Shangahi December 2012

Traveling is fun but with family, its super bonding fun!

Here are some pictures of Shanghai with family!! Its been a long time since our last bonding time and I feel this will be one of many excursions.

landed! with rosan

Group arrival picture

On the way yo our hotel via subway

Hotel lobby

super great room!

one of the many chinglish signs in shanghai

"do not disturb"

Bamboo shoots with edamane FAV!

Must eat here resto!!!

yummy spicy lemon margarita

One of the best trips I had..

I Stand by His Grace

I have heard various accusations that plagued me.

I take intermittent steps back and review my life and, more importantly, the motives of my heart for every move I make.  The cull of leadership is not easy;  neither are the pioneering efforts demanded of me before as school administrator and talent manager and now as a human resource manager.  Many times, the trek can be lonely and only those who fly in similar worlds with the same altitude grasp the dynamics of what I go through.

I have learned that I am not so important as to be able to control people or take advantage of them, as some are inclined to think.  I churn my job knowing that, if I do less, others who take the trek with me will slide down.

I have learned that, in this tough business, one can't fake the preaching without the life that backs it up.  Often, the backing up is not seen by the public eye, and it doesn't matter.

I have learned that I bark loudly not because I am better, but, precisely because I've been down on the ground probably more than most.  In that, there is no room for self-righteousness.

I have learned that my attention span is too short to be capable of the machinations of spiritual manipulation because everything I breathe goes against that very grain.  I speak the truth, sometimes straight out, because the deception and lying found in everyday life are just so distasteful that the specks of truth blurted out need to find their voices against the noise of propaganda called "denial".

No one likes accusations, but, if they be part of this trek, I thank my God for permitting them because they keep my feet on the ground.  I am thankful for real friends who hold the ropes with me and those who have gone this path ahead of me who serve as examples of how to stand, even alone.

Nope, the trek ain't easy.  But, I stand.  By His grace, that's a promise.

Faith Goals 2013

I have been doing faith goals for 18years and the main theme of my goals are "What I want to do or what I want to have." God answered my faith goals (a yes or a no) but when i think of my life I have accumulated and exercised a faith that is based on looking out, a faith of doing...a faith of having...

This 2013 I have changed my faith goals to a faith of being... these are the goals I feel I need to have in the inside.

Here are my faith goals (not necessary in order):

1. Deliberately live a healthy life, a conviction from within. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, keep it fit. I want to be able to live and enjoy life as I age.

2. Honest/ Transparent "be transparent... bad things grow in the dark" Living a lie or lying is robbing myself of the truth. Trust binds relationships, so by always being honest I can trust myself and others can trust me.

3. Wisdom- My prayer is that I will have wisdom and the will be known for my wisdom.

4. Humility in everything I have done and will do - i want to remain humble.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— may I always remember this verse.

5. Generosity.

6. Faithful to finish what I have started.

What eats you?

It's not just what you eat that matters, it's what eats you. You can have all the right macrobiotics and organic food, but if your body is filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt, anger, bitterness, or any other emotional disease, it's going to shorten your life.

Photos of Coron Palwan

Love this place!

Immanuel God with us

 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

I used to find myself trying to pursue God, that in my waking hours I focus my strength to obey and be my best for God, yet I always fail miserably.
I realized that I was pursuing God as if He was far from me...
Not long ago, I had this revelation from Matthew 1:23 that God is in me....Emmanuel. I can fulfill (in obedience to His will) the plans God Has for me, no more struggle, just focus on today's daily tasks. Not to fear not to fret, but to enjoy God in me and the freedom to obey because He loves me and I love Him. I can never love God more than He loves me, so I can relax.

Verses that comfort me:
Psalm 33:10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 43:5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Jeremiah 46:28 Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished."
 Isaiah 46:4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Discipling me

web photo

Discipleship doesn’t just happen in the church

To make disciples, we must go and we must make. To go requires movement and to make requires creativity. Discipleship is central here. God incarnated in Jesus Christ the perfect example of how to do this. Christ developed godly character in others.

Our authority to disciple comes from Christ! You’re not alone

Jesus didn’t offer his final instructions and then just left us to it. We have a promise from Christ that he is with us always! That means when you’re facing a discipleship challenge that seems insurmountable, Christ is with you by his Holy Spirit. When your parent seems completely uninterested in your life, Christ is with you. When you bring the new church van back with a dent shaped like a frightened cow, Christ is with you. Always.

Donita Sabater singing Deciphering Me cover by Brooke Fraser

Craft Beer

"craft brewery" as "small, independent and traditional"

I love beer, and when i travel i make it a point to drink the brews from the city... most beers in the Picture is from Canada... need to take more pictures :)

craft beers available in draft fort

Available in Barcino

Montreal

Canmore Alberta Micro-brew Sampler

Dulac-St. Jean Quebec Craft

Quebec

Chicutimi Quebec

Chicutimi Quebec

Saint Annes des Montes Quebec

IPA San Diego CA