Won''t Stop

I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day, dear Mr. Yearwood. I was telling him how I lost my desire to blog and I don't exactly know why. Maybe I am content keeping a lot of things to myself (or within my circle of friends) and don't feel the need to publicize it. However, I told him I don't want to stop blogging entirely as well. Too much has been written, stuff that has meant so much to me. There has been a lot of emotion vested into my writing and posts. Some less important, some more...

I don't think my style will change significantly, nor will my subject matter. It doesn't matter if anyone even follows this blog anymore. Because this is the space that I have and I intend to use it well...

I wrote a defamiliarization poem for my Creative Writing class a couple weeks back and just thought of sharing it:

The Face of Nature

Your love is the snow,

Sending shivers down my spine

With its beauty.

Your love is the Sun,

Melting away my disbelief

Burning me but I need it to live.

Your love is the sound of thunder,

A deafening roar

That scares me but I can never run away.

Your love is the fire,

That engulfs and consumes

But I am made more alive.

Your love is the rain

Drenching me slowly

Cooling me down

Your love is the silence

That nature echoes,

So that I will believe.

God bless!

My blog is not dead, I won't let it die, not just yet.

I have so much to say.

So much to write about God's faithfulness.

I will update soon, I promise!

Been back in school for awhile now. Had RA training for a week then school started last week... Classes have been going great. The RA job isn't too taxing, I enjoy it actually... There's so much more to say but I will save that for later.

Hillsong Concert yesterday in Boston, AMAZING. Later.

Till then!

to the heart

O restless heart,
Fret not.
It gets better in time, I know, I've been there.

What it takes now is for you to trust-
Trust that He knows what's going on
And everything will work out in His time and way.

Your desires - He comprehend.
His Love compels Him to grant your desires
But not if it isn't what He placed in you Himself.

So come on now,
Take a leap of faith.
You won't regret it.
He will come to the rescue, He will.

Back Safely

Time flies, I'm back in the States. It's been two weeks since.

SoulFest from August 1-4. It's a Christian music festival in New Hampshire featuring over 100+ bands. It was amazing, post more about it sometime.

Back at the Place of Promise now, it's been a week and it's just great. I can't believe how timely it is and how God works everything out. Will be leaving for NY on Friday before I head back to school next week for RA training all the way till classes begin on the 4th of next month.

God has been gracious and extremely comforting. He is Love. He is Life.

Till then. :)

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

You might have believed for years but sometimes it takes a heartfelt, real account of an encounter with Jesus and a glimpse of heaven to remind you of what lies ahead. This book was just that: a true story of a boy who went to heaven and came back. But its so much more than that, it calls for what it means to have childlike faith, it calls for trust in the One above. It inspires and certainly gives us hope for the future that God has prepared for each and every one of His children.

To be honest, it took me awhile to really get into this book because I was trying to figure out the narrative structure and when things would happen. But as soon as I stopped doing that and allowed the story to bring me wherever it wanted to and for the Spirit to teach me what He wanted to through it, I enjoyed it thoroughly. To hear about heaven and Jesus from a young boy is amazing. It makes me want to have childlike faith all over again and reminds me of how much Jesus loves the children. This book isn't just about the future that awaits us but is about God's love. The details and events that are written in this book are there for a purpose, they all tie in to speak of how much God cares and that He truly knows what we are going through though we might think otherwise. A lot of things Colton (the boy) tells of heaven are biblically sound and expands on the vague descriptions.

Overall, it is a very good read and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Whether you have childlike faith or not, this book would be an encouragement to every heart. You will be blessed.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are of my own.*

This has been one of the longest hiatuses in blogging for me. It's ironic though that I still manage to find time to blog even when I'm really busy as opposed to not posting anything even though I'm much more free right now.

That being said, I've only got a month left at home. I know this sounds cliche and as much as I want to avoid it, time really does fly. Half of my summer break gone, just like that.

Euro 2012 ended yesterday. Staying up till 5-6 am for a few nights every week wasn't really that difficult to be honest, since my regular sleeping hours (start) were between 2-4am. I caught more than half of the matches and thoroughly enjoyed most, if not all of them. Of course, only a few were particularly memorable and thrilling. I'm glad that Spain won and am also really glad that it's over although not having any match to watch in the morning now is weird. But that's okay.

I have to say that the final displayed all the reasons why Spain are world and Euro champions, creating history as well. The players gave their all, AS a team. They proved you don't need a Ronaldo or a Balotelli to score goals. And Torres proved himself to be selfless when he so generously assisted for the final goal which he could've so easily struck himself... The complete opposite of someone most of us know. Despite leaving the Reds, I still have great admiration for him as a footballer and I am glad he got the Golden Boot as well.

Been spending a lot of time with family and friends. It wasn't till a few days ago that I realized how much I appreciate my upbringing in this place... There is no coincidence, everyone I have come across in my life whether for just awhile or months and years, God has brought to my path for a reason. And I also believe that it works the other way round as well. I am grateful, extremely grateful.

Church camp was held in Taiping last weekend and it was great. The speakers talked about the Glory of the Lord over two sessions. It was quite a lot to take in but God definitely used them and spoke to all of us in His own way. I am still reflecting over what has been said and shared and pray that I will not forget.

As for this month, I'll be making a few trips to various places to conclude this break and meet up with people. And also, get working on that reading list.

I will be back soon. God bless!!

It dawned upon me today that if things had worked out the way I wanted it to back then, I would not be where I am today; I would not have gone to the States.

Those tearful nights, days, years, were not in vain. I lost something dear to me but I gained everything else... I realized what I had in Him, I realized how close He was, I realized how He was there to pick me every time I fall...

Nothing is ever wasted,  nothing.

Those darkest moments, those times where you think you've had enough; He's a purpose for each and every one of them. It's beautiful..

Thank You Lord, thank You...

It's been close to 2 weeks since I've got home. Although 3 months seem quite long, I do believe it will go by quickly.

Thus far, I've just been spending lots of time at home, meeting up with friends (lots more catching up to do), serving in church, and the usual eating sessions. Church camp's next month and there will be some trips to various places. The other thing I really hope to accomplish this summer is working through my reading list, there are lots of books I want to finish.

And most of all, some down time. The various demands being a college student took away lots of personal time which is not as bad as it sounds but now that I have the time to just relax, I'd gladly take it.

But most of all, I'm just really grateful to be back. He made it all possible.

Hopefully, I'd find the time to blog regularly, there is definitely alot to say.

Till then.

I've been home for a week. Though 3 months seem rather 'long', I know it will just go by.

Going down to KL today for a few days.

I have so much that I want to say but I will once again, have to save it for later...

But I will do it.

Home

After 8 months of being away, I'm finally home. For 3 months. 

I have so much to say about the past year and how I feel about being home, all in which I'll leave for a later post.

Right now, I am glad, grateful to be back.. It's still hard to believe that I'm actually here - it feels strange.

Hit me up if anyone wants to meet.

Till then. :)

Thank You.

A Quick Update

Been staying up pretty late these past two weeks. Earliest bed time at 2. Have had lots to do but this craziness is about to end. 2 more final papers, 1 more day of classes and I'm done with freshman year.

Leaving for NY on Thursday for a much needed break, coming back to campus on Monday by which most, if not all students will be gone. I have to mention I'm leaving during finals precisely because none of my classes have sit-in final exams. I am grateful indeed.

RA training from 1st of May to the 3rd and on the 4th, I'll be on my way home. :).

My last Sunday at church was amazing. I have been blessed with such a great church family back home and here as well.. I've been going to the church for the past 3 months and I have received tremendous support and love and I cannot thank Him enough. Definitely going to miss everyone there but I'm looking forward to worshiping in my own church back home :)


Blog soon, I hope.

You are my strength.

2 months since

I will not forget that day

He did something in my heart, opened my eyes

And now here I am

It has grown - stronger.

I don't know what lies ahead but I continue to hope -

My hope is in Him and Him alone.

He will work things out, in His time, in His way

I just need to trust

But whatever it may be, I am grateful

For everything

Reflections on Easter and His Faithfulness

I posted this last Easter. It's really interesting because the commercialism of Easter is even stronger here.

The irony is that being a Christian nation, or rather, a post-Christian nation, Easter, just like Christmas has become a cultural holiday and celebration. But rather than the message of the Cross being the main event, Easter bunnies and Easter eggs and whatnot have become the symbols of the celebration. I have no idea how it happened and this isn't the point of the post. And yes, while some non-Christians do go to church on this day, the real meaning of Easter - His death and resurrection is only known and understood by Christians. I might be wrong but this is once again, just my opinion.

Whereas back home, only Christians celebrate the event and understand its meaning... People from other religions might be ignorant but are always told by the Christians the significance of the day.

But it is most sad when we ourselves do not think about it. When we take it for granted. I don't believe in celebrating His death and resurrection only one day in a year. We need to ponder on it, thank Him for it every single day of our lives. Why?

Because His death and resurrection is the only reason we can truly live.

1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

Who can comprehend the extend of His love and mercy? No matter how hard we try, His love is unfathomable. It goes beyond reason, it goes against the law of nature.

But He does not require us to understanding but to trust. To accept His love and walk on in this new life. That we may say, as He did 'Not my will but Yours be done'. He paid the greatest price - nothing we give to the Lord will make up for that. But that does not mean we do not give. We give because we love Him. We love Him because He first loved us.

That being said, I had a very good Easter celebration. Went down with the gospel choir to a church down at Lowell, the same one where we attended the Worship Conference last fall. It was interesting as they had 7 speakers who had 7 minutes each to speak about Jesus' sayings on the Cross. We were invited to perform a song.

Easter Service on Sunday at the church I've been attending regularly, how I found and decided to go to this church is a miracle in itself - He works. Was invited over by the Pastor's wife to their house for lunch and it was a very blessed time. They had 6 sons and for some reason, despite the many differences in character and family traits, it reminded me of my own. The grandparents were there too, having all generations together to celebrate a very important Day was just great. I think it was the first time I actually celebrated Easter with 'family' because all along in the past, it was just going to Church.

But more than anything, I am realizing how much God has blessed me. How He has been faithful. I came across a post in the past:

"There are many uncertainties; questions about what if I don't maintain the required CGPA to keep my merit scholarship, funding and settling down, finding the right church etc. Whatever they may be, I choose not to allow it to bother me, but that they may lead me back to Him. It's all in His hands. If He led me to it, He will lead me through it. He's a faithful God, no doubt about that."

I posted this on April 28 last year when I made my decision to attend Colby-Sawyer. And whats amazing is that

1) I didn't just maintain the required GPA, I excelled, far beyond my own expectations. And I only have Him to give glory to.

2) I settled down well with His provision and bringing various people to me who have been such a blessing... I could not ask for more.

3) He provided me with not just one but two jobs when I was doubtful of even securing one. And most recently, I was selected out of the many applicants and few positions available, to be a Resident Assistant for next year. Which is what I love to do, being in contact with people and it will ease my family a lot financially. And this is all His doing - not mine.

4) As I mentioned earlier, I've been attending the Andover Congregational Church. I never envisioned myself to attend a church so different in terms of the order of worship and running of the service, from what I was raised up in. Yet the first time I walked in that church, God showed me different signs and confirmed that there was where He wants me to be, at least for now. Because it is never about the denomination nor the practice, it is Him.

I can go on and on.... But the main point is to show that God is indeed faithful and we can trust Him. He knows what we need, when we need it and how we need it...

Thank You Lord, thank You... You are the Giver, You are the Gift - the greatest Gift of all...

He's real

I've been away from my blog for so long that it's always hard to know where to begin. I guess 2 weeks isn't really that long but the fact that I've been so inconsistent in updating makes it even harder. But I will try.

Only a month left of school... The year's wrapping up quickly and this semester seems to be going by faster. Which also means I'm getting busier - its the time of the year, presentations, papers, more papers, exams, meetings, activities and the list goes on. Yet I'm still managing to find time in between to rest and I am utterly grateful. He doesn't want me to get lost in all of this but to continually draw strength from His presence and because of that, I am refreshed. I cannot speak enough of how wonderful it is to go about the day with the knowledge that He goes before me and holds me by the right hand. The reality of His promise is being realized as I grow closer and closer to Him.

It hasn't been an easy time for me, more so for the people I love. Benny, the Navs staff in our Christian Fellowship whom has become a really good friend and a spiritual mentor to me; we meet weekly to talk about what God has been doing and teaching us and pray together... I thoroughly enjoy our conversations and just learning from each other... Cindy, his wife is also close, I work under her in the International Students Office. They have been such an encouragement and blessing and I am so grateful for their presence in my life... Benny was admitted to the hospital last week and underwent a major surgery on Tuesday which went well. Praise God... He is still in a lot of pain and will undergo another surgery soon... Please keep him in prayer. His condition is rather serious and has a lot of health complications... It's hard to think of what he's going through and none of us know why but one thing we know, that God is faithful and He knows, He's in control. It's incredible just seeing how his family is praising in the midst of the storm, not understanding why but continuing to trust in His goodness... It is truly living the Word that "you meant it for evil but God meant it for good". God is able to change any, every situation. His power works best in our weakness. His light shines the brightest in the darkness, only if we allow Him to.

Micah 7:7-8 - Therefore, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

I can go on and on but this will suffice for now. Hope fills my heart. And it's because of Him.

As we enter the Holy Week, let us continue to reflect on His sacrifice and love for us.

A final thought: In my Philosophy class the other day (which I love), there was a debate on God and His goodness, as that was what we were covering that day. A non-believer said that she that God (if He existed) hasn't done anything for her and another concurred saying he hasn't seen God doing anything for him...

The only thing I thought of then was really? He DIED for you me, for us. And that's not just something, or anything, that's EVERYTHING. Oh, that our eyes would be open..

Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We ARE healed.

Peace and love.

Grateful

Spring Break was amazing to say the least... Being with everyone at the Place of Promise once again was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. This time around, I had more conversations and got to know the residents better and learned more about Him. There were stories that broke me, they all know what it means to suffer and some of them had such a horrible childhood it moved me to tears to see where they are now... Seeing God work in their lives is absolutely incredible. They give me more reason to love Him and know how real He is and for that I am grateful. And as for Beth, seeing how God has been using her to touch these people's lives... Its just incredible! All glory to God!

Beth drove a van up to drop me back in school with all the ladies... It was a rather emotional farewell, especially on my part. I will not see some or perhaps most of them again, cause even when I return next time (not sure when), they might have completed the program... But He comforted me.

On another note, I am extremely pleased with the weather. There was SOOOO much snow when we left for Spring Break, probably 1 feet or higher. And it looked as if it was going to stay... But it's been so nice these few days, in the 40s-60 (5-20 C) during the day. I am honestly not sure how I'm going to take the heat when I go back home... Been too used to this weather. But as people said, I've not experienced a real winter... Well, thank God then.

One thing I really took from being at the Place of Promise is the importance of having a reading time. The residents have to read in the mornings for an hour or two everyday and I usually sat in with them though I didn't really have to... Having undisturbed, quiet time to read was something that I haven't really had since college begun... The only books I read, aside from what I read for devotion, are those that are required for classes and I have so much on my reading list to catch up on... Really trying to cultivate this habit now. Not easy but possible if I set my mind to it and get my priorities right.

51 days till I fly home, can't wait! :)

Back Again

Spring Break officially starts tomorrow but I left college today cause my class ended at 11. Beth (the director of the Place of Promise) came to pick me up at 1..

I'm here now, extremely excited to be here... Just a few hours in and I am loving it already.... It was so great to see everyone here again and I'm just anticipating what God wishes to do through me here... And also in the lives of these people. Lots of things happened (some rather drastic) since I left two months ago but its all good now... At least He knows whats really going on...

Just being here, watching God work in people's lives is a blessing. It's painful sometimes to listen to these people when they talk about their pain and helplessness.. At that moment you just wish you could help but there is really nothing you can do.. And I start to think, Lord, why? Why do these people have to have it so hard? But God is still God, He knows...

I heard a resident pray out loud during group today and I started tearing up. She was new when I came in the last time and she was not really interested in this whole God thing... But now she's stepped up to pray... What could be more beautiful?

The atmosphere is still rather unsettled sometimes, and only God's love can truly change this place. But I cannot deny the reality of His presence when I look at these people and see work in progress.... I look at myself and I see the same thing, we are all broken people who are in need for God whether we have had a history with drugs or alcohol or whatever it may be... We are all in need of His grace and mercy, we cannot go about on our own. I don't ever want to...

Grateful, just grateful. And I love Him more.

Here and There

Really looking forward to going home this summer. I like it here, I really do. But it feels like I've been away from home for too long... It's a weird feeling though.

Honestly, there are so many things to say, so many things that can be said...

On another note, Spring Break's in two weeks, really excited. Will be going back to the Place of Promise, miss all the people there!! And I'm excited about what God is going to do this time around :).

School work's been a lot as always... Won't complain though, cause compared to many of my friends, I have it much easier in terms of work load, definitely not easy classes!

Gospel choir concert at SNHU down at Manchester this Sunday, really pumped...

Been a crazy emotional week for me. Not in a bad sense, it was just weird having all of those emotions again after so long. Really feels different this time though. God has certainly done amazing things in my heart after all these years, reminding me time and again of His faithfulness and sufficiency. He's more than enough for me, definitely...

Till then.

Navs Winter Conference

Last Friday, 9 of us went down to Connecticut for the Navigators Winter Conference, Northeast Region. It was a good time to get away from college and all the work.

I will not delve into the details as I used to in the past... But it was a good 3 days of listening to the Word (the theme was The Light, The Life), attending worskshops, worshipping together, meeting people from other schools and just relaxing. There were approximately 180 people from 15 different schools, we were one the smallest groups.

As usual, I didn't want it to end, wished I could stay on... The conference was at Camp Jewell, YMCA. It was located in the woods so it was really remote... The campsite was nice though, felt really close to nature... Had meaningful conversations, learnt more about Him... Overall, I'm just really grateful for the experience that I had and I will definitely go back next year...

That's it for now.... Till then!

Broken Resistance

I've been wrong before, I could be wrong again...

Yet this time it feels different.

That it wasn't me, it was You, who changed me, made me see...

My resistance, You tore it apart... Let me realize my pride and selfishness and importance I've put on things that don't really matter.

You brought me back to the heart of the matter, the things I've always claimed was important but never really followed through. Because I never saw it before.

But now I do, and I will not let it go.

Only You could have placed these desires, only You could have brought this about, no accident, no mistake....

A time of trust and waiting. I trust You, I trust You.

79 days till I fly home.

Extended weekend, no classes on Monday (Winter Recess).

Was at the Navs Winter Conference over the weekend, will blog about it soon.

I'll get the time this weekend, I will.

Reflections on 1 Corinthians 7

A few days ago, when I was reading the Word, this verse seemed to resonate within me:

1 Corinthians 7:17 - Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.

The context of this particular chapter is that of marriage. Paul wrote advice for both the married and unmarried. The verse above is the beginning of another subchapter which goes beyond the married/unmarried but that of circumcision and bondservants. The following subchapter carries advice for the unmarried and widowed.

Thus when Paul talks about the 'assigned' life, we can assume that he was referring to marriage and singleness but it also relates to all other paths of life.

The ESV Student Study Bible's notes on this particular verse are as follows:

"God calls people to himself who are in various situations regarding economics (slavery vs. freedom), family (divorce vs. marriage) and religious background (circumcision vs. uncircumcision) and often God has a purpose for the new believer in that very situation. It is the place to which God has called him."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

We tend to despise our situation and station in life, especially when things get hard and we are in pain. We yearn for another life, so to speak and wish that God would lead us somewhere else. But this verse shows that God calls us, God assigns something, some stage to us. We should therefore, not respond in complain or bitterness but in joy and gratefulness. What kind of assigned life do we mean? It can be anything, really. I am a student now, this is my assignment, should I not work to the best of my ability, not wishing to quickly get out of this stage but to embrace all that comes along my way even when it gets tough?

There might be harder assignments to endure, one that is specific to us and sometimes we will never understand why God allows us to stay there. But the knowledge that He knows what He's doing should spur us on.

In every season, there is a purpose. Be it singlehood or marriage, be it poverty or riches. Be it joy or suffering. Be it sickness or health, nothing is in vain.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Let us then, thank God for our assigned life. For the stage, place He has called us to. Knowing that He is faithful and will ever be.

2 Timothy 2:13 - For if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

And in Paul's famous words, I shall end this...

'Thanks be to God...'

Two more days and it'll be February. Wow.

The spring semester started two weeks ago, work is starting to pile up. But I won't complain, I do like my classes. And being with my friends here again is certainly great. I had an amazing winter break which was more than I could ask for.

I posted my daily experiences at Place of Promise and took them all down just to be safe. Don't want to go against the confidetiality of the residents, not that I was told not to but yea. Anyway, if you want to read about what I really experienced, go here. I was told to do a write up on the place before I left and I did, and it was included in the newsletter to my surprise. Hope you are blessed, somehow..

I bought my flight ticket, will be back in May for 3 months. :)

Happy CNY, a tad late but oh well...

God bless, till then!

Thoughts With No End

Once again, I'm contemplating if I should stop blogging altogether. I would admit that one reason would be that there are only a few who actually [still] follow this blog. The blogging era seems to have ended for many and I occasionally wonder if my time has come. Does the world really need to know what I do, think and feel?

The answer is obvious. Yet there's something, I don't quite know what that draws me back to this place. Yes, perhaps I don't update as often as I used to and I might not ever get back to that stage again. But this place is too close to my heart to simply abandon... Even if it gets to the point where no one reads this, I cannot do it.

I might be just another ordinary person. But I serve an extraordinary God. Therefore, I live to sing His praises, to honor and glorify Him.

This blog has chronicled my journey through all the pain, the joy and the confusion. God has remained to be my refuge and strength. He has been and ever will be faithful to me. Despite my fears and failures, He always picks me up and draws me ever close to Him.

So I shall continue, to let the world know, what He's done for me.

When you have found happiness, you cannot do anything but share it. When you have found love, everything changes. Nothing else matters.

I am in love with the Lover of all. He fills the emptiness in me no one can. Despite my constant longings for companionship, He reminds me that this void, only He can fill. This Love, only He can give... And it is more than enough.

2012

A new year. My resolutions? If I want to come up with a list I surely can. One for example, would be to be less idle, particularly cutting down on my time online. However I have come to realize again that only one thing really matters be it yesterday, today, or tomorrow and forever - my Lord. Therefore all I want, not just this year but every year, every day is Him. To be more like Him

, to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him. That was what I was made to do, what we were made to do. It is strange when we think otherwise. Let us pray that this year would be one of growth and maturity in the Lord. To those who are yet to know Him, I pray you will. For life is so much more meaningful when you realize that the One who gave up His life for you is and was always there, waiting for you to return. This post has turned out quite differently than I imagined it to. I only speak the truth. Let this be Your year o Lord. You're all I need and more.

2011

2011

If there was one word to define the year, it would be transition.

I turned 20, it was a transition from adolescence to adulthood.

There were 3 main chapters to this year which happened to be 3-4 months each.

1. The Final Semester at MCKL (January-May)

It honestly didn’t really feel like the last due to the fact that I only had to be in college 10 hours a week and that there were only 15 of us left in our batch. Although I occasionally felt like there was no point in going to college, I still wanted to finish well. When I got my acceptance and offer letter from Colby-Sawyer, I started being complacent. I guess it didn’t matter if I did that well or not since I had the two A’s to back me up. Ended up doing really well, all glory to God. I’m still amazed by His grace up to this day, I could not have done it without Him. I do not think I deserve it, but that’s what grace is.

But results weren’t the main point. It was the closing of a chapter that had become part of my life, no, it was my life. I had made strong friendships, served in the CF which I believed contributed to my growth, had heartbreaks and joyous times. Still, it was time to leave and surprisingly, I was more than ready when I had to. I’m guessing it’s because during the last semester, I felt like I had my time and I was ready to move on.

2. The Summer Break at Home (May-August)

I know we don’t have a ‘summer’ break back home since we pretty much have summer all year round. That’s what I tell everyone here when they ask me about the weather. But that’s what I’d be referring to from now on. These were the last few months at home. I honestly didn’t do much, sleeping really late and waking up in time for lunch. I was ‘preparing’ for my leaving to the States and although I knew it, the reality only hit me hard a few days before I left.

It was hard, knowing that things would never be the same again. I’d be back during the summer breaks but I would never have those years again.

Leaving my family, friends behind, I felt like Abraham, being called into a foreign land.

And all I could do was to place it all in His hands, “I trust You Lord, I trust You.”

3. The First Semester in the States (September- December)

I landed in a new land which seems like a spiritual desert. Originally uncertain of my coming here and if this is really where I’m supposed to be, He reminded me that this is exactly where He wants me. By His superseding strength, I was able to stay strong in Him and the transition was smoother than I expected. I did not experience a culture shock nor got terribly homesick. I was seeing His promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and “I will not leave you comfortless” come true. I am grateful indeed.

He’s provided me great friends, amazing mentors and I’ve found my place serving in CF. Slowly but surely, He is revealing Himself as well as His plans not just while I’m here but for the future as well.

2011, a year of endings and beginnings. A year of joy and pain. A year of faith, hope and love. A year of experiencing God's faithfulness, of seeing the Word come to Life.

Thank You