21 things.

One year goes by in a blink of an eye.

November comes by--I blinked with both eyes.

Two years already?

To my Diamond Lady,

I am so glad that...

1. You lived
2. You gave
3. You loved
4. You prayed
5. You disciplined
6. You corrected
7. You forgave
8. You apologized
9. You listened
10. You laughed
11. You cried
12. You cooked
13. You learned
14. You taught
15. You read
16. You followed
17. You lead
18. You fought
19. You dreamt
20. You encouraged
21. You cared

We, your children, arise and still call you blessed. And our father, still praises you.

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Proverbs 31:29

You were the best!

Encouragement and praise...have the power to change a life and that life may in turn change others.

-Posted on her FB Wall April 9, 2009

Craving Coffee & Company.

Since Sunday night I've been craving coffee & company. The company, I can understand...but coffee? Liana the tea drinker...wants coffee?!

Yes.

 An unfamiliar desire, but perhaps that's a part of my growing up a little more this year. A cup of tea is loveliest, even if coffee can taste like hot cocoa.

Three nights later, along comes Wednesday, bringing me company! Some of my oldest and dearest friends came...books! For some it may seem strange, but I find that some of my wisest friends come from distant lands or are found in the words of those now long gone. When I was young, sometimes my Mom and I would go to coffee shops to read, she was an avid coffee drinker until tea became her preferred choice. 

As you know, my parents are big dreamers and great readers. Now, the particular book is quite dear to my heart. You see, my friend, John Manalo (nothalfhearted), passed away in May 2011, 6 months before my Mom did. The year prior, he had left for a school in Texas after reading The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. My parents lent him that book. The very same book I was reading tonight. He was a big dreamer too.

The parable is about a young man named, Ordinary, who leaves the land of familiar in pursuit of his Big Dream. The same type of Big Dream that beats in everyone's heart--even if they feel like they've lost it along the way.

As I read, it was not long before I began to weep. After almost two long years, we finally found the quote for her headstone.

Excerpt from the Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson 

One day, Ordinary came across a Wounded Warrior lying on a quiet hill.
Ordinary dropped by her side. "How can I help you?" he asked.
"My wounds are too many and great," she said. "This will be my dying place."
~~~
Ordinary's heart broke. "But why would the Dream Giver let you be defeated?" Ordinary asked. "You've come so far. You have to finish your Big Dream!"
She had no reply.
Night fell. The Wounded Warrior grew weaker. Finally, in the darkness, she said, "Tell me the Name of your Dream."
After Ordinary did, the Warrior was quiet for a time. Then she spoke, "That is the Name of my Dream, also," she said. "I fought Giants ahead of you. You will fight more after me. But we have the same Big Dream." 

In the first light of dawn, she spoke for the last time.
"Death is not defeat," she whispered. "It is my victory." 

That morning, Ordinary buried his Warrior friend on the hilltop. Then he sat for a long time, looking across the hills and valleys. He thought about the Warrior's life, and about her death. He thought about her dying words. And he became certain that he would not have gotten this far on the path to his Dream if his friend had not gone before him. 

Finally, Ordinary took his white long feather and wrote the Truth on her headstone:

Here lies a Mighty Warrior.

She finished her Dream. 

chasing dreams

Life is one big journey, but I just can't wait to reach my destination. Impatient, just a little? Maybe, yes. But I'd rather struggle and work to get where I need to be rather than sit at home living comfortably with no forward movement. My mom not only taught me that by her words, but led by example. Everything is slowly becoming clearer to me as I struggle to find out who I am and which route I want to take. I'm definitely not living my dream, 'cause I'm still chasing them. This city is my current land of opportunity: San Francisco. But it's not all some fantasy or fun and games - you can clearly see it on the streets. It's going to be tough & I'll be exposing myself to reality. Though I was scared, I'm ready now. I'm ready to go back to school and take whatever opportunities lie before me full on. My mom was the one who got me enrolled into school despite lack of means at the time, but she did it and laid a foundation before me... now it's my turn to complete whatever she started and set an example as a role model to whoever I encounter - sisters, family, friends, peers...

Lately, it's been very tough for me trying to live on my own but I'll never give up on a dream 'cause it may never come around again. I know at this point I would love my mother's comfort & support to encourage me to keep going - but in my laugh & my sisters smiles, I still keep pieces of her close. That's why I still do what I do.

Blood, sweat, and plenty of tears, I'll make it. Her work is never in vain 'cause she believed in every ounce of me.

- Desiree A. Seisa

Photographs, recordings, and lots of captured memories... her voice is like hearing an old favorite song.

What an eventful year it's been, and it's only April! Incredibly thankful & blessed for all that this year has brought upon. A series of changes and life events - but what can I say? Reality hits us quick; sometimes, it doesn't even feel like we have time to stop and smell the roses. I'm really experiencing for myself what it's like to live in the moment and fully enjoy the days that God's given - Every new day is a journey in itself. I never know what it's going to bring, but I enjoy it more this way. Although sometimes hectic and stressful, there's just something about it that keeps me on my toes and excited, curious, anxious for whatever comes next.

Future goals, accomplishments, and dreams are soon to be listed...stay tuned. Expect miracles.

Hello April!

1009: Focus more on your dreams that your doubts.

thingsweforget.blogspot.com

Just something I would've shared with my Mom, but I now share with you. (:

There's something about these spring time flowers...

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11 

"For the lady in purple" / taken 2/22/13 by das

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!

O Lord, I would crave more and more to put on love like a garment, that in my contact with men that is what they will most lastingly recognise. 
– Oswald Chambers, from Knocking at God’s Door

It's something I think my Mom would say--and people would say they recognized in her. 

for what it's worth

For the past few years, I have been bombarded by challenges, constant changes in my personal/family/work life. I’ve been humbled and broken down by the good Lord’s disciplinary actions and guidance through the Holy Spirit and also come close to becoming numb about my growth and spiritual walk with Him. One thing that strikes me the most though in my whole walk is.. my mind and the ways I tend to compare myself to individuals whether be those brothers and sisters in Christ OR to even those brother and sisters whom are still lost and in love with the world. Some may ponder, “but we all compare sometimes Aaron.” Lately, I’ve come to realization that my self-comparison to others has become an unseen obsession/depression. Just to make things simple and not complicate my point I’ve listed some things I tend to compare

1. outward appearance 2. stage in life/maturity in Christ 3. skill in the worship team (drums/guitar/vocals/leading) 4. monetary issues/status 5. wants/provisions/allowance/the world

The Lord has not commanded us to look good, or in our case buy the most expensive stuff, mold our bodies to similarly look like the models in the media (who by the way majority ONLY look like that during the shoot from starving themselves), be in tune with the latest worldly fashion/trends. The Lord commands us to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands.” – 1Thess4:11 NIV 1984, as well as "your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." - 1Pet3:3-4

Everyone’s walk is different correct? God has a specific blueprint for our lives, each going our own way different from another. My walk will NEVER be the same as another, possibly similar aspects or stages but NEVER exactly the same. For those searching for God’s purpose in their lives, I will say this, you will NOT find it unless you have repented of your sins, turned to Christ for salvation, and committed yourself to not just believing (even the demons believe in Christ and shudder. James 2:19) but obeying and following. I type as if it’s easy peasy lemon squeezy but the Apostle Paul even gives himself as an example that even being in Christ, the flesh will take over, the sin takes over. For the things Paul wants to do he cannot but the evil he does NOT want to do he does, for his body and spirit are always in warfare (Rom7:19). Even the Apostle Paul had difficulty continuously obeying the Lord Jesus. So who am I to compare myself to those more mature than me. There is not one sinner who is holier than another sinner.

As for the worship team, let’s just say that my skill are not where I would like them to be. The Lord has blessed me with gifts to use in order to serve Him (in my church/bible studies etc.), but even with this, I have realized that I’ve been in want (we shouldn’t be according to Ps23), I’ve looked at other worship leaders, drummers (when I was still drumming), and guitarist and said to myself, “why couldn’t I be like them, play as well as them, be blessed as them?” My thoughts should not matter for His ways and His thoughts are higher, and if my skill is to stay where they are, I know and continue to pray that God hones my abilities not for myself but so that I may be more effective only through Jesus Christ in leading the lost to Him.

Money. Everyone needs more. Everyone wants more, we can always “think” we need more when we shouldn’t be worried about gathering what moths and insects can destroy, thieves can steal but we should be storing up treasures in heaven where moth and rust, thieves cannot ruin or steal (Matt 6:19-20). Why should I even worry about my status when I already serve the God of the universe, the God of Jacob, the God who allowed Nehemiah to break down the walls of Jericho, the great God who sent His only Son (Himself actually, a topic for another day) in human form to translate, relay, AND display His love for us through the Cross. The Lord will provide for me (Ps111:5)for He has fed even the cattle and livestock (Ps147:9). Why should I worry?!

Last for tonight. What do I mean by #5? I mean that I too despite the fact that I am a bond-servant of the Lord, I too like Paul wage war with my spirit and body, always being tempted. I found as I got older it’s more difficult to avoid indulging in drinking , wanting to mark my body with tattoos, hang out with a secular crowd, think impure thoughts, see impure things, want impure things, more or less do things that would shame the name of Christ. My heart aches when I think about things I’ve done to a God who has poured out all for someone like me a liar/adulterer/etc, a sinner. Plain and simple, a sinner.

I may say all these things tonight. And I know judgment comes my way whether I chose to do what the Lord commands or fall for what my fleshly desires are. Just because I have received the “gift” of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, does not mean I also go out and abuse my salvation as a license to sin (read Jude 1:4 NIV 1984). At the same time when I do sin, I must realize too that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom3:23) continuously. Nor can or should I water down the standard of Christ for my own comfort and lifestyle but should pursue righteousness always regardless of the eyes that see me or don’t see me.

Some may wonder why I write something like this? New Year? Revelation? Trying to get attention?

I figure that I’d write this because these are the things I would talk to Auntie Agnes about… my walk. And I’m sure there are plenty readers/family members/ friends who have done the same. I’m just doing what I know the Lord and Auntie Agnes would want me to do, make my life transparent, a see through glass that leads to the grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love of Christ.

Not only will I pray for myself but ask for your prayers brothers and sisters as I will pray for those who suffer the same way or similar ways I am and I have.

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14

- aaron