Time of our lives...

The blog of my dreams!

So, I started reading this blog, and I was sooooo amazed at how God works! He knew I needed to read every single word of this blog. I applied every step. Go ahead. Read it for yourself:
http://theresurgence.com/2012/03/19/for-the-gals-8-principles-for-dating

My autumn resolution

Today, at team meeting, we got to talk about having a "Autumn Resolution". I started, like everyone else, with a New year's resolution. But like most people do, I lost tract of that. We get so caught up in our present circumstances, in our emotions, that we lose sight of the goals we give ourselves. So I decided to get an Autumn resolution. I've never had one before and I'm sure I won't succeed in all of these but I like the challenge. So here's my Autumn resolution:

1) Study hard on Chinese

2) Start school ASAP

3) Focus 100% on Kinmen {be it at the orphanage, at all my schools, at Bishan village, my driver, my friends, or just a stranger. Get to know their story}

4) Learn to paint & draw

5) Learn to cook

6) Run back to my first love: Jesus Christ. {Fall so deeply in love again that no one & nothing will ever matter; so I can learn to stand firm in my belief & trust in His word.} 

7) Support any event held to raise awareness for sex slavery & human trafficking. 

8) Memorize the book of Ephesians in Chinese {whoa! I said it!}
9) Excel in ballet & karate class

I just don't want to lose sight of why I'm here in Kinmen, Taiwan. I don't want to focus so much on my own life & have spiritual myopia. I want to focus on those around me that haven't heard of Jesus. What happened to Bruce & his accident, really helped me realize that these kids aren't just students I need to control in the classroom but they are also souls in need of a Savior (thanks Cami for sharing that!). I am so used to being impulsive & having the "lo que sera, sera" mentality but that never works. I want to hand the reigns of my life back to God and let Him control my life. It's always best the way anyways. 

John Piper says, "Paul says that the fulfilling of the resolve is "by his power." {2 Thess. 1:11-12}. That's what we are depending on. That's what we are looking for when we resolve. We are looking to Jesus who promised to be with us and help us. If you depend on your willpower, your name will be glorified. We believe that by grace alone we have been "called"- that is, captured by the truth and beauty of Christ. We resolve things not to make God be for us, but because he is already for us-- that's what his call makes plain. He is totally for us. So pause sometime soon. Pause and examine your life this autumn. Examine what is missing that should be there. What is there that should be removed? What new dreams for ministry might you venture? What new habits do you want to build into your Fall schedule?"

All good questions. 

Words of Wisdom from my Daddy....

{This post is going to be bilingual.}

Life has been different here in Kinmen. I have 2 new schools & two of my favorite schools were taken away & are now being taught by new English teachers. I have a new team. I'm meeting new people & there are new ministry opportunities coming up. It's only been two weeks since the semester started but I can already tell that this year is going to be a fruitful one. Satan has tried to discourage us (especially me). I have been sick for a while now (doctor said it's asthmatic bronchitis.) But among all this going on, I want to keep trusting my Heavenly Father. 

"Change is the only constant" Is a quote I heard recently & it's true. We don't like  it, and "Heck yes!" it hurts. But man, oh man! How we need to be changed constantly. Satan can rock my boat but in God I will always stand firm. Nothing will move me. Even when I doubt. Even when I hurt. Even when I want opposite to God's will, I will always just trust in Him. 

As I was going through my e-mails, I found an un opened e-mail from my father. It was sent to me on my birthday & in it was a list of advice that makes an intelligent woman. It was as though I was suppose to open that e-mail today. This minute. What has been true in my life recently is that God always gives His answer to our questions at the right moment. His moment. He always makes a situation clear, when our mind is all clouded up with anxieties or doubts.


Here is what it said:

• Dios creo las citas para que las mujeres puedan descubrir las caracteristicas negativas de un hombre antes de involucrarse con el, NO DESPUES. {God created dates for women to discover the negative characteristics of a man before getting involved with him, not after.}
• Si siempre vuelves con el hombre equivocado, tal vez no tengas la oportunidad de conocer al hombre correcto. {If you always come back with the wrong man, you may not have the opportunity to meet the right man.}
• Las palabras "Te quiero" no salen con facilidad o rapidez de la boca de un hombre sincero. {The words "I love you" do not come easily or quickly from the mouth of an honest man.}
• Todo hombre que no sabe "lo que quiere" no merece lo que tiene. {Any man who does not know "what he wants" does not deserve what he has.}
• Toda mujer debe tener el valor necesario para alejarse cuando no la aman. {Every woman should have the courage to step aside when she is not truly loved.}
• Toda mujer debe saber como enamorarse sin dejar de ser ella misma. {Every woman should know how to fall in love while still being herself.}
• Toda mujer debe saber como intentarlo todo y cuando alejarse. 
• Tiene que entender que no puede modificar el ancho de sus muslos o sus caderas, o la forma de ser de sus padres. {You have to understand that you can not change the width of your hips or thighs, or how your parents are.}
• Toda mujer tiene que entender que su  niñez  pudo no ser perfecta, pero que ya termino. {Every woman needs to understand that her childhood may not be have been perfect, but it's over.}
• Toda mujer tiene que saber lo que podria hacer por amor o deberia o no hacer.
• Toda mujer debe saber en quien confiar y en quien no. {Every woman needs to know in whom to trust or not.}

I love that my dad is always going to protect my heart. That no matter what happens between he & I, his prayer will always be that I become a virtuous woman, "rama fructifera", prepared for conquering this world for God through His strength. This being said, I miss you, papi.    

My dream guy...

Who doesn't know the lyrics to "Snow White's" theme song!?

picture from PINTEREST

☊ ♫♪ ♥Some day my prince will come
Some day we'll meet again
And away to his castle we'll go
To be happy forever I know 

Some day when spring is here
We'll find our love anew
And the birds will sing
And wedding bells will ring
Some day when my dreams come true☊ ♫♪ ♥

I do... It's my theme song! 

No joke! Girls cannot deny that the topic of guys doesn't pop up in their minds once in a while. Specially when you reach a certain age (*cough cough, like mine!). Hollywood feeds our minds with the idea of the perfect man. A George Clooney type, a Brad Pitt, a Gael Garcia, or a James Franco. (whichever your type is). We all have an idea of how we want our future prince to look like! 

But honestly, do fairy tales really exist? 

We live in a generation that is so driven by looks. 

OK, so let's be honest, it's hard to find a godly man that can be our prince. We live in a generation of mostly boys and not men. And when I say boys, I mean the un loyal, argumentative, manipulative, lying, and irresponsible of the male gender! 

There are not enough men stepping out to the plate. There are not enough men that are gentleman. There are not enough men that want to be different. 

But that's not to say that I don't believe they exist! I do believe there are men that are genuinely seeking Jesus. I believe there are men that hunger to please God  & do His will. I believe there are prayer warriors, and Spiritual soldiers out there that are fighting a battle against our enemy. I believe that there are men that are being watchful of their actions & words & thoughts; that there are men that are exemplary.

I believe that there are men out there that ARE changing the world (and not with their thumbs by playing video games but on their knees crying out). I believe that there are men that are willing to let go of worldly pleasures and not quit on Jesus. I believe there are men that love what's righteous & true & pure. I believe that there are men that are incredibly passionate about their calling and that act upon it. I believe there are men that are a "one-woman man". 

Yup. They're out there! I believe it. That's why my "dream guy" idea has changed. I don't want a guy that looks like George Clooney, Gael Garcia, or James Franco; I don't want a cheating, an uncommitted, and distracted guy. 

So here are the requirements for my "dream guy":

• Christian (A person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings.)
• loyal ( Would he respect me when he is with me and when he is away from me?)
• loving 
• patient
• encouraging
• passionate about God, love, & life
• He is faithful to his obligations.
• A visionary who is going places 

As for now, I refuse to be waiting around for this so-called-prince of my dreams. I will focus on spending more time with God. I have no ties to stop me from serving Him with all my strength. My main focus is not to find my dream guy, but to grow in Christ. 

Jesus says ... 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.' (Matthew 6:33)

"I will move ahead, bold & confident,

taking every step in obedience, 

while I'm waiting I will serve You,

while I'm waiting I will worship,

while I'm waiting I will not faint,

I'll be running the race, 

even while I wait" {J.W}

Confessions of an Emotional person...

*Great! Just when I thought I had full control of my tongue & emotions- there I go again!

Isn't it the hardest thing to do- to control our emotions!? Especially as women, sometimes we lose control of our emotions. A problem, a comment, a dirty look and there we go- feeling sad,frustrated, & getting all "gangsta" on those who cause it (lol). Worst part is that we tend to let our emotions control the situation which in turn makes us react in an ungodly way. That then ruins relationships, makes us say/do things we later regret, or sends us to a depressive state of mind! 

What does the Bible say about learning to control our emotions? 

Scripture says in Proverbs 16:32, "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." 

1 Peter 5: 5-9 says, "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."

2 Timothy 3: 16-17 says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

Romans 8:9-11 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

We need to learn to have self control over our emotions!

The definition of self control is: “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.”  Scripture verses about our responsibility of building self-control: 

• “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13
• “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8
  We need to learn to control our emotions; not let them control us. When Jesus becomes King of our heart, He guides, directs, comforts, and influences us. When Jesus controls our emotions, we then experience His emotions, and we begin to give fruits of the Spirit. We need to always saturate our hearts with Scripture to be able to control those "out-of-control" emotions. Our emotions are not evil, but they are indications of what is in our hearts.
  Are you in full control of your emotions? What can others tell about the Spiritual health of your heart? Does Jesus control your emotions? 
  If not....
  Let's renew our minds through Scripture. Let's be light and not blend in darkness!
  
  

The man God gave me as Father...

"Blessed" doesn't seem to fit the word I'm looking for. As a matter of fact, it might be a bit cliche. "Honored" sounds like I deserved him. But I don't. There really isn't a word that fits the description of my father's existence in my life. 

Before I get into the emotional stuff, I want to describe how I remember him as a child. I remember coming back from school and waiting for him to come home from work. As soon as he did, we would run to give him a hug, tackle him & wrestle with him {seems like we would always win but I think he just let us believe so}. We would take his white & blue lunchbox & clean it for him. Then we would sit him down and give him a full body massage. Natalie on his head and I would rub his feet. 

My father was a strict dad. But that doesn't mean we never had fun. He always had a trick up his sleeve. He was always an adventurous dad! {I think I get it from him}. He bought us our first bike & taught us to ride it. He taught us how to roller blade. He would walk with us to the park and take us to get some ice cream; drive us to different places and just be with us. He shared himself with us. 

When we got a little older {and quite frankly, a little more annoying} it took one look from my dad to put us in our place! I look back now and laugh at that because if I were him, I wouldn't be so patient with us!

My daddy was our superhero. 

It didn't matter how busy he was being a provider, pastor, counselor, teacher, husband & son, he was always our father. You don't really know how important a dad is until you look back once your older and see that  if it wasn't for him, you probably wouldn't have the life you do. I agree. 

When we became teens, he was always there to tell us that we look beautiful natural. But we didn't listen to him, we wanted to look like everyone else. He was patient {and sometimes very impatient} with us during our teen years. But always reminding us that the most important kind of beauty is the beauty of the heart. Our character. What we can do to serve those around us. How we can honor the elders at church. How we can serve God with our talents as young girls. That's what my daddy taught me. To be available to serve. To focus on ministry. To learn to worship, love, honor, and obey God. He didn't teach us all this by only his words but by example. 

When going through hard times in my life, my dad was always there for me. His love & compassion for me always reminded me of Jesus's ministry of reconciliation. He was always there to say, "I forgive you. Let me help you. Let's forget about this and learn. I'm here for you each and everytime you need me." And because of this, I wanted to learn to honor him. 

My dad is not perfect. We haven't always had the best relationship. What relationship is perfect anyways? Don't we all have our ups and downs? And because of all those downs we have learned to make our friendship stronger. We have learned together to respect and love each other always. Our relationship is growing. 

Each day, I love opening my laptop and hearing him; what he did, what he is doing, what his future plans are. I love being able to come to him for advice. I love knowing that he is praying for me and supporting me. 

My dad has taught us the power of words. How they can affect our lives. His blessing for me has always been, "Rama Fructifera" {fruitful vine}. He means it as in grandkids but unfortunately for him, all three of us are still single! But spiritually, that blessing is powerful in my life. I have been blessed with living in Taiwan and have had the honor of being with about 500 Taiwanese children that I get to minister, love and teach every week. What a powerful blessing! 

Looking back in time, hearing his testimony of how God spared his life in his youth and how God has been leading him to expand God's kingdom and how God has given him special gifts to do just that- encourages me to trust the God of my father. 

I pray that one day my grandfathers, will also serve the God of wisdom. That is my one prayer for both my grandfathers.  

So, dad, having you in my life is an essential thing. Having you in my life has made a world of a difference in my formation. I am who I am now because of all the work you had to put into this relationship. I am healthy now because of fulfilling your job as provider. I am successful now because of your guidance, patience, love, nurturing, and prayer. 

Thank you for all the times of discipline. Thank you for all the times of laughter. Thank you for all the times you cried with me and for me. Thank you for your hugs and for your time. Thank you for not leaving me and for existing in my life. Thank you for choosing to love me when I didn't deserve it. Thank you for being my daddy. 

Words cannot describe the gratitude I have in my heart for your life. Everyday you should be reminded all this. But today specially, I want to remind you that:

I love you unconditonally, sincerely, forever.
父亲节快乐 {Fùqīn jié kuàilè}

Psalms 127:3-5 - "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court."(NIV)

Breath of Fresh air...

Two weeks went by way too fast. I was once again alone in my dorm, looking at pictures of amazing memories.

Lydia has been a dear friend to me since 2008. She has been one of my best friends and we have had amazing adventures together since then. But I never in my mind thought that one day we were going to spend 2 amazing weeks in Kinmen, Taiwan together.

But it surely did happen and let me tell you these two weeks have been a Breath of fresh air...


I have not laughed as much as I have these two weeks. I mean, my sides hurt as I watch all the epic videos we made!

We had fun. But that was not all we did these few days together. I got to be apart of her ministry. I got to see just how greatly God is using her to reach people. I got to understand her a lot more. I got to learn from her & I was greatly encouraged by her passion.

Passion. That's exactly the word. Passion to help the lost. Passion to encourage the weak. Passion to bring happiness where there is sadness. That's Lydia. A godly woman with a passion for Christ and a sparkle of life & joy enough to make anyone forget about their problems and just want to be around her. She radiates God's love.

Lydia is a singing evangelist. I  met her at a conference in Michigan, called "Journey to the Heart". We have been inseparable since then. We have so much in common: Spanish, love for all things vintage, and traveling. As the years have gone by our friendship has gone from just friends to best friends.  I have really learnt alot from her. She has always been there and even though she knows of all my failures, she still loves me.

Lydia has been to 10 countries, in which she was given the opportunity to share the gospel and establish friendships and ministry. India, Dominican Republic, and Mexico, are among those countries.

She came to Taiwan with a ministry mindset and ready to start doing something in Kinmen. Everyone she met loved her. She radiated life to them. All my students were excited to meet the American "giant"! {179cm} .

One of the highlights of her trip here was the Small Kinmen concert. Small Kinmen is even smaller than Kinmen. But there are alot of people who don't have the opportunity to hear the Gospel or be apart of concerts & events held in big Kinmen. So we went to them. I honestly didn't expect many people but when the event started, there were more then 200 adults, & children there. Praise the Lord!

To wrap this blog entry up, I treasure these past two weeks. I will never forget them. I am extremely grateful to God for placing Lydia in my life. I don't have many friends but the ones that I do have, are the best of the best. May she always be a joy to others. May she always be a source of peace and a vessel to expand God's kingdom. May she always speak words of wisdom and truth and encouragement. May she always be a breath of fresh air...

*Sigh. These pictures put a smile on my face.

(Taken by: Bethany Hall)

A message for Victorville Church kids...

A Desperate Prayer of Salvation for Kinmen...

May is here. I still can't believe just how fast time goes by! It's been a foggy & rainy April, but May has brought amazing sunsets so far. 

May has also brought with it a traditional event of the Kinmenese people.

There has been fireworks going off in many of Kinmen streets. You can hear drums being beaten & cymbals clashing against each other. There is a stronger smell of incense in the air lately. People marching in strange costumes, have become a common sight this past month. 

Strange giants with black faces and tongues sticking out have been marching throughout the alleys in Kinmen. Accompanied by white faced giants with no necks and swords sticking out of their faces. Marching behind these giants, an empty carriage, said to be carrying demons that control the people carrying it. 

Children with painted faces. Boys in girls' makeup. Girls in carriages with colorful umbrellas. Dancing children in costumes. 

All gathered together to celebrate the birthday of the gods. 

Yep, Ladies & Gentlemen, its that time of year again. When, as English teachers, our hearts sink in desperation for the salvation of our little friends. When our hearts pray a desperate prayer of salvation for Kinmen. When we too, march in the streets, in silence, in prayer, to rebuke Satan.

For it is not an easy thing to see those friends & students we so dearly love, bow down to empty gods. Gods that have eyes but cannot see them. Gods that have ears but that cannot hear their prayers. Gods that have feet but they do not walk with them. Gods that have a mouth but that don't speak to them. 

False gods. Webs of lies.   

"Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’" Is.46:6-10

{⁶ 那從囊中抓金子，用天平平銀子的人，雇銀匠製造神像，他們又俯伏，又叩拜。⁷ 他們將神像抬起，扛在肩上，安置在定處，它就站立，不離本位。人呼求它，它不能答應，也不能救人脫離患難. ⁸ 「你們當想念這事，自己做大丈夫！悖逆的人哪，要心裡思想！ ⁹ 你們要追念上古的事，因為我是神，並無別神。我是神，再沒有能比我的。 ¹⁰ 我從起初指明末後的事，從古時言明未成的事，說：『我的籌算必立定，凡我所喜悅的，我必成就。』} 

以賽亞書 46

Today we had a prayer walk. We would stopped in some temples and in silence, prayed against Satan. We thanked God for being real; for having eyes & seeing us, for having ears & listening to our prayers, for having a mouth & speaking to us. For being REAL. We thanked Him for delivering our souls & for allowing us to no longer be blind. 

After a good walk, we met up in church & sang some hymns. {Ahhh, so good to sing praises to God who does delight in them!} We were so caught up in praise, that we had gathered a group of people around us, watching the "foreigners" sing to God. 

In that way we were able to be light amongst darkness. We were able to worship the true God of the universe. Not with sad faces or fear {like they do with their gods} but with a joyful heart! 

At the end, I know that Kinmen will one day know God. It may be an impossibility to me{a doubter} but not to the God of the universe; Creator of all living creature. Nothing is impossible to Him. 

That's why God is so awesome & worthy to be praised!

God's Special Possession

Lately, I have been "Little Miss Traveler". Two weekends ago, I was in Singapore & Hong Kong. Last weekend, I was in Pingtung, Taiwan {South Taiwan}. I unpacked only to repack again. 

We were required to attend a TESOL retreat in Pingtung. But lately I have been feeling empty. Honestly, I felt so tired that I was rooting for a weekend at the dorm rather than going on another trip. We weren't even sure if we were going to make it. All the flights from Kinmen to Taiwan were fully booked. We had to wait on stand-by for 7 hours at the airport. 

As the last flight to Taiwan was taking off & we were ready to go home, the flight attendant yelled out, "There are 5 seats!" {There's 6 of us}. We were deciding who would stay, when she yelled out again, "There's 1 more seat!" I guess we were all going! 

The way we began this trip shows me just how God had everything under control. He knew that I needed to be filled up again. He knew I need to be reminded of His faithfulness. He wanted us to go to this retreat. 

For one of the sessions, we were given time for quiet time alone. God directed me to Exodus 34. A conversation between God & Moses. I separated this story into categories. This is what I needed to be reminded of:

The Lord is{vs.6}:

• The God of compassion
• The God of mercy
• He is slow to anger
• He is filled with unfailing love {never stops}
• He is filled with unfailing faithfulness
• He forgives our iniquities, our sins, & our rebellion
• He is a Jealous God. His name is Jealous. He is jealous about His relationship with me {vs. 14} 

Moses' petitions {...and my prayer}:

• "Please, forgive our iniquity and our sins"
• "Please, travel with us"
• "Claim us as your own special possession"

The Lord promises:

• ...that He has made a covenant with us
• ...that He will perform miracles that the world has never seen
• ... that all the people around us will see the power of the Lord
• ...He will display His power for us

God commands:

• ...us to listen to His commands
• ...be careful not to make a treaty with the people of the world {for if we do, we will follow their evil ways and be trapped}
• ...we must worship NO other gods {that could also apply to the things that brings us pleasure & consumes most of our time}
• ...we must bring the very best for the Lord
• ...we must always have something to offer our God {vs.20}

Moses spent 40 days in God's presence & the result was a radiant countenance. His face was so bright, that the people couldn't look at Him. When we spend time in God's presence, our countenance will also be radiant. People will know that we are different. 

I want to finish with a quote from a friend, Camellia Chan:

"It is better to be burnt out for God than never been lit at all."

God knew why we needed to be in Pingtung this weekend. God is so wise. 

Singapore- 2012

It all started when my teammate Peter mentioned that he was considering joining our friends on a trip to Singapore. I didn't even think it twice and I had less than a week to book my flight. We booked our tickets just 3 days before leaving Taiwan. We purposely got tickets with a long layover in Hong Kong so we can explore H.K. as well. 

Our adventure started on Thursday. I had gone to the airport early in the morning because Kinmen's airport was not selling anymore tickets since they were all booked. So I got to the airport, thinking that I was going to be on stand-by for a while, at 8:00am. As soon as I got to the airport, I got a ticket and in less than an hour I was in Taipei! BTW, I feel like I should tell you what was on my mind before getting to Singapore. I was so nervous. There was an earthquake in Indonesia of 8.9 & also a tsunami alert in many countries, including Singapore. There was also the missile of North Korea that was going to be launched & was going to pass through Indonesia {we all know how that ended!}. I seriously thought I was flying to my doom! 

So, on Friday at 8:00am, we were on a plane heading to Singapore. We got there at around 3:00pm. It was awesome to find out that the primary language in Singapore is English. {Aahh, finally an Asian country that speaks my language!}We headed to our hostel and got ready for the musical WICKED. It was absolutely awesome! It was my first musical & I loved it. We even got to meet Elphaba after the show.  Friday night was to be our only night of sleep! We shared one sink and one shower room and one bathroom for MANY people in the hostel. It was an interesting experience. 

Saturday morning, we headed to Little India {there are many people from India in Singapore}. Once we got there, at the FIRST shop I fell in love with a hot pink sari & I bought it! The ladies from the shop wrapped it around me and I wore  it all day.   For some reason, everyone was staring at me! haha. But I didn't care. I was in cloud nine!  We also got Henna done. There was a young girl named Rina who was so excited we were there & she brought out a small, jeweled "dot thingy" for my forehead. {At this point, I felt SUPER Indian}. She was really kind! One of those unforgettable people. 

Anyways, after that, we walked {for what seemed like weeks} all over Singapore. We were trying to find a curry place where we were suppose to meet Evangeline Koh but we never found it. We didn't have a phone or internet to reach her but luckily for us, she found us {2 hours later!}. She hung out with us for a while and then were off to a tour around the city. We got to see & learn about some of the buildings by the bay area.  At this point, we were starting to fade. We had walked all day! So we ate dinner at, the one & only, Carl's Jr. {I thought of Andrew!haha}. 

Skipping all the minor details, I'll fast-forward to the flyer. The Singapore flyer is the biggest flyer in the world. Once, you are up there you can see all of Singapore {such a small country} and on a clear, sunny day, you can even see Malaysia. The skyline at night is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Period. Nuff said! 

We headed to the airport & took off to Hong Kong at 1:05am. Goodbye Singapore! Once in H.K. we went straight to a bench & slept there for a couple hours so we could function just a little bit! We were so tired! But jyao! We met up with Peter's friend, Trevor, and then we went to the peak. The peak is a mountain overlooking the whole city of H.K. Such a beautiful city. Even though we were only there for a short 8 hours, they were an unforgettable 8hours. We flew back to Taiwan & got here at 4:30pm. We had only an hour to get to the domestic airport, buy tickets and try to get back to Kinmen so that we can start school Monday morning. BTW, we were pushing it! It takes about an hour from the international airport to the domestic airport by bus, so we got a taxi {paid $1,200 for the ride}. Once we got to Songshan Domestic airport we literally ran to the desk to buy tickets! Thankfully, in a period of 6 minutes, we had bought, & boarded the plane & we were on our way back home!

 It was such an intense weekend but it was an unforgettable one. Tyler, Tina, Amber, & Peter made it such an awesome experience. They are the best traveling buddies anyone can ask for. The whole trip, I was reminded of God's faithfulness when keeping His promises. He promised He was going to protect & love me. He promised that if I repented from my sins & departed from them, He was going to prosper me. I think the most important prosperity in my life was spiritually, but I am very blessed with the life He has given me. My God is such an awesome friend, father, protector & guider. I love my life in Him. He gives me these adventures & I wouldn't trade Him for anything in the world. God is good!

Power of the Cross-復活節快樂

This is my second Easter day that I have spent in Kinmen, Taiwan. I miss my home church and spending this special day with family & friends. But I feel extremely honored being able to serve God with brothers & sisters that have such a passion for Jesus. 

"This, the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us, took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross..." 

"Power of the Cross" is the hymn my team chose to sing on Easter morning.  It is such a beautiful song with a powerful message. 

We have been meditating on the importance of Jesus' death. There really was no other way for mankind to enjoy a relationship with God if it wasn't for Jesus' sacrifice. We watched, Passion of the Christ, on Friday and we were reminded of Jesus' sufferings. We wept. He had the power to just come down that cross, to destroy the Roman soldiers, to prove to the Pharisees that he was God! But of course, we all know he chose to suffer & die for us. 

I thank God that Jesus shed his blood for me. It's because of his sacrifice that we are free, that we can enjoy a life of joyfulness. Verse 3 from the hymn, Power of the Cross, goes like this,  "Oh, to see my name written on the wounds, for by your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through your selfless love." 

Life is mine to live. What kind of a life? A careless, selfish, sinful life? No. We are called to a life of service. A life of dedication. A life of passion. A life of growing in Christ. Living for God is not the easiest thing to do! But it is through Jesus' blood that we have the strength to carry on. Carrying our cross. Focusing on Jesus.  

Yep, I am convinced that living for Jesus is the hardest thing to do. I have to deny myself and what my flesh wants to allow Christ's image to be seen in me. Deny myself is something I should do every second of everyday day. 

BUT IT'S SOOOOO HARD!!

I mean, I am completely rejecting the things I love and the things that bring me satisfaction so that I can "carry my cross" and follow Jesus. Sometimes, I end up doing the things I know I shouldn't do. Sometimes, I feel so unworthy of living this life that I am tempted to give up.

{One of my favorite moments
of today was to see two
 little sisters praying earnestly
to God. In love
 with him at a young age.
So, encouraging!}

But,I'm telling you:  it is possible! It is worth it! It is rewarding! To be able to live our life for Jesus & to be able to serve him even in our weaknesses. He glorifies himself in us when we trust him, and when we wholeheartedly surrender ourselves to His feet.  And, "We stand FORGIVEN at the cross".

Little girls praying.

 Ephesians 5 talks about living in the light. It says, 

 "¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Pastor Samuel with the four young girls who got baptized!

This chapter basically sums up the life we should be living! God brought me to this chapter today. I really needed to be reminded what God's standards are for me to follow. 

With Helen Cheng!

So, these are some of the things that I learned this weekend. Today on Easter day, we celebrated the baptism of 4 young girls who decided they wanted to carry their cross & follow Jesus. Helen Cheng is one of the young people that go to the NQU Bible Study and that got baptize today! After we celebrated the baptisms, we headed out to the streets of Kinmen to give out gospel tracts to everyone who would accept them! We were all so happy to be able to yell out to the world that Jesus is alive! [call me holyroly- I get so excited that I can be forgiven from my failures!].  

So, this is how I spent 復活節快樂 [Fùhuó jié kuàilè]!

He is risen!