Surprise, Surprise!

Last Thursday the BF took me out on a special date. His clues...1) wear comfortable jeans and a shirt and 2) bring my glasses.
I was really excited as he drove around Manhattan Beach. As I was driving, I saw people walking towards a park, with blankets in hand. We finally parked and the BF, carrying a backpack, and I walked over to the park to find more clues.

There was a stage in the middle of the park...


There were loads of people, the audience if you will, lounging on the grass and enjoying the cool summer air...


I looked around and finally saw a sign: Shakespeare by the Sea!! This production performs FREE Shakespearean plays at various venues during the summer.


We enjoyed a lovely and healthy meal (thanks to Flamebroiler) and managed to take a picture before the play started.


This was taken at the end of the play, As You Like It. I didn't study this play in college, and it took some time to get used to the language, but I was able to pick up what was going on. And they all got married and lived happily ever after. =)


There was a Meet and Great at the end of the show and I took a picture with one of the main characters, Rosaline.


After, we went to Lotus, enjoyed some delicious yogurt, walked down the pier, stopped by to pick up something from Anthony and Karen, and headed back home.


Shakespeare, the sea, my BF's surprise date, and God making it all happen makes me smile... =)

Miss Villarin!!

So...back in May I prayed a specific prayer. It was short and sweet.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009
So, I've been learning about praying specifics, right? Here goes: God, I pray that you bless me with a job back at Chino Hills Christian School this coming Fall. I pray that I would be teaching 4th or 5th graders again. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Guess what?!? God has answered my (and many others') prayers and I shall be teaching 4th or 5th grade again at Chino Hills Christian School. Both positions are available, and I'll find out tomorrow which grade I will be teaching. God is so good! =)

God answering simple and specific prayers makes me smile...

Home...

Praise God for His perfect timing; the day after I came home, my sister gave birth to beautiful niece #2, Karis Mae Barrett. Although I was originally going to come home on the 23rd, the Lord directed my steps and guided my heart to bring me home earlier. God's plans are PERFECT!!

I've been home for a little over a week now and most of my time has been spent these these people...


The BF and the older niece, Sabrina...we spent all day with her while my sis and bro in law were at the hospital. She calls him "Ke." It's SO cute!


Uncle Ke didn't want to hold the newborn, so this is the closest he got.


Just the girlies


The BF and I at his 10 year high school reunion. He claimed me as his date, but I dubbed myself the honorary Carson High graduate. hahah...

God's perfect timing and my growing family makes me smile...

Last Day...AAAHHHH!!!!! =O

It's my last night here in the Philippines. The Motherland. it's about midnight right now and I'm pretty much packed. Sitting in the room by myself cuz my roomie, Kris, is now back in "the states." I've had an amazing time here and I thank God for every minute of it. ..well, almost every minute cuz my extra time in the CR wasn't too fun.

I got to see my extended fam bam here in the PI for the first time. First time in 28 years. It was kindda weird seeing family and not really knowing them, but being connected to them even through the years. I got to share the love of God to two of my cousins and give my cousin a Bible.

I got to spend some time with the BF out here, and even Skype with him after he went home. He's really one amazing fella.

I got to fly out to Bacolod and Boracay. AMAZING! {I'm sorry for the lack of pictures, but the internet is slow here. Visit my FB to see pics.}

I got to experience the love of God through the Lim family -- their joy, generosity, hospitality, love. It's great having such a big extended family.

I got to pray with one woman in the correctional institute, and encourage a PK.

I'm so blessed. Really. I'm learning more and more, that when you follow Christ, He has amazing journeys in store. Things I wouldn't have imagined doing. Even though I'm as broke as a joke right now (haha...) I'm really enjoying life. Thank You, Jesus for causing me to smile...

...good-bye Manila, hello LA!!! =)

I'm Coming Home...

sooner than scheduled!!! =) I'm so excited to be home. I LOVE it here (though my tummy does not) but I'm ready to be home. God has answered my prayers and has provided for me to come home. I was feeling uneasy about staying here and my excitement go be home with friends and family (and the BF, of course) grew. But, I didn't want that to be the only reason to go home. Still, my uneasiness grew. I didn't feel at peace about staying. So, I kept praying. Then, I got an email about a certain job opportunity for the upcoming school year (again, something I've been praying about) and I thought that it would be best to come home and try to secure this job. And then I was able to book my flight home just a few hours ago. So..when will I be coming home???

THIS FRIDAY, July 10th at 9:35 a.m.!!!!

Hip, Hip...horray!!! Now I get to attend a friend's wedding AND the BF's 10 year HS reunion! Thank You, Jesus!!

God changing plans and me coming home earlier makes me smile...

One Year Anniversary

July 3, 2009

This time last year, I was boarding a plane and heading to Kona to embark on an amazing journey with YWAM. Wow...one year. God surprised me with a special phone call from two good friends, Tim and Aaron, who are still doing ministry with YWAM. Together, we were able to reminisce a bit about our 6 months together. Now, here I sit, recalling God's goodness this past year...

- joined YWAM
- lived in Kona, Hawaii for 3 months
- wrote my first song
- lead praise and worship for the first time
- met 50 amazing people who I have grown to know and love deeply
- flew out of the country for the first time
- lived in England for 2 weeks
- rode the Tube
- watched Wicked in London
- watched my favorite play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
- lived in a flat in Belfast, Norther Ireland for about 9 weeks
- met some amazing people in Belfast; i still write to them
- saw one man get physically healed before my very eyes
- visited Ireland for a day
- home for the holidays
- went to San Francisco with some of my DTS family
- drove up north by myself for the first time
- went to Disneyland with some of my DTS family
- got in a relationship with one AMAZING guy =)
- went to San Diego with the BF
- went to Vegas with with the BF and Krissa
- went to SF/San Jose with the BF and Krissa
- getting closer with the BF's awesome family and amazing friends
- went to Vegas with the BF, Marky, Jenn, and Joel
- went camping at San O with the BF and his friends
- another Vegas trip with the BF, Marky, Jenn, and Joel
- watched Avenue Q with the BF, Anthony, and Karen
- watched Frost Nixon with the BF
- watched Dirty Dancing with the BF
- went to Vegas with Jerica and Kristine for JB's bday
- went {back} to the Philippines - I left when I was 1
- met some of my family here in the Philippines for the first time ever
- flew to Bacolod
- and now I'm currently in Boracay

...it's been such an amazing adventure. Seriously. I look back and all I can do is smile. Well, if you know me, it's more like smile and cry. God is SO good! I was thinking about God's goodness today {as I was getting an amazing massage at the resort's spa} and I can honestly say I couldn't ask for a better life. I don't have all the money in the world; I don't have any fancy-pants car; I'm not married (yet!!); I don't have any kids (yet!!); I haven't had a set job for the past year and I don't currently have a set job. But, I'm happy. I'm rejoicing in the Lord. I love the life God has given me. God tells us to follow Him; He wants us to live our lives the way He lays it out in the Bible; God wants us to do His will. I've been trying to do this this past year, and this past year has been the BEST! I've grown so much in my relationship with Jesus. I love my family. I love my church family. I love my boyfriend (yes, I do; and yes, he already knows!!). I love my life.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

Thank You, Jesus, for my rich life. Thank You for causing me to smile...