Preparing for Rain

I did something today to help me prepare for the rain that's to come. Now, this is not the rain in the sky nor the rain that symbolizes heartache or pain. Actually, I'm not even sure what this "rain" is going to be, but I'm preparing for it. I prayed about doing this today. Is this a good decision? Am I being a good steward of God's money? Should I do this now? I've been praying for a while. I'm not even sure when I'm going to use it, but I know I will...for God's glory.

I did something today to help me prepare for rain: I bought a set of luggage.

25 Years

My class and I have been studying the life of Abraham. God promised him that He would bless him with a child and that he would have many descendants. God promised and He always fulfills His promises..in His time. Abraham had to wait 25 years for this promise to be fulfilled. 25 years! This minor detail hit me for the first time this past week. 25 years! Though these years, Abraham faltered and took Hagar and made Ishmael. But, God still didn't back out of His promise. Abraham was old; his wife, Sarah was barren, but that didn't stop God. Nothing can stop God's plan.

25 years. God's plans are perfect and His timing is perfect. PERFECT. Even when things look utterly impossible (old man, barren wife) God can do it. There is nothing impossible with God. I'm learning more and more that God's plans and timing are perfect, even down to the littlest of details. When I think about it, I can't help but praise and thank God for His perfect plan and perfect timing. I get excited about what God has in store for me.

Lately I've been quite restless and really desiring to go. Where? I haven't the faintest. But, God's been reminding me that in His plan for my life, this is where He wants me: living at home, teaching 18 students, loving CFBC Chino Hills. This is where He wants me. I'm not going to close the doors on my desires for missions, but I must be content with where He has placed me... for now. I know that God will lead and guide me where He wants me, when He wants me. I can wait 1 year, or 25 years. I'm not going to stop praying and seeking His will. But I will be still and know He is God. No restlessness. This is where He wants me..and because of this, I smile.

Married, Dating, Single

I had a "Girls Night Out" today. Owen and I got manies and pedies...it was lovely. Then we headed back to Owen's place so she could fulfill her wifely duties to make her hubby some dinner. I took a little power nap on thier couch. Lovely.

Then we met up with Armenia at Mimi's and had a wonderful dinner. Over some delicious food, we talked about how we were doing and what the Lord's been doing in our lives. Praise God for the sweet fellowship. I praise God for the bursts of laughter and the moments when our eyes glassed over from joy. We all were praising God for where He has us: Owen, happily married to a man who makes her laugh even when she wants to be angry; Armenia, happily dating a man who we all thought she would never date (c'mon...you know you thought that!); and me, happily enjoying my single life and learning how God wants me to live this season of singleness for His glory. I praise God for where He has us. His plans are truly perfect. Where He has us is truly perfect. God perfectly knows what He's doing...I praise God and I smile...

Facing My Giants

I saw "Facing the Giants" for the second time today. If you haven't seen this movie, you're missing out. It helps me see God's goodness and be reminded of His plan. I can face the giants in my life because I know that I'm on the winning team, God's team. Sometimes I fear being alone, but I cling to the cross. Sometimes I think I'm not good enough, but I look to the cross. Sometimes I'm discouraged, but I am reminded of the cross. Sometimes I fear my future, but I lay it all at the foot of the cross.

"If we win, we will praise God. If we lose, we will praise God." These words were uttered by the head coach during the turning point of the movie. No matter what happens in my life, I need to and want to praise God. There have been some situations in my life that did not go according to "plan." But, this was just my plan. I thought by now I would be married, have a child or two, be home. But, God's plans were very different for my life. It's not that I've "lost," because I know that God's plans are best; in this situation I will praise God. There are many reasons why God keeps me single and I praise God for His wisdom. I pray that I use this season of singleness for His glory, to grow closer to Him and enjoy Him forever.

"[Nina Villarin]...is there anything impossible with God?" At the end of the movie the coached asked several of His players this question. Calling them by name, he wanted them to see that nothing is impossible with God. With God, all things are possible. I praise God for this truth. He saves sinners. He changes us and make us more like Him. He changes hearts and minds. He grants me comfort and peace. It's all through God and nothing is impossible with Him. He can open up an door He wants me to enter. He can bring people from the ends of the world together. He can turn a bad situation into something good. He does this all for His glory.

I know that when I come face to face with the giants in my life...I can smile.

Home

I've gone through 3 days of school. Back to the lessons. Back to the books. Back to the long hours of work on and off campus. Back home. It feels good to be back: to hear the children call my name, to smell the sweet aroma of Expo whiteboard markers (haha), to feel the tender hugs of my past and present students, to speak the truth of God's Word. I love being "home" and yet something within me tells me that I won't be here forever. I can't call CHCS "home" for good. Something within me knows there's something else in store for me. I've voiced my thoughts to my principal, jokingly for now, but with a hint of truth. He just shrugs it off and hopes that I forget, or get too comfortable.

Don't get me wrong: I absolutely love working with my students, but my heart goes out to those who don't have the things my students have. My heart goes out to the poor, the underpriviledged kids. My desire is to work with children who don't have rooms full of videogames, ipods, technology...stuff. I don't know exactly where God wants me in the future, but I'm ready to go. I thought I wanted to wait and serve with someone alongside me, but I don't want to wait. I just want to go. I want to go whereever God want me to go, whenever He wants me to go, if He wants me to go. I'm ready to call a new place "home."

"Here am I, Lord. Send me."

Miss Villarin

"Meet the Teacher Day" with my co-teacher


"My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas"


"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..." Genesis 1:1


I pray that God uses this classroom for His glory.


The teacher's desk is OFF LIMITS!! Don't even think about it...

Soon, I will take on this title yet again, Miss Villarin. In 2 days I will embark on yet another school year, only this time, I will have a classroom of 18 fun and rambunctious 5th graders. Last Friday we had "Meet the Teacher Day" and for the first time in the past few months I actually felt like a teacher. This summer I've been busy with other roles in my life, but I am quite excited to put this hat on once again.

5th grade. I'm excited fot what the Lord has in store for my class this school year. This year, my students will complete many assignments, test, loads of homework, schoolwork, stories, poems, Bible verses, writing assignments, math equations, quarter projects, and so much more. They will memorize the 50 states and thier capitals, as well as many noteable historical speeches and documents, one being the Declaration of Independence. We will travel to many fieldtrips; NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the first of many out-of-school experiences.

There will be fits of laughter and tears that will be shed. I will receive many anxious emails, phone calls, and letters by loving parents. We will celebrate many milestones and accomplishments in my students' lives. I am so excited!

I was never this excited to start school. I know it's going to be an excellent year with the Lord guiding me and growing me every step of the way. There are not many people who can truly say that they love work and I praise God that He has given me this love for the students and parents. I praise God that I am able to share the love of Christ and His atoning death on the cross EVERY DAY, in every subject, with every prayer uttered in class. I praise God that I work with unbelieveable believers (haha!) who love the Lord and strive to glorify His name as they teach their students. I'm excited for what He's going to do this year in my classroom and in the hearts of my 18 students. I can't help but...smile...

Disneyland through the eyes of a 4-year-old

Today I took little EZ Luna to Disneyland. I promised him months ago that I would take him and God opened up my schedule to do so today. Besides, it was a nice break from a week back to work, and the new year looming ahead of me. I picked him up at Arms' place. I could tell he was excited to go; I was just as excited.

When we finally got there, we both walked excitedly to the front gate. He held out his pass; I held out mine and we were finally in! Today was Ezekiel's day out. He got to choose the rides (all the round and round rides) and what he wanted for dinner. As we were walked down Main Street hand in hand, I got to thinking about my future. At that moment, I became very excited for that one day, Lord willing, when I could take my own little one to Disneyland. This person would not just be on "loan" for the night. One day the Lord will bless me with a little son or daughter and I could spend precious moments with them at the "Happiest Place on Earth." I'm really excited for this special day. I know that this may happen many years from now, but it gets me excited to think about what God's planning to do in my life.

On the way home from our fun-filled stay at Disneyland, EZ started to sing a song. I'm not quite sure if he just made it up, or if it is an actual song. He kept singing, "His love is bigger than the dinosaur..." I turned off my radio and allowed the car to be filled with this young boy's voice. Thank you, Lord for a great day at Disneyland and for your love being bigger than a dinosaur. Because of this, I smile.

Big Clique

At the tender age of 8 I met him. At this young age he was already quite...unique. I recall running through the back alleys of our chuch at the corner of Amar and Azusa. He was even in my aunt's wedding over 15 years ago.

I don't recall the first time I met him (#2). I was a little older by now. He was shy and quite, but I knew there was a hidden strength and unadulterated character within him. He had an uncanny resemblance to my cousin. The name just stuck.

Elementary school. Junior high. High school. They flew by like a blur. Then a trial hit me during my first year of college and they were there to listen and make me laugh. This was the summer. The summer I'll never forget. Car rides. Jam sessions on the grass. Praising our Lord in the cool of the night. Late night talks on the swing. Talks on the bench. Drives to LA. Pictures of the pyramid. Praying. Laughing. Loving. This was the summer.

Then he left. He went to serve our Lord and serve our country. My Cuz. He's been gone for quite some time now and I miss him so much. I heard his voice last week and it brought both tears of sadness and tears of joy to my eyes. It was so nice to talk to him, but it hurt knowing that he was so far away and in danger. But he'll be home soon, and the Lord is watching over him.

Then he left. He went to serve our Lord and grow in his service to others. He's been gone a few days. I know I will miss him so much. We were able to hang out a few days ago and the fact that he was leaving brought tears of sadness and tears of joy. I will miss our talks and the way he makes me laugh, but I know this is where the Lord wants him. Our God will use this to grow his knowledge and love for Him. And he'll be home in a few years, and the Lord is watching over him.

To my Cuz and Yek. I love you two and I miss you guys. You two are a big part of my life and I truly care for you guys. I'm praying for you and I'm excited for what the Lord has in store for you. I praise God for how He is growing you and making you to love Him more. I praise God for your obedience to the Father's calling. May you continue to grow in grace, my dear brothers. I LOVE YOU GUYS! God has blessed me with my wonderful and everlasting friendship with you two...and because of this...I smile!

What Can I Say?

Many friends began writing and now I'm joining this online journal crew. I'm not a mother, so I'm not going to display my child's growth. I'm not a wife, so I'm not going to write about my relationship with my husband. Such things are non-existent in my life..for now. But, I am a daughter to the King and I will scribe, to be best of my ability, His goodness in my life and the growth He is doing in me.

2 weeks ago I was in Monterey. Beautiful and serene Monterey. The Lord used this trip to remind me of His goodness and be able to rest in His plan. He showered me with His perfect peace, though striking news hit me and I wasn't sure how to react. Yet, God had a plan. With the little details of the trip, He showed me that He loves me so much. His plans are perfect! Though I may plan and plan and plan (yes, I'm a planner!), ultimately God's plans will prevail. Some times God changes my plans, throws my planner out the window, kicks my dreams to the curb, and crushes my selfish desires. This was Monterey. Yet, through the midst of it all, God's grace enabled me to sit back, soak up some rays, and praise Him even more. Though it all, God grew my love for Him. I love God so much and I praise Him every day for what He is doing in my life, for how He is turning my world around, for His grace that He so graciously pours upon me. What more can I say? God is good..and because of this, I smile.