My soul delights!

Sometimes, there are certain events in my life that make me feel like this...

 

...one of those events is whenever I get to talk to my very best friend, MamaSteph.  I love when the stars and planets align and we have the opportunity to talk...on the phone....and hear each others voices.  Oh I love her dearly.  I know I'm blessed by my Heavenly Father just because of certain people that he's placed in my life.  She is one of those tender mercies in my life.  I crave our phone calls because for a moment, the many miles between us disappear and it seems like no time at all has come between us.  In a couple months, it'll mark 8 years since we last saw each other, in person.  What I would give just to have an hour in person and laugh like we always do. 

I wish I could put my finger on the one thing that makes her friendship so beautiful and priceless.  She has a heart of gold and I never feel judged by the many things I have told her over the years.  She listens to me ramble and occasionally throw in a joke or two.  I know I am blessed to have her in my life.

If there's anything I could take away from our friendship, it is the hope that I can be a friend to others as she has been to me. 

3 years & General Conference.

Yesterday, marked 3 years since this wonderful man changed my life...

We tried to think of so many different places to celebrate our anniversary but we couldn't agree on any one place...but we could agree on wanting breakfast. Hellooooo Denny's.  It didn't really matter where we ate, we could have gone to McDonald's and it still would have been fun.  

He didn't know I was taking these photos of him. I just love his face so much.  It's always so peaceful for me.

"Sometimes home isn't 4 walls, it's 2 eyes and a heartbeat"

That is what Levi is for me.  He is so patient when I don't deserve it, he makes any situation 1000x better and life is brighter having him by my side.  

I love this photo of us. I love his smile.  I'm so lucky and sometimes I don't appreciate it as much as I should, but I'll never stop trying. 

Levi and I watched a few talks during the Saturday morning session of General Conference.  Elder Maynes gave a beautiful talk.  It was so nice to watch General Conference again.  There was a beautiful spirit that could be felt from the talks that were given. 

I guess the talks affected me in such a way that I had a very vivid dream this morning.  In my dream, I was visiting my parents and my Dad asked me to say a prayer.  I remember the words of my prayer, I was expressing gratitude for those that attended my Dad while he was ill and for the safety & protection over my Mom in his absence.  Well, I think I caught myself talking and opened my eyes. My poor Levi was just staring at me. I think I mumbled something like, "I was praying in my dream" and then closed my eyes to finish my prayer.  It was so real, I remember all the details.  I think I've been thinking of prayer because last night, I thought of my Kuku & Tutu and how they used to kneel by the bed for their morning and evening prayers. It made me think of starting that with Levi.  Some of the most sincerest prayers I've offered up have been on my knees.  I think it would bring a sweet and humble element to our marriage.  With that said, it's late and I'm missing my sweetheart, I need to get to bed. G'nite.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!!

                          

Today is my sweetheart's birthday. We had a delightful evening downtown at The Melting Pot. It was all just so wonderful! Dinner was savory and delectable!! I seriously LOVE The Melting Pot! But one thing is for sure, I love Levi more than life itself. God placed in my path someone who is so perfect for me and my needs & wants. Levi is kind, gracious, patient, humble, smart, wise and giving. He makes my world a better place each and everyday. He is patient to no end....heaven knew I would need a man like that someday. I marvel at his patience to listen to me ramble about my work day everyday, to vent about little annoyances and wait while I take forever to shop, sometimes. I will never know how I got this lucky...but I will never cease to be grateful for him. Happy birthday sweetheart, I love you more than I can ever fully express.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 5: Answered Prayers.

Almost every morning, before I leave for work, I say a prayer.  I have so much to be thankful for, but I also have so much I need.  I know my Heavenly Father knows of those needs & wants, but it's always good to ask and be vocal about it.  I usually pray for the same things, because those are the things that mean most to me.
I always prayer for safety and protection as Levi & I travel about the city.  I know how bad traffic can be, so I always pray for heavenly protection upon us.  I pray for my parents, that they have patience with one another and treat each other well.  I especially pray for my Dad that he be kept safe and upright because of his advanced age and lack of eyesight, he has fallen several times.  I'm always worried that his next fall might be the worst one yet.  I pray for my sister that all is well in her life, and my nephews & nieces that they make righteous decisions.  I know how hard jr. high can be, so I especially want Heaven's choicest blessings upon my niece.  I pray for special blessings upon my oldest nephew as he prepares to marry his fiancee in the temple, this coming winter.  I also express my sincerest gratitude for my sweetheart Levi and the true blessing it is to be his wife.  Sometimes, I ask Heavenly Father that the traffic be light, just because it gets so crazy on these freeways here.
Today, my morning was definitely answered, in the most visible way.
I was in one of the two left turning lanes, waiting at the world's longest red light.  The Mini-Cooper in front of me kept egging on the light.  I was the second car in the lane.  Once it finally turned green, we started to go.  Two cars in the other left turning lanes were already through the intersection, when all of a sudden the Mini-Cooper in front of me slammed on their brakes.  We weren't even near the middle of the intersection and I didn't understand why they were so impatient 20 seconds ago and now at a sudden stop!  A couple seconds later, a car came flying through the intersection!!! It had to be going about 60 mph.  Due to the timing of it all, it would have most likely taken me out.  I was just floored.  How can people be that selfish to think they can run a red light and it'd be ok?  After driving through that intersection, I drove a little slower because the thought of my morning prayers came to mind.
So many times have I prayed for safety and protection and all is well on my daily commute.  This morning, my prayers for safety were answered in a very real and very true way. How many times have I prayed for something and didn't notice the answer?  I hope that hasn't always been the case.  Today, I feel like I need to be more aware of my prayers being answered.
I know my Heavenly Father answers my prayers.  Usually it's in the way I desire, and other times, it's in ways that help me grow & become better.  Today, I am so tremendously grateful that my prayers were answered in exactly the way that I needed and wanted them to be.

Happy Sabbath!

What a beautiful Sunday it's been!

I thought my name was going to be read into my new family ward, so I invited Levi to come with.  Luckily they didn't because I was so nervous.  It oh so wonderful having him there with me.  I cherish any and every moment I can be with him, so it was even more special to have him with me at church.  I'm still getting used to my new family ward.  Last Sunday was my first Sunday there, since being married.  Levi and I went once last Fall and it was so nice to see an old friend from Chula Vista Institute.  When I attended last Sunday, I met so many sisters.  I'm so grateful for those sisters who were kind enough to step out of their comfort zones and introduce themselves to me. 
Sunday School was so refreshingly nice to attend.  It's been a while since I've attended the Gospel Doctrine class.  This week's class was on Hosea.  Can't say I was familiar with that Bible story, but there were really good things to think about, such as how we can be a good spouse. For once, that question finally applies to me! 
Relief Society was so beautiful.  The ward organist taught the lesson for the day (perhaps she's actually an RS teacher, I don't know... I'm still figuring everyone out).  Small world, her daughter also served her mission in New Jersey and was trained by Sister B, who I trained!  In a mission sense, she's my "granddaughter"! :)  I had to introduce myself again.  Ugh... I get so shy & nervous at the same time.  I made them laugh when I said that I finally "graduated" from the Pacific Beach Singles Ward.  The lesson was on, "The Song of the Heart".  It was sweet presentation of the lesson.  Sister E had three sisters present their favorite hymns and why it was their favorite.  Then we sang the hymns, it was so tender. I love hearing the sisters sing, especially since they sing in parts (alto & soprano).  After class, as I was walking down the hall to leave, a very sweet sister named Amy introduced herself to me.  If I had to guess, I would think that she has Cerebral Palsy, by the way she walked.  I slowed my pace a little and we chatted.  At one point, she fell on my shoulder.  It startled me a bit because I thought, "Oh cool, she wanted to give me a hug?  Or did she just fall?", to which it was the latter.  She told me that she sometimes loses her balance. I told her that sometimes I get vertigo, so I could understand the feeling.  She said that sometimes she walks faster than her legs could keep up,  I told her I was actually a fan of walking slower anyways.  She was sweet, I wished her a good week and we parted ways.  I hope we get to become friends. 
I'm so thankful that my new ward is less than a mile away.  Last week, I left 3 minutes til and made it in time!  I was so thankful because I didn't want to show up late and have to walk in late.  I think I would have left.  I'm glad everything was in my favor.  I try not to think of all my old friends I've left in my Singles ward or my ol' family ward, but this is where I need to be now, in this season of my life.  I need to think of the good that's on the horizon and the friends I've yet to make. 
When I returned home, my heart and tear ducts were ready to burst for the gratitude I have for my husband.  The Sunday school lesson really hit home for me.  I hope to never be thankful for all he does for me, but most especially thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who knew what type of partner I would want and need and blessed me with my sweetheart. 
Today has been a very good Sunday.  If you haven't watched the General Women's Meeting, I highly suggest it.  It was all so beautiful!  It made me miss the temple so much.  So many things came to mind. 

For now, I leave you with this sweet choir of Korean angels singing, "I Love to See the Temple". Happy Sabbath!

Birthday Blessings.

A couple weeks ago, my parents told me that they wanted to take me out to eat for my birthday.  They said to choose a restaurant and we could invite a few people.  Yesterday, we went to eat at one of my most favorite sushi restaurants, in Imperial Beach.  When Levi and I showed up, we were a few minutes late, but my parents, sister, nephew, niece, cousin's family & aunt were already there.  I walked in and they started cheering.  I hugged & kissed everyone then walked over to the seat that had a birthday balloon tied to it.  Next to my seat was a huge gift bag and several other birthday bags on top.

 In the middle of the table was a red & white birthday cake.  Needless to say, I felt so special.  The rest of our party showed up and then we ordered some yummy goodness! Man I love me some sushi, tempura shrimp & veggies!

 I was lucky to sit next to my Dad and get to chat with him.  It's always so good to see my Dad.  Time seems to fly by between each visit and it makes me miss him so much.
After we ate, we did the whole birthday cake schpeal and opened gifts.  Whenever it's my birthday and people are singing "Happy Birthday to You", it's always a lil awkward.  I never know what to do. Most times I just stare at the candles and think of my birthday wish.  Sometimes I just wanna sing along.  It's just an awkward moment...
My Mom got me a Red Velvet Cake.  It was really good!  I really love Red Velvet Cake!  I was touched that she remembered my favorite cake.  So delish!    

 Afterwards, I opened my presents.  I got a soy coconut candle.  I can't wait to burn it! It smells like surf wax, I love it!  Makes me miss the beach even more.

 I also received a shell box with a pretty shell pendant. 

I also received a card with some money from my Aunt K. It was so nice of her.  I was just so touched by everyone's kindness and generosity.  

The gift that touched my heart so deeply, was the big gift bag from my parents. Inside the huge bag was a box that had many different things wrapped up in it.  My parents got me (us) "Chinese plates".,,,Asian themed...whatevers, you get the idea. (I hate having to be so PC sometimes!) Anyways, I was, am, still so touched by their gift.  I wanna cry just looking at the plates, saimin bowls, rice bowls, and soup spoons they gave us.  

I feel like it's a little piece of my family here with me.  My Mom & Dad will never know just how touched I was by everything they did for me.  Even as I type this, I'm crying because I just want to embrace my parents dearly and thank them for making me feel so special on Saturday.  This little birthday party was probably the nicest, kindest, most generous, and thoughtful thing they've done for me.  I can't wait to use the plates & bowls.  
I think I'm also quite sentimental over their generosity is because I miss them.  I wish we lived closer to them because sometimes it's hard not seeing them daily, if not weekly.  I will remember this birthday luncheon for a very long time.  Just all of it, every detail that my parents had a hand in, has touched me so much.  I just want to thank them so much.  It was so tremendously thoughtful and I will remember this for a very, very long time.  

Monday: On My Mind.

Work has been pretty busy...VERY busy.  Unfortunately, my team at work has shrunk. A week ago, there were 7 of us.  Today, there were only 5...but there's work enough for 20.  To say we're 'swamped' would be an understatement!  I feel like all I do, Monday - Friday is wake up, WOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRK, drive in traffic & veg until bedtime.  I'm just drained and the fun has evaporated since the workload has been enormous lately.  I'm grateful for Tina & Chuy because man, we've been slammed the last few days and sometimes I just wanna scratch my eyes out...........but then we joke around and shoot rubber bands and then all is well (until the phone rings)

Other things on my mind....
Sometimes I wonder why certain siblings read my blog.  Honestly, I'd rather they didn't.  I don't want to be a part of their lives, and I sure as hell don't want them to be a part of mine... so there's really no need to read about my life.  We're just way too different and have nothing remotely in common with each others' lives.  The last time I had a conversation with one of my brothers, all he did was rain on my parade for my upcoming wedding.  It's like that was his whole agenda that day; to make me feel guilty for not inviting everyone that HE thought should be invited.  I'm just done.  I don't need that negative, egocentric attitude in my life anymore, ever again.  Goodbye Wayne. 

Other than that....  I am loving life!  Yeah work gets rough and challenging sometimes, but I couldn't be more grateful to have this great job and work with such great friends.  I love my husband with all of my heart.  He makes everyday a million times better!  I love the peace and calm that my home offers me.  It's quiet and relaxing.  He makes our home a safe haven from the crazy, tumultuous world.  I love it.  I can't wait til we get all of our wedding photos back so we can start hanging them on the walls.  I love them!  I'm stoked for my upcoming birthday.  I think I'm even more stoked for Labor Day and the 3 day weekend I get to sleep in.  Oh blessed be, I cannot wait!!!

Married!!

I got married on Sunday and I'm loving it!

I married the most perfect man for me. He is kind, loving and ever so patient. I feel so lucky and sooooooo tremendously blessed!