My, has time passed.

For those who don't know already, tomorrow is February 21. It also marks the day of the anniversary of Lynette's passing. There has been so many things that have come and gone since then and I can't help but think how things could've been different.

My, has time passed.


This thought continues to pass through my head. Cliche as it sounds, time has come so fast. I still remember working so late at Target and hearing the news from my dad. I still remember going and leaving the hospital amazed at how surreal life looked. I still remember being in the room with the family I've known most of my life; watching a sister that I grew up with depart. Yet two years have almost come since.

My, has time passed.

I still think of the people I met that day. Strangers at face value, I quickly inherited friends and family. There are so many people in here, I thought. I felt joy, laughter, and sadness all blended together in this room of strangers.

So many memories.

I remember the stuff we shared. The laughter, the advice, the love that I've never felt before; a sisterly love that can only come from someone that actually cared about what I had to say, understanding that no one else could relate to. We were the same age, we had gone through the same schools, we both had relationships. The only female I could confide in without judgment that I knew could understand.

I remember the awesome randomness that she brought into my life. The times she would bring cheese from home just to make grilled cheese sandwiches. The random thoughts that I never could expect come out of a woman. Few women have come close to the randomness that was Ling.

Oh Lord, Thank You.

I was so confused at first. Why her? What's going on? A million thoughts ran through my head. Lord, this doesn't happen to us. We've got too much on our plate already, why this? I've never been involved in something as serious as this. I grew fearful of what was going to happen. But I knew the Lord was in control. He gave us strength to go on, wisdom to grow in adversity, peace where there was none. He led me to people I would never have known had we not met in the hospital (Jake, Angelo, Candy, Jason I love you all). I learned more about friendship (Louise, Karen, Candy, Kit, Lyndse, Jonie, Lisa, Becky) and brotherhood that I couldn't have imagined (Van, Ruy, Lyndon, Kot, Josh, Just, Jasper, Jason, Jake, Alec, thank you guys for always being there for me. Through the thick and thin, you guys lived it with me and I'm eternally grateful). I grew closer to the friends who've accepted me into their family (Lyndon, Lyndse, Josh, Justin, Kit, and Kot, you guys are the best bros/sis(es? does that work?)/cousins I know. You guys don't know how much you mean to me. You guys are the closest people I have to siblings. We've shared a lot and I'm so grateful.). I've even grown in my faith (God, who knew that I could actually talk to people. Oh duh, you. *end cheesy monologue*). All of this is because of You Lord. Thank You for everything.

My, has time passed.

Two years have passed and I can't believe how things have changed. The family has grown closer and I've definitely have become more open to my emotions. I look back at just these past two years and I can't help but thank you Ling for helping me get to the person I am today. It's good to reminisce once in a while, but I'm ready for what the future holds. The memories I will cherish forever. Thank you.

Side note:
If I've forgotten anyone, I am so very sorry. It's almost 2 am and I just gotta write this before I go to sleep. You guys are all so special to me and I'm so grateful that God's graced me with yall's presence. I've gone from having no friends to being in abundance and I know that's got nothing to do me. I love you guys and I can't wait to experience the rest of our lives with all of you.

Reorganization...

Ok so I'm terrible at organization. I have this tendency to create this elaborate plan for my life that will get me to do everything humanly possible. Everything works out until I realize that I'm a bit lazy and I fail to do half the things that I've listed. This in turns causes me to get discouraged and I eventually drop said plan for another plan. And so the vicious cycle continues.

For those who know me, my schedule has become quite busy as of late. I've started to work more hours in order to save up for this summer. Unfortunately, this has caused me to lose out on quite a number of important things (sleep). So, I've decided to get a new plan.

Well honestly, it's not really a "new" plan. It's still my old plan but implementing it was extremely difficult. I tried to do too many things all at once, with only a few hours in between to do them in. So I'm starting them one by one.

Here are the "phases" that I'm going to be going through. This may be interesting. Or just plain boring. I don't care haha. I need this.

Phase 1: Finances (Budgeting, Itemizing, Building Credit, Spending (I got this part down))
Phase 2: Sleep (I need to wake up at 6-7 am so I can get all this done in one day)
Phase 3: Devotions (I would like to couple this with the sleep so I can start reading consistently)
Phase 4: Studying (Ok, I've struggled with this for years...probably since they invented it)
Phase 5: Exercise (Abs for my birthday anyone? It's a year late)
Phase 6: Tagalog (Sigi na...Pilipino ako!)
Phase 7: Life. (That's probably automatic.)

So yeah I've already started on this plan but it's gotta come one at a time. For those who read this, feel free to help me out. I need all the help I can get.

*insert cool ending line*
End.

Reorganization

Ok so this isn't working out the way I thought it would go down. It's become a bit cluttered so I've decided to reorganize... by making an entirely new blog! Yay! So now I have two blogs: one to keep my random babble and various tidbits that I'm sure you all would love, and another to maintain my devotions (or lack there of). Believe me, I love a good word...as a matter of fact that's my new blog! so come check it out.... probably to your left somewhere. K Thx Bye.

Apology and 1st reading! Psalms 1-2

Hey guys.. sorry. I got caught up in work and laziness that I failed to post the other night. Today I'm starting a 1 year bible reading with fellow friends of mine. For those who didn't know, I'm starting this 1 year bible plan as a way to read through the entire bible. It's not very long and it's interesting because it gives you a little bit of everything everyday. If you guys want to join me, feel free to pick up wherever I'm at or start over, but please be sure to post comments/your own devos as well so we can start discussions. Anyway let's go! Oh and I'll be reading from my Apologetics Bible. I believe it's the Holman version.

Psalm 1 - The Two Ways

1. How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!
2. Instead, delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
3. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bear its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
6. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
   

Wow! What a way to start off Psalms. This psalm details what a Christ follower should and should not be. How happy is the man that does not follow the advice of the wicked (vv 1)...those that only seek in the Lord will find salvation! Otherwise, we're just chaff or dust in the wind...blown apart by what the world has to offer. So frail and so easy do our values break when following those of man. Only by delighting in the Lord (vv 2) and meditating on Him daily, do our voice strengthen and bring miracles into our lives.

Psalm 2 - Coronation of the Son

1. Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?
2. The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His Anointed One:
3. Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.
4. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.
5. Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath:
6. "I have consecrated My King on Zion, My holy mountain.
7. I will declare the Lord's decree: He said to Me, "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.
   
8. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
9. You will break them with a rod of iron; You will shatter them like pottery."
10. So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11. Serve the Lord with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling.
12. Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry, and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy.
    

Coronation - the crowning of a king. How does that fit in this time and period? I find it so interesting that though this book was written thousands of years ago...these words have such meaning even today. In this passage, it details who we should worship. Though kings may rule this earth, only One will rule them all. Sounds like Lord of the Rings. I know. It's late. My bad.
In any case, I love this passage, "Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession (vv. 8). All you've got to do is ask. Sounds simple no? why not? It changes things when you've taken your eyes off of Him (remember Psalm 1?). Well remember to always keep your eye on the Lord. Delight in Him! Enjoy every moment you spend with your God. Well I guess I'll leave it at that. Anyway, stay safe and enjoy reading my long post