Just Keep Swimming

Do you ever feel that sometimes you were dropped into the ocean? You look around and there is nothing but miles and miles of water. You know that in order to survive you must start swimming to protect yourself from dangers that lie in the sea. At first, the swimming seems easy but after hours of swimming you are extremely tired and exhausted. You look around and there seems to be no hope, you feel like you have made no progress and it seems that you have a way to go before you reach the shore. You think I can't do this anymore and might perhaps feel that it may be easier to just sink than it is to swim. However this is the time you need to just keep swimming and give it everything you got. Yes, it is exhausting and at times may even be painful, but everything that you are feeling now will be worth it!  Not only will you have reached the shore but you will also discover that you were given strength to swim!

I know that at times in our life we will face trials and hardships,we feel like giving up but that is where faith comes in. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." You may not be able to see the shore at the moment but keep the faith and just keep swimming!

Happy Birthday Danielle

Happy 17th Birthday Danielle!

I am so thankful that God put you into my life. He knew that I would need you. It has been a blessing seeing you mature from a little girl to a beautiful young lady. From Barney, Winnie the Pooh, horses and cowgirls to Japan, anime, writing and hanging out with friends. We have had many great memories so far and I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have together in the future! My favorite memory of us, hmm, let me think! There are so many! So I'll guess I will just name a few! ;) Remember that wonderful delicious healthy dinner we have while it was just you, me and Luke at the house when my parents where in Hawaii? A nice big homemade waffle topped with ice cream, doughnuts, oreos, m&ms and whipped cream! ;) So yummy! Well until our tummies got upset! Did I ever apologize for the time I accidentally hit the game controller on your head? If not, I am really sorry! LOL. The moment we went to Uncle Devery's house and we had grapefruit and while Grandma was napping we poured sugar on it to get rid of the bitter taste! Sitting in my small bathroom, holding each other and crying, giving each other comfort and encouragement because we both were facing some hard times. Girl, I could go on and on about my favorite memories, but then it would be your 18th birthday before this video would be done!

Danielle, "you were meant to be touching the lives that you touch and meant to be here making this world so much more than it would be without you in it. You were meant to be bringing the gifts that you bring and singing the songs you've been giving to sing. You are perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully meant to be, you were meant to be." "You're a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds and you're covered with the fingerprints of God." "A beautiful life is unfolding before my eyes, just like the sun you'll rise to fill the empty sky, so shine!" Danielle, "my wish for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, yeah, this is my wish." "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. I hope you dance."

I believe with all of my heart that God has wonderful plans for your future. I hope that all of your dreams come true and that God blesses you more than you can imagine. Oh, and when you move to Japan and get your dream job, please buy a house that has an extra bedroom! Lucy can't be thousands of miles away from her Ethel!

One of the many things I admire about you is your heart! You have a heart of gold. You are kind, considerate, honest, sweet, funny, loving, genuine and respectful. You are a rare treasure! You are a real prize! You are a Proverbs 31 woman! You are also courageous, noble, creative, smart, loyal, trust-worthy, passionate and real. Another thing that I admire is that you have many dreams and aspirations and even now are working extremely hard to make those dreams become reality! You are beautiful! There could never be a more beautiful you. No matter how far apart in life we are, I will always have your back.

             So Danielle, I hope that you have a very blessed and wonderful day! I love you!

The Book of Ruth

Ever read a book of the Bible and thought you knew the whole story, but then you "discovered" a new verse? I did, and it brought joy to my heart tonight! And it just so happens I was reading one of the top books in the Bible and that is the book of Ruth!

The verses that God spoke to me were found in : Ruth 2:10, Ruth 2:12,  Ruth 2:13, Ruth 2:19, Ruth 3:9, Ruth 3:10-11 and Ruth 4:14-15.

Ruth 2:10 says, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me - a foreigner?"

Ruth 2:12 says, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have to take refuge."

Ruth 2:13 says, "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord.", she said. "You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant - though I do not have the standing of one of your servants."

Ruth 2:19 says, "Her mother-in-law asked her, Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!"

Ruth 3:9 says, "Spread the corner of your garmet over me since you are a guardian redeemer of our family."

Ruth 3:10-11 says, "The LORD bless you, my daughter, he replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the perople of my town know that you are a woman of noble character."

Ruth 4:14-15 says, "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian redeemer. May he be come famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Wow, I am very honored to share a name with such a humble beautiful woman of the Bible! Why do I love this book? One of the reasons is that Boaz is the guardian-redeemer in his family. When Ruth asks him why would he find favor in the eyes of a foreigner, it reminded me of Jesus! He is our Guardian-Redeemer! When we were sinners or "foreigners", He found favor in each and everyone of us! When Ruth also asked Boaz to "spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer", that reminded me of why Jesus came! He came to die and to cover us with His blood and grace. Ruth also tells Naomi, that her guardian-redeemer "will renew your life and sustain you in your old age." Jesus came to renew and give us life and to strengthen us!

Also another reason why I love the book of Ruth, is that to me it honors purity. Boaz tells Ruth, "This kindness is greater than that which you showered earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character." Ruth wasn't running and hunting down guys, instead she was waiting on God to bring him to her. She was trusting God to write her love story. Because she kept pure and trusted God, she was know as the woman of noble character! In the Message version of the Bible, it says, she was known for being a courageous woman-a real prize! The love Boaz had for Ruth was so true, genuine and beautiful!

Girls, be a Ruth! Be a woman of noble character! Let God write your love story! Wait for your Boaz so that you can experience the true love that was meant for you and you alone!

A Thankful Heart

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalms 107:1

I hope you all had a great and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. We have so much to be thankful for! I am thankful for Jesus, family, friends, laughter, food, running water, electricity, shoes, clothes, jobs, and so much more! I had a great day! Ate yummy food, drank Cheerwine (this may be better than Dr. Pepper!), took family portraits, laughed, talked and just had a good time being surrounded by loved ones! A real treat was seeing my cousin Landon for the first time since he left for China in early January! Be blessed!

Waiting For Him

"When you know God has set an anointed time, you can enter into rest. You don't need to worry about finding the right one."

I heard that quote last Sunday (October 7th, 2012) and it was just an eye opener! When I heard that quote, I began to read Scripture and see what God says about a set time. In Habbukah 2:3 it says, "The vision is for an appointed time. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely come."

I know that many young women get all caught up in searching for the right guy or worry if they will ever find true love. I strongly believe that if you have the desire to get married that God has the perfect man out there for you! Just wait for His perfect timing! Spend time and fall in love with Jesus, your true Prince! I encourage you to now to pray for your future husband. Pray for his protection and strength so that he won't be tempted to give pieces of his heart away! Pray that God blesses him and gives him favor!

If you are with a guy right now, ask yourself this, "Is he someone I would want to be married to for the rest of my life?" If you are thinking no or aren't quite sure, you should let him go, he probably isn't the one that God created for you. "Let go of your Ishmael and your Isaac will come!"

"Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right." - Song of Solomon 8:4! Girls, don't date a guy just because all of your friends have boyfriends or you happen to find a guy to be attractive or are desperate. Don't rush into a relationship, don't awaken love, it may not be the right time! Right now your "Adam" is sleeping. Right now your "Boaz" is waiting!

So now while you are waiting for your prince charming or knight in shining armor; make a list of characteristics you want in your future husband!

I, personally, have a huge list! Listed below are a few things on my list that I am searching for in my future husband! What is on your list?

He must be a Christian and love God with all of his heart.

He must love me. He needs to respect and be “sensitive” to my feelings.

He also must respect and love his future in-laws (or in-loves as what my family would say).

Be romantic. Take me out on dates and randomly surprise me with flowers, candles, chocolate or hand-written letter. (Also he must remember all those special dates!)

Be mission-minded. Be willing to serve others. (However make sure he doesn’t miss out on his own family’s lives.)

Be adventurous! Likes to try new things! Likes to travel! (or develop a love for traveling)

Be a hard worker. Find creative ways to save/earn extra money. However he must not be a cheapo!

Funny. I need a guy that will have the ability to make me laugh no matter how I feel.

Love children. (I want our future kids to look up to him.)

The next thing I list is really important to me. I want him to be a virgin. I want his heart to be pure! ( a bonus would be if he is too saving his first kiss for our wedding day!)

Slow to anger. If I do something to tick him off, I don’t want him to blow up.

Gracious and forgiving heart. Forgive those who have treated him wrong.

I want a guy that doesn’t drink alcohol, smoke or party.

Good looking! I need to be with someone I find attractive: both physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Encouraging Lips! I need a guy who know gives me the right words at the same time. Always encouraging me.

Full of joy! I want my husband to always have a smile on his lips and shine in his eyes! I want people to see Jesus in him!

Devotions and Praise! I want him and I to be eager to learn more about God! I want us to have a set time where we both do devotions and worship God.

Honest. I need him to be open with me.

Faithful. I need him to be faithful!

Strength. That he would be strong in his faith, when we face hard situations.

That he would have an inner gentleness.

That he is a leader, a courageous leader. Standing up for the truth.

Compassionate. Helping those who are hurting and being compassionate to those who have hurt him.

Now I know a lot of you are saying well good luck finding a guy with all those character traits but you know what even if he doesn't I know God has guy out there who is the perfect match and I will love him wholeheartedly! Love never fails!



Mission Trips

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15

I love mission trips. I love meeting different people around the world. I love sharing my testimony and pouring into different people lives as they pour back into my own life. As a Christian, I believe that God has called each Christian to do missions. You may not be called to be a long-term missionary to a different country, but you are called to missions. I believe missions is about being the body of Christ! Sharing the gospel, reaching out and showing hope to the lost, helping people reach their full potential in life, healing those who are sick, feeding the hungry, remembering the ones who feel like they have been forgotten, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the homeless, loving on the orphans, playing with children and so much more! Right now you are a missionary,you start in your own community!

I have been on two international mission trips so far, my first mission trip was to Honduras (April 2011) and my second mission trip was to Nicaragua (July 2012). I think it is important that you go on at least one mission trip in your lifespan because it opens your eye to how most of the world lives. Not only are you going there to help change these people lives, these trips change your life as well!

Watch the video below to see a little preview of my trips to Honduras and Nicaragua!