As of now..

I’m stuck in this uncomfortable transition from hitting “rock-bottom” to getting back up and climbing to the top. Learned so much these past 5 or 6 months of losing a mom. I feel like I went from a child’s mindset to a young adult’s in a matter of seconds. I guess that’s what losing someone does to you. It wakes you up to the harsh realities of this world. A world full of pain, struggle, and despair…but amidst the chaos, we don’t lose hope. Though my heart has been broken, I’m learning to look for the beauty and light in every struggle. I’ve learned how to be alone, because through my silence is when God speaks the loudest. I’ve learned not only how to be grateful, but also to “give until there’s nothing left”. I’ve learned how to just sit back, chill, and listen. I’ve learned not only how to think more in depth, but also how to voice and write down every opinion and thought - and to welcome new insight and different perspectives. I’ve learned how to work harder, stay independent, and not to let negativity hinder me from doing me. I’ve gained confidence that God’s plan is perfect. Fixing my eyes on the prize - what will last forever rather than the temporary fixes in life.

I’ve learned so much, and I still have so much more to go. I’m excited to get a career started, inspire others with it, and be an encouragement to others who share my same struggle. Bigger dreams, countless goals, a creative mind and a blank canvas. 20 years old and still a whole life to live….it’s only just begun.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. ~ 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

Celebration • Day 1

What do I really want? I want to make the vision You gave me become a reality. My biggest fear is dying without my vision being fulfilled. ~Agnes (journal entry on 5.19.10) 

Agnes' mom & Dennis having some quiet moment with her earthly body just before the guests arrived 

 Daddy's little girl

 Friends like this old friend (not that he's old =.) started streaming in. (BoyNoel)

 I am so proud and SO blessed by these girls. Liana (c) and Desiree (r)

 Sisters ROCK!

 Another old friend (Gene)

 Kristie, one of the many nieces, who initially wrote on this blog about Agnes' medical condition, and just one of the many who helped Dennis with medical terms he couldn't even understand. I took care of her when she was little, then she took care of my kids when they were little. And when she has kids, my kids can take care of them. Cycle of life =.)

 Just some of the wonderful ATEs (até means older sister even tho' you're not related) from Faith Bible Church. They so stylin'

Young people are part of Agnes' & Dennis' life ministry. Ronnie (l) chewing away, John Paul (r)

(l) Jig - everyone knows him as the friendly mechanic; (r) Jerry, Dennis' brother in law. 

This is just a few snapshots I took last night. It has been a crazy month/week. I hope to see more friends tonight and tomorrow. It was so great to see a lot of "old" friends and meet new people from Agnes' different walks of life. This weekend is indeed a celebration. I say, we should celebrate more often.

Hope to post more photos later!

Have a glorious Friday. I will see some of you all weekend long. What a TREAT!

Hasta la vista,

~(auntie/ate) Christine

**See my latest post at Tumblr. I dare you (preferably, gentlemen) to do something about it.**

Giving Thanks.

Thank you to every single visitor who has taken the time and effort to visit my mom. This is not even half of the visitors she had each night! It's beautiful seeing old friends coming from different cities all gather under one roof again as if no time has passed. Amazing to see different families and relatives we haven't seen in maybe years.

Your support, encouragement, prayers are more than enough. I only hope that our family can be the same dependable friends that you have all been to us. Let us cherish our relationships with each other while it lasts; life is short. Don't take our friends and family for granted! Thank you to God for He is good with blessing us with people in our lives that will be the shoulders to cry on.

~Desiree Seisa

Dont' MESS with HER!

She's getting stronger by the minute...

Romans 5:3-5 says that when faced with challenges, “we can rejoice, too, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident HOPE of salvation. And this HOPE will not lead to disappointment.”

Pardon my bedhead =.) We were having too much fun. Taken just before I left for home Thursday, 11/10/11. She's looking good and getting stronger. Don't stop praying!

She can do this...
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~Philippians 4:13