Hiking with Yeye

BoTh Yeye and i have a free Saturday this week, which doesn't happenthat often. We decided to go on a hike because both of us need to lose weight: I need to lose weight for my cousin's wedding in October, yeye for his bro's wedding in December.

It's a bit challenging to pick a trail, because neither of us are real hikers. On Saturday morning i opened up my Google Now browser and found out about wildflower festival in Sunol. It's a bit far, but still managable. They have booths and guided walk. Its perfect for us, i thought!

When we arrived at the park, we couldn't hide our disappointment for a small booths area, as it doesn't seem like they have a lot to explore. So we decided to go hit the trail rightaway.

We have no maps, no idea how long the trail is, or what to expect whatsoever. We just followed the crowd leading to the hiking area. In the very beginning, the trail branches into two path: one looking really steep and the other one looks a lot flatter going along the creek.

It was no brainer which trail we chose! I remember one of us said it's impossible to do the steep trail. So by the creek we go. We talked, enjoyed the wonderful weather (including too much sunlight!), but we were not really impressed by the trail. We were starting to wonder where the trail would end,  whether it's a loop or an out and back trail. We went up to a point called little Yosemite, where the creek ends, and we saw large rocks and !ini waterfalls.

We were contemplating whether we should continue the loop or go back the same way. Then sudenly I felt an urge to go uphill to continue the loop because i want to see the view from higher elevation and we sure glad we did!

The views on top are gorgeous!! We saw cows too:

Yeye said surely we can't lose to them!!! Hahah

Anyways i learned not to get intimidated too easily by the things we see as reality. The hill sure looked high when we started, but we ended up finishing the whole loop in one piece. We did get awfully hungry afterwards, but that's normal, yeah? 

Too good to be kept alone

I recently found this article (six lessons in good listening) and felt an urge to share with you. It is in line with what I've learned at BASS conference on coaching, by Pira Tritasavit (founder of kingdom professionals, ci Santi's classmate from Western Seminary).

Coaching is a way to serve others by "helping them want what they want the most and help them accomplish what they want the most"

The field of coaching is distinct from counseling, consulting, preaching and teaching. Just like a trainer in a gym, a coach is there to motivate the trainee. The trainee would have to do all the heavy lifting and the exercises.

This article reminds me of that concept. Letting people finish their thoughts, listening carefully and not jumping into conclusions are one great way to be a better servant for our brothers and sisters.

Hope you enjoy this article!

On a date with the One who loves me most

Ever since I heard Sam Earp sermon on devotional and having a soul care time, I've always been meaning to try it out but I've always been distracted with other stuffs that it never get to happen.

So this past Monday, on my birthday, I have a strong determination to finally have one. A quiet time to reflect and pray and asking wisdom for direction in the future.

So i went to a quiet cafe, spending time praying and just enjoying the Lord's presence. I then started to read back my journal entries from 2004. The journal itself was a birthday gift from ci kiki way back then.

I kept thinking to myself how funny it is, that although my name is Fonda, all my life stories have been all about grace. Anyways, looking back those years overwhelmed me with gratitude for all the things God has done in my life. There is a sense of wonder of how he orchestrated my life, crossing my paths with others to pray and encourage one another, to learn from one another, to speak truth to one another.

As I read my journal, I see all of them as and extension of God's grace. I'm grateful for these people who pursue the introverted me, building friendship with me and inviting me to their lives. I'm grateful that although I am still introverted, over the years God helped me to be more fond of people, to get interested in their lives and to see God's handiwork through them.

Anyways, this year's birthday theme has been all about gratitude. I am grateful that I get to spend time with the one who loves me most and get my love tank filled up :)