Just Discovering...

Looking back to look forward ➡

It’s been one of those years I could not have predicted to turn out as it did. Nope lol

‘Would I change any of it?’ I admit I’ve considered that many times. Wishing it were different or at least wishing I could’ve been more prepared or something, trying to make sense of what I could.
But I’m coming to realize now that to change any of it would change too much of the redemption that resulted from it.
So though it’s sometimes tough to swallow it all, I’ll take the redemptive story with a side of surprisedbyjoy please! 😊

I’m ready for you 2013!

What takes hours to prepare, takes only seconds to open lol #merrychristmas

Missing you

4 years ago today, my dad passed away. But 4 years ago, my dad also lived a full life.

every year this day, i think i post about my dad in some way. Although it was short time I spent with him, I’m so glad that I can also say it was very full. It just saddens me that some will never have the privilege of knowing him. But I feel that I get to share that legacy my dad has left behind for others to know him. A man who truly finished the race well and loved the Lord and others so well that strangers come to me even now to tell me what an impact he had on their lives.

These are just some of the memories he’s left me with :)

I remember times when he would drive me to my hs which was always about 20min-30min drive in the morning bc I missed the train (let’s just say, I rarely caught the right train :P).

When I was younger, I remember secretly pretending to be sleep just so that he would carry me up to my room, but I’m pretty sure he knew I was awake. ;P And I think he secretly wanted to bring me up too lol

I remember when my sisters and mom weren’t home and we were out of milk, my father’s choice of cooking: cereal with orange juice (it tasted terrible! lol)

I remember whenever we went out as a family, my mom was always the quick one who left the car and into our destination. My dad would always drop us off first and park. But I would wait for him and we would always walk in together with our arms linked or I held his hand. I cherish those moments. and I miss him even more.

Something I’ve come to realize lately is that the Lord must really love me that he gave me a dad that resembled Him so much on this earth. I just hope and pray that I would exude more of Him too. That I would have given my heart and life to serve and love others. That even after I die, people would say that when they saw me or were around me, they always felt Jesus’ love for them.

Dad, I miss you more than you know. But I look forward to the day that I will hold hands with you and with my heavenly Father in the other and walk through heaven sharing millions of stories. I will always miss you, but I thank God that he sends someone new for me to miss: a little bundle of joy who i haven’t met yet but I already miss so much lol.

Love, Me <3 See you soon!

So after receiving different requests on hair tips, I made an experimental how-to video on french braiding. lol :)

A powerful line from the Seuss

~ From The Lorax

kangalex:

Beyond Lost

A totaled car beyond repair. A messed up painting beyond reworking. A burnt piece of food beyond re-cooking. Sometimes, even the most skilled mechanics, painters, and chefs cannot save an item that is past the point of no return and unable to be redeemed.

This Easter, we see two individuals so wicked that we’d easily pass them off, saying, “Well, not even Jesus Christ could save them!”

But as we watch their story unfold, we will see how they were completely saved and changed by the blood of the Lamb. The truth is, no one is really Beyond Lost and His resurrection is not for the well, but for the sick – in other words, you and me.

(Rated: “SP” for strong profanity)

(via henrybenry)

sick…

Been sick for about 1/2 a week now, but it hasn’t been this bad for awhile.

Started with sore throat—> body chills —> headache —> stuffy nose —> loss of taste and smell —> the cough from hell.

that is where my story begins. I come home from work with a headache and stinging right eye. I had been coughing so hard that day that I thought I was going to throw my empty insides up. and everytime I coughed, I felt the back of my head in so much surrounding pain I thought it was going to fall off. I lay on the couch and I tell my 4yr old precious nephew that my head hurts. and he says to me…

“maybe you should go to sleep.”

me: “I’ve got to work though nathan”

N: *pause* “hmm A nap then. You should rest. That’s what I think” He looks at me with such innocent, sweet, concerned eyes- hand around his juice while wrapped up on the couch with a big scarf. In that moment, I didn’t feel that sick anymore. I just felt love. Dangg- this 4 year old!! <3

It’s incredible to see how powerfully God is moving and how much He’s expanded in 180 over the last couple of years. Crazier part: Its only the beginning!

And there are still so many more promises waiting to be fulfilled. I can’t wait!

very innovative! -what a way to advertise Apple, for sure

Yummy Vanilla Bean Toffee popcorn inspired by a recipe on Pinterest.

I remember when I was younger and stayed home from school, I woke up early just to watch the Martha Stewart show at 9am with my mom. (sometimes I would even watch it by myself too lol) And when she baked, she would often use vanilla beans- and not the artificial vanila extract stuff, but the real deal. She would say: “With a serrated knife, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the vanilla inside.” Let’s just say: I learned what “serrated” meant from a very young age :P

So thanks Debbie for getting me the delicious gift of vanilla beans and making this possible! :D I hope to make more and if you’d like some- first to ask, first to receive ;)

PS- if you try this, i would avoid baking it in the oven at the end for too long. Mine began to burn :T but the rest were absolutely sinful :P