A Glimpse of Mi Vida...

It started with a missions trip to Camden, where my life and perspective were changed and where this blog began. Life has been a roller coaster filled with its ups and downs and I'm excited for the adventure and discovering what God has in store, even though I really dislike roller coasters... I am a Lady in Waiting...

Monday, January 28, 2013

Catch My Breathe...

"I don't wanna be left behind
Distance was a friend of mine
Catching breath in a web of lies
I've spent most of my life
Riding waves, playing acrobat
Shadowboxing the other half
Learning how to react
I've spent most of my time
Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of the show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told it's supposed to be right
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now
Addicted to the love I found
Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud
Making time for the ones that count
I'll spend the rest of my time
Laughing hard with the windows down
Leaving footprints all over town
Keeping faith kinda comes around
I'll spent the rest of my life
 
Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of the show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told it's supposed to be right
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now"
-Kelly Clarkson

I can't help but love the above lyrics to the above song by Kelly Clarkson.

I feel like I have spent a majority of my life... catching my breath... trying to keep up with life, of juggling and balancing and running and continue to push on. I can't help but be thankful the ability to move and push and strive forward because of my faith in God.

Keeping faith kinda comes around... I think after last week's blog... I kept faith that this year would be better... better in general... but better for my birthday... a better year than last... and that I would continue to become a better person...

Yesterday was my birthday... 26!!!
I could not have asked for a better birthday. I felt so loved and cared for and special.

I had two amazing volunteers come into the office- so I could leave early on Friday.

I picked up dessert for a fabulous weekend away.

I treated myself to a massage and smoothie... even bought a new nail polish.

Met up with two amazing ladies (Amy and Megan) and we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then hit the road and head for San Diego. We sang to Nsync, danced, talked about life, love, and God.
We arrived in San Diego to be connected with another one of my best friends... Jack.
We made dessert and watched a movie. Jack went to bed since he had to work the next day. We talked and giggled and watched Say Yes to the Dress! and eventually fell asleep.
I woke up and got ready for breakfast out with a friend. Delicious blackberry and banana pancakes... a huge delicious coffee...  good company and nice conversation.
Ventured back to our area in San Diego. The ladies and I got coffee and ventured around the mall shopping and picking out new outfit and treating ourselves. Met up with close girl friend who was working and she gave me a slight makeover... red lips... Taylor Swift status.

We went back to the apartment and then set out to get some relaxation time and we got our nails done. The ladies treated and I felt so relaxed and blessed and thankful.

We then trekked over to Liberty Station/Point Loma area and went to my favorite little cafe and sandwich shop and Adrian arrived in town and join us. Turkey Cobb sandwiches and some chocolate bread (my favorite at Con Pane and only sold on Saturdays!).

We then went back to the apartment to get ready for dinner and our evening out on the town. The group surprised me with gifts... I was so excited and surprised and just grateful. I was surrounded by presents and people that I care about dearly... friends who for the past few months have stood by my side and just been such a great support system.

 
We got ready and my friend Rach joined us and we ventured off to an amazingly yummy dinner at the one and only Phil's BBQ. We then laughed and sang some country and hip hop and ventured to go dancing... which was a bust. Just before midnight we grabbed desserts to go and headed back to the apartment. We rung in midnight in the car singing... then sang Happy Birthday again at the apartment with desserts. We stayed up late laughing and talking.

The girls and I departed SD that morning and I made it back in time for church. I did a bit of work and said hi to some of my kiddos and friends and then went to lunch with some people from my small group...

I even got amazing chocolate cupcakes made by my wonderful family friend Alice.

Took a nap... at the church... sssh...

Then began to set up for the monthly youth dinner... I was overwhelmed by the turn out and help from the youth and parents. The room was decorated with balloons and lanterns and flowers. Filipino food filled the tables- made by some amazing people in my community at church... I was surrounded by love. Given gifts and hugs and just enjoyed quality time... oh I was surrounded by chocolate too... by birthday fell on National Chocolate Cake Day...

 
The festivities are continuing this week as I catch up and visit with friends...

THANK YOU!!!
I am so beyond blessed and thankful the people that God has placed in my life... and for the ways that I felt celebrated and cared for and reminded of God's love.

This year's birthday was the best I ever had and beat out the years of disappointing and tearful birthday.

Thank you to all who contributed to making this day- the best day... better than I could have ever imagined.


 

 

Monday, January 21, 2013

January Birthday Celebrations

For me... January has always been a really difficult time of the year because there are all of these hopes and expectation of the new year. We have goals and excitement for what the year will bring. For me, however January is always a difficult month because it is marked with my birthday.

One would think that January is an exciting time of the month... what's better than celebrating you. Often times, year after year it is marked with disappointment because my plans always revolve around other people. But Jenn... this is your birthday... it should be about you?! You would think... but it's surprising how often we want to find a medium to please everyone in our lives.

I've tried the whole do whatever you want... it's your day. That day was left with people not RSVP-ing and me changing all of my plans to accomadate the other people and last year it led to me sitting in LA... by myself seeing my favorite band. Sad right? But don't feel sad for me... maybe this is a great way for people to love the people in their lives and remember... to try and give them that one day a year... just one.

One year... all of my "friends" forgot my birthday... even a friend who I'd known for eight years. Another year there was a huge group of people and my dad paid $100 off the total bill... instead of making sure my meal was covered, everyone quickly wondered how much less they could put in.

Even this month has already been extremely difficult with a reminder of why January is really hard.

Last week I had my grandpa pass... unexpectedly. I had an extremely busy and difficult week at work... and then I ended the week with a break up with a guy I had been dating. Rough right?

Then because of the break up... all the plans that I had made for my birthday... excited for going out of town with friends... had to be changed. Thankfully I have a great group of friends who have been more than sweet and supportive amidst rescheduling thing and taking me out for dessert to cope with the break up and losing a family member.

This year... for the first time in a few years... despite these things I'm praising God still for all of the great things He is doing in my life.

He provided me with a amazing volunteers to help make work less stressful as we were doing year-end giving statements.
He helped me to end a relationship with someone who He didn't want me to be with... a man who was not everything God would want for me in leading our relationship.
And he provided me with a great source of friends as well.

So for this year for my birthday... I just asked for a dinner with my youth kids.
So I invite you to join me... at church... celebrating with the kids I love so much and invest in at church.

We are having a "potluck" dinner... so come join us... we will sing worship, eat amazing Filipino food, and slightly celebrate me...  (message me for info. on joining)...

Did I mention... my birthday happens to fall on National Chocolate Cake Day... my favorite...

Your presence and an amazing hug would be just the greatest gift... did I mention my love languages are quality time and physical touch...

However... if you feel so inclined... you can bless me in the following ways...
1) Donate money to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.
http://www.crowdrise.com/thegreatraise


2) I will gladly ask of gift cards to my favorite places to help me as I am budgeting on a Dave Ramsey budget...
-Starbucks
-Jamba Juice
-Coffee Bean
-Old Navy
-Kohl's
-Target
-McDonalds

3) Plan a lunch or coffee date with me.

Thanks for your love and support!!!