Care Project: Philippines

One of my ongoing mission projects that I do is making mission care boxes to send to those in need in foreign countries. This past week, two of my mission care boxes were sent to two families. One box was sent to an in-need, widowed mother in the city of Umingan Pangasinan. There, she provides for not only her son and daughter, but a large group of her other neighbors in her area.

The other box was sent to a family in the City of Caloocan also known as the City of Kalookan (officially Makasaysayang Lungsod ng Caloocan or in English The Historic City of Caloocan) which is just north of the capital city of the Philippines, Manila.

Inside the boxes that come from my ministry, are quality clothing, footwear, and some food goods to last about two months. All of my care mission boxes are funded through your contributions and I want to say "Thank You" to those of you that contribute to my ministry here. If you would like to make a contribution towards my mission projects, you can do so by going here.

Busiest Year of my Life...?

Without prediction, this year has by far proven to be the busiest year for me.

Even as a musician, my music theory and musicianship classes at school are pushing me to study and practice more than ever. Being a music minor is starting to hit me and lately I haven't been able to work on my own music because these music classes of mine are so time consuming I just do not have the time. Doubt is starting to fill my head about minoring in music. But I told myself that I would push through this and "get it done" and "do what I have to do" to minor in Music. Yet again, the haunting voice questions, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I move on.

The Music Speaks Movement  is a project Youtube star & recording artist AJ Rafael started to help raise autism awareness through the power of music and bringing people together. Music Speaks 2009 was a concert series that brought in over $8,000 to the Autism Speaks organization for the Walk for Autism in November that same year. This year TEAM MUSIC SPEAKS is hoping to exceed that mark.

I plan on auditioning for this concert with my band. (See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7slkT3T4p_Q) This weekend, me and my group plan on making an audition video so please pray for me and send me wishes of luck on this upcoming project. It's not for any fame or money. I simply like sharing my talents with others to help a good cause in this world. You all should know that I'm very involved in mission work and charity events so this fits perfectly in my area if this happens for my group and I. And of course, Soli Deo Gloria -- To God be the Glory.

However, this is a huge gamble I am taking for this weekend for it is also a weekend where I really need to buckle down and study for school. Knowing me, my time will go heavily to this music project and very little will be left to study. Even so, God has blessed be through many challenging times and I have no doubt He will help me pull through this time!

Also, tonight is the starting night for MIQ. Standing for Most Important Questions, MIQ is the first ever Satellite Televised Evangelistic Series designed for Youth. This series tackles the questions our young people today have that our churches a lot of times don't answer. Do you have those deep questions about life, relationships, family, friends, your future, and most importantly about Christianity and the bible? This series produced by Amazing Facts will tackle those questions. Even if people aren't Christians, this is an awesome series to find out just what some believe. My church is one of the very few public showing locations in the San Gabriel Valley and being the local host for this has had my hands tied beyond belief. I will probably be at church for a good six hours to make sure the program is prerecorded at 4-5pm for our public showing at 6:30pm. Organizing something like this at such a large scale open to the public community is huge and takes a lot of planning and organization. This program runs nightly starting tonight from 6:30pm to 8pm until October 16. So if you're interested in wanting to know more, come by my church in Temple City, California tonight or go tomiqteens.com to find a location near you to check this thing out! 

On top of all of this, I am already planning for my next international mission project. This past summer I pastored a group of teenaged youth in Mexico on Ultimate Workout 20, an annual teen mission trip with Maranatha Volunteers Int'l. Two years ago we went to Ecuador. Next summer, I have no idea where we are going, but I can tell you it's somewhere God will lead us to go. Four of my youth members are traveling with me this time and I am leading out our fundraising campaign. Our first, is a pie fundraiser. We will be selling pumpkin and apple pies for the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. In fact, today I will be going out to visit some bakeries to get quotes to compare where I will be ordering about 200 pies. Yum!

So off I go. Busy is a huge understating word to describe me. Please pray for me, my ministries, and of course, that I stay healthy through all of this! 

Thank you guys so much for your support whether through monetary contributions or words of support. It really means a lot to me -- like... you have NO idea. So thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. If you would like to keep up to date with my upcoming events and such, you can sign up at my website to receive e-mail updates or you can check my calendar frequently!

Soli Deo Gloria. To God be the Glory.

Aaron Nakamura

We are Making Music

Bottom line? Today was the best Sunday. It could not have been better. Let me tell you why!
This past week was not the brightest for me. In fact, it was quite horrible. It's hard to explain why or what made it so, but everyone has their good days and weeks and their bad ones; This past week was a bad one for me. A sinker. It wasn't the way I wanted to start my school year but in life, unexpected things get thrown our way regardless if we're ready to face them or not. And for me, that's exactly what happened: a series of events I didn't expect knocked me down morally and a little emotionally. On top of that, I didn't see any hope for things to get any better for the next first full week of classes.


It was a challenge. I was challenged spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Everyone, regardless of background, history, or current stature gets challenged. From the poorest and uneducated to the richest, most successful, and brightest minds.Everyone gets challenged in life.
With that said, today concluded my church's special two-day International Weekend with an International food festival with cultural foods from many different countries. Just yesterday, I was asked to get my music group together to perform as part of the entertainment line up for the food festival. Don't take this in a wrong, arrogant way, but I truly am fortunate and blessed to work with such a musically talented youth music group where music comes naturally. Practice is rare for each of our individual talents are quite superior. The only thing we accomplish in the very few practices wedo have is the thing every group accomplishes when they practice: to organize and put all of the talent together to perform as a group.


So we performed. The other main performance group was The Gato Band, an adult  jazz/soft rock band. By the end of the night, my band received comments we never get. Rather than the festival coordinators giving an end of the night greeting of simply a "Thank You," many complimented on our maturity in musicianship. People noticed and acknowledged that our music has matured and is "older people" friendly now.


Rather than people in the church looking at our music as 'loud, rock music,' they enjoyed our music and liked our style of play.


And I agree. Looking back from when I first started the band at my church, we were new to having "a band" and just played in a 'whatever' way. We were young, new musicians. We were just kids! Now, many of the musicians in our church praise band and in my own personal music group are getting a little older and more mature and it therefore is starting to show in our music.


Now, we are making music not noise.


I'm proud of my band. This includes those that have been in previous generations of the praise band I lead and those musicians I call up to perform with me during personal outside music gigs. We have matured mentally and it shows in our music. Although we're still growing, it's extremely awesome to receive such positive feedback about our music. I mean, music right now is exactly what I want it to be in my life. It's not my main pursuit or career choice. It's a side hobby I love doing that doesn't take too much of my time but the little time spent in it is much appreciated by me as well as others. That's all I want, to share my talent and the talent of my group with others. What good is talent if it's not shared or used? The answer is that it isn't good.
So, today was an encouraging day. An uplifting one. Something I definitely needed going into this coming week. And to receive praise from The Gato band and other great musicians in attendance? Amazing!


I'm also excited for for my upcoming mission project, there are about 5 other youth members in my youth group interested in going with me. Usually, I'm the only one from my church that goes so to see that other youth are joining me is exciting! Since I have more experience in fundraising for the Ultimate Workout Teen Mission trip (byMaranatha Volunteers Int'l), I'm heading the fundraising campaign to fundraise for my group going. I'll explain a whole lot more about this in another post but the bottom line is that I am excited that other youth are interested in giving an international mission trip-another thing I'm passionate about- a try.


Good day. Looking forward to this week!


To God be the Glory and many Blessings to you all,


AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com 

God's Party: "God, are You too on YouTube?"

Today’s technology makes it so easy to find out anything we need to know at the click of a button. We use cell phones and computers to connect to the internet where we can find out just about anything we want. We are so connected. But as we learned last week when talking about Myspace, it isn’t the connections we have to many things that’s bad, it is the fact that we are so addicted to the information those connections feed us. We are so plugged into the world that we don’t realize that we need to unplug in order to plug into God.

Today, we have Facebook accounts with tens to hundreds of friends. On Youtube, there are videos from every genre of our culture today. Any video about anything is there. But out of our many friends on Facebook, is God on Facebook? Out of everything on Youtube, can you too find God there? Ask God, “Are You too on YouTube?”

One more question to answer, "Do I need to go to church in order to be a good Christian?"

Find out here!

Myspace? Godspace! Excitemend!

Greetings!

Today was a good day!

This morning, I led my youth group meeting at my church and we brought up Myspace and how all week long we are plugged into the world. We're plugged in through our cell phones, laptops, internet, iphones, ipods etc. However, based on our key verse found in Exodus 31:17, even God unplugged Himself from his work in the world. He stopped His work to rest and refresh.

If you think about it, even our own electronics need to be rested, right? Your phones need to be charged. Your laptops need to be recharged. Your cameras too. We as human beings need to recharge as well; Spiritually, physically, and mentally. But we can only do that by plugging into God by setting aside all of our worldly distractions on the seventh day of the week. 

The problem is not that we are more connected than ever in the existence of humanity. The problem is that we are so addicted to what we receive through these connections that in order to rest, we need to unplug ourselves in order to plug into God.

"You need to unplug to plug into God." -Dr. Dwight Nelson

To read my full study guide on this, you can download it at my website and the title is called "Myspace? ...or Godspace?" Next week I'll be talking about Facebook and "You too" on Youtube.


...But there's more to my day!


This evening, I met with my fundraising planners and coordinators to talk about future fundraisers for my next big mission project next summer. Man, I'm super excited now! I won't share my secret plans just yet, but these fundraising ideas are new and different than my past fundraisers and they include me using my talents and gifts that I am so passionate about doing. 


On top of that, hopefully I'll be able to get a few youth members to go on this mission project. For those of you who don't know, I am speaking of the Ultimate Workout mission Trip by Maranatha Volunteers International. It is a mission trip for teens of 14 to 18 years of age. Not only do the youth participants get to help construct churches and help those in need in a different country, but they get to work on their own spiritual relationship with God.


A few of my youth members have shown interest and I really hope they do decide to go so they can not only go on the actual mission project, but be a part of my FUN and EFFECTIVE fundraising campaigns to raise funds to go.


That is where I stand now. Thanks for reading! Your support plays such a huge factor in what I do. Thank You!

Asleep in Our Faith

So I've been back for a little over 3 weeks from my almost-month long mission trip in Southern Mexico. Since my return, I've been busy to the max! I've been working on revamping my youth group and working on various independent projects for Insight Magazine, Amazing Facts, and of course, my own Youth Ministry.

I finished a special report for Insight Magazine's special UW edition and I am hard at work on MIQ, Most Important Questions, the first ever satellite evangelistic meeting series for youth! Whoooo! I'm excited to a be a part of this series by leading out in coordinating for my church, a host church for the series. Overseeing the logistics being planned gets me excited every day for the event. Tomorrow, I am launching a marketing campaign to reach the youth leaders and youth pastors in and around the San Gabriel Valley (A part of Southern California) about the event.

Since my return from my mission trip, I've been noticing our churches and how so many are so complacent in their faith. It's saddening. I zoom in on the youth departments of these churches around and I hear of fun event after fun event none, of which does anything to help grow the spiritual relationships of our Young People with God. It's all about the fun. Many are doing good in churches but they are empty spiritually. Many are calling themselves Christians but are without a relationship with God Himself. Many are getting caught in doing the works of God but forget to spend time with the God of the works. Many young people all over are questioning the reality of God and the validity of His Word and thus start leaving the church.

Our churches are asleep. What can we do? What will YOU do? 

First focus on yourself. Constantly searching The Word, not just reading, but searching and studying The Word. This is one big communication link from God to You. Prayer. Prayer is your communication link to God. Say your prayer from the heart and let it not be repetitive. If you don't know what to say then simply say that! "God, I don't know what to say right now..." and take it from there. Once you have your relationship strong, focus on your family. I call it the 3 characteristics of a Christian. Bible. Prayer. Outreach/Witness.

Then, be the light for the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
-AaronNak

Will You Have Made a Difference?

Will you have made a difference?



Think hard about this one. What do you think?

-AaronNak

This is It!

This is It!

This is my last blog post before I leave for my mission trip and I seriously doubt I will have access to the internet to post an update while in Mexico. Even if I did have some time on the internet in Mexico, I don't think I would spend it blogging for all of you to read! Ya'll can wait 'til I get back! :P

3 Weeks. 7 churches. 6 Vacation Bible School programs going on simultaneously at six different locations. Medical Clinics, Outreach to the community, and people I would call family by the end of the trip. No cell phone reception. No computers or internet. Partial electricity. No comfy bed, no all-you-can-eat buffets, and definitely no hot waters let alone showers! You get a sleeping bag, a tent, and a solar shower! You eat whatever is available and it will be just enough to carry you until your next meal. A very primitive life. Take all of these things and run them into a series of multiple situations where reliance on God will be needed more than ever. This is it! All of the steps I have been taking to prepare have been for this event.

Last year, I had delayed flights like you will NEVER experience in your lifetime. With over 48 hours in delays and getting motion sick, I had the roughest of all rough beginnings to the Ultimate Workout 19. And although the rough experience turned 360 degrees around, I didn't want come back to the Ultimate Workout this year. But God decided that that wasn't the way He wanted and He called me back.

Pastoring a group of about 25 teenagers will be tough, but with God's guidance, anything is possible and I am putting my complete faith in Him to lead the way. Please pray for me that my travels to and from Mexico will be safe ones and that I may be a beacon of light to guide others to God.

Thank you guys for all of your support through finances, prayers, and words of encouragement. It really has been uplifting to me!! I will be back on the 26th ready to share with all of you all of my experiences on this trip!

Until then, Adiós mis amigos.

-AaronNak

Let Go & Let God..

For those of you who don't know, I am leaving in less than 5 days for a mission trip called the Ultimate Workout run by Maranatha Volunteers International. Although I joined in on the trip last year, this year will be, and already has been so different for me in more ways than one.

Unlike last year, this year I will return as a staff member playing the roles of a Pastor, Music Leader, as well as a Photo Journalist for Insight Magazine. The preparation for this trip so far has been far greater than anything I have ever prepared for in so many areas of my life. At least, that is what I would like to think right now. ;)

Physically, I have been training and exercising every day to build strength to be ready for whatever terrain I am to face in Mexico. The first week, I will be working hard physical labor in building a church where both strength and stamina is needed.

Mental preparation for this trip has been the hardest part so far. I will be living a very primitive life for the latter two of three weeks there and the thoughts of simplistic things I have in my daily life in the United States will turn into items of luxury. The weather will be tough to coupe with. Eating, showering, and the overall living conditions I will go through will be totally different than what I am used to at home. There is the fear of missing my friends and family back home while I am in Mexico. The biggest challenging thought however, is whether or not I will be ready. It has been haunting me this whole week. Being a pastor and a leader to a site of about 26 or so teenagers is a bit intimidating. Although I am a youth leader at my church, this group I will be pastoring is a group of total teenaged strangers. I don't have any hesitations, fears, or doubts about the youth I lead and interact with at my home church because I know them. I grew up with them, know what to expect and how to approach them with certain matters. But this group I will help lead, is different. It's hard to prepare to teach a group you don't know how to teach. It's hard to prepare answers for questions you don't know will be asked. How will they react to how I act and teach? Will I be ready?

There's a thought inside of me that says I won't be ready.
A thought that screams out

"How can you prepare for this? You don't even know what you are preparing for!"

Spiritually, I can feel God's transformation in me more and more every morning when I wake up. I feel THIS is what He has called me to do. THIS is what He has been preparing me for. THIS is the will of the Lord. How do I know? When you are reading The Word more and fully understanding it, when your prayer life is growing, and when you are witnessing to others, YOU KNOW you are growing in the Lord.

But the doubt still lingers...

I have been preparing my bible lesson studies day after day and to be honest, I haven't studied my bible this much ever! Being the Pastor of a group means I am the spiritual leader of the group. And aside from teaching & leading out in the evening worships as well as leading morning worships. I am in charge of the relationships of the participants with each other as well as with God. I have been training and studying to be at the highest point in my spiritual life I can possibly prepare for and although Satan continues to fight to place that big doubt in my mind about being ready for my mission trip and my responsibilities, I remember of a bible passage I received when I woke up one morning via a text message from one of my friends named Lauren. It referred to the "Do Not Worry" passage found in Matthew 6:25-34.

The passage encourages me whenever that hint of a doubt starts to sneak into my thoughts as my last minutes of preparations are upon me now. It tells me not to worry about my life or even about tomorrow. God will take care of it.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God tells us He will not give us more than what we can bear and He will always show us a way out of our troubles. So why worry? There is no need to. Think of these verses when you are in times of worry.

There is only so much we can do to prepare for in life and for me, there is only so much that I can prepare for my mission trip. But it takes Faith in Jesus Christ to lift us up from our trials and worries for He knows what our limits are. We just have to understand that His love is never ending, His strength unmeasurable and that He is a God with no limits. There are some things you just have to let go of and let God take the lead.

Until Next time, May God continue to shower you with blessings.

-AaronNak

Honored & Humbled

It is not just over 7 days until I leave for my mission trip to Mexico and it is now starting to hit me!

I am excited to do God's work through spreading the gospel to others yet I am also a tad nervous for there is still much to do before I leave! I've been preparing my lessons and still have many that I need to prepare for. Each and every day I feel that God has been blessing me more and more with the elements that I will need to be ready for this trip. I am thankful and humble that God has called me to be a Pastor and Music Leader to a group of about 27 teenagers in which I was once a part of just last year. Not only that, but God has given me the awesome opportunity to play another big role. I will also be a reporting photo journalist for Insight Magazine doing another thing I have as a great passion for, writing & photography.

Music, writing, and photography. These are items I love doing and being a part of in life yet being a student, having many other activities and responsibilities, I often times do not have the time to focus and enjoy these passions. This is why I am so glad and thankful that God has given me this great big opportunity.

Words cannot even begin to explain how honored I feel to be called back by God to be a part of the Ultimate Workout Mission trip again. I feel honored and humbled. Emotions of excitement and nervousness are also running through me as I am entering the last stages of packing my equipment and preparing my lesson studies. You can read my previous blog to see a more detailed description of just what it is I will be doing on this coming mission trip and as the trip gets closer, I will be posting a more detailed description on my website.

Until next time, please keep me in your prayers!

-Aaron

The Countdown Has Started!

It is now just 13 days or 2 weeks to the day until I leave for The Ultimate Workout Mission teen mission trip in Mexico at which, I will be staffing at (The official countdown clock to the time my flight takes off is on my website). If you aren't aware already, I will be a pastor at one of six different sites, each with about 24-28 high school-aged teenagers.The team of staff members at my site and I make up six members each, with a different main role: The Project Coordinator, Construction Superintendent, Pastor, Head Cook, and Medic/Nurse.

The countdown craze started this past weekend. I've slowly been pulling needed things out of their places around the house and placing them next to my giant brand new duffle bag. Today, I visited Walmart for some needed supplies while Big 5 Sporting Goods and Home Depot are to be visited soon. The checklist is out and the things still to be bought are highlighted. Although it's still two whole weeks until I leave, I already feel behind and as much as I want to relax and take a breather, there is so much to be done for this mission trip or for other things I need to take care of before I leave.

Once I arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico on the afternoon of July 5th, my mission work almost starts immediately. My first project is a Reunion project with participants from any of the previous 19 Ultimate Workout Mission trips. This project starts the next morning and has two options for us participants to choose from. I don't know the full in-depth details yet, but both options are to build a church in 3 days which will be tough! We will be staying in a hotel for this project however, when I say we will just be in our rooms to shower and sleep, I mean just that! Plus, I'm almost completely positive that the hotel we will be staying in will be nothing compared to our American hotels here. :)

July 9-11 is Alumni Reunion Weekend. Everyone in attendance has been on an Ultimate Workout mission trip. Hanging out, reminiscing, catching up, and celebrating what God has done in missions as well as in our lives will all take place here. This will also be happening at a hotel about 90 minutes from Tuxtla Gutierrez in the colonial town of San Cristobel.

July 11-13 I take a 90 minute travel back to Tuxtla Gutierrez for staff orientation and training. Here we'll meet with our staffing groups to get oriented with our sites, various disciplines, worshipping together, covering logistics, and getting on the same page as we prepare for the big Ultimate Workout 20! There will also be some down time for us to get ready and eager for the arrival of the teenaged participants.

July 13-26 is UW20. 6 sites full of teenagers. 6 churches to be built. Very primitive living conditions. 6 Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the local children. Some sites will be doing other ministry programs as well.

Again, right now where I stand, I'm placing everything I need to pack near by huge duffle bag. The things I need to get at stores are soon to be gotten. The lesson studies and activities I will be teaching are being preparing. I also should get started in practicing some of the praise music I will be using to lead out in praise at the site I will be at huh?

ALSO, on top of being a pastor and music leader, I will be a photo journalist for Insight Magazine. This requires me to take MANY pictures. I will also need to interview every participant at my site and write about the site and how it will have affected me by the end of the trip.

This is the update so far. Two weeks from today right now, I will be in Mexico. Stay tuned for more updates!

-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com

Three Weeks & Emotions

It is now less than three weeks until my Ultimate Mission trip and multiple emotions have been running through me these past couple of weeks. Nervousness, fear, and excitement. Positive feelings and nerve wrecking feelings have been clashing within me. Preparation has been in full motion for me. Spiritually, I have been more God focused. Not to say that I'm usually not when not preparing for something big like this, but the impact of focus is definitely greater. Physically, I've been exercising daily. Running, weight training, and floor exercises are part of my daily routine. I've been eating healthier and I feel better. Less meat and more vegetables have been a key. Mentally, I'm not going to lie, it's been tough lately. "Will I be ready?" is the main question that is puzzling my mind. I just have to remember to stay focused on God and listen to Him in guiding me to do His will and He will not lead me astray. But like I said, that part has been tough.

At church, leading the youth has been helping me greatly prepare for pastoring this summer for the Ultimate Workout. I don't want to say that they are my group of guinea pigs, but they are; in the sense that I have been testing topics and activities I plan to use this summer with them. God has packed my summer ahead full of exciting and interesting opportunities that I plan to utilize to the fullest, each and every one to help me grow in every aspect of life possible.

I thank God for giving me these many skills, talents, and opportunities and it is my prayer that they will mold me into someone that can use them to glorify the Lord and carry out His words...

A Weekend at 'Change' in Dallas

An April Shower of Thrilling Upcoming Events

Here we finally are! The motherly month of May! April has come and passed and I just have to share with ya'll some big events that have presented themselves to me this past month.

First off, last summer. For those of you who don't know my story, I'll have my mission stories book published soon that ya'll can get a copy of for a small contribution to my mission work with Maranatha. But last summer I ran into some problems coming back from Ecuador in the country of Colombia and came out with a $300 flight voucher that expires this July. Over the past two months, I've been worrying about how to spend the flight voucher and where to go. Mid-April, I had a music friend from Texas invite me via Facebook to a Youth Rally his church is hosting on the weekend of May 14-16. I jokingly juggled the thought of flying out to Texas that weekend for I really knew there was no way I would make it. It wasn't until the next day that I thought about my flight voucher going towards the flight if I were to go to Texas! I asked the two friends I have that go to that church in Texas if I could stay at one of their houses if I were in fact to fly over that weekend and one gladly expressed a very hospitable invitation. The reason, however, wasn't just to go to Texas for the heck of it for a couple of months more down the road, I would be a staff member/leader on the upcoming Ultimate Workout 20 Mission trip in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico. I looked at this opportunity in Garland, Texas as training grounds for my staff role this summer, almost like an internship to help prepare to be the best leader I can be for others, but most of all God. Plus, a free flight and a free stay! Why NOT go? The event will be a good out-of-my-box activity for just like in the Ultimate Workout this July, I will be leading and interacting with people I have never met before in an environment I am not accustomed to. So I made plans with my friends over there at the Garland SDA Church where I can stay at and things were under way for me to attend the "Change" Youth Rally in Texas. My friends, also youth & praise leaders, also asked me to play with their praise band.

I believe it was a day or two after I booked and made plans for the Youth Rally trip that a close and dear friend of mine contacted me while I was still in one of my evening classes. It turned out that she asked me to her Senior High School prom. Being an amazing friend that she is, I was at the time happy, excited, and delighted to be her date to her prom. She told me it was going to be at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California on Saturday night, May 15th. I was excited. I told her although I'm pretty sure I'm free that day, I would have to go home and just clear it with my parents.

It wasn't until the next night that I realized that May 15th was the weekend I would be in Texas for the Youth Rally I looked at as a training activity. I felt bad. REAL bad. And still do! But I just couldn't go to her prom! Going to Texas is something I really want to do. It's something I wouldn't ordinarily do and it would be the biggest training weekend I could have before my almost month-long mission trip this summer! I broke the bad news to her that night that I couldn't make it to her prom.

A week or so later, Steve Case, the mission trip coordinator for the Ultimate Workout called me to give me a summary of what's been going on in the planning stages of the mission trip. He fills me in on the details and let's me know what site I will be staffing at. He gave me the contact of the site coordinator for my site that I will be working at and just stuff that got me even more pumped for this coming summer's festivities. I have the day I need fly into Mexico, and the day I will be flying out. All that's left now is to book the flights. However, it's now that I realize how much airfare can spike at any given random day of the week. Just last Monday I looked up flights and for my roundtrip it would cost anywhere from $790 to $918 depending on the flight I chose. I check three days later and the price skyrocketed to $1,015 to $1,120. I haven't booked my flight yet hoping the price will go down here in the next couple of days or so.

But this is all what happened in my month of April and where I stand now.

Until next time, be safe and may God bless you all.

-AaronNak

Confidence & Inspiration

Fiducia ed ispirazione. Confidence and Inspiration.

College. You walk in knowing that everyone in the class likes you. Okay, maybe not everyone. But they sense your confidence level is so high and they see you talk to the prettiest girl or guy in class like that person is just another classmate. You’re the “cool.”

It’s a public speaking class. Four weeks into the class and you have already told the class what your hobbies so they know what you do but most of all, they know you’re good at what you do. It’s the way you speak about it.

You have the highest grade in the class and the professor speaks to you as if everyone should know it hinting that they should befriend you to get the inside tips on how to do well in the class. Your confidence level is sitting on the top floor of the Dubai tower, the tallest tower in the world.

And it’s not bluff. You are good at what you do. All of your friends know it and they respect you for it. They too, know you’re good at what you do. You do good in the world.You know it. You’re not cocky or overconfident. You just want to be the best person you can be. You are actually quite humble and you feel honored to be able to do what you do. You just want to help people. You choose to be who you are. You make the decisions you make because it makes you, you. You don’t care what people think about you. You are picky when it comes to conforming to what the ‘in’ crowd is doing. Peer pressure? Not an issue for you. They say you’re such a “good” person. The way you carry yourself and the way you lead your life is ‘admirable’. Your good reputation is fine but you don’t do it for that.

So why? Why do you do what you do in which you are so good at doing?

You won’t spend half of your life searching for the purpose in your life like almost everyone in the world does because you already know yours. Peer pressure doesn’t pressure you into the wrong and you have no ‘drama’ in your stress-free life because you don’t get caught up with all of the worldly things with the worldly people.

You live the way you live because it is the way God tells you how to live and you do what you do because it is the doings of the Lord you are doing.

-AaronNak

Good News & More Progress

The call finally came!

My cell phone buzzes in my pocket as I'm sitting in English class today. Thinking it was just a regular text message, my early assumption was proven wrong as it kept on buzzing long buzzes over and over confirming that it was a phone call I was receiving. I take my phone out to stop the vibrating and let the call go to voicemail. As I glance to see who the person was that was calling, although no recognizable name appeared, the familiar area code rang a bell in my head and excitement quickly changed my mood from being in a boring class to total excitement. It was one of either two. I knew it was a call from northern California and no matter either of the two, it was about my staff position for the upcoming Ultimate Workout Mission trip this summer. The call I've been waiting for for about a month now. The Maranatha Office or Steve Case. Being that it was after 5pm, it was after office hours for Maranatha and it could only be one person with that area code.

I couldn't answer it so the call went to voicemail. Less than a minute later my phone buzzed again letting me know that I had a voicemail. Less than 15 minutes later I was out of class and raced home (not literally. I'm quite the safest driver!) with excitement and anticipation to get home to listen to the voicemail.

I got home and after my assumption of Steve being the caller was confirmed. I quickly get on the phone with him. After updating me with the planning that has been going on, it has been decided that I will be an outreach coordinator for one of the sites and will be an assistant to the site pastor, a youth leader from a church in Ohio. I am excited and glad to be a part of this experience. I'm excited for everything. To be able to reach out to the community, the teenagers at my site, as well as right here at home with the testimonies I will return with.

As for my personal well being, my preparation has been going on. Especially the physical and mental training. Of course the spiritual training is coming along but wow. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday I run a mile. Along with the mile, I do some pretty extensive and hardcore weight training and other core strength building exercises. On wednesday nights, I am also taking a Judo class at school that is another hard workout itself making me sweat just as much, if not, MORE than my workout sessions. (That's right, Wednesdays I get a double whammy workout!)

I'm taking 18 units this quarter and am staying on top of things! I am absolutely loving this quarter.

I'm looking forward to finishing this quarter off extremely well and I can't wait for the Ultimate Workout mission trip this coming summer!!

Until next time, and..... GO LA KINGS GO!!!!!

-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com

I could... But...

I could be out and about,
that I have no doubt
I could be hanging with them,
instead of workin on chem
I could be on a date with that pretty girl,
or stay out partying late drinkin' 'til I hurl
I could stay up late listening to all of their crap,
but to be honest, who cares, I really don't give a snap.
I could be in on that conversation on the new and the latest,
but I'd rather be focusing on the one and only greatest
I could be driving the newest and hottest car out,
But would that really tell what I'm all about?
I could live in the biggest house of all houses,
and live with the most beautiful spouse of all spouses,
but even those can't grant happiness greater than a mouse's
I could be the most successful person on the planet,
but there would still be one person who could do more than just match it
I could have everything you and I both dream about having,
but there is only One who can give me true happiness and save me from damning



You see, I could! I could! But people and materialistic things only bring temporary happiness and love. God will give you an everlasting love that will bring you happiness for eternity.

-AaronNak

P.S. Please excuse my language!

3 Months & Counting Down!

Three months until my mission trip to Mexico.

So it's exactly three months to the day until I will be down in Mexico to start my almost month-long mission trip with Maranatha called the Ultimate Workout.

I've been talking to a few of my close and dear friends from last year's mission trip and most of them are not going to be attending this year's Ultimate Workout. Although quite saddening, it makes it all the more exciting as it will only mean there will be more fresh faces to meet and welcome to the family. It will be another exciting, yet challenging adventure. The spiritual, mental, physical, and moral road of preparation ahead has been tough. However, each and every day I learn more about myself, others, and about God himself.

My regular daily exercise training schedule has begun and 2 weeks into it I feel great. My spring quarter for school has just started and the countdown to summer is already underway. Less than 9 weeks to go and the summer will be here. That thought keeps reminding me each and every time that the trip is just around the corner.

This quarter is exciting!! I love my classes, I love the people in them, and the biggest challenge yet, it's the most units I have ever taken on so far. 6 classes, 18 units.

Every single class offers something new and I am excited to give my 100% effort not only to do well in them, but to learn as much as I can even if what I learn has nothing to do with the class.

In my Communications class, a class that focuses on public speaking, I am excited to improve my public speaking, something that is the number one fear in the world even before death. In my Analysis of Theatre Arts class, I'm open to learning something new about an art so I look forward to taking that class on as well. In my English class, essays anyone? And I'm just not sure about what I will take out of my Philosophy class. I'm taking Beginning Judo which.... who knows maybe I'll be the next Judo master! And as for my 6th class, it is more of getting credit for my physical training for my mission trip. I log my weekly exercises and report to one of the Sports offices to receive credit.

Anyways, like I said in a previous post, as my mission trip gets closer and closer, I will be logging updates on how my preparation is going along. I am excited! I am ready and excited for what new things I will learn and the people I will meet!

Here's to an awesome spring quarter!!

-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com

A Simple Birthday

Today was Simple. Sweet. Stress-free. Easy. No School yet VERY productive!

I woke up this morning a 19 year old.
First thing upon waking up, I finished two of my writings and submitted them to Insight Magazine. I hope for they will take it and publish it and if not, no worries! I will just get to post it on my website sooner for ya'll to read! :) But until then, I'll just have to wait and see!

A third article, I also finished this morning in which I started back during the Olympic games. I posted it up on my website so you can go there and read it :) [link is below]

After I finished my writings, I finally put in a good workout at my home gym. I ran 1.5 miles and spend some quality time with my Bowflex and other weights haha. Showered.

Took a quick trip to the Post Office to mail something to a client.

Ate brunch which, really should be considered lunch at 11:30am.

Then I made a video which I posted on my music youtube channel which you can all watch! It's an original song by me. And if you read in the video description, it explains my dream and vision for the song! [link is below]

After that! I really just took it easy. I watched a little TV. played a little music. And I got a little update for my month-long mission trip this coming July in Mexico which i am TOTALLY PUMPED UP for!

Then I went to dinner at Acapulco with my cousin and parents!

I didn't want anything big for today. Just a simple day. No school because of Cesar Chavez's day. Not having to worry about school or other things. Nothing but simple! Even the weather was perfect for my day!
Later this week I'm having a dinner with some friends and I even hope THAT isn't overdone. Just simple and light fun. haha.

I wish ya'll a good week! and take it easy!

You can read my writings at my website at: www.aaronnakamura.com (click on 'Studies & Writings')
You can see my new video at my musician youtube page: www.youtube.com/ranakamu

Take care! & Thank you for the Birthday wishes!!

-AaronNak

Back to Work from a Not so Springful Spring Break..

Hello Everyone!

Today is the first day of my spring quarter! Spring break is over and it is time to get back to work! However I didn't have much time to kick-back & relax this past spring break for I spent the better part of the week working to get my identity back!

For those of you who didn't know, my wallet was stolen on Saturday, March 20th. The person (or persons) that stole my wallet maxed out my credit cards, managed to somehow deplete my checking account, and got away with the essential items in my wallet such as my driver's license, medical, other insurance cards, and even my LIBRARY CARDS!

So this week was actually pretty tough for me. At first, I was mad, sad, and I felt so violated and shocked that something like this happened to me. It's not something that happens often and if it does never to me! Plus, think about it. Getting YOUR wallet stolen and running into the dilemma that I did is the LAST thing on your mind, right? I spent the whole week talking to banks on the phone and visiting the Sherriff's station. Other frustrating tasks such as visiting the overcrowded DMV and going through insurance procedures were also time consuming. The thought of forgetting to do something else I'm supposed to do always haunted me and left me in doubt this whole week. Have I done everything that I need to do? I placed an alert on my credit file to prevent any accounts to be opened in my name. This week has been more than a handful. A week I had been talking about with my friends weeks before mentioning that I wanted to spend it traveling ended up being a week of non-stop worry.

But let's put that aside! Everyone is guaranteed to have greater trials when growing in their faith! After all, it's spring quarter! For me, it's only about 10 weeks until summer! I cannot wait to get through this quarter. I hope it will be a good one for me and I pray that God continue to use me in helping the world as well as spreading to the world.

Until next time,

-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com

Violated

Wow.... Where to begin?
I feel so violated.
Like I can't trust anyone anymore.
My trust limit lines have definitely closed in A LOT.
Hurt.
Powerless like I can't do anything to get back what was mine.
Because I can't.
The place where was last on my list to be stolen from turns out to be the first.
Empty.
Shop?
With what? My money is gone.
Can't drive.
No license.
The sight of my seeing $0.00 for my checking account as I look online.
Feels like a hard blow to the stomach.
Who could have done this?
Does the red line "Age 21 in 2012" not give you guilt?
Mad? Hate? Revengeful?
No.
Sad & disappointed I am.



Yesterday my wallet was stolen. My credit cards charged to the maximum. Checking Account depleted.
Driver's License & insurance cards gone.
Please pray for me.

Making a Difference in the World ...Still In Progress

Hello there!

It's been a while since the last time I made a blog entry and I apologize. I have just been busy lately doing so many different things, it's unbelievable!

We are now a little past the middle of March and it would be a lie to say that my birthday coming on the 31st has been the last thing on mind. I say again. It would be a lie if I said that my birthday on the last day of this month is or has been the last thing on my mind for it hasn't been on my mind at all!

This whole month so far, I've been working so hard on getting my drop shipping retail/e-commerce business to open up for shop. I must admit that there have even been times where I let it consume so much of my time it often times placed before my school studies this quarter. But something else has been a big on my mind as I have been thinking about it every day since New Year's Day. This July I will be joining Maranatha Volunteers International's Ultimate Workout 20, a teenaged mission trip, as a staff member. As a pastor and praise worship music leader, I will be witnessing, teaching, and even learning to and from others both young and old in the neighboring country of Mexico in the state of Chiapas. For almost a whole month, I will be living a very primitive lifestyle with no cell phones, internet, or any means of other technology. Tents, sleeping bags, limited showers per week, cold water, totally different foods, and living with a bunch of strangers who, by the end of the trip, will be my family.

So why Aaron? What is Maranatha? Why are you going out in the middle of nowhere, Mexico to live this excluded primitive life for a whole month?

Well to answer who Maranatha is, and what they do, here's a link for what they do. It's short and straightforward, but for me to go on about them would be beside my main point of WHY I'm going.

Having been raised being able to see many points of views on life, I learned early on how hard and short life really is without purpose. Growing up, I’ve been through severe financial struggles almost going homeless. Today, I am not only thankful that God has reached out and pulled me out of that hole, but that He has given me talents and wisdom to help others as well. I am thankful for every day of life that God gives me not only to do his works, but other good works within our world today. I have decided to get involved with charities and organizations that help to give opportunities and special moments to those who need them most. Recently, youtube star AJ Rafael went to the Philippines on a mission trip. Him and a small group raised money that they used to feed hungry children, perform free concerts, play & hangout with the local kids or whatever 'just to see them smile and make them happy'. You hear about other celebrities and well-known individuals who do other charity work around the world feeding children and providing clean drinking water for a period of time. Yes. It's a blessing to make a difference in their lives. But my question is, what happens next? ...What happens when those people on their mission trips leave and the funds they contributed slowly diminish until total inexistent? Things go right back to the way they are.

My mission trip will be different.

Last year on the Ultimate Workout 19 in Puyo, Ecuador, we constructed a quality two-building structured school and two 1-day churches. During the Ultimate Workout 20, we will be constructing numerous quality built churches that can also be used as classrooms to teach children. These buildings provide a safe and stable place to worship and learn basic education. The buildings we build on the Ultimate Workouts last for a long time and won't diminish slowly over time like money or supplies. While on the mission trip, we will conduct vacation bible schools for the children where we teach them about the Bible and teach them basic songs of praise. We will also conduct health clinics tending to vital health needs in the area providing items from antibiotics to toothbrushes and dental floss. Cleaning any local parks as community service to help ensure the safety for children is also included. The things we do will be great but there is also another group of people that will be affected while on the trip, and that is us - the participants. We will be pushed mentally, physically, spiritually, and morally farther than we have ever been pushed. Being in a foreign country out in a desolate area away from the comforts of our home, we will be forced to rely on God more than we have ever before. The bond we will make with the participants at each and everyone of the 6 different sites around the city will be amazing. Not only will it be affecting participants there then, but it is affecting me now.

To prepare for this trip is like preparing for a big marathon (like the upcoming LA Marathon on Sunday!), or big mountain hike. It takes physical preparation, mental preparation, and for this trip, spiritual preparation is a must especially while I am going as a site pastor. Morals and core beliefs must be set for they will definitely be put to the test. I am always working hard in all of these areas in my life not just for this mission trip but for my regular, everyday lifestyle. But hey... I gotta admit that for this whole quarter, I've put on a couple of stomach pounds and I've gotten out of shape a bit. That has changed as of this week. It is time to exercise. It is time to prepare myself emotionally and mentally for the challenges that might lay ahead. Spiritually, I must prepare and be strong in my Word and be ready to preach and teach to other teenagers. -In that area, I've been speaking and leading our in my church's youth small groups to help prepare. Not a single day goes by anymore without me thinking about the trip that lays ahead. Not one. The journey is far and the path to staying on track is narrow but I feel this is God's calling for me. Teach the word to others. Witness to others. Of course makes friends and family-like bonds. Making a difference in the lives of the local area and giving them something that will last if not forever, for a very long time. It is a life changing experience for both us, the participants and the local people of Chiapas. It is already changing my life as I am preparing every day. I will be talking about this trip more and more as it gets near. Of course there are expenses for the trip. If you would like to contribute, you can visit my website at www.aaronnakamura.com click 'Upcoming Events' and Read my personal letter to you. The 2nd page explains how you can make a tax-deductible donation either online or by sending a check. To find out more about the Ultimate Workout 20, click here. or visit www.maranatha.org or of course, my website at www.aaronnakamura.com


If you're reading this, I want to say thank you for even reading what I have just said. Even if you cannot contribute monetarily, please pray for me and that I may be a tool for God and a light of the world. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

-Aaron Nakamura

Always Suffer?

Think about this quote from Woody Allen. Is it true? Not true? Sometimes true? Or my personal favorite, it depends on the situation?

To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering, one must not love. But then, one suffers from not loving. Therefore, to love is to suffer; not to love is to suffer; to suffer is to suffer.To be happy is to love. To be happy, then, is to suffer, but suffering makes one unhappy.
Therefore, to be happy, one must love or love to suffer or suffer from too much happiness.
-Woody Allen

The Best Dream Movie Award Goes to....

WOW!

Last night I had thee BEST dream ever! Well... in the movie category that is!

Everyone has dreams whether they remember them or not. But last night, I had a dream that was one of a kind! Picture watching a movie that you have never seen (so that you are pretty interested because you've never seen it before), only you are IN the movie and although you don't get to change or control what happens in the movie, you can control what YOU do in the movie!

Well this is exactly what happened to me last night.....

------------

I was running with a friend. Don't know his name but he was my friend. It was some sort of training camp session and the terrain we were running through was rough and outdoorsy just as if the trail were a trail normal people would hike on. We were ahead of everyone that was running and everyone now and then along the path, there were what reminded me of staff sergeants yelling and letting us know how far more the trail goes giving us the choice to either keep going where the end was far out of site, or stop, pack up, and go home. Although it was our choice, they gave it to us as if they were discouraging us from attempting to make it to the end.

My friend and I kept running and although the thought of quitting raced through our minds, that's pretty much all it did as we made the decision to keep on going no matter what these men along the trail said. We could make it. We were tough and we were far ahead of all the rest behind us.

Through rough terrain. Up the dirt trails. Down. Around the bend and alongside beautiful meadows sometimes. Trampling through small river banks and sweating hard, but alongside me? My friend and we were ahead of everyone one making us feel unstoppable!

We did it. The last test was over. We made it to the end and just as a dream disables you from remembering those fine, small details the end was a blur. But one thing I know. My friend and I made it and we were now part of some sort of special task force kinda like them Navy Seals. ....but better.

Months later, it was just another mission and although passing the test was still very vivid in my mind, we were now all experienced with many missions under our belts. That's right, there are 30 of us men and women. We are the best the U.S. military has. We have the highest skills and we are given the most dangerous missions. We were marching through a meadow of tall grass and overgrown weeds. It was some sort of valley as on both sides there were small mountains. It was a perfect ambush area to trap us. We knew it, but it was the only trail to take to reach our rendezvous point and we could only move through the valley as quick as we can. We're running at a fast pace and just ahead, a blind spot. The whole valley meadow bends around to the left but in our line of sight was a mountain we had to go around. We raced around the bend, a horrible mistake, for as we all got around the bend, there was an army of about a thousand men tanks and all. They were Russians...

Immediately, they start laying siege on us and just ahead is an old abandoned barn. Taking heavy fire from both men and tank, we took shelter in the barn and got into these trenches in the barn where we are in the barn, just below the ground, and if we look just over the lip of the trench and under the barn wall of wood, you could see the army out in the short distanced meadow. Everytime we popped our heads up, they fired at us. We were stuck, pinned down, and couldn't move.

Everytime some Russians tried to get near, we killed 'em. No one could get near us, but we couldn't take on their big army. Even the best can be outnumbered.

Hours went by and we were basically just laying there in those trenches! Every now and then Russians would try to sneak up on us only to be killed by the best the United States has to offer. The battle was at a standstill. We were in a barn and the Russian army was right outside. If we were to make any attempt to leave, there was no doubt we would all would perish; it didn't matter how good we were.

Suddently, like a flashlight cuts through darkness, a loud yell is heard coming from the Russian army and as I look up just over the lip of the trench, I saw a huge white flag being waved alongside a unarmed man who is walking toward us in the barn. We don't shoot letting him and his flag bearer in the barn. He is the General of the Russian army himself and he tells us that he will let us go IF we give up two of our men one of them being our captain. Who was the captain? Our captain was the same guy that I was running with at the beginning of my whole dream -my best friend.

A long pause of silence filled the room.

In shock of us all, our captain agreed and signed some sort of document and handed it over to the Russians. The Russians left for a while while the silence continued on for the obvious purpose of someone stepping forward to sacrifice themself for the rest of the group. One fellow soldier and friend stepped forward. All showing appreciation by patting him on the shoulder.

But I was still in disbelief. What about the captain? He's not just my captain, but my best friend!!!
The Russians returned, this time with 2 armed soldiers. It was execution style right in front of us. We watched as my best friend and fellow soldier stood side by side getting ready to be shot and killed from the back. Tears began running down my face and a few others started tearing up. I couldn't hold myself together.

I woke up from my dream and in reality I was crying! REAL tears were streaming down my face! I wiped my tears from my face and jumped right back in my dream.

All I heard were the gun shots. The visual perception was blacked out.

That night they died. A fellow soldier and friend of mine, as well as my captain and best friend. But they did not die in vain for the rest of us 28 walked away from the battlefield unharmed and free. We will never forget our captain and fellow friend and how they sacrificed their lives for us.

Never forget the fantedible 30.

An Awesome Weekend!

Hello!

So I tried to make a video blog to post here instead of just typing up a blog entry, but it didn't load. (Boy I sound lazy eh?) So here I go typing!

This weekend was AWESOME! A lot of things happened this weekend!

So friday, I got my new digital grand piano! Which I am super excited about! You know how they say to physically write down your plans & goals on paper for both short term and long term? Well a while back, I did that. I made a list of things I wanted and planned to get within the nearby (short-term) future. I put the 3 things on a stickie note on my macbook pro's desktop so every time I opened my laptop I would see the stickie and read it every time.

The 3 things on the note were:

1. Alexis USB Sound Board with 4 Inputs - $149.99
2. Yamaha Arius YDP140 Digital Piano - $1,039.99
3. 2010 Audi S4 $45,900

Now I don't know the exact percentage, but I remember reading that the percentage of all americans, if not, everyone in the world is very low when talking about people who physically write down their goals. The small percentage that do write down their goals are most likely to achieve those goals.

The first item on the list is a sound board or a mixer. I already have one exactly like it, but the USB piece of the board broke and doesn't work in the sense that I can't plug it into my macbook or computer like I want. So I need a new one to make recording A WHOLE LOT easier. I plan to get this hopefully within the next month or two.

The second item I wanted because it was the exact same digital piano I used in one of my music classes over at CSULA and I LOVED the way it sounded. I even brought my then working sound board to record inside the actual class during the class and also loved the way it sounded when recorded! So I made that specific choice.

And of course, who wouldn't agree how just flat out sexy audis are???

So a week ago I got a letter from the Pasadena City College saying that they were having a piano and being that I was a local musician I had the option of making a private appointment before the public sale to get first priority on the pianos that they have. Among the many pianos they had were digital pianos! So that night after receiving the letter I called to make an appointment. Instead of getting a used digital grand piano for a used price, I ended up getting a brand new digital grand piano for a used price! You see, the school (PCC), at the time of ordering, they had ordered one or two extra and in turn, never used. Upon arriving at my appointment time this past Friday, I viewed a used one. The lady showing the piano to my mother and I, said that it was sold and was unavailable. Even so, I sat down at the piano bench, turned the piano on, and started playing just to see how it would feel and sound. The showroom lady again stated that it was sold and was unavailable. I pulled out my headphones which I had brought, plugged them in & put them on, and continued playing. She stuttered to make the statement again but was quick to stop herself by stating that she would go check in the back to see if they have any more. So she did, and when she returned she came back with the sweetest news ever. They had one more left and it was still boxed up, brand new! I asked if we would still get the used price of $1,250.00 for this new piano. She said "Yessss! Of courseee for youu!" in a chinese accent. So I went home happy :)

I was shocked that I had gotten my digital grand. I thought of that list I made. Y'see I have been making money selling things on ebay ($850 in the past 4 weeks) and I will soon be getting a job building a friend's website for $500. Add that up, and it gets my digital grand piano! So WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN EVEN IF THEY ARE BIG ONES. You never know how you will achieve that goal, but just by writing your goals down, you are one step closer to achieving it! ..just how I achieved my big goal of getting my digital grand piano to record my music.

With the sound board, like I said, I will probably getting it within the next two months easing my recording processes. And I have no doubt that my Audi S4 is coming soon.

Friday evening, I went to my usual friday night rehearsal for the youth praise band that I run.
Saturday morning I went to church and came back around 2ish?
Saturday evening I went to my church's Valentine Social which is basically a semi-formal dinner with live entertainment. The entertainment was the Michael McDaniel's Jazz Quartet. It was interesting for me to see the jazz band and to hear a different style of music I am not used to listening to. It's always a benefit to listen to a broad range of music genres and appreciate them. So that was nice. But I must say, this Valentines was quite lonely without a date! heeheehee...

Sunday morning I woke up early to clean the WHOLE house for my BBQ! I also transformed my garage into a music recording studio having drums, my new digital grand, speakers, my recording computers, bass amps.... Just the whole works! We had the BBQ. Some friends came over and it was awesome!

Sunday night 4 guys slept over and we had a blast! Everything from making crazy videos to wrestling, to... more crazy videos! We woke up this morning, had breakfast, made some more crazy videos, and did some more wrestling. We went to a chinese buffet for lunch and got some boba. Came back. Tried to make some fun, silly music recordings but failed miserably and the guys left. I then had to transform my garage back into a garage for I wouldn't have time tomorrow while I'll be at school from 8am to just over 8pm... A tiring but CRAZY FUN weekend.

So lesson I guess is to WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN AND PUT THEM IN A PLACE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AND READ EVERYDAY!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, Valentine's Day, and President's Day! Have an awesome week!

-Aaron

Anak, my child?

Hello!

Every evening we have a family dinner in my house except tuesdays and thursdays now since I come back from school late on those days. Today I was talking to my parents about the drop shipping business I am going to be starting hopefully within the next 3 weeks (Google what drop selling is if you don't know what it is). So we were all talking about it and we are just about ready to take the few steps needed to get underway and I finally asked what the name of my website will be.

My dad suggested that I do a 'my name' one like aaronnakamura.com or something which I quickly dismissed as being sorta lame and since I already have a personal website (www.sourmilkproductions.com) and I don't need a business one with my personal name. Plus I don't want the public knowing that my store's name is simply my full name. I stated that if anything, I want the store name to be the farthest away from my name! Then my mom suggested that I do something like AaronNak.com. Another lame name. Then I thought.... What about anak? I said this with having the filipino translation "my child" in mind. (Anak in tagalog = "my child") We started discussing it but I knew that with such a simple word also meaning my initials A(aron)nak(amura). But such a common filipino word I knew that "www.anak.com" would be taken... So I started thinking of stuff to add to the name like "anak123.com" or "easyanak.com" but non had that golden ring to it. It was hilarious. The ideas that were being pumped out by my parents were HILARIOUS.

But I have come up with a name for my website/business! I'm not going to say because I haven't registered the name yet. Hopefully I will have it registered tomorrow or by this weekend the latest.

Check out my current personal website at www.sourmilkproductions.com if you haven't already. Please keep me in your prayers that this business will be a success!!

-Aaron Nak

Is This All Life Has to Offer?

So for those of you who don't know, I haven't been feelin' this quarter at all. School-wise. I don't like my classes and I don't know... the whole "ish" and the whole vibe about this quarter isn't so great.

With that said....

Lately, just about every night before I go to bed I always wonder and ask myself, "Is this what life has to offer? Is this what I'm meant to be doing? What will I be doing in the future? Will I be successful? I hope so.... Will I grow up and find "the one" and have a nice family? I really hope so..." and just questions I don't know the answers to. I could only hope for the best.... right?

Tonight just as I was about to go to bed, the series of questions began flooding my mind again except this time I remembered a quote from the bible I remembered reading when I was preparing for one of my lessons for my youth group a few weeks ago. It's found in the book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 14-16:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -NIV

And it not only gave me hope, but purpose, faith, and inspiration.

You see a lot of times we often worry about the future and wonder what our purpose in this world is. Well this verse clearly gives us the answer. We are the LIGHT of the world! We are to be good christians by setting an example on how the bible teaches us how to live! We are to spread the gospel and make disciples as it says in Matthew 28:19.

How do we know if we are being lights of the world? Ask yourself, Throughout your daily lives, Do people see God through your works? What kind of impression do you think you are making on people? Is it a good one? Live for God. Trust in God. If you trust in God every step of your life, then you should know that He will take care of you and He knows what is right for you!

Worry no more. God has a purpose for you!

Until next time, many Blessings!

Hello!

So I want to take the time to say that I did a few updates to my website so you can go check it out!

Also, I finished my mission story report booklet and it is now in its final stages of editing and proofreading and all of that good stuff. So hopefully an electronic version will be available on my website by this weekend and a binded printed version will be out by the end of next month! Also! I will be writing a 1,100 worded story which will be a small excerpt from my mission story booklet and will not only be published in Insight Magazine, but it will be a cover story for July's Ultimate Workout mission trip edition! So I'm excited for that to come!

But down to a deeper more serious side of things...

Right now, I am uploading a story to my website I would like you to read. It is about a young man who decided to follow God even in a place where he was considered a terrorist for doing so. In some places in the world it’s illegal and often dangerous to share one’s faith with others. So I encourage you to go and read the very short story entitled "Pray for Me".

You can visit my website at www.sourmilkproductions.com and the story will be under 'Studies & Writings'.

Until next time, God bless you!

-Aaron Nakamura