Definition: Grabe - serious, extreme, exceptional. Pronunciation: Gra’ be (“e” as in “egg”) Grabe is a term they use here to express a feeling of being overwhelmed. For example, if I traveled two hours south of where we live and sat on top of one of the mountains that overlooks a 50-story waterfall, I would say, “Grabe!” If I walked outside, and it was extremely hot, which is very often here, I would say, “Grabe! Mainit talaga!” (Gosh, it’s really hot!) If I just heard someone with the pipes of an angel, (a beautiful voice for non-musical people) I would say… well, you guessed it! If you still don’t get the way the word is used by now, you can compare it to our “Wow, dang, gosh, geeze etc.” I say all of that to say… Grabe!! The past 3 months have been a whirlwind for me. So much has happened that all I can do is step back and say, “Wow.” I’m overwhelmed with the favor God has shown Natalie and me and the rest of the staff as we continue. We have kids who haven’t done drugs in nine months, kids who are eager to get back in school and kids whose whole demeanor has changed. We’ve broken ground on our new land. The construction for the new rehabilitation center is underway. We think within three to four months the kids can live up the mountain to start rehab. I’m heavily involved with a church in the music department. God is opening doors within music I didn’t know were possible, at least not this fast! On top of all of this, God has found it appropriate to give me only the best woman in the world! We are getting married! If God’s grace wasn’t clear enough already in my life, she definitely makes it a city built on a hill. Maybe I’m a little sentimental but what can I say? She’s, “Grabe!” I’m still in shock I get to marry her. It seems as though I’m in one of those seasons of life that you dream about. You can see God’s hand working in every facet. I really am blessed. Truth be told, I struggle with realizing that on a daily basis. Very quickly, I can get distracted by what the next person has. “His house is a little bigger than mine.” “His job is a little cooler than mine.” Honestly, I think this comes from a slightly skewed perception of what blessing actually is. You know, the measure of our “blessed-ness” isn’t found in our surroundings or our stuff. It isn’t found in our careers or our popularity. Our biggest blessings aren’t found in the tangible things, on the contrary, they’re found in the intangible. When I stop and have a “Selah” moment, without looking at what the next man has or even at what I have for that matter, and look at what really matters for me personally, I see grace, relationships, kids lives being changed, Natalie, my family… It’s then that I realize what real blessing is. Look at Matt 6: 19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where our treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Don’t get me wrong… I’m not one of those people who think having a big audience is from the devil. Ha! Or having a huge house and nice car is something to feel bad about. I am saying the blessings worth dwelling on are the ones we can’t necessarily measure. I struggle with that a lot, but I’m beginning to realize life is a matter of focus. When we focus on the wrong things, we’re misguided, but when our focus shifts, we see that real blessings were there all along. Here are some pictures of whats been going on lately!
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AuthorForgiven.. Trying to live out my purpose the best I know how, and playing music along the way! EP coming soon! Archives
January 2017
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