Dear God,
In 2010, You've watched me start and complete an internship, graduate from high school a year early, go on a missions trip to Hollywood, California, attend City on the Hill and figure out what a sinus headache is, start college, and complete a crazy, stressed out, took on way too much first semester of college. How I made it through alive and in one piece this year, I'll never know. Thank You for allowing me to experience what I experienced this year. I am most definitely a more stronger daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, best friend, friend, and musician now than when I was at midnight on January 1, 2010.
I'll admit there was a lot that I didn't want to go through, but You were always there to remind me that it would be an amazing outcome in the long run. Thanks for letting me have an internship with Housing Group Fund, graduate a whole year early, go on a missions trip to Hollywood, head back to City on the Hill to figure out that I need to relax and what a sinus headache, and experience what it's like to take on too much for a semester.
This year You changed me life so dramatically and I don't think I would have wanted it any other way. I'm looking forward to an exciting, opportunity and adventure filled 2011.
Signed,
-Your Daughter
2010 was most definitely life changing! I've made more friends this year than any other year, I've grown closer to some of those friends that I've probably needed to grow closer to this year. I've grown stronger and made it through alive and in once piece. Here's to a whole new year of growth! Cannot wait to share it with you!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" -Charlie Brown
First semester of college? Complete. Nothing beats days of no school, homework, or having to study. But something about this particular break brings me back to the reason why we have it. We have it because of Christmas. Which if you break it down Christ means well Jesus Christ and mas means more. So the season is really about More of Christ. I am going to quote a Relient K song here that has been stuck in my head all week, "I celebrate the day You were born to die, so that one day I would pray for You to save my life." The Bible always gets me a bit sentimental, but this particular story gets me sentimental more so than any other one. With God being our Heavenly Father that would make Jesus our Big Brother, so if you stop and think about it, our Big Brother left His place up in Heaven to come down and save our lives. That's an honor in itself.
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of Charlie Brown's lines was, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" and Linus said it perfectly, he recited Luke 2:8-14:
"8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
I probably couldn't have said it any better myself. So as nice as the Christmas gifts, gatherings, food, music, and such are. They're not the reason why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it because the Son of God was brave and humble enough to come down to die for us so we can spend enternity with Him and that in itself is the best gift I've ever recieved. So this is what I am giving to Jesus this Christmas and it's already what I give Him on a day-to-day basis, my life because He did in fact save it.
Merry Christmas! Here's to the best Christmas ever until next year that is!!
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of Charlie Brown's lines was, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" and Linus said it perfectly, he recited Luke 2:8-14:
"8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
I probably couldn't have said it any better myself. So as nice as the Christmas gifts, gatherings, food, music, and such are. They're not the reason why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it because the Son of God was brave and humble enough to come down to die for us so we can spend enternity with Him and that in itself is the best gift I've ever recieved. So this is what I am giving to Jesus this Christmas and it's already what I give Him on a day-to-day basis, my life because He did in fact save it.
Merry Christmas! Here's to the best Christmas ever until next year that is!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
2010 in Review: A Year Full of Opportunities.
It's that time of the year! Freshly cut pines or artifical trees are in our living rooms. We've pulled out the beanies, hats, gloves, scarves, and winter jackets. Hot chocolate, tea, apple cider, and coffee are slipping down our throats. Christmas music is blasting through our stereos. Stores are filled with people buying gifts for loved ones and friends. College students are cramming for and taking finals. The end of the fall semester is in arm length distance. Despite the stress, this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Putting all of the stress of preperations of the holidays and college students cramming for finals aside, if you go back to the reality of why we celebrate this season. To celebrate the One who was born to die, so that one day we could pray that He could save our lives. I am so greatful for that One who was born to die, so that one day in the privacy of my room at the age of 12, he could save my life. This year has been full of many opportunities. So as I await for my next class, I'll share with you this Year in Review.
When we entered into 2010, I was struggling to finish high school and there were many times where I didn't think I'd make it through. The big highlights of this year are: the internship with Housing Group Fund, Graduation day, going on my first missions trip to Hollywood, California, once again attending City on the Hill, and starting a new life at Sacramento City College.
The internship with Housing Group Fund. The night before I was presented with this internship, God and I were having a conversation. Well actually, I think I was doing most of the talking. I remember saying, "I just need You to be my Daddy. I don't even know after all this time and after screwing up so much if you can even hear me. But please, Daddy, I need You!" The night of this conversation was on April 26, 2010. The next day an opportunity to intern at Housing Group Fund was presented to me by my mom. I started April 28, 2010. Just in the past 7.5 months, I have learned so much. They have given me so much office experience and have watched me basically grow up from then until now. I've seen hope of home ownership put back on people's faces. I have seen tears of absolute joy roll down people's faces because Housing Group Fund gave them a second chance. It's a bitter sweet feeling having tomorrow (December 15th) be my last day as their intern. I shared a lot of my growing up memories with them. It has been such a complete honor being there intern.
Graduation day. It's such a blur to me now, it feels like it happened 7 years ago, but it was only 7 months. On May 21, 2010 - I recieved that high school diploma. The day consisted of a rehersal, getting my hair done, running last minute errands, getting ready, and graduation. I remember sitting up that ever so hot stage with 32 other people for an ever so long time feeling ever so invincible. The joke of the week in my house was we wouldn't cry when we got up on that stage to give me my diploma. We can definetly can say that it backfired, we most definetly cried because we knew how far I've come. It was a good day in our family.
Missions trip to Hollywood/City on the Hill 2010 - Since they're blog entries about this below, I'll summerize. Hollywood was eye-opening, life changing, and I do believe a chunk of my heart is still there. The people that I met, the people who I saw, my heart broke. Most definetly made me feel so greatful for what I have. City on the Hill 2010 definetly life changing. Taught me not to plan something out for 6 months and expect it all to fall into place. But God taught me how to lean on Him not only when things are bad, but when things are good. Going to God only when your life falls apart was definetly what I did a lot of this year. Then it brought me to a sinus headache that brought me to my knees and said, "Okay God, You are my Daddy. Come please, just come and save me once again." That experience taught me that you can only give so much before you are completely empty.
A brand new life at Sacramento City College. I have to be honest, City College is a whole new world. Most definetly not what I was expecting. I will admit, I did take on too much this semester, never again will I take over 13 units unless I absolutely have to and even then I'll fight it. But it felt like mid semester, everything fell into place. God opened a door for me. After two weeks of saying, "God, I love my youth group, but I need something more. I am most definetly tired of being called a high schooler, considering the fact that I worked so hard to get that title off of my belt." After two weeks of praying, God opened the door for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship to walk into my life. I walked into my first Bible study on October 5th and was very hesitant on how I felt on the whole deal. However by the end of that first Bible study, I have never felt more like family in my life.
God has opened so many doors and opportunities for me since I graduated from high school and started college. Now as I am wrapping up my first semester of college, I am more prepared to take on the world, one step at a time. If you were to tell me this time last year or this time 6 months ago, or even on my graduation day that I would have grown this much, I don't think I'd believe you! In 2011, I am ready for more opportunities to come. Here's to passes all of our finals(aimed to my fellow college students readers); a great holiday season; and brand new year full of opportunities.
From me to you; Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!
When we entered into 2010, I was struggling to finish high school and there were many times where I didn't think I'd make it through. The big highlights of this year are: the internship with Housing Group Fund, Graduation day, going on my first missions trip to Hollywood, California, once again attending City on the Hill, and starting a new life at Sacramento City College.
The internship with Housing Group Fund. The night before I was presented with this internship, God and I were having a conversation. Well actually, I think I was doing most of the talking. I remember saying, "I just need You to be my Daddy. I don't even know after all this time and after screwing up so much if you can even hear me. But please, Daddy, I need You!" The night of this conversation was on April 26, 2010. The next day an opportunity to intern at Housing Group Fund was presented to me by my mom. I started April 28, 2010. Just in the past 7.5 months, I have learned so much. They have given me so much office experience and have watched me basically grow up from then until now. I've seen hope of home ownership put back on people's faces. I have seen tears of absolute joy roll down people's faces because Housing Group Fund gave them a second chance. It's a bitter sweet feeling having tomorrow (December 15th) be my last day as their intern. I shared a lot of my growing up memories with them. It has been such a complete honor being there intern.
Graduation day. It's such a blur to me now, it feels like it happened 7 years ago, but it was only 7 months. On May 21, 2010 - I recieved that high school diploma. The day consisted of a rehersal, getting my hair done, running last minute errands, getting ready, and graduation. I remember sitting up that ever so hot stage with 32 other people for an ever so long time feeling ever so invincible. The joke of the week in my house was we wouldn't cry when we got up on that stage to give me my diploma. We can definetly can say that it backfired, we most definetly cried because we knew how far I've come. It was a good day in our family.
Missions trip to Hollywood/City on the Hill 2010 - Since they're blog entries about this below, I'll summerize. Hollywood was eye-opening, life changing, and I do believe a chunk of my heart is still there. The people that I met, the people who I saw, my heart broke. Most definetly made me feel so greatful for what I have. City on the Hill 2010 definetly life changing. Taught me not to plan something out for 6 months and expect it all to fall into place. But God taught me how to lean on Him not only when things are bad, but when things are good. Going to God only when your life falls apart was definetly what I did a lot of this year. Then it brought me to a sinus headache that brought me to my knees and said, "Okay God, You are my Daddy. Come please, just come and save me once again." That experience taught me that you can only give so much before you are completely empty.
A brand new life at Sacramento City College. I have to be honest, City College is a whole new world. Most definetly not what I was expecting. I will admit, I did take on too much this semester, never again will I take over 13 units unless I absolutely have to and even then I'll fight it. But it felt like mid semester, everything fell into place. God opened a door for me. After two weeks of saying, "God, I love my youth group, but I need something more. I am most definetly tired of being called a high schooler, considering the fact that I worked so hard to get that title off of my belt." After two weeks of praying, God opened the door for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship to walk into my life. I walked into my first Bible study on October 5th and was very hesitant on how I felt on the whole deal. However by the end of that first Bible study, I have never felt more like family in my life.
God has opened so many doors and opportunities for me since I graduated from high school and started college. Now as I am wrapping up my first semester of college, I am more prepared to take on the world, one step at a time. If you were to tell me this time last year or this time 6 months ago, or even on my graduation day that I would have grown this much, I don't think I'd believe you! In 2011, I am ready for more opportunities to come. Here's to passes all of our finals(aimed to my fellow college students readers); a great holiday season; and brand new year full of opportunities.
From me to you; Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Putting First Things First.
Here I am.
Currently 2:38pm when starting this. Putting off a business law paper and art final.
Almost done with my first semester of college. It's going to be a stressful, intensive, bitter sweet next two weeks. This semester has been a culture shock, interesting, painful, and amazing. It has definetly been full of mixed emotions.
As I wrap up this semester, one thing comes to mind, and one thing only. That one thing is, if I've learned anything from this semester, something that I will hold on forever, it would be that my Papa God and family comes first.
That leads me into this next bit. If I've learned one thing from this semester, it would be that my Papa God and my family comes first. If I've got one thing to regret from this semester, it would be that I put other things before my Papa God and family. If I were to take this semester back to change it and do it all over again, I'd put my Papa God and my family before everything else in the world.
What do I mean by that? I mean my school, my internship, my relationship with any boy is not first priority. What do I mean by family? Of course I definetly mean my immediate family. But I also mean my church and Chi Alpha family.
My immediate family has been there since the day I was born. My church family has been there since October 31, 2000. And my Chi Alpha family has been there for me since October 5, 2010.
They've been the best immediate and extended family that anyone could ever ask for. So do I regret putting other stuff before my Papa God and family? Oh absolutely! Would I go back in time to change it? Maybe. Depending on what day you ask me.
So to my Papa God and my family, (immediate and extended) I love you all so so much! I wouldn't trade you for the world. Thanks for all that you do for me.
Currently 2:38pm when starting this. Putting off a business law paper and art final.
Almost done with my first semester of college. It's going to be a stressful, intensive, bitter sweet next two weeks. This semester has been a culture shock, interesting, painful, and amazing. It has definetly been full of mixed emotions.
As I wrap up this semester, one thing comes to mind, and one thing only. That one thing is, if I've learned anything from this semester, something that I will hold on forever, it would be that my Papa God and family comes first.
That leads me into this next bit. If I've learned one thing from this semester, it would be that my Papa God and my family comes first. If I've got one thing to regret from this semester, it would be that I put other things before my Papa God and family. If I were to take this semester back to change it and do it all over again, I'd put my Papa God and my family before everything else in the world.
What do I mean by that? I mean my school, my internship, my relationship with any boy is not first priority. What do I mean by family? Of course I definetly mean my immediate family. But I also mean my church and Chi Alpha family.
My immediate family has been there since the day I was born. My church family has been there since October 31, 2000. And my Chi Alpha family has been there for me since October 5, 2010.
They've been the best immediate and extended family that anyone could ever ask for. So do I regret putting other stuff before my Papa God and family? Oh absolutely! Would I go back in time to change it? Maybe. Depending on what day you ask me.
So to my Papa God and my family, (immediate and extended) I love you all so so much! I wouldn't trade you for the world. Thanks for all that you do for me.
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Yes, this is another blog entry about being thankful. How could I not be thankful?
My youth group and I rocked the sanctuary of our church tonight. We just took over service tonight. From Worship to the Word to the Rejoicing time. At the end of two of the most amazing youth leaders sharing the Word of God to the congregation they broke of into twos and the worship team got back up and played the bridge of the song "Came To Rescue Me" and as I looked out into the sanctuary, watching everyone in the congregation get blessed, I couldn't help, but think how blessed and thankful I am to be apart of a Church Body who really listens and is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reminded me tonight of how thankful this year I really am. First off, I'd like to say that there is a God and He does love us, He does care, and He certainly answers prayer! I remember the day, I remember the time, I remember what I was doing, and yes I even remember what I was wearing. It was Labor day, it was about 4pm, I was playing my guitar, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I remember saying, "God, I love the youth group you put me in, but I need something more. I need people to relate too, I need people who understand exactly what I'm feeling because they are feeling similar feelings. I need a college group fix. Could you meet me where I am at? I know you can, you've done it before, could you do it again?" A few weeks later at school, a young man by the name of Nick pulled me in. I met him and this young woman named Claire. From that day on, I believed that God could meet you wherever you were at and gives you everything you pray for plus more. I am thankful for my Chi Alpha family. I am thankful for my TLC family. I am thankful for my family in general. I am thankful for a God with unconditional love. I am thankful for life, yeah it's not easy, but I am thankful for it.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
In Honor of Veterans Day!
Today upon the craziness of the downhill slope to the end of my first semester of my freshman year of college, I take this time to honor all of the men and women serving throughout the world for our country. To my father Guy Oshiro, who served in the Air Force Reserves before I was born, to my youth leader James "Jim" Kenney, who served in the Navy, to my pastor's youngest son Joseph Cardoza, who just got done serving in the Air Force, thank you for your time. To my other youth leader's youngest stepson Franko Da Re and to my first childhood best friend Cody Lemere, who are currently serving in the Army and to a young man who I once did Venturing with Greg Bringedahl, who is currently serving in the Air Force, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you serve and represent us as a country, I am extremely proud of you all.
As I sit here in the library of my school, really thinking about who the three that I just mentioned who are currently serving our country in the Army and Air Force, it brings me back to an entry that I did not even a year ago in "The High School Years" part of my blog entitled, "They Didn't Have To Do It" (It was actually what prompted me to write this entry after stumbling acrossed it.) I am going to repeat it here, but it'll be a little more updated, if you want my original entry, please visit my "The High School Years" part of my blog, it's the last entry in the December part of it:
I know a few people who are currently serving in an Armed Force serving for our beautiful country and it got me thinking about who they really really are. Half boy and half man. Yes they are between the ages of 18-20 years old, so they are legally considered an adult. The average age of the military man is between the ages of 18-20 years. Referring to them as one man:
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because well he just graduated from boot camp. This wasn't his first choice, but it is what he's doing now. Yes he's not on the frontlines of Iraq, but his job is still important to our country.
As we continue on through this beautiful Veterans day, why don't we take the time to think about, pray for, and maybe even thank a man or even a woman that we know or maybe even don't know for their service to fight for our freedom, to be that country that is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and to be proud to be an American.
So if you are reading this and you are currently serving or have already served for this country, whether I know you or not, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys amaze me in ways that words cannot ever describe. Thank you for leaving your loved ones, friends, and life back from wherever you're from to go to a whole new place and serve our country. Thank you for risking your life, thank you for all that you do, I am enternally greatful for you all!
A video that says it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTb6qdPu8JE
As I sit here in the library of my school, really thinking about who the three that I just mentioned who are currently serving our country in the Army and Air Force, it brings me back to an entry that I did not even a year ago in "The High School Years" part of my blog entitled, "They Didn't Have To Do It" (It was actually what prompted me to write this entry after stumbling acrossed it.) I am going to repeat it here, but it'll be a little more updated, if you want my original entry, please visit my "The High School Years" part of my blog, it's the last entry in the December part of it:
I know a few people who are currently serving in an Armed Force serving for our beautiful country and it got me thinking about who they really really are. Half boy and half man. Yes they are between the ages of 18-20 years old, so they are legally considered an adult. The average age of the military man is between the ages of 18-20 years. Referring to them as one man:
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because well he just graduated from boot camp. This wasn't his first choice, but it is what he's doing now. Yes he's not on the frontlines of Iraq, but his job is still important to our country.
As we continue on through this beautiful Veterans day, why don't we take the time to think about, pray for, and maybe even thank a man or even a woman that we know or maybe even don't know for their service to fight for our freedom, to be that country that is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and to be proud to be an American.
So if you are reading this and you are currently serving or have already served for this country, whether I know you or not, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys amaze me in ways that words cannot ever describe. Thank you for leaving your loved ones, friends, and life back from wherever you're from to go to a whole new place and serve our country. Thank you for risking your life, thank you for all that you do, I am enternally greatful for you all!
A video that says it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTb6qdPu8JE
Monday, November 8, 2010
So Much To Be Thankful For This Year.
With Thanksgiving upon us, I want to take a moment or so to reflect about what I am truly thankful for. I will admit that this year has been tough for me and a lot of changes have been and are still happening, but for this blog entry I am putting those things aside. There are so many things to be thankful for this year. Like every year, I am thankful to have a roof over my head, clean clothes on my back, prepared food on the table everyday, and of course the love of my family and friends, and the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. A lot has happened in my life this year and there's still more to happen in my life as we wrap up this year. I've done things this year that I have never done in my entire life. One thing happened to me this year that was a milestone of 13 years of hard work. On May 21st, I graduated from high school and am now in college. I went on my first missions trip this year to Hollywood, California. I've fixed many relationships this and by meeting so many new people I have made so many new ones. I'm interning at this amazing company, I have so much to be thankful for this year. I look past the tests and trials, I look past all the things that have gone wrong this year. I've grown so much as a person and so much as a musician. Like I said there is so much to be thankful for this year.
Now here's a question for you, what are you thankful for this year?
Now here's a question for you, what are you thankful for this year?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
1 Universe, 9 Planets, 204 Countries, 809 Islands, 7 Seas, and I had the privilege to meet you. (A Happy Birthday Blog Entry.)
On June 14, 2010 at approximately 9:00am, I met a woman who would eventually be a huge part of my life. I walked into my internship and as I walked in with my mom, I saw this woman, she was talking with Dennis, one of the owners of the company, and I get the typical hello from Dennis as he yells across the office, "Hello intern!" Then as I walked into the office where Dennis and this woman was at and Dennis was saying how he heard that journalism is my major and I took a sip of my coffee and said, "Yup." He mentioned how he wanted me to start doing all the journalism stuff for the company and this whole time in the corner of my eye I saw this woman that I had no clue who she was, I mean I had somewhat of a clue of who she was, but she had no clue who I was. So after Dennis and my conversation died down, I properly introduced myself. I said, "Hi. My name is Halie and as you already know I'm the intern." "Yes, nice to meet you, my name is Kellie." (Psst, Kellie if you're reading this first of all I have a really good memory with meeting people.) In all honesty, I had way too much on my mind to actually get a real feeling of what to feel about her. Then they sent us on our first errand together. On June 16, we were putting out flyer's for a home buyer seminar and we brought my brother's best friend along with us. Mainly for my protection and it helped me get the job done faster. As we were on 30 minute car ride, as I guess we were trying to get to know each other, she made me laugh so hard that I couldn't remember the last time I laughed that hard. That's where this relationship started. I had left the next week for my missions trip to Hollywood, when I came back, sitting in the office was just not the same for me. They had me starting to go on every errand known to man with her. Sometimes I thought why am I here? Kellie is more than capable to do this on her own.
From July 20-25, I was gone at City on the Hill at William Jessup University. Coming back on my 18th birthday tired and not a happy camper. Kellie made sure that even though I was working that I had the best birthday ever in the office. From there, she's heard basically everyone of my boy problems and everyone of my problems in general. (Ehm. Mainly because she'd pry it out of me.) The one thing she pried out of me was that my relationship with God was struggling. It was after we got through all of the bull of my boy problems, we were sitting in her family room watching Wipeout, she had asked me how my relationship with God was going, and apparently the look was all over my face. From there, she brought me back to God in a way that I didn't think was possible. She basically preached at me until I understood that I need to salvage what's left of my relationship with God and fix it. She's been an encouragement to me and a mentor in many ways.
So why am I doing a blog post all about Kellie? Well today is her birthday and I wanted to do something special, this is my birthday gift to you Kellie. You've done so much in my life since June 14, 2010 at approx 9:00am. I love you so very much! Thanks for everything! Have an awesome, super spectacular, unforgettable, amazing birthday and year!!!
Just think, 1 Universe, 9 Planets, 204 Countries, 809 Islands, 7 Seas, and I had the privilege to meet you!!! I am so glad God brought us together!!
From July 20-25, I was gone at City on the Hill at William Jessup University. Coming back on my 18th birthday tired and not a happy camper. Kellie made sure that even though I was working that I had the best birthday ever in the office. From there, she's heard basically everyone of my boy problems and everyone of my problems in general. (Ehm. Mainly because she'd pry it out of me.) The one thing she pried out of me was that my relationship with God was struggling. It was after we got through all of the bull of my boy problems, we were sitting in her family room watching Wipeout, she had asked me how my relationship with God was going, and apparently the look was all over my face. From there, she brought me back to God in a way that I didn't think was possible. She basically preached at me until I understood that I need to salvage what's left of my relationship with God and fix it. She's been an encouragement to me and a mentor in many ways.
So why am I doing a blog post all about Kellie? Well today is her birthday and I wanted to do something special, this is my birthday gift to you Kellie. You've done so much in my life since June 14, 2010 at approx 9:00am. I love you so very much! Thanks for everything! Have an awesome, super spectacular, unforgettable, amazing birthday and year!!!
Just think, 1 Universe, 9 Planets, 204 Countries, 809 Islands, 7 Seas, and I had the privilege to meet you!!! I am so glad God brought us together!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Change Working in Me.
Some things in my life need to change and by some things, I mean everything! I've come to the realization that failure, is not a good thing. I recently downloaded the YouVersion application to my phone. Mainly it gives me something positive to read on my way to school. So today, I flipped out my phone, and was reading a verse in 2 Corinthians 13:5, I read it in the Message version, mainly so I could understand it and it brought a whole new light to everything I'm going through. It says:
"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it."
So basically in a nutshell I needed to read that, I don't even remember how I got there, all I remember was reading it. I read it after learning that I basically failed my third English test and took my business law exam. I felt basically like a complete and total failure. I was on the verdge of beating myself up, but then I remember what someone in my life told me to do when I got to that point. She told me to make a concious effort to not beat myself up. So today I did so. I made that concious effort to not beat myself up, I pulled my phone out again and read that verse that I mentioned above. My hands are shaking, they have been since, I read it for the second time. God is amazing and is working things out in my life, and I am excited for what is to come.
"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it."
So basically in a nutshell I needed to read that, I don't even remember how I got there, all I remember was reading it. I read it after learning that I basically failed my third English test and took my business law exam. I felt basically like a complete and total failure. I was on the verdge of beating myself up, but then I remember what someone in my life told me to do when I got to that point. She told me to make a concious effort to not beat myself up. So today I did so. I made that concious effort to not beat myself up, I pulled my phone out again and read that verse that I mentioned above. My hands are shaking, they have been since, I read it for the second time. God is amazing and is working things out in my life, and I am excited for what is to come.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Who am I, Even When the Tests and Trials Hit?
I going through a period of change, transition, and a little bit of searching with God. Everything in my life seems to be changing some for the good and some for the not so good. I am transitioning back to actually leaving the house for school. The 5am alarm clock couldn't go off any earlier most mornings, then as I drag myself to my 8am class, I always ask God if this is the right way to go. I feel like I am skating on really thin ice and I am going to collapse at any moment. Everything is changing. From school to my internship to my youth group. My brother said to me the other day,"Well, change is good sometimes..." That coming out of my younger brother mouth just about shocked me. Then I started thinking, I need to search God's Word, if it really is a book to help you through every trial in life, then it can help me with all the change going down in life right now. I was laying in bed last night just thinking about this change in life and this thought occurred to me, "Maybe that line, 'there's a reason for everything' actually is true. Maybe God's trying to show me not only who I am when things are good, but who I am when my whole world's falling apart." I was blown away, I tossed in turned hoping to feel like I didn't think that. Then throughout today the thought came back. "God is probably trying to teach me not only who I am when every thing's good, but who I am when every thing's bad." I tried to ignore it, I tried to say I didn't think that, but I did. I could go on, but I want to come back and read my blog, so I won't bore you. I'll definitely break this down in entries to come. So I leave you with a piece of advice and a question:
Question:
Who are you not only when things are good, but when everything in your world's falling apart?
The piece of advice is actually is a verse from the Bible:
"But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonor will never be forgotten." -Jeremiah 20:11 (NIV)
Question:
Who are you not only when things are good, but when everything in your world's falling apart?
The piece of advice is actually is a verse from the Bible:
"But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonor will never be forgotten." -Jeremiah 20:11 (NIV)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Here's to a New Life.
I think back to this time two years ago, I was not motivated at all. I was a sophomore in high school, just skating by doing the bare minimum to get by. Then I look at who I was just this time year. I was on a high from going to City on the Hill. I was much more motivated - I wanted ti graduate in 2010, not 2011. I remember all those late nights making my early graduation a reality. There were a lot of tears, a lot of coffee on those late nights, then there were a lot of dreams of receiving my high school diploma, then when it became a reality, when I was up on that stage, I knew I did a lot of growing in just a school year period. All it took was City on the Hill to change my view on life because right now, as I type this blog post out, I am sitting in the library of Sacramento City College. So now as I look out the window, I see my school's quad, I see a lot of trees, I see students here walking to classes, I see a future that is so bright, I see where I've come from, I see potentially where I am going. I met with a guy who just graduated from here this past spring, he was the student body president, and is now working for Students for Life, and is a junior at Liberty College, I am going to help him start and lead a pro-life group here on campus. Me? Out of all people, if it wasn't for City on the Hill, I'd be a senior in high school, struggling with what I was struggling just this time last year. A building block was formed by a woman named Karen England. She not only took good care of me with a headache just a month ago, she put on a youth leadership conference that changed my life, forever. So Karen, if you're reading this, I am forever indebted to you! You can't find many people who are willing to play at patient mock governor to a group of high schoolers who play a mock legislature. I couldn't ask for a better life. Yes it is full of challenges and mishaps, but it is so worth it when you step off lightrail and you are on campus two days a week and you can make a difference at the same time. Here's to a new life, full of challenges and mishaps, journeys and adventures.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Here's to Living the Dream.
It started off with a graduation --- my graduation. I saw 13 years of hard work pay off in a 2.5 hour ceremony. I was headed into my first summer vacation since entering the 7th grade. I had no clue what to expect. Then it started --- my summer has consisted of the following things:
Visiting with my daddy.
Campaigning for Steve Poizner
Missions Trip --- Hollywood, California
Internship --- Housing Group Fund
City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference --- put on by Capitol Resource Institute
Though that seems like a lot --- this summer went by way too fast. I have learned and grown so much. Heading to SCC in a few weeks. I am stoked --- nervous --- scared --- all in one. This has been the best summer of my life and if I could relive it over and over again --- I think I'd be the happiest person on the planet. Ready to take on college by storm. Here's to a new life --- to making new friends --- networking with potential employers --- seeing the world --- living the dream. Here's to forgetting that is behind me --- learning from my mistakes --- staying strong in the midst of a battle --- living the dream. Here's to new and exciting challenges --- adventures --- a new defined relationship with God --- living the dream that He has planned for me. Here's to new late night conversations with old and new friends --- to new friend drama --- to loving God as each day goes on --- living the dream. Here's to living out the dream that God had for me long before the foundations of the Earth. Here's to a new life --- conquering the world --- here's the path through adulthood.
Visiting with my daddy.
Campaigning for Steve Poizner
Missions Trip --- Hollywood, California
Internship --- Housing Group Fund
City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference --- put on by Capitol Resource Institute
Though that seems like a lot --- this summer went by way too fast. I have learned and grown so much. Heading to SCC in a few weeks. I am stoked --- nervous --- scared --- all in one. This has been the best summer of my life and if I could relive it over and over again --- I think I'd be the happiest person on the planet. Ready to take on college by storm. Here's to a new life --- to making new friends --- networking with potential employers --- seeing the world --- living the dream. Here's to forgetting that is behind me --- learning from my mistakes --- staying strong in the midst of a battle --- living the dream. Here's to new and exciting challenges --- adventures --- a new defined relationship with God --- living the dream that He has planned for me. Here's to new late night conversations with old and new friends --- to new friend drama --- to loving God as each day goes on --- living the dream. Here's to living out the dream that God had for me long before the foundations of the Earth. Here's to a new life --- conquering the world --- here's the path through adulthood.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference 2010: I survived!
I went to City on the Hill last year and was so motivated after leaving I graduated from high school a whole year early. This year I had plans to rock City on the Hill so hard that I didn't expect what happened to actually happen. Here's my City on the Hill story:
It really started the night before, I was packing for this amazing life changing week, I had worked all day that day at my internship, so I was feeling tired yet stoked beyond belief. Though that next afternoon felt at a distance, it managed to come very quickly. The next morning I woke up to a business call and the thought after hanging up was, "Am I not on vacation?" From there, I got up and got ready for the day, it was a start of an amazing week. It felt like nothing in the world could stop me because I was on top of the world.
The festivities started with dinner, ice breakers, and bowling. Then worship and small groups. We got to know each other and bonded pretty quickly. Heading to bed that night in the William Jessup University's apartments was the last thing I did that night. I didn't sleep much that night. It was a mixture of excitement and soreness. The ice breakers were really intense that night. The alarm could not have gone off any earlier the next morning. The excitement overpowered the exhaustion. I was ready to take on City on the Hill. Nothing was going to stop me.
Take a look at Tuesday night's Newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq5twM_6aKg
The first day consisted of serious politicing and elections. It was the start of the week and I was seriously starting to get in the game. Following side my Party Leader Assembly woman Lucy LeFever. It felt as if I were on top of the world. The day consisted of a lot of caucusing and a lot of political drama. It was like that until worship that night, where it seemed that we all put it aside to worship our one true God. Then in small groups where we literally poured our hearts out to each other, forgetting about what party we were on, the plans we were making with each other and privately to ourselves.
Take a look at Wednesday's Newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZNXWEiEyM0
Thursday took a turn for me physically, mentally, and even emotionally. We headed to the California State Capitol for the first of two visits. I woke up with a bit of a headache that morning. I took some Excedrin and headed down to breakfast. It went away until half way through our visit to the Capitol. Then pulling Governor Karen England aside and telling her what was wrong, she then turned to the staff and my small group leader gave me some Advil and then I sat in the back of the committee room and tried to get the headache to go away. It was ruining my plans at City because I can only play cool for so long before things got too out of hand for me. My small group leader happened to work at the Capitol so she put me on the couch in her boss' office. I heard people walking and talking. It was too much for me. Then I walked out to the executive director of Capitol Resource Institute (or rather Governor Karen England) saying, "I'll take her back to William Jessup." So I walked to her car with her, kicked my shoes off, and put sunglasses and Karen's suit jacket over my face. Getting back to William Jessup to taking a nap turned into an interesting night. I woke up from the nap feeling like a huge truck hit my face. Dinner was brought up to me in the apartment by my small group leader. Then trying to come down to session didn't necessarily turn out in my favor. I was met by the Governor not even halfway out of the apartment complex. "What are you doing?" her question was to me. "I thought you wanted me out for session." my answer was to her. "No, you need to sleep. I am going to give you a Tylenol PM and you should go to bed." Walking back up to my apartment with her I was starting to feel like a loser and a failure. That night I slept for a good 11 hours.
Watch the Thursday night newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dT8DsaYyHI
The next day when the alarm went off I was wide awake, but my head wasn't feeling any better. Yet I told everyone I was feeling a little better, so City people you now know the truth. It was another interesting day. I woke up not knowing anything that happened the night before and no one would tell me what happened. All I got was, "How are you feeling?" At breakfast that morning, I got two sisters talking to me. One said, "Halie, whatever you do, don't sign the petition." and the other one said, "Halie, whatever you do, sign that petition." I was now feeling like a complete and total loser and failure. I had no clue what to do. My plans to take over were crushed. The petition was to call an emergency floor session to call our speaker of the house, Assemblyman Kyle Sasai out of the seat. So I ended up signing it. Then they day just got worse like my head. During the emergency floor session, I asked Karen if I could step outside for a minute. After getting her okay, I stepped outside and my head hurt so bad I was crying. Well I was out there for literally 60 seconds then I made the mistake of going back inside crying. When Karen saw tears coming down my face she was immediately at my side. Then after I told her it was just my head, she gave me an ultimatum. "You have two options. You can either call your mom and go home or you can take something and go take a nap." I went with the second choice, mainly because I am stubborn. So I went up to miss committee and take a nap and as I was laying in bed with a pillow over my face, I thought, "My mom payed over $400 dollars for me to be here and I am missing half of it. So then I got up hoping to go down to committee and it's like Karen was at the bottom of the elevator waiting for me. "You're feeling better?" she asked. "No, but I want to present my bill on the floor tomorrow." "You'll be able too, but in order for that to happen you need to rest. Sleep until dinner and then enjoy the talent show tonight." I finally gave in, she's a mom, so I guess she knew what was best for me. I went in and took the nap as she requested. I got up from the nap and my head felt slushy. I couldn't think straight at all. I went down to eat because I needed to outweigh the medication I had taken with food. So I went down and ate. Then headed to the lecture hall for the nights activites. I was fine until Karen brought up the rules for the chamber floors the next day. "Is there any questions?" she asked everyone. My hand went up and over my head, "Was that a half risen hand Halie?" she asked me. "I can talk to you in private." "Okay then..." Then worhip started and she came to me and asked what was wrong. "How is my bill going to be presented tomorrow?" I asked her. "As if it was passed in committee." "Oh great," I thought to myself, "special treatment." "Oh okay." I said to her, but my voice was shaky, so she followed that up with, "Is something wrong?" Then I told her, "This week did not turn out the way I planned it to be. I feel like a, a..." "A what Halie?" "Like a failure." "You're not a failure. You had a headache. It's not your fault." She hugged me and then put me in front of Clara LeFever who had massaged my head, back, and shoulders twice that day already and she did it willingly again. Before the talent show Clara took me into the bathroom to try and do something and I told her how I was feeling and she hugged me and we stepped outside of the bathroom and she said, "Halie, I was thinking after small group the other night of how much more outgoing you are this year and how you act like an alum. You are not a failure..." We headed back in for the talent show and then we headed to bed because the next morning was coming early.
A breaking newscast that came about on Friday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJPdEh_kAls
Saturday came and it was the pinnacle the frosting on the cake of the week, we headed down to the chamber floors of the state capitol. We all had 3 bills all week long, 2 to oppose and 1 to support. The first bill I opposed was a bill that I was not necessarily ready for. I got up there and totally winged it. Then afterwards I looked at Karen and said, "See? This is why I should've been at committee." She said, "Halie... you had a headache." I never felt more like a failure in my life. The day went on, I manged to be a pro temp speaker of the house with a huge headache. Heading back to William Jessup that afternoon to take a nap because I knew a long night was ahead of me. Waking up for the banquet that evening with a headache that I could manage for the first time since it started. I was sad to see the week end. I needed it to go on another week, I wanted my plans to go into effect. I was planning on making speaker and causing just as much drama as Kyle did. It seemed like fun, the parts I was in were fun too, I just wish that my head didn't have to hurt so bad.
My bill got signed even under the circumstances. Even when I felt like a failure the night before while writing it. I kept thinking to myself, "What's the use? It's going to fail on the floor. I am going to embarrass myself in front of everyone!!! I am such a loser. I am such a failure." Then after the banquet we all headed out to a candle light ceremony, where a lot of us told how the week impacted us. Then the night really began, tshirt signing, and then in bed by 2am? Then I was awoken up three hours later by a lot of the last year alums to watch the sunrise with them.
That was my week. Sorry that it was so long...again! haha! A special thanks goes out to Karen England and Clara LeFever, even though you both say I don't owe you anything, I really do. Karen, you took care of me last week and Clara you willing massaged my head, back, and shoulders even when I didn't ask you too. I am forever indebted to you both! I love you both sooo sooo very much! I wouldn't have made it through the week with out you guys!!
This week God showed me many things. Like relaxing is not a bad thing. And when someone gives you an ultimatum, you should listen to them, they obviously care enough to give you the ultimatum. I hung out with my amazing City friends and made new ones. And soooo much more! However this is another long blog post, so I might break it down in other blog entries. Until next time, I am signing off!
It really started the night before, I was packing for this amazing life changing week, I had worked all day that day at my internship, so I was feeling tired yet stoked beyond belief. Though that next afternoon felt at a distance, it managed to come very quickly. The next morning I woke up to a business call and the thought after hanging up was, "Am I not on vacation?" From there, I got up and got ready for the day, it was a start of an amazing week. It felt like nothing in the world could stop me because I was on top of the world.
The festivities started with dinner, ice breakers, and bowling. Then worship and small groups. We got to know each other and bonded pretty quickly. Heading to bed that night in the William Jessup University's apartments was the last thing I did that night. I didn't sleep much that night. It was a mixture of excitement and soreness. The ice breakers were really intense that night. The alarm could not have gone off any earlier the next morning. The excitement overpowered the exhaustion. I was ready to take on City on the Hill. Nothing was going to stop me.
Take a look at Tuesday night's Newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq5twM_6aKg
The first day consisted of serious politicing and elections. It was the start of the week and I was seriously starting to get in the game. Following side my Party Leader Assembly woman Lucy LeFever. It felt as if I were on top of the world. The day consisted of a lot of caucusing and a lot of political drama. It was like that until worship that night, where it seemed that we all put it aside to worship our one true God. Then in small groups where we literally poured our hearts out to each other, forgetting about what party we were on, the plans we were making with each other and privately to ourselves.
Take a look at Wednesday's Newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZNXWEiEyM0
Thursday took a turn for me physically, mentally, and even emotionally. We headed to the California State Capitol for the first of two visits. I woke up with a bit of a headache that morning. I took some Excedrin and headed down to breakfast. It went away until half way through our visit to the Capitol. Then pulling Governor Karen England aside and telling her what was wrong, she then turned to the staff and my small group leader gave me some Advil and then I sat in the back of the committee room and tried to get the headache to go away. It was ruining my plans at City because I can only play cool for so long before things got too out of hand for me. My small group leader happened to work at the Capitol so she put me on the couch in her boss' office. I heard people walking and talking. It was too much for me. Then I walked out to the executive director of Capitol Resource Institute (or rather Governor Karen England) saying, "I'll take her back to William Jessup." So I walked to her car with her, kicked my shoes off, and put sunglasses and Karen's suit jacket over my face. Getting back to William Jessup to taking a nap turned into an interesting night. I woke up from the nap feeling like a huge truck hit my face. Dinner was brought up to me in the apartment by my small group leader. Then trying to come down to session didn't necessarily turn out in my favor. I was met by the Governor not even halfway out of the apartment complex. "What are you doing?" her question was to me. "I thought you wanted me out for session." my answer was to her. "No, you need to sleep. I am going to give you a Tylenol PM and you should go to bed." Walking back up to my apartment with her I was starting to feel like a loser and a failure. That night I slept for a good 11 hours.
Watch the Thursday night newscast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dT8DsaYyHI
The next day when the alarm went off I was wide awake, but my head wasn't feeling any better. Yet I told everyone I was feeling a little better, so City people you now know the truth. It was another interesting day. I woke up not knowing anything that happened the night before and no one would tell me what happened. All I got was, "How are you feeling?" At breakfast that morning, I got two sisters talking to me. One said, "Halie, whatever you do, don't sign the petition." and the other one said, "Halie, whatever you do, sign that petition." I was now feeling like a complete and total loser and failure. I had no clue what to do. My plans to take over were crushed. The petition was to call an emergency floor session to call our speaker of the house, Assemblyman Kyle Sasai out of the seat. So I ended up signing it. Then they day just got worse like my head. During the emergency floor session, I asked Karen if I could step outside for a minute. After getting her okay, I stepped outside and my head hurt so bad I was crying. Well I was out there for literally 60 seconds then I made the mistake of going back inside crying. When Karen saw tears coming down my face she was immediately at my side. Then after I told her it was just my head, she gave me an ultimatum. "You have two options. You can either call your mom and go home or you can take something and go take a nap." I went with the second choice, mainly because I am stubborn. So I went up to miss committee and take a nap and as I was laying in bed with a pillow over my face, I thought, "My mom payed over $400 dollars for me to be here and I am missing half of it. So then I got up hoping to go down to committee and it's like Karen was at the bottom of the elevator waiting for me. "You're feeling better?" she asked. "No, but I want to present my bill on the floor tomorrow." "You'll be able too, but in order for that to happen you need to rest. Sleep until dinner and then enjoy the talent show tonight." I finally gave in, she's a mom, so I guess she knew what was best for me. I went in and took the nap as she requested. I got up from the nap and my head felt slushy. I couldn't think straight at all. I went down to eat because I needed to outweigh the medication I had taken with food. So I went down and ate. Then headed to the lecture hall for the nights activites. I was fine until Karen brought up the rules for the chamber floors the next day. "Is there any questions?" she asked everyone. My hand went up and over my head, "Was that a half risen hand Halie?" she asked me. "I can talk to you in private." "Okay then..." Then worhip started and she came to me and asked what was wrong. "How is my bill going to be presented tomorrow?" I asked her. "As if it was passed in committee." "Oh great," I thought to myself, "special treatment." "Oh okay." I said to her, but my voice was shaky, so she followed that up with, "Is something wrong?" Then I told her, "This week did not turn out the way I planned it to be. I feel like a, a..." "A what Halie?" "Like a failure." "You're not a failure. You had a headache. It's not your fault." She hugged me and then put me in front of Clara LeFever who had massaged my head, back, and shoulders twice that day already and she did it willingly again. Before the talent show Clara took me into the bathroom to try and do something and I told her how I was feeling and she hugged me and we stepped outside of the bathroom and she said, "Halie, I was thinking after small group the other night of how much more outgoing you are this year and how you act like an alum. You are not a failure..." We headed back in for the talent show and then we headed to bed because the next morning was coming early.
A breaking newscast that came about on Friday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJPdEh_kAls
Saturday came and it was the pinnacle the frosting on the cake of the week, we headed down to the chamber floors of the state capitol. We all had 3 bills all week long, 2 to oppose and 1 to support. The first bill I opposed was a bill that I was not necessarily ready for. I got up there and totally winged it. Then afterwards I looked at Karen and said, "See? This is why I should've been at committee." She said, "Halie... you had a headache." I never felt more like a failure in my life. The day went on, I manged to be a pro temp speaker of the house with a huge headache. Heading back to William Jessup that afternoon to take a nap because I knew a long night was ahead of me. Waking up for the banquet that evening with a headache that I could manage for the first time since it started. I was sad to see the week end. I needed it to go on another week, I wanted my plans to go into effect. I was planning on making speaker and causing just as much drama as Kyle did. It seemed like fun, the parts I was in were fun too, I just wish that my head didn't have to hurt so bad.
My bill got signed even under the circumstances. Even when I felt like a failure the night before while writing it. I kept thinking to myself, "What's the use? It's going to fail on the floor. I am going to embarrass myself in front of everyone!!! I am such a loser. I am such a failure." Then after the banquet we all headed out to a candle light ceremony, where a lot of us told how the week impacted us. Then the night really began, tshirt signing, and then in bed by 2am? Then I was awoken up three hours later by a lot of the last year alums to watch the sunrise with them.
That was my week. Sorry that it was so long...again! haha! A special thanks goes out to Karen England and Clara LeFever, even though you both say I don't owe you anything, I really do. Karen, you took care of me last week and Clara you willing massaged my head, back, and shoulders even when I didn't ask you too. I am forever indebted to you both! I love you both sooo sooo very much! I wouldn't have made it through the week with out you guys!!
This week God showed me many things. Like relaxing is not a bad thing. And when someone gives you an ultimatum, you should listen to them, they obviously care enough to give you the ultimatum. I hung out with my amazing City friends and made new ones. And soooo much more! However this is another long blog post, so I might break it down in other blog entries. Until next time, I am signing off!
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Oasis Urban School of Evangelism - My mission's trip to Hollywood.
So on June 19, 2010 I embarked on a journey that forever changed my life. I met five other people at my church and we all headed to the Oasis of Hollywood for my first missions trip ever. Here's a little download from each day:
June 19th - Road trip! The six of us got into a Ford Expedition and headed on a 7.5 hour journey. We left around 8:15ish and got there around 5ish. We settled in, made a trip to CVS for two cases of water, and a tooth brush for me. Then headed out to dinner at an "outdoor" Chinese food place and then headed back to the Oasis building, played a few rounds of pool, practiced a skit, and then called it a night.
June 20th - Father's Day - Knott's Berry Farm! Joining our team of six was my daddy. I haven't spent a single Father's day with him in about 4 years, so I am very glad I got to spend this one with him. It's exactly what I needed for this long yet eventful week. We had dinner at Knott's Berry Farm and then headed back to the Oasis building for a youth group service and to meet the other team of 16 that was also there from Wilson, North Carolina. Yup, they traveled all the way across the country for the missions trip and made our missions trip just 100x better. That night there was orientation and then we all called it a night. A long week was ahead of us.
June 21st - First real day of missions trip! Got up that morning and hiked to the nearest Starbucks and then was back for breakfast. Then every morning we had our quite time following our quite time was Praise and Worship and class. We learned the first day on the ABC's of Evangelism. Basically three basic steps to ministering to someone. Following that was lunch and then following lunch was a scavenger hunt. We were in the city of Los Angeles. Talking with people, sloving riddles, and putting into practice of what we learned that morning. We made it back just in time for dinner, then after dinner we got a tour of the Hollywood/Beverly Hills area. We were dropped off in West Hollywood where we were told to pray over that particular part of the city. Then we were picked back up were shown the Beverly Hills part of town and then were dropped off on Hollywood Blvd for time to minister to people. The North Carolina group had two human video skits that they did on Hollywood Blvd. What guts that must have took! Then we headed back to the Oasis building for debreif and then bed. What a first day it was. I thought it was a start to a very long week.
June 22nd - Getting the hang of things! The second day I was finally getting the hang of things. I just had to get out of the confined box I was in. The box of "no one's going to like me because of who I represent." I was pulled out of that box all week long and my youth leader kept having to remind me, that I was never going to see these people again. So who cares if they think I'm crazy. Let them. It's their loss not yours. So we all were headed to Vience and Santa Monica beach that day. I tried to out of that box but every time I did, I got rejected. So I pretty much gave up. I was with one of the ladies that went with us and I felt what we kept calling "the nudge" to go talk to this one girl at Vience beach. She was watching a bunch of guys skateboard at the skate park there and she was messing with her phone, so I smoothly go over there kinda sit down and ask her what kind of phone she had, and her response in an awkward voice, "It's a Blackberry." Now I'm thinking, "How am I going to keep this conversation going? What service? Every service has a Blackberry of some kind. Now we're thinking Halie." "So with what service?" I asked her. "Umm AT&T." I could see the awkwardness in her body language and her shaky voice. "So I know this werid," I told her "but let me tell you why I am here." "Okay.." she said very awkwardly. "I am from Sacramento and I am here on a missions trip with 23 other people." She started to understand now. We talked for a few more minutes, then I was joined by my ministry partner Kelly. Then thankfully for Kelly she kept the conversation alive. Then we prayed with this girl and went on our way. We met with the rest of our group and headed to Santa Monica Peir for dinner and then Third Street Promenade for some more ministry oppertunity. Well I just wasn't feeling it, I felt as if every time I talked to someone they would just reject me and I hadn't brought God into the conversation at all. Well Kelly and I were still minister partners and well my feet were killing me. (Apparently they aren't walking shoes what I was wearing and the box said that they were smart shoes. Not smart at all.) So I am going to sit down and this guy was too. It was like a race to get to out chairs. That "race" ened with a 40-45 minute interesting conversation. You could tell this guy was anger. Kelly did all the talking because I was not going to lash out in anger with this guy. All I did was pray for Kelly, that she had the right words to say. She put up a killer arguement with this guy I must say. After that interesting and long conversation we met back up with the group and headed back to the Oasis for debreif and bed. The next day was going to be longer than the day before.
June 23rd - My eyes were opened and my heart was touched at Skidrow! How many homeless people are in the city of Los Angeles? The correct answer: 90,000. Just in the city of Los Angeles. Skidrow is where the government is trying to push them too. Well me and both teams headed that way to feed and minister to them. About 2,000 hamburgers were cooked and wrapped and WOW Jam was there doing their outreach. Well after wrapping a lot of hamburgers, we were out on the streets of Skidrow ministering to people. Well at one point during the outreach there was this pushup competition between like 5 or so dads and then after the competition, the main speaker guy was like, "A lot of dad's get the horrible sterotype of things get bad and they just leave." The guy said some more things but this blog post is already getting pretty lengthy and I still have more to cover. Anyway, it went into a serious ministering time on the streets of Skidrow. It was amazing to see all these people give their lives to Christ. It was a rough day, however when we left the day wasn't over yet. We still were going to go out to Hollywood Blvd again and to some outreach and this is where an amazing twist of God's mercy and love took place. That night I was on the streets of Hollywood Blvd and I almost went into a complete panic attack because a little thought that started Saturday morning became a big thought by Wednesday night. That thought was, "You can go and try and lead other people to Christ that you don't even know, but you can't even lead your own father to Christ?" I sat on the steps of the subway on Hollywood Blvd and ended up going back early after pounding my fist into a subway information sign. Two people took me back and Kelly was one of them when we got up to the dorm room and she was like, "Ok what's wrong? You can talk to me." So I told her that thought and then she proceeded to convince me for the next 40 minutes that I need to call my dad and talk to him. So finally what convinced me? Well remember earlier in the post where I said that we went to Knott's Berry Farm? Well Kelly is like deathly afraid of roller coasters with a huge drop (I am too) so she said this, "If there was a ten minute wait in that line, I wouldn've chicked out, but I got on that ride and didn't think about it until it was too late. The same concept goes for you, you've got 30 seconds. 30 seconds to be scared and then he's going to pick up and then you have no choice, but to talk to him." Well it was almost 11pm and as I picked up that phone to call him I literally was praying, "Let me get his voicemail, let me get his voicemail." Well he picked up and I talked to him and after that cried into Kelly's chest and then told a few people what happened and then went to bed. Kelly still tells me how proud she is of me.
June 24th - A lighter day! Well during Praise and Worship the next day, the lady preaching had us pray over one another because of the drained day at Skidrow the day before. Then she ministered then there was lunch and then we were split up into three different groups. The Sactown group however was split up into two groups. The three groups were, Kidz Klub, Pershing Square, and Union Station. Two of the Sactown people went to Kidz Klub and the rest of us were up at Pershing Square. I was now paired up with Bruno, who he and I passed out tracks pretty much the whole time. Then after dinner at Echo Park we headed into an amazing church service at Angelus Temple which is accociated with the Dream Center in Los Angeles. Then after the service we all went back to the Oasis building and the North Carolina group went out to Hollywood Blvd to minister while the Sactown group stayed behind and practiced our skit for the following night. Then we called it a night, a much lighter last two days.
June 25th - Last day of ministry with the Oasis Urban School of Evangelism! So not much planned for the day. We got to sleep in! Which was a total plus. We had brunch and then quiet time at the obserbetory of the Hollywood sign. There was where God worked on my heart and got me ready for that night at Club Zion. So after that we headed back to the Oasis building for a snack and then our last outreach on Hollywood Blvd. Which we were singing Worship songs on Hollywood Blvd. Which shortly after that we were shut down and asked to leave. So some of us were in the mall trying to find that oppertunity to minister one last time on the streets of Los Angeles. Then Kelly and I went sovenior shopping for our family back home. Then headed back to the Oasis building to get ready for Club Zion which is a teen club that they do every Friday night. Club Zion was the end of our ministring in Hollywood. We did a skit for it and it was funny and powerful. Apparently 80 teens and 3 groups of ministers were there to see it. It really got me outside of my comfort zone. Club Zion ended at 11pm and I was already not wanting to say goodbye to the North Carolina folks. It was probably one of my hardest goodbyes ever, they barely knew me and they pretty much new my story. I opened up to some of them and really shared my heart. We did however share our good shares of laughs packing that night. A girl who is a bit OCD neatly packed my bag. It was a bitter sweet night.
June 26th - The real missions trip starts! Headed home! That morning as I got ready to go, I embraced myself for a bitter sweet goodbye. We all knew we were going to keep in touch via facebook. However we shared some precious memories together. One's that I'd never forget. The hardest thing for was, I had to say the first goodbye. I was headed to breakfast with my daddy. Which was pretty important. So I said goodbye to them, while some tears shed from my eyes. Had breakfast with my daddy that morning though. It was the first time that I actually saw true happiness from within him. After breakfast I sat and watched the rest of my team eat and then we headed back to Sactown.
As you can see by the long post, it was a life changing week. If you made it this far, thank you. Sorry for the length of the post, but I wanted to break it down for you a little, so you can feel what I felt. There is so much more. Maybe in the next few posts I can break it down for you a little more, just not quite as long as this one. (:
June 19th - Road trip! The six of us got into a Ford Expedition and headed on a 7.5 hour journey. We left around 8:15ish and got there around 5ish. We settled in, made a trip to CVS for two cases of water, and a tooth brush for me. Then headed out to dinner at an "outdoor" Chinese food place and then headed back to the Oasis building, played a few rounds of pool, practiced a skit, and then called it a night.
June 20th - Father's Day - Knott's Berry Farm! Joining our team of six was my daddy. I haven't spent a single Father's day with him in about 4 years, so I am very glad I got to spend this one with him. It's exactly what I needed for this long yet eventful week. We had dinner at Knott's Berry Farm and then headed back to the Oasis building for a youth group service and to meet the other team of 16 that was also there from Wilson, North Carolina. Yup, they traveled all the way across the country for the missions trip and made our missions trip just 100x better. That night there was orientation and then we all called it a night. A long week was ahead of us.
June 21st - First real day of missions trip! Got up that morning and hiked to the nearest Starbucks and then was back for breakfast. Then every morning we had our quite time following our quite time was Praise and Worship and class. We learned the first day on the ABC's of Evangelism. Basically three basic steps to ministering to someone. Following that was lunch and then following lunch was a scavenger hunt. We were in the city of Los Angeles. Talking with people, sloving riddles, and putting into practice of what we learned that morning. We made it back just in time for dinner, then after dinner we got a tour of the Hollywood/Beverly Hills area. We were dropped off in West Hollywood where we were told to pray over that particular part of the city. Then we were picked back up were shown the Beverly Hills part of town and then were dropped off on Hollywood Blvd for time to minister to people. The North Carolina group had two human video skits that they did on Hollywood Blvd. What guts that must have took! Then we headed back to the Oasis building for debreif and then bed. What a first day it was. I thought it was a start to a very long week.
June 22nd - Getting the hang of things! The second day I was finally getting the hang of things. I just had to get out of the confined box I was in. The box of "no one's going to like me because of who I represent." I was pulled out of that box all week long and my youth leader kept having to remind me, that I was never going to see these people again. So who cares if they think I'm crazy. Let them. It's their loss not yours. So we all were headed to Vience and Santa Monica beach that day. I tried to out of that box but every time I did, I got rejected. So I pretty much gave up. I was with one of the ladies that went with us and I felt what we kept calling "the nudge" to go talk to this one girl at Vience beach. She was watching a bunch of guys skateboard at the skate park there and she was messing with her phone, so I smoothly go over there kinda sit down and ask her what kind of phone she had, and her response in an awkward voice, "It's a Blackberry." Now I'm thinking, "How am I going to keep this conversation going? What service? Every service has a Blackberry of some kind. Now we're thinking Halie." "So with what service?" I asked her. "Umm AT&T." I could see the awkwardness in her body language and her shaky voice. "So I know this werid," I told her "but let me tell you why I am here." "Okay.." she said very awkwardly. "I am from Sacramento and I am here on a missions trip with 23 other people." She started to understand now. We talked for a few more minutes, then I was joined by my ministry partner Kelly. Then thankfully for Kelly she kept the conversation alive. Then we prayed with this girl and went on our way. We met with the rest of our group and headed to Santa Monica Peir for dinner and then Third Street Promenade for some more ministry oppertunity. Well I just wasn't feeling it, I felt as if every time I talked to someone they would just reject me and I hadn't brought God into the conversation at all. Well Kelly and I were still minister partners and well my feet were killing me. (Apparently they aren't walking shoes what I was wearing and the box said that they were smart shoes. Not smart at all.) So I am going to sit down and this guy was too. It was like a race to get to out chairs. That "race" ened with a 40-45 minute interesting conversation. You could tell this guy was anger. Kelly did all the talking because I was not going to lash out in anger with this guy. All I did was pray for Kelly, that she had the right words to say. She put up a killer arguement with this guy I must say. After that interesting and long conversation we met back up with the group and headed back to the Oasis for debreif and bed. The next day was going to be longer than the day before.
June 23rd - My eyes were opened and my heart was touched at Skidrow! How many homeless people are in the city of Los Angeles? The correct answer: 90,000. Just in the city of Los Angeles. Skidrow is where the government is trying to push them too. Well me and both teams headed that way to feed and minister to them. About 2,000 hamburgers were cooked and wrapped and WOW Jam was there doing their outreach. Well after wrapping a lot of hamburgers, we were out on the streets of Skidrow ministering to people. Well at one point during the outreach there was this pushup competition between like 5 or so dads and then after the competition, the main speaker guy was like, "A lot of dad's get the horrible sterotype of things get bad and they just leave." The guy said some more things but this blog post is already getting pretty lengthy and I still have more to cover. Anyway, it went into a serious ministering time on the streets of Skidrow. It was amazing to see all these people give their lives to Christ. It was a rough day, however when we left the day wasn't over yet. We still were going to go out to Hollywood Blvd again and to some outreach and this is where an amazing twist of God's mercy and love took place. That night I was on the streets of Hollywood Blvd and I almost went into a complete panic attack because a little thought that started Saturday morning became a big thought by Wednesday night. That thought was, "You can go and try and lead other people to Christ that you don't even know, but you can't even lead your own father to Christ?" I sat on the steps of the subway on Hollywood Blvd and ended up going back early after pounding my fist into a subway information sign. Two people took me back and Kelly was one of them when we got up to the dorm room and she was like, "Ok what's wrong? You can talk to me." So I told her that thought and then she proceeded to convince me for the next 40 minutes that I need to call my dad and talk to him. So finally what convinced me? Well remember earlier in the post where I said that we went to Knott's Berry Farm? Well Kelly is like deathly afraid of roller coasters with a huge drop (I am too) so she said this, "If there was a ten minute wait in that line, I wouldn've chicked out, but I got on that ride and didn't think about it until it was too late. The same concept goes for you, you've got 30 seconds. 30 seconds to be scared and then he's going to pick up and then you have no choice, but to talk to him." Well it was almost 11pm and as I picked up that phone to call him I literally was praying, "Let me get his voicemail, let me get his voicemail." Well he picked up and I talked to him and after that cried into Kelly's chest and then told a few people what happened and then went to bed. Kelly still tells me how proud she is of me.
June 24th - A lighter day! Well during Praise and Worship the next day, the lady preaching had us pray over one another because of the drained day at Skidrow the day before. Then she ministered then there was lunch and then we were split up into three different groups. The Sactown group however was split up into two groups. The three groups were, Kidz Klub, Pershing Square, and Union Station. Two of the Sactown people went to Kidz Klub and the rest of us were up at Pershing Square. I was now paired up with Bruno, who he and I passed out tracks pretty much the whole time. Then after dinner at Echo Park we headed into an amazing church service at Angelus Temple which is accociated with the Dream Center in Los Angeles. Then after the service we all went back to the Oasis building and the North Carolina group went out to Hollywood Blvd to minister while the Sactown group stayed behind and practiced our skit for the following night. Then we called it a night, a much lighter last two days.
June 25th - Last day of ministry with the Oasis Urban School of Evangelism! So not much planned for the day. We got to sleep in! Which was a total plus. We had brunch and then quiet time at the obserbetory of the Hollywood sign. There was where God worked on my heart and got me ready for that night at Club Zion. So after that we headed back to the Oasis building for a snack and then our last outreach on Hollywood Blvd. Which we were singing Worship songs on Hollywood Blvd. Which shortly after that we were shut down and asked to leave. So some of us were in the mall trying to find that oppertunity to minister one last time on the streets of Los Angeles. Then Kelly and I went sovenior shopping for our family back home. Then headed back to the Oasis building to get ready for Club Zion which is a teen club that they do every Friday night. Club Zion was the end of our ministring in Hollywood. We did a skit for it and it was funny and powerful. Apparently 80 teens and 3 groups of ministers were there to see it. It really got me outside of my comfort zone. Club Zion ended at 11pm and I was already not wanting to say goodbye to the North Carolina folks. It was probably one of my hardest goodbyes ever, they barely knew me and they pretty much new my story. I opened up to some of them and really shared my heart. We did however share our good shares of laughs packing that night. A girl who is a bit OCD neatly packed my bag. It was a bitter sweet night.
June 26th - The real missions trip starts! Headed home! That morning as I got ready to go, I embraced myself for a bitter sweet goodbye. We all knew we were going to keep in touch via facebook. However we shared some precious memories together. One's that I'd never forget. The hardest thing for was, I had to say the first goodbye. I was headed to breakfast with my daddy. Which was pretty important. So I said goodbye to them, while some tears shed from my eyes. Had breakfast with my daddy that morning though. It was the first time that I actually saw true happiness from within him. After breakfast I sat and watched the rest of my team eat and then we headed back to Sactown.
As you can see by the long post, it was a life changing week. If you made it this far, thank you. Sorry for the length of the post, but I wanted to break it down for you a little, so you can feel what I felt. There is so much more. Maybe in the next few posts I can break it down for you a little more, just not quite as long as this one. (:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Homeschooled High School Graduate - My Homeschool Story.
Most of my graduating class started their home school journey in kindergarten. I however started mine in the 7th grade. I was 13 years old, a grade behind in school, so lost and confused, and didn't know what to think of this home school journey. I was pulled out of Mitchell Middle School, I was put in South Sutter Charter School. We were blessed with amazing teachers every year and a tutor that I'll never forget. Sophomore year, we resigned from South Sutter Charter School and joined the organization that I just recently graduated with. SCOPE, Sacramento Christian Organization of Parent Educator. From South Sutter Charter School to Leadership Christian High School. My life was changed. You see in the charter school, I didn't socialize with many people my age. When we joined Scope, I did and it changed my life forever. From all my "friends" at Mitchell leaving my out in the curb to gaining all these amazing friends. All my "friends" at Mitchell told me that I never will make it to graduation day, all my friends in Scope, pushed me there. My life changed dramatically when my family and I joined this organization, there were people who actually cared about me and my education. Don't get me wrong there were the struggles. There was the confusion, the frustration, the miscommunication with my parents. It definitely has not been easy, but I managed to make it through in one piece, this past school year, I anticipated my high school graduation, this summer I am anticipating my new life at Sacramento City College one whole year earlier than planned after my detour in 3rd grade.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Growing Old is Mandatory. Growing Up is Optional.
It has been a busy few weeks, I won't lie. Saturday, May 15th started my graduation week. I was at my senior banquet and when a limo came and picked me up at 4:30pm that afternoon, everything hit me. As I stepped into the limo, I realized that I had 7 days left of high school. I had 7 days left to finish that "high school bucket list", I had 7 days left of my childhood pretty much, because isn't that what it means to receive your high school diploma? That your childhood is over? I mean I know that quote, "Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional." Either way you kind of have to grow up. Yes there is a time and place for everything and yes you can always be a child at heart. I am not saying you can't. But there are three things that really opened my eyes to this thing we all call adulthood, the first thing is I can vote, the second thing is that I can die FOR my country, and the third thing is I can go to jail as an adult. I am going to elaborate on everything here. Going back to you can vote. I can elect the next President, the next Governor, the next Senator, the next Assembly member, the next Mayor, the next Council member. That is really a lot to think about. The next thing I can die FOR my country. Meaning, I can join the Military. Fight for our country and die for our country. The last thing, I can go to jail for doing something stupid AS AN ADULT! This all hit me as I was entering a limo to go to my senior banquet. Yeah, I know pretty strange right?
I have been on the go since I graduated. One thing after another. But I am not complaining. I love being busy. It keeps me out of trouble. This is going to be an interesting summer, a changing summer, a transitional summer. I can't wait to blog about it.
I have been on the go since I graduated. One thing after another. But I am not complaining. I love being busy. It keeps me out of trouble. This is going to be an interesting summer, a changing summer, a transitional summer. I can't wait to blog about it.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Entering Adulthood.
So I did it. I graduated. I counted down the days, the hours, the minutes, the seconds. I pinched myself all day graduation day and then have been on the go since then. I don't think I have had the time to slow down and actually think about what the heck happened on the 21st of May at Sun River Church. Every thing seems to have been go, go, go. The Tuesday after I graduated, I went down to my new sch00l to prep for the fall. I did it all by myself and I felt pretty adult like. I did it all by myself, no help from mommy or daddy. Then Thursday I graduated from my leadership class and gave my first "wing it" speech in front of probably 50+ people. Then I headed down to SoCal to visit my father. As I was walking along Huntington Beach the following came to me:
There's not a comforting sound like the ocean waves hitting the shore. There's not a comforting feeling than somewhat cold water hitting your feet as you walk down a beautiful beach on a nice Saturday evening. Things are changing for me, oh yes indeed they are. No more mommy holding my hand making sure, I make it to class, do my homework, study for midterms and finals. It's all up to me.
This is a transitional summer. As I enter into adulthood, follow me, I don't know where this path is going to take me, but if you're in for a ride, I will give you one.
There's not a comforting sound like the ocean waves hitting the shore. There's not a comforting feeling than somewhat cold water hitting your feet as you walk down a beautiful beach on a nice Saturday evening. Things are changing for me, oh yes indeed they are. No more mommy holding my hand making sure, I make it to class, do my homework, study for midterms and finals. It's all up to me.
This is a transitional summer. As I enter into adulthood, follow me, I don't know where this path is going to take me, but if you're in for a ride, I will give you one.
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