With A Servant's Heart

"To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them..."

GODS PLAN: The other day for some random reason I was reflecting on the past. Its funny how you want one thing for your life and in the end God gives it to you, but in a whole different way. Your life became different then what you had originally planned for. The best part of it all is how God you to something bigger and better. I was fortunate enough to make some really good friends after high school was over. We would hang out pretty much every weekend. The plan was always either go to the Block and watch movie/eat at TGIFRidays or Downtown Disney and eat at ESPN Zone. There were even some Saturday nights I came out so late that waking up for 8am for 915am mass was like an 'oh why?!' moment. All this was cool but then the group kinda drifted. The weekends weren't the same anymore cause some people ended up finding bf/gfs so group time became couple time. At that point the weekends became boring for me. Half of the time there was to look forward to anymore. Its even cause I remember one of my friends telling me he was hanging out w/this 'church friends.' In my head I thought, 'I want church friends or another set of friends too!'

BUILDING COMMUNITY: Last Tuesday at the LoG meeting as we were singing/dancing to action songs, 'Who Builds the Faith,' 'Lualey,' and 'Community,' I had total brief flashback of my life from back in 2002-2003. I also had this huge smile on my face ha. It had been forever since I've sang and danced to action songs. Whenever it was my turn to lead prayer meeting, I always loved choosing those 'hokey pokey' type songs as they were called back in the day. Like I said it lead me to a flashback of my life pre SH days. *cue flashback here*

21XL: I dont remember how, but I found out about a group called, '21XL.' They were an event planning company that were popular for putting out college type of events. Everyone wants that feeling of 'belonging' or being affiliated with a group. I figured getting involved with this company would be a great way to making new friends. Anytime you show up new to something for the first time it's always awkward. I went to a meeting and it was on a Monday night in Cerritos near Gahr High. Sitting there was so uncomfortable for me. Looking at it now I totally didnt even fit in with that group. The guy who was leading the meeting was upset cause one event wasnt promoted well enough. At the end of the meeting I was invited to help promote for some event that weekend I think near LAX. Someone was suppose to call me(I think) and so I ended up not going. I even remember contemplating back and forth whether I should juss drive there or not. Yeah, that totally wasn't where I was called to be.

SERVANTSHEART: In the end up I stopped going to the 21xl Meetings. One Sunday I was online checking out the SH website. I signed the guestbook and the next thing I know the "instant message" box pops up. 'You've received an Instant Message from HvnSntRockr. Would you like to accept?' Back in those days, it always kinda exciting getting an 'IM' from someone that wasn't on your buddy list. 'Hmmm,' I thought. 'I wonder who this is?' I accepted the IM and the person said, 'Hey Jason! Its Mike from Servant's Heart. Thanks for signing the Guest Book!' Wow. As I sat in front of the computer looking at the IM, 'that's kinda cool. I dont even know this guy and he IMs me.' Next thing I know I was being invited to join their skit for this youth rally. Again, joining something new is always a little nerve wrecking in the beginning. However, Im glad I stuck around with this group. Who would've thought that the simple Instant Message would become the start of the foundation of my faith. For a while I was trying hard to find that in a sense 'missing puzzle piece.' When I was trying to do fit in with that other group it was like forcing the puzzle piece that wasn't going to fit. I know it doesn't fit already but Im going to try and force it in. Yeah, that didn't work out at all.

GODS PLAN: Life is all about God's perfect timing and I've learned that time after time again. God knows the recesses of our hearts. He knows what we want and sometimes waiting for it sucks, but He always comes through in the end. Its like when you're a kid on your birthday or Christmas and you get that one gift that you've been asking for. That expression on your face when you first open it and that excitement you feel. This is the probably the same feeling I had felt once I became apart of SH. That Hillsong's song ocean where the chorus says, 'Spirit lead me to trust without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you may lead me.' I also ended up having 'church friends' too which was something I had wanted haha I've learned to how to love my faith and my God so much more. I share this because I know this month is also SH's Anniversary, I dont remember what number it is but the memories God created in that 'Upper Room' will always hold a special place in my heart.

"I am yours and you are mine..."Im done, im out God bless

Dancing in September

" This is the job of leaders: to nuture the vineyard with freedom, creativity and hard work..."

THE REUNION SEASON: Earlier this year we had celebrated Elizabeth's 30th. I had coined the #thereunionseason at her little birthday. I had a feeling there was going to be more than one occasion where our group would get together and hangout. Little did I realize #thereunionseason would also mean reconnecting with other people I haven't seen in such a long time. A couple weeks ago Raymond, from LF had messaged me on Facebook randomly. He had invited me to this Seacret presentation in Carson that week. As much as I hate sitting through those 3 level marketing presentations, I thought it would be cool to catch up with them. Im so glad I had went cause it was great catching up with Charisse. For a minute it was a like rush of old memories that had flashed back. In fact last week Raymond ended up hanging out at the Packing House last Thursday night. Earlier this month the Youth Ministry celebrated its 10th Annual YPR. Again, another cause for reunions and celebrations. On top of all that Antoinette celebrated her 30th along with her engagement. #thereunionseason I love it.

GODPROVIDES: All summer long I had been looking for an extra job. The end of summer and the month of September become extra long since Im not working. I can really see how people who get laid become so discouraged with the job market. Day after day I would look on Craigslist throwing out my resume here and there. I was able to go through a couple of interviews, only to be declined in the end. Fast forward to this month and Im in a position where I've been offered two jobs I had applied and interviewed for. Its rough and as I said it gets discouraging, however in the end I know God provides. Trusting God is never easy and something I've always struggle with in my own personal faith journey. I need to remind myself something that St. Pio once said, 'Pray, Hope, and Don't worry.'

STTHERESE: For the past 11 years, after learning so much about St. Therese, I started to have a devotion to her. I always love sharing with others about her simple life. About 6-7 years ago I bought this book, Shower of Heavenly Roses. The book is filled with stories of people who have had answered prayers from St. Therese. Her feast day is October 1st and I started the 9 day novena last week with the novena finishing on her feast day. God never stops to amaze me with just how great He is. On day 3 of the Novena in the hallway at work I had noticed a rose petal on the ground. I picked up and it made me smile as it reminded me of St. Therese. When lunch came around as I was warming up my lunch in the microwave there was a calendar in front of me. The calendar has been there since the beginning of the year and just never thought anything of it. 'Ding,' the microwave goes and as I opened up the microwave I noticed the picture for the month of September. It was a cupcake with a rose frosting decoration on it. I took down the calendar and went through the whole year noticing that only September had the rose cupcake on it. Laughing to myself I knew at once it was St. Therese. As if that wasn't enough, there's a floral dept. at my work. Last week the floral teacher decided to do the 'Duchess Rose' project. The campus was filled all week with students walking around with roses. St. Therese knew exactly what I needed and helped make it happen. 

WYD16: In 2008 I was blessed with the opportunity to go Sydney, Australia and participate in World Youth Day. I remember hearing about World Youth Day back when I first became active in the church. Some people had just came back from Tornto, Canada. Then in 2005 I remember other people from other ministries planning for their trip to Cologne, Germany. It never really dawned on me that I would be able to go myself one day. Then when the idea of going to Sydney, Australia was thrown out, I knew I had to go this time. Although the fundraising, planning, and even at times the trip itself became stressful it was still a eye-opening experience. Thankfully I was able to fundraise $1000 through inkind donations from parishioners. As I always tell students one of the most important lessons in in life is all about networking and who you know. Who you know and what they could do for you can become such a huge advantage to you in life down the line. Anyway, this time Im preparing for WYD 2016. The goal to come up with $4,500 seemed like such an impossible task. Praise God that as of this month I've slowly made a small dent raising $1300 of it on my own. Im praying hopefully in the coming months that in the end I can be able to raise the balance with a little extra. God definitely provides. 

STBERNARDS: Last year I had met this girl who was subbing for a couple of weeks in my room. At the end of the year we said, 'it was nice working with you, good luck, etc.'  Fast forward to this past May, I get a random instagram request from her and she comments on of my pictures to contact her. For the most part I always keep people's numbers unless I know I wont need it anymore. I had texted her and she told me she had been trying to find/search for me a while. She had just got a promotion to become the new Activities Director at the school she was working at and needed help. The funny thing is when we were working together she would always make fun of me cause I always busy with ASB activities. We met up and I gave her ideas and suggestions which ultimately led to me organizing an ASB retreat for her new ASB students. Fast forward to June and it was an amazing, humbling experience. I knew already from the first day it was meant to be as a portrait of St. Therese was hung in their library. To help plan student activities at a catholic high school?! WOW! I was super excited. I get to share my faith as well as teach them how to plan events. Putting that retreat one of for that school was the best start to my summer. Last Saturday I went to their Homecoming and it was so great to see them. A whole different culture them Im usually use to working with, but I love it and I love them. 

OKTOBERFEST: I was sharing tonight how this time of year is kinda exciting. The parish starts slowly transform into 'Oktoberfest' season. The big trucks with the rides come in to the grass, the tents start to get put up, and then the stage is put together. As I was looking at the stage earlier tonight a rush of fond Oktoberfest memories came to me. The year was 2007 and I can clearly remember walking on stage and seeing the tons of people waiting for Passion and Gabe. Literally it felt like being on stage for a concert. I had never seen so many people, mostly all young teens and kids at church like this before. Then as they got on stage the screaming and the yelling of the crowd going crazy. Who would've thought that Holy Family would ended up landing two huge YouTube stars at their festival. Again, God provides. I was super biter cause of the fact Aj Rafael had backed out after agreeing to perform for the festival. He had posted a myspace bulletin trying to find out who was in charge of the entertainment for the festival and then went on to say something to the effect of I wasnt clear with the information. Of course I was so and replied back to the original myspace message where he had agreed to perform. After that whole incident I never cared for the guy and his music. Oh well in the end it worked out cause Passion and Gabe came out instead. Those were some good times back in those days. 

"I wont let go of you, Im latching on to you..."im done, im out God bless