Hope You Had a Great Thanksgiving!

From my family to yours!

I know I'm thankful for what the Lord has given to me!

'Cause if they Skyline looks this way...

"Sometimes I drive or ride with my eyes closed tight
'Cause if they Skyline looks this way
Then I don't want to sleep tonight.."
~"Skyline Dr." by Mae

Enjoy the music and pictures from Skyline Drive.

Happy Friday!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours

I love people. Simply put, I'm a people-loving person. Big people, small people, young people, old people, white, black, brown, yellow, burgundy, salmon, whatever color, i love all people.

It was about a year and a half ago where i fell in love with a certain "group" of people. A "group" that essentially taught me new ways to love others and was a living lesson of unconditional love. Befriending this new "group" helped me learn patience, the Lord's mercy and grace, and that no matter what condition, God has a way to communicate to everyone.

In elementary school, i was an involved student. I was a guidance helper for new students each year, i was a school patrol for the entire back entrance (which was HUGE), was part of the of gifted and talented program, art club, music club, SCA, everything. even to this day, the guidance counselor at Windsor Woods ES knows of my name. (when my nephew enrolled in the fall to Windsor Woods, he had to speak to the guidance counselor. when she heard his last name was Cabacoy, she asked if Aidan, my nephew, was my son. Mom said no, "Paolo's his uncle..." The counselor, Mrs. Hastie, said, "Well, Aidan, you have some pretty big shoes to fill..")

But one of my memories of elementary school was when i was paired up with a special needs girl for PE class. she was a small, skinny black girl with the energy of a "deeko" (think a hyper kid that just drank 4 Amp sodas) all day long. I really didn't understand what was wrong with her at such a young age, all i knew was she was different, something i saw as contagious and that could happen to me. So i did what every young kid does when faced with adversity: i ran away from her. When it came to PE class or recess, she was always "IT" in the neverending game of Tag. This went on from kindergarten all the way to 5th grade. She was different, and i was scared of it. Yes, i could pick up a new student in the Guidance Counselor's office and show him/her around the new school, get to know them and have lunch with them... But when it came to this one special needs girl, and i hate myself for not even remembering her name, i wouldn't even give her my cold shoulder. and because i was such a "student leader", everyone followed suit during recess.

So when i was asked by my YoungLife friends to check out Capernaum, i shuddered. Now, for those that don't know me or know what Capernaum is, its a Young Life ministry dedicated to high school kids and young adults with special needs. Now, high school kids i can handle... they somewhat understand what's going on, they are somewhat easy to talk to, and can understand the Lord's Word when its presented to them...sometimes. But befriending special needs kids and trying to teach them from the Bible? you have got to be kidding me. Flashbacks of elementary school came to mind. Who would want to reach out to such a forgotten culture? outcasts in our normal society?

I really started to think, and pray about it. I prepared my heart for whatever God had in store for me. I took a leap of faith and went to my first Capernaum event.

Life changed from there on.

How could i be so dumb? Oblivious to God's word about those He creates and loves? If i have ever been filled to the brim with His spirit, it was from the energy and spirit that surrounded the club room at Capernaum. These kids were so amped, so pumped to see a new person, that I felt like I was the one being ministered to! and i was!! I have never felt so welcomed and loved on by a bunch of strangers ever in my life! There was no awkward "getting-to-know-you" moment between anyone of us. it was like we already knew eachother from earlier in life. And to think, years ago i would be running away from all of this..

What got me the most, almost in tears, was their attitudes and perspectives in life. To them, they are not disabled or handicapped, they see it as their own uniqueness, like a beauty mark or special talent we all have deep down. But unlike us where we can hide it or choose to not demonstrate our talents, they have to live with theirs. These students have the opportunity to attend regular Young Life clubs, but usually do not get the attention neccessary for them to learn and grow, or what i see as horrible, denying them to be included in club. But thank the Lord for Capernaum Club!!

But what amazed me the most was how much the got what was being taught, how much information they could retain from the previous lessons and just how overall, no matter what condition, that the Lord was working on their hearts. Some may hide it, some may not be able to communicate it, but from their actions and how they treated me on my first day there was testament enough of God's work in their hearts.

That day, i was the kid with special needs. I was the one that needed acceptance and cleansing of whatever stereotypes and misconceptions i had previously. They were able to love me, reach out to me, and be compassionate towards me in whatever condition or state i was/am in. They taught me how to love others unconditionally.

And just how adults saying "They're just teens..." irks Christian, thinking and believing "They're just special needs kids" or "they're disabled, they'll never get it. they'll just forget", or just insert any Special Olympics joke or "**tarded" jokes just breaks my heart. Why them? Why choose them for the butt end of your jokes? The group that society throws on the backburner and "let God decide what to do with them", weren't they made in the same image as we all were? We all were once outcasted, covered in the filth of Sin, and rejected by society and friends.

A heart for God is a heart for God.

We all have our "disabilities". We all have impairments physically, emotionally, socially, or mentally. But those impairments never stopped Jesus from reaching to our hearts. So why should it stop our hearts from reaching out to others?

Just like how Jesus reached out to the leper with compassion (Mark 1:40-45), so did my Capernaum friends. And i will forever be grateful for each and every one of their friendships.

Photos Site 1 Photos Site 2 Photos Site 3

'Cause Even Though When Times Get Rough...

'Cause even though when times get rough,
You never turned away
You were right there
And I Thank You
When I felt I had enough
You never turned away
You were right there
And I Thank You
~'Thank You' - Boyz II Men

I have been truly blessed to have such understanding people around me. I am what you call a "worrier" if you haven't noticed in the previous post. I worry about everything: my appearance, my work performance, how I am as a son, brother, uncle, friend, what people think about me, what I eat, etc... I am just a natural-born worrier from day one. I guess it dates back to when I was teased back in kindergarten for being, what my mother would call, "huskier" than the rest of the class. (I was crushed as a young middle schooler when i learned that pants at my age and size no longer were called "Husky", such a cool name for such a size!) I remember having the greatest fear of playing on the monkey bars because I thought I would break the whole thing. I mean, look at that face!!!

Well, my weight has always been on the top of the list for others to poke fun at. So when I was younger, I learned how to cope with such teasing and turn it into laughing, at myself. And being the "man" that I thought I was, I took the punches, kept all emotion inside, and became the self-conscience middle schooler and eventually the big worrier/overprotecter/suicide-watch case (i'll explain that ordeal in another post).

It didn't help either that I had not one, but TWO relationships that ended with the girl dumping me because they liked some other guy. After the first bad relationship, I found myself constantly asking the next girlfriend "Is everything OK?" "Did I do something wrong?" "Is everything OK between us?" "What's WRONG?"... Talk about a worrier, that was the kind of boyfriend that unlucky young lady got.

It wasn't until I met God my junior year of high school that I started to gain my, as Christian would call it, "Christ-Confidence". Thankful for my leader, Matt C., I was no longer caught up in the whole drama that high school seems to produce for those entangled in it. I was bolder, confident knowing Christ was in control of my life...

Until I left for college... talk about losing it all.

My transition from high school to college wasn't the easiest life transition. My roommate, who was a good friend from high school, got involved in the frat scene, which led to bad times. I wasn't plugged into any form of ministry or church because I simply didn't have time to (nor did i have any interest in it). I thought that i was strong enough in my faith that i could last without any fellowship or community of believers or a church. me being the independent type, i really and truly believed i could fend for myself. This had me going up the wrong river with no paddles. A time of regrets, lost friendships, back turned on God, pure darkness.

It was until i met a couple of good friends, a kick in the butt from my old Young Life leader, and a leap of faith in joining a church that i started to realize that i could never make it alone. It wasn't the friends, or the community or the church, but in Christ alone i could have not done it. College, i lost vision, lost sight of Christ, made up excuses not to listen to Him or seek Him out like i should have. But after meeting the right people, Devo and Fam, Christian and Fam, Velocity Sponsor fam, Fair Oaks Church, and getting the right Chuck Norris jump kick to the face, i realized it wasn't who i surround myself with, but more of who i put my whole life into.

"If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and
do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son,
purifies us from all sin" ~1 John 1:6-7

I was in a very dark time in college. Plagued with worries of not finishing, disappointing my parents, not knowing what to do when i got out. Trying to resolve my issues or calm myself about the issues was nearly impossible. But seeing the leap of faith others have taken, knowing that it wasnt for the people around them but for the better of their relationship with the Lord, made me fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness b/c i wasn't doing anything or trying to better my relationship with the Lord. It was like i was just "satisfied" with it, when i should hunger for more, strive to feast on the Body of Christ. You are the Way, the Truth, the Life and no one comes to the Father except through YOU.

so why was i thinking i could do it on my own? why was i thinking those i surrounded myself with were the Way? Stubborn Donkey.

It is who i keep myself surrounded with that keeps me accountable for my daily actions. My close friends, my extended family, my brothers and sisters in Christ all help me with this battle. But ULTIMATELY, its about my relationship with Christ that i need to surround my whole life with, b/c it is when i give up fully my life to Him is when all things begin to click.

So this post, a simple thank you. To all my friends for putting up with me and "accountabilitating" to me (Thanks, Austin for that word!), to the church allowing me to call it home, to my Velocity sponsors that I spend almost every moment in contact with, Christian and Stephanie for taking me in when i was left out, Mom, Dad, and brother for being my influences from day one.. But that does not compare to the thank you i have for my Lord, who even when i was dancing in the dark, filthy and covered in my Sins and guilts, was and is always there willing to accept me for who i am. Thank You Lord. Even though when times got rough, You never turned away, You were right there. And i Thank You.

Here's to Uncharted Territory

so i have fallen victim to blogging. basically its an outlet for me let everything and anything out in the open for complete and utter strangers to read and think "i'm so following this guy.." or "he's absolutely wrong!" or other strange comments/responses.

let's see, let me begin this moment by explaining who i am and what i am about.
ah, forget that, you can read most of that in my profile.
lets get to the gist. so, what's up with the title, you say? well great question.

Donkey:
1 a domesticated animal with long ears related to the horse but smaller.
2 a stupid person

But the best thing i found was this description: patient, but stubborn.

Story of my life.

I am a Christian, which I will most likely blog about in later posts. One thing I have struggled with in my life is patience. Who wants to wait for anything in a world that operates at supersonic speed? But I'm not talking about waiting for hamburgers or the newest NetFlix, I'm talking about life.
I guess the struggle began when I realized I wasn't going to meet my dream in college. Dream? To have a woman by my side, hand in hand, and to start the family life. Boy, was that dream shot down, b/c I didn't even date in college! No time to! I was constantly working to pay rent, bills, other toys and all, but never had time to meet other single women around me. I spent months thinking why God would keep me away from a relationship with a woman, why he would take something that would mean the WORLD to me? If I were to believe He is almighty and powerful and giving God, why hasn't He given me someone to be with?

Of course, like any person would, I went to friends for advice. But the same answers came out of different mouths: "She's out there for you! You just have to be patient!" "You're the perfect guy! Some lady will be very lucky to have you someday!" "Stop looking! She'll come when you least expect it" "I like you, Paolo, but only as a good friend..."
Well, that last one is the answer i got when i tried to rush His plan. But the others were all the same to me: that i had to just sit and wait. My thought: WHAT THE HECK? Why wait? I don't want to wait, I'm flippin' getting old over here! My heart is ready (i think) and i'm spiritually mature (i think) and mature in general (i hope)... why keep something that i'm prepared for? (i think)... my mind, my heart was moving 200MPH in the wrong direction! what the crap, Lord?

Then God slapped me in the face (not literally).

"Be still, and know that I am God" ~Psalm 46:10

Whoa. Seriously? What was wrong with me...

Where was my mind? Obviously, not in the right place. My immature mind took over and wanted something that, ultimately, doesn't belong to me in the first place. Why try to reason with God? Why mess with God's ultimate plan? And ultimately, why honor and praise a relationship that hasn't come ABOVE THE ONE RELATIONSHIP THAT MATTERS THE MOST? I think God was speaking to me, teaching me patience by not giving me what I so desired. He told me "Just STOP, stop thinking about everything, and refocus on ME." That my life no longer reflected the glory of His life and His love and kingdom. That I needed to become faithful in Him before I can faithfully commit to another. What a slap! It was like I was trying to replace one relationship with another. Bad Donkey. Stubborn Donkey.

Patient Donkey?

So from that point on, I gave everything to Him. No longer did I occupy my mind with who I should be dating, what to do in life, where the rent money would come from, or anything else that burdened my heart. I gave everything up so that my mind would be fully committed to the Lord, b/c i truly and wholeheartedly believe that He will provide everything. Life had a different beat to it. I saw everything as hand picked and placed by my Lord, that everything and everyone deserved praise and love. My life went from a lonely, eeyore-like bore with thoughts of never getting out of the dark ditch I was in... to the glorious light, renewed spirit, and loving relationship and fellowship with the Lord and His people.

This would lead me to great ministries, a great church, great friends and fellowship, and His answer to my commitment, patience, and prayers.

More Than Words

this is from a previous Blog I've done on our site, HisRemedy.tk


More Than Words - Sungha Jung

This dude is amazing. He's barely a teenager, and is rocking amazing music and has mastered the art of fingerstyle guitar playing. What's the difference? i have NO idea, but its amazing to just see the immense concentration to pull off such epic work.

Talents and gifts. some have more than others, some are amazing, some are a bit weird, but to deep down inside, we all have a special talent or gift. but what's a good talent or gift if we keep it to ourselves? To tie into Austin's sunday night lessons, why keep something that isn't really ours to begin with? Our God-given and blessed talents and gifts: what are you doing with YOURS today?

I believe God gives us our special quirks, gifts and talents for the sole purpose of showing a piece of His greatness. Its that little snippet of light shining through a person that will catch someone's eye. Its merely an invitation for others seeking that light to ask you what makes you shine so bright. Our spiritual gifts given from God were meant to help do His work, build up a church, a fellowship, a community of believers to reach out to those that do not believe.

But how do we recognize our gifts, or if we have them at all? Ask a close friend! We used to do this exercise in leadership camp where we would have to write out good qualities about someone in our group. Your friends have all the scoop on your special talents if you don't easily recognize them yourself. So ask them!And as for if we have gifts at all... remember we ALL have gifts.

The question now becomes what have you done with your gift to glorify God?
A question that I have been thinking about for a while now...

"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel
clear understanding
simple trust
healing the sick
miraculous acts
proclamation
distinguishing between spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when." 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (The Message)