Griffith

Last time I visited Griffith Observatory, I was 14 years old at Ridgecrest. One of the coolest parts of middle school science was the astronomy unit, because as far as I can remember, the only other time we learned about space was third grade. (My very educated mother just served us nine pizzas!) The trip to Griffith was part of an extra credit assignment, I believe, and I went with my friend Kiyana and her dad (and sister?).

This view was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen...Please mom...let me go back!!!

Lord, thank You for being so creative..so powerful as to place each star in the universe and each light bulb in the city. So considerate as to clear the air in some of the most beautiful sites. So intimate...that we are reminded of your love and desire to reveal yourself with places like these!!

Summer

Today, Alex Chen asked me, "How do you think summer has affected your walk?"

Throughout many days of this summer, I've complained and stressed about summer school, the violin tape, making up Pre-Calculus, and college preparations. But how I've been blessed :) I've learned not to complain and to see my blessings, not because I'm ignoring what's hard but because the blessings (sometimes hardships are blessings, too) are bigger, true, and God's way of showing me that He's up front and center even when I don't feel like it.

Another thing summer's forcing me to do is to make the effort to apply what I learn from my time with the Lord, church, Osaka prep, and everyday experiences. This summer, PVBC's doing a series on Missional Living. What we learn on Fridays and Sundays often overlaps with our discussions and meditations for Osaka.

1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

"¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

I can practice all the guitar, violin, and singing I want. I can study up on books and notes without end. I can preach the gospel to millions. I can get into Harvard!! I can make dinero. I can give to the poor. I can grow to be sooo faithful that that faith could move LAND. But what good is it if I'm not loving? If I'm not taking the love that God's given/is giving me and bringing it to those who don't see/know/feel it? And so, I've been learning to ask,

"How do we direct conversations?"

"How do we love others?"

"How do we live out LOVE everyday?"

"How can we help each other be bold in love?"

"What does it look like to love a non-Christian? A fellow brother/sister?"

Since it's summer, it's really easy to put friendships on hold and not talk to someone until I see them next. (Especially with ToDos and time for daydreaming/playing/studying/internet browsing/music/art/etc.) I know that God's using these lessons (and repeatedly putting sharing/loving on my heart) to remind me how urgent, necessary, and rewarding it is to aim for edifying and progressing relationships. For example, even though my friend Kelly and I disagree on some things, we're able to continue to seek advice, encouragement, and prayer from one another. Through the Osaka preparations, we're both being stretched and challenged, and it gives us the opportunity to establish accountability and support.

This is the same setup at school, too! The Christian Body is constantly challenged to answer questions, love others, reach out, respond with grace, stand out, give, sacrifice, and share...and we could use each other to be stronger, more prepared, and motivated to take action. It would be really cool to start seeing more unity on campus this year. This summer has definitely given me the opportunities to be actively seeking out ways to be more involved in the lives of others. Evidently, it has even helped me out with New Life preparations-praise God!

Mama Hsieh

While other moms worked day and night, you brought out the watercolors for afternoon paint sessions in the kitchen.

While other parents hired a nanny to unwind or take a day off, you always put us in front of yourself and took upon the job of being a single mom every single day.

While other moms gave up on music, you threatened to make us quit for not practicing but I know you kept us at it.

While other parents made millions, you played with kindergarten/pre-school-aged kids for close to no pay.

While other moms were scrambling for advice and a third party to improve their child, you were on top of it and instilled good values and joyful attitudes in your children.

While I shouted and complained, you stood your ground.

While I slacked off, you kept pushing me.

While we made fun of others, you rebuked us.

I want so much for you, Mom. I want you to have that perfect romance. I want you to have company when we leave. I want you to know that you did so well...you didn't fail with your children. I want you to know that your talent in art will always be admired. I want you to relax. I want you to learn how to use a computer and webcam so that we'll still have girl talk. I want you to be unafraid of adventure, because your children have kept you in PV for 18 years.

Your heart for others will always be valued. Your gratefulness for the world's beautiful things will always win over the ToDo Lists and worries. Your smile will always be your best feature. Your jokes will carry you in any situation. And the world will never see another mom like you.

Sweet Awakening.

Very Wrong.

Yesterday we talked about being active in our faith by being with non-Christians and loving them. Loving everyone.

At one point, Kevin said, "Every day that passes where they don't hear about the gospel is another day closer to them spending eternity without God."

I'm comfortable where I am. You tell me. How screwed up is that?

Babay Alay

Junior year is OVER. (ohmygoodness thank You Lord)

I'm a 17 year-old high school senior. I remember thinking that I'd never get here...that becoming 17 would take forever and that life was basically over once you got that old.

And yet, here I am, 17 and

-on the eve of starting college applications.

-feeling like a BABY.

-wishing I knew exactly what God has in store for me.

-looking back at my high school career and wishing I did better, and then...

-asking God why He made me the way I am.

-anticipating growth and change and good times, but

-afraid of growing up.

Where did time go?! How did I get here?

The strangely comforting thing is that as shortcomings and ToDos and fears flood to my mind, the truth is that everything is as it should be.

Word.

I'm about to take a break from finals studying to go preach the gospel! To retell it! To digest and ponder about it. To say it out loud.

To myself.

It's only a month and a half until the Osaka team leaves for Japan...and the preparation process since the team was brought together has been eye and heart-opening. One, it's really crazy to see the need for God not only for Japan but also here at home. When we were talking about the Japanese culture, I knew that many of us PV kids related to the success-driven mindset that we were discussing. The mindset that is lost and hungry for the unconditional love that God offers! Not just offers, but regardless of whether or not we recognize it, He is loving us TO DEATH. Two, the practice that we're putting into sharing our testimonies and the Gospel is not only preparing us for encounters in Japan with Japanese people, but also for our everyday as we aim to live missionally. As we practice and cherish telling of the good news, we're able to prepare ourselves for the hangouts, family dinners, classtime, phone calls, and so on, so that our loved ones can hear about the most important thing: God's love for them!

I think it was freshman year..a friend and I decided to try telling the gospel to ourselves for a few days or a week. If you're curious, perhaps you should try it. I remember it made me realize that the love, life, death, and resurrection of Christ is something that applies to my everyday, not only when I'm on a missions trip.

Sigh, studying for finals is NO excuse for not spending time with the Lord...I'm so thirsty for His reassurances and company! Praise Him for summer! :)