A few people that journey together as a part of Haven…

LISA BRIZUELA

What has been one of your greatest lessons in life so far?
Sometimes I feel deserving of something because of the amount of effort I put in. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, my life isn’t entirely in my control. All I know is that I can do as much as I can, I put in my part and trust that God will take care of the rest and that the rest is better for me than what I desire.

What’s a dream that you hope to accomplish before you die?
Being a great mother.

Who is one of your heroes and why?
I’ve got a few who equally qualify as my hero because they see a need and they find a way to bring resolve. It’s always a struggle for me to get past the hesitation and just do it, so I respect those that can move past the initial hesitation.

Describe your perfect day, from the time you wake up until you go to bed?
Wake up and spend some time praying/reading > go for a light jog > drink coffee with a delicious pastry > dress up in the new outfit picked out by my husband > enjoy the day planned out by husband…beach side lunch, going to a carnival, candlelit dinner…romantical stuff > ending the day with some wine while soaking in a bath or hot tub > going to bed.

What’s one joy and one challenge about your faith in Jesus?
Joy – there is always, always hope and redemption. He is capable of turning every bad situation into something good. Challenge – disciplining myself to reading and meditating on the Word daily.

ALAN HOM

What has been one of your greatest lessons in life so far?
Don’t get hung up on all the things of this world. What seems so important during one season of your life becomes an anecdote in the forthcoming seasons. So…… chill.

What’s a dream that you hope to accomplish before you die?
To see a Super Bowl, a World Series, NBA championship game and the University of Wyoming ranked first in the college football rankings.

Who is one of your heroes and why?
Richard Winters. He was a lieutenant in WWII for the 101st Airbourne that the Band of Brothers was base on. He represented a generation that lived through the deprivation of the Great Depression, transformed from an ordinary civilian into a leader of men going into battle, and coming home to lead the life he prayed to God for during that time. His qualities of compassion, fairness, discipline, assessing situations and taking immediate actions are stuff that I want in my heroes.

Describe your perfect day, from the time you wake up until you go to bed?
Waking up when I want to, not because of old man’s disease. Kissing my lovely wife good morning. Taking the dog on a stroll to get the paper. Making breakfast and reading the funny papers. Kissing my lovely wife to wake her up for lunch. Playing a round of golf without losing a ball and only 2 putt at all 18 holes. Go play with the grandchildren until it’s nap time (for all of us). Kissing my lovely wife before dinner. Having a wonderful meal of prime rib, rice, oven fresh buns, canned green beans/sweet peas, and top it off with a big ol’ slice of cherry pie (ice cream optional).

What’s one joy and one challenge about your faith in Jesus?
The joy of life all around me. The challenge: To have the courage and strength to obey Matthew 28:18 – 20, for 24/7.

MAYRA BARAJAS

What has been one of your greatest lessons in life so far?
That no one is perfect and that is okay. I have in the past wanted my parents to be perfect and I been let down, but now I realize that only God is perfect. I came to understand that we are only human and that we are flawed.

What’s a dream that you hope to accomplish before you die?
A dream that I hope to accomplish before I die is to be the first in my family to graduate from college.

Who is one of your heroes and why?
My mother is one of my heroes. She let go of the safe and known for the unknown in order to give my siblings and I a better life.

Describe your perfect day, from the time you wake up until you go to bed?
Wake up after 7am > Shower and get ready for a day outdoors > Have breakfast > Go on a hike with my husband and enjoy a picnic out in the open > Have dinner with my family and husband’s family > Have time to knit and relax > Go to sleep.

What’s one joy and one challenge about your faith in Jesus?
My greatest joy is knowing Jesus. I am glad that I have Jesus in my life. My challenge is remembering that Jesus does not forget me. I know that everyone goes through periods of hardship, that does not mean that Jesus has abandon us.

ELTON LIN

What has been one of your greatest lessons in life so far?
I think my greatest realization has been discovering that God loves me. A close second is learning and relearning that the world doesn’t revolve around me and that’s a good thing.

What’s a dream that you hope to accomplish before you die?
Being a father.

Who is one of your heroes and why?
My mother – she modeled for me a love that makes no sense. And she gave me words that will empower me for the rest of my life. My other hero is my mentor Duane Adamson… he always saw potential in me, always believed in me, never doubted me even when I doubted myself.

Describe your perfect day, from the time you wake up until you go to bed?
Waking up around 7am… sit in the stillness of the morning, by myself > My wife snuggles up to me at around 9am and we look at each other… and whisper I love you > Breakfast of fresh biscuits, fruit and orange juice > Walk on the beach… mini-photo shoot of my wife and future kids > Lunch… Gyros [teleported from Chicago] > Nap > Play and read to my children > Dinner… sushi or New York style pizza > NBA Championship Game 7 – Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks… GSW wins 123-120 [5 rows up from the court] > Put the kids to sleep > Sit in bed with my wife recounting our years together as well as the buzzer shot by Stephen Curry > Husband and Wife stuff > A late night bowl of ramen noodles.

What’s one joy and one challenge about your faith in Jesus?
The greatest joy is knowing that you’re loved and accepted and that there is one constant, one source, one right and beautiful thing in this world… that being Jesus. The challenge is to believe it and to trust it. And to cut myself some slack, not succumb to the opinion of others and see myself as God sees me.