Fasting [Food] For the First Time....

So this weekend, I have been participating in my church's Quarterly Fast. It's been from Thursday at 12am until tomorrow at 6pm. So YES, 66 hours filled with NO EATING, and to add to that, I've also taken a break from TWITTER and FACEBOOK! (ohmigod.. gasp!)

I've always been a skeptic of fasting, mainly because my Dad does it once a week EVERY week for the last 20 years... and I just couldn't see myself making it through one day without purposely eating. But I decided to go out on a limb and put all my trust in my Lord to carry me through!

So what is a girl to do when fasting? Because my stomach is rumbling and I'm sitting here trying to focus on the main purposes of this fast:

1. Intentional Pursuit of Personal Holiness & Right Standing With God
2. Increased Sensitivity toward God
(Intimacy & Fellowship)
3. Impartation of Courage and Strength to ENTER into things God has Promised

And along with goals of my own:

4. To be more focused on school and realign my priorities with God's Will for my life
5. Relationship decisions
6. Overall Well-Being

So I can truly say I have been focused on everything that God has been requiring me to do, and turning down my plate has given me the need to rely on God FULLY for his strength! I plan to push all the way until 6pm tomorrow!

Also, during this fast, I have really been able to also be around my support system, as some of the females from my church have really poured into my life over these past few days.

I have even been picking apart Isaiah 58 (ALL ABOUT TRUE FASTING, and really examining myself to make sure that what I am doing is for the right reasons, and what God wants me to be doing.

I know I'm doing the right thing, and I expect a full testimony when it culminates at a church service tomorrow! I am so amazed at what God is doing in my life and in the lives of those around me so I'm ready to march forward!

:)
Ciao,
Arielle

Reinvention COMPLETE

And so it begins.

I read the blog I wrote over a year ago called "Love Re-Invented", and when I look back at my single life over the past year, I can definitely say that I'm ready again. I've really had the time to focus on myself and bring myself together after all the heartache and really just cut loose and have a good time. My twenty-first year of life (as i approached age 21, if you did your math) was AN EXPERIENCE in the world of romance, love, and casual mishaps so here I am to give you a play-by-play of my road to "reinventing love".

Man 1: The Ex Factor
So it's tough to get over being in love and having something end that you really thought at one point in time was meant to last forever. Especially when it wasn't your idea to break up. So pride kept me hoping and wishing that he would "come back to his senses", and therefore ask me for my hand back in relationship world. And until I let go of him FINALLY, in August 2009, it would have been IMPOSSIBLE for me to give myself completely to anyone else. But hey, I tried with #2 AND #3!

Man 2: The Braniac
And so I know the name "The Braniac" sounds retarded, but because I really call him by his school, I think that would give his identity away too quickly in cyber world. Anyway, so this guy was the first guy since my ex to really pursue me. It started in 2008, believe it or not, but it was always a surface relationship, simply dating. And I really wish I had developed deeper feelings for him sometimes because he was a GREAT GUY! But like aforementioned, timing was completely off and I was still in love with "The EX Factor", and really couldn't let go, and therefore I knew from then on it would just never work. Especially when he moved on to the west coast and will probably be there for the rest of his life. But it was a lesson learned, and an experience enjoyed, and I got a great friend out of the mix... NEXT!

Man 3: Blast from the Past
So over the summer, I went to a conference in the hometown of my first love (summer fling style romance that I called love at the time). Long story short, he took me out, we reconnected, I realized that I really did love this guy years ago, but then as quickly as that epiphany set in, I also realized the time for our journey had also ended, and while the good times rolled, they rolled on, and we just weren't meant to be.

These three men (granted there were some other honorable non-mentions) taught me about myself and about the journey that my life took along the love path. And I realized many things about who and what I was looking for and who God really wanted me to seek. My dad has always told me that even though it is the man "who findeth a woman findeth a good thing" (Proverbs 18:22), it was my job to know which man who found me was worth my attention. And so I made a mental list of everything I knew I wanted and included "dealbreakers" and I have stuck to my guns since.

So for you men reading this and trying to get a head start on winning my heart, take note:
(Listed in importance)
1. Saved, and living a lifestyle that is PLEASING to God
2. Has a positive outlook on life
3. Respectful
4. Focused
5. Patient
6. Makes me feel amazing
7. Is happy with me being myself

and of course, someone who I'm attracted to (I think that goes without saying, really).

So 2010 I've finished reinventing love, and now I intend to find it one of these years.
It's going to be an amazing journey, and I think I already know where to start ;)

*crossing fingers*
I know God has someone in store for me, and I pray for him constantly. I hope he's out there praying for me too.

Ciao!

So It's Been Awhile..

It's been awhile, but I've stil been living. Six months can really change a person. I've been through it all, more ups and downs than Chris Brown's love life (and there's my CB reference for the day)! So let me start off this interview of myself with the 5 W's:

Who: I'm still Arielle María, loving Christ and my family every single day of my life.
What: I'm no longer a student, but a summer intern for Abbott Laboratories - Diabetes Care
Where: I'm working/living in Alameda, CA which is in the Bay Area, directly across from San Francisco, and its beautiful!
When: I started only 3 days ago, and I'm going until August 8th.
How:I'm doing a lot better than I was before, but still taking things slow and sticking to getting my life back in order.
Why: I really messed up along the way, but God's grace seems to be carrying me through it all.

Well, thats all the update I can give for now, I have to get back to work!

Ciao readers! Or follow me (yes, I have twitter): www.twitter.com/arimaria

A Change is Gonna Come...

Soo... back to my list of the re-evolution of Ari!

#2: Stop PROCRASTINATING!!!!
Okay, so I admit it, I am a CHRONIC procrastinator. And I really need to stop because it is affecting me in all aspects of my life (school, work, personal). But loving, supportive people, do not fear: I have already begun working on reorganizing my life to ensure that I do not fall back into my old habits again! Starting with Google Calendar!! [Gmail is amazing!] So I have already laid out my plans in calendar form, so I know how to plan my schedule accordingly. When new tasks arise, I will strive to immediately place it on my Google calendar, and I will make sure I am reminded by email enough times so that I can get the job(s) done in a timely manner! I am already working on a lot for next semester, and I need to make sure I am fully prepared to handle the tasks that I am given.

Pray for me!

Love and Happy Thoughts...
-Ari

I Write Changes, not Resolutions.

Isn't Christ amazing? Well in case you don't know it, He really is. And I definitely don't make His job easy. I don't study like I should, I jump the gun pretty often when it comes to relationships (sorry guys, but I do). I admit what my good friend and line sister Thomya always says: "Arielle, you are doing THE MOST!"

Can you blame me though? I want the most out of life, and I hate waiting around idly for things to just happen. And while I'm not saying throw all plans out the window and live life free as a bird - I am a suffering planaholic - I need to take those plans and align them with God's purpose for my life. Because He's the one ordering my steps anyway!

And since you may already know my stance on making resolutions for the new year, or using context clues now know that I pretty much don't believe in them, I am writing changes instead. So for the next few entries, I will be giving my brand spanking new 2009 update of the "soul waxing" I am praying that God will help me fulfill in His own time. Now it might not all get accomplished in just one year, but unlike Resolutions, I won't feel like a failure if I don't come through in the 365 days allotted next year. And instead of waiting until the ball drops in Times Square, I'm starting NOW:

1. Give up the driver's seat to God.

It all starts with my focus on life. The line (above) sounds cliche, like it belongs in a typical pastoral sermon, but it's true! I need to stop trying to take control of a life that should simply be in His hands. I am so impatient sometimes!

...To be continued later (I have a finals review)...

Much love, peace, and happiness.

-Arie

Love Re-invented.

So I fell in love. And then I fell out. I know, I sound like yet another nauseating Hollywood script flop that spent more dollars on the so-called A-list actors hired to play the pitiful lead roles than the money it got from viewers in the box office (think Gigli, Glitter... AHH! i Just called my self a real life J-Lo.. sick). But, it's true. And now all I feel is guilt for ever letting my guard down, because I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. Even God was screaming at me through the sound of my dad reciting scripture: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." [Proverbs 4:23] And now, here I am, after going against not only my own gut instinct, but the instincts of just about everyone I considered close to me. I pushed away the people who meant the most to me due to pride and I have nothing to show for it, except a messed up relationship that wasn't even grounded in the first place. I SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING! I don't think I'm silly or naive. But blinded? Well, maybe... ehh.. well the point is, now I feel jilted.

So what's a jilted 19-year old, chemical engineering student, Christian woman, to do? Ha, and here I'd thought you'd NEVER ask! Well, I'm reinventing love. Sounds easy, right? Hahaha. And, for all of you people in love and in solid relationships, hear me out -- I'm not reinventing love in general, but what the definition of love is for myself. And I'm not sure what it means just yet. So for now, I'm focused on finding that meaning in and of itself and what it is to me. And for all of my Sisters (and Brothers) out there who may feel jilted, or rather may not have anything at all and is wondering where their Mister/Miss Right is, remember the words of Christ (because that's what I'm holding on to) : "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths" [Proverbs 3:5-6]. If you trust in Him first, then everything else will fall into its place.

And in that place, my four lettered word will be re-invented. And to all those I hurt along this discovery road, I apologize.

-Ari.Maria-

Let's not lose sight of the REAL Savior

So, congratulations Barack Obama, you've won the election and you are now the next President of the United States. True, I'm glad because I voted for you, but I beg of you - please don't let people put all their trust in YOU! Instead direct them towards the true savior and giver of hope and peace - Jesus Christ!

You see, I was psyched that the first time I got to use my privlege to vote was to put my voice into this historic election, where for the first time media's eye was on the young voters, the middle-class, and even the african-american population. Being black, and a college student, and having grown up in a middle-class household, I finally felt that my views were being heard! Finally some representation from someone who truly seemed to care about me [And not just Joe the Plumber either (ugh!)].

But all my joy did not rest in the belief that Barack Obama is going to be single-handedly responsible for saving the world and restoring hope and confidence to the American people in the government, but rather the fact that Jesus Christ is using President Elect Barack Obama, Vice-President Elect Joe Biden, and all other leaders in all levels of government to fulfill his purpose and complete the work he has begun on bringing the United States of America to where its destiny lies.

But most of all, I am filled with joy that God has always allowed things to happen for a reason. Even though I am glad with the news of history that was made with the election victory of Barack Obama, I am also glad that we had the experience of being led by President George W. Bush. Now some people have lost sight of the fact that we are to fully respect all of our leaders, but as Christians, we should live by the Word of God, and in his word he says "Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people". So with all due respect, I honor President Bush, after he truly gave his energy, time and thought, even amongst all the ridicule he received from people, media and even Christians, to see to it that America kept from going ary. And so should each of you.

So just as we are to respect President Bush in his last months as our nation's President, let us begin to bring Barack Obama, Joe Biden and all of his cabinet to the "throne of grace" and pray for his guidance and protection as he will lead us into our very unknown future. Whether you voted for Obama or not, it is your DUTY as a Christian to uphold our new leaders in prayer.

But even moreso, let us all realize that it is not Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Joe Biden, or Sarah Palin who can give us the salvation we need like the blood that Jesus Christ shed for our sins. God just gives us hope through the leaders he places in charge, and we are to respect all of God's key choices.

Let us NEVER lose sight of the REAL Savior.

"For the Change We Need", all we need is Christ the Lord.