Thanksgiving 2015

So relevant magazine seems to constantly appear on my blog posts. I don't have much to say about thanksgiving - it is all in my journal. But this article summed up what I'm feeling. Worth your 5 minutes :)

This Thanksgiving,
may you and I be challenged to trust God more,
to believe Him better,
and to know Him deeper.
His heart is good,
His love is pure,
His plans are magnificent.
Whether we feel it or not, it doesn’t cease to be true.
May you be challenged to be more than thankful this holiday season…
as you lay down your pain and problems at His feet–and choose to trust Him again.
Grace and peace to you, dear one, as you learn to rest in the arms of a loving God.

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

Source: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/when-its-hard-be-thankful

IDEK

"hi jie I miss you so much! I wish you could come home. Anyways Happy B'Day! xoxo from, Sam"

so I can never re-read my birthday card without tearing up. Life away from home is..I don't even know. I am too caught up trying to distract myself, forget about home - but when it hits, it hits hard. I have questioned my place here in OU - so far away from home.

Home sounds good now. Home sounds homey. Home is wherever fam is. Thanksgiving may be hard, but I am eternally grateful for my five cheerleaders who are my biggest fans and will always support my dreams. So no matter where I am, I can still be thankful. Regardless of what I feel, today I choose to be thankful, for the roof on my head, food in my tummy and a chance to study.

I am more privileged than so many others, just by having these three things. I don't think life can be better.

I am talking too much, I shall leave.

***

HIGHS: 

• I got to eat Asian food
• With Fam
• Watched the game with fam 
• OU won OSU today (Play offs left now!)

hello world

This is procrastination at its finest but hello.

I am here, in the library trying to figure about moments of inertia. And oh, finding out that i almost totally forgot how to integrate problems. Man. Honestly, someone once said that his degree was literally googling stuff up. Welp, with much regret, I have to admit I am learning from google more than I am learning in class. Only for some classes though.


But hello. Yes. So life is pretty good for me, pretty good because I just survived the toughest week/birthday week - yes, the coincidence is sad. But life is good because I am done with my only exam of the week! And that makes my heart (and brains) so very happy.

Also. I got my first Under Armour shoe. It was a gift - obviously, because I am super pro Adidas. But man, those shoes are so beautiful. Tiffany has the best taste in gifts. She is amazing.

This week - I took off my brace. I worked out. I got to run a little. I played some really intense squash with a new German friend, and then badminton. My legs felt like jelly afterwards - but it feels so good to be back! I am promising myself to take care of my legs and to never be in a situation where I have to wear a brace or a cast again - because that is the least my legs deserve. Oh well.

So yes. I know homework will not get done by itself - so the procrastination ends now!


Till then!

hi

it's that point of the semester where I raise my white flag.

I have 3 homework due by Monday. One lab, and an exam next week.

On top of that, there's Lifegroup and the retreat. I think I need a break, but that's what I think.

stop overwhelming me school.

October

Hello,

You have been pretty good to  me. It is the last day and I am writing this with my right leg bruised but feeling so blessed. Man, you were a roller coaster ride. You made me cry, you made me laugh, and you made me feel so loved.

I would say October, you were the best month yet. I would say best month yet because, this month were full of firsts. First Thunder game, first consecutive days of sleeping late, first month of serving kids in church, spending nights playing pool till 3 am, first indian meal away from home, first time missing home so much, since coming here again, first time spending time watching rewarding, beneficial videos, like this among many others.

I am also grateful for the people i've met and gotten to know more. Ah you surprised me. I had no clue you were going to be so fun. November, you have a lot to live up to.

Waves

That feeling when you question why you are here. These few days I have been feeling the need to go home, but then I realise i'm not home. You know.
But oh well, things like this make me happy. (Oh and the Thunder win earlier today!)


Reality check needed.

Camp

Some days, some good days, some bad days, you just want to go back home.

It seems strange living alone. It feels like camp. A really long camp. But you know eventually, someday you are going home. Just not yet.

Sometimes, if you don't hear it long enough, hearing your dad's voice makes you smile. Sometimes, when your mom asks you how are you, you just want to cry and laugh and smile all at the same time.

Sometimes, you miss home. Sometimes, you don't.

Right now, I miss home.

Grateful

Hello,

after what seems like eternity I am back. Yes blogger I am back. I am still trying to figure a way to transfer previous posts to blogger but apparently all the free plug ins are not available. I will figure it out.

But again. Today Jesus has been showing off. He tends to do that cause he has every rights. But for real. This weekend and my Monday was my best days yet. (can you believe it keeps getting better?)

Being a sponsored student, money was a crucial concern. On the other hand, not getting money would be a worrisome ordeal. I manage to turn an email conversation (that sounded like accusations/blaming to and fro) into something positive. On top of it, I got both parties to benefit, and from the conversation, we resolved to solve our financial situation. This has been a great ordeal because we have not been able to contact the sponsors. Clearly, their cooperation was a blessing, and right now I can sit back and not worry.

So over the weekend, I lost my ID. It was probably the rain. The chaos of trying to keep dry and stay away from puddles left me overly concerned about everything else. Somehow, it was lost. When the weekend past and I still couldn't find it, I decided to go to get a new ID from the union. But some kind soul, a stranger, walked to the union with my ID and returned it. What were the odds? But guess what? Out of the thousands, Jesus allowed the person who actually bothered, to pick up my ID and return it to the Union. So. With that being said; I found my ID. I was ecstatic and I've never felt more loved or looked after.

Soon later, I found out the classes I was going to take over the break had dates that were perfect. School would not be interfered and that was such a "Told ya I can do it, Eugenia" from God. Classic.

So so overwhelmed. Felt so so loved today.

I want something more, a life worth fighting for

I don't need a reason, to set the world on fire

And burn a little bit brighter now

There's something beautiful hiding in the shadows

So set the world on fire

Let's burn a little bit brighter now

         Brighter, Against the Current 

Living on One

I watched a video about two guys who wanted to know what it was like to live under a dollar a day & it changed my life, for real.

So, one part that really got me was when one of the villagers (Antonio) and his family (of four kids) cooked a special dish for Chris, Zach, Sean and Ryan. They had so little yet they willingly gave so much. Let me explain how little they live on - the whole family, six individuals (including a baby) live on $1.25 on average. Some days are worse, some days, better. Yet, Antonio personally offered and told them that they can come over anytime, for food, shelter, and he will try his best to provide for them. Wow.

I wonder, how can someone with so little, love that much?

Another thing that struck me was that these families had to constantly choose between feeding their children or sending them to school (for a decent education). No parent should ever have to decide between these choices.

This movie is an eye opener. Everyone should watch it. Guys, I am so ashamed. I don't think I can survive on $1 per day. These people don't have an option. I cannot live one day without the 'basic' necessities, like water, electricity. What is insane is that our 'basic' amenities are considered luxurious to these people. People like you and I, with big dreams, dreams to become a football star. Yet, they live knowing that, at the age of 12 years old, their future is set to be a farmer. They know that school is not at option.

Wow, 12 years old guys. When I was 12 I am not sure if I even knew what an ambition was. Yes, I had dreams of what I wanted to be, but I never had a path preset for me already.

When thinking about world poverty, I've always wondered what the ultimate solution was. This movie answered my question. There is not ultimate solution, however, partial solutions lead to the eventual solution for world hunger. So many factors have to be considered when addressing an issue like this. This will only be possible if every small factor considered, will be addressed and hence solved.

Lately, I've been blessed. Blessed to have watched so many eye opening movies. Here is a short list of what I think is worth watching: Black and white, The True Cost, Living on One.

Ps/ Check these two guys out [http://livingonone.org/]

flawed to perfection

Hi,

Let me be the first to say that the last couple of weeks have not been my "most spiritual" season of my life. I am definitely working on it but after what I've been through I feel like there was a reason for the lack of time spent with Jesus (as in reading the Bible etc). Don't get me wrong, I am still constantly talking to him and what not. But I've learned to grasp (maybe just a little bit) this faith thing. Wow, writing this, I am just blown away.

I am appalled at the many times I've tried to earn my "hours" with God. Calculating the hours spent reading or praying. Cause really, Isaiah 64:6 "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." We will never be good, or even come close to being "holy" enough for God. Sad but true. I would often think of how I was throughout the day and be disappointed in myself.

However, the word holy is synonymous with godly. And really. Me? Nah, I can never even come close to that. Wow. But I am constantly blown away by how God confirms again and again that with FAITH, he has completed us to perfection.

I've always imagined the flawed person I am as cracks in the pavement. Everyone knows that driving on roads like that make the journey bumpy. Jesus is the tar that is constantly making the cracked pavement smooth. Filling in all the cracks, all my flaws, taking my sins, and making everything perfect again. But think about this, if we are already trying to fill the cracks with something not as good as tar, it wears off easily?

I've been constantly reminded over and over that I should stop striving. Stop trying to be in control of filling the cracks with useless materials. Because I am a sinner. I will constantly sin. Regardless of how holy I aim to be. Because whatever Jesus did on the cross, it satisfied the heart of God forever. Yet, in the light of forgiveness - Jesus takes my brokenness aside and He makes it beautiful. No matter how many time I mess up.

Forgive my rants, but I think it is very much relevant to me. I know it may seem repetitive but Joseph Prince phrased it perfectly when he said "The secret behind every godly man and woman is their belief in the truth that they have been forgiven".

Man. I do not know what I just wrote, but I do know that Jesus calls us higher each day, to live to the standard of perfection that He has set. To acknowledge that it is possible, because He has completed us to do so.

Wow. Jesus. You are definitely my favourite.

spring break 2015 pt 2

Here is a list of some things I got to do over the spring break:

• study & finished all my homework


• Ate cereal (snowflakes) everyday for breakfast


• tan at a nearby pool


• walk around ASU campus (and witness very cold rain - rare occasion)


• hike up camelback


• Drove to Flagstaff


• Visit the beautiful, breath taking Grand Canyon


• Watched Cinderella


• Had a super-good-and-yummy bowl of acai from Chopshop


• Cruised on the lake - with the boat


• Shopped the whole day

So yeah, that was pretty much how I spent my days. Kor was pretty busy but he spent so much time with me nonetheless. Been so blessed to catch up and spend time with this boy.

spring break 2015 pt. 1

beautiful view of Tempe with the brother- who postponed his assignment and stayed up the whole night so he could hike up with us. 💕💕
Edit

The group!

Oh hi Jacob.

Mexican dinner afterwards.



And so I need out and spent my whole Tuesday doing homework and so - nothing eventful. I got to meet Kor's best friends though. But it felt awkward so I left after a short time - but I shouldn't have :( sighs. Ok anyway.
My view right now? 


Ya ok bye!


New seasons

It is about time I admit that it is a time of new seasons for me. Oh where do I start? It is going to be my second month here.

To be honest, it is after 2 months would be the longest I have been away from home. When I studied in Kuching (Borneo Islands) I flew home every other weekend lol - even for 3 days. I would skip classes sometimes heh. Realising I can't do that here is a little bit new for me.

Nevertheless, my time here has been nothing less than amazing. I have definitely had some ups and downs for sure, but this week has been overwhelming for me. I would like to remind my future self reading this to never look back again. This week has been a breakthrough for me. This is true in so many different ways.

I've had countless nights tossing and turning in bed and waking up before my alarm rings. Throughout the week I went through so many things that I had to constantly choose peace. Yes, you should agree that it is not easy. Often, the easier way would be to just admit defeat and start worrying. Anxiety. Believing in anxiety and worrying is a paradox to believing in God. This is a lesson I've heard countless times (especially during the Fullness conference) I know but never learnt to take heart (at least till now). I was so exhausted - the cold, the snow, cancellation of tests, every other reason. By Friday I was beat. Tired out, and suddenly I decided to listen to Graham Cooke's message from Fullness. Hearing it the third time finally struck me in the heart. I've had this gradual feeling of freedom, pure peace and just slowly feeling free again.

Yes, situations may not go my way all the time but Jesus is for me.

---

Also, this week so many people have ministered to me and I want to remind myself to be thankful for them. My parents have always been on Skype telling me to trust God in everything, and in life group this week we had a prophecy practice thing. It was so impromptu! Regardless, Jesus is always good and we prophesied over each other. The guys in my small group spoke three things over me: fruits I may not see, a calming sunrise and the word patience. (Yeah like, what?) But I have faith! To see all this things come to pass. Anyways back to the Friday. I purposed in my heart that I was so tired of living a tired life, I want to hold my ground and claim my rest back. To add on the whole process, today, Past Chris spoke about the "Change of Heart" in church. What are we living for? Because everything that we do springs out from the heart. Are we guarding it?

Nosi spoke a word over me today - it struck me so hard. I am not ready to share it yet. But I am so blessed. To catch a glimpse of what's in store for me.

Psalms 91 - a whole chapter worth meditating over and over again.

---

 

AH LIFE, SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO. Two more hours into a brand new week. What do you say Jesus? Ready? Well, if You are I am.

Have a great week ahead everyone! Remember to always be grateful for each day you live, live it to the best you possibly can. An ex classmate's sister passed away earlier today. It's always devastating to hear of new like this but Jesus wanted her home early. We can only live each day like it's our last. Only then we've really lived. :)

Oh. My old love for Switchfoot is back. I found this song ever so relevant.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7JJWqr7Oes?list=PLC90792750749EF39&w=560&h=315]