Selah

Do you ever want real solitude? I am emotionally and physically drained from the last month of my life traveling, hanging out with kids and taking on change. There is no better time than now to ask God to fill me up and send me out in the way he wants me to go. I'm on fire for God, yet I want nothing more than to rest. If only I could step away from the world, into a private cabin in a lush green far off wood. The longing to spend hours alone with God in prayer, meditation and conversation is not being filled in this crazy life. I'm struggling to figure out who I am, where I'm going, what I have to offer and why I'm here. These things are constantly swirling around in my head, distracting me from the importance of me. An amazing man recently said "satisfaction will never be reached when you thirst for acceptance and worth in those around you". Thank you Arnold Camacho for speaking to my heart what I've needed to hear so badly.

Lord hear my prayer,

Heal my friends and family from suffering, pain, discomfort, confusion, and struggles. Use me in every way you have planned. I am broken and sinful, Lord guide me. This day has been tough and I am just speechless and still processing everything. What should I do? I don't know how to make these decisions on my own, I'm listening.

I love you Daddy,

Your Daughter

Keep praying

The Countdown Is On!

One more week until I go home for the Summer! 4 full months in the beautiful San Luis Obispo County!

This has been a hectic semester, flying to Georgia for Ben's graduation from bootcamp, flying to Susanville, CA two weekends in a row, taking Ben home with me for Spring Break, quick trips to Long Beach and Riverside squeezed in between, not to mention the unending homework and papers to write. Oh wait there is an end! I see it! No more sitting in classes listening to

lectures...well at least for this semester. Only finals left then I'm moving home for the summer, look out Dad, Mom, Reid and Annie here I come!

Oh Monday

Today was a busy day. Chapel in the morning, class until 11:30am, interview for a speech in Riverside, pick up the boyfriend from a recording studio in Huntington Beach, shopping in Huntington Beach, return the boyfriend to Long Beach, and back to Azusa to finish a paper after 11:00pm that is due tomorrow morning. I'm tired and wiped out. I can't wait to go home in a week and a half. Back to cable television where I will get to see the amazing Vin Scully's face and hear his incredible announcing. Wish the Dodgers would figure out better security and get a new owner.

Over and Out,

SGD

Dodger Dogs

OPENING DAY!!!

Dodgers beat the SF Giants 2-1! Couldn't ask for a better opening to the season. I have no idea how my boys will preform this season, but I always have faith. I will stand by my team through thick and thin. Certain players maybe not so much *cough, cough* Manny (glad thats over). Sad to see Torre go at the end of the last season, he's a great guy, but we must move on. Thank you Lord for baseball.

APU...wow its been 7 months since I moved. Currently it is REALLY warm outside. 90 degrees earlier today. Whew! Summer here we come! I've got a good amount of chapel credits so last night I went to Kaleo chapel for the first time this semester. Wow great stuff. Wonderful worship and message, the Lord is so good! Can't wait for all the things he will do in the future. Only 5 weeks until my summer really starts. Throw in a week of spring break, and the semester is almost over!

Over and Out,

SGD

...and so it went

And so it's been forgotten by dozens more than the year before. Another year older and I've learned even more. I didn't ask for much just to be remembered. My family has shown how much they care. Practical gifts, delicious dinner, a few texts and calls, my brothers sad baseball game and plenty of studying. It didn't amount to much, just another day with slight extra meaning. I thank those who made it a point to show that they care and have yet to forget me each year. At 21 I foresee good wishes coming from those whom I will soon meet and less from those whom I already know.

Over and Out,

SGD

71 days until I move to APU

Good News

So much going on in such little time. Writing paper after paper, traveling, studying, working, exercising, going to school, figuring out my future, trying to build a stronger relationship with God. I've had very little time to relax until today. It's a beautiful day and I worked early this morning so now I am resting and rebuilding my strength. God is good and I am grateful.

My wonderful father found our digital camera in his coat pocket the other night. Our camera had been missing since the beginning of March. My mother was so excited. Above is a picture I got from the camera that I was so upset I thought I had lost. Its my favorite picture of my "sister", Ale that came to visit us in February and I in San Francisco. I miss her so much. Lately I've come to notice the things that make everyone so much happier are simple and small. The time I have to read just two pages in my favorite book, the way the lettuce is cut for caesar salads at work, honesty the comes from the heart, a smile from a stranger, a text from a friend to ask how you are, wild flowers along the sidewalk, laughter, the sun peaking out as you head off to work, a glass of cold water, green hills and many many more things. My whole life I've been a pretty negative girl, always looking at the bad in situations. Recently I've begun to look at the positive that comes from everything, it's made me a happier person and I think its rubbed off on a few people too :) I hope the weekend brings great fun for you. Tomorrow I get to make breakfast for customers, thank you Lord that I have a job. After that I get to help with the floral arrangements at a wedding, thank you Lord that you have given us love. Tip: try to use the word "get" instead of "have to", it makes everything more positive. Just think, there is someone out there who isn't as lucky as you are.

112 days until I move to APU

Over and Out,

SGD

I Am His

Spring break was more than needed. I got a tad bit of rest and worked quite a bit. The best part of it all was the two day trip my mom and I took to Southern California. We stopped by my grandmas, shopped with my sister, stayed with my sister and visited APU! APU was incredible. I got to see an old friend and meet some really cool people. I'm so excited to begin my major and minor courses at Azusa Pacific University. I wish it would come sooner. My mom and one of the current students at APU who was a transfer (just like I will be) sat together at Wednesday nights Kaleo service (chapel). It was amazing, the message, the worship, and the prayers all impacted me and I've brought it all home with me. The following is one of the songs the extremely talented worship band sang/played, I love this song.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Over and Out,

SGD