WOW its been over 7 years since I went college hunting and looking back I realize I had NO control over where I went to school. Sure my parents let me pick to a certain extent and sure I got to go all over the place for college preview days but still in the end I didn't go to my favorite school. If I would have the money I would have headed straight to The Master's College in Santa Clarita, Ca. It was beautiful and had the feeling of home. Jesus had another idea....he dragged me to Concordia University in Irvine (who happened to offer me a lot of scholarship money) Up until the day I got there, it felt like I was settling, but knew I would be there all 4 years no matter what. Well it was the most amazing 4 years of my life so far. There were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I wouldn't be who I am today if Jesus wouldn't have dragged me by my feet to that lovely campus on the hill. I met my best friends, got the best education, and had great life changing experiences.
Well today I get to embark on the college hunting journey with my "little sister" (my neighbor, Emily). I am taking her and her sister up to Northern California for 4 days of fun, adventure and college tours. Emily is a sophomore but is setting her eyes on finding the right college sooner rather than later. My sister, Danyale, goes to Sonoma State in Rohnert Park so we are staying with her, which the girls are super excited about. Its going to be an adventure of memories, laughs, and learning. I'm super stoked to be able to have an opportunity to shed some college light and joy into the lives of a younger generation. My college career was guided by a great mentor, friend and family member (my cousin). And just as she encouraged me, stretched me, and even helped me with the occasional essays, I hope to do the same for my "little sisters/neighbors" So here we go...a 1 hour plane ride, a 1 hour car ride and we'll be on our way to Berkeley and then Sonoma =)
wish me luck =)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Reflection
Reflection.
This word means so much and has so much weight attached that I often find myself avoiding it like the plague. I'm a deep thinker, and processor but not an intentional reflector. Today however I found myself spending a lot of time with Jesus reflecting. For the first time in a while I had a full day off with no responsibilities. Normally a day off for me means running errands and doing favors for family or friends, like picking up neighbors from school, or putting in some hours at other job places but today was much different. I started by reading the book of Philemon which is all about conflict resolution. Let me just say it was incredible! My eyes were really open to an inner conflict I've been having with myself that I didn't think was a big deal. Turns out it really has been effecting me and my attitude towards people. So I've spent the day reflecting on the words of Paul and how I can change my heart to reflect Jesus. During this time I took a little trip to the Irvine Spectrum to purchase a new pair of TOMS (i ended up buying 2 pairs). The Spectrum is an interesting place, filled with searchers. Searchers, seeking the perfect pair of jeans, the perfect afternoon snack, the perfect significant other and perhaps the perfect puzzle piece to their broken heart. While there today I found some boys searching for help to save our ever changing and diminishing world. They are part of the organization called Green Peace and they are passionate about our world. Now I'm not a "green" person but I do believe in helping our earth, so I stood there and listened while they poured out their passion and then I shared my passion. I told them I would donate to their cause but I also told them that it was because I believe Jesus doesn't want our world diminish before he comes. He wants the rain forest to stay health. Homes should not be taking over our jungles. I also believe creation SHOUTS praises to Jesus and that is just why I love the rain forest, the jungles, the diversity of people in this world. So as a reflection day I thought about these boys and their passion and how my passion for Christ could unite with theirs...which means maybe I'll go to one of their meetings and check it out. Maybe I'll volunteer to help them clean some beaches or do other service projects and then hopefully I'll be able to truly share Jesus with them. Anyways I kind of digress.
After reflecting and spending time with Jesus I was brought to my knees in awe. this past month I have been richly blessed. Not in money or in time but in passion. I am seeing my passion come alive and be used in my job. My heart is overflowing as I watch people turn to Jesus and in that my inner conflict is being resolved. I wrestle with doing what God wants in my life vs what I want but I realized today what I want is what God wants. I want hurting people to be healed. I want the lost to be saved. I want poverty to end. My heart of the people of Guatemala is still heavy and so is God's. He wants those people to have homes and hearts that beat for Him.
Reflection: powerful, meaningful, needed in my life!
This word means so much and has so much weight attached that I often find myself avoiding it like the plague. I'm a deep thinker, and processor but not an intentional reflector. Today however I found myself spending a lot of time with Jesus reflecting. For the first time in a while I had a full day off with no responsibilities. Normally a day off for me means running errands and doing favors for family or friends, like picking up neighbors from school, or putting in some hours at other job places but today was much different. I started by reading the book of Philemon which is all about conflict resolution. Let me just say it was incredible! My eyes were really open to an inner conflict I've been having with myself that I didn't think was a big deal. Turns out it really has been effecting me and my attitude towards people. So I've spent the day reflecting on the words of Paul and how I can change my heart to reflect Jesus. During this time I took a little trip to the Irvine Spectrum to purchase a new pair of TOMS (i ended up buying 2 pairs). The Spectrum is an interesting place, filled with searchers. Searchers, seeking the perfect pair of jeans, the perfect afternoon snack, the perfect significant other and perhaps the perfect puzzle piece to their broken heart. While there today I found some boys searching for help to save our ever changing and diminishing world. They are part of the organization called Green Peace and they are passionate about our world. Now I'm not a "green" person but I do believe in helping our earth, so I stood there and listened while they poured out their passion and then I shared my passion. I told them I would donate to their cause but I also told them that it was because I believe Jesus doesn't want our world diminish before he comes. He wants the rain forest to stay health. Homes should not be taking over our jungles. I also believe creation SHOUTS praises to Jesus and that is just why I love the rain forest, the jungles, the diversity of people in this world. So as a reflection day I thought about these boys and their passion and how my passion for Christ could unite with theirs...which means maybe I'll go to one of their meetings and check it out. Maybe I'll volunteer to help them clean some beaches or do other service projects and then hopefully I'll be able to truly share Jesus with them. Anyways I kind of digress.
After reflecting and spending time with Jesus I was brought to my knees in awe. this past month I have been richly blessed. Not in money or in time but in passion. I am seeing my passion come alive and be used in my job. My heart is overflowing as I watch people turn to Jesus and in that my inner conflict is being resolved. I wrestle with doing what God wants in my life vs what I want but I realized today what I want is what God wants. I want hurting people to be healed. I want the lost to be saved. I want poverty to end. My heart of the people of Guatemala is still heavy and so is God's. He wants those people to have homes and hearts that beat for Him.
Reflection: powerful, meaningful, needed in my life!
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