On the drive back, I'll think it through...

There's been one little trend in my recent blogging habits -- I tend to blog on Sundays and Wednesdays. I came to this realization while on my drive back from today's little trip, and then I also remembered that today is Wednesday... so what better time to share about the day's mini-trip to the OC!

[makes the letters with his two hands]

Ok, so I was never really good at making letters/signs with my hands. But true story -- I did drive up to the OC today. Lake Forest, to be exact, and I hung out with Sarah. Totally unplanned and random, but I'm glad with how the day went. Here's how it went down...

I was sitting at work, feeling discontent with life and wanting something to liven things up. I need to take some time off, but going on a trip isn't something I can splurge on at the moment. (Didn't help that my cousin gets to visit Europe for two months with his girl, and on her parents' dime.) And I'm still liking my marathon training (both running and weight lifting) and have been consistent, but now we're midway through the season and I'm feeling the repetitiveness (they warned us). So when the afternoon hit, I was in "I need to get out of SD" mode. Figured a drive might do some good.

Drive south? No... I have no passport. And what would I do in Mexico? I'd be kinda scurred.

Drive east? No... there's a whole lotta nothing until I get to maybe Calexico/Mexicali? And again, what would I do over there. Maybe I'll save that for another adventure.

Drive north? ... ... "Sure! I know peeps north of the San Diego county border," is what I reasoned.

I immediately thought of two friends I've missed hanging out with, and Sarah was one of them. Wasn't sure if she'd be free to hang, but she was. She did question me being able to drive up on a "school night", heh. But after I responded with a "that's how I roll", she proposed we see the movie "Date Night" and grab a bite to eat. I responded, "Perfect!" And off I went.

Traffic sucked, but I made it up there in good time. We grabbed a bite to eat at In-N-Out, and then caught the movie. It wasn't as laugh-out-loud hilarious as I was expecting, but it was still a funny movie. I knew nothing about the storyline, so I was surprised with how it went down, but it worked. I give it a solid B+. And I was awake the entire time! Like a solid alertness. If you've seen a movie with me, you know this is a feat in itself.

So I was very stoked with the outcome of my spontaneous decision to drive up for the evening. It was great to see Sarah, since San Diego misses her. But it looks like her, Bethany, and I (and hopefully we can rope more friends to join us) will be heading on a karaoke outing when Sarah comes down for her next visit. With her love of singing (and great voice) and me being Filipino, it's a wonder we've all never hit up a karaoke bar already, haha...

On the drive back, I was listening and rocking out, singing to that Lady Antebellum song. You know how it goes. "It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now..." It's a fun one to sing even when you're sober. And then I started thinking... this little road trip stemmed out of my present longing for something to stir in me again. I've had certain thoughts brewing for awhile now, and I've wondered where they were coming from... is it me, or is God trying to tell me something?

So I turned off the music and sat there driving in relative peace, and started a half listening/half prayer thing...

"So I await the words that You say

I open my life, I am longing just to hear these words

That You say, That You say..."

And what came to me was that even though I may be scared to pursue something -- I don't need to be. We may look at ourselves and see how we fall short in certain things, but I think God looks at us differently. Like it goes with any loving parent -- your child may disappoint, anger, and frustrate you at times, but yet you love them fiercely and when you look at them, you see all the potential in the world and all the possibilities for their future. And I was thinking how God's the same way... He gave us the ability to dream, and He will help us out. We just need the courage to ask, and to seek in Him both the strength to follow through and the humility to keep ourselves grounded and thankful for what He's done.

Having thought of that tonight, and feeling certain that He was the one that planted this seed that's been in my mind for the past few weeks and allowed it to grow... I think I know what I want to be doing in the fall. Granted, this will require planning and research, but I'm game to start the process. I want to go back to school, and if I can, then hopefully achieve my second bachelors degree (biology). And if that goes well...

I wasn't ready for this back when I was a college freshman, but I'm ready now.

I want to start studying to become a doctor.

On a Sunday, I'll think it through...

The title for this blog entry is the name of one of my fave Jimmy Eat World songs... but has nothing to do with the song. I just wanted to jot down some reflections on today, tis all.

IT WAS AWESOME! =)

Act 1: Carlsbad 5K

Got up there just in time to meet up with Pete, who had his family there to cheer him on, and my old roomie Ben. The three of us gathered together at the start line, and off we ran! We all pretty much made our goal times. Ben finished in at just about 26 mins, Pete in an even 28:00 (when he hoped for 29), and I clocked in at 29:39 - just under 30, which is what I was hoping for! I tried to give it all I had, which needed to include a few walks to catch my breath, but this race marked another improvement (pace-time wise) from my previous run (new pace 9:33 min/miles vs 11:06 min/mile). After I caught up with the guys at the finish line, we got our t-shirts and went to the beer garden. Because apparently that's what you do at these things: you run a good distance, you treat your liver to some alcohol... Cassandra snapped a pic of us guys with our beers in hand, and I hope that pic soon to commemorate a fun run. There were professional photographers taking pics of all the runners during the race too, and I hope those get posted online during the week.

Act 2: Oggi's Pizza

After the race, I wanted to treat Ben out for some pizza. Post-run is a good time for that usually unhealthy meal, heh. Plus it was his birthday a few days ago. So the two of us former roomies went down to Oggi's Pizza and shared our usual pepperoni. Definitely miss hanging with the dude, as he's always been a stand-up guy and one of the very few that I could always be real and raw with.

Act 3: Coffee with Matt

After I got home/showered, I went over to Linda Vista and had coffee with my growth group leader (Matt) at a little shop by the Flood campus. He was my prayer partner for the week, so we caught up on the latest hap's and discussed life... I'm liking being in growth group this time around. It's still a little hard to break down my walls and talk sometimes (although I did manage to give my personal story last week), but I know it's something I need to keep trusting God to work in and through the group.

Act 4: Flood with Jess

Straight after coffee, I met up with Jess and her cousin Camille in the Flood parking lot. Chatted it up a bit and went inside for the service. Once I saw the piano on stage, I knew that The Gate Called Beautiful was likely leading worship - and they were. It was a good service - worship was awesome, and the service marked the beginning of a new series called "Touch: Real Sex in an Artificial World". Earlier in the week, another friend of mine saw the name of the series, and she kinda gave me a look, like "mmmmhmmmm..." But the fact is, sex is a big part of the culture we live in and regardless of one's age or marital status, the Bible does have lessons to learn on how we should view our sexuality. Thankfully, Adam (our speaker) didn't just throw down the stereotypical conservative church party line of "pre-marital sex is bad". (Actually, he started out with a rather hilarious look at the lyrics of Usher's song "Yeah"). But to sum, I'll just use a quote that they gave us from author Philip Yancy:

People worry that they will miss out on something if they heed the Bible's warnings against premarital sex. Actually, the warnings are there to keep them from missing out on something.

I'll definitely re-listen to the podcast, as I enjoyed the message (even if I can't properly express how it went - I'm tired now, lol) and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Also, this was the second week in a row that one of my original Mitchell besties, Jess, joined me for a service. Aside from the fact that it's been nice having a friend join me at church again, it's rad to feel like she's enjoying it (both the music and message), and to feel that the Holy Spirit is just doing it's thing.

And that's what I prayed with Matt during our coffee session. A lot of times I feel that uncertainty of the future, and I have my periods of doubt and lack of faith. But then I get that still voice pulling me back in and reminding me, "Hey... I'm still with you... for all those times you feel like I'm not there, or you may not even want Me there, I'm still working in your life. You may not see it right away, and you may not understand something, but trust in Me." When I hear Him reminding me of what He's already done and what He's promised us in Jeremiah 29:11, I realize that it's all good and I can put my fears aside and start finding peace/rest/hope in His love.

With that being said (quoting my Medicare mentor right there) -- Happy Sunday!

All of my life, in every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing...

60 Days

60 days until the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

And I. Am. STOKED. :D

I can't believe I've been training since the end of January and that every week I'll be marking a new personal distance record until we hit 26.2 miles on race day. So far I've maxed out at 13.2 miles. This Saturday, Team in Training (who I'm partnered with) is running 14 miles in La Mesa, and I would love to do that run. Buuuuut Sunday I am signed up for the Carlsbad 5000 -- an easy 5k (~3.1 miles) run right by the water -- and I don't wanna be burned out/sore.

Sunday should be a fun run, as it's the race's 25th anniversary. Aaaaaaand two of my friends are running in it as well -- Pete and my old roomie Ben are both officially signed up, thanks to me motivating them via Twitter. I'm positive that they'll both finish faster than me, but I know I can finish around 30 minutes, based off my ~10+ minute/mile run in the Race For Literacy a few weeks back.

Will be back with race results after the weekend. :)

Worship Music

I've been in a worship music kick as of late - spinning it sometimes on the drive to and from work (and if I can sneak in my headphones I'll listen to a song or two while at my work desk), while doing the dishes, and even now while typing this out. I had lunch on Saturday with my growth group leader and in talking about my journey thus far as a Christian, I thought of the role that music played and how important it's been in my experience. When I first went to Flood six years ago, it was the music that first hooked me. I didn't know the songs at first, but there was something in the music itself that was moving. And then as I kept attending and singing along with the words that Eric wrote (he was the leader of Something Like Silas, which was the band at the time), there'd be those moments where the words finally punched me. I'd be struck by the meaning of the lyrics and how fitting it was for where my heart was at that point in my life. Eric (gifted lyricist that he is) wrote a lot of songs that I feel God was able to use to speak to us.

I look now at my SomethingLike Silas playlist and many songs jump out as ones that have resonated deeply with me over the years. The band moved on from the church in 2008, and I've missed them terribly. Eric understood that the music wasn't about just singing. It was about preparing our hearts for the message and helping us experience God through worship. This song, called "Please" (aka #5), is one of the ones I miss the most, and happened to be up on YouTube. Sometimes I'll have those internal struggles and doubts, and it's in those times that I think of this song and the chorus...

Please, tell me

In this holy fear that You are near me (I cannot touch You)

In silence (I cannot hold You)

I will know (I cannot see You)

That You will hear me, Lord... (but I know You)

Reunited...

...and it feels so good. =)

Great times yesterday hanging with Jess and Krod -- my old Mitchell crew -- down for some eating and bowling at the Eastlake Tavern and Bowl. The three of us haven't hung out together in ages! Even though I've hung out with both of them individually on a pretty regular basis still, it was awesome that we could all get together again. I only wish we had a regular camera so this pic wasn't grainy, but I still love it.

Love Came Down

The Pat Little Band has been singing a song at Flood lately called "Love Came Down", originally written by Brian Johnson. It's become a fast favorite of mine, and I wanted to share the lyrics and video below. With whatever fears we may have in life right now, I'm reminded that God is right there to fill us with hope and guide us through whatever comes our way, and that we have His perfect love to cast out our fears (I John 4:18).

If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice

I’ll hold on to what is true though I cannot see

If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep

I will lift these hands in faith

I will believe

I remind myself of all that You’ve done

And the life I have because of Your Son

Love came down and rescued me

Love came down and set me free

I am Yours, I am forever Yours

Mountain high or valley low

I sing out remind my soul

I am Yours, I am forever Yours

When my heart is filled with hope and every promise comes my way

When I feel Your hands of grace rest upon me

Staying desperate for You God, staying humbled at Your feet

I will lift these hands and praise

I will believe

Love came down and rescued me

Love came down and set me free

I am Yours, I am forever Yours

Mountain high or valley low

I sing out remind my soul

I am Yours, I am forever Yours

I am Yours, I am Yours, all my days, I am Yours

Safe.

Today was supposed to be the first trip of the year to Disneyland. Well, I certainly got a ride a little while ago. It just was not one I was expecting.

Flashback to about 4 hours ago, where I was downtown, having just completed the Race for Literacy 8K run from Balboa Park and down the 163 Freeway. On a happy note, I did the 5 mile run in 56 minutes, which works for me considering that's an improvement on the 4 mile run last August that took me 51 minutes. Plus today's race was rainy and cold. Was so happy to get outta there and back home, since the plan was to drive up to Disneyland to meet Sarah and the OSFs.

Well, Brit came to pick me up at 11:30, and she offered to drive this time. Fantastic, I thought, since I don't like driving in the rain and I was hoping to take a nap. We were driving up the 805, not even past the UTC area yet, when we got into a car accident. We're both okay. It was frightening, and those few seconds were harrowing. It's cliche to say that it all happens so fast. But an accident happened right in front of us, and then another car swerved in from the side. Brit maneuvered in between to avoid those two, but then hit another car that was also trying to get out of the mess... after the hit, there was some swerving going on, but no spinning around thankfully, and Brit got us on the shoulder. Someone from a car that was involved that was now behind us came storming up to one of the cars that was now in front of us and started swearing up a storm, and it wasn't pretty. Two people were carried out on stretchers after being removed from their car with the jaws of life. Thankfully, Brit and I weren't really injured, but our necks feel a little stiff and I think her back too...

The tow truck gave us a ride to a gas station, where Trent picked us up, and he dropped me off at home, and I feel somewhat numb... definitely a little frazzled (though not nearly as frazzled as Jim from the latest episode of The Office). Was looking forward to spending the day with the crew at Disney, especially as it's Sarah's birthday, but there's always next time. And I'm glad there can be a next time. Thank God no one was seriously injured, that more cars weren't involved and we weren't hit again from the side, since I felt like the right/passenger side seemed the most vulnerable once the car was swerving.

The day started off well with a successful run, and I'm determined to end it well. I think I'll take a nap, then head off to Flood and give thanks to God for keeping us safe through it all.