I'm missing you Jess

When did Jesse leave? I don't even remember anymore. I just know that time is never enough when you know someone won't be with you for long and you desperately want them to stay.

I l o v e y o u !

Trust Me

(Jesus:) I ask for your trust, as a child would trust a parent and a baby its mother. I want you to trust Me that I know what is good for you. Even though it seems like everything is turning out all wrong, I don’t want you to struggle or fight against it or harden your heart toward it, but I want you to know by faith that no matter what the outcome, or what you end up with or don’t end up with, or how things work out, that you will say in the end: "The Lord is good and He has done all things well".

She's Suz

Sweet Suz, its your birthday today..and I've got some things to tell you.
Things I forget to say when we see each other, when I see your happy smile while playing volleyball, when I hear your roaring laughter -grins-, when I see you dance or look upon the sun shining on the street and among the leaves (wow I'm getting so poetic)
You are so funny! It's hard to tell when you're so quiet, but underneath that there is the bubbling personality of such a fun girl, one I wish each of my friends could know!
You're sweet. You care about others, you're not like most people, selfish and concerned only about themselves. You go beyond the call of duty to do things for people that will make their days easier and happier.
Oh and your smiles! Your hugs! When you're gone I miss them terribly!
Everyone needs a Susie in their life, someone that makes them smile and laugh and forget about how bad they were feeling moments earlier. Someone who cares and loves them and is alright with the way they are, even if they do something stupid, act retarded or in the most dorky way imaginable. Everyone needs someone like you. Someone who tells them the truth, someone who for love would do nearly anything..
I wish more people were like you. I feel completely blessed to have you in my life.
Happy Birthday little Miss awesome!

Colorful

Life looks pink very few times, but who wants pink when there's a whole array of beautiful colors and hues?

Looking back

I was thinking back on last year trying to remember what June 2009 was like. I couldn't remember much, but my negative memories had prominence over the positive ones. It made me feel bad because I know good things took place, probably great ones, I just couldn't remember. I know I had happy days along with the struggles.
The thing is, I think we have months or times in our lives when nothing really outstanding happens; but there is the daily grind of forging ahead, feeling hit by waves of emotions, trying not to drown, and somehow in it all, enjoy the ride. There's all the falls, and when one looks back on it, it's not a happy memory.
But I need to change my perspective, because it's cause of those times that I'm here today, and I know I'm better for it. I'm stronger and better able to face that challenges of today.
And about the strong, flying, firing, draining emotions, I've learned it is possible to have a hand on them.
It's possible to be at peace in the midst of the storm, it's possible to get up after every fall...and be happy while at it. All that is needed is to look up.
Jesus is the best psychologist, and He can tell you what to do. He beats the best, best friend -and believe me cause I've got a great one!- He knows just what to do, and has all the power in the universe to make things right again. He just needs our trust, and as we give him time, walk ahead holding his hand, He does all that and more.
He's seriously pro at that, making things right.
I don't know how to handle life, but He does, and that's enough. Like the writer Anne Rice said, "if He knows everything, I don't need to know everything".

"There was the sense, profound and wordless, that if He knew everything I did not have to know everything, and that, in seeking to know everything, I’d been, all of my life, missing the entire point."

Be truly beautiful

"There is so much beauty in being yourself!" -My sudden outburst when looking at a poster of Julia Roberts in the middle of a Mexico city mall.

In Mexico City

I forgot to tell you...going to Mexico city was great fun, dancing, laughter and squishy hugs on demand!

Getting to be with my pretty ladies is the sweetest of gifts.

I had been dying to meet Winds and Maria, and not only did I get that but I found other fun and funny kindred spirits.

Locas :)

Oh look at extremely cute Nash

Maria and Sandy

Nina and Suz of my heart

Chelsey, Windy, Leah and Sunny

Those of us hanging around till the very end -smiles-

Maria, I absolutely loved invading your house, loved the hours we spent together.
Anna, I can't believe I don't have a picture with you, you're the sweetest! Thank you for taking pictures of us.
Sandy, you know that traveling with you is like taking the feeling of home wherever I go. I loved the fun we had on the trip there and back..terrorizing our fellow passengers. Lets pray to God we weren't really that loud. -grins-
Windy, I shall never forget our graceful dance. I really should practice that kind of dancing more. You're a great dancer dear. Meeting you was like a dream cause..haha I felt I already had (hugs you super tight)
Laura, you're awesome.
Robin, you are too!
And Diego you're so funny and great fun to have around -smiles-

And that's a bit of June sunshine.

Being with you is a gift I treasure

Smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through, for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
if you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
if you just smile.

My friend in Panama is a hero cause of this, smiling even though his heart is aching. He keeps a smile, and with that smile he starts a joyous chain reaction, that reached me as well. I will sing this to myself tonight.

Note to self

Saying one never wants to be hurt again is like saying one never wants to love again.
And when with that in mind, I don't mind the hurt. Love makes it worth it all.
Oh, and...

It's everywhere, Jesus puts it everywhere; let it in, take it in, give it out.
Please don't forget that people don't regret loving at the end of their life,
what they regret is neglecting to love.