"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!!

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!

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.

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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.

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

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?

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!!