Valentine's day is for everyone!

Dear Readers,


Okay, so I know I'm one day late in writing this Valentine's Day post. But then again it's never too late to celebrate the message of love with all the special people in our lives. I've been thinking about this a lot lately; just because of the holiday itself-but because it's around this time I realize most of my friends are scattered around the globe.

Though it's been a difficult journey, my friends (both old and new) have always had my back. As I've said many times before, they have played instrumental roles in making me the person I am today. They're both supportive and accepting while spurring me on to grow in ways I never imagined; much in the same way as Paul mentored Timothy in the Bible.

Ironically, you'd think it had been an other way around- considering Paul's current situation (sitting in a jail cell, awaiting his final days). But instead he spent days writing a final letter to encourage him. He recalled seeing the same faith in Timothy as he had seen in generations before him (Timothy 's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois). Because of this, there is no doubt for Paul that it will be passed on. He does issue a warning, however, underlining the importance of keeping the passion going for the Ministry.

2 Timothy 6-8 says, "For this reasonI remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God."

Where am I going with all of this? Not only do we need relationships for fun and recreation, but we also need down to encourage our personal growth. So next time you wonder why God has placed someone in your life, he might just be challenging you...

PS. I love all my friends.. you know who you are!<3

Starfield - Remain ( with lyrics )

Okay Folks~
So I realize I haven't written much on here lately. Despite having my own apartment and being blessed, I feel a bit overwhelmed by everything. I know Jesus is still around, but the little things seem to chip away at me-stealing my joy-about the whole situation. Our church has been playing this song a lot lately; it says a lot about God guarding our hearts always.. I'm trying to hold on to that promise!

Reminiscing: How Far I've Come.

Welcome Back Readers~

I was reminded this weekend about how far I've come since the early years of special education. For those of you who are new, special education can be classified in several ways: 1) a group of people with various disabilities in a specific classroom who are attempting to mainstream into the public school system..2) a type of education specially designed to assist in the learning process of a specific person etc..

In this case, I am talking about the first classic definition. I myself was put into a classroom which we lovingly named "Room 54: where are you" in which I learned the necessary skills to succeed in the regular classes. I was among friends with dwarfism, ADHD, CP, and other disabilities. In this class, not only to learn academically but some social skills that I would need to survive in the outside world.

A recent movie on CBS called A Smile As Big As the Moon starring John Corbett also illustrated the experience I had. In this movie, the group bonds over trying to learn the necessary skills in order to attend Space Camp. It also highlights the difficulties I faced while trying to mainstream myself into the public school. The movie will re-air on Sunday or Saturday (I'm not sure which) on the Hallmark Channel for those of you who have the channel. I would encourage you to watch it if you have a child going through the mainstream proces or just someone with a disability!

My New Apartment

Welcome Back~

So it's been a little longer than I planned in writing this blog; but it's been a transition on my end. I went from having several hours on my own plan and write to having almost full-time care and supervision. I don't blame the state though, they're doing what they think is best. It's just one of those times where I don't really appreciate the label of a quadriplegic...

Still, it's hard to deny see God's hand at work through it all; hence, Sundays sermon called "Trust In Transition"-something I still have difficulty doing. Anyway, I will post some pictures when I get a chance...

Encouragement: New Year, New Chapter!

Hello Again, Friends ~

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since I had time to write on this blog. The truth is, our family had been through a lot during this time that writing here has been the furthest thing from my mind. Now that things have called down somewhat, though, I feel I owe you an explanation for my absence.

To begin with, there was the unexpected death of my sister-in-law's mother that reminded me how fragile life can be. Her example gives me yet another reason to believe that living a Christian life boldly has the capability to change the lives of the ones around you, but those of complete strangers. It also got me in touch with some classic hymns that I'd practically forgotten about from childhood; there's one in particular that come to mind. The title is: Because He Lives, Lyrics Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The chorus lyrics are as follows:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives."

Sometimes it's hard enough to remember that we don't control our situations; But God does. Well, the same goes for our future. God loves us so much that he's invested himself in you and me and what bigger sacrifice can there be than that? I'm just sayin'!

As many of you know, I'm also beginning a new chapter in my life as I have decided to rent an apartment with a friend of mine from church. The next few weeks will be an adjustment for me as I deal with new challenges both financially and emotionally. Still, I know God has some lessons for me to learn in terms of my independence otherwise he wouldn't have placed such an opportunity in my midst. Whatever happens, I will rest on the promises laid for me in this hymnal and Bible verses such as Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you.. To give you a future and a hope"

Anyhow, as I make such an adjustment over the next few days, please don't be disappointed if I don't write on here as often as I should-at least in the beginning anyway. You see, I'm not scheduled to have Internet until Tuesday of next week at my new place; but you can be sure that I will keep you updated on my new adventures. Being away from the blog this past week has taught me how lucky I am to have a voice in order to speak my mind despite having a disability. But let me explain why; along with being busy this week, I had a sickness that caused me to lose my voice..

As a result, I was not able to use my voice recognition software to write or use the computer. This experience gave me a glimpse of what it must have been like for people with disabilities with an high intelligence who were unable to use their hands. I am lucky that technology has made such advances to help people in my circumstance.

Christmas 2011

Dear friends:

As another year draws to a close, I'd like to take this time to reflect on everything that's happened to me. One thing I will say, my life has certainly been that of a roller coaster starting with my time in the hospital and ending with my upcoming move to an apartment in 2012. All in all, I wanted change anything because it showed God's faithfulness in the bleakest circumstances.

That being said, I can't quite explain the feelings I'm having this Christmas. My heart's not completely into it, I guess. Even still, I'm trying to the real "Reason For The Season" and stay focused. A song that has reminded me of this is Matthew West's recent hit "The Heart of Christmas" whose YouTube clip I have provided below:

http://youtu.be/ASJktrBObrI

In The Blind: Trusting In the Midst of Life's Biggest Obstacles

Welcome Back, Readers~

Okay, so it's clear I have hesitated writing on this blog for several weeks now. The question is why. Was I hoping for a positive result and a swift removal of all the barriers I've encountered up until this point, ending with a deeper understanding of God's will for my life? Or was I simply not willing to share my weakness with you for fear you'd view me differently?

Truth is, I can't give you a definitive answer. Perhaps it's a little bit of both. These last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for me, beginning with the opening up of an apartment for me and my roommate, then the harsh reality that it wasn't the right time (meaning that everything wasn't prepared in terms of financial aspects, but more importantly personal care aspects). Then, there were other things to consider.

I'll admit I should be handling it better. This isn't the first time I've encountered adversity, after all; but that doesn't mean it gets any easier. Because let's face it, trials are not only inevitable but unpredictable as well. They come in a variety of types and sizes. No matter what the problem is, though.. One thing remains the same...

All trials have in a Christian's life have a purpose!

I was reminded of this theme as our church continues its sermon series called "Let's Build Something Together That Lasts Forever." As part of this series, our pastor spent an entire Sunday shedding new light on the popular passage in James in which the author urges the tribes to "consider it pure joy" when they encountered trials. Why? Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (verses 3-5, NIV)

Going even further with this point, my pastor compares this time of testing to training for a frisbee throwing competition. People can try to train for these things themselves, but they don't have the expertise of a trainer to guide them. But we do-Jesus! Even better than perseverance, these trials can produce endurance and it has the capability of producing the perfect results, if only we'd see our way through it, not try to escape life's circumstance.

This process not only takes endurance but a lot of faith as well-not just a belief that God will do according to His Will. If you don't, James warns your efforts will go unnoticed as it states in verse 6: " But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind"

Alas, because of that human condition, we are prone to doubt; that being the case God created a backup plan-that we should ask him for wisdom. He will give it to you freely, not asking anything of you; only that you trust him. On this Thanksgiving season, try to remember this as you encounter life's difficulties.

That's exactly what I'm trying to do!