The Bookworm and the Cricket

 This is for my dear friend Richelle on her 21st birthday.

Happy 21st dear Richellephant!

The Bookworm's Birthday Promise

By Aarika Leigh Ormeo Alura 

 Once upon a time there was a bookworm...

and a tap-dancing cricket.

They were best friends.

-----

They shared a deep love for music,

for food...

for learning...

and, most of all, for the Lord!

 The cricket encouraged the bookworm to write for Jesus

while the bookworm urged the cricket to glorify God with her dancing.

 and even though they were VERY busy bugs...

they stayed in close contact, no matter how busy they were, over phone and facebook.

 the bookworm could feel God calling her. It had come time for her to grow up and initiate some serious change in her life. God was transforming her and she needed to follow His instructions.

It was hard because she knew that she would eventually be missing her best friend's 21st birthday. 

  But even though she couldn't be there, she made sure to celebrate from where she was.

 In a letter to her friend, she promised that

God would finish His work in her, changing her into a butterfly so that she could continue doing His work as a new bug...

and once that happened...

 she would fly home to be with her best friend and they would write and dance and glorify God together.

 The end.

Richelle Jean Navales was and is my best friend. She has taught me over and over again the importance of trusting and relying on God and His amazing, awe-inspiring plan. She reminds me that our timing is always off and God's timing is always perfect. That He has no limitations and has the power to create an amazing dancer in only four years and soften the heart of a control-freak in less than one.

She also reminds me that God is also a God that answers prayers. That He is a God that is ever faithful to us sinners who are so unfaithful and so doubtful and so miserably horrible to Him. He is a God that loves us and keeps us safe and does amazing things in this world like creating animals and babies and baby animals.

Richelle Jean is the definition of sweet and God-fearing and loyal and genuine. I thank God every day for her presence in my life and I pray that however long we may have with each other, however much time God may grant our friendship, may He always keep us accountable to one another and to Him. May He keep us from comparing ourselves to each other or to anyone else. May He remind us to encourage each other constantly and to turn to Him and praise Him for the time we have together.

Richelle Jean is also hilarious and ridiculous and awe-inspiring herself. Her love for God makes me want to love God more. Her burdens are my burdens and my burdens are hers. She is the best accountabili-buddy I could have ever asked for and the fact that God has given her another year to continue glorifying Him is nothing short of gracious and generous. Because Richelle Jean knows, better than anyone, how we deserve so much less than the love God gives us and yet He offers us everything instead.

I miss Richelle Jean every day.

I miss telling her stories and listening to her stories.

I miss her crazy phone calls.

I miss her infectious laugh.

I miss her dancing.

I miss her smile.

I miss her rebuke.

I miss her encouragement.

I miss her.

But I also know that it is part of God's plan for us to be apart right now and I trust God in His reasoning and His timing. I also praise Him for internet so that I may write this post for my one and only best friend.

I love you. Happy 21st birthday and I'm sorry that I can't be there. =]

Love from your biffers,

aareeka.

Ra Ra Spirit!

In the three years that I went to CSUSB I wasn't big on attending school events. Other than theater work I just couldn't be bothered to find the time for school related activities. But that was mostly because at a commuter school like CSUSB, unless you're in the club or really really active in ASI it doesn't seem like there is a lot of participation. Not to mention the fact that with a school of over 10,000 it's hard to truly achieve any kind of mass involvement. At a UC maybe it's a little different. Most are on campus, after all. But at CSUSB where the majority of students are either working a job in addition to school or supporting a family in addition to school, it just didn't happen.

But in ESSU-Maydolong? In the Philippines in general? School spirit and involvement is one of the things that keeps students in school. You add the natural camaraderie of a small town with the strength of a batchmate's bond and it's easy to see why events like Founder's Day and the Intramurals are fun events for the school.

The Founding Anniversary

  

I had no idea about the Founding Anniversary was even coming. When I saw it on my Academic Calendar I figured it was one of those things that was acknowledged and that maybe there would be some free things at school to celebrate. But otherwise classes would resume as normal. Boy, was I wrong. 

There were no classes. Instead there were special presentations by different groups of students as well as teachers, mostly dances which is fun for all students as they support not only their peers...

but their teachers too.

 

I, personally, got excited when I would see students of mine participating. Strangely proud of them in a way that I couldn't explain. It reminded me of all the times I would go see the Youth at their schools performing and I had this urge to do my Mama Aarika cheer, but I refrained. We had only known each other for two weeks.

But anyway, then there was the much awaited "Gay Marathon"

No. I didn't stutter. "Gay Marathon".

"What's a Gay Marathon?" You ask, well...I asked as well and I don't think I really grasped what it was until I saw it for myself, but basically it is when a male representative from each department: BSIT, BSED, BEED, and BS Criminology,  is chosen to dress in their best gown and heels. They parade in front of the entire school from one end of the campus to the other and then RACE each other back. They actually run, in their heels and dress and whoever wins...well...wins. Haha.

It was probably the most bizarre, hilarious, and exciting races I had ever witnessed in my life and I wish I had been more prepared for it, but all in all it's one of those things that I will remember for the rest of my life. I'm dying to post more pictures and a few choice videos, because I have so many. But internet is so choppy right now that it would take me an entire day to try. The hard thing about trying to be a consistent blogger is that, in spite of the fact that I have internet, the internet is not very reliable. It takes me hours to upload three to four pictures so I've turned to leaving my computer on at night to let it load properly.


But I will try again. So try not to be too disappointed.


Until next time.
-Aarika

Summer days

in thinking over the past month or so since school ended

I've realized that a LOT has happened.

1. I have gone through a plethora of novels,

some good, some sad, some enlightening

some that showed me that a writer can be anyone and everyone

and that is the reason why i do what i do.

2. i've finished directing another musical,

which taught me more about patience and discernment than the last two combined

3. i've spent a lot of time by myself and with my thoughts.

God has been asking me to re-evaluate myself in everything from:

my relationship with my family to my relationship with my church family

my career goals, my life goals, my ministry goals...

and let's just say I've had a lot on my mind.

4. i've been able to spend a lot of time with family.

Especially these last few weeks.

My cousin Jac flew in from Texas last Tuesday and we were all reunited!

I praise God for the opportunity to bond and form a relationship with my cousin.

For his provision of time off work and free time to spend with her and my family.

I praise Him for the ability to talk to her and relate to her

and the capacity to love her as more than just blood,

but as a person who is praying for her salvation.

Also, my family from New Jersey AND the Philippines flew in

and after a much loved outing to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

the entire Ormeo clan was present at the Alura home for a full day of fellowship, eating, swimming, screaming, and more eating.

5. And lastly, I've really got to spend some time with God,

praying and trying to figure out where to go from here.

Most importantly, God has been waiting for me to turn to Him and say,

"Lord, I don't know where I am. I need you to lead me and I need you to stop me from trying to be a backseat driver."

So that's what I've been trying to do. Be more honest, be a better listener, be a better servant, and be a better me. I've had a lot of things building within me for the past year and I think some well spent time in prayer has been needed. Lord, keep the good hits coming and the bad ones going, cause i do not want to end this summer having learned nothing.

Mickey's Soundsational Parade!

my best friend is panchito

You can find her and the other 2/3 of the three caballeros @ 5:50 on the video!
so proud that I cried biffers! love you mucho!

GO SEE DISNEY'S SOUNDSATIONAL PARADE IN DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!

My Birthday Weekend

"21"

A big year for most American youth, because it's the year we become "legal" and successfully break away from one of the last societal contingencies that shackle us to adolescence. Granted, there are many MANY people my age who fail to wait for this glorious year of adult hood before diving headfirst into the illegal act of underage drinking, but I am proud to say that I was not one of them.

I am proud to say that I waited until I was legal. And honestly? That made the experience so much more fulfilling and meaningful because I didn't give into temptation and God was so gracious in giving me a model family to set that example.

But, anyway, this past weekend was exciting for a number of reasons.

1. I was old enough to do more than just sit in the hotel room

2. I was going with my family in a huge brood and that's always fun when there is a lot of us.

3. I was old enough to play slot machines, though I did it only once or twice because I'm not too keen about chancing my money.

4. We were staying in Mandalay Bay.

and

5. I got to see and enjoy how much this right of passage into adult meant to my cousins, my aunts, my uncles, my grandparents, and my parents.

You see, for me, though I did enjoy this weekend, for my birthday I wasn't expecting much. I'm not much of a party-goer, the "party" scene isn't really my scene. But when the idea for this came up I went along with it, not because I didn't like the idea, but because my family loved the idea.

This was an opportunity for them to share in my graduation to adulthood. This was exciting for them and because of that the experience was all the more sweeter.

I laughed a lot. I learned a lot. And I had a lot of fun.

Now, with it over do I think it's something I would ever want to do again?

Uh... haha I wouldn't mind going back to Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps. The hotels were fun and there was a lot to see.

But I'm not too keen on alcoholic drinks. The few that I did have left me a little light-headed and the taste was not one I would be jumping to have again. And the casino games kind of scared me. I would have preferred to go to Circus Circus or Excalibur and blow my money on carnival games, but watching people play is fun.

So, overall, I think I've simply come to the conclusion that it's nice to have the option.

And I praise God because this is one more thing that He's saved me from being enslaved to. He kept me away from temptation, He kept me grounded with loving parents and a loving family that keeps me accountable to my actions. And He also continues to provide these things regardless of my age.

So again, it's great that I have the option. But it's even more amazing when I choose to opt out.

Ten things that make my day a little better:

10. insightful sayings from my favorite TV shows

9. when someone I just met still remembers my name after a few days

8. a full tank of gas

7. finishing a school assignment with time to spare

6. a good book quote

5. extra time to nap

4. well-timed text messages

3. when i remember the chords of a song

2. humming showtunes

1. when my dad says, "don't worry. I'll take care of it."

all of this is my medicine on really really REALLY stressful days like today

English 303B: Character sketch

Professor Luck:
"I want you to write a passage about someone you know, create a character sketch of that person that truly shows rather than tells the character of this person. Be specific. This is one of the key things that fiction writers use, and when you're good at it, it really can make or break a piece."

~~~~~

We were driving to church in her beloved, beat up car, trading stories from the past week. I told her about the 3 pages I wrote then tossed out, while she rallied back with the video she took of herself dancing, but wasn't going to put up online.

"Why not?" I asked her. "I'm sure it's good."

"Psh." She scoffed, shaking her head. "No way girlfriend! Trust. It's just me jumping around like a fool. No one wants to see that!"

She parked her car in the empty lot and sat back in her chair, letting the engine and radio run below our conversation like elevator music. Neither of us moved to leave, instead finding solace to just sit in silence before I turned to her and sighed. "You're crazy wildcat." I told her. "What are you afraid of?"

She laughed out loud and shook her head at me, the smile taking over her entire face. "No, you're crazy 'wildcat'! Believe me, it's just nothing post worthy."

I rolled my eyes. "You gotta get over it man. You're good! Just own it!"

But she only laughed again, as if my confidence in her was completely ridiculous. She shook her head as she giggled and sighed melodramatically. "Just drop it man. I'll do it when I've got something good, don't you--AHHHH!"

The scream came so suddenly that I couldn't stop the laugh that tumbled from my lips. "What?!" I cried out but she only leaned forward and turned up the volume of her radio, screaming out, "I LOVE THIS SONG!!" She began to sway from side to side, letting the music take over her mood. She closed her eyes as she mouthed along with the words of the singer and gestured wildly with her hands creating spirals and shapes in the air as she completely let go to the song.

I sat back and shook my head, feeling my own body start to sway as the song continued. But my eyes stayed glued to her as she continued moving.

I had to smile because she looked so happy.

~~~~~

Dedicated and written for the unforgettable bestie that has blessed me:
RJuice/RJeans/RJeanius/RJeezy/Richelle

I believe in you! Just go out there and BE HAPPY!


-aarika

my family

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

Desmond Tutu

I'll never get over how little time it takes to change us individually
but more so,
how little it changes who we are together.

My dad is my hero.

I've talked about this before with richelle jean, my accountabili-buddy, that i think my dad and i are a lot closer than me and my mom.

and that's not to say that my mom and i don't get along, we just butt heads more than my dad and i do. And if I'm being honest, I've always been a bit of a Daddy's girl.


I tell my dad pretty much everything and in return he's very straightforward and honest with me...even when I seem to miss the point of it all.

Anyway, I just wanted to take this time to PTL for my dad.

Whenever I have a conversation with someone about God and trusting His timing, trusting that He's listening and that He'll never leave us, I always reference my dad because he strikes me as a shining example of a godly man who strives to be Christ-like.

A lot of teenagers and the youth come to me and will express their struggles with feeling like God isn't listening to them or how they pray and God just doesn't seem to come fast enough. But my response is always that God has His own timing and the reason why He would choose to delay anything He gives us is justly reasoned.

Maybe it isn't what we need.
Maybe it isn't what we need at the moment.
Maybe we need to ask in a better way (meaning without selfish intention).
Maybe what we're praying for just isn't good for us
Or maybe we need learn something first before we can be ready for it.

First and foremost God is a father. He is the perfect Father and, like any father, He knows us better and what we need better than we know ourselves.

I always reference my dad because it has happened a lot in the past with me. I've asked to go to a party or to hang out or for money or for anything really and it's never about my dad NOT wanting to give it to me or my dad NOT caring enough to give it to me. Honestly, my dad would give the world to me if he could, but...he knows what's right. He loves me to much that his priority isn't what I want, but what is safe, what is right, what is good for me.

And that's God is towards us. It's not about Him, not caring or not loving us enough. It's about Him loving us SO much that we need to just trust His judgement.

My dad has never steered me wrong. My dad has always looked out for my best interests and I am so blessed because I know there are many other dads out there who don't take their job very seriously.

But God blessed me with an amazing dad, and that just proves that I can trust Him as my Father.

So, I PTL for my Darling Daddy and I PTL for being such a Fantastic Father in giving him to me.

my pages and i

when i was three years old,
my father taught me how to read
and a whole world came to life.

As the years went on
i found that it wasn't just one whole world
but a gateway to millions.
Like the wood in The Magician's Nephew

and it has only grown
as more and more worlds have been discovered.

a few more favorable than others.

which taught me
a lot of things.
About happy endings. sad endings.
new beginnings.
old beginnings.

and it made me odd.
made me weird.

but most of all, it made me realize
that i could create worlds of my own.

and hopefully teach my kids to do the same.
start 'em young.

but anyway, that's beside the point.
Right now, I just PTL for all the things that brought me to this crossroads.
'Tis the most enjoyable one I've ever come to.
And the best thing is, I don't just have to choose one.

=]

Proud mama.

last night was Cassie's last choir concert ever and she completely rocked it. =D

It's strange to think that four years have passed by in such a flash. When I think back on it all it is just too crazy for words sometimes....

But getting to watch Cassie take that stage as a senior, as a Madrigal, as a four-year choir member, and being able to do it side by side with her best and closest friends in the world made me choke up a little.

I've always been pinned as matronly. Motherly I guess. I have a bad habit of being a mom to everyone, but I just can't help it. I have a habit of getting involved and I believe everyone needs someone to be proud of them sometimes, and yet not everyone has somebody.

Granted, my sister and her friends all have great support systems and a great number of friends who are all proud of them. But that doesn't erase the fact that I am to.

I am very proud of all those high schoolers who have accomplished four years of hard work. I am proud that they ended strong that they have grown so much, with so much in store for them in the future. And I'm also glad that I got to watch them do it. I love you guys.

To my sister, even though we don't get along sometimes. I am so proud of you. And I love you.

I see a generation

Friday night we sang the Hillsong United praise and worship song "Hosanna"and, though Ian has talked about being blessed by this before, I just reiterate that the stanzaa:

"I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith.

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees."

rings true for me. I see it. I see it.

I see it in EJ's leadership.

I see it in Kristine's hunger for the truth
In Lidia's joy and willingness to learn.

I see it in Eric and his music.
In Garrett and his compassion.

I see it in Derek and Aljay's comraderie
And Melissa and Kathleen's loyalty.

In the Hernandez sisters' generosity
And even Chelsea and her consistency.

Yes they all have struggles, they all have burdens, and they all have given me those moments when I feel like I want to shake them and pull my own hair out.

But I see it. I see God in them. And though they may have doubts and fears and issues of disbelief, God is never going to leave them, and if I can get anything across to them in the time that I have with them. It's that:

God will never leave you. And as long as He allows it, neither will I.

The past few weeks have been a struggle for the youth leaders. So much has changed in such a small amount of time that I can see the weariness and I've felt it too. =P

But Friday night, as we sang that song, God comforted me. Reminded me of how He is always working and proved it true with the youth's Surprise Appreciation Party.

To say I was surprised would be a complete and utter understatement. I was shocked and thrown off-guard. I was unsure of what to do other than thank them and praise God for his incomparable timing, because the timing was just a little too coincidental. Gotta love it though. Usually it's us that plan everything for the youth and surprise them randomly with cake and parties.

This time around it was all them and exceptionally successful.

[save for my epic fail as I hid in the other room during the big reveal. soooo not my fault that I thought it was a surprise party for alex..who's actual birthday is like...in june. hahahaha]

See: A cake and everything. You guys are such a blessing.

And I think this is the beginning of a revival. Why do I say that? Hah, well...why not? Why can't it happen right now?

The ball is in our court. So let's be decisive. What are we gonna do?

Opportunity Comes A'Knockin'

I would be lying if I said I didn't have my reservations and fears about taking on more responsibility but...with the wrap up of the musical, I think this is God's way of giving me exactly what I was praying for. Relationships that were NOT rooted in obligation, but rather firm in concern and desire for accountability.

God continues to answer prayers.

But, goodness, it still baffles me when I think about how much time has passed. And I sometimes forget that I am no longer in a position to simply follow, but now must lead. Truthfully, following is always easier. Less stressful. But, when God calls, you answer, and when He tells you to lead, you lead.

Zechariah said this of his son John (the Baptist):

⁷⁶And you, my child,
will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,

We have been commissioned to reach out not just to those in nations across the globe, but to those who stand arms length away. In fact, when we reach out across the land, we're bound to touch upon those closest to us along the way right? This is just the beginning.

So despite my initial qualms about whether or not I was ready and if whether or not I was willing and able, I remembered that God has been calling me for a while and I have an opportunity to truly fulfill my mission statement, by serving those who I have a heart to serve, which allows me to serve the Lord.

This week I was reminded of this lesson:

¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Some things never change. Like...there will always those people who are more than willing to tear you down. There will always be some kind of worldy drama that will cause you to backslide. There will always be temptations and hardships that make you struggle in your relationship with Christ. And I learned that through my own discipleship with Ate Niña.

But what else did I learn?

Another thing that never changes is that God loves us. His mercy and His compassion are constantly there and whenever we stray away, God doesn't. THAT NEVER CHANGES.

My prayer request for now? Is to remember what it means to be in this kind of relationship. That this isn't a social event. Coming together is not done for social reasons. We have been given this opportunity to keep each other focused on the cross and to be reminded that God must be bigger than everything else. ESPECIALLY each other.

John 3:30: He must become greater, I must become less.

Haha, I will say this. PTL for Kristine and Lidia, because I'm oober excited too.

Another Year to Serve Him

Some may choose to define me

by the years that I've surpassed.
And recount to me the things I've done
And the things that my life has.

Others may try to advise me
On the years that have yet to come.
Regaling me of all their tales
And everything they've done.

But I define myself by a
Completely different scale
I'm defined by a God who has
Never ever failed.

I'm defined by His merciful heart
And the things that He has done,
By the sacrifice He made for me
By the sacrifice of His son.

And it is by the people He
has given to me over time
Who've impacted me in some miraculous way
That I am now defined.

My name is Aarika Alura. I am twenty years in the making and am so overly blessed it's nothing short of a miracle. I look back on everything and think of all that could have gone wrong in life. I could have been born into a small family that wasn't close-knit like mine is, I could have been born into a broken family, maybe a non-Christian family, or worse, a family that thought they were Christian but really weren't. I also could have fallen into the wrong crowd in school, I could have turned to drugs, to alcohol, to sex, to everything this world has to offer, I could have done it. I've been given the opportunity, I've been given the choice, but...

Here I am. Standing on the promises of a Risen King, who answered the prayers of my parents when they wanted their daughter to grow in Him, He answered my prayers when I asked for guidance and for strength, and He continues to never waver from me as I still seek Him.

I am truly blessed by a God who not only provides me my needs, but provides people to remind me of Him everyday. I see Christ in those around me and it makes my heart swell to know that I am not alone.

So, I praise God on this day.
For all the little moments like:

RJ calling me at 12am to sing Happy Birthday
And continuing to bless me with her friendship.

My dad, hearing the hail outside and getting super excited because, "It's just so cool."

My mom whipping out her camera just to record Garrett, Cassie, and I messing around and singing.

My brother and sister, who jump on me when I'm sleeping just to yell Happy Birthday
and pretend to fall asleep on top of me.

Noah and Ava who sing Glee at the top of their lungs

Uncle Tony saving me from car trouble.

When my family text and call me during class.

When my youth group, inspires me with different ways to Glorify God.

the High Schoolers, putting up with my lame "don't-know-what-a-cool-card" is moments and still loving me in spite of it.

All of my old DRHS friends giving me birthday greetings and from time to time facebook comments that open up a black hole of memories

Jaimee Lasala, who I was once inseparable with, saying that she still has my birthday programmed into her phone, even though it's been years since we've seen each other. (miss you jaim)

All of my UHS friends who get excited for Ninja movies and remind me how they saved me in high school

And the people I meet on a daily basis, from professors, to classmates, to strangers, that teach me something new.

For all of you, I praise God.
Thanks for a great birthday.
=D

-aarika

interesting couple of days.

so this year i decided to take up the request of a few friends of mine as well as the request of my high school choir director and venture back into time through the hallowed hall that holds Elizabethan Dinner. Not as a guest this year...no. As the help.

Haha it was an interesting experience. One that I wasn't sure if I really wanted since I'm very adamant about the fact that, as much as I enjoyed high school, I would not do it again.

But as the days have progressed I find myself realizing, once again, that it was never the experience that I missed but the people I experienced it with. Granted, those who are left behind are older now. Filling the shoes of those of us who have passed on (that makes it sound like we died haha). But still, they are the same people. The same kids who I remember meeting when they were freshman. Before they were new and wide-eyed but now are veterans of the era and are reveling in the spoils that come with the ever coveted and highly valuable "seniority".

I was asked last night and I have asked many of my own friends this who are similarly involved, "Is it weird being back?" And the answer is: "Always. But it's got a nice vibe to it." So, the fact is it's nice being back because at least it's not totally back.

I mean, as an alumni I can honestly go about my business with the secure knowledge that I am an adult and am here to consult and execute not be told and follow orders. I am no longer a student but a member of our psuedo-"staff" and that's always fun. There is a sort of power in that which I had a taste of back in senior year, but ultimately there was no bigger picture back then. It was all cut and dry. Perform. perform. perform.

Now, on the other side it's just a lot more than that. The work may be a little harder but the reward is a justification of it. And what is this reward you ask? It's the fact that I get to see my sister, who has worked for three years to make it into the Madrigals, finally be up there on stage in a royal court dress. My sister, who achieved what I couldn't and was not able to do. Who has always been a better singer than me and is now being recognized for her talent. My sister who gets to sing the ever famous "Silent Night" in the Elizabethan Dinner show and be a part of the magic that can change a lot of kids' attitude towards choir.

And also it's getting to see my brother. My little brother who is just starting off on his choir adventure. Who is being forced to serve food to guests because he has no seniority, but in the process building bonds with boys and girls who will be there throughout his high school career and most undoubtedly help shape him as a performer.

The reward is being able to experience something with both of them at the same time. It really is nice to have this one thing, since (because of the age gaps) we haven't been involved in a similar school since elementary. I can't even tell you how much I praise God for the experience and also the opportunity to bond with my siblings over something that has shaped both the lives of Cassie and I and will shape Garrett's life in the future. This is something we all share that isn't family related and for the first time in years I feel the age gap getting smaller and smaller.

My siblings and I have never been as close as I would hope. We fight a lot. We hurt each other a lot. We try to pull the wool over the other all the time. But we still love eacch other. That's never going to change and this time together has just reaffirmed that. We are family. No matter what.

We Are A Fam'ly

I sometimes forget how amazing my family is.

The Ormeo-Figueroa side of my family is the biggest side in the entire flippin' world. Haha...but I also wouldn't trade it for the world.

You have to understand me perfectly when I say this:

my family is EVERYTHING to me.
I would be NOTHING without them.
And I don't think I'd be saved if it wasn't for them.

They are that big of a deal.

This weekend was the third annual Ormeo-Figueroa Family Reunion and it was a huge pile of craziness. People flocked from all over and my house was completely and it was hard to believe that there were still MANY people not able to come this year. =P that's a little ridiculous to me. But anyway....moving on:
FRIDAY:
It is an Ormeo Family tradition that the first night of the reunion is at my house. It was that way the last two times when I lived in Pomona and my family's move to Upland didn't change that. But first, before the festivities commenced my newest nephew Julian was in for a surprise. Because he wouldn't be here with all of his family on his first birthday, we decided to throw him a party in the time he was here. AH! He's so cute! And it was great seeing the Pattersons again. Then of course the rest of the evening ensued with lots and lots of barbeque and lots and lots of singing. It's what to be expected I guess. Swimming and rice and what not. At the end of the evening it was a good start, especially because our shirts were passed out and the teams announced. Saturday was sure to be a huge laugh riot.

SATURDAY:
Park day at Sonrise was promptly at 9am. We all gathered and grouped into our teams only to create cheers that started off regular and then suddenly turned into the "I love you Manang Nini and Manong Sok" kiss-butt fest. *sigh* haha they were judges and we never actually heard who won because honestly, at the end of the afternoon it hardly mattered. But anyway, moving on. There was a load of games with Chloe as the main MC and a lot of food (hamburgers and hotdogs) But overall it was just a nice day out in the sun.

Satuday Night:
This year's theme was a "Camp Out" Theme so after our dispersal at Sonrise we reconvened at Pastor Ed's house for dinner and had a small devotional before our talent portion. Now I'll update on the talent portion later, what I really want to blog about is the story my Daddy Nonoy told about our family and I hope it can explain my earlier statement that without my family I wouldn't be saved.


You see, May 20th, 2005 Tatay Ormeo went home to be with the Lord. Everyone knows this, but what they probably don't know is that his encounter with the Lord could have easily not happened. Tatay Ormeo grew up in a non-Christian home and he wasn't Christian for a large chunk of his life. But he strangely was sent to Bible school, which at the time offered free room and food and classes so it was there that he was saved. He went home and told his family, planting a seed that went on to influence many church risings. The first one in Binicuil. I often think of how amazing that is. To know that he could have been sent to a regular school and not been saved and that would have thusly affected the lives of the rest of us in the family. If he hadn't been saved he would never have gone to my Nanay's house to preach and he would have never met her so thusly my uncles and my aunts and my mom wouldn't have been born.

And even if they had met the fact is that my parents met in church. If Tatay wasn't saved and his family wasn't saved, then where would I be now? My parents never would have met and I probably wouldn't exist.

It's a strange feeling, thinking of what could have easily happened and the domino affect of what has happened. Looking on it all, how can you not praise God for what He set in motion and what He continues to push forward? He is truly an amazing and omnipotent God.

The story was one that I take pride in and I look back at where we were and see where we are just can't believe it.

2003

2005

2009

So I reiterate:

my family is EVERYTHING to me.
I would be NOTHING without them.
And I don't think I'd be saved if it wasn't for them.