E5 College / Young Adults Group is the best!
So this is what our college / young adult ministry group gave me at our first get together this summer…last summer was my first time with them and this summer was exactly a year later. So it was a very special thing they did, kinda like a Thank You letter on steriods! I so so so grateful to everyone of them!
God knows, so does da wifey wife how much i’ve learned from our group. There are so many wonderful people in our group, actually so many awesome people at St. Andrews in general, its such a blessing to experience life with them. Although our cultures and interests are worlds apart, still God is supreme and allows for our differences to be the link that drives us forward in manifesting God’s kingdom here in the South Bay! These guys are the best!!!!
Increasing in Him,
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Japan Slideshow
Increasing in Him,
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1st “chieftan” experience
My cousin Dave from our village here (Fagaalu) is getting married next saturday, so we had a family gathering today. Usually family gatherings are coordinated for the purpose of bringing together our contributions for the family that is going through the event. So this instance, we’re gathering our contributions for Dave’s wedding.
Our extended family is called the USO family; and in the USO family is 6 clans, which usually consist of 5-8 families. Our family is the Fa’auu clan or the Gaisoa clan, which was my dad’s High Chief position. Dad’s chieftan however, was one of the major High Chief’s in the greater USO family. My chieftan “Faleulu” is only for the Fa’auu clan and apparently my position is as a Talking Chief. Only talking chief’s speak during the larger family meetings along with the High Talking Chief who serves almost like MC of the gathering.
So today, before we went down to the USO family meeting, our clan got together at Aunti Fia’s house just across the street to look at what we’re contributing as a clan. As the chief of our clan, I had to approve of what we were preparing to give. So that was cool, but very awkward. I’m more of a runner type, dish washer dude, that does the dirty work. So to be in that leadership/authoritative position was weird and I felt completely undeserving of it. To be treated with a different type of respect is completely humbling. The same type of respect was given to me down at the USO family meeting.
When the meeting started, i was greeted by the other chief’s by my chief name. I’m so used to the Pipeline group calling me that name and some of my family members calling me that, but to have the extended family recognize me as one of the chiefs was so weird, but more so humbling…I’m so used to sitting outside listening to what was going on, and looking on to dad do his thing, but to be in somewhat of a similar situation is completely overwhelming.
I’m grateful to this new role in my life and I’m so humbled! I’m sitting here typing away and really noticing dad’s absence. Mom notices it too! My heart sinks to my chest when I think of dad not being around. It’s so surreal that I don’t think I have any closure in my heart with dad’s passing…
Increasing in Him,
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I’m tired…
So I have been trying to prepare for my sermon this sunday May 25th, at St. Andrew’s church in Redondo Beach. I’m tired…I’m tired of trying to figure out what the church needs to hear, I’m tired of recounting my experience thus far, I’m tired of thinking about how I need to create programs to appease the people…I’m burnt out from activities and programs, I’m burnt out from life situations, I’m tired of trying to figure out my future now that I’ve graduated with a M.A degree…I’m tired! I can’t even get away because all these things will follow me…I need to free myself up and release whatever commitment I have that i don’t need to have. I just need to focus on 3 top priorities and that’s it…everything else should be way way way back in the backburner…I DON’T CARE IF I DON’T PLEASE WHOEVER IM TRYING TO PLEASE!!!!!!
Dang, can’t I just breath and allow God to piece me together…sheeeesh!
Increasing in Him,
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Make peace!
Increasing in Him,
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New Project…”Action”
This is the cover of my new book called ACTION…I amco-authoring this with one of my best friends in the faith, Joey Alleyne. It’s been really fun to work on and I’m excited for the future projects we got cookin in the kitchen…make sure you stay tuned to when it will be available! Holla!
Increasing in Him,
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A fair description of The “Emerging” Movement
Increasing in Him,
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Joey’s Poem
What does your word say to me?
How sincere are you when speaking to me
Words laced like flattery on lips
Trying to prove a point to me
Do you really care for this pure soul?
Or do you prefer the treasure this soul holds
Eloquent is your speech knocks me off my feet
No desire to know me just use me to get what you want
Where are the real friends?
You counterfeits drain me dry; suck the life out of me
You disappear and use your invisibility as a spiritual hiatus
Sipping on your wine and cheese instead of on your knees repenting of a soul you used and abused not knowingly.
Selfish is your mindset only deposit into life worthy of fulfilling your dreams and destiny
What happen to true friendships? Friendships based solely on the fact that I enjoy your company and it is a pleasure to be around you
We live in a society where success is no longer an option to survive, it is a necessity.
Time robs us blind and no time to invest in just hanging out at the movies or with each other-you get the best of me.
Time is spent talking about visions, business ventures, and ministry opportunities.
I want my friends back
Too many counterfeiters hanging around
Destiny is fulfilled in connections with no agendas
Increasing in Him,
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