i love this kid

isaac:  i worry about my future

me:     why?

isaac:  what if i don't get a good job or make enough money..

me:     you're in fourth grade!

isaac:  are aliens real?

me:     i don't know

isaac:  cuz if they are, whoa! God makes crazy stuff

isaac:  i don't think i can eat breakfast tomorrow

me:     why?

isaac:  because i can't remember my memory verse

augustine:  look out for the ghost under your bed

isaac:  i don't believe in ghost, i only believe in the Holy Spirit

regarding the obedience retreat, i think my thoughts, feelings, and worries were still a distraction. I gave a short sermon on Romans 5:18-19 and it reminded me that God's grace and double imputation is what makes us righteous. My self-righteous works don't earn or make me become righteous, it is the blood and sacrifice of Christ. My other sermon was on Revelation 5. Read that chapter. it really sticks out to me. It's about how worthy the Lamb is because he was able to purchase us from a bondage and slavery of sin. He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. i sorta miss teaching. it makes me meditate and internalize scripture more.

playing a bunch of games, laughing and eating together brought a sense of joy that i miss. it's rejuvenating to spend time with christian brothers and sisters. and i think i find fulfillment in ministering and offering care to others. Just being with people breathes health into me. over the last weekend i thought a lot about the virtue of humility. We can all be very selfish and overly self centered with how we'd like things to be. love isn't self seeking, it puts the interest of others before one's self. and i guess that's a virtue i'd like to improve in.

In regards to leaving CA and moving back to HI soon, i've had a lot of fears of losing friendships here.  i guess i realized that some friendships are given for certain seasons. friends worth fighting for can become life long friends. but that requires communication, love and mutual commitment. i pray that even tho i move away, ill still be considered a close friend to those who care. i'm also reminded that we all have the ability to make new friends. Sometimes I'm too selective with who i want to take the initiative to reach out to. maybe we all play a sort of favoritism with people we connect with better. Sometimes we make a short list of only a few ppl that we really care about. but God calls us to step out of our comfort zone and engage in fostering new friendships as well. it doesn't matter who's sitting next to you, foster relationship. change in moving can be a little scary since i still dunno what ill do for work, but I'm starting to worry a lot less because i know God will place me where i need to be when the time is right.