5 Years is a Long Time

"5 years is a long time."

~A quote from Nancy's and my quotebook from 3rd year of college...

I was looking through all my albums on facebook today. It's true that a picture is worth a 1000 words. It's amazing how powerful pictures are and how much it can capture. As I reflect on the past 5 years, I am amazed at God's faithfulness to me through it all. Where was I 5 years ago? I was still a senior in high school, getting ready to graduate, excited for the adventure of UCLA that awaited me.

In this 5 year time span I have: Graduated high school. Graduated college. Started seminary. Travelled to 12 countries. Became a choir director and youth worker at church.

It's pretty crazy to see God's hand throughout my life: changing my direction, from doing my own will to following His will...changing my heart: breaking me free from bondage...helping me enjoy Him supremely. It's encouraging to me to see His faithfulness to me despite my lack of faith so many times, and it's encouraging to me to see how He's grown me through these years - because I often get frustrated at myself for not being "fully sanctified" now. But it's true - we are all in process, and I am in process.

I've seen family and friends graduate from high school, graduate from college, move to different countries, go to grad school, get married, have kids, watch their kids grow older. It's interesting to see how much can change in 5 years or even in 1 year or even in 1 day.

The thing that I realized throughout this whole reflection is how God has brought amazing people in my life to walk alongside of me through this journey - to love me, encourage me, help me, teach me, laugh with me, cry with me. I have learned so much from the community He has given me about His love and grace, and I know I would not be the person I am today without all of you. I am so thankful for my friends who have become my family as we are all one in Christ. I am thankful for y'all, dear friends.

And now, as I look forward to the next 5 years and the new adventures God has in store for me, I await eagerly and expectantly...trusting in His faithfulness...and even though I don't know where the road will take me, I'll take one step at a time as I surrender my will to His perfect plan.

Happy Resurrection Weekend! Let's celebrate our Risen Savior and Lord! woot! partay!