• chillin with my dad and sisters
• ice hockey almost every morning my first week there
• downtown
• roast lamb dinner at stephos
• resurrection of the BEAST
• canucks merchandise all discounted cuz they were eliminated from the playoffs (this was actually bittersweet =/)
• late night roller hockey in new west
• all you can eat at sui shi ya
• spending 2bills on a vintage naslund jersey.. when i originally only intended to spend $130 on a jersey with no name on it
• tempting kris to buy a canucks jersey also.. when he NEVER intended to buy one at all (and he totally did hahah)
• overcoming my fear of holding new born babies
• spending time with the rafers and balces
• getting text msgs from deedee askin me to crash cuz dale wanted to "love me down" hahah
• FOBed out mothers day breakfast at the ner's residence (when i say FOBed out.. i mean eating tocino and longanisa for breakfast.. with your hands.. on BANANA LEAVES hahah)
• jammin after solidrock service with dale on bass and rodel on the drums
• wing wednesdays at earls
• watching "crossover" at justins (BEST movie ever. it was rated 1.5/10 on IMDb.. so it has to be good right?! hahah)
• extending my westjet reservations from the 12th to the 14th of may
• extending my westjet reservations from the 14th to the 17th of may haha

• "dirty is the new clean"
• preach the gospel always.. and if necessary, use words. - st.francis
  
  

05/01/07 - U2. where the streets have no name

you know that feeling when you like someone alot and it feels like you cant breathe??!! thats how i feel when i watch the canucks play.. haha. sometimes i just gotta take deep breaths cuz i feel like im gonna have a heart attack (seriously) hehe. and its soooo PATHETIC how calgary flames fans can STILL have the biggest mouths EVER.. even when their CRAPPY team isnt even in the playoffs. but ionno.. i guess im just trying to vent right now cuz im so pissed that the canucks lost tonight. and my wall can attest to that.. cuz in my frustration i threw my chair towards my bed, which then hit the wall putting a hole in it =/

03/03/07 - lincoln brewster. another hallelujah

i guess this is kinda a response/update to my april.5.06 blog (which is funny cuz that blog was almost a year ago but its still only two blogs down hahah). ANYways.. since then i was given the role of "worship/music ministry coordinator" at wildrose christian church here in calgary.and its been a bit stressful at times (OOR.. umm.. ALOT of the time haha). but generally.. its been just grand =) hehe.. i say 'awesome' too much =P

the constant expectation of the heavenly. throughout this past year ive been trying to incorporate a mindset within our worship band to have a heart for really expecting God to show up. and it kinda hit me hard just this past september after family camp when i found myself thinking.. "why is it only at special events?!??!" and we can all prolly ask ourselves that question. we feel it at youth camps, conferences, when we walk into rexall place and we're just awestruck at the sight of 18000 people all gathered to worship God.. and you just cant help but get those "holy shivers" heh. and God just started to pull my clueless self along and showed me that what makes these events "special" isnt the fact that so many people show up.. but its the fact that prolly half the people who do show up, show up with an expectation. no matter how huge or small, people show up to these events with an expectation for Gods glory to be shown and for Him to change lives for eternity. and sure there are people who may have no clue what to expect or why theyre even going to these places.. but for those who are expecting, God's unfailing love never ceases to amaze us =)

which now brings me to the reason i decided to blog hehe.. as i said above, its been about a year and throughout this year ive been talking to the band about expecting God to show up and to expect people to encounter God in a way that is undeniably straight from Him.. but not just at "events", but during our regular sunday worship services also. (PROPS to anyone who counts how many times i have used the root word 'expect' in this update hahah). but i guess at times im guilty for relying too much on the music. ill find myself trying to come up with crazy medlys where id be so excited saying "GARY.. ok.. youre gonna build it up like crazy at the end of 'you never let go'.. lots of crash, crazy high-hat and maybe a big snare roll.. kay.. KAY!!!... wait for it...crescendo.. ANNND noooww into 'amazing grace'.. perfect!" (thats just an example of our practices heheh) but theres no way anyone can manufacture true worship. sure there are times when nothing goes smoothly and it feels as if everyones totally off, and even for myself i go through some dry seasons and it becomes so hard to worship let alone lead worship.. but in the end, if we rely on God He will always direct us towards Himself.

worship at its craziest yo. just this past sunday (feb25th) God just opened my eyes even more to what it really means to wait patiently expecting His presence. ive been leading worship for about 2 years now and i dont think ive ever felt God so intimately during a regular sunday service. and this is not to say im like an awesome worship leader or anything hehe. but i just feel God allowed me to break down so many barriers i had that were preventing me from fully encountering Him. and i just heard Him say.. "john, just wait".. "theres nothing in this world you can do to lead people in worship but to wait patiently, prepare your heart and to have a true longing for Me (Jesus)". and when we come ready and expectant to encounter our King.. something crazy happens. and a feeling sooo fresh just overcame me as if i had never worshipped before. and it was crazy cuz ive always talked to the band  about "prepared spontaneity" and it was amazing because at the end of the worship set right before the message i had no clue how to end it (and i didnt want to end it) i just remember thinking "WOW.. God is sooo awesome".. so i briefly stepped back to the mic and started the song 'Our God is an Awesome God' and i had my eyes closed but all i heard were voices that were singing with intention and adoration so i stepped away from the mic and its just something you cant describe when you hear a congregation united lifting up the name of Jesus.. and even though i was leading worship last sunday, i truly felt it was Jesus through me =) and i praise God cuz it was the first sunday that almost all the church came up to me and expressed how the worship (through music) blessed them. and its the best feeling knowing God is using you for His glory...

but im just dumb cuz im thinking about this weeks service and im thinking 'how can we top last weeks service?!?' and im worried we'll (or i'll) never reach that kind of worship again... but i guess i just have to keep realizing that we cant put a limit on how God works..  we just have to come ready, wherever we are, having a constant expectancy for Jesus.. and He'll show up. 
but i hope this didnt come off as boasting (thats if you read the whole thing cuz i know it was kinda long hehe).. im just so excited and its just something you cant really keep inside =) hehe

recent pic of the youth i found on jills multiply. this was only my first time going to youth in a while and you guys got huge. this is only half of the youth.. the rest were outside smoking =)

ANYways..other quick updates:

• stepped down from the youth min to focus more on worship.. so whenever i do go to youth i wont be bringing my guitar. but i gotta say..you guys are doing awesome (gian, jill, jasmine, joseph and paolo). only critique.. you guys gotta tune your guitars hahah. but other than that.. you guys are awesome. thumbs up yo
  
• been snowboarding quite a bit.. good thing the mountains are open until may here in alberta =)
  
• my friends bro is hooking me up with a whole burton set-up: board, bindings and boots. for a ridiculously cheap price. wont say how much cuz i think 'the bruce' reads my blog every once in a while ;/ but for burton gear its an amazing deal.. and if you are reading this bruce (which i think is weird) i saved up for it.. so all that financial peace garbage is paying off hah.
  
• a new addition to my pedal board: DUNLOP GCB-95 crybaby WAH Pedal (maybe ill add one of my poser guitar pics with it later heh)
  
• look out for new worship albums: hillsong united: all of the above (march '07 release), steve fee: burn for you (released january '07)
  
• steve fee. thanks for the years at 7:22
  
• even though i barely update.. im staying true to friendster and xanga. and i guess myspace since my celebrity friends are on it hahah. threes enough to maintain.. sorry facebook. maybe someday *thumbs down*
  
• the office is awesome
  
• my car gives me headaches =)

08/01/06 - dashboard. dusk and summer

inthelazysummer. funny how prior to my trip, my plans were to stay in vancouver for only a week. and this was all for the fact that i had become comfortable with all that calgary had to offer (which isnt much HAH). but now im back, after my 3 time extended trip, trying to get back into the swing of things.. and i cant?!! the days are going by with me just waiting for the sun to set.. and the idea to pack up and move back to vancouver has been itching in the back of my head. i actually didnt unpack my things until yesterday.. despite the fact that ive been here a week already hehe =/ but dont get me wrong.. i know it sounds like im drowning myself in self pity (which i guess isnt too far from the truth hehe) but REALLY im writing this depressing blog to say how much i miss you (ill just leave the "you" open-ended hehe).... ive been in calgary a little over a year now and ive met peeps here that will prolly be "mah friends fo lyfe yo".. but vancouver will always be my home and ill always consider ticc part of my life (although.. when i go back to vancouver im gonna be supporting pastor sway wherever he is.. cuz hes my paborite!) ANYways.. here are some highlights from my 3 week trip to vancouver:

july 8.06 balce/gonzales wedding. you guys are awesome.. and no matter how much it KILLS ME to say.. you guys were made for each other =( but remember deeds.. when you realize who dale REALLY is.. ill be waiting haha. btw.. thanks for the garter deeds heh =/

1 rehearsal dinner at the balce residence. to explain the pic.. originally mark daniel and i were only tryin to cover the lacoste symbol on our shirts cuz we were wearing the same ones. but i guess xave, ram and sway thought we were doing a gay pose for the camera and that explains the rest haha =/ 2 uncle eds hardcore pose is the best heh 3 bros...

1 xave, jacky, renz and i feelin' the effects of the "alcohol" from allll the toasting at the reception hehe =/ 2 maureen and i 3 tantan and i drunk before the wedding hehhe =/

july 9.06 dashboard confessional (plaza of nations). huge thanks to my big cuz mike for the tickets. the concert was awesome.. however at times it seemed like people were worshipping haha =/ btw.. MIKE RAFER you owe me 10$ man. if bon or rebecca ever read this.. remember when we went to mcdonalds after the concert?!? mike didnt buy your meals... I DID! i just didnt say cuz i was under the impression that mike was gonna pay me back hahah. what a guy..

1 chris carraba. lead vocals/guitar 2 john lefler. lead guitar/keys 3 mike marsh. drums 4 scott schoenbeck. bass

july 14-16.06 ticc family camp. wow.. things have really changed at ticc (and thats an understatement). but as sappy as it sounds.. whenever i was with the ticc church family i always had a warm feeling in my heart. and it might be because i miss ticc so much and was so happy to be back.. but i also know that through all the obstacles ticc has faced in the last year.. one thing has always remained the same. and thats the fact that Jesus will always be lifted up high. and i know God will bring men unto himself through ticc. john 12.32.... ANYways.. i gotta give tito jonah props for the new worship song.. "AMEN... AMEN... AMEN... amen!!!" hahah.

1 calgary fo lyfe yo!... NOOOT haha 2 miss sellout and i 3 me and my ateh lai hehe =) 4 thumbs up yo..

1 calgary/vancouver peeps 2 tantan and i drunk at family camp =/ 3 the only downside to family camp was that i lost my very expensive lacoste shirt.. as seen above. i better not find any of you guys wearing it when i come back hehe ;/

july 5-25.06 random pics

1 kiana and i.. i totally think shes the cutest baby. and she even kissed my cheek twice hahah 2 my paborite pastors wife, dez.. and danica on my last day in vancouver 3 greg and i waiting in jaffs car 4 this is hilarious.. and the only reason it was so packed was because of me haha. sorry yo =/

randoms pics i found going through pastor cliffs computer hehe

1 wildrose worship 2 easter sunday.. leading one of my favorite medlys. kristian stanfills version of 'jesus paid it all' into 'uniteds - hallelujah' 3 hahah YES we're posers 4 me, mark daniel and gary v 5 our 'anchor man' high five =)

before i go... i just wanted to say sorry to the people i unintentionally sold out while i was in vancouver. just to name a few.. my cuz jay(maybe we'll plan lunch another time haha), justin (really sorry man) and even mark daniel a couple times (but i know we're always cool)... also there was someone missing.. hmmmm. who was it?!? ESTEPH hahah.. where were you the whole 3 weeks i was in town haha?!!

some things tie your life together / with slender threads of things to treasure / days like that should last and last and last..

quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer . . .      

04/05/06 - united. selah/hallelujah

these are two amazing worship albums.. last night i was lying in my bed, all ready to sleep, all the lights out, but with my headphones on listening to these two albums.. and for a lack of better words.. i was blown away! the air i breathe.. if you know me well.. when i start talking about worship, worship music or even when im by myself putting together a worship set for sunday and trying to put together new renditions of songs,  i get sooo excited. and last night was not an exception =) as i was listening to the two styles of worship i couldnt help myself but get out of bed, grab my two guitars and start sounding out the electric leads and the acoustic rhythms for all the songs hehhe. and before i new it the time was 6am =/ but it got me thinking.. is it a passion for MUSIC? or a passion for WORSHIP to God?!?

im gonna be completely honest... sometimes when im not leading worship i play the role of a worship critic (which is totally an oxymoron =/ hehe). im not gonna speak for anyone but myself.. but for any of you who play an instrument, sing, or lead worship and have worshipped in the pews and had the thought.. "man.. i could have played a better riff than that" or "this drummer has no rhythm...".. or just straight up "that guy sucks!" hahhah just kidding about that last one... but id be lying if i said ive never had a thought that were along those lines =P BUT WHY DOES IT MATTER?! if worship is our own personal declaration to what we value most.. whether it by strumming your heart out or singin' your lungs out all for Jesus.. who am i to judge? (btw.. after listening to these albums i realized how much i suck at the guitar ANYways heheh)....

so back to the original question (is it a passion for music or a passion to worship God?) i trully believe that God has been slowly revealing the answer to me through this whole experience. when we first arrived in calgary i have got to admit that i was a wreck. i remember waking up one sunday morning in our first month here and feeling what was prolly the most awful feeling i have ever felt in my whole life. and my answer was to not go to church and to just sleep it off. and it turned out i slept it off for the whole first month in calgary hehe. but to make a long story short.. i believe God put me in a position where i had almost nothing. i was away from the place i grew up, away from the friends i cared about and lov... *BLAH* hehhe.. i was away from the church i was so comfortable in.. away from the guys i looked up to the most for advice and worship (jose, dale and uncle russ.. yeah believe it or NOT)... and at the time, i was bitter towards my family for dragging me out into the middle of NOWHERE =P... so i had nothing to cling to.... and thats when God just broke me into a million pieces. he made me realize that when the music fades and ALL is stripped away there is NOTHING.. there is NO ONE you can run to for shelter or comfort. there were no more AMAZING MUSICIANS to run to for a worship nite and no more uncle russ for crazy guitar hook-ups. He put me in a position where i had to put ALL my trust, ALL my hope and my everything in Him. as result God has allowed me to grow as a worship leader at wildrose and i believe through the obstacles and MANY struggles Gods glory has been shown and has been evident in our group *thumbs up Jesus* hahah........ i have a passion to WORSHIP Jesus and i pray His glory will fall in this place..

the appropriate response to anything that happens in life is to worship God...

MAN.. i feel sorry for the guy on the right. IM just glad MY pedal board on the LEFT is HUMONGOUS =)

wow.. its been a while since i blogged about something that had some meaning to me =)