Tidbits.

So I was reading some articles today, and found some interesting quotes...

"Sacrificial service in the church doesn't start with serving. It starts with being served by God. Then as we are satisfied in Him and who He's revealed Himself to be in His crucified Son, we gladly overflow in service of others. "
~David Mathis, "Served by God, Serving Man"

"I'm finally beginning to realize that I cannot show others the truth about God until I tell myself the truth about His unconditional love.
Can I urge you to do something? Ask Him to tell you about it. Make it your job to hear about it, to immerse yourself in it, to pursue a deeper knowledge of it. Ask others how they know they are unconditionally loved by God. Study the Bible on this subject. Draw pictures, sing songs, tell stories, tell others — whatever it takes to cement this truth in your heart."

"I can't always explain why I do or don't fall in love with someone; how can I expect this of someone else? The good news is that regardless of its romantic potential, each relationship is an excuse for prayer. If it results in faith for someone's purity, well-being, and godliness, even a five-second crush can be a way to expand the Kingdom of God."
~Elisabeth Adams, "One Single Day"

Update on My Life.

(Photo caption: With some Epic Japan project people after the Chris Tomlin concert)

So I've decided to do an update on my life:

-I love it at Talbot. The people there are amazing! From students to faculty, I have felt welcomed and encouraged by their authenticity and open hearts. It's starting to feel like my second home now. (And it probably will be for the like next 5 years...haha.) God is faithful in answering my prayer about community. I love my classes and studying God's Word. My mind and heart have been challenged in so many different ways. It truly is a privilege to study there.

On that note, I'm in the process of changing my program - probably to an M.A. in Biblical Exposition. I realized this program fits me well, since I love learning languages and analyzing texts. Here is where my English major nerdiness fits. haha. I also have been more convicted about the great power there is in God's Word and my very limited understanding of it. It's interesting because I feel like the more I learn in seminary, the more I realize how little I know.

On another side note, meeting up with Erin at Biola every week has been such a blessing to me. It makes me see how God is so gracious in allowing me to see her grow in Him, and how awesome it is that He orchestrated this whole thing.

-I'm enjoying serving at my church, and God continues to give me the grace and joy in ministry. He has provided a super encouraging team of awesome people who serve alongside with me. I also learn alot about through watching children's joy, trust, faith, and simplicity. Teaching high school students has also been a humbling experience as I continue to recognize my own inadequacies and God's grace in supplying all my needs.

Conducting choir has been alot of fun too, and it's just amazing listening to lovely voices worship God. I also started taking voice lessons, which has been quite enlightening, since my voice teacher told me I was a soprano, after singing alto all my life. haha. Who knew? But now that I'm learning how to sing properly, I actually enjoy singing soprano more. :)

-I still don't really know what I'm doing after graduate school, but I'm learning how to be o.k. with this fact. I realized this week that I'm really young - a mere 21, on the verge of 22, and if God wills it, I have my whole life ahead of me. So for now, I'll enjoy the present, and trust God to guide me each step of the way. (It has actually been a difficult process for me to get to this point, as I have the tendency to plan my whole life out and want to take control.)

-Even in the midst of studies and ministry, I have had fun times this past week...going to Disneyland twice, seeing Chris Tomlin live, and running into some Epic Japan project people. God is so good! Again, He reminds me of the great community that He's given me and how privileged I am to have sweet times with friends!