aperture: 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)