Daily Life

 It’s been an emotional and eye-opening time for me and being here has reminded me how important family truly is. I flew back to the United States to be with my mother before and after her procedure. When I first arrived, she wasn’t doing well at all her pain, her stress, everything felt overwhelming. But now, by God’s grace, she is doing so much better. In fact, she’s more optimistic than I am at times. I love her deeply, and all I want is the best for her. I pray that everything goes well with her procedure tomorrow. These past days, I’ve done a lot to help her, and honestly, I’m exhausted. I’ve been busy from the moment I arrived and haven’t really had a chance to rest. Sharing the room with her brings me comfort, even though my feet hang off the bed, but I do it without hesitation because I love her. I want her to be healthy, strong, and able to come live with me in Vietnam. I want her to experience real happiness and to use that beautiful, positive personality God gave her to ...

 As the days roll by and the roads get rough, I start to see clearer and learn to stay tough. When my mind drifts quietly, heavy with doubt, I see myself changing while my light flickers out. What I once loved feels distant, fading slow, And all I’ve ever known is to give and to glow. Making others happy  that’s where I find peace, Yet my own joy feels faint, like it’s starting to cease. My intentions are clean, no darkness inside, But the thought of feeling fulfilled is something I hide. That feeling of comfort, of being gently seen  It’s foreign, almost strange, like a forgotten dream. My mind feels fragile, though my face stays kind, For love and being cared for rarely cross my mind. Still I stand here hoping, through silence and pain, That the Lord lifts this weight and makes me whole again. -J.Perez A Prayer for Today In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, Lighten the weight in all our hearts. Help him see with clarity, not exhaustion. R...

  Today, I arrived in Ha Long a place so beautiful it feels almost unreal. The mountains are endless, the water sparkles with life, and the sky stretches beyond sight. Yet even in this paradise, my emotions still fluctuate. I remain uncertain of how I feel or how I’ll continue, but through prayer and faith, I know nothing is impossible. Before anything else, a short prayer: God, thank You for this day for the opportunity to experience what life has to offer in this beautiful place. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, one I wish everyone could see and feel. I began as a simple child with dreams that seemed impossible, but now I can say I’ve touched those dreams. I’ve explored the other side of the world, met beautiful souls, and seen Your creation in ways words can’t capture. Still, Lord, my thoughts are scattered. My heart feels heavy, but my gratitude runs deep. Please protect my mother. Please protect my family. Please bless us financially so I may bring my mother here, cl...

With all the problems we face daily,  this is something I gladly share with the world. Today, I had time to reflect to see life from many angles. God has blessed me in countless ways, and I know there is still so much more to do with Him by my side. My uncle’s passing still stings deeply. I don’t think this ache will ever fade, but it fuels my desire to bring my mother here, to keep her safe and close. I worry about her health, her peace, her tomorrow. My uncle, Tío Papo, is struggling his tears, his pain, his exhaustion from loss. It hurts to know there’s no easy cure for the emptiness death leaves behind. And so, from this place of prayer, I write:                                                                                               ...

God, today is another day. Yesterday, news of my uncle’s fading life shattered my calm. The hours that followed blurred into worry for him, for my mother, for a family that feels smaller with every season that passes. The ones still here are fighting battles of their own, tired and worn. And I, too, am tired. Yet I still pray. I pray because prayer is the only thing that holds me together when nothing else will. Yesterday’s classroom felt like a storm voices clashing, directions unheard, hearts wandering. I stood there, trying to bring peace to the noise, but the more I tried, the more it slipped away. The students spoke over my voice. The TA stood silent. And I felt like the world was watching me fall apart. But even in that chaos, You were there. Quiet. Steady. Patient. You whispered to me through the noise  “It’s okay, my son. You are still enough.” Later, I sat alone with a cup of Vietnamese coffee. The same kind I used to share with my uncle. And as the arom...