Call Me, Maybe? (long overdue update & new blog title!)

A LOT has changed since my last post. A lot I hadn't expected, a lot I hadn't planned.

John Steinbeck once wrote, "A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip, a trip takes us."

Many people have ideas of what they think is the best path, the best route, the most 'successful' path to 'success.' But if you really think about it, Steinbeck was right, no two person's journey are alike. They may have similar milestones (i.e. college, grad school, job, marriage...etc.) and goals, but ultimately its the life you live 'in-between' that defines you, that shapes you, that characterizes your journey...and its in those 'in-betweens' that you really become who you want to be.

I had 'planned' to go back to California and enroll in grad school after returning from my 'brief' trip to Hawaii.  The church I was attending back in California offers an internship program which I was 'certain' that God was leading me to. It was the 'perfect' plan for someone who wanted to be a pastor. I could attend seminary, all while interning, serving, and working at a church where I had fallen in love with, with people I had a heart to minister to. So. I. Thought.

Long story short...doors were closed in California, doors opened in Hawaii, and now I'm eligible for kama'aina again, living back in Hawaii and working as a Project Engineer for a local contractor. WHAT?!?

Now that its been about several months since I started my new job, I can sense that I am exactly where I should be and where God wants me to be. Even though engineering may seem very random, I can see habits and skills that I'm 'forced' to develop now (i.e. waking up at 5am) and how beneficial they will be for me in the future when I lead my future church, my future family, with much weightier responsibilities. God knows me so well and knows that most times it takes the circumstances surrounding me to push me into action.

There are many paths to where you may be headed. Don't be discouraged if its 'unconventional,' far from the 'status quo,' or not what you WANT or expected. Just remember to work hard and live well in what you are given TODAY. Many times we focus so much on where we're headed or where we want to go that we miss out on whats right in front of us. Those 'in-between' moments are what will define how we turn out.

For those of you who are believers, you know that God knows you better than yourself and that He holds your future. Trust him by living your best today and leaving tomorrow to Him.  I'm not disqualifying he importance of planning, but be OPEN to change, open to some 'de-tours,' and open to God's plan for your life.

I'll leave you with pictures of some people and things I'll miss most about LA...(not ALL inclusive)

BTW, if your in California and want to ever just chat or catch up... don't ever hesitate to CALL ME! MAYBE? (or FaceTime or text or Facebook)...praying for you all.

Aaron.

Yes, I will start with her...my mom.

The GVBC Ohana!

ALL the students at GVBC!

These guys. Good Times.

Yoshidas!

Crazy Biolans!

More Crazy Biolans!

And even more!

And of course the food and COFFEE in LA!

Ho Brah! Long time ah! (Translation: "Wow, its been a long time")

Yes, it has been a VERY long time since my last post. A lot has happened since then...I went to Korea (had an amazing time), went back to Los Angeles, got a new job, quit my job (long story), came back to Hawaii and am now about to start a whole new 'season'! (details to come soon)

Honestly, it has been a very challenging season...there were many instances where I wanted to give up and give in. We've all had or will have seasons in life where we just want to escape, where the problems seem to never end and resolutions seem so distant or even nonexistent. Uncertainty and/or a sense of meaninglessness cloud over us. In other words, it sucks!

BUT, I realized that those seasons are so very necessary and unfortunately inevitable for everybody. Imagine if everything was fine, all the time! A person would never grow into their full potential! It is in our times of suffering where we grow the most. Its in those times that we do things we would never do on our own because now we HAVE to...it pushes us to sacrifice and prioritize...it brings things into perspective. However, most people, including myself, would still rather not go through a tough season and spend their entire lives trying to avoid it. But we all know, no one is exempt from difficulties. Even the richest people, with all they have, still have their own drama. They go through things personally that may not mean much to another, but to them may mean the world. In a imperfect world with imperfect people, there will always be pain and suffering.

I know everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, if their truly honest with themselves and take time to reflect, can relate to this. Pain and suffering is universal, whether its in the form of poverty or a teenager's high school drama. People in different walks and stages of their life all have their problems.

So WHY AM I SHARING THIS??

Well, because I know the only way I truly got through this past season and am still going is because of my faith in God and Jesus Christ. There are things in the Bible and about Christianity that if you're truly honest with yourself, really make sense of our lives and our world. I'm not talking about scientifically, but something more fundamental...the human condition. I know there will be people reading this who aren't Christian or may even really dislike Christianity. I'll be the first to tell you there are so many people that call themselves 'Christians' that aren't very good representatives... BUT don't look at people. God is the one who ultimately changes lives. Even the 'holiest' person you know will eventually let you down. Church is for the broken and fallen, not the perfect. Do you know anyone who is perfect?

All that to say, if you are already a believer, I encourage you to continue to seek God in everything and make the most out of your season of suffering because there is a reason God has allowed it. Don't waste it :) As for my non-Christian friends, all I want to say is, don't totally disregard God or Christianity...be open, know that He loves you and will always be there to run to, not matter how much crap you've done. His door is always open and there is no entrance fee but your willingness to trust in Him.


Below are some recent pictures that pretty much sums up the current season :) (in HAWAII)

Sara and Eric...the two cutest kids I've ever met...no wonder they related to me ;)

My Grandma and my dad...sometimes can't live with them, but can't live without them either!  

My friends in Hawaii...good times :D

The local food! Poke counter at Foodland...so ono!

New Hope!

My summer job as a construction worker...lol.

ALL IN HAWAII!