still a stranger

3 and a half years ago I came into college a stranger. I remember sitting in classes feeling so small, getting lost in the middle of this huge UCSD campus. I also remember realizing that I had no friends here, all of them were at home in DB/LA area, and all I could look forward to were the weekends so that I could go home. I was a complete stranger.

Now, as I look at my friends here in SD, there's nothing I'd rather do than stay here. Life moves on, and I know I must too. Traveling, missions work, grad school, serving in ministries... All viable options for a self-satisfying "future." And the more I live, the more I see that there's so much more to this world, so much to learn and see. As I learn more about one thing, my thirst to see more of the world seems to get bigger and bigger. And it seems that nothing can satisfy this craving, the more I try to do plan for my future, the harder it becomes to fulfill this want. And once again it must be God's word that brings me to my senses.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

As I prepare to graduate, I realize that where I'm going to end up is all in the Lord's hands. I can try to figure things out as much as i want, but if there's one thing I realized about life is that things never go according to plan. And it's ultimately giving it up the Lord that'll take me to a place where I ought to be. And that makes things a lot easier to see that I am still a stranger to this world. So much to learn and so much to see, but definitely God is taking me on the course of where I need to be.

spring break

4 days of New York
4 days of Mexico

This break was quite exhausting. And even though all of break was pretty eventful, most of it was spent in pain of some sort. From being sick in NY, to breaking out in an intense rash that is consuming my whole body, I don't remember ever being in a more physically miserable state.
With that being said, this has probably been my most fulfilling spring break. Going to NY to spend time with my dad, and then short-term missions to Mexico with Harbor Seniors.

During the Mexico trip I was challenged. I was challenged to give more and work harder. In spite of my rashes, and the drowsiness from meds, I was challenged to step it up. So often I think of myself, how horrible things are for me, and whats needed to be done for me to be happy and comfortable. But even in my worst state, my problems pale in comparison to those around me.
On the second day of us being in Mexico, I looked around and glanced quickly into the home of the family that we were building a house for. Seeing how the Vazquez Morales family lived broke my heart and encouraged me at the same time. They were so poor, and in the midst of their struggles God came through and provided for them. What challenged me the most was, while I was worrying about my rash, they were worrying about the roof on their heads.
Even though the short-term mission is finished, I know that I can't be lazy anymore. There are so many things that need to be done.