Exhaustion! ♥

So I got the basics taken care of on this lil nest of mine. BUT there is still so much to do :(.
I need to fix the top where my pages are but that sounds like another days worth of work and effort.

So for now. I am going to thank God for this beautiful MONDAY! It is so lovely outside here in Orange County.
Not that I have really been outside.
or showered yet today.
I pretty much woke up, ate my waffles and got to work on here.
Oh! I did brush my teeth though :).
That would just be offensive.

I am so blessed to live in America.
We have a nation that truly has given us so much freedom and liberty.
When I look to who I am as a woman on this earth I see the barriers across the nations.
The barriers that keep us from believing the truth and believing a lie.
We see so much and live so freely here in the states.
But our sisters across the globe are hurting, and are suffering under satan and his attacks and lies.
Yes. We are bombarded with false images of self and identity.
BUT WE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO FIGHT BACK.
TO SPEAK UP!!

Our sisters out there are forced into silence.
Some cannot even leave their homes without a male escort.
Some are sold along with the family cattle in order to keep a roof over their families heads.
Some are married not out of love or desire. BUT out of deceit and lies. Lies that they belong to men and are not worthy of choosing or voicing their own opinions on the matter of spouse.

Our clothing.
Our hairstyles.
Our going out and having "GIRLS NIGHT".
Our shopping alone or with a friend at the local mall, vintage boutique or second hand store.
Getting coffee with a friend.
Reading our bibles in the park, on a school bench between class or at work.
Praying in public?
Wearing MAKEUP!!


WE could all contribute something that we take for granted here in the states to this list.

But my point isn't to bombard you with images that leave you feeling guilty.
It is to just share with you how beautiful and free you are!
That God has blessed you for no reason other than love with America.
Sure it isn't perfect.
But if you count your blessings you will see just how much grace and mercy surrounds you.

Sin is inevitable. That is the world we have been born into. But GRACE abounds and I think we are blessed to be able to see just how much grace has been dealt to us.

So PRAY FOR YOUR SISTERS!
Pray for the bondage we suffer as members of the body of Christ to be broken.
Pray for love to break through our hearts of stone.
Pray and then pray some more. And then smile because you have Jesus.


And He is more than enough.


Sorry for the mini rave but sometimes you just gotta let it flow.


&heart;CheChe

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+Blabbling+ ♥

Today I... 
Went to church.
Laughed with close friends.
Lip synced worship music to the best of my capabilities.
Realized I don't really know much about anything other than what God did on the cross.
Realized that I want that to desperately be enough.
REALIZED I cannot live in forgiveness without His Holy Spirit.
REALIZED His grace exceeds all boundaries and expectations.
Wanted desperately to fly away.
Looked into the eyes of a man who is attracted to me and felt uncomfortable.
NOT with the fact that He was attracted but that it was ME He was attracted to.
Wanted desperately to ask Him "why?" but instead pretended I didn't notice.
Saw myself in the mirror with eyeliner and mascara on and thought "NOT TOO BAD"
Ate enough and not TOO MUCH.
Logged all my food in my food journal! Two days in a row yay!
Almost clapped when I heard a girl gently dismiss the gossip that was coming from her friends mouths.



Cried out to God while the lights were off in Church with all my heart.
Even though I saw and felt nothing I know He was there and is still here with me.
I don't need to understand why He loves me so much.
I don't need to understand HOW He could continually forgive me.
I just need HIM.
 More, and more each day.

♥cheche

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For Today...♥

Well today marks the end of a week of PAID TIME OFF. I didn't have to work from Tuesday-This coming Tuesday which was a blessing because I enjoyed waking up with only what I want to do at hand, which is something all of us ladies and gents enjoy :).

I finally got back into my personal devotions of Romans. Although quite a difficult book it really breaks down the idea of works not being dead but Faith in Jesus Christ being what imputes our sins and cleanses us and gives us that righteousness that Father Abraham was given. He was a man justified not because he was a Jew but because he had Faith in God (in regards to son Isaac and being born a son). Although he displayed works when asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac by God later on this was not what justified him. It was only the fruit of a man justified by Faith in the living God. That is where I pray my works for the kingdom come from. Through the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ. In Him being the son of God sent to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Please dear God, show us Father... Show us how to obtain more faith in the unseen and the unknown obstacles and trials. Show us how to truly count it as joy and release our selfish sin nature to you. Father I pray to surrender more and more of myself to you daily. Teach me to shed the flesh that weighs me down from your living water. BAPTIZE me afresh with your Holy Spirit so I may walk upright in the sight of the Lord. Father I love you thank you for making me beautiful and wonderful. Your such a merciful and gracious King :).

So Today I get to attend another dinner. *Christians and their celebrations :)...They never end. lol * This one is at a new restaurant that not many or any of my brothers and sisters have tried. We are all really excited to celebrate my dear Sister Sierras birthday. The Lord has given her another year with Him and another year of growth. I praise God for these days full of opportunities for fellowship because I can remember those days without it. I am so blessed by all of the people in my life now that I can consider real family. What a blessing we have in Jesus. He truly fulfills all of our hearts desires. 

I am also a bit hormonal because of the fall of mankind and the curse that Eve received for all women. But I really have true joy and love for this day that God has given me. This week has been yet another amazing adventure with our God. I invited a Jewish boy to my church yesterday and he responded "oh, I'm Jewish." It really caught me off guard. But then I looked at my devotions in Romans 4 today and I see that Jesus is especially to be received by those of Jewish blood and how sad to see that the Jews still believe they are saved by their blood alone. It is the blood of Christ which saves not who we are or what we are. May that boy meet Jesus either through our Church family or another amazing family of believers :)..

♥cheche

thanks for listening to my randomness.

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Revelation ♥

The Revelation study for this past week is going amazing tonight. I really am so excited about the book of Revelation, it was a big part of my first steps in Christ. I remember skimming through and randomly stopping and certain scripture and just feeling so much JOY and FEAR for this nation that I could not sleep that night. I don't understand how certain churches refuse to not even open this book or how anyone can ignore it because it truly is a blessing to read. Revelation !:3 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near". The promise is not just a saying God himself gave us that promise within the first three verses of the amazing Prophecy of Jesus Christ given by an angel to his beloved disciple John.

I love how John hears Gods voice and knows it is his and turns around after The Son of Man had spoken. I love how he describes the voice our Lord like that of a trumpet. A powerful and very loud instrument. That is the natural voice of our Savior!? How much he humbled himself to make himself like that of man while he was here on earth. Imagine how crazy it would have been to have Jesus walking around teaching and preaching with a piercing voice like a trumpet? Who would have denied a man like that? Or with a countenance that shines like the sun. No one. For the Devil himself knows Jesus is Lord but Jesus came to die so that we might be saved and he came to save those who were lost. He was not here to boast  favoritism.

I am so unlike you Jesus. I want Glory. I want people to like me and the thought of them not liking me really does make me sad sometimes. I Know you are lord above all and that All Glory is yours but I still am struggling with these things. Thankfully I know that surrendering these things to you daily will bring me to a place where I no longer have to struggle with them. Thank you for hearing me in all my cries!

Well, I still have a bit more work to do So I'm going to go. I wish I could have my family turn the t.v down and just focus 100% on His word and this study but it is a blessing all on its own to Study the Word of God at all. amen

♥cheche

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I don't have a lot of time BUT I just wanted anyone and everyone to know that the dark clouds DO eventually pass away. Light does shine through! Do not give up in doing what is good because the father sees you and he is overjoyed in all of your good works and all the good you possess in YOUR HEART! He looks first at the heart anyways right?

So I didn't really have a great day at school today. I had a headache that dominated me for a few hours. I think I am going to make an appointment and go to the doctors soon because I just don't want whatever is going on to get ANY worst than it needs too.

I have been asked to go to HAITI next summer!! I don't know if it is a definite thing so me and my girls will be meeting Fridays just so we can pray over it and other things we feel the Lord has put on our hearts and just strengthen our bonds through Christ. For whatever reason the Lord has brought me together in a different type of closeness with certain people and I know that ANYONE he has in my life is ONLY there because of him and therefore I should make sure that we are both seeking God with our hearts and building our friendships off him. Otherwise we will end up TRYING to be close on our own and boy, do we ALL know how that ends? lol You have your first mishap and everything crashes but with Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE and he will never lead anyone into my life that he can not keep there. He does possess the power that overcomes DEATH after all. I really have been meditating on that. My father overcame death and has given me that SAME POWER??? Is that not the craziest thing y'all..

My Grandmother is amazing. Without disclosing too much she is just an amazing, strong and intelligent woman and I just feel so blessed to have spawned from such a marvelous creation. She is ONCE AGAIN (sadly...haha) helping me out of another situation. This time it was actually something that I wasn't even planning to worry about because there are just so many bigger things in this world but she has provided me with access to a phone and although I desperately want to say I am an independent 21year old and that I declined I decided to accept and it was humiliating but she immediately encouraged me and I didn't feel so bad for the gift. "That is what family is for." She said those words and I just felt so guilty for a second because I haven't been much help to my family. Thank God for his patience and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!! I know he loves me and all of this is really from him. My grandmother is only doing something we all struggle with. ALLOWING GOD TO USE US!! amen. We are our biggest obstacles and enemy in letting God use us. I'm so blessed!

I'm meeting up with a friend to get some food but I love you all and thank you for stopping by. Please keep Haiti and me in your prayers if you can!! If he leads me there I want to know that I am going STRICTLY to be used by him and not for my own selfish desires. The idea scares me in ways you cannot imagine so all prayers will CERTAINLY help the nerves :).


♥ cheche

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la la la love♥

FALL! It has arrived :). I can see it in the winds breeze and feel in changing colors all around me. CREATION is changing right before our eyes! How amazing.. I found this picture on GOOGLE. It reminded me of the lake I walk around out here in California and the leaves that will soon be grazing every inch of certain streets :).

I didn't get much sleep. Perhaps it was the coffee I drank at my friend DANICA'S lovely church. I do regret not trying these DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA cookies they had. I was just so excited to be around new friends and believers that I absentmindedly overlooked what is usually my MAIN FOCUS of any type of fellowship. he he It was a great night and although she had to wake up at 6am the next day she allowed me to ramble on (like always) until the lights were literally TURNED off during my conversation. I can not stress enough the joy that comes from talking to men and women who are CHRIST centered. It just overflows from within them and I just sit and lap it up for hours. I am excited to see what GOD has in store for all of his children who are on fire for him. MAY THEIR FLAMES NEVER BURN OUT AS THEY AWAIT THE BRIDEGROOM :).

Did I mention when DANICA picked me up she was blaring FRENCH music. Oh, does she know how to speak to a woman's heart. I could not have enjoyed the background music enough. I guess I am so used to riding around with friends who play the AWFUL *yes I am calling it awful* garbage radio where you will hear the same song 5 times in 15 minutes. LoL. IT was just refreshing and definitely a highlight of the evening.

You guys I have a confession!

I did not study the WORD yesterday morning, or the day before... I actually have not got into the word on my OWN time in a couple of days!! Yes, I know! I feel the very same way. MY head just works better when I am in the word cada manana. It is the only way to have that deep filled joy throughout a hectic day. Wake up with the word of GOD Che. Goodness how hard can it be? Yet, I have managed to NOT do it for a few days. Am I perfect? NEVER WILL BE! Am I DOING ANYTHING WRONG? Not necessarily. I just personally feel so convicted and just different when I am not taking time out of my personal time to put GOD first. There I got that off my chest! Now I can update you all on my lovely bike ride to STARBUCKS :).

THIS MORNING I woke up knowing I needed a nice long ride around town after class. I just knew it would be the beginning of an amazing day if I did. So I strapped up my books and went to MATH class. Then headed to the computer lab. It was a bit hot today so I was in no rush to leave the AIR CONDITIONED room. Finally, I logged off and headed to my Beach Cruiser. I would name it but it is still legally my mothers beach cruiser. So naming it would feel... just wrong. I rode to the bank first which was a joy and blessing and I ended up leaving feeling ENCOURAGED. Long story short the sweet, young lady at the teller window said I looked adorable riding up on my bike and that she thought I was a MODEL walking in. I then told her every woman looks like a model in 4inch heels. (No, I have not yet mastered receiving compliments. lol) It was a lovely withdrawal. I decided to avoid the city (aka the streets) as much as possible today and took the bike path that leads you through tunnels and away from the streets. It was beautiful just riding and sight seeing. I enjoyed a CRANE that was in the middle of the road and stood and watched it. How can you deny creation when you see animals like CRANES? I praised GOD for the sight and went on my way.

After much thoughtless riding I made it to my destination. A Starbucks that I enjoy. My mission. TO get a pumpkin scone warm. The target was there and I decided to also attack a ICED pumpkin latte. Oh! They had free pumpkin cheesecake muffin samples too! I will be buying one of those very, very soon.

To complete the ride I didn't purchase anything until i had walked around the center. I stopped in the beauty store and did my makeup for free at the counter, tried on scarves and some fall tops at a clothing boutique, then sat in the sun staring at the trees and flowers that were blooming.

I sat at Starbucks for roughly an hour before getting on my bike and heading home. The pumpkin scone is SCRUMPTIOUS y'all!! You must get over to Starbucks, I don't care if you hate the coffee, personally, I believe they have burnt tasting coffee so I stick to espresso drinks or teas. But please do not miss out on the scone they are only carrying during FALL. You will not be disappointed.

That was pretty much what really made my day. Plus I got to hear some amazing conversations, as usual. And I also felt kinda fly walking to my bike and turning around to see a nice looking man staring at me with a smile full of interest. He wasn't ogling like typical, pervy man. He seemed genuinely just attracted and you guys I felt so lovely at that moment. I know it was GOD working in me because I have always taken looks from men as either full of perverted, lustful thoughts, or that I must look horrible if they are looking at me. God has really softened my heart to the point where I can accept another man's stare without JUMPING to conclusions about why I don't deserve it or putting a negative spin on it. It really is the small things that put a smile on my face these days. I felt confident in my sweater wrap and high heel boots and jeans. I can remember how in high school it was impossible for me to feel beautiful unless I was displaying some.. erm.. SKIN. I couldn't find the right word but that sums it up pretty well. 

Oh, Lord! You have taken me so far. I know you will finish this work you have started in me. I thank you so much for a blessed day! And I pray for my pastor tonight to speak your words and not his LORD so that many more will come to know you and the peace that comes from you! 

Be Blessed this FRIDAY!

♥cheche

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Not so Smooth with a Strong finish♥

To whomever reads:

I found out after a 15 minute bike ride to school that I had accidentally left my key to the lock at home. It was honestly a great start to the day :). Actually I take that back; The great start came from me eating the new oatmeal I got (Quakers weight management version, I guess it has bigger oats to fill you up quicker?) from the store last night that tasted like FAKE SUGAR!! I didn't read the back of the box I just assumed maple and brown sugar was safe? It has never tasted close to nasty MC-nastiness before so I assumed the words WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: LARGER OATS meant exactly that. Same flavor larger oats. More bang for my buck were my exact thoughts, since generally, I eat two bowls for breakfast to actually be full.

I guess if we're looking at the ( http://alwaysfindthesunnyside.blogspot.com/ ) SUNNY SIDE of things I ended of getting full off of half of the nasty oatmeal and was able to sit in on my professors 1230 math class and see an old friend! I also had to ride back home and back to school to get the keys, that took 12 minutes to find, before getting back to school which allowed me to get some more exercise in for the day!

The blog I posted is one of my favorites. GO check it out and see why!!

After deciding NOT to go to my favorite service at church tonight I went to B&N and did some ENGLISH homework. I pray this class doesn't interfere too much with MONDAY NIGHT service at church because it really is the only service I feel I MUST attend. It's the service that taught me the unedited, uncensored word of GOD and brought me to my FATHER :). I'm not ready to let go of it yet LORD! But if it be your will I am willing. I know you'll provide.

The bookstore was great. I got plenty of reading done and I got some nice people watching in. I am fascinated by human beings. I love to listen in on conversations and observe mannerisms and behaviors in the different interactions that take place. Like the men discussing where they are in life and gossiping in a way only women are perceived as. Or the couples barely speaking and engaging in quiet time with one another and their laptops. I pray me and my husband go out and enjoy one another rather than the things we can do at home like surf the net. This is partially why I am drawn to psychology. The other is learning more about MYSELF :).

I also learned for $2.88 you can order a meat/cheese free burger from in n out and FRIES! That about a dollar thirty five each :). I was so excited about my three dollar meal I had to update anyone who sometimes prefers to go dairy and meat free. I personally order: No Meat, No cheese, NO tomato, No spread, EXTRA grilled onions, Pickles, Lettuce, MUSTARD. Peppers and spread on the side. I also like the grilled cheese the same way! I'm not a big beef eater unless its home cooked and I know where it came from and DESPERATE. Just personal preference.

So basically my day ended with excitement! Yes, the in-n-out experience excited me. Whatever. It really is the little blessings that count the most! Like saving cash and having the door held open as you walk from the other end of class and hearing "you don't have to rush next time" after I apologized for taking so long. :) He was cute but not really my type. It did feel nice to be appreciated by a man though in a pure way. I think we all long to be treated like ladies. Having to be the ones who take on the most physical pain all for the sake of LIFE and as a result of disobedience (when you think about it). I think every woman deserves to not feel bad as she walks to the door and has a man wait on her. We are more precious than GOLD ladies. Don't ever forget that . I know I often do. I'm working to remember it though :). 

So I am tired with 830 am work day ahead of me. Love you all lots!

What do you enjoy about following me by the way? I am still shocked there are 15 of you now. I am so appreciative and I pray that I encourage and inspire some of you. That really is my sole purpose for this blog! As well as releasing my thoughts to others :).

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK: therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead make up your mind to not put any obstacle or stumbling block in your brothers way. ROMANS 14:13 (NIV)

provided by LIFE BLESSONS (http://lifeblessons.blogspot.com/) check out her to-do list!

Goodnight,

♥ cheche

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