Selah

  
#nofilter

Genesis 2:1-3:Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
So grateful for a long weekend. A getaway from school. Grateful that I did not stay in my room doing homework or trying to study. I actually managed to forget about homework, not worry, and just let go. I need that peace everyday! *note to self* Thankful that I had the chance to be with people whom I've barely known for a year - but feel like family already. I honestly do not know how God is this generous. Days like these don't come often, but I know that I can look back and remind myself of God's goodness.

Well. School really starts now. Test,s quizzes and what nots. Yet. I am eternally grateful to be called higher, to depend more and more on His strength. 

Thoughts

let me tell you a story.

This past week has been so difficult for me because I've had to face things no girl should ever face. Okay fine, this may sound melodramatic, I'll stop.

But let me tell you, before I start, that if you can relate to this, you should know that you can come to a place that is set higher and chose to speak life and peace into your circumstances.

So, a friend told me that I could live with her for the summer. It wasn't till later on that I found out that the person will not be in town till a week or so after my contract ended. Ok, so whatever, cause someone offered me their couch. And that was enough. Somehow deep inside I had a feeling that it wouldn't work out. And so Sunday came along, I had no place to go. I called my cell leader just hours before, explained my situation and she said I could stay. So that was that. 

I've been trying to call the person to see if I still could live with her for the rest of the summer. But somehow I just felt like, meh. It didn't work out, why should I keep trying. I was upset already. Because let me tell you something:

Being homeless sucks. Depending on others sucks. Relying on someone else (other than family) it's not cool. Always asking for rides and favours you know you cannot repay. 

To be honest I wasn't even pms-ing. I guess the feeling of not having a place to stay in a foreign land really got to me. I don't even know why.. But whatever the excuse, I was sad. Feeling so let down. Not cool I tell you. On top of that I kept missing Skype or FaceTime dates. 

Let me where I am at now. This past Sunday I went out for prayers, and whatever pride I had I didn't care. I just went out and told my frustrations, basically how I wished I was home - and things would be less complicated. I literally bawled. Which was a little bit embarrassing but no pride hey. Through that prayer, I felt my heavy heart slowly becoming lighter and lighter. By the time I got back to my seat I was so light. I felt free and it has been quite some time since I felt that way.

To be honest, I purposed in my heart to forgive, forget and let it be the past. But honestly, let me be frank and tell you that my initial trust can never be restored. I guess I really just need Jesus to teach me how to trust and start new again. 
I mean one step at a time? I am so grateful that I got to a point where I can look at the situation from a higher point. I am blessed to be able to stand on a rock that is higher than I. I pray with all my heart that I will be able to be genuine and loving and just so forgiving in future circumstances.
Here's to new family and learning to grow!

Kendra turns 19





Today would not have happened without:

German Chocolate cupcakes - courtesy of Crimson and Cream (so good)

Laura - brought party hats for everyone and a tiara for the Birthday girl! :)

Last but not least - mastermind behind everything. Nosi! She planned and made tonight happened. So blessed and thankful for this year wonderful lady ❤️


This is Kendra. I met her barely 3 months ago but I love her so much already. In many ways she has been such a blessing to me. She has been like my "little" sister - no I'm kidding. But her love for God inspires to always pursue God with all my heart.
From my brief friendship with Kendra I can say this about her.
Kendra is kind, she is determined- to love God and love others. Kendra is full of joy and caring. But most of all Kendra's child like faith and love for God is extraordinary.
Happy 19th birthday, to this wonderful life I have a privilege to be a part of.
Love you Kendra Sy!

Phenomenal

(photo credits: theworshipproject.co)

so I just had to blog. It's 230am and I just had IHOP for the first time! Yeah Murica. Also, I've just had the best day yet. 

Started off the day asking God for favor when we met with the bursar to try to waive our late charges. After class I headed over and kept asking God for favor. True enough when we met with Miss Janice, she immediately waived the charges and got our receipts in a second. I barely needed to explain why I needed the charges waived. I was so happy and shocked at how smooth the whole process went. Finally being able to pay fees was a huge relief off of my back. And on top of that, in faith I went to the bank the day before and took out the exact balance without the extra 1.5% and if they didn't waive it I would have to make another trip to Chase. Wow.

Then I went to the bookstore and got a shirt that was wrongly priced - but I got it for the cheaper price anyways! :) :)

But to top it all off - Encounter tonight was PHENOMENAL. No other word to describe what just happened. We spent the few hours soaking, prophesying and ministering into each other. Oh so powerful. God keeps reminding me how He has taken care of me throughout my high school/running days and He'll do the same here. Afterwards Rin and Chad prayed over me. Rin got a word for me about being a bright fire and Chad had a funny picture of me cupping water in my palms. Hmm I have to pray about that for sure. But man oh man.

It gets better.

I got to play foosball with the awesome bunch. And while that was happening, everyone was buzzing on about IHOP (cause international pancake day!). Then suddenly, OU texted/called that classes were cancelled for the whole of today!!!! Which means tests are going to be rescheduled but yay!!

So IHOP was a no go. Headed over to Hannah's to grab her laptop and some coffee. Then we went to the house Joel and Jarred stayed for a week / house sitting to have worship. Man! Greg was there too. It was so awesome. The word spoken over the group tonight:

• We are going to be excellent in sharing Gods love
• People are going to want to be near us and we are gonna make an impact on campus
• Greg said that worship was like the 7th walk around Jericho. We didn't need to do anything yet the walls broke down. All we needed was to praise Him.

Encounter and worship afterwards - was indescribable. God came down and poured out into so many hungry hearts today - surreal.

We did IHOP! And hence why I'm just writing this now. :) pancakes was good.

I'm so excited that good days like these are going to be a norm - and I'm claiming that. More favored days ahead!! :) :) 

So thank You Jesus. For you tell us to worry not and rest in You. We know every good and wonderful thing comes from You alone. Lest we forget.

Job

Just finished reading Jobs in my reading plan. The ending was so rewarding - knowing how he endured so much suffering and yet Jesus never left him.

I know that everyone has their own talents and trials. We all face things differently but Jesus still remains the same. The only thing I'm so grateful for each day

"I can do things you cannot, you can do the things I cannot, together we can do great things" - Mother Theresa

I had 3 meals today. This is historic, this deserves a post.

OU

Unedited pictures. Since day 1! :)

Ordinary

So what have I been up to lately? I must say having a journal really kills the joy of blogging. Public posts are not suitable for fully expressive thoughts, but still. Btw, I must confess again I don't re-read my old journals.

Anyhow! A little updates on my application. Earlier, I wrote about how my plans have changed and that I am officially taking the whole year off from educational pursuit. (Lol, I know you're secretly judging me for wasting my life, so read the post okay, I have my reasons). As of today, I've applied to four universities in the States. Two of them are top 75 in the world for general engineering, but all four are top in the States for Petroleum Engineering. So more choices for me! I've made up my mind on where I want to go. Just waiting for my offers now.

Oh yes. The wait. Is. So. Torturing. Really, I need my I-20 papers asap to apply for my visa interview. As much as I loathe waiting, time seems to be flying by. How ironic, but let me remind you, there are only 45 days till the brother comes home, 53 days to Christmas, 64 days till I leave!

So much left to do. So much to pack. So many people to meet.

I'll update once I get my offers :) But before it all that starts, I would like to talk to you about a book. My favourite one.

---

I admit I'm not the holiest person, however I love reading Psalms. Its a book in the Bible. Sometimes I become too selfish and just read Psalms all the time haha, but really. When I feel down or upset. There are verses to lift my spirits. Often, I stumble upon verses that means so much to me. Undeniably, every Christian loves the Psalms, and I am not excused.

One of the verses on my app is:

 The Lord is close to all who call on Him,
    yes, to all who call on Him in truth.
 He grants the desires of those who fear Him;
    he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

Psalms 145:18-19 (NLT)

Over the past few years, I've came to know God in a very personal way. Today, I still hold fast to my beliefs because He never fails me. Really. I have no idea how many times I've drifted away from God. And yet every single time, He looks out for me and continually shows me how much He loves me. So overwhelming. I can't deny His love anymore. I've decided to believe in Him because He never leaves me through it all. Whenever you call, He's always there. He'll bring us out of any sticky situation. This ordinary life we have been given. So dull. Yet He cares. For every single detail.

I am still unsure where I will be next year. Plans are plans. But of this one thing I'm sure: My God never fails.

It is November already! Eleven months have passed, now go ask yourself how did you spend the last 10 months.

Till then! :) #np