Picture day!!!

And oh it was joyous!! Haven't taken a school picture since high school. Boy oh boy was i excited. Paul and Mikiela looked great too. They were quite stylish. Apparently I get free copies of my pictures and a free yearbook. Could life get any better? I mean, forget the full-time benefits like medical and dental insurance haha.

So let me tell you how awesome this friday has been so far. TGIF... miss those shows (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper). First, i arrived at work to find free donuts. I had 3. Then I went to the pop machine to get a Dr. Pepper and lo and behold 3 delicious soft drinks came tumbling down. 3 for the price of 1!! Then I got my picture taken. THEN Paul and I watched Lord of the Rings, specifically the part where Gandalf fights the Balrog. "YOU. SHALL NOT. PASS!!" Paul really gets into the movies, more than i do, which is surprising. He even almost started crying when Gandalf fell off the bridge, which is funny because Paul even knows the fate of Gandalf. He knows that Gandalf comes back in the second movie. Why does he get sad you ask? The answer is simple. Paul and Gandalf carry a special connection, but shhhh, it's supposed to be a secret. Anyway, it was precious.

Tonight should be fun. Tori and I are going out to eat at some nice restaurant called Hamilton's. After that there is supposed to be some block party downtown with a band so maybe we'll go walk around a lil.

My team has a game this weekend. I hope that goes well!

Well... gotta help with some math problems!

Hasta Pronto,

Mocha

New life

full of work and living for some free time during the weekends!!

Sorry to you all about not updating :(. I'm terrible at this, ugh.

I'm going to do my best to get you all caught up.

For those you who don't know, I am currently working at Drake Middle School in Auburn, Alabama as a special education aide.

I love it.

I get to help two kids in need everyday. One boy and one girl. Th

ey are two sweet kids that have to get around by wheelchairs and since they are physica

lly incapable of a lot of different things I have to - get to- assist them. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it can get frustrating, but then I think...

How selfish am I?

I mean, two kids who do not get to have a "normal" childhood due to misfortune and I lose my patience because i begin to think about my own agenda. So, immediately I redirect my thinking and try to be more compassionate. For the most part, I get to spend the majority of my day and time laughing with two free-spirited and loving individuals while being cautious and keeping my feet out of the path of speedy wheelchairs (I have decided to call Paul's the Black Mamba due to it's unpredictable and deadly movements). I am surrounded by multip

le kids everyday! it can get tiring.

Paul is originally from Taiwan. He has lived in the states for about six years. Mikiela is the other little angel. She is from Auburn. Paul has cerebral palsy and I'm not quite sure if Mikiela has the same. Paul comes from a complete family that takes care of him very well. And... it shows. Unfortunately, on the other hand, Mikiela comes across as a neglected child. Her parents are separated and her mom works to support a family of six children, which includes Mikiela. My heart breaks. If I had the means, I would adopt her. She is such a sweet girl.

So, that's my main occupation at the moment. I definitely enjoy it. I feel that God has

been teaching me more about how to be compassionate and less self absorbed. I wake up every morning with motivation for a worthy objective. I feel like I have a greater purpose.

My second job is coaching. Coaching soccer, that is, if th

ere is anyone reading this that doesn't know me at all. I have a U-15 boys team. It's through the Auburn Thunder Soccer Club. It is a traveling team which requires commitment. We have practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Almost every weekend we have a game. They're a good group of kids. Many a time they have tried my patience and made me angry. I

try not to yell too often, but sometimes that is what it takes to get them motivated. One day, we lost to a team that I thought was not as skilled as us, but we were thoroughly outplayed and we ended up losing. If any of you have seen the movie Miracle you can imagine how much I made my team run after the game ha.

Patience Seth.

That is what i have to remind my self. Patience. I can't treat this team like MNU. They aren't some soccer power. They are from Auburn, Alabama. They probably care more about college football than their own team. I'm trying my hardest to adjust. Soccer doesn't have near the value or significance down here like it did in Kansas. Yes... that means very, ver

y small significance. But, my team is thought to be one of the best out of all the teams in the club. So i take pride in that.

So you are all probably wondering how The relationship is going. :)

Last time I checked, she is still beautiful and I love her (because that is all that matters right? haha). It is going well! Tori and I just got done visiting her mom in ATL. We are both just continuing to learn how to live our different lives and still connect and grow together. One day at a time. At times it can be rough because I'm living in the 'profess

ional world' while she is still in her college years. It seems like there is a new challenge or change every month. So, we're trying to figure out how to get through things with support from each other. Most of the time I'm pretty drained from work, coaching, and just good old fashion busyness. I am learning how to spend time with her in the midst of all that. It may seem like a sacrifice sometimes, but I need to understand that is what love is and that is how things are going to be in the future.

We are both in our own bible studies. She has found an amazing group of ladies that she

meets with every Sunday. And I have the same on my end. We are both going to Cornerstone Church, but we aren't involved much. But, we have expressed interest in helping ou

t with youth. The only problem is that they haven't had a youth pastor for a while and are just now getting a new one. So, we are just waiting to see what the Lord opens up once the dude arrives.

I guess I just can't get enough of kids :)

Last thing.

Ecuador.

Yep.

I want to go soooo bad!

My friend Buns and I are trying to plan our own sort of mission trip to Ecuador this summer. We want to be there for like 2 months. We would love to teach English or coach soccer (the only two things that I know how to do). So, we have had a blessing of 2 or 3 connections down there so hopefully, God willing, we can figure something out. Gotta be honest, it has been on my mind like crazy as of late! That a

nd the Wheel of Times Series. I'm on book nine! Aaaaaand Universal Studios is supposed to be making a movie about it :) :) :). yeah... I'm a fantasy junky, I'm not ashamed!

Well friends, I leave you with a couple of videos and pics. Love you all!! Don't hesitate to give me a quick call or email!

Peace, Love, and God above

Mocha

Pictures include College Gameday on ESPN, the Manchester United game, a Lord of The Rings cake that a friend made for me for my birthday, Paul playing putt-putt, Mikiela and Paul before the pep rally, and Auburn football tailgating.

One of these videos shows you the contagious laughter of Paul Liu as he walks on the treadmill and the adorable smile of Mikiela as she fails to do any sort of workout during P.E. How can you punish such a sweet girl?? If you have an answer then you need to tell me right away or she will be getting away with everything this year.

The other video shows you how deprived I was as a seventh grader. Why didn't we ever have pep rallies????

Thank you God for the World Cup.

So here's what has been going on.

I have to admit, the Lord's time is pretty ridiculous. He always has everything planned out, and it's so unfair because we don't have insight. Couldn't we just have a sneak peek of what He's doing!?

But, on the other hand, It makes life exciting. I have learned how awfully difficult is for me to trust and remain faithful when things aren't going my way. I get stressed, doubtful, and quite honestly just afraid of what the future holds. Yet, like a sucker punch to the side of the face He surprises you (but should it be a surprise?).

Having said this, I'm so excited to tell you that God has been putting pieces together in my life.

I got a job at the Middle School as a special education teaching assistant.

I am also going to be a full time soccer coach for the Auburn Thunder Soccer Club.

God is faithful... again.
He provided again.
Why am I always so surprised when He provides?
Why are you?
Why are we?

Right now I am working full time at Dick's Sporting Goods as the customer service specialist. It's stressful, but I have to remind myself that it is a blessing from the Lord. It's a way of making a little money before I transition to my next job.

I have made so many AMAZING friends that after playing two hours of soccer on the tennis courts, sweaty and painfully tired, will sit down their fatigued bodies on the hot concrete and converse with me about life and its struggles. As I write about this, it has come to my attention that this is obviously the work on the Lord. I have done nothing to receive these blessings, It's just by HIS grace and mercy. Despite my lack of faith and my doubt, He has given my so much.

So much.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I have been thinking more about missions. I don't know if this is just a temporary thought, but I have been praying that God would provide me a way to pay my school loans. They are pretty hefty, but there is no telling what God is capable of.

I would love to just travel the world or South America or just really anywhere for a year and use soccer as a ministry. My idea derives from the film Pelada. If you haven't heard of it you can check it out at pelada-movie.com. Or maybe have a soccer camp of some sort.

I'll be leaving Dick's Sporting Goods in late July. The job at the Middle School starts during the first week of August. I figure it would be nice to give myself maybe a week of no work between the transition to just enjoy being jobless ha.

Love you all. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted.

In His abundance of Blessings,

Mocha



Pictures!

Home Sweet Home

To whom this may concern,

Tori and I will be arriving in KC Wednesday night. We are going to my buddies David and Kim's wedding this weekend. I'm super pumped to see my family!!

I don't know if I will have much time to hang with people, but I would love to receive a text from ya in case there is a chance to maybe swing by or give a lil shout out.

Love you all,

Mocha

Dega Baby!

Hey, so my b for not keeping up with this blog stuff lately.

I've been having to work a lot and quite honestly my thoughts have been elsewhere.

My roommate Glen invited me to go to Talledega with him and his dad and uncle.

For Free.

Because, frankly being surrounded by thousands of drunk rednecks doesn't sound all that appealing.

But, I thought it would be quite the experience, and it was in fact quite that.
For instance, I was given the blessing of seeing what seemed a 55 year old woman wearing a confederate flag bikini. Life doesn't get much better than that.
It was a lot of fun though. I got a lot of sun and am now darker and am left thanking the hot sun of Alabama. And I found more respect for car drivers. Can't be easy controlling a car that is driving 200 mph.

Here are some pics!

So... unfortunately I did not take a picture of the confederate flag bikini, but I did take other pics. Hope you all enjoy.
I'll give another update soon. Love you all!

Oh and by the way, our Men's league team just won the championship today! And we only had 1 sub :). It went into pk's.

Peace and Love,

Mocha

Just shaved my face.

So, to get you all caught up to speed.

Things have been emotionally better i would say.

I've been watching pastor's Revolution series online. He speaks about the concept of self-talk and core beliefs. I have finally come to a conspicuous realization that my self-talk has been misbehaving. I have done nothing to cure my small doubts and reoccurring frustrations as of late. Working at Dick's and Gap has given me very little confidence and thus provoked feelings of fear and inadequacy. My attention was averted from the blessings and Love of my God. I can honestly say that my thoughts were more linked to malignity and disdain than to that of love and compassion.

So, I've been spending more time focusing on the love that God has for me. Befitting that it is almost Easter to recognize this amazing love. Love from both a vile and, yet, beautiful cross.

for me.

For you too of course, but this is my blog ha.

Anyway, thinking of this has lifted my spirits and confidence. Trust. Faith. You name it.

Everything.

And, not just self-talking every-once-and-a-while. Doing so would merely be dilatory. But trying to this every hour of the day. Try it!
--------------------------------------------
The weather has been incredible lately...
Not everyday of course. but one can dream.

Averaging mid 60's. Today it is prolly mid 70's and sunny. Might go outside and lay out to work my tan. Not really.

We've won our first two men's league games. Really brings back memories. I really miss playing with the guys. Last wed night we had a game. We won 3-1. I hate giving up goals. But it just reminded me of my prime days when playing center back. Barking out orders. And them not always been accomplished ha. Tori and one of her friends came to watch. It was the first time that she had seen me play, which was pretty cool. Aftewards, four of us sweaty dudes gave tori a coercive group hug to which she accepted with much delight :). We're playing a 4-5-1 because we are all out of shape.

I'm still working on getting into grad school. But more like waiting. The committee meets on the 9th of April to decide who gets the graduate assistantship scholarship. I think I'm going to see if I can get involved with a Spanish church here to hopefully practice my speaking and maybe influence the committee in a positive way.

I just had my phone interview with Brewton-Parker College. It went well I think. I tried to establish a higher level of professionalism while maintaining an eloquent and down to earth personality. I just hope they don't think I'm too young and unprofessional. The more I think about it the more positive I feel about the position. I think I would actually like it and that I would thrive doing the related work. So, just be praying. They are making their final decision in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully I'll get asked for a visit in the future.

We had our second soccer game on Sunday. It was a pretty nice day. Church was good before hand. Tori and a couple of friends came to watch. We won 2-0. She got mugged again by sweaty teammates. Thinking about making it a tradition.

After the game I went to... well, it was essentially a concert. Toby Mac and Skillet. The "main attraction" was Will Graham. Which is Billy Graham's grandson. He was the headline speaker. He wasn't very good. Well, let's just say it wasn't what I expected. Then again my expectations have been known to misinterpreted. Any how, the sermon seemed dry. Not once did he mention grace, love, or Jesus Christ, but it was more of an outreach. And I've never seen Toby Mac in concert, but man do i miss DC Talk. Toby Mac was like a watered down version of the Black Eye Peas. Figures, that right when we were leaving they started playing Jesus Freak. Oh well, the whole thing was free and I was able to hang out with a bunch of friends. Good friends, free event, and Taco Bell afterward. It was brilliant.

I continue to wait on the Lord. I just want an opportunity.

In His Love,

Mocha

P.S. - The Cats gave it a good run. Much props. Wish they would've played better against Butler though. They weren't really impressive to be honest, Butler that is.

Without Further Ado

Here ya go.

All thanks to my man Corey W. for reminding me of my responsibilities!

And yes, there is a lil shout out to all you MNU soccer fans out there.

Vivan los Pioneers originales!






















Great... it looks like I need to go clean now...

Peace and Love,

Mochalicious