to people/friends/community/family. I love the comfort of really knowing a person and them knowing me, so the fact that I have to begin anew with this area in my life affects me the most.

Sadly, as I read back on this post, I see that I'm not that excited to be back in this state, but as one friend once said to me after a traumatic car accident. I'm resilient... and yes I am... but sometimes, it's just nice to lean, depend, and not have to be so resilient. And unfortunately, because I'm an adult and have much to take care of, that time is NOT now. Boo~ LOL!

Inception- according to dictionary.com, its a noun and means beginning, start, and commencement. 

And that's exactly what this chapter in my life is. It's a commencement for all that I have gone through in my past and as I move forward, may I apply all that I have learned to the beginning of new experiences and the start of my new life.

So I guess to be optimistic its Cheers to Inceptions!

Quotes from a book I am reading...=D

"Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Peace is that tangible presence of a relaxed, confident feeling a person experiences when everything is right (even when things are not right)."

"Thankfulness is how you think; joy is the abundance it produces."

"Live with thanksgiving, forgiveness, and joy, and enjoy all your moments as if they were your last. Someday, soon enough, they will be."

Too long since I last blogged and too much to blog about when I need to sleep. Ahahaha I have been reading a few books these days and these were some quotes out of one. These particular quotes are from a book about women...ahahaha. But yeah...I liked then lots so I wanted to share.

Anyways...Texas is HOT. Church planting is an amazing experience that is both hard and full of joy. And being 26 is lovely...Im learning lots about myself and others and realizing more and more how great getting older is...but also how complicated things can get as well =D.

Cant believe that we are already at the half-way marker of 2009...man time flies...it really does...

Cheers to Life... and Love of course...=D

peace...

OMG...hello blog! =D

Its been about 3 months since my last post and dang I do not know where all the time goes. Ahahaha if anyone even remembers that I have a blog...

I think I will take away from my blogging that Id definitely rather sit and talk with people about the various going ons in my life then write about it!! =D

So yes yes, lately I have been challenged by God to learn again and again to trust in all of His ways, for he truly does want whats best in my life. A couple of months ago, I experienced for the first time EVER in my life to fully surrender. I mean FULLY. I had this amazing peace in my heart that not matter what, where, or when, I will be okay as long as I love the Lord.

Ahahahaa...its quite funny to me at times when I see the fickleness of my own heart. Because of course that peace is still in my heart...but I definitely experience moments of doubt because of the various areas of uncertainty in my life. But one thing that I am thankful for at the time, is that I know God is growing me. Because in the past when I did go through hardships or uncertainty, I really questioned what God was doing. 

But now I see that God really does love me. He loves me enough to challenge me in my weaknesses...it hasnt been easy and to be quite honest this is just the beginning so who knows what I will go through in the future...with future grips or doubts...etc...

But for now...

Philippians 4:7

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."