Dear all,
Things have been quite hectic recently, but I cannot imagine to be more blessed than I am now to have one new case and one new business!
Jason's violin teacher, Mr. Bae has so kindly landed me his old violin case when he learned that my violin case can no longer zip up. It is especially inconvenient whenever it is pouring outside because I would have to wrap my arms tightly around my violin case and worrying about my violin getting wet. I am so thankful for Mr. Bae's case! It zips up and it is very very light compares to my old case.
So, about my new business. I am now a Mary Kay beauty consultant. It is quite exciting because everything is so new to me-- everything from the products to the concept of running a business. It is really by God's grace that I'm able to grasp a little bit of just exactly what this industry does. I've just placed my very first order last night, and I pray that everything will turn out well-- whether to continue or to stop, may He be the boss.
If you are interested in checking out any Mary Kay products, please let me know!
my website:
www.marykay.com/annatsai
(of course, discount will be given to my faithful viewers ;)
Love,
Anna
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
New Comers' Night
Dear all,
My Chinese church under went our biggest (in number) event of the year last night-- New Comers' Night. About 180 people showed up for dinner, and 130 people stayed for the worship and sermon. Praise the Lord! Although number is not the most important thing, it surely reflected upon how God has blessed us!
Throughout the night, I felt the Holy Spirit working among us, and that God was fully in charge of every aspect of every twist and turn. No matter how busy each and every brother sister were (many of us had a full day with a combination of school, rehearsal, and the actual night), we still tried our best to love and care for one another and the newcomers. It was truly a blessing when I saw new faces opening up their mouth singing along with the songs that we sang, and that their faces were focused and engaged with everything that was happening on stage.
Praise the Lord for all the almighty doings! Praise Him because He died for us, priase Him because He has risen, praise Him because He is the only king, praise Him because He is before this time, of this time, and forever will be. Praise Him for eternity!
Anna:)
My Chinese church under went our biggest (in number) event of the year last night-- New Comers' Night. About 180 people showed up for dinner, and 130 people stayed for the worship and sermon. Praise the Lord! Although number is not the most important thing, it surely reflected upon how God has blessed us!
Throughout the night, I felt the Holy Spirit working among us, and that God was fully in charge of every aspect of every twist and turn. No matter how busy each and every brother sister were (many of us had a full day with a combination of school, rehearsal, and the actual night), we still tried our best to love and care for one another and the newcomers. It was truly a blessing when I saw new faces opening up their mouth singing along with the songs that we sang, and that their faces were focused and engaged with everything that was happening on stage.
Praise the Lord for all the almighty doings! Praise Him because He died for us, priase Him because He has risen, praise Him because He is the only king, praise Him because He is before this time, of this time, and forever will be. Praise Him for eternity!
Anna:)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Jason's Birthday
Dear all,
The past 2.5 weeks in school has been overwhelmingly fun. It is so crazy to see how behind I can be in my readings! But so far the stuff I read for my M401 (Music History) and T351 (Music Theory) has been quite enjoyable, and that I find myself liking the classes I'm taking this semester very much.
Today is Jason's 22nd birthday, and we're taking it quite lightly with just a meal at China Buffet. It is really sweet to see how Dawn, our friend (who happens to go to our church), is trying very hard to put something together; I think Jason will be very touched when he finds out, and I think the thought alone will be enough for Jason:) Thank you, Dawn!
God has consistently shown grace and gave blessings to me over the past few weeks. In short, He has blessed with me with the position of being an assistant concertmaster for my school's Concert Orchestra, which is a great confidence-booster and exactly what I needed at that time. He has also given me a new job as the orchestra's manager, which pays me when I'm in the school's orchestra doing the requirements for my major in Violin Performance. He has shown grace to me by letting the people around me being protective of me when I'm continuing to grow into a leader that is Godly and sensitive with words. He has been so good, and I cannot wait to share Him to the new comers who will step foot into my church this Friday night!
I hate to cut this short, especially when I haven't written for 15 days, but I have to go before my schoolwork becomes a nightmare. I hope everyone is doing well! Special prayers to those who are stressed-- remember He is in control and that everything will turn out fine:)
Love,
Anna
The past 2.5 weeks in school has been overwhelmingly fun. It is so crazy to see how behind I can be in my readings! But so far the stuff I read for my M401 (Music History) and T351 (Music Theory) has been quite enjoyable, and that I find myself liking the classes I'm taking this semester very much.
Today is Jason's 22nd birthday, and we're taking it quite lightly with just a meal at China Buffet. It is really sweet to see how Dawn, our friend (who happens to go to our church), is trying very hard to put something together; I think Jason will be very touched when he finds out, and I think the thought alone will be enough for Jason:) Thank you, Dawn!
God has consistently shown grace and gave blessings to me over the past few weeks. In short, He has blessed with me with the position of being an assistant concertmaster for my school's Concert Orchestra, which is a great confidence-booster and exactly what I needed at that time. He has also given me a new job as the orchestra's manager, which pays me when I'm in the school's orchestra doing the requirements for my major in Violin Performance. He has shown grace to me by letting the people around me being protective of me when I'm continuing to grow into a leader that is Godly and sensitive with words. He has been so good, and I cannot wait to share Him to the new comers who will step foot into my church this Friday night!
I hate to cut this short, especially when I haven't written for 15 days, but I have to go before my schoolwork becomes a nightmare. I hope everyone is doing well! Special prayers to those who are stressed-- remember He is in control and that everything will turn out fine:)
Love,
Anna
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Welcome to my new site!
Dear all,
Welcome to my new site! As you might see already, this blog gives me a bit more spice to manage, and that I've actually had this site since the middle of August. I decided not to announce my new site until September because I wanted to use the month of August to store all of my previous posts written from my old site.
I hope everyone enjoy my new site:) And, back to study...
Love,
Anna
Welcome to my new site! As you might see already, this blog gives me a bit more spice to manage, and that I've actually had this site since the middle of August. I decided not to announce my new site until September because I wanted to use the month of August to store all of my previous posts written from my old site.
I hope everyone enjoy my new site:) And, back to study...
Love,
Anna
Monday, August 24, 2009
My new apartment
Dear all,
It is almost a week since coming back to Bloomington. With the help of a few strong guys and ladies, all of my belongings are in my new apartment safely, and I'm trying to settle in completely as I'm writing this entry.
I really like my new apartment: the amount of sunlight it gets, the living room, the dining room, the bathroom, my room, and my closet space. I'm not so sure about the kitchen yet, but I'm sure it'll turn out great once I organize and clean it.
I felt so blessed this morning when I woke up. I just sat on my bed and took my time to look around my yet-to-be-organized room. What an amazing space I've got to have to live in! I got out of my bed and went to the bathroom for my morning routine, and I was once again amazed by just exactly how blessed I am to actually own everything that's in it-- the soap pump, the hand cloth, the bath rug, and the beautiful tower to put all the bottles in. Everything seemed ordinary, but to me everything is more than extraordinary.
I was able to save at least $500 by receiving many free furniture and appliances this past Saturday from both my church and another church in town called Sherwood Oaks. I was able to get a nice and firm bed, a beautiful and useful study table, a sturdy dining table, an almost new microwave, and a high- quality toaster. All free and delivered to my place. Praise the Lord! I can’t believe that all of these happened only because of the love from my brothers and sisters, and the grace of the highest King. I wonder sometimes why God loves me so much that He spends time looking after me so dearly.
It is lunch time. I shall eat some before losing weight and get back to organizing…
Love,
Anna
It is almost a week since coming back to Bloomington. With the help of a few strong guys and ladies, all of my belongings are in my new apartment safely, and I'm trying to settle in completely as I'm writing this entry.
I really like my new apartment: the amount of sunlight it gets, the living room, the dining room, the bathroom, my room, and my closet space. I'm not so sure about the kitchen yet, but I'm sure it'll turn out great once I organize and clean it.
I felt so blessed this morning when I woke up. I just sat on my bed and took my time to look around my yet-to-be-organized room. What an amazing space I've got to have to live in! I got out of my bed and went to the bathroom for my morning routine, and I was once again amazed by just exactly how blessed I am to actually own everything that's in it-- the soap pump, the hand cloth, the bath rug, and the beautiful tower to put all the bottles in. Everything seemed ordinary, but to me everything is more than extraordinary.
I was able to save at least $500 by receiving many free furniture and appliances this past Saturday from both my church and another church in town called Sherwood Oaks. I was able to get a nice and firm bed, a beautiful and useful study table, a sturdy dining table, an almost new microwave, and a high- quality toaster. All free and delivered to my place. Praise the Lord! I can’t believe that all of these happened only because of the love from my brothers and sisters, and the grace of the highest King. I wonder sometimes why God loves me so much that He spends time looking after me so dearly.
It is lunch time. I shall eat some before losing weight and get back to organizing…
Love,
Anna
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Dear everyone,
It has been a wild ride today for me! Having to be in the process of applying for my green card with my family really has been exciting, especially going to my family doctor this morning for the lab results. After a few turns and twists, I've turn out to be as healthy as I can be, and I've successfully received the required document (I-693) to advance in my green card process.
It really has been thrilling up to this point of the process, and it is just really hard not to shout praises to the Lord when I'm bursting with joy. Thank Him so much for His overlooking to this whole time! Praise the Lord! And may my parents have just as an easy time as I did today when they undergo the process of getting their I-693s next Wednesday.
I spent quite some time on worshipmatters.com yesterday, and took detailed notes on the series, What Does a Worship Leader Do? It has been so fulfilling to read each post closely that I feel like I finally know so much more about just what exactly should a worship leader do. The best part of spending that time yesterday was that I've written all the important parts down so I can go back to it whenever I like without having to serf through the series. The series have 14 posts to it. 9 posts down, 5 more to go.
It is 6 days until being back in Bloomington. I'm both psyched and sad. Psyched because I can't wait for the school year to start and move into a whole new apartment with Vivian. Sad because I know I'll miss my parents very much.
Please continue to pray for the victims and their family members. The number of undiscovered is still very high...
Love,
Anna
It has been a wild ride today for me! Having to be in the process of applying for my green card with my family really has been exciting, especially going to my family doctor this morning for the lab results. After a few turns and twists, I've turn out to be as healthy as I can be, and I've successfully received the required document (I-693) to advance in my green card process.
It really has been thrilling up to this point of the process, and it is just really hard not to shout praises to the Lord when I'm bursting with joy. Thank Him so much for His overlooking to this whole time! Praise the Lord! And may my parents have just as an easy time as I did today when they undergo the process of getting their I-693s next Wednesday.
I spent quite some time on worshipmatters.com yesterday, and took detailed notes on the series, What Does a Worship Leader Do? It has been so fulfilling to read each post closely that I feel like I finally know so much more about just what exactly should a worship leader do. The best part of spending that time yesterday was that I've written all the important parts down so I can go back to it whenever I like without having to serf through the series. The series have 14 posts to it. 9 posts down, 5 more to go.
It is 6 days until being back in Bloomington. I'm both psyched and sad. Psyched because I can't wait for the school year to start and move into a whole new apartment with Vivian. Sad because I know I'll miss my parents very much.
Please continue to pray for the victims and their family members. The number of undiscovered is still very high...
Love,
Anna
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Typhoon Attack
**The following post written on Aug 10 2009 at 11:51PM**
Dear all,
Typhoon Morakot has just swept through Taiwan coldheartedly. It has since done a great deal of damages and it has successfully brought the worst flooding in five decades onto my beloved land. Its contribution to the number of death has continued to grow, and it has destroyed conutless homes and families.
My heart sunk today when I learned more about this horrific disaster on the cyberspace. I cannot imagine just how many families were forced to be parted. I praised the Lord for taking His children home so soon, but my heart cried for those who have never had the chance to hear the good news before.
It is at such a time like this can I realize a bit more just how awesome my God is, that He is both Love and Just, and that His decisions are always absolutely righteous. My heart, soul, and mind continue to worship and praise Him for He has already called me His own.
Going back to school in 9 days, I have no idea what my future may bring. However, there is one thing certain in my mind: wherever God leads me, I want to worship Him in all my ways, and to be a useable vassal that is ready to work wherever and whenever God pleases.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Psalms 25:1-2
May the hurt ones be healed by the vast love of God. Please pray for the victims with me.
Love with deep sorrow,
Anna
Dear all,
Typhoon Morakot has just swept through Taiwan coldheartedly. It has since done a great deal of damages and it has successfully brought the worst flooding in five decades onto my beloved land. Its contribution to the number of death has continued to grow, and it has destroyed conutless homes and families.
My heart sunk today when I learned more about this horrific disaster on the cyberspace. I cannot imagine just how many families were forced to be parted. I praised the Lord for taking His children home so soon, but my heart cried for those who have never had the chance to hear the good news before.
It is at such a time like this can I realize a bit more just how awesome my God is, that He is both Love and Just, and that His decisions are always absolutely righteous. My heart, soul, and mind continue to worship and praise Him for He has already called me His own.
Going back to school in 9 days, I have no idea what my future may bring. However, there is one thing certain in my mind: wherever God leads me, I want to worship Him in all my ways, and to be a useable vassal that is ready to work wherever and whenever God pleases.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Psalms 25:1-2
May the hurt ones be healed by the vast love of God. Please pray for the victims with me.
Love with deep sorrow,
Anna
The wakeup call to Love
**The following post written on Aug 9 2009 at 10:26PM**
Dear all,
Today was a very special day for many reasons. One being that it is a blessed Sunday and it is the day God has granted us the rest. Another reason being that I finally had the chance to join brothers and sisters into worship and regain strength through the sweet fellowship after three weeks of being in the music festival. And last reason being that the sermon given today spoke to me so strongly that it has found its place in my heart and touched me very deeply, and the speaker happened to be my very own darling father:)
Today's sermon was on Love. It almost came off to me as an old deal, but to my greatest amazement, the sermon reminded me of the importance and gave me a whole new perspective. I have since then been filled with new insights and joy.
To make the long sermon short, not only is loving one another demanded by God, but it is also an essential criteria for one another to feel the presence of God's spirit and live in Him, in which God lives in us. For it says,
God is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him
1 John 4:16-17
The sermon today has truly blessed me by reminding me the importance to love even when situations seem desperately in distress. It has been many times over the summer that I felt weak to continue in staying at the Chinese church back at school, surely due to many personal weaknesses and sinful thoughts. However, today's sermon once again shed lights unto the fact that, Love is the key to all, and I have the responsibility to love one another unconditionally.
It is always so easy for me to overlook the importance of Love, and I believe it is because Love comes from God and I am too often of the world that I felt no urgency to practice Love. Today has served as a wakeup call for me to once again stand firm on my two feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, and worship God every minute in all the ways I do.
I feel so blessed and thankful that God has never left or abandoned me. Just how can I not believe He is real? :)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 6:18
As of right now, I can't quite wait to go back to school and do all the amazing stuff that is in front of me, let it be violin or ministry. I pray that with God's mercy, this new found energy may stay in me with an overabundant of love to share with others. I pray to be constantly reminded of His great glory.
I hope all is well with everyone... wherever you may be! There is a great chance that I'm thinking about you and praying for you:)
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Today was a very special day for many reasons. One being that it is a blessed Sunday and it is the day God has granted us the rest. Another reason being that I finally had the chance to join brothers and sisters into worship and regain strength through the sweet fellowship after three weeks of being in the music festival. And last reason being that the sermon given today spoke to me so strongly that it has found its place in my heart and touched me very deeply, and the speaker happened to be my very own darling father:)
Today's sermon was on Love. It almost came off to me as an old deal, but to my greatest amazement, the sermon reminded me of the importance and gave me a whole new perspective. I have since then been filled with new insights and joy.
To make the long sermon short, not only is loving one another demanded by God, but it is also an essential criteria for one another to feel the presence of God's spirit and live in Him, in which God lives in us. For it says,
God is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him
1 John 4:16-17
The sermon today has truly blessed me by reminding me the importance to love even when situations seem desperately in distress. It has been many times over the summer that I felt weak to continue in staying at the Chinese church back at school, surely due to many personal weaknesses and sinful thoughts. However, today's sermon once again shed lights unto the fact that, Love is the key to all, and I have the responsibility to love one another unconditionally.
It is always so easy for me to overlook the importance of Love, and I believe it is because Love comes from God and I am too often of the world that I felt no urgency to practice Love. Today has served as a wakeup call for me to once again stand firm on my two feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, and worship God every minute in all the ways I do.
I feel so blessed and thankful that God has never left or abandoned me. Just how can I not believe He is real? :)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 6:18
As of right now, I can't quite wait to go back to school and do all the amazing stuff that is in front of me, let it be violin or ministry. I pray that with God's mercy, this new found energy may stay in me with an overabundant of love to share with others. I pray to be constantly reminded of His great glory.
I hope all is well with everyone... wherever you may be! There is a great chance that I'm thinking about you and praying for you:)
Love,
Anna
Returning from wonderland
**The following post written on Aug 6 2009 at 10:55AM**
Dear all,
It has been so long since my last entry that I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog!
I've been on the West Coast for the past month-- first visiting Jason's family for a week, then off with Jason to a music festival up in Leavenworth, WA for three weeks. I had a blast at Jason's place. We went peach-picking with some of his relatives and ate more peaches than I've ever had for the next couple of days. I met almost all of his friends and hung out with them. I taught little kids academics and went on a field trip to the zoo (no tigers jumped out of his cage this time). And I finally caught a cold at the end of the week.
It was amazing to see how the kids reacted to Jesus' nailing on the cross. At first they would recite to me how "Jesus died for us on the cross" like they've heard the deal a million times. I spent some time to tell them just exactly what Jesus went through before being nailed onto the cross, and I saw their faces became serious in realization that it was something horrific and real. I secretly pray that the lesson that day would stay in some of their hearts for the many years to come.
The music festival up in Leavenworth, WA. was a complete treat. The camp was very small this year (19 students total), which made the atmosphere so much more intimate. I was able to eat with everyone, including the faculty and staff, and learned everyone's name in 2 days. The music making was great and the faculty was fantastic.
It was a true blessing to find brothers and sisters in the camp. We had Sunday fellowship together before breakfast every week and it was a wonderful experience to worship God together with different backgrounds.
Coming back home has been very relaxing and nice. I've missed my parents very much and it is good to be back home two more weeks before returning school for another hectic and exciting year. Thanks to God for giving me opportunities of all kinds and allow me to see places and share my belief. I pray that I've been salt and light to the people around me, and any offenses I've done may be lightened and forgotten by the people around me.
One person has been constantly in my mind since camp ended, and my prayer for the person is to make peace with Christ again and take Him as a personal savior.
We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.
Psalms 75:1
I hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
It has been so long since my last entry that I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog!
I've been on the West Coast for the past month-- first visiting Jason's family for a week, then off with Jason to a music festival up in Leavenworth, WA for three weeks. I had a blast at Jason's place. We went peach-picking with some of his relatives and ate more peaches than I've ever had for the next couple of days. I met almost all of his friends and hung out with them. I taught little kids academics and went on a field trip to the zoo (no tigers jumped out of his cage this time). And I finally caught a cold at the end of the week.
It was amazing to see how the kids reacted to Jesus' nailing on the cross. At first they would recite to me how "Jesus died for us on the cross" like they've heard the deal a million times. I spent some time to tell them just exactly what Jesus went through before being nailed onto the cross, and I saw their faces became serious in realization that it was something horrific and real. I secretly pray that the lesson that day would stay in some of their hearts for the many years to come.
The music festival up in Leavenworth, WA. was a complete treat. The camp was very small this year (19 students total), which made the atmosphere so much more intimate. I was able to eat with everyone, including the faculty and staff, and learned everyone's name in 2 days. The music making was great and the faculty was fantastic.
It was a true blessing to find brothers and sisters in the camp. We had Sunday fellowship together before breakfast every week and it was a wonderful experience to worship God together with different backgrounds.
Coming back home has been very relaxing and nice. I've missed my parents very much and it is good to be back home two more weeks before returning school for another hectic and exciting year. Thanks to God for giving me opportunities of all kinds and allow me to see places and share my belief. I pray that I've been salt and light to the people around me, and any offenses I've done may be lightened and forgotten by the people around me.
One person has been constantly in my mind since camp ended, and my prayer for the person is to make peace with Christ again and take Him as a personal savior.
We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.
Psalms 75:1
I hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Anna
Mary's prayer
**The following post written on Jun 24 2009 at 2:57PM**
Dear all,
To my own surprise, I've actually never read through all four of the gospel books yet— I've only read the first half of Matthew, the whole book of John, and then just bits and pieces of Luke and Mark. Yesterday, I decided to start and finish the book of Luke as my next devotional project. Here I am, amazed by Mary's prayer when she visited Elizabeth, after angel Gabriel's visit and being pregnant with Jesus Christ—
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
His mercy extended to those who fear him,
for generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.
Luke 1:46-55
What a beautiful and humble prayer. My heart sings for seeing such a selfless prayer from an ordinary woman who has just received a blessing that no other woman will ever have. Praises unto Him my Lord :)
Just in case anyone is wondering what I've been up to lately...
- I've been following a pretty simple schedule at home with lots of sleep, food of two kinds, and practicing.
- Because of how simple my life is right now, it is sometimes hard to find materials to write about, which is both a good thing (very relaxing and very little to worry about) and a bad thing (not being able to write as much as I would have liked).
- I will be heading off to San Francisco next Friday (July 3) to visit Jason's family. I hope something cool will happen on July 4! After in SF for a week, Jason and I will head up to a music camp for 3 weeks.
- I haven't been very happy with some of the stuff that's been going on recently, but it is always a big comfort when I count the blessings I've been given and recall how blessed I am to have a wonderful family that I can always count on, and a supernatural God who I can take refuge in.
May God’s light continue to shine on my loved ones and me. I pray for a vast love amongst my brothers and sisters, for we are nothing without love.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
To my own surprise, I've actually never read through all four of the gospel books yet— I've only read the first half of Matthew, the whole book of John, and then just bits and pieces of Luke and Mark. Yesterday, I decided to start and finish the book of Luke as my next devotional project. Here I am, amazed by Mary's prayer when she visited Elizabeth, after angel Gabriel's visit and being pregnant with Jesus Christ—
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
His mercy extended to those who fear him,
for generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.
Luke 1:46-55
What a beautiful and humble prayer. My heart sings for seeing such a selfless prayer from an ordinary woman who has just received a blessing that no other woman will ever have. Praises unto Him my Lord :)
Just in case anyone is wondering what I've been up to lately...
- I've been following a pretty simple schedule at home with lots of sleep, food of two kinds, and practicing.
- Because of how simple my life is right now, it is sometimes hard to find materials to write about, which is both a good thing (very relaxing and very little to worry about) and a bad thing (not being able to write as much as I would have liked).
- I will be heading off to San Francisco next Friday (July 3) to visit Jason's family. I hope something cool will happen on July 4! After in SF for a week, Jason and I will head up to a music camp for 3 weeks.
- I haven't been very happy with some of the stuff that's been going on recently, but it is always a big comfort when I count the blessings I've been given and recall how blessed I am to have a wonderful family that I can always count on, and a supernatural God who I can take refuge in.
May God’s light continue to shine on my loved ones and me. I pray for a vast love amongst my brothers and sisters, for we are nothing without love.
Love,
Anna
The reason I live
**The following post written on Jun 7 2009 at 11:56PM**
Dear all,
Happy first Sunday of June! I hope those of us who have gone to church today were refreshed and surrounded by the love of God from brothers and sisters! Shall His love dwell in us every day of a week, every week of a month, every month of a year, and all the years we may live!
The song, "When I look into Your holiness" has been stuck in my head for quite some time now. I was tightly grasped by its lyric when it proclaims that, "the reason I live is to worship You." What a truthful statement, yet how easy it is for me to overlook upon such simple fact!
When I look into Your holiness (click!)
When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You
When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will becomes enthralled in Your love
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You
I worship You, I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
Amen! I pray that I may be reminded of my living purpose, which is to worship Him and only Him (no worldly desires) whole-heartedly, and to proclaim His glorious name to all the nations I shall walk on until the day I see Him.
The reason I live is of one thing, and that is to worship God in all the things I do:)
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Happy first Sunday of June! I hope those of us who have gone to church today were refreshed and surrounded by the love of God from brothers and sisters! Shall His love dwell in us every day of a week, every week of a month, every month of a year, and all the years we may live!
The song, "When I look into Your holiness" has been stuck in my head for quite some time now. I was tightly grasped by its lyric when it proclaims that, "the reason I live is to worship You." What a truthful statement, yet how easy it is for me to overlook upon such simple fact!
When I look into Your holiness (click!)
When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You
When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will becomes enthralled in Your love
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You
I worship You, I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
Amen! I pray that I may be reminded of my living purpose, which is to worship Him and only Him (no worldly desires) whole-heartedly, and to proclaim His glorious name to all the nations I shall walk on until the day I see Him.
The reason I live is of one thing, and that is to worship God in all the things I do:)
Love,
Anna
Scary thoughts
**The following post written on Jun 3 2009 at 11:07**
Dear all,
It has been a blessing for me to spend some wonderful time with my beloved parents these days. Yesterday, we went shopping and got some good deals (best buy: a zip-up sweater for $5). Today, I helped putting metal fence up around my mom's veggie garden in attempt to fence off those hungry rabbits. All in all, the time at home has been beyond precious and restful, and I finally feel that Statesboro, GA. is my home and not just a place that we moved to two years ago before I attended college!
I've been having some rough times and scary thoughts recently with myself. It's been very hard for me to think that the time I will be able to spend with my parents is getting less and less. I've realized I won't be able to spend much time with my parents at all if my plannings go well in the coming winter and summer breaks. And this doesn't get better as I become older and probably getting married one day. I just can't quite imagine a life without having enough of my parents.
Another scary thought I've been having is through finding pride in others lately. Seeing their pride really reminds me of my own, and I'm scared to think how people feel when seeing my pride. This led to thinking whether people like me in the Chinese church because I've been very involved and pushy with the ministries I was in. Being away from Bloomington doesn't help soothing my concerns because I couldn't tell how people think of me by observing them.
My scary thoughts finally settled when Jason and Joy each spent a long time talking to me last night. They were just so loving and great and their explanation has helped putting things back into proportion for me. Praises to the Lord for He's known me well and has put the most loving and wonderful people in my life!
It is hard to remember sometimes that everything is in God's sovereign hand, and things only happen if God allows it to happen. Although many of my worries are less than a speck of dust in comparison to eternity, my awesome God still cares and only does what is best for me. My scary thoughts may have been bothering me for a long time, but they have happened to remind the greatness of God and that He is in control.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Whatever happened, happened, and whatever will happen, will happen-- all in God's will. I pray to continue to trust and love God with all my heart, soul, and strength! And until I can trust in Him and love Him completely, I pray to be reminded often of who He is.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
It has been a blessing for me to spend some wonderful time with my beloved parents these days. Yesterday, we went shopping and got some good deals (best buy: a zip-up sweater for $5). Today, I helped putting metal fence up around my mom's veggie garden in attempt to fence off those hungry rabbits. All in all, the time at home has been beyond precious and restful, and I finally feel that Statesboro, GA. is my home and not just a place that we moved to two years ago before I attended college!
I've been having some rough times and scary thoughts recently with myself. It's been very hard for me to think that the time I will be able to spend with my parents is getting less and less. I've realized I won't be able to spend much time with my parents at all if my plannings go well in the coming winter and summer breaks. And this doesn't get better as I become older and probably getting married one day. I just can't quite imagine a life without having enough of my parents.
Another scary thought I've been having is through finding pride in others lately. Seeing their pride really reminds me of my own, and I'm scared to think how people feel when seeing my pride. This led to thinking whether people like me in the Chinese church because I've been very involved and pushy with the ministries I was in. Being away from Bloomington doesn't help soothing my concerns because I couldn't tell how people think of me by observing them.
My scary thoughts finally settled when Jason and Joy each spent a long time talking to me last night. They were just so loving and great and their explanation has helped putting things back into proportion for me. Praises to the Lord for He's known me well and has put the most loving and wonderful people in my life!
It is hard to remember sometimes that everything is in God's sovereign hand, and things only happen if God allows it to happen. Although many of my worries are less than a speck of dust in comparison to eternity, my awesome God still cares and only does what is best for me. My scary thoughts may have been bothering me for a long time, but they have happened to remind the greatness of God and that He is in control.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Whatever happened, happened, and whatever will happen, will happen-- all in God's will. I pray to continue to trust and love God with all my heart, soul, and strength! And until I can trust in Him and love Him completely, I pray to be reminded often of who He is.
Love,
Anna
Jon & Kate plus 8
**The following post written on Jun 2 2009 at 12:39AM**
Dear all,
TLC's TV series "Jon & Kate plus 8" has always been one of my favorites. It shows a family with eight children-- a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. The show just started its 5th season last Monday, but there seem to be so much issues going on--more than ever before.
I remembered the 1st season when the sextuplets were born and Jon & Kate wanted to document their lives as a big family thru the series. Every time I was excited to see the family on my TV screen. This fever did not end when I went to college; I loved watching Jon & Kate plus 8 whenever having the chance to.
With Jon and Kate separately making the headline news on different magazines, it is heartbreaking for me to finally come to realization that the family I've spent hours watching is falling apart. I couldn't believe it when I first heard the news from Joy (who learned it on TV). But after watching the new seasons for two weeks, I think I've seen enough of the hurtful ways to come to the conclusion that something's gotta change.
It is hard sometimes for me to think that "Jon & Kate plus 8" isn't just a TV show, that it is actually a normal family with an unusual way of living, consider it is being filmed and have little privacy. It is a family that also needs care and prayers from brothers and sisters just like any other families (I knew the family pursues, or has pursuit, Christ from watching one of the earlier episodes :).
To those of us who believe, instead of giving useless criticism like I did before by saying, "they should have dropped the show earlier" or "how could ______ (Jon and/or Kate) do such and such?" please join me in prayers for the family. This is not just a far away family that we see on TV-- this is a family of 10 and it belongs to God; this family was once everyone's favorite. The decisions Jon and Kate make will influence 8 young lives aside from their own lives.
May God be in their sight as Jon and Kate continue to make decisions for their big family. Let us pray for them in love!
Love in great sorrow,
Anna
Dear all,
TLC's TV series "Jon & Kate plus 8" has always been one of my favorites. It shows a family with eight children-- a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. The show just started its 5th season last Monday, but there seem to be so much issues going on--more than ever before.
I remembered the 1st season when the sextuplets were born and Jon & Kate wanted to document their lives as a big family thru the series. Every time I was excited to see the family on my TV screen. This fever did not end when I went to college; I loved watching Jon & Kate plus 8 whenever having the chance to.
With Jon and Kate separately making the headline news on different magazines, it is heartbreaking for me to finally come to realization that the family I've spent hours watching is falling apart. I couldn't believe it when I first heard the news from Joy (who learned it on TV). But after watching the new seasons for two weeks, I think I've seen enough of the hurtful ways to come to the conclusion that something's gotta change.
It is hard sometimes for me to think that "Jon & Kate plus 8" isn't just a TV show, that it is actually a normal family with an unusual way of living, consider it is being filmed and have little privacy. It is a family that also needs care and prayers from brothers and sisters just like any other families (I knew the family pursues, or has pursuit, Christ from watching one of the earlier episodes :).
To those of us who believe, instead of giving useless criticism like I did before by saying, "they should have dropped the show earlier" or "how could ______ (Jon and/or Kate) do such and such?" please join me in prayers for the family. This is not just a far away family that we see on TV-- this is a family of 10 and it belongs to God; this family was once everyone's favorite. The decisions Jon and Kate make will influence 8 young lives aside from their own lives.
May God be in their sight as Jon and Kate continue to make decisions for their big family. Let us pray for them in love!
Love in great sorrow,
Anna
Powerful prayers
**The following post written on Jun 1 2009 at 11:19PM**
Dear all,
Today is the first day of June, and Statesboro, GA. is finally once again greeted by the wonderful sunshine in solute to the new month:)
I can't really think of anything special in this month of June-- no holidays (except Father's day, which we celebrate on August 8), no appointments, no weddings--and all I can think of is that I'm about 1/4 done with my summer vacation. Praise the almighty Lord for giving me a stress-free month to look upon!
So, I've finally (after a long time being a Christian) discovered the power and importance of prayers! Being in church for quite some time, I've always heard and known about the importance of prayers, and how we should always keep one another in our daily prayers. However, the way I used to pray didn’t help much, which was listing out my prayer items instead of praying for the individual items on my list.
Just about a couple weeks ago, with God's mercy, my eyes were opened when reading a book called "Worship Team." I saw my lacking in prayers so I decided to spend more time and energy to pray for others. Since then, I've been surprised by the results!
I feel that I'm a lot closer to God. Constantly giving meaningful prayers to Him has helped me build a stronger relationship with Him. With prayers filled with singing praises, asking for forgiveness, and putting down mine and others' burdens, I feel the presence of God is in me more and more often.
I also feel that I'm getting better in loving and caring for the people I pray for. They become more and more involved in my everyday life even though I don't see any of them (except my parents). It is something that I've never experienced before, and I'm so thankful to be able to have this kind of life style now!
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
James 5:16
Praise the Lord for His great doings! Through prayers I become closer to God, and through prayers I feel stronger and able to love others more with Christ love!
I hope everyone's doing well-- wherever you are, there is a big chance that I'm praying for you :D
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Today is the first day of June, and Statesboro, GA. is finally once again greeted by the wonderful sunshine in solute to the new month:)
I can't really think of anything special in this month of June-- no holidays (except Father's day, which we celebrate on August 8), no appointments, no weddings--and all I can think of is that I'm about 1/4 done with my summer vacation. Praise the almighty Lord for giving me a stress-free month to look upon!
So, I've finally (after a long time being a Christian) discovered the power and importance of prayers! Being in church for quite some time, I've always heard and known about the importance of prayers, and how we should always keep one another in our daily prayers. However, the way I used to pray didn’t help much, which was listing out my prayer items instead of praying for the individual items on my list.
Just about a couple weeks ago, with God's mercy, my eyes were opened when reading a book called "Worship Team." I saw my lacking in prayers so I decided to spend more time and energy to pray for others. Since then, I've been surprised by the results!
I feel that I'm a lot closer to God. Constantly giving meaningful prayers to Him has helped me build a stronger relationship with Him. With prayers filled with singing praises, asking for forgiveness, and putting down mine and others' burdens, I feel the presence of God is in me more and more often.
I also feel that I'm getting better in loving and caring for the people I pray for. They become more and more involved in my everyday life even though I don't see any of them (except my parents). It is something that I've never experienced before, and I'm so thankful to be able to have this kind of life style now!
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
James 5:16
Praise the Lord for His great doings! Through prayers I become closer to God, and through prayers I feel stronger and able to love others more with Christ love!
I hope everyone's doing well-- wherever you are, there is a big chance that I'm praying for you :D
Love,
Anna
Global Position System
**The following post written on May 28 2009 at 12:32AM**
Dear all,
Ever since my parents travelled up to Indiana from Georgia to take Jason and me home with the help of a family friend's GPS, my dad was determined and excited to get a GPS of our own. Not long after our arrival back at home, our GPS came in the mail. It is very small and cute; I like how it has a "mute" button that I can click on when it becomes necessary;)
Today, my family went up to meet up with some friends to hang out. On our way there, with my parents happily discussing how GPS has made traveling so much more enjoyable, I started thinking about how GPS is actually so close to the nature of God. For one thing, it always knows the road that we cannot foresee and leads us on in full confidence. I also started to wonder-- if it is so easy for humans to trust a machine, why is it so hard to trust a living king sometimes?
As I let my mind wandered off, I see how God is so great and loving-- He has cared for us enough to know our footsteps and has loved us enough to lead us on. His love is vast because He has given Jesus' sacrifice for us as a free gift so when we turn the wrong way He does not sit back and simply "recalculates," but forgives us, personally pulls us back on track, and continues to lead us on.
My Lord is an awesome God, so how can I ever stop praising Him?
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in-- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalms 139:1-10
Amen.
I was inspired to use the scriptures above by a Chinese hymn, 展開清晨的翅膀 (click!). I hope you enjoy it as I do :)
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Ever since my parents travelled up to Indiana from Georgia to take Jason and me home with the help of a family friend's GPS, my dad was determined and excited to get a GPS of our own. Not long after our arrival back at home, our GPS came in the mail. It is very small and cute; I like how it has a "mute" button that I can click on when it becomes necessary;)
Today, my family went up to meet up with some friends to hang out. On our way there, with my parents happily discussing how GPS has made traveling so much more enjoyable, I started thinking about how GPS is actually so close to the nature of God. For one thing, it always knows the road that we cannot foresee and leads us on in full confidence. I also started to wonder-- if it is so easy for humans to trust a machine, why is it so hard to trust a living king sometimes?
As I let my mind wandered off, I see how God is so great and loving-- He has cared for us enough to know our footsteps and has loved us enough to lead us on. His love is vast because He has given Jesus' sacrifice for us as a free gift so when we turn the wrong way He does not sit back and simply "recalculates," but forgives us, personally pulls us back on track, and continues to lead us on.
My Lord is an awesome God, so how can I ever stop praising Him?
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in-- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalms 139:1-10
Amen.
I was inspired to use the scriptures above by a Chinese hymn, 展開清晨的翅膀 (click!). I hope you enjoy it as I do :)
Love,
Anna
I am blessed!
**The following post written on May 26 2009 at 4:01PM**
Dear all,
Summer has begun about two and a half weeks ago, and I'm currently happily stationed in Statesboro, GA enjoying the love and resources God has prepared for me. However, Statesboro has been raining almost every day for the past week or so. I heard it's pretty abnormal for this place to rain so much, but at least my mom is happy--she doesn't have to worry about her plants dying:)
There are countless things in my life for me to be thankful and joyful for. To start it off, I'm blessed with a group of faithful readers for my blog-- I've logged onto my accounted to see 5 views from today, and 143 views total for this month! It is quite amazing especially haven't written anything since the end of April. Thanks to those who have been my faithful and encouraging supporters during all these times!
I'm blessed with my parents, who are loved by God and many on earth. Today, my parents told me they really don't want me to go back to Indiana because they really love having me home :) They even agreed to buy me kittens and puppies (my mom's worse enemies) if I decide to stay for good.
I'm blessed with wonderful friends. I see them growing and pursuing a life of purity and a life that is above reproach. It is not always easy especially with all the temptations out there. I'm simply touched by the way they act and pursue God and I thank God for putting such group of loving people around me as constant reminders and encouragement.
I'm blessed with strong leaders in the worship ministry in the Chinese church. I learn and am finally sheltered under strong leadership. I no longer feel helpless for I am still an immature worker of God's. Praise the Lord!
I'm blessed with much more things-- a house to live in, a violin to play on, a fridge full of food, churches to go to and learn from, and much much more. But most importantly, I'm blessed with a faith that I can count on. He never fails because He is real, living, and forever glorious. It is funny how it could sound so cliche, but at the same time so true to me. I praise God because He is the God!
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
Psalms 125:1-2
I hope everything is well with everyone! May God bless you abundantly!
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Summer has begun about two and a half weeks ago, and I'm currently happily stationed in Statesboro, GA enjoying the love and resources God has prepared for me. However, Statesboro has been raining almost every day for the past week or so. I heard it's pretty abnormal for this place to rain so much, but at least my mom is happy--she doesn't have to worry about her plants dying:)
There are countless things in my life for me to be thankful and joyful for. To start it off, I'm blessed with a group of faithful readers for my blog-- I've logged onto my accounted to see 5 views from today, and 143 views total for this month! It is quite amazing especially haven't written anything since the end of April. Thanks to those who have been my faithful and encouraging supporters during all these times!
I'm blessed with my parents, who are loved by God and many on earth. Today, my parents told me they really don't want me to go back to Indiana because they really love having me home :) They even agreed to buy me kittens and puppies (my mom's worse enemies) if I decide to stay for good.
I'm blessed with wonderful friends. I see them growing and pursuing a life of purity and a life that is above reproach. It is not always easy especially with all the temptations out there. I'm simply touched by the way they act and pursue God and I thank God for putting such group of loving people around me as constant reminders and encouragement.
I'm blessed with strong leaders in the worship ministry in the Chinese church. I learn and am finally sheltered under strong leadership. I no longer feel helpless for I am still an immature worker of God's. Praise the Lord!
I'm blessed with much more things-- a house to live in, a violin to play on, a fridge full of food, churches to go to and learn from, and much much more. But most importantly, I'm blessed with a faith that I can count on. He never fails because He is real, living, and forever glorious. It is funny how it could sound so cliche, but at the same time so true to me. I praise God because He is the God!
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
Psalms 125:1-2
I hope everything is well with everyone! May God bless you abundantly!
Love,
Anna
Specks and Logs
**The following post written on Apr 29 2009 at 9:05PM**
Dear all,
It is the 2nd to last week of school, and I'm feeling, surprisingly, relaxed and well-rested! Although there seems to be a flow of never-ending tasks to do (typing reports, studying for tests), I praise the Lord for bringing peace into my heart and giving me the strength to enjoy the last few days of this school year.
Recently, I've been bothered by little things around me. I sought to look for reasons that caused it, but for the whole time I was searching in a wrong direction. The reason actually turned out to be simple--I've simply been too proud.
Instead of, "Why can't you...," I should, rather, redirect the question to, "Am I setting a good example and giving a Godly testimony?" Often times my own pride has been a stumbling block to my own self, yet often times I've assumed the cause to be others' wrong-doings. Jesus says,
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:3
Many times I convinced myself that I've taken the log out of my eyes and the speck is truly in the person's eye, but in reality, I've not yet cleansed my own eye. It is a frustrating thing when I see something in a person that isn't quite right, but then there is always a difference between telling right from wrong and judging out of self-righteousness, for Jesus says,
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you
Matthew 7:2
Many times I caught myself judging others more than seeing my own weaknesses. Yet, how can I judge others when I myself sin every day of my life?
I'm becoming more and more convicted of living my life as a living testimony, that someone may look upon me and see a bit of Christ in me. I pray to become more and more like Christ, for He has given His life to my sins so I may be seen blameless in His presence.
Special prayers to those who are stressed from the end of the year. I hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
It is the 2nd to last week of school, and I'm feeling, surprisingly, relaxed and well-rested! Although there seems to be a flow of never-ending tasks to do (typing reports, studying for tests), I praise the Lord for bringing peace into my heart and giving me the strength to enjoy the last few days of this school year.
Recently, I've been bothered by little things around me. I sought to look for reasons that caused it, but for the whole time I was searching in a wrong direction. The reason actually turned out to be simple--I've simply been too proud.
Instead of, "Why can't you...," I should, rather, redirect the question to, "Am I setting a good example and giving a Godly testimony?" Often times my own pride has been a stumbling block to my own self, yet often times I've assumed the cause to be others' wrong-doings. Jesus says,
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:3
Many times I convinced myself that I've taken the log out of my eyes and the speck is truly in the person's eye, but in reality, I've not yet cleansed my own eye. It is a frustrating thing when I see something in a person that isn't quite right, but then there is always a difference between telling right from wrong and judging out of self-righteousness, for Jesus says,
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you
Matthew 7:2
Many times I caught myself judging others more than seeing my own weaknesses. Yet, how can I judge others when I myself sin every day of my life?
I'm becoming more and more convicted of living my life as a living testimony, that someone may look upon me and see a bit of Christ in me. I pray to become more and more like Christ, for He has given His life to my sins so I may be seen blameless in His presence.
Special prayers to those who are stressed from the end of the year. I hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Anna
Above Reproach
**The following post written on Apr 19 2009 at 10:26PM**
Dear all,
Recently, my Chinese church has been going through some rough times. Yesterday, Hubert (our future worship deacon) had so graciously reminded me to be more careful as I'm holding a position in church that needs a humble attitude. Since then, I've been once again convicted to be above reproach. I felt an urge to write the below message to my small group's core group members--
Dear everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well in school and in the midst of all craziness that seems to be going around in church these days.
Because of the kindness of Hubert and his wise reminder, I'm once again convicted to be above reproach in all ways. This means to take fuller control of the way I talk, act, and do things, and not to be a stumbling block to other people, but rather an encouragement. This also means to take wiser steps when I'm around Jason. Please don't be afraid and remind/rebuke me when you see something that is ungodly in/from me!
In this time of hardship, I would also like to encourage all of us to be above reproach. It is not an easy task, and we sure will need each other's reminders often. I hope we can work together and become a group of loving young adults who are putting our knowledge into actions, and I pray that we shall be blameless in all ways.
Thank you all for being wonderful friends to me. May God's will be done in our church and in our lives, and shall we continue to give and love our church just as Christ has died for our sins and loves us without condition.
Love,
Anna
Please pray for the Bloomington Chinese Christian Church, that we may stand strong while persuing the will of our LORD, and that may the brothers and sisters love one another just like God has commended us to do. Please pray, also, that the hurt ones in the church may lean on our God alone and be comforted by Him, the glorious and magnificent one. Shall all of our head knowledge to be put into actions.
Love,
Anna
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
Dear all,
Recently, my Chinese church has been going through some rough times. Yesterday, Hubert (our future worship deacon) had so graciously reminded me to be more careful as I'm holding a position in church that needs a humble attitude. Since then, I've been once again convicted to be above reproach. I felt an urge to write the below message to my small group's core group members--
Dear everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well in school and in the midst of all craziness that seems to be going around in church these days.
Because of the kindness of Hubert and his wise reminder, I'm once again convicted to be above reproach in all ways. This means to take fuller control of the way I talk, act, and do things, and not to be a stumbling block to other people, but rather an encouragement. This also means to take wiser steps when I'm around Jason. Please don't be afraid and remind/rebuke me when you see something that is ungodly in/from me!
In this time of hardship, I would also like to encourage all of us to be above reproach. It is not an easy task, and we sure will need each other's reminders often. I hope we can work together and become a group of loving young adults who are putting our knowledge into actions, and I pray that we shall be blameless in all ways.
Thank you all for being wonderful friends to me. May God's will be done in our church and in our lives, and shall we continue to give and love our church just as Christ has died for our sins and loves us without condition.
Love,
Anna
Please pray for the Bloomington Chinese Christian Church, that we may stand strong while persuing the will of our LORD, and that may the brothers and sisters love one another just like God has commended us to do. Please pray, also, that the hurt ones in the church may lean on our God alone and be comforted by Him, the glorious and magnificent one. Shall all of our head knowledge to be put into actions.
Love,
Anna
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
He has risen!
**The following post written on Apr 12 2009 at 9:47PM**
Dear all,
Happy Easter! Blessed are those who believe in Him, for He has conquered the death and risen to be at Father's right hand!
There were many wonderful songs sang today in church today, and it was beyond human expressions of how sweet the praise and worship time was! Many people--including me-- were moved by the awesomeness of the sinless Lamb that many have cried under complete surrender. How awesome is He to take up all the sins of this world, that He, the perfect and sinless one, is willing to die the most horrific death in the history of all mankind because of us! My God is an Awesome God that no human words can possibly describe!
One of my favorite songs was sang today during the worship, and it is called, "The Power of the Cross" by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It is not only well-written, it speaks the truth of the Gospel powerfully.
The Power of the Cross (click to listen!)
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten,
then nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought, Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
CHORUS
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
CHORUS
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Amen! Praise the Lord, always, for He has forgiven our sins with the blood of Christ. May we constantly be remembered of the grace that has been given to us.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Happy Easter! Blessed are those who believe in Him, for He has conquered the death and risen to be at Father's right hand!
There were many wonderful songs sang today in church today, and it was beyond human expressions of how sweet the praise and worship time was! Many people--including me-- were moved by the awesomeness of the sinless Lamb that many have cried under complete surrender. How awesome is He to take up all the sins of this world, that He, the perfect and sinless one, is willing to die the most horrific death in the history of all mankind because of us! My God is an Awesome God that no human words can possibly describe!
One of my favorite songs was sang today during the worship, and it is called, "The Power of the Cross" by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It is not only well-written, it speaks the truth of the Gospel powerfully.
The Power of the Cross (click to listen!)
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten,
then nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought, Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
CHORUS
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
CHORUS
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Amen! Praise the Lord, always, for He has forgiven our sins with the blood of Christ. May we constantly be remembered of the grace that has been given to us.
Love,
Anna
Thank You for...
**The following post written on Apr 7 2009 at 6:16PM**
Dear all,
The end of the semester is getting near, and many people--including me-- are feeling stressed out at variety of things (waiting for the news on summer camps, scholarships, and school acceptances + normal workload and extra workload). With all the craziness going around and the weather acting up (combinations of snow, rain, and sunshine), I had a chance to play and enjoy Beethoven's mass, Missa Solemnis, this past weekend with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and two concert choirs. It was such a magnificent piece of work that I haven't been able to stop thinking about!
I could feel myself tearing up when the first phrase was played. It was so beautiful, so glorious! Since not all of the performers were Christians, I started to wonder how amazing Heaven will be with all of us praising Him; if the mass has already touched my heart so deeply, I can't even imagine how joyous and content everyone will be when we're all finally free of sins and completely with HIM.
I took peeks at the translation of the text every so often. The text spoke of the excellent truth of God. One particular sentence stood out to me and has since changed the way I praise God. It said:
"We thank You for Your great glory"
Missa Solemnis
Wow, I've never thought of thanking God for His great glory, and this has truly triggered my sleeping soul! The more I thought about it, the more I'm impressed by the simple fact. Yes, there's nothing else in this universe that carries more glory than He does because He's created everything. I want to thank Him for being an all-powerful and glorious God. In Him, I've won all wars and with Him, I have everything I can possibly need, for He's the one and only true God.
Often times my prayers have been very self-centered-- "Oh God, please this, please that." I've even only praised Him about the things He's done in my life-- "Thank you for this, thank you for that." But in reality, there's more than enough for me to praise God for just by His existence alone! I want to make war against myself and have less of me and more of Him in my life because He's the only way and the only truth I'll ever know.
Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Psalms 117 (the shortest chapter in the Bible!)
I thank God for His great glory. Praise the Lord, always.
I hope all is well with everyone:)
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
The end of the semester is getting near, and many people--including me-- are feeling stressed out at variety of things (waiting for the news on summer camps, scholarships, and school acceptances + normal workload and extra workload). With all the craziness going around and the weather acting up (combinations of snow, rain, and sunshine), I had a chance to play and enjoy Beethoven's mass, Missa Solemnis, this past weekend with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and two concert choirs. It was such a magnificent piece of work that I haven't been able to stop thinking about!
I could feel myself tearing up when the first phrase was played. It was so beautiful, so glorious! Since not all of the performers were Christians, I started to wonder how amazing Heaven will be with all of us praising Him; if the mass has already touched my heart so deeply, I can't even imagine how joyous and content everyone will be when we're all finally free of sins and completely with HIM.
I took peeks at the translation of the text every so often. The text spoke of the excellent truth of God. One particular sentence stood out to me and has since changed the way I praise God. It said:
"We thank You for Your great glory"
Missa Solemnis
Wow, I've never thought of thanking God for His great glory, and this has truly triggered my sleeping soul! The more I thought about it, the more I'm impressed by the simple fact. Yes, there's nothing else in this universe that carries more glory than He does because He's created everything. I want to thank Him for being an all-powerful and glorious God. In Him, I've won all wars and with Him, I have everything I can possibly need, for He's the one and only true God.
Often times my prayers have been very self-centered-- "Oh God, please this, please that." I've even only praised Him about the things He's done in my life-- "Thank you for this, thank you for that." But in reality, there's more than enough for me to praise God for just by His existence alone! I want to make war against myself and have less of me and more of Him in my life because He's the only way and the only truth I'll ever know.
Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Psalms 117 (the shortest chapter in the Bible!)
I thank God for His great glory. Praise the Lord, always.
I hope all is well with everyone:)
Love,
Anna
The Potter knows the Clay
**The following post written on Apr 2 2009 at 11:21 AM**
Dear all,
Happy April! After a tiny snow shower last weekend, I don’t think I can wait any longer for spring to really arrive (though that’ll mean seasonal allergy to many of us)!
Last week, my small group’s mentor, Xinlei shared a song called “The Potter knows the Clay” to the core group’s girls. Although agreed to what it was saying, I wasn’t particular touched nor was I amazed by the awesomeness of Him; I was so spiritually weakened by my own sin that I couldn’t even praise Him.
Today, I spent the time to once again read and listened through the song and the email. I found myself so filled with joy that I just wanted to cry out in happiness. Yes, He is fully and completely in control. This is the kind of Awesome God I believe in. He never leaves me even during the hardest day; He is the only one who knows me inside out.
The Potter knows the Clay (click to listen to it!)
I know you are going through the fire
It's getting hard to stand the heat
But even harder is the wondering
Is God’s hand still on me
It’s lonely in the flames
When you’re counting days of pain
(Chorus)
But the Potter knows the clay
How much pressure it can take
How many times around the wheel
‘Til there’s submission to His will
He’s planned a beautiful design
But it’ll take some fire and time
It’s gonna be okay
‘cause the Potter knows the clay
Friend I just came through that fire
Not too very long ago
And looking back I can see why
And that my God was in control
But on the hottest days I'd cry
Oh Lord, isn't it about time
(Chorus)
Xinlie furthered on and shared a verse from the Bible—
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Amen! God is always in control, yet how hard it was for me to believe during my down time. How hard of a task it is to fully trust and take joy always in Him alone under all circumstances! Yet, He has never left me or abandoned me after all of the offenses I’ve done against Him. He’s truly an amazing and awesome God.
To those of us who are in hard times—I’m praying for you. It’s going to be ok-- because our Potter knows and loves you
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Happy April! After a tiny snow shower last weekend, I don’t think I can wait any longer for spring to really arrive (though that’ll mean seasonal allergy to many of us)!
Last week, my small group’s mentor, Xinlei shared a song called “The Potter knows the Clay” to the core group’s girls. Although agreed to what it was saying, I wasn’t particular touched nor was I amazed by the awesomeness of Him; I was so spiritually weakened by my own sin that I couldn’t even praise Him.
Today, I spent the time to once again read and listened through the song and the email. I found myself so filled with joy that I just wanted to cry out in happiness. Yes, He is fully and completely in control. This is the kind of Awesome God I believe in. He never leaves me even during the hardest day; He is the only one who knows me inside out.
The Potter knows the Clay (click to listen to it!)
I know you are going through the fire
It's getting hard to stand the heat
But even harder is the wondering
Is God’s hand still on me
It’s lonely in the flames
When you’re counting days of pain
(Chorus)
But the Potter knows the clay
How much pressure it can take
How many times around the wheel
‘Til there’s submission to His will
He’s planned a beautiful design
But it’ll take some fire and time
It’s gonna be okay
‘cause the Potter knows the clay
Friend I just came through that fire
Not too very long ago
And looking back I can see why
And that my God was in control
But on the hottest days I'd cry
Oh Lord, isn't it about time
(Chorus)
Xinlie furthered on and shared a verse from the Bible—
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Amen! God is always in control, yet how hard it was for me to believe during my down time. How hard of a task it is to fully trust and take joy always in Him alone under all circumstances! Yet, He has never left me or abandoned me after all of the offenses I’ve done against Him. He’s truly an amazing and awesome God.
To those of us who are in hard times—I’m praying for you. It’s going to be ok-- because our Potter knows and loves you
Love,
Anna
Belated Entry
**The following post written on Mar 27 2009 at 4:15PM**
Dear all,
Thank you for coming by every so often to check out my blog:) it was especially exciting for me when I saw 25 views yesterday after being silent for so long! I apologize for the wait, and please let me explain why—
1. I've been quite busy. Adding on top of this week’s crazy workload and the usual schoolwork, I'm getting a little bit anxious as I feel like I’m behind in my observation hours and reports for my music education classes.
2. I've been feeling like a hypocrite. I’ve been catching myself with ungodly attitudes often these days that I feel like I shouldn’t and couldn’t write anything.
3. I've been spiritually down. I don’t know why, and I wonder whether other people also experience this, but sometimes I’m more depressed than other times. I understand the concept of always taking joy in God, but somehow I haven’t been able to put it into practice yet. Please pray for me.
This week in T252, we studied a little bit on the 4th movement of the magnificent work of Brahms’ Requiem. I was touched deeply by the lyrics—
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Psalms 84:1,2 &4
I wonder when I can truly dwell in the presence of the Almighty one and be fully content in Him alone. When I’m strong in spirit, I praise and worship Him. When I’m weak in spirit, I want to continue to praise and worship Him. I pray that the Holy Spirit may overflow me as I continue to learn to be fully content in God and by God alone.
I hope all is well with everyone:) May God's will be done on this earth.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Thank you for coming by every so often to check out my blog:) it was especially exciting for me when I saw 25 views yesterday after being silent for so long! I apologize for the wait, and please let me explain why—
1. I've been quite busy. Adding on top of this week’s crazy workload and the usual schoolwork, I'm getting a little bit anxious as I feel like I’m behind in my observation hours and reports for my music education classes.
2. I've been feeling like a hypocrite. I’ve been catching myself with ungodly attitudes often these days that I feel like I shouldn’t and couldn’t write anything.
3. I've been spiritually down. I don’t know why, and I wonder whether other people also experience this, but sometimes I’m more depressed than other times. I understand the concept of always taking joy in God, but somehow I haven’t been able to put it into practice yet. Please pray for me.
This week in T252, we studied a little bit on the 4th movement of the magnificent work of Brahms’ Requiem. I was touched deeply by the lyrics—
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Psalms 84:1,2 &4
I wonder when I can truly dwell in the presence of the Almighty one and be fully content in Him alone. When I’m strong in spirit, I praise and worship Him. When I’m weak in spirit, I want to continue to praise and worship Him. I pray that the Holy Spirit may overflow me as I continue to learn to be fully content in God and by God alone.
I hope all is well with everyone:) May God's will be done on this earth.
Love,
Anna
Ironic
**The following post written on Mar 18 2009 at 12:32PM**
Dear all,
I just came back from a one-night trip to Chicago with three of my friends, Jason, Vivian, and You-Wei. It was my first time in Chicago and it was really cool to see a city after living in corn fields (Bloomington, IN) and cotton fields (Statesboro, GA) for so long!
Since this past Sunday, I've found some ironic things in my life (and around me)-
*Going to church but almost skipping my devotional time on Sunday
*Telling people to do devotionals when they're on a trip but almost skipped my own
*Being in a big city full of designer brands and seeing homeless people right outside of their doors shivering
*Feeling bad for myself for not being able to buy anything (even at the outlet) when I already have plenty in life with a wonderful hotel room waiting for me at night
I'm thankful now for not living in a big city with so many things to distract me :) Big cities are fun and good once in a while, but I don't think I can stay away from all the temptations around me. It is so easy for me to become self-centered instead of Christ-centered even though I've called God the Lord in my life and that I want to be His servant under all circumstances. With His great love, I shall be content because nothing else can content me besides Him.
"I have crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
Praise the Lord for He knows best. He never tempts, but always loves.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
I just came back from a one-night trip to Chicago with three of my friends, Jason, Vivian, and You-Wei. It was my first time in Chicago and it was really cool to see a city after living in corn fields (Bloomington, IN) and cotton fields (Statesboro, GA) for so long!
Since this past Sunday, I've found some ironic things in my life (and around me)-
*Going to church but almost skipping my devotional time on Sunday
*Telling people to do devotionals when they're on a trip but almost skipped my own
*Being in a big city full of designer brands and seeing homeless people right outside of their doors shivering
*Feeling bad for myself for not being able to buy anything (even at the outlet) when I already have plenty in life with a wonderful hotel room waiting for me at night
I'm thankful now for not living in a big city with so many things to distract me :) Big cities are fun and good once in a while, but I don't think I can stay away from all the temptations around me. It is so easy for me to become self-centered instead of Christ-centered even though I've called God the Lord in my life and that I want to be His servant under all circumstances. With His great love, I shall be content because nothing else can content me besides Him.
"I have crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
Praise the Lord for He knows best. He never tempts, but always loves.
Love,
Anna
Powerful words
**The following post written on Mar 14 2009 at 12:48PM**
Dear all,
To those of us who are happily on spring break - Happy Spring Break! :)
Just this past Thursday night, my small group's core group had a meeting at Xiaohu and Xinlei's place. During the meeting, I realized the constant battle I had with myself on word choices and the attitude I say stuff with. Since I'm closer to Jason and more comfortable around him, it is significantly harder to give him full respect sometimes. (He is our small group's leader)
Also, not too long ago, I was discussing creation and evolution with one of my housemates. I was disturbed when I finally realized my prideful, self-righteous attitude that was carried out in my words.
During the Singspiration yesterday (a praise and worship time), I felt rebuked and ashamed of myself when a verse sang,
"Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely"
Psalms 139:4
It just scares me sometimes to think that God knows everything about me, including all the faults I’ve done against Him. I truly wonder how God, a sinless and holy God, can still stand and Love me after all of my wrongdoings against Him just with my words alone. It is a miracle by itself that I'm still alive under the protection of God, who hates sin so much that Jesus, the sinless Lamb, had to personally come down to the lowly earth and die for sinners' sins.
Words are powerful. They can easily encourage someone, and they can easily become the root of hatred. I pray that God has mercy on me and reduce the damages that I may have caused, that I won’t become a spiritual stumbling block to people around me.
"No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
James 3:8-10
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18
“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 13:3
“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!”
Proverbs 15:23
Praise the Lord, always. Keep the tongue under control, for we were made in His image, and He is holy.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
To those of us who are happily on spring break - Happy Spring Break! :)
Just this past Thursday night, my small group's core group had a meeting at Xiaohu and Xinlei's place. During the meeting, I realized the constant battle I had with myself on word choices and the attitude I say stuff with. Since I'm closer to Jason and more comfortable around him, it is significantly harder to give him full respect sometimes. (He is our small group's leader)
Also, not too long ago, I was discussing creation and evolution with one of my housemates. I was disturbed when I finally realized my prideful, self-righteous attitude that was carried out in my words.
During the Singspiration yesterday (a praise and worship time), I felt rebuked and ashamed of myself when a verse sang,
"Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely"
Psalms 139:4
It just scares me sometimes to think that God knows everything about me, including all the faults I’ve done against Him. I truly wonder how God, a sinless and holy God, can still stand and Love me after all of my wrongdoings against Him just with my words alone. It is a miracle by itself that I'm still alive under the protection of God, who hates sin so much that Jesus, the sinless Lamb, had to personally come down to the lowly earth and die for sinners' sins.
Words are powerful. They can easily encourage someone, and they can easily become the root of hatred. I pray that God has mercy on me and reduce the damages that I may have caused, that I won’t become a spiritual stumbling block to people around me.
"No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
James 3:8-10
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18
“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 13:3
“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!”
Proverbs 15:23
Praise the Lord, always. Keep the tongue under control, for we were made in His image, and He is holy.
Love,
Anna
Love in Action (seminar on marriage and dating)
**The following post written on Mar 13 2009 at 1:22AM**
Dear all,
It is such a nice thing to have smart friends because... the smarter they are, the less I have to do! ;)
With that being said, I would like to introduce my friends'-- Joy and Greg-- web blogs to everyone. They have done such wonderful job in summarizing the two parts of the seminar that my small group had on Christian marriage and dating that I think it's simply a waste if I don't share them.
Thanks to Xiao-hu and Xinlei's love to the small group, we were able to have Pastor Don with us for the topic. The seminar was enlightening as it provided new insights and served as a reminder to me. It was just such a good time to learn more about God's excellent plan!
Since both blogs are written in Chinese, please bear with me as I try my best and translate the main points into English.
Joy's blog talks about the first part of the seminar-- Marriage.
In her blog, she summarizes three main points from the seminar:
1. Marriage should be pure and sacred because the image of God is created when a man and a woman are united
2. Marriage should be full of Love and happiness
3. Sexual intimacy is only allowed between a husband and a wife
I was utterly amazed when Pastor Don equated sexual intimacy between a married couple to the intimacy God the father and God the son have. He said that God didn't just created sexual identity to unite two separate beings into one flesh, He created it so that the two can physically enjoy the kind of spiritual intimacy that God the father and God the son have.
(Pastor Don went on and clarified himself that God the father and God the son do not encounter intimacy physically; physical intimacy is created because human beings need the tool to be more intimate with the other half.)
Greg's blog (click!) talks about the second part of the seminar-- Dating.
In his blog, he summarizes five main points from the seminar:
1. Only date Christians who are in thirst of Christ (that is, if you're a believer yourself)
2. Only make further commitments--marriage-- to another Christian if s/he shares the same future goals with you (will the relationship glorifies God and reaches its full potential with the kinds of goals and ministries you guys are called to do?)
3. Try to understand each other better while dating; see if the person is suitable for marriage
4. Avoid physical connections during the time of dating because it often times gets in the way of knowing the other person better
5. Focus on the desire for God rather than the desire for this world-- lust, gluttony, etc
It is so important to think about the intentions behind each action of all aspects in a relationship. It is terribly heartbreaking when the perfect picture and the perfect gift are destroyed and compromised due to human desires at the wrong time. I mean it fully.
Pastor Don recommended a book called, Before You Live Together by David Gudgel to the group. I’m looking forward to reading the book, as sharing a roof before marriage is sadly widely accepted nowadays. I hope to write a report on it soon!
To those of us who are unmarried—let us be patient and not to spoil the excellent plan that God has set for us!
Love,
Anna
ps I apologize for all the grammar mistakes that you might have found-- I haven't done the proof-reading yet and it is pretty late...
Dear all,
It is such a nice thing to have smart friends because... the smarter they are, the less I have to do! ;)
With that being said, I would like to introduce my friends'-- Joy and Greg-- web blogs to everyone. They have done such wonderful job in summarizing the two parts of the seminar that my small group had on Christian marriage and dating that I think it's simply a waste if I don't share them.
Thanks to Xiao-hu and Xinlei's love to the small group, we were able to have Pastor Don with us for the topic. The seminar was enlightening as it provided new insights and served as a reminder to me. It was just such a good time to learn more about God's excellent plan!
Since both blogs are written in Chinese, please bear with me as I try my best and translate the main points into English.
Joy's blog talks about the first part of the seminar-- Marriage.
In her blog, she summarizes three main points from the seminar:
1. Marriage should be pure and sacred because the image of God is created when a man and a woman are united
2. Marriage should be full of Love and happiness
3. Sexual intimacy is only allowed between a husband and a wife
I was utterly amazed when Pastor Don equated sexual intimacy between a married couple to the intimacy God the father and God the son have. He said that God didn't just created sexual identity to unite two separate beings into one flesh, He created it so that the two can physically enjoy the kind of spiritual intimacy that God the father and God the son have.
(Pastor Don went on and clarified himself that God the father and God the son do not encounter intimacy physically; physical intimacy is created because human beings need the tool to be more intimate with the other half.)
Greg's blog (click!) talks about the second part of the seminar-- Dating.
In his blog, he summarizes five main points from the seminar:
1. Only date Christians who are in thirst of Christ (that is, if you're a believer yourself)
2. Only make further commitments--marriage-- to another Christian if s/he shares the same future goals with you (will the relationship glorifies God and reaches its full potential with the kinds of goals and ministries you guys are called to do?)
3. Try to understand each other better while dating; see if the person is suitable for marriage
4. Avoid physical connections during the time of dating because it often times gets in the way of knowing the other person better
5. Focus on the desire for God rather than the desire for this world-- lust, gluttony, etc
It is so important to think about the intentions behind each action of all aspects in a relationship. It is terribly heartbreaking when the perfect picture and the perfect gift are destroyed and compromised due to human desires at the wrong time. I mean it fully.
Pastor Don recommended a book called, Before You Live Together by David Gudgel to the group. I’m looking forward to reading the book, as sharing a roof before marriage is sadly widely accepted nowadays. I hope to write a report on it soon!
To those of us who are unmarried—let us be patient and not to spoil the excellent plan that God has set for us!
Love,
Anna
ps I apologize for all the grammar mistakes that you might have found-- I haven't done the proof-reading yet and it is pretty late...
One good Lover
**The following post written on Mar 10 2009 at 1:09AM**
Dear all,
Recently, I’ve been so strongly convicted by the concept of Love that I feel an urge to grow faster. The more I think about it and try to apply it in my life, the harder it seems to become. It is such a hard thing for me to do! With Love, one should forgive even if terribly hurt, and with love comes many obligations and duties that are not easy to comply to.
1 Corinthian 13:4-8—one of my most visited passages in the Bible— gives out six setences about what Love is:
Love is patient, Love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
These six sentences have touched and rebuked me very often especially now being involved in various ministries. I truly think that they are so easy to say and so easy to be overlooked that they are just impossible to act upon! Sometimes, I feel like I haven't done them well enough, or at all, that I have unintentionally become someone's spiritual stumbling block :(
Whenever I think about the concept of Love, a short message sent by my small group’s mentor, Xin-Lei, comes to mind. The message was sent to the core group girls last November, and it phrases it as if someone has dedicated himself to love me with Love. It is the kind of love that makes me feel safe and content in a relationship—
* He never envies and always shows the patience and kindness
* He never boasts of himself and he’s never proud
* He respects you, and he’s always gentle and polite to you. He doesn’t always think about himself, but rather, he considers your needs and situations
* He doesn’t get angry easily at all
* He will never record or remember your faults
* He will never lie to you or hide anything from you; he’s always sincere
* He protects you, trusts you, and always thinks in your positions
* He is supportive and takes actions when hardships come
Now, this is the kind of Love that I want to strive and aim for! I believe that the best gift I can ever give to a person— a loved one, a friend, a stranger, or even an enemy— is Love. It is not just the simple, “I love you,” but rather, a committed, “I Love you”.
I pray that all is well with everyone!
To those in Bloomington— please let me know if you need anything!!
Love (in progress),
Anna
Dear all,
Recently, I’ve been so strongly convicted by the concept of Love that I feel an urge to grow faster. The more I think about it and try to apply it in my life, the harder it seems to become. It is such a hard thing for me to do! With Love, one should forgive even if terribly hurt, and with love comes many obligations and duties that are not easy to comply to.
1 Corinthian 13:4-8—one of my most visited passages in the Bible— gives out six setences about what Love is:
Love is patient, Love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
These six sentences have touched and rebuked me very often especially now being involved in various ministries. I truly think that they are so easy to say and so easy to be overlooked that they are just impossible to act upon! Sometimes, I feel like I haven't done them well enough, or at all, that I have unintentionally become someone's spiritual stumbling block :(
Whenever I think about the concept of Love, a short message sent by my small group’s mentor, Xin-Lei, comes to mind. The message was sent to the core group girls last November, and it phrases it as if someone has dedicated himself to love me with Love. It is the kind of love that makes me feel safe and content in a relationship—
* He never envies and always shows the patience and kindness
* He never boasts of himself and he’s never proud
* He respects you, and he’s always gentle and polite to you. He doesn’t always think about himself, but rather, he considers your needs and situations
* He doesn’t get angry easily at all
* He will never record or remember your faults
* He will never lie to you or hide anything from you; he’s always sincere
* He protects you, trusts you, and always thinks in your positions
* He is supportive and takes actions when hardships come
Now, this is the kind of Love that I want to strive and aim for! I believe that the best gift I can ever give to a person— a loved one, a friend, a stranger, or even an enemy— is Love. It is not just the simple, “I love you,” but rather, a committed, “I Love you”.
I pray that all is well with everyone!
To those in Bloomington— please let me know if you need anything!!
Love (in progress),
Anna
Life at IU (Indiana University)
**The following post written on Mar 7 2009 at 10:17PM**
Dear all,
Since everyone is everywhere (mainly in the states and in Taiwan/China), it is not often that I have an opportunity to tell how/what I'm doing in IU--that is, Indiana University and not Iowa or Illinois University (just in case ;)
It has been a wonderful and precious experience for me both academically and spiritually. Normally, I wake up at 7:30AM for my 8AM classes. I'm taking one general education class (Art Appreciation), a few music education classes, and lots of music performance classes. I'm truly blessed because so far I love all of my classes despite some melt-downs I've had already with Art Appreciation. I've been more in love with my violin than ever before, and I've been banging on it with more passion and determination lately. I'm taking a total of 19 credits, including a 0 credit Studio class.
One of my killer classes is T252 Music Theory. It has been quite a ride because the amount of music I have to memorize has greatly increased from the last theory class (T251-- what I called the monk music with all the Renaissance music we did). My last exam required me to memorize a total of 7 hours of music. Excerpts of various pieces are chosen for identification--the composer, the date, the name, the section the excerpt it is in. Few questions are also asked to go with each excerpt-- how it is harmonically constructed/ the type of musical technique that is used/ the key relationship from the different section/ etc. It has been a crazy ride, but it certainly has been a fun one as I get to analyze pieces of famous music.
I'm currently "employed" in two regional orchestras that pay me well enough for my bread money. It is never easy when I have gigs that week because I would usually lose half of my day (4PM-11PM) with school orchestra at 4-6PM, departure from Bloomington at 6:10PM, and arrival back at Bloomington at around 11PM. I'm so thankful for even having the opportunity to play in such orchestras when the global economy crisis is going on!
I have felt my own spiritual growth since the departure from high school. I'm entirely thankful for that and I want to be even hungrier in the process of my sanctification. I used to be a slap in the face of Christianity, but it is just amazing to see how God has never stopped giving mercy to me and has continued to call me His child. I'm so glad to be involved in various ministries even with a tight schedule (though, definitely not as tight as last semester). I'm working on the concept of "bringing church to people" rather than to just "bringing people to church".
The small group I'm involved in at Chinese church has recently shrunk in size dramatically, but God has truly blessed me with this group because I have been working on my personality quite a lot (still a long way to go...). With a shrinking small group in church, I've been thinking about how I can reach out more to those who stopped coming lately-- and those who have never stepped foot in our small group. If you believe, please pray for me as I continue to think for a way.
So this is sort of it! There are still many unspoken things, but I'm afraid no one will read this if this entry gets any longer:) Since I've studied some Beethoven in T252 lately, how about ending this entry with a quote from him--
"We must praise Your goodness that You have left nothing undone to draw us to Yourself. But one thing we ask of You, our God, not to cease to work in our improvement. Let us tend towards You, no matter by what means, and be fruitful in good works, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord."
Ludwig van Beethoven
I hope all is well with everyone:) Please let me know if there's anything I can pray for/help with.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Since everyone is everywhere (mainly in the states and in Taiwan/China), it is not often that I have an opportunity to tell how/what I'm doing in IU--that is, Indiana University and not Iowa or Illinois University (just in case ;)
It has been a wonderful and precious experience for me both academically and spiritually. Normally, I wake up at 7:30AM for my 8AM classes. I'm taking one general education class (Art Appreciation), a few music education classes, and lots of music performance classes. I'm truly blessed because so far I love all of my classes despite some melt-downs I've had already with Art Appreciation. I've been more in love with my violin than ever before, and I've been banging on it with more passion and determination lately. I'm taking a total of 19 credits, including a 0 credit Studio class.
One of my killer classes is T252 Music Theory. It has been quite a ride because the amount of music I have to memorize has greatly increased from the last theory class (T251-- what I called the monk music with all the Renaissance music we did). My last exam required me to memorize a total of 7 hours of music. Excerpts of various pieces are chosen for identification--the composer, the date, the name, the section the excerpt it is in. Few questions are also asked to go with each excerpt-- how it is harmonically constructed/ the type of musical technique that is used/ the key relationship from the different section/ etc. It has been a crazy ride, but it certainly has been a fun one as I get to analyze pieces of famous music.
I'm currently "employed" in two regional orchestras that pay me well enough for my bread money. It is never easy when I have gigs that week because I would usually lose half of my day (4PM-11PM) with school orchestra at 4-6PM, departure from Bloomington at 6:10PM, and arrival back at Bloomington at around 11PM. I'm so thankful for even having the opportunity to play in such orchestras when the global economy crisis is going on!
I have felt my own spiritual growth since the departure from high school. I'm entirely thankful for that and I want to be even hungrier in the process of my sanctification. I used to be a slap in the face of Christianity, but it is just amazing to see how God has never stopped giving mercy to me and has continued to call me His child. I'm so glad to be involved in various ministries even with a tight schedule (though, definitely not as tight as last semester). I'm working on the concept of "bringing church to people" rather than to just "bringing people to church".
The small group I'm involved in at Chinese church has recently shrunk in size dramatically, but God has truly blessed me with this group because I have been working on my personality quite a lot (still a long way to go...). With a shrinking small group in church, I've been thinking about how I can reach out more to those who stopped coming lately-- and those who have never stepped foot in our small group. If you believe, please pray for me as I continue to think for a way.
So this is sort of it! There are still many unspoken things, but I'm afraid no one will read this if this entry gets any longer:) Since I've studied some Beethoven in T252 lately, how about ending this entry with a quote from him--
"We must praise Your goodness that You have left nothing undone to draw us to Yourself. But one thing we ask of You, our God, not to cease to work in our improvement. Let us tend towards You, no matter by what means, and be fruitful in good works, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord."
Ludwig van Beethoven
I hope all is well with everyone:) Please let me know if there's anything I can pray for/help with.
Love,
Anna
Locked out, Lucked out
**The following post written on Mar 4 2009 at 10:31PM**
Dear all,
I was locked out of my room yesterday when I was in a hurry going to the orchestra. I wasn't particularly concerned at first because I figured that I could just call up my landlord and ask him to open my door for me. However, I learned later on in the night that he was out of the country and wouldn't be able to unlock my door for me...
LOCKED OUT
My landlord told me to call a number posted on the house's bulletin board; the number is a locksmith's workshop that holds my house's master key. So, I called the workshop and asked for assistant in opening my door. The person on the other end said he will call me back right away once he found my landlord's information on the computer. It was 7:25PM when I called... I called the shop again at 8:10PM when I didn't receive a call after waiting for 45 minutes.
The person finally had the appropriate information to open the lock for me after another call from me. It was already 8:25PM when he told me to wait for another 15 to 20 minutes for him to arrive and open the door. He said that a $60 fee will be charged before opening any doors. I was shocked when I heard the fee because I remembered one of my housemates was charged only $40 when he was locked out a while ago...
**I want to take a moment to thank Rong and Henry who were so willing to help me out by driving to my place and delivering the $60 that I needed for opening my door. One of them even had a test to take later that night!**
40 minutes passed by since my last phone call with the person and I was still locked out... Jason (my good friend) came over in hope to help me bargain for a more reasonable price. Another 10 minutes passed by, and I was still locked out...
LUCKED OUT
Starting to get a little frustrated after waitng for so long, I saw one of my housemates coming out of his room to use the bathroom and told him I was locked out of my room. He told Jason and I to try using a knife (?!) to unlock the lock. After Jason's attempt failed, my housemate came back with my other housemate (I have a total of 6 housemates. We're all on individual lease with the landlord) and my other housemate successfully opened my lock by playing around with the doorframe!
It was 9:25PM by then and still, the person still didn't arrive at my place. He turned out to be at the shop "clearing something up" when we called after the lock was unlocked. He seemed to take the news pleasantly when we told him what happened.
Praise the Lord for giving me such a good lesson-- a lesson to be more organized and on top of my schedule-- to rejoice over! He knew that $60 of a lesson fee would be simply too much for me to handle so instead, He had me waited for 2 hrs in exchange and never let the person to show up. He always knows my limit and never goes beyond what I can take. He puts wonderful people around me so I can feel safe even when a crisis arises.
What a merciful and awesome God I have! I cannot refrain myself from smiling and praising with joy in my heart for He knows me better than I know myself. I am surely in a good place and safe under His care.
For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18:31-33
Praise the Lord for He is good forever and ever!
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
I was locked out of my room yesterday when I was in a hurry going to the orchestra. I wasn't particularly concerned at first because I figured that I could just call up my landlord and ask him to open my door for me. However, I learned later on in the night that he was out of the country and wouldn't be able to unlock my door for me...
LOCKED OUT
My landlord told me to call a number posted on the house's bulletin board; the number is a locksmith's workshop that holds my house's master key. So, I called the workshop and asked for assistant in opening my door. The person on the other end said he will call me back right away once he found my landlord's information on the computer. It was 7:25PM when I called... I called the shop again at 8:10PM when I didn't receive a call after waiting for 45 minutes.
The person finally had the appropriate information to open the lock for me after another call from me. It was already 8:25PM when he told me to wait for another 15 to 20 minutes for him to arrive and open the door. He said that a $60 fee will be charged before opening any doors. I was shocked when I heard the fee because I remembered one of my housemates was charged only $40 when he was locked out a while ago...
**I want to take a moment to thank Rong and Henry who were so willing to help me out by driving to my place and delivering the $60 that I needed for opening my door. One of them even had a test to take later that night!**
40 minutes passed by since my last phone call with the person and I was still locked out... Jason (my good friend) came over in hope to help me bargain for a more reasonable price. Another 10 minutes passed by, and I was still locked out...
LUCKED OUT
Starting to get a little frustrated after waitng for so long, I saw one of my housemates coming out of his room to use the bathroom and told him I was locked out of my room. He told Jason and I to try using a knife (?!) to unlock the lock. After Jason's attempt failed, my housemate came back with my other housemate (I have a total of 6 housemates. We're all on individual lease with the landlord) and my other housemate successfully opened my lock by playing around with the doorframe!
It was 9:25PM by then and still, the person still didn't arrive at my place. He turned out to be at the shop "clearing something up" when we called after the lock was unlocked. He seemed to take the news pleasantly when we told him what happened.
Praise the Lord for giving me such a good lesson-- a lesson to be more organized and on top of my schedule-- to rejoice over! He knew that $60 of a lesson fee would be simply too much for me to handle so instead, He had me waited for 2 hrs in exchange and never let the person to show up. He always knows my limit and never goes beyond what I can take. He puts wonderful people around me so I can feel safe even when a crisis arises.
What a merciful and awesome God I have! I cannot refrain myself from smiling and praising with joy in my heart for He knows me better than I know myself. I am surely in a good place and safe under His care.
For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18:31-33
Praise the Lord for He is good forever and ever!
Love,
Anna
Entirely Blessed
**The following post written on Mar 2 2009 at 11:02PM**
Dear everyone,
Happy Monday! It was so nice to wake up with sunshine and birds chirping today. Though it is still freezing cold out (and sometimes in my room as well), seeing hints of spring coming just makes everything so much better!
I’ve been so busy this whole day that I hardly had time to just sit and relax. I was originally planning on writing a piece titled, “Internet Crisis” today, but since I have been so filled with blessings and happiness these days, I’ve decided to put it aside for some other day and spend the time now to list just a few of the MANY blessings I’ve received recently… there are just so many that I doubt I would have the ability to list them all! And here it goes--
- A friend offered to help me pay my rent today because I thought I’ve misplaced the check from my parents. I called her up in the time of despair not expecting or asking her to help out. Her trust and generosity toward me truly touched me and made me feel so loved! It just meant so much more to me knowing that money doesn’t go her way easily.
- One friend talked to me about how to organize worship team better, and another talked to me about purchasing a piano for worship team (I’m involved heavily in the Chinese church’s worship team). It is always so good to feel supported and have companies in a ministry, and to know that others care so much about it that they had to tell me their ideas ;)
- A friend cooked a feast for me last week when I was desperately in need of food. She busied herself for the whole morning and carried the food all the way from her home to music school’s library by bus! How kind of an act was that?!
- A mom (that’ll be my mom) who is always so supportive of my crazy ideas. It is amazing to see how God puts so much love in her to love me! She’s been writing essays back to each of my journal entries so far (she wrote the first one as a message instead of a comment by accident so no one can see it except me). Please do check out her comments if you find time because they have enlightened me so much!
- A dad (that’ll be my dad) who can stand my craziness and love me. Sometimes I become very childish around him, but I’ve never heard him complain (or at least not in front of me). He’s always so loving and willing to talk to me whenever I call back home, even when I caught him at a bad time like cooking lunch!
- A friend who strives to care for me unconditionally. I got frustrated with him this morning and couldn’t help myself but to say mean stuff to him. His gentle reaction made me feel so embarrassed and bad about myself, but he continued to be kind to me. What a great friend who never stops trying to care for me!
- A friend who took time to write me a recommendation letter with a note on a post card of his 3-yr-old granddaughter’s painting in the front. He’s always been so kind and caring to me when he was my teacher, and whenever I call him now he shows the same kindness and care towards me like I'm his child.
- An elderly friend from my church in Georgia who took time and called me today just to check on me. She wanted to make sure I'm doing well away from home and reminded me that I'm loved. Wasn't she such a sweetheart?
- A teacher who never gives up on me and continues to encourage me in maximizing my ability and talent in the violin. It is still a mystery to me of how much patience he has for me!
Wow, I feel like I can go on forever! I haven't even start listing the individual loving encouragements and support that I've received these recent days yet! Thanks to the Lord for keeping me safe by showing and giving me more mercy than I should ever deserve!
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together!
Psalms 34:1-3
Continued to be completely overwhelmed by the blessings that God has given me unconditionally... what else could I ask for more?
Love,
Anna
Dear everyone,
Happy Monday! It was so nice to wake up with sunshine and birds chirping today. Though it is still freezing cold out (and sometimes in my room as well), seeing hints of spring coming just makes everything so much better!
I’ve been so busy this whole day that I hardly had time to just sit and relax. I was originally planning on writing a piece titled, “Internet Crisis” today, but since I have been so filled with blessings and happiness these days, I’ve decided to put it aside for some other day and spend the time now to list just a few of the MANY blessings I’ve received recently… there are just so many that I doubt I would have the ability to list them all! And here it goes--
- A friend offered to help me pay my rent today because I thought I’ve misplaced the check from my parents. I called her up in the time of despair not expecting or asking her to help out. Her trust and generosity toward me truly touched me and made me feel so loved! It just meant so much more to me knowing that money doesn’t go her way easily.
- One friend talked to me about how to organize worship team better, and another talked to me about purchasing a piano for worship team (I’m involved heavily in the Chinese church’s worship team). It is always so good to feel supported and have companies in a ministry, and to know that others care so much about it that they had to tell me their ideas ;)
- A friend cooked a feast for me last week when I was desperately in need of food. She busied herself for the whole morning and carried the food all the way from her home to music school’s library by bus! How kind of an act was that?!
- A mom (that’ll be my mom) who is always so supportive of my crazy ideas. It is amazing to see how God puts so much love in her to love me! She’s been writing essays back to each of my journal entries so far (she wrote the first one as a message instead of a comment by accident so no one can see it except me). Please do check out her comments if you find time because they have enlightened me so much!
- A dad (that’ll be my dad) who can stand my craziness and love me. Sometimes I become very childish around him, but I’ve never heard him complain (or at least not in front of me). He’s always so loving and willing to talk to me whenever I call back home, even when I caught him at a bad time like cooking lunch!
- A friend who strives to care for me unconditionally. I got frustrated with him this morning and couldn’t help myself but to say mean stuff to him. His gentle reaction made me feel so embarrassed and bad about myself, but he continued to be kind to me. What a great friend who never stops trying to care for me!
- A friend who took time to write me a recommendation letter with a note on a post card of his 3-yr-old granddaughter’s painting in the front. He’s always been so kind and caring to me when he was my teacher, and whenever I call him now he shows the same kindness and care towards me like I'm his child.
- An elderly friend from my church in Georgia who took time and called me today just to check on me. She wanted to make sure I'm doing well away from home and reminded me that I'm loved. Wasn't she such a sweetheart?
- A teacher who never gives up on me and continues to encourage me in maximizing my ability and talent in the violin. It is still a mystery to me of how much patience he has for me!
Wow, I feel like I can go on forever! I haven't even start listing the individual loving encouragements and support that I've received these recent days yet! Thanks to the Lord for keeping me safe by showing and giving me more mercy than I should ever deserve!
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together!
Psalms 34:1-3
Continued to be completely overwhelmed by the blessings that God has given me unconditionally... what else could I ask for more?
Love,
Anna
It is good to feel alive!
** The following post written on Mar 1 2009 at 1:47PM**
Dear all,
It is not all the time that I feel tuned in and alive throughout the Sunday morning activities (worship team practice, Sunday school, praise and worship, sermon time, and lunch time fellowship), yet, it is just a wonderful thing when I am!
Thanks to the Lord who once again softened my heart to His word, I was able to enjoy every bit of the morning despite an early start at 7am (normally, I wake up at 7:30am for my 8am classes). It is just too good to feel alive and able to enjoy the time in church with other brothers and sisters! It gives me the strength that I simply cannot accomplish on my own:)
"Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick...except the one who has it" -Anonymous
Getting ready to teach my sweet violin student in about... 10 minutes! We're going to do some twinkle variations (good memories from the good old times). She actually came back from winter break about two weeks ago with a gift for me from Burma! Wasn't that just thoughtful and kind of her?
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
It is not all the time that I feel tuned in and alive throughout the Sunday morning activities (worship team practice, Sunday school, praise and worship, sermon time, and lunch time fellowship), yet, it is just a wonderful thing when I am!
Thanks to the Lord who once again softened my heart to His word, I was able to enjoy every bit of the morning despite an early start at 7am (normally, I wake up at 7:30am for my 8am classes). It is just too good to feel alive and able to enjoy the time in church with other brothers and sisters! It gives me the strength that I simply cannot accomplish on my own:)
"Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick...except the one who has it" -Anonymous
Getting ready to teach my sweet violin student in about... 10 minutes! We're going to do some twinkle variations (good memories from the good old times). She actually came back from winter break about two weeks ago with a gift for me from Burma! Wasn't that just thoughtful and kind of her?
Love,
Anna
Time Wasted
** The following post written on Feb 28 2009 at 4:18PM**
Dear all,
Thank you for all the loving feedbacks in response to my first entry! I was warmly surprised by how many people actually spent the time to read through my lengthy writing—I thought only my parents would take the time and stick through it! It is no wonder that you came into my mind when I first created the mailing list :)
Yesterday, I got a little irritated during my 2.5 hr Arts Appreciation class. It not only was long (we actually went over time and stayed 7 minutes longer), it used the time so wastefully that I literally had to wait around for at least 1hr 20min doing nothing after a short lecture during the first hour of the class! The class was split into two groups for viewing printings at the school’s museum. Since my instructor always liked to form groups according to students’ last names, it wasn’t a surprise when I learned that I ended up in group two—the last group—yet again. I wasn’t able to use the waiting time wisely because of the vague instructions that my instructor gave us.
Not completely happy with how my time was spent, I went home and continued complaining little thoughts to myself (and my mom, who got a call for a first-hand experience). However, when I looked up at my “special” wall—a wall with a few Bible verses that have once touched me so deeply when I was doing my quiet times— I wish I have reacted differently and done better. The verse said:
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others
Philippians 2:4
Ah! What a powerful sentence that I wish I've followed! So I was thinking...
DO IT if a decision is--
good for the others around me
good for the group that’ll be influenced by my decision, and
good for the leader who’s leading the group.
(I specifically left “if a decision is good for me” out because I don’t think I would ever forget to consider that.)
DON'T DO IT if the decision--
seems to only benefit me
seems to hurt others around me
seems to bring down a group
seems to discourage the leader
I can’t even begin imagining how crowded hell would be by now if Christ only thought of himself when he was on this earth. Rather than choosing the easier way out, he made the harder decision to go on that cross for OUR sins. I believe that my instructor had thought out the lesson plan carefully beforehand and chose the best way she could come up with to present the printing examples for the class to see. Rather than complaning next time, I want to be supportive and just bring along my iPod and study for my T252 (a theory class that requires massive memorization on music for each exam :) so time can be used wisely. Plus, I would hate it if students in my mom's class talk snap about her (I know they won't because she's an excellent teacher:).
I remembered when I first wrote down the verse (along with 2:3) as a reminder to myself when my Chinese small group (Timothy) encountered some hardships last semester. It is amazing how a verse like this can be easily forgotten during the time when I needed it the most. It just shows how important it is to have quiet times daily—not weekly, monthly, or... annually.
I hope everyone is well:) Please pray especially for the sick ones (Dawn, Vivian, You-Wei, Amy, Yu-Chia, and others that I don't know are sick). Don't forget quiet times!
Continue walking down the narrow path for that ultimate goal in life.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Thank you for all the loving feedbacks in response to my first entry! I was warmly surprised by how many people actually spent the time to read through my lengthy writing—I thought only my parents would take the time and stick through it! It is no wonder that you came into my mind when I first created the mailing list :)
Yesterday, I got a little irritated during my 2.5 hr Arts Appreciation class. It not only was long (we actually went over time and stayed 7 minutes longer), it used the time so wastefully that I literally had to wait around for at least 1hr 20min doing nothing after a short lecture during the first hour of the class! The class was split into two groups for viewing printings at the school’s museum. Since my instructor always liked to form groups according to students’ last names, it wasn’t a surprise when I learned that I ended up in group two—the last group—yet again. I wasn’t able to use the waiting time wisely because of the vague instructions that my instructor gave us.
Not completely happy with how my time was spent, I went home and continued complaining little thoughts to myself (and my mom, who got a call for a first-hand experience). However, when I looked up at my “special” wall—a wall with a few Bible verses that have once touched me so deeply when I was doing my quiet times— I wish I have reacted differently and done better. The verse said:
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others
Philippians 2:4
Ah! What a powerful sentence that I wish I've followed! So I was thinking...
DO IT if a decision is--
good for the others around me
good for the group that’ll be influenced by my decision, and
good for the leader who’s leading the group.
(I specifically left “if a decision is good for me” out because I don’t think I would ever forget to consider that.)
DON'T DO IT if the decision--
seems to only benefit me
seems to hurt others around me
seems to bring down a group
seems to discourage the leader
I can’t even begin imagining how crowded hell would be by now if Christ only thought of himself when he was on this earth. Rather than choosing the easier way out, he made the harder decision to go on that cross for OUR sins. I believe that my instructor had thought out the lesson plan carefully beforehand and chose the best way she could come up with to present the printing examples for the class to see. Rather than complaning next time, I want to be supportive and just bring along my iPod and study for my T252 (a theory class that requires massive memorization on music for each exam :) so time can be used wisely. Plus, I would hate it if students in my mom's class talk snap about her (I know they won't because she's an excellent teacher:).
I remembered when I first wrote down the verse (along with 2:3) as a reminder to myself when my Chinese small group (Timothy) encountered some hardships last semester. It is amazing how a verse like this can be easily forgotten during the time when I needed it the most. It just shows how important it is to have quiet times daily—not weekly, monthly, or... annually.
I hope everyone is well:) Please pray especially for the sick ones (Dawn, Vivian, You-Wei, Amy, Yu-Chia, and others that I don't know are sick). Don't forget quiet times!
Continue walking down the narrow path for that ultimate goal in life.
Love,
Anna
"22 missionary families will be executed today"
** The following post written on Feb 26 2009 at 7:55PM**
Dear all,
Earlier today, I've received the below text message:
"Please pray for 22 Christian missionary families that will be executed today in Afganistan. Please spread to others fast"
I was devastated and did not know how to respond to it emotionally. It was hard sitting through the orchestra as I constantly had to fight back the tears in my eyes. I used the limited free time during orchestra (while other sections were being drilled at) to pray for those families, that whatever situation they are in, they may glorify the name of our father, and that they may be comforted under all circumstances by the vast love of our father. I had an urge to go to Afganistan to continue the work...
After orchestra, I went to the library and googled "22 missionaries" in search of more information, and it ended up being a mixed result-- there was only one post made yesterday from a personal website about it. There was nothing on VOM or any other places. Below is the link from the website that I found:
http://worldperiscope.blogspot.com/search/label/Afghanistan
I think there are two possibilities to this breaking news:
1) The media (including VOM) is slow in reporting such news, or/and
2) The text message is a hoax, but it has raised the awareness of the difficult task in being missionaries, and it has united Christians all over the world into prayers for God's workers (check out VOM to learn more about few of the many things missionaries and Christians face throughout the world-- http://www.persecution.com/ )
If such news is true, and I'm convinced that these horrible things happen too often that they are not publicized and updated enough, I pray for peace, love, and joy in the families' heart, that they may be above reproach even at the time of their death, and that God's will may be done and valued above all human desires.
If such news is false, I want to shout praises to God and pray for all the missionaries around the world, that whatever they encunter, they can take joy in it.
My thoughts after this event:
Although being in the music school seems like the most useless thing sometimes (private lessons and practicing/ nothing really to do once getting out of school), I want to glorify God in whatever environment/situation I'm being put into and do my best. Right now, as a music student, I want to strive to the best of my ability to make the best music I can make because I believe that one day I will be used by God, and God's workers should be above reproach and beyond. I want to start preparing myself now so I won't look back one day and regret the way I spent my time at IU-- I want to be the best violinist I can be for I do not know where God will lead me and how He will use me in the coming days of my living life.
"Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
We go because Christ first came for us. We die because Christ first died for us. It's not superiority, it's conviction. It's love for this world. My life is His' and I pray to be used.
Praise the Lord, always.
Love,
Anna
Dear all,
Earlier today, I've received the below text message:
"Please pray for 22 Christian missionary families that will be executed today in Afganistan. Please spread to others fast"
I was devastated and did not know how to respond to it emotionally. It was hard sitting through the orchestra as I constantly had to fight back the tears in my eyes. I used the limited free time during orchestra (while other sections were being drilled at) to pray for those families, that whatever situation they are in, they may glorify the name of our father, and that they may be comforted under all circumstances by the vast love of our father. I had an urge to go to Afganistan to continue the work...
After orchestra, I went to the library and googled "22 missionaries" in search of more information, and it ended up being a mixed result-- there was only one post made yesterday from a personal website about it. There was nothing on VOM or any other places. Below is the link from the website that I found:
http://worldperiscope.blogspot.com/search/label/Afghanistan
I think there are two possibilities to this breaking news:
1) The media (including VOM) is slow in reporting such news, or/and
2) The text message is a hoax, but it has raised the awareness of the difficult task in being missionaries, and it has united Christians all over the world into prayers for God's workers (check out VOM to learn more about few of the many things missionaries and Christians face throughout the world-- http://www.persecution.com/ )
If such news is true, and I'm convinced that these horrible things happen too often that they are not publicized and updated enough, I pray for peace, love, and joy in the families' heart, that they may be above reproach even at the time of their death, and that God's will may be done and valued above all human desires.
If such news is false, I want to shout praises to God and pray for all the missionaries around the world, that whatever they encunter, they can take joy in it.
My thoughts after this event:
Although being in the music school seems like the most useless thing sometimes (private lessons and practicing/ nothing really to do once getting out of school), I want to glorify God in whatever environment/situation I'm being put into and do my best. Right now, as a music student, I want to strive to the best of my ability to make the best music I can make because I believe that one day I will be used by God, and God's workers should be above reproach and beyond. I want to start preparing myself now so I won't look back one day and regret the way I spent my time at IU-- I want to be the best violinist I can be for I do not know where God will lead me and how He will use me in the coming days of my living life.
"Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
We go because Christ first came for us. We die because Christ first died for us. It's not superiority, it's conviction. It's love for this world. My life is His' and I pray to be used.
Praise the Lord, always.
Love,
Anna
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