ciao 2010!

i have many goals for this new year. there are a bunch of things on my heart that i am still praying for. i just pray that God searches my heart and eliminates any selfish ambition and guides me in the right direction. i need to continue to seek His will for my life first & foremost and to fully trust that He will work in my heart and use me according to His perfect plan for me.

graduate from uci (finally). 2 more quarters with The Crick. run half-marathon. save money for cfbc missions trip. large bible studies. learn how to play guitar (foreal this time). finish the entire bible (finally). figure out post-college plans. more family & friends time. spread the gospel. grow in the knowledge and love of God.

and i pray that i acknowledge that all these things
will be accomplished for Christ and because of Christ.

ciao 2009!

2009 has been full of incredible blessings! i am so undeserving of the opportunities and lovely people God has blessed me with.

some highlights:

i finished up my last year dancing with MCIA (it was an amazing 4-year run). my oldest sister got married to the love her life. i turned 22 with the most wonderful birthday surprises ever. i was re-baptized!!. i moved out of 198 (sad i know). the bfriend celebrated his 23rd birthday with more surprises. lots of friendsies graudated, including my sister from nursing school. lots of birthdays, celebrations, reunions and shindigs. went through some challenges, learning to trust God more. participated in my first cfbc VBS. attended harvest crusade. celebrated 1 year with the bfriend. started the year as the Resident Advisor of Crickhollow. started training for half-marathon. read more of my Bible and grew closer to God. spent quality time with family, friends, bfriend and church family.


besides all these blessings, i cannot fail to forget the Blesser. dear God, you are soooo good to me. i still make mistakes and my flaws continue to surface, but You are so patient and so loving despite all of that. i pray that i remain faithful and trust in Your sovereignty even when these naive eyes cannot see the sliver lining. i praise You and i thank You for all these things that you have so graciously bestowed upon me and i pray that others may be grateful for the life you have given to them. i also pray that they acknowledge what else you offer them beyond this life--- the hope, peace, joy, abundant love in living a life for You because You sent your Son to die on a Cross so that we may live and enjoy these very blessings. thank You for another fabulous year and i pray that you reignite the passion to serve You, living a life worthy of You and to share the good news with those around us. to God be the glory. so see ya 2009 and hello 2010! :)

merry CHRISTmas!

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a

Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

[Luke 2:10-12]

this season is not about us. it's not about traditions and fancy gatherings. it's not about elaborate decorations or non-stop Christmas songs on the radio. it's not about buying, giving or receiving gifts. this is a season of celebration for the greatest gift ever.

this is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! this was no ordinary birth of an ordinary baby. this was the Son of God. this was God in the flesh born into this world to fulfill the greatest feat imaginable. God, an all-powerful being, coming into this world as a vulnerable human in the most modest circumstances to two faithful, common people. Jesus Christ sent into this world as a Savior, to save all man from all sins, a free gift that we do not deserve. this is great news! because of Jesus' birth, because of his ministry throughout his life and ultimately because of his death on the cross, we have the opportunity to reap the rewards if we only believe in him and live to follow his commandments. through faith in Christ, we are offered life beyond this life. through Christ, God gives us life and sustains our life, it only makes sense that we live in complete gratitude and submission to Him. God is forgiving and patient with our mistakes. Jesus saves us from our sins, offers peace and joy in life and gives us more than anyone or anything could ever offer. no matter how horrible your past was, God can transform you and give your life meaning. and i think that is more than enough reason to turn to Him. i really hope that this season is filled with the joy from understanding the true reason for the season--- CHRISTmas, a celebration of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

That's Christmas (Short Film) HD from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.

merry CHRISTmas friends! love you all!

almost.

there is a lot happening and there is a lot still to be done.
would you please soften hearts & transform minds to know You?

Lord, i can see the work that You are doing.
dear God, help us to continue to give You all the glory.

playtime.

so crazy.

"In Heaven exists a being that decides
whether or not I take another breath.
This Holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have"

- Francis Chan, "crazy love"

this plant started out maybe as tall as i was
when we moved into our house about 17 years ago.

as you can see, it started leaning to soak up more sun.

i came home last week and my dad asked me,
"did you see the plant?"

i replied,
"no, why?"

he said,
"flowers started blooming at the top.
you should take pictures of it".

so i did.

more than just the turkey.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

[Psalms 100:1-5]

==========

on sunday during our church's thanksgiving service, i was blessed to hear the message given by Pastor Lubaton of Faith Calvary Baptist Church. the title was "Be Thankful...For the Lord is Good!" oh man, what a great reminder of how absolutely undeserving we are for the wonderful blessings we are given (everything from the luxuries we enjoy or the very air we breathe!). but beyond that, how absolutely undeserving we are to have a sovereign God who abundantly pours out His unconditional love to us.

i'd just like to share the points that Pastor Lubaton presented.
some very important reasons why we should be thankful:

1) we have a sovereign God- there are no accidents/coincidences in life. God is in control of ALL things, though our flesh and pride often sways us to think otherwise.

2) God loves us unconditionally- though friendships and relationships can easily falter, we have the assurance that God continues to love us regardless of our condition, no matter how disobedient we are/were. God's love is so grand that He gave His only Son for us (which constantly boggles my mind!). God's mercy is so great that, only through Christ, He saves us from what we deserve by offering forgiveness for even our ugliest sins if we choose to have faith in Him. God's grace is so amazing that He continues to provide for us even when we do not deserve such blessings. because of this unconditional love, there is eternal salvation and eternal security.

3) we are forgiven- we've all made our mistakes, but they were not mistakes in God's eyes, they were part of His precise plan for our lives. how completely incredible to know that we can be forgiven for all our past failures when we humbly repent of our sinful lives and constantly strive to turn away from those sins and be like Christ. through our faith in Christ, our debts are completely erased and we should be eternally grateful.

4) we have direct communication with God through the Holy Spirit- God gives us so many things. sometimes we focus on the blessings more than the blesser. regardless if something good or something bad is happening, the Lord just wants our praise. how wonderful to know that through prayer, we can offer Him praise and cast our anxieties on a faithful God who grants our requests if it is according to His will.

it's not about what we receive, but who God is. when you have a problem, who better to go to but God himself who provides all things, gives all things, and loves us without question.

happy thanksgiving, lovelies!!

victory lap.

during my visit to the academic counselor:

me: "so I just need two more classes??"

counselor: "yes, now let me check if you have enough units... oh... wow, yes, you definitely have more than enough."


next quarter:
+ psychology of language
+ coaching sports
+ astronomy
+ beginning poetry
+ but hopefully history of jazz instead of one of these.


time's running short to enjoy all this free knowledge.
ah, the perks of being a super senior.

in His time

thank you Lord for being patient with us
even when we are not.

Lord, would you please continue to work
in the hearts & minds of those who are searching?

forgive us for shaking our fists
when things do not comply with our timeline.

although we do not see immediate results,
dear God, we know you are doing great things.

weAk 7.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
[Psalm 28:7]

Lord, you know that i am exhausted and drained.
would You please revive me, dear God?
please allow me to again acknowledge
that there is a purpose and perfect plan in all of this.
i continue to commit all my work to You.
i can see You are already doing
great things in these young hearts,
which i am so overjoyed and grateful for.
You would not give me anything that i could not handle.
and beyond that, there is nothing You cannot handle.

Lord, humble me to find rest in You.
and with all of this, grow me to praise You
despite the circumstances.


Lord, be my strength.

let's GO.

when i think about the Lord

how He saved me, how He raised me
how He filled me with the Holy Ghost
how He healed me to the uttermost
when i think about the Lord
how he picked me up turned me around
how He set my feet on solid ground

i've been thinking about this song a lot. what an absolute joy to know that God loved me, even before my own parents loved me, way before i even knew who He was. He picked me up, turned me around, set my feet on solid ground! PTL!

it makes me want to shout hallelujah!
thank you, Jesus!
Lord, you're worthy of all the glory,
and all the honor and all the praise!
Hallelujah! thank you, Jesus!
Lord, you're worthy of all the glory,
and all the honor and all the praise!

- When I Think About the Lord by Shane Barnard

at rock harbor, the current series is "a life that demands explanation". do you live your life set apart from the world? does your lifestyle make people curious to know what makes you so happy, so hopeful during the good and the bad times? even though you profess to have Christ on the inside, do your outward actions reflect that? does the joy and peace of having Christ in your life make people ask questions? are you a light? do you stand out in a crowd of non-believers?

it's been a blessing to hear about this topic of being "set apart" from the world and hearing church friends excited to live radically for Jesus. it scares me to get lukewarm, going through the motions of "that Christian thing", getting too comfortable with my faith, which hinders my own spiritual growth and also stunts the growth of His kingdom. it's like holding in an all-powerful cure to all diseases from everyone in the world because of laziness or fear of how someone's going to respond. that's just silly.

a resident sent me a video of jaeson ma sharing a message at the University of Texas (i encourage you to watch both parts). he explains that often time, today's Christians are so caught up in having people come to them. come to church, come to bible study. and while that it is all good to be bold enough to invite people... instead, he suggests to GO. go out and preach the gospel, go and talk to strangers, go and take those risks, go and serve the Lord. leave the security of your comfort zone. im really trying to do this and i've learned it ain't easy. it's scary and i still doubt myself, but i think that's where the problem is because it's not about me. it's about giving these daily missions to God because only because of Him and through Him and with Him can we find the strength to actually do anything at all.

pray for boldness.
pray for wisdom.
pray for opportunities.

=========

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,
[1 Peter 3:15]

it may seem difficult to explain so much,
but dear Lord, give me the courage and wisdom to try.

lost.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
[Psalm 34:18]

=========

lately, my heart's been set on the lost. for those searching for identity, for those trying to find meaning, for those trying to find a purpose in life, for those trying to attain happiness. the things people try to fill those voids with just set them deeper into isolation and doubt. i know... i've been there. there are a lot of people on my prayer list and i pray that--in His time-- they will see the joy and peace they can have in a life centered on faith, grounded on the Creator of all things, provider of all things, sovereign over all things.

God gives you this very life to enjoy, all He asks for is your life in return. some may argue that submitting in that way leads you into a life of restriction, limited by a set of strict rules. but it is not that at all. i'd say it's a pretty fair trade. by devoting your life to a good & faithful God, you receive the free gift of eternal life, free from the shame and guilt of sin because of a sacrifice made on the Cross. you gain this hope that despite of all that shady business you were involved in before, you are made completely new, wiped completely clean. i can't get over that fact, so simple but so ridiculously amazing! it's seriously so incredible and mind-blowing how an almighty God who created the most ginormous things on earth could care for a single person, forgiving you for things that may even be difficult to forgive yourself for. because of this, you'll want to abide by His commandments, you'll want to give your praise and show your gratitude to this wonderful God for taking you in... no matter what you've done before, no matter how broken you are, or how unworthy you feel. truth is, none of us deserve what He offers, but praise God for his grace and mercy that He gives out of His abundant love.
praise God for everything.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

-Who Am I by Casting Crowns

on my heart.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
[Matthew 28:18-20]
===========

I'm not backing down
I will stand my ground
Lifting high the name of Jesus

Holding out Your light
To a world in need
Living out the love of Jesus

Though the battles rage
Your blessing still will come

(CHORUS)
To the ends of the earth we will go
To the ends of the earth we will go
Fill us with power
Fill us with power

For the truth of Your word we will stand
For the truth of Your word we will stand
Give us your courage
Give us your courage

Be our strength and song
Till the battles won
Cause your face to shine upon us

Stretch your hand to say
Our God never fails
Nothing is impossible for you

Though the battles rage
Your blessing still will come

Would you breath on us (x4)

- "Give Us Your Courage"- Tim Hughes
=========

dear Lord,
guide me through this time of making big decisions.
please give me wisdom and courage.
purify my motives
& let the desires of my heart be pleasing to You.

breathe.

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

[Psalm 131:1-2]

wow.

time, moola, energy, patience, technology, people, friendship, comfort, protection, His Word, guidance, love, understanding, peace, joy.
whatever it is... God provides.
=========

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

[Matthew 6:31-34]

translation.

“In every temptation let us look up to a crucified Christ, who is fitted and qualified to support tempted souls. Oh my soul, whenever you are assaulted, let the wounds of Christ be your city of refuge where you may fly and live.

Let us learn, in every trouble which presses us—whether it be sin, temptation, or any other evil—to translate it from ourselves to Christ. And all the good in Christ—let us learn to translate it from Christ to ourselves.”

—Thomas Brooks, The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures

flusteration.

And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone
and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
[Galatians 6:9-10]

dear Lord, revive me from these busy days and this exhausting weekend. i am so tired and i know i need to rest in You, but sometimes my pride prevents me from completely surrendering my life to You. i have not been right with You in the last couple of days, i have not been honest with the real burdens of my heart. i allowed the overpowering sins of doubt, anxiety & fear to seep through. forgive me and please purify my heart. hear the cries of my heart that even i ignore. You know my thoughts even before i think them. the Christian life is not easy, but remind me that You alone give us a reason to fight for that unexplainable joy and maintain that peace of mind. only You can satisfy. i praise You for being compassionate and forgiving to horrible people like me. use me and mold me to become like Jesus, selfless, sacrificial and altogether loving. Lord, You are sovereign and have an incredible authority over all things. Lord, i pray that i completely trust in that amazing power over my own life. teach me humility. Your timing is so perfect, work in their hearts. Lord, i pray that i not forget that Christ died for my sins and with that also my burdens and my problems and my troubles. and because of this, i have so much hope beyond this life. dear Lord, let my thoughts, my actions, my attitude and my life reflect the wonderful promises that are given to us by God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us
an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
as we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen.
For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are unseen are eternal.
[2 Corinthians 4:17-18]

full plate.

there's so much i want to do... in the next days, weeks, months, years!! in a span of 10 months, i won't have my college comfort zone to keep me safe. decisions, decisions. so many places to explore and new opportunities to pursue. so many people to reconnect with, to share with, to pray with, to grow with. im so frazzled, excited and overwhelmed with my growing Life List. i don't even know where to start. i know i can't do this on my own.

The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
[Proverbs 16:9]

dear Lord, guide and direct my steps towards these ginormous goals,
only if they are according to your will, of course.
remind me that your timing and plan for me is oh-so-perfect.
plant me where you feel it is best to be used for your glory.
oh Lord, above all things, i pray that i serve You
and not my selfish desires.
oh Lord, i pray that these plans may be pleasing to You.

prayers.

Residents lined up in a muddy street to receive relief goods after floodwater subsides in this aerial picture Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 in Angono town in eastern Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Parma weakened into a tropical storm that linger to Philippines coastline coast drenching northern provinces as well as Taiwan killing 16 people and causing widespread flooding and landslide. -Yahoo News

====

my heart dropped in sympathy for the those in the Philippines who faced this disaster firsthand and also for those who have relatives & loved ones in the affected areas. on sunday, pastor ed explained how so many people do not have clean water, no clothes, no shelters, lost their loved ones, undergoing diseases from sanitary issues etc etc. relief goods are being transported over there, but not nearly enough considering the already impoverished status of the country. if you cannot contribute in tangible goods, i hope you pray for those in the Philippines and other countries that are affected by these storms. so many tragedies occurring all over the world every day. i pray that we remember that God is faithful and trust in His providence through it all.
====

i was looking through photos and came across pictures of kids playing in the mud or adults smiling as they swim through the murky water. it kind of surprised me. maybe they're kids and do not understand the gravity of the situation... or maybe those in less fortunate countries really understand how to appreciate little things, how to be grateful for the very little they actually have. it was so saddening to learn more about the event in the Philippines and all over the world. but it's also always disturbing to hear complaints of people here. we have so much here to be thankful for, but still exhaust ourselves with our inability to be content. we can easily complain about any and everything. the price of things, the quality of things, having too many things, not having the coolest things, losing things, not having the better&best things. what is the benefit in focusing on these materials and amplifying what you are lacking? ultimately, they're just things-- replaceable, forgettable things that may satisfy for like two days, but then what?
====

i praise God for satisfying my soul above all things. i feel confident and comforted in His promises of a greater life beyond what i have here, which brings an unexplainable peace and joy in my heart. i thank Him for everything (and everyone) that i do not deserve, but through the sacrifice of Christ, i have the blessed opportunity to enjoy such things. Lord, show me how to love with humility and gentleness. teach me how to live with a servant heart and a life of gratitude to You, the supplier, creator, sustainer, and provider of all things. use me Lord to show others the good fruit of living a life for You, not for my own personal gain, but for your glory always. to God be the glory forever and ever.

happy times.

various PTL moments of the last few days...

^this little girl... super dirty feet and all.

^ these little girls too.& our trip to the abbot kinney festival.
^ and yes, these little girls too!

^ their visit to the irvs
& their lovely contributions to my room decor.

^ our first sweet tooth tuesday!

& the hungry residents who took a study break
to devour the goodies.

dear Lord, i don't deserve this.

it's not about me.

let go & let God.

welcome. week.

the residents have settled in and im definitely feeling the exhaustion from a crazy demanding week. but God's got me through it, pushing me to my limit and leaning on His providence for strength and revival every day. i need to remember this is a God-given opportunity to be a light to this wonderful group of 82, so i can't take these moments lightly. i have 10 months to share what i can in and out of this hall before finally leaving uci. and what a blessing to work with such amazing & passionate staff members. they've really got a heart for what they do and im excited to get to know them even more.
other than that, everything is just grape!!


Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights with whom
there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
[James 1:17-18]

praise God for absolutely everything.

Psalm 62.

¹ My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

² He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

³ How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

⁴ They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah

⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

⁹ Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.

¹⁰ Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

¹¹ One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

¹² and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

cast.

I pray that you sustain me through the hustle and bustle of RA-ship. I am already feeling the tiredness, but Lord I know you can revive me. I pray that my only standards to meet is the example of Christ, following your commandments and not the expectations of others. I pray that I love these residents with a genuine and selfless love. I pray that I do not put all my reliance on myself because I know I am incompetent and weak without You. I pray that my pride is not in my own works but in You. Lord please use me and grow me in wisdom and patience to guide them. Please equip me with the fruit of the Spirit to be an effective light to these young'ns. You are such a good and faithful God who listens to your children. Lord, please hear my prayers. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
[1 Corinthians 12:9-10]

it's here!

it has been a crazy couple of weeks. i'm at the point of exhaustion similar to the completion of an mcia "heaven week". i've inhaled an abundant amount of paint fumes during poster-making, endured hours of workshops and lectures during training, stayed up til the wee morning hours preparing the hall and i've forgotten what a "good night's rest" is. but no real complaints, God's really been sustaining me despite my tiredness. i've been learning that His grace really is sufficient for me. i've made a bunch of new friends (i love the ME staff!) and God has revealed so many witnessing opportunties. please pray that God equips me with the knowledge and love to pursue these friendships and direct them towards Christ. in a couple days, 83 fresh faces will fill this rather quiet hall. i can't believe it's so soon! but im as ready as i can be. i pray that the Holy Spirit fills me to guide these young'ns in a positive way.

=========
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
[Colossians 4:2-6]

(come check out Brent Lee's artistic genius all over my hall!)

========

on top of all this, the bfriend made his way across the nation to the big apple. up until his departure, people kept asking me how i felt about him leaving. i really could not give them a consistent answer. i am excited to see what God has in store for him for the next year, i am proud of him for stepping way out of his comfort zone, i am encrouaged by how he made use of the last of his time in california, and yes i am a little bummed i won't get to see him on the weekends. but i praise God for this distance. it's a big test to our relationship and trust in God. distance does not (and should not) determine how much we encourage each other and with various methods of technology, i don't feel like it will greatly hinder our relationship. yes, it will have its challenges but we know we still have Christ in our hearts and support for each other even if we're on opposite sides of the country. i highly doubt God would call him out there if He thought we couldn't handle the temporary separation. and i feel like God's really prepared us for this change. some people are surprised by our approach to our relationship and some even tease, but we strive to put God first in our individual lives even then everything else just works out. he's such a blessing in my life and i know God is working out big things for you, jurr.

im praying for you.

the good kind of exhausted.

yikes, it's getting more real. so much piling up on my to-do list. im drained after 8am-6pm training every day. in about 9 days, there will be about 80+ first-years running around my hall, eager and anxious to begin their UCI college life. according to their intense activity on facebook, i can already tell im going to have my hands full this year. but im ready for the challenge. every morning i pray that God grants me with the fruits of the spirit, especially patience. i need to remember that this is a God-given opportunity to be a light to so many fresh minds. im sure there will be hardships and tough times, but God wouldn't give me this position if He thought i couldn't handle it. as always, He put me here for a reason and im excited to see what is to be revealed.

=========
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
[Philippians 2:14-16]
=========
Crickhollow, home for the next year.what a blessing to have great friends to help......while others lounge and provide entertainment.
come visit me! :)
==========

on another note...
praise God for you, love.
==========

reminder.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
[Matthew 6:34]

it's the first of the month.

september has finally crept up on us and it ain't coming quietly. im already feeling the weight of many things, but im really hoping that i cling to my faith and not my feelings. He will sustain my energy, my focus and my relationships according to His will. i need to be patient and trusting in His plan for me. i need to remember that God is faithful and with me through the ups and downs.

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"We live in stressful times. If unchecked, worry, anxiety, and stress
can cause our hearts to also become troubled.
The problem is that worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.
It only empties today of its strength.


If your heart is troubled today,
then remember these three things:

1. His Word is true.
2. We are going to heaven.
3. He is coming back for us."

- Pastor Greg Laurie
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And we know that God causes
everything to work together for the good
of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them
(Romans 8:28)

our God is an awesome God indeed.

love song.

You are God in heaven

And here am I on earth
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You

And I'll stand in awe of You, Jesus
Yes, I'll stand in awe of You
And I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You

The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to You
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You.

- Let My Words Be Few (by Matt Redman)

just one of them days.

"do you think you're distracted?"

in the span of a day, i lost focus. my priorities got all twisted. my eyes were not on the prize. instead, i was transfixed on my own desires. inside, i was kicking & screaming because i was disappointed in others. (little did i know that later i would be even more disappointed in myself for putting too much emphasis on me). i tried to take matters into my own hands and thought that i could be the solution to all problems. my body was exhausted, my mind was tired, my heart was heavy.

once again, i was hit with the recurring reality that i cannot do this on my own. i always need God and with so many changes going on, i need Him more than ever. and i have faith that He is actively working out the kinks in my life. i need to constantly remind myself of the rewards He graciously offers us, the gift of eternal life to those who believe. i need to remember that Jesus is real and so is his death AND resurrection, the same death and resurrection that saved me. He wants the best for me, He wants me to turn away from sin, to place my focus on a life centered on Christ. if he gave up his life for me, an undeserving sinner, then i should be able to devote my life to Him, a pure, forgiving, holy, loving, faithful, righteous, perfect God.

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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
[Philippians 4:8-9]

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i praise God for the people in my life who hold me accountable for my actions and rebuke my wrongdoing. i pray that God cleanses my heart from the lingering sin and selfish desires that prevent me from seeing the full scope of how wonderful and powerful He is. i am thankful that God is forgiving and patient despite my flaws. He drew me back to Him a year ago and on that rough day, He pulled me even closer. regardless of the twists and turns i face, i don't want to lose grasp of the abundant joy i have in Christ. God is so good, friends.

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a timely email from the little sister:

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Psalms 118:8-9 "[it is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. [it is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

i love you and am praying for you. remember to rely on God no matter what because true happiness is found in Him and the good news of the gospel! i know it's hard, but God is definitely working in every situation and ALWAYS teaching us something. because nothing happens on accident. and God is definitely growing you. just continue to trust in Him and be patient even when patience seems to be in short supply. love ya m-lo. :)

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So take me as you find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow,
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

- Mighty To Save (by Hillsong)

overjoyed.

there have been an overwhelming amount of blessings in this past year, let alone just this past month! God really IS a faithful and loving God and im so thankful for the blessings and trials that He's been sending my way.
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oc fizzle.
fried food + friendsies

198 family reunion.
$10 all-you-can-eat korean bbq + sweet apartment deposit.
date nights.
late night dessert + photo shoot.
harvest crusade 2009.
worshiping our wonderful God with thousands of people!
greg laurie's message was a great reminder of how things of this world do not satisfy, but Christ can provide the ultimate joy that everyone searches for.
cfbc youth beach trip.
PTL for this group of crazy kids! intense games, frolicking in the water, praise & worshiping on the sand, harcore carwheel battle and jurr's message about preventing distractions to our walk with God. fun in the sun, enjoying God's creation among bros and sisters in Christ.

celebrating one year with the bfriend.
God has most definitely taught the two of us soooo much during this past year. i praise God for bringing this guy into my life (i must say he's pretty cool). God has really grown us on our individual walks with Him and i pray that He continues to sustain our relationship
regardless of which coast we're on.
playtime with a.phu and r.j
this silly duo visited the OC for some galavanting, picture-taking, jam-packing into one sleeping bag at the park and a lovely devotional over some yummy shaved ice.

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and though some moments aren't always so dandy as these pictorals, i know that all these temporary troubles are not worth stressing over compared to the glory that is yet to come. God is so super good and sometimes i find myself just in awe of where God has brought me over this year of change. i cannot imagine a life without this faith, without the grace that God generously pours out, without His patience with me. while im overjoyed with all these blessings, i pray that i do not forget the blesser, the One who gave us Christ, the greatest blessing of all.

anything to stop clock watching

yup, the bfriend is moving...
across the US...
to new york...
for a year (maybe shorter, maybe even longer).

what's gonna happen to you guys? are you gonna break up? what if you guys meet other people? why don't you ask him to stay? will you be sad? are you scared?
aren't you gonna miss him?

the situation's not as complicated as it seems. yes, he is moving. yes, it will be kinda hard sometimes. yes, i will miss him. i admit that anxiety really weighed my heart down and spurts of reality got the best of me. i didn't know how we would approach our relationship, if we'd have time for each other, if staying together and enduring those dreaded long-distance-relationships was the best idea. nonetheless, we're going to do everything we can to keep goin' strong and to maintain Christ at the center of our lives and our relationship. from the beginning, we agreed that we would always put God at the top of our priorities, which means letting Him do as He wills for the two of us. we need to trust that God will lead our individual lives as well. we have faith in each other, faith in the relationship God has blessed us with, faith in our good & loving God's will and we're praying that God allows us to grow together even way after his stay in the big apple. this will undoubtedly be a challenging learning experience, so we appreciate your prayers! it may be tough, but PTL for technology, for prayer and for God's faithfulness through all these changes.

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august 2008.

one year later.
august 2009.

happy one year bfriend.

i think you're pretty awesome & i really thank God for you.

we'll never be rejected.

We’ll never be rejected

via Of First Importance by joshetter on 8/11/09

“Why am I so blessed? I am blessed because, in the most painful moment in human history, Jesus willingly subjected himself to the rejection of his Father. He took on my sin and allowed himself to be rejected. In this unthinkable moment of substitution, the Trinity was torn apart as the Father turned away the Son. Here is what you and I have to understand: Jesus was willing to suffer the horrible rejection of his Father so that you and I would never, ever have to experience it ourselves.”

- Paul David Tripp, A Shelter in the Time of Storm (Wheaton, IL; Crossway Books, 2009), 92.

a ride that will change your life.

august 3-7 was cfbc's annual vacation bible school (VBS) entitled Boomerang Express, so we traveled to the land down under(kind of) in hopes to share the good news to all those who attended and their familias.
what a blessing to be a part of the VBS staff for the first time
as an assistant teacher for the AUSSIE PRE-K POSSE class! working alongside this quirky duo (also both of my accountability partners) made the week so much fun! i learned so much from these two. your passion to serve the Lord and dedication to our "joyful joeys" really kept me energized and focused on our primary goal to plant a seed for our kiddos to grow towards Christ. im so thankful for the time spent together in and out of the classroom, preparing lessons and growing our friendships.
it was a whole week, full of singing, playing, running around, crafting, teaching and most especially sharing the gospel with 100+ young kids and kid-at-heart-adults. it's amazing how much our little ones can comprehend at such a young age. this experience really shows that it's never too early to develop your faith... nor is it too late. i was reminded of the significance of raising children to know and love God (Lord-willing my future husband and i will successfully do so with our own kiddos, too).
"g'day mate, im glad you could make it"five days of excitement and spontaneity left us drained after each day, but the kids' curious minds and enthusiasm brought a fresh energy to each class. they asked surprisingly complex questions and responded eagerly to ours.
they listened to stories and showed off their creativity during craft time.

they made new buddies and learned about Jesus along the way.til graduation day where our little kangaroos were all decked out in their 'roo gear, ready to perform for a packed venue of proud friends and families
(and teachers!)And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 18:2-4]one of our faves, beatrice!
spending some quality time with this NY-bound guy wasn't too shabby either.
and praise God for such an enthusiastic youth group. im so proud of the work that was done by them at vbs, whether it was in the classroom or behind the scenes. i cannot begin to explain how encouraging this group of crazy kids is. i hope our fire to know and grow in Christ extends beyond that single hectic week.after all the fun and games of the week, i hope that through God's doing, we helped open some eyes and spiritually-feed some hungry people. thank you God for this experience and for this church family that i absolutely adore. you are soooo good and i pray that those who attended were blessed throughout the week and that their enthusiasm & interest spreads to those around them as well.

it really does all come back to Jesus.