The Warrior Is A Child

Last week, Jacqueline had a tough time in school.  She told me some of the things that were bothering her - it was tempting to tell her that she shouldn't be bothered by it or that it was nothing and to forget about it (compared to real problems adults face - her problem was a cinch).  But I didn't.  I sat there and listened as she tried to hold back a tear.  I gave her a long hug - rubbing her back in hopes that it would ease her burden a little.  Then I told her a story from my past - In high school, many of my classmates thought I had it all together.  They turned to me whenever they had problems.  They turned to me if they needed a helping hand because I was dependable.  I was always all smiles to them - they didn't think I had a care in the world and thought life was just easy for me.

They didn't know that the reason why I smiled all the time was that I never liked wearing my glasses (I bet you were thinking it was a little more profound than that - nah, I was a typical vain kid).  Let me explain a little.  Every morning I had to walk through this part of the school campus where a pretty tough village gang use to hang out.  It was a place where fights frequently occur and always for no particular reason.  One day, someone from that village, who happen to be a classmate of mine, told me that he thought I was stuck up. He had said hello to me and I guess I just walked by him without acknowledging him.   Yikes - he spoke to me with great displeasure and as if I was lucky to still be standing.  I had to explain to him that peoples' faces were just a blur to me because I needed glasses but didn't want to be caught dead wearing them. So I tend to look straight ahead so as to not offend anyone by accidentally looked at them the wrong way.  I've walked down those corridors for three years and didn't think I knew a friendly soul.  In any case, his comments made me very nervous - it was suicidal to walk through gang territory knowing that someone in the village already considers you a snob.  I was afraid of what would happen if one day an unfriendly decided I was a snob.  So I changed things around and I walked through the corridors with my head up and I made sure I always smiled.  I said good morning to everyone who looked my way even if I didn't know them.  Usually they smiled back.  A few months later, my friend came up to me and told me that people at his bus stop (this means they are from that village and had ties with that gang) were talking about me.  Yikes - I was scared.  He assured me that it wasn't bad - he said that they thought I was cool cuz I said hello to them and they didn't think I knew them.  I walked away relieved - "yeah, that's just how I roll."  At the end of my senior year, I was voted as one of the popular kids in school, friendliest they said. - - - Jacs then interrupts my story and says, "Mom?  What does this got to do with me?"  Hmmmm.  Maybe I got side tracked a little - and I forgot my point..... oh yeah.

They didn't know that the smile was a facade.  It masked the typical teenage problems and insecurities.   They didn't understand that I had an awesome God who was my "Wonderful Counselor", my "Prince of Peace", my "Everlasting Father, my "Best Friend". They didn't know that He was my shelter in the storm, my strength when I was weak.  One of my favorite songs when I was a teenager was by Twila Paris.  She sang THE WARRIOR IS A CHILD....
"People say that I'm amazing, never face defeat.  They don't see the enemy that slay me at HIS feet.  They don't know, I go running home when I fall down.  They don't know, who picks me up when no one is around.  I drop my sword and look up for a smile.  Cuz deep inside this armor - the Warrior is a child."  

The point is - when things get a little tough - the best person to always turn to is God because He knows exactly what you are feeling and it is always important to Him.  I loved my friends but I didn't need them to make me feel better because I knew the best one to turn to was God.  And I always always always felt better after telling it all to Him.

Mom use to say

Whoever said that raising girls is easier than raising boys probably hasn't had kids of their own yet.  Kids are kids and no matter what gender they are - there will always be challenges.  Don't get me wrong, my kids are awesome.  But everyday I hear my mom's words come out of my mouth.  Every so often I would jokingly tell my kids, "I don't really miss grandma because I hear her almost everyday."  I hear her every time I'm barking out orders, stopping a fight, rushing the kids out the door for school, scolding over sloppy homework or messy rooms. I use to think my mom did not make any sense.  Now I get it.

My mom use to say, "take a nap because I want to rest and I can't sleep if you are awake."  I use to wonder why she couldn't sleep if I was up and about.  But now I know because it never fails.  The moment I lay down to take my little break, one of the kids would stroll right into the room and complain about what the other sibling has down to her.  Or I would hear the two older ones arguing about something.  Or the youngest would be nowhere in sight and all of a sudden a crash would signal where her location actually is.  So yes, the kids need to be napping (and right next to me so that I can make sure they are down) so that I can nap.

My mom use to say, "you need to fold your clothes again and this time do it right."  I didn't get this either.  But now I know.  After the kids fold the clothes (this is when I busy myself to something else), they put away their stash.  Sounds like the deal is done.... until the next day when they are changing.  They pull the third shirt from the top, and suddenly all the improperly folded clothes give way.  Do the kids stack them back neatly.... noooooo.... they leave it as it is.  So the once neatly put away clothes are now in shambles.  So yes, I too tell the kids to fold the clothes again and this time do it right.

My mom use to make sure we were all around the table during dinner and studies have now shown that a family who dines together tend to raise successful kids.  My mom use to make sure we prayed before going to bed and now this habit is still with me.  My mom use pray over me and my sisters before we went off to school - while she combed our hair we could hear her praying under her breath for our safety and for our academic well being.  She always dreamed of being a lawyer but only had a third grade education - so it was never going to be.

My mom use to say, "you are lucky you have a mom."  She said this because she grew up without one.  Her mom died when she was only six and grew up with a step mother who told her she needed to stay home from school and help out with the house work.  At the time I thought - you call this lucky?  She always seemed to have a never ending list of chores and it felt like it was her goal in life to make life miserable - she was not at all like the Beaver's mom.  But now I know.  I was lucky to have a mom.  She taught me the importance of selflessness and hard work; the importance of striving towards a goal; and the concepts of taking care of my husband and my kids.  So yes, I too tell my kids, "you're lucky to have a mom.... cuz I sure miss mine."

At The End of the Day

My kids have recently discovered the beauty of musical productions such as the Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and Les Miserables.  We have the soundtracks to all three and occasionally we would listen to them while driving about.  Even though they have seen the plays, they still discuss the complexity of the heroes in each drama.  They are still moved by emotions that each character portrays in every musical score.

Yesterday, the song in discussion was "At the End of the Day" from Les Miserables.  The song goes....

At the end of the day you're another day older and that's all you can say for the life of the poor 
It's a struggle, it's a war, and there's nothing that anyone's giving 
One more day, standing about, what is it for? One day less to be living. 
At the end of the day you're another day colder, and the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill 
And the righteous hurry past they don't hear the little ones crying 
And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill. One day nearer to dying! 
At the end of the day there's another day dawning, and the sun in the morning is waiting to rise 
Like the waves crash on the sand - Like a storm that'll break any second 
There's a hunger in the land  - There's a reckoning still to be reckoned 
And there's gonna be hell to pay - At the end of the day! 


I shared with them that the people's frustration comes from their lack of the basic necessities of life - food, shelter - and everyday was just a struggle to make it through the day.  The other parts of the song says "we're lucky to be in a job and in a bed and we're counting our blessings."  I could tell that my kids were moved by this idea that there were kids who have not - but was also grateful that they could not fully understand the depth of this desperation; Grateful because it means my kids have plenty - plenty to be grateful for.  They go to a school that does not lack supplies, they don't ever go to bed hungry, they are able shower every day, they have access to computers and other technologies - they lack for nothing.  But I'm also grateful because although they do not understand the depth of desperation and hopefully never will - they were moved to ask how can we help.  They noted the part of the song - "And the righteous hurry past, they don't hear the little ones crying" - they said they wanted to do something.  They offered the money that was in their purses (which is a lot more than what I have in mine) and offered to give but to who.  


They have grown with the tradition of ringing the bell for Salvation Army and giving to the medical mission team.  But now they are thinking there has got to be more - we have more to give - we need to give more, do more.  I told them we need to go find people to help - there are plenty - Guam hides them well.  Lets start with our neighbors and see how we can tell them that the reason we have plenty is because we have Jesus in our hearts.  They looked at me with curious wonder - they knew this was correct but not sure how - our neighbors don't seem to be lacking either.  I smiled and said it's because - God loves them and they need to know that no matter what difficulties they face right now - He loves them.  But we can't just tell them that He loves them - we need to show them.  I then played them another song:  For Every Heart by Twila Paris


For the young abandoned husband, Left alone without a reason
For the pilgrim in the city, Where there is no home
For the son without a father, For his solitary mother
I have a message...

For the precious fallen daughter, For her devastated father
For the prodigal who's dying in a strange new way
For the child who's always hungry; For the patriot with no country
I have a message: He sees you, He knows you, He loves you, 
Jesus loves you. Every heart that is breaking, tonight; Is the heart of a child that he holds in his sight. And, oh, how He longs to hold in his arms
Every heart that is breaking, tonight.




I am blessed by my kids - God has given me three beautiful girls who understand they have much to be thankful for... hopefully they never know what it means to be in want but even so, I hope they can always declare that the secret to being content is God (Philippians 4:12 - I know what it means to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.)  Perhaps in the next few months, I'd be able to see what God will do in their lives as they seek out to be used by Him to bless others.

I Spy God

I was watching a movie called August Rush(2007).  It's about a little boy who was given up for adoption against his mother's knowledge.  Even though many years had passed, the boy knew that one day he would find his mother and father again.  Both his parents were gifted musicians and the boy not knowing them always felt that one day music was going to bring them all together again.  He heard music where ever he went and in everything he experienced.  He felt that if he followed the music it would eventually bring him to his parents - it would eventually bring him home.
Several years back, Kay Arthur, a renown Christian author, spoke at Biola University, my alma-mater.  She challenged the audience to recognize the reality of God - His omnipotence, His omnipresence, His magnificence.  She related this concept to a child's game called "I Spy".  In a sense, it was seeing God in our everyday experience - not in a "new age" kind of way - but in understanding His very existence in our lives - being fully aware of Him in our lives.

When my daughter's play, I spy God in their laughter.  He has blessed me with them.  He has blessed us with joy.  He has blessed us with health.  When I sit in my living room, I spy God.  He has blessed me with a dwelling place, a shelter.   When I see the trees swaying in the wind, I spy God.  Even the trees recognize their creator and lift their branches heavenward and praise Him - and so I am also moved to praise Him.  He has blessed us with the beauty that surrounds us.  When I visit my dad, I spy God.  He has blessed me and my dad with another day.  He has blessed me with peace.  He has blessed me with salvation.

Like August's concept of music, God is ever present.  He is the music that eventually leads us home.  His thoughts of me are numerous and it overwhelms me (Psalms 139).  He is my God and I am His.  I can rest in this fact that His ever present love is never ending and His mercies are new every morning.  We just need to hear Him - see Him every day, every minute, and every where.  He stands at the doors of our hearts, knocking and waiting for an invitation to come in - to fellowship with us - to know Him.  Yes, I am overwhelmed by God.... He is my God and I am His.

Try out Steak Plate

The other day I saw a posting on Facebook about a new place to eat.  I figure I'd give it a try.  The posting said it was the Steak Shack - although I thought it was a pretty clever name, I didn't realize it was actually a steak shack.  It was a canteen on the side of the road - unfortunately it had just rained so we were parked in mud.  But I was determine to give this place a try.  After all - who doesn't want to see a new business succeed - especially one run by a bunch of young guys who just want to pursue their dream.

There was a line but it didn't take us long to get to the window.  A young man popped his head out and greeted us with great enthusiasm.  But he had bad news for us - he told us that he did not have enough to fill our order.  He went on to explain that they had just started two weeks ago and they've been getting quite a bit of orders.  I was excited for them - but sad for me - I was hungry and so looking forward to steak. 

The gentleman wanted to still please his customers so he offered a lunch plate for consolation.  He also offered drinks for each of us (there were six of us).  We tried to pay him for them but he wouldn't hear of it. I think they get an A++ for their customer service.

The plate didn't look impressive - a side of corn and some rice - but for $6.00 - can't complain.  Then the first bite - I sank my teeth into the first slice - thinking already of my verdict.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  I don't know my cuts of meat so I have no clue what kind of steak it was but it was good.  It was flavorful yet the marinate was not overwhelming.  It was tender and juicy - this is hard to get when you BBQ meat and have it well done.   I can see now why people had no problems parking in the mud to get a bite of their affordable steak meal.

There were six of us taking a piece of our share of the lunch plate (it was a pretty good size and for only $6).  The kids fought over who would get the last piece of meat.  The loving mother that I am said - "I get the last piece".  That quickly ended their argument and I kindly satisfied my palette.

I would give the little shack on the side of the road A+ for customer service and A for taste.  I would definitely go back again - or rather send Fred to go pick up a plate to take home again.  But if you decide to go and give it a try yourself - go early and  order before the lunch crowd whisks all of it away.  I really think they would do very well - hopefully they will open up a diner some time soon.

So try out the little steak shack on the side of the road in Maite - across from the Mobil gas station.

MY VALENTINES STORY

Valentines is just a few days away.  I got my first kiss from my husband on Valentines Day, 1998.  I never get tired of telling our story and my kids never get tired of hearing it.

I met Fred for the first time in 1993.  We had the same set of friends from church but we never met prior to this.  The reason is that I became a Christian in 1984 attended a northern branch of the church (Yigo Assembly of God Church).  A year later, some of the kids at the central branch of the church (Teen Challenge - now known as Saint Paul Assembly of God Church) befriended me and invited me to start attending the youth group with them.  It wasn't until early 1986 that we moved to the central location to join the youth group there.  By this time, Fred had already left for Hawaii to attend college.

We were like two ships sailing in the night;  I left for college in 1987 and he came home to visit family.  The following year, we were both on island but Fred was only on island for a few days before he had to return back to Hawaii for a family emergency.  I graduated from Biola University in 1991.  I loved southern California and decided not to return home.  However, God had something else in mind for me, and I eventually made my way back to Guam in 1992.  This was the year Fred graduated from Willamette University's Law School - he slowly made his way back to Guam - real slow - he didn't get here until about six months later.

We met for the first time at a bible study that was made up by friends we both knew since youth group.  I knew his mom and his sister - but this was the first time I had ever heard of or seen Fred.  Yes, if you are keeping track of my time line - I met Fred for the first time in 1993.  We became good friends and I started to admire his strengths, his character, his desire to serve God, and his great smile.  So with the great advice of one of our oldest and dearest friend, Paul, I asked Fred out for the first time in 1995... and Fred said no - "I just want to remain friends and don't want to confuse our relationship."  For some strange reason, this understanding drew us closer - encouraging each other to seek God first in our career decisions.  So I thought perhaps he was now seeing me in a different light and in 1996 I asked him if he'd like to be more than just friends.  I was almost certain he felt the same way, but the words that came out of his mouth was not what I wanted to hear and once again he said no.  That should have been enough for me to walk away from the friendship right - after all he rejected my offer twice already.  But we were friends and I valued that more than anything - the relationship was built on the common ground that God was the Lord of our lives and that we wanted to serve him - it was built on friendship.  So I stuck around.  And again - we became even closer - sharing the need to join a prayer team to pray for the leaders of our church, the leaders of our island, and our unsaved family members.  And in 1997, I asked him for the third time... he said no.

-like fireworks in my head -

He left for Hawaii in the fall of 1997 and then flew off to Washington DC for work - so he was away for almost six weeks. This gave me time to work on separating myself emotionally from him.  But when he returned, I again sensed we were even closer.  Valentines was coming up and I wanted to spend it with him - so I asked him if he could go with me to chaperon a high school dance - no threat of romantic understanding - safe - so he said yes.  But the night before this, we caught a movie.  This is nothing new - we always catch a movie - but this time his hand rested on mine and it stayed there the entire show - it was the worse movie I have ever watched but who cared - he was holding my hand.  The movie ended late - we didn't care - we didn't want to go home.  It was just a little after midnight when he finally sealed the evening with a kiss - it was like fireworks in my head. - Our first date was the George Washington High School Valentine's Ball (we were chaperons).  My first flowers were bought at a grocery store because by this time he had already stopped at two different floral shops unsuccessfully - the sympathetic florists tried to help him - but I'm certain that the tears that rolled down their faces were from laughing so hard. But for me - it was all perfect.  Who cared where it happened and what he gave - he finally said yes.  We got married a year later.  Now we have three beautiful girls.  Can't complain.

Jacqueline's Testimony before the Guam Legislature

Date: February 8, 2011

 Dear Madam Speaker and Senators of the 31st Guam Legislature:

My name is Jacqueline Nishihira, and I am a fifth grader at Saint Paul Christian School.  I know Mr. Paul Pineda in several different ways.  I know him as an administrator at SPCS.  I’ve also known him as the senior the pastor of our church, as one of my parents’ closest friend, and as my uncle.  Regardless of what hat he wears when I am with him, he always instills the importance of studying hard, of working hard, of helping others, and having fun.  He not only tells us to do these things, I’ve seen him live by it.

He enjoys working with kids.  Whenever I am around his office, he always takes the time to say hello.  I know how busy he is so I think it’s really cool that he does that.  I think it makes kids feel important – makes us feel like he really cares if we do well or not.  He’s funny too – once he said he was the Last Air-bender and made the vents of the air-conditioner move side to side to prove it.  Well, I believe he can do a lot of good things for the youth of Guam – even though he really isn’t the Last Air-bender.

I think he is wise and he makes a good leader.  I think he would be good for the School Board because he knows a lot about education and he knows a lot about kids.  He would make a great School Board member.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Nishihira

5^th Grader at SPCS

Great Lunch at The Buzz

I picked my husband Fred up for lunch today and we had lunch in Agana at a great little cafe called The Buzz.  The chef is a very dear friend of mine, and she graced us with her company while we waited for our meal.  It's always refreshing to sit down with Merle - I'm just hoping that one day some of her creativity will rub off on me.  She is an awesome woman.  As we sat in this cozy diner in the tucked in the middle of Guam's capitol, Merle talked away about her biggest passion - GOD.  I enjoy listening to her share - it stirs up my excitement for God too.

I played it safe with my order - I ordered the BBQ Bacon Burger.  I usually add cheese to my burgers but this time around I forgot to ask them to include the cheese.  The burger had so much punch in its flavor - I did not miss the cheese at all.  The sauce was great but it only enhanced the secret marinate that the ground beef was mixed in.  If I could take a picture - it would not have done justice to the what might just be the best burger I have ever tasted.

Fred ordered the pulled pork sandwich - As great as my burger was - I kept my eye on Fred's dish.  I had to wait awhile for the usual offer of "want to taste?"  I didn't think he wanted to share his food.

A few years ago, there was a cafe in Anigua called World Perks.  They made an incredible mouth watering Kalua Pork Sandwich.  Unfortunately, World Perks closed down only a few month after I discovered them.  Since then, I'd been looking far and wide for a place that would satisfy the craving of the World Perks' Kahlua Pork.  I've even gone as far as trying to make it myself - googling every recipe that seemed to come close.  But it just wasn't happening for me.  I'd about given up all hope - that is until The Buzz.  Fred thinks it's even better than World Perks, and I'm inclined to agree.  It's not on the regular menu - so I don't know how long it will be available on their specials board - but it is definitely a must try.


I was thinking that perhaps I would be able to recreate this incredible meal - after all the chef was sitting by my side - I can simply ask and discover the secret at last.  But the moment she told me it took about 15 hrs.... all other information in regards to making this master piece became one big fuzz.  Merle's just gonna have to call me whenever this special is on the board.

Check out The Buzz.

Where to eat - Where to eat

Wanting a nice relaxing evening - some place both parents and kids can enjoy.  Must be affordable.  Must have good service.... or the concept of relaxing is definitely out the door.  Any suggestions?

Italian????
Korean?????
Japanese???

Maybe we can use this thread to be a restaurant review.

ROUNDTOITs

The first time I ever heard about a ROUNDTOIT was in a book written by Chuck Swindoll - Come Before Winter.  It was a very inspiring book meant to jump start - or rather reignite - my passion for God.  I was moved into action and got my very own ROUNDTOIT. But sadly, a few weeks went by (okay, okay, we need honesty right?) a couple of days went by and I misplaced my brand new ROUNDTOIT.  Along with my missing ROUNDTOIT weny my intentions of getting up early to do my daily "Time Alone With God", my plans for a daily workout to get into shape, my perfect meal plan for losing weight, and my regimen for keeping my laundry at a manageable state.  My ROUNDTOIT was nowhere in sight. When I was faced with the intended task of the day, I would often tell myself that I needed to get a ROUND-TO-IT.

Scripture does not support putting things off.  I've known this for quite a long time - for as long as I've called myself a christian.  So if I were to take to heart, 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whatsoever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  Then waiting to get a ROUNDTOIT is not the way to go.  I just need to start doing - and thus ultimately giving glory to God.  Proberbs 14:23 says - All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.  So I guess you can say I am living in spiritual poverty and physical poverty (poor health).  Perhaps we can say my kids and husband are in clothing poverty due to the fact they constantly have to scrounge around for clean clothes.

So unless I take action now, today, this minute, I will remain where I am now - the same - no change.  And the mounds of laundry will not disappear if I just keep putting it off.  I will never get to my ideal weight if I sit around thinking I will schedule it for tomorrow.  I will never be able to draw closer to GOD if I just talk about the things I need to do but don't actually do them.  So here I go - signing off to spend sometime with the Awesome Creator who loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for me.  Who paid a hefty price only to keep waiting for me to notice all He has done for me and who keeps waiting to spend some time with me.  I am now getting a Round-to-it and I will never lose it again because my Savior Loves Me and I love Him too.