when it rains, it pours...

 Sometimes, there are days where you feel like a dark cloud is following you wherever you go. It could be things just aren't going our way, or we've heard bad news, or simply that life just gets overwhelming and we let our worries and our stress get the best of us. Personally, I let this happen quite often. I struggle with anxiety, to the point of panic attacks every so often and I have always been the biggest worries, pondering my every move, analyzing every word or look that comes my way, thinking about the future; instead of enjoying the moment. Sometimes God reminds me in the smallest of ways to let go and Let God (as my dear friend Danielle would tell me;) or as my girlfriend Julianna would say: pray for patience! I am reminded that my problems aren't worth freaking out over and that THIS TOO SHALL PASS..

He reminds me that things could be a lot worse and I remember to count my blessings and am grateful for yet another day to live, another life to touch, another chance to breathe. I know I need to stop sweating the small stuff and be thankful for what I've been given, for the hard tings I've worked for and for the opportunity to be blessed by so many people in my life who have changed me for the better.No need to cry over spilt milk, positive thinking is key to success and a happy attitude will bring you so much more joy and peace then a negative one... So I want to take a moment and hope all of you would reflect on your life, forget about the car problems, the bills collecting, the homework hiding under your laundry, the bathroom that needs to be cleaned, the silly stupid things that unnerve us and tend to the greater things in life: your relationships with your parents, your significant others, your kids (nieces, nephews, etc), your siblings, your friends, your co-workers and class-mates, your pets, even take a moment to smile at a stranger and most of all never be to proud to get down on your knees and pray HARD.

I am so lucky to have a big, loving and supportive family who keep me grounded (great brothers like Richie and Ryan who make me proud), wonderful friends like Laura- a friend who I can always and forever count on, a room-mate like Torrey who is the most down to earth person I know, Alley who understands you on a level that some never will or for those who will get coffee with you and listen to you for hours, for classmates like Angelica & Natalie, or co-workers like Hugo, Jenn and Janine who remind you that LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS THE BEST MEDICINE! and for countless friends, old and new, near and far, close or aqcuantances, who give me hope that their is so much good in the world and so much to look forward to each day! 
"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is a beauty, admire it. Life is a dream,realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game,play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, singit. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure,dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is life, fight for it!"
-mother theresa
I have been blessed with stepsisters for almost 15 years now and recently despite their own busy lives as moms they took the chance to encourage me and their words were so sweet I had to share them...

 chan, i know you going through alot right now and your stressed! But keep your chin up sister it will work itself out. I ♥ you and im here for you if you need to talk or just need a hug!! I think your an amazing girl!!-Veronica

Dear friends, do not be surprisedat the painful trail you are suffering, as tho something strange were happening to u.But rejoice that u participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that u may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 1Peter 4:12-13 

God promises that HE will deliver us out of our troubles if we call on HIM(psalm 50:15)
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18)

I've been thinking about you a lot. Don't know whats goin on, but I think ur such a sweet woman and u deserve true happiness, you've not yet experienced. You're such a genuine, wonderful happy free spirit, really look at urself and notice ur own beauty. As always look to to the Lord for the answers and support you need.I prayed for you last night...God was with me last night and HE heard me. I asked for Him to wrap His arms around you. Don't feel alone, girlie, we're here for u and He is always with u. Obviously He's working thru u. Since I'm a new christian, I get fulfilled just trusting Him with no questions. I know as I walk my walk, He will give me more responsibility with the knowledge I aquire as time goes by. For you, ur so knowledgeable about His word He will work differently with u. But stay strong, He knows ur heart and ur strength. And like u said last night, He wouldn't give u more than u can handle. I know that we say ur the sensitive one but u handle urs. If all fails, humor always works for me. Life is funny, u just have to see the silver lining. Honestly, u inspire me to be more than I am because I see how lovely u see the world. We too are blessed to have u as a sister.<3- Iris

 

Psalm 84:1-4, 9-10
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints
...for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!

9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.