Recent Life Lessons

I know that most people thrive off spontaneity and get bored doing the same thing every day, but I've never been like that. I actually really enjoy having a routine. I'm sure that makes me sound like the most boring person alive (and maybe I am), but I just find comfort in knowing what to expect.

Unfortunately, getting in the habits of routines means I continually follow the same pattern- both positive and negative. Because of this, it hits me extra hard when I realize God is teaching me a lesson. I get so wrapped up in my routines that it takes me awhile to notice that God is practically banging something over my head (figuratively, that is).

And because I am a huge fan of lists, here is my list of what I have been learning lately:

• I reach out to people as long as I feel like I'm not being "inconvenienced." How disgustingly selfish of me. This one was difficult to realize.
  
• I don't know how to handle friendships because I've never had genuine ones until recently.
• I don't know how to accept compliments.
  
• Yes, Erik and I have been together for 4.5 years. Yes, that is a long time. Yes, everyone and their mothers are getting married lately. And yes, God's timing is perfect and different for each couple. I just decided to be okay with this.
• I never fully surrendered my insecurity to God.
• I am so scared of confronting people I love. This fear and lack of trust has caused roadblocks in many of my relationships.

Realizing some of these things was refreshing, but overall, it was spiritually draining. But our God is full of glory and He reminded me of 2 Corinthians 12:9:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

What are your weaknesses that you have suppressed for so long? What can you bring to light so that Christ's power can be made perfect?

I'm Sorry!

Someone notified me that one of my photos from yesterday's post got censored by Photobucket. I just wanted to apologize if the photo was in bad taste and offended anyone. I honestly had to think hard about why it happened, but I guess that proves why you can't always trust your own opinion. I have never been censored before and I honestly feel really embarrassed right now.

Again, I am so sorry! I will make sure I think twice before posting photos from this point on.

2009 Muscle Beach Bodybuilding Competition

On Memorial Day, I headed up to Venice Beach to watch the city's annual bodybuilding competition. A good family friend (and my mom's personal trainer) was competing and I took some photos for him. Mike is a natural bodybuilder, which means he does NOT use steroids!  He won first in his category, so I took these photos while screaming and cheering for him. :)

The U.S. Air Force was there to help celebrate Memorial Day...

And now, Mike Manibog, the winner of the over 40s category! Can you believe he is in his 40s?! Unbelievable...

That's enough testosterone for today.  I feel like I need to do something girly.  Now off to find my copy of The Notebook... :)

fail fail fail!

This was on my doorstep and it gave me quite a chuckle:



Fail!

Where Flowers Bloom, So Does Hope

"Long live the rose that grew from the concrete when no one else ever cared."

Awhile ago at motel ministry, I met a woman who reeked of loneliness.  She refused to open up about her life, simply getting food from us and immediately leaving.  I saw her again as we were packing up and mustered up a big smile, hoping that maybe she would warm up to me.  It must have worked, because she walked up to me, gave me a rose, and walked away.  It was the most beautiful red rose I had ever seen.  I immediately placed it on my car's dashboard so I could see it every day.

That was the last time I saw her.

It is now two years later and the rose still sits on my dashboard.  It is so frail and withered that sometimes I'm scared it will just fall apart.  Despite this, I still think it is the most beautiful red rose I have ever seen.  I hope that one day, I will be able to thank her for my gift.

Perspective

"No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; 

a single experiment can prove me wrong."  

(Albert Einstein)

I am so good at getting in the habit of routines.  When I try a method that works, I never attempt to venture out.  I'm starting to realize that this mentality will never allow me to learn new things.

The first thing I do when I upload photos from a shoot is delete the ones that are out of focus.  I was going through photos from a wedding I did a few weeks ago and - for the first time - I found an unfocused photo that I kept.

The bride and groom seemed like private people who simply wanted to spent time together away from the crowd.  I quickly snapped this one when they were leaving the church.  You can sense their eagerness to have 5 seconds alone together before everyone else exited the ceremony.  The more I studied it, the more I felt it portrayed the excitement, anticipation, and romance of the day.

Or who knows, maybe it's just another unfocused photo.  I guess it depends on how you look at it.

FAIL

One of my favorite blogs of all time is FAIL blog. It makes me giggle like a little girl. I thought I'd share my favorites in hopes that you, too, will giggle like a little girl!



This one is Erik's personal favorite (turn your volume up for it)


Sleepwalking Fail


Double Fail


Hood Decoration Fail


Cleaning Fail


Meat Fail


Church Fail


But to end on a WIN...

John Mayer Fan Win

Mother's Day '09: Poblete Golf (aka BAMF golf)

cute cute cute cute

Erik and I may be getting a dog!  I never thought I'd get one because I'm allergic to dogs.  After seeing this video, though, I will put up with all the itchiness in the world.

Warning: This video contains an unbearable amount of cuteness.

Things I Don't Understand

I don't understand...

1) The new Facebook

2) Why things from Ikea are so inexpensive

3) Flaming liberals

4) Flaming conservatives

5) The theory that Jesus is just a "good prophet"

6) Pokemon

7) Asian drivers

8) How Erik can sleep in till 2 pm

9) "Pro choice" as means to justify abortion

10) Why Dr. Phil is still on the air

11) sliceoflaodicea.com

These each make me go "huh" in their own unique way.

A Child in Awe

I met a wonderful girl in a class two years ago. Throughout the semester, she and I had a lot of conversations about Jesus. She believed and accepted Him for who He is, but struggled with fully committing to Him. We haven’t kept in touch much; just the occasional Facebook comment here and there. However, I recently received an e-mail from her. She explained she had decided to fully commit to God and described what He showed her to get to that place of humility. It was one of the most honest things I’ve ever read:

Sometimes (well, most of the time) I feel as though He can't hear me. Like Sylvia Plath once wrote, "I talk to God but the sky is empty". After talking to the sky for so long, I realized I really should be talking to my heart. That is where God lives; in my heart. I've noticed He only takes up a little bit of space though. I will need to work on that.

I was overjoyed at her decision to pursue God the way He’s been pursuing her. However, this paragraph urged me to question myself- how much of my heart is consumed with Christ? It caused me physical pain when I realized I’m still hiding parts of my heart from Him. How could I have gone so long without realizing this? I was angry at myself for being so detached from my God. I was angry at the distractions in my life that cause me to stumble. I was angry at the enemy for tightening my chains to the world.

As my anger subsided, I felt like all I wanted to do was cry. Not in the girly it’s “that” time of the month way; I was a child crying out for her Father. I was undeniably desperate for Him. I remember when I first met Jesus- I used to cry at the mere thought of him. When did I get to the point where I became numb to the Gospel? When did I become like Sylvia Plath, looking at the wondrous sky and not feeling awestruck?

I never want to “get used” to God and lessen my view of Him. I am embarrassed to admit I even got to that point. I yearn to be in awe of His glory, simply because of who He is- Lord, God, High Priest, Author, King, Light, Deliver, Redeemer, Holy, Abba, Father…