Ok so I’m on my study break and felt compelled to talk about what happened yesterday. I mean I wanted to talk about it right after it happened but 1. I wanted it to settle in on what actually happened and 2. I was just way too exhausted. So anyways, my roommate Ralph and I went to the homeless shelter with our church college small group, and a group of about 8 of us helped to cook and feed breakfast/lunch to the homeless of Stockton. You know the saying where you go out and try to bless other people and wind up getting blessed yourself? Well I experience that first hand. 

I’ve never been to something like this before, and at first it went a little slow. We were all just cooking and helping prepping breakfast, and then we opened the kitchen and those who lived in the homeless shelter came to us and got food, first was the kids and then the adults were allowed to come up. I helped serve people rice; it was like a fireman chain where we filled plates with food, and I got the rice (not because I was the only Asian there lol) but even that didn’t touch me yet. What really got it started was when I was alone, helping pack the van to go out into the streets. Then a few homeless women came up to me and asked me if we had more coffee. That was the first time I was spoken directly by any of them and I helped them get some coffee, and immediately I saw just how grateful they were. For a mini Styrofoam cup of coffee! But that’s when God really started to work. We went out to the streets with our extra food that we didn’t serve, and set up a table for anyone to come up to and get food. While setting it up, I started to get the oatmeal cauldron (yes it was basically a cauldron) and set it up so I could serve it to the people. But then I was taken away from there to help out with the drinks, and by the time I was done, another girl had taken the oatmeal duties and I was left with nothing, or so it seemed.

I wound up with a couple hundred paper lunch bags, all of them had a banana and a ham&cheese sandwich in them. Basically what I had to do was give everyone who wanted one a sack lunch, which was usually difficult because the people would get breakfast food first, and their hands would be totally full with food and I would be at the end offering them more. But I saw this as such a blessing for me because I’m the kind of person who loves to interact with people in this case. I mean I don’t really like meeting new people and making new friends super quick (yes introverted) but in this case I wanted to talk directly and look into the eyes of those who we were serving, and God gave me that opportunity.

Also, when I grew up, I don’t know about you guys but my parents gave me the impression that homeless people were dangerous and scary folks. But personally, my whole experience just changed that perception. I mean sure there are desperate ones who will do anything for drugs or alcohol but then there are those who were just misfortunate and things just didn’t go their way. There were a couple of people who I saw there who just broke my heart, and I will never forget their faces and how grateful they were for food. One of them was an elderly Asian man, who was just so gnarled and wrinkled and helpless. The one image that I will never forget though is a family of 5 coming to our table asking for food. There were two parents, and then 3 kids, 1 boy and 2 girls. One of the girls was still in a stroller and the other two kids were no older than 6 or 7. They came to our tables all hungry, but seemed soooo content with what they received. They asked for sack lunches and because I felt so much compassion for them, I offered them a few more for later, but they just smiled at me and kindly declined. How is it possible that there are people out there who have that kind of a heart? Where they have literally nothing, and yet they turn down extras because they know that there are other people who need it as well. How lucky are we to be in the situations we are in. Right now I am sitting in the library at a $40,000 a year university studying for my future, and waiting to get food in 20 minutes. There are people out there who have no idea when their next meal will come, but are content with what they have in the present. 

I know this is a freaking long post, but God spoke to me in VOLUMES with this experience. My eyes have been opened because I know that I have been put in a good position to help others out. And just like I was saying, I went expecting to bless other people but they wound up blessing my life in ways that words just cannot describe.

How about Miles Austin though? Beast

So basically this past week I’ve been fighting with some stuff that I know has been holding me back from God, and it definitely feels like God has been helping me through it, either directly through people or indirectly. I’ve felt a lot more connected with God too this week. After an admittedly dry-ish summer, it’s been nice seeing God in everyday situations and see Him working through people. I pray that He is able to use me to do His work more this year, and that what is holding me back, well, like the song says, it doesn’t own me anymore. A really powerful song really, take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc_p9b409yE

Just some quick thoughts about the past two weeks since I’ve been back at school. First off, no matter how stressful or hectic things may seem, talk to God. Be filled with His Spirit and somehow, things just get washed away. Second, even if it doesn’t seem like it, everything has its purpose. This one I am still struggling with. I had no idea before I came home that things are kind of crazy here. The one I worry most about though is Kyle, I mean I can handle (or at least cope with) whatever family issues go on but heck, he’s just a freshman in high school. He’s not a sheltered, naive boy that I may have been when I was his age, but I really pray that he does not get overwhelmed. He has gone through a lot more than emotionally than a young guy should, and he’s the type of person who, when something goes wrong, he hides it inside. At least I’m not too far from home just in case. 

Ok well that’s basically it. 2 weeks of college have been pretty fun. But that’s without any midterms. Last night was a good recharge, just hanging with friends and listening to music from back in the day. Also, I couldn’t rly think of a good song that summed up this post, and but God does always raise us up. No matter the lows, no matter the situation, He always raises us up to stand on mountains, and helps us be more than we can be.

Had a lot of fun last night. We don’t have guys night that often but when we do, man is it fun. As school gets closer (one week left, yikes) it’s hitting me that this might be what my relationships turn into. I might not be able to see people very often on a regular basis but when we do have plans, it just makes it even better. I mean eventually that’s just how its gotta be right? When everyone has jobs, maybe even families, can we really go out every night and see friends? We are gonna have responsibilities and so it’s gonna be hard to do that but when you do see old friends, best of friends again it sure is a grand time. 

On another note, how great are the Cortez’s? Both of them man, I mean I’m a lot closer to Cortez than his wife so I already know what kind of a man of God he is but every time I see his wife or am around them together, she is such a gracious host, loving mother and wife. It’s weird but the last time I hung out with them last year at Cortez’s birthday and then after last night, I always get a feeling that becoming a “real man” is gonna be awesome. Of course there are things that come along with that but seeing them together with two adorable little girls and a beautiful son touches me every time. So here is to the Cortez’s both of whom I look up to as great role models.

so i havent posted in a while. figured that now that im home i see all you guys anyways so i didnt think that i needed to blog or whatever but still, got stuff on my chest that i just feel like i needa get off. needa sleep so itll be quick, got full day of classes and then work til 11 tomorrow so its gonna be a long day…anyways, over past few days, i guess ive just been reminded that there are so many things out of my control, that are in God’s hands. i mean honestly, there are so many things whether it be school, relationships or money where no matter what you do, it just seems out of reach. and sometimes that can be scary. heck, im a noob when it comes to relationships and after one just doesnt work out even though i felt like it could? i suddenly dip to the point where i feel like ok, there is no one out there for me. but i know this is just the enemy getting me down, but its hard to shake off. its been a while since ive had this reminder but it was sorely needed. im going to continue to do what i can, reading the Word having deep conversations and trying to grow in my walk with God so i’m not just sitting back letting God handle EVERYTHING, i mean i dont think that is “faith” necessarily. but as the last few days have shown, you do what you can and let God handle the rest

ckwang

So the year is winding down, I have a chem practical where I have to draw out complete flow charts for different ions, and a chem test tomorrow on Solutions, Nuclear and Ochem. Definitely a stressful time, specially since I have the weekend when I am done to write a 10 page paper, and then start studying for finals. Both are on Monday. But hey, after that I’m done! So I’m pretty stoked about that. Anyways, there is so much more to just school right? It feels like recently, probably because of all these tests, I haven’t been able to talk to Eric or Amy in depth about God. That was one of my priorities after I got started, but it just hasn’t worked out yet. All in God’s time, but it’s a little frustrating because I’d love spending a good hour with Eric talking about Christianity and what is on his mind, but I know that I am busy, and that he is really busy too. I guess I just can’t force it. I’ll have more once finals are done, but then when that happens I guess I can almost see all of you anyways right? OH well, good luck to all of you who have tests or papers coming up; the year is almost done so hang in there. Take whatever opportunities you can to encourage your friends in college and your dorm mates to keep trudging on; the end of freshman year is close.

So I’ve been in school for what, almost nine months now? That is pretty crazy actually now that I think about it, there is only one more month of school until I am done with my freshman year! When I first got here, I wanted to make sure that I would be able strong in my faith, and not waver. I also wanted to expand a little bit, and not just grow personally, but be able to share with others the love of God that I have. At first, I thought that all I needed to do was be a good example, and people will see me for a man of God. This turned out to be only true. I still needed action, but recently, last night specifically, I have seen it come to fruition. 

You know how everyone says that you need to have action along with your faith? Well I didn’t do that at first; it was hard for me to share with other people what I believed in. All I would do is “passive evangelism” but I never really talked to anyone. Last week, I talked about Eric, the guy I have been trying to share with. I gave him the Einstein argument that Jon gave me, and it made him think because he didn’t really have a response to it. So at least he has something to chew on, which is all I can ask for right now. Hopefully the Holy Spirit will do its work on Eric. But anyways, last night I had a pretty deep conversation with Rhett, and we talked about the needy. I said that we as Christians should have compassion on those who are needy, especially the homeless. I am thinking of serving as a food distributor/contributor because there are definitely people who need it in Stockton.  I have the view that to show God’s love, we need to feed and have compassion on them. His view was that if we really wanted to show God’s love, we would not just give them free food/money, but help them learn to be more self sustaining by turning them away BUT offering them a job. Just something to think about I guess. 

Later that night, I planned on sleeping but God works in weird ways. It was 1:15, and with an 8AM class the next day, I wanted sleep but I heard a pretty good discussion going on in a room a few doors down. I went in, and a group of my friends were talking about gay marriage, and I didn’t know exactly how it started but I just sat in to listen. This girl said that gays should be treated equally and she didn’t like how they don’t have equal rights. She didn’t think it was fair. One of my friends, Chris Park, tried to argue using religious arguments, but she was non-religious so she just shrugged those arguments off. Some how one thing led to another and she started talking about how she WANTED to believe, because she sees how us Christians live and she wants that joy. This is where my aforementioned “living by example” has worked out. Without being proud, I feel that I have earned “credibility” with most of the people I hang out with as a strong Christian. They know I go to church, join fellowships, don’t party or swear, and so when it comes to talking about religious topics, they listen to me a little more. But I digress; I now have two people that God has put on my heart and in my life to try and share the love of God. I have no idea where this is going to lead but I have 2 more people now that I’ve had over the entirety of my life and I am pretty excited to have this opportunity

estr:

WHY are you SO SO DELiCiOUS?! ….

I LOVE MICKEY D’S AND THEIR CHICKEN NUGGETS!!!!

“We need some chicken up in here, in this hizzle

For rizzle my mizzle, extra salt on da frizzle”

kimel:

this is one of my best friends….. who is wearing one of my other best friends clothes… who is a boy.. sketch? yea i know. HAHAHAH

And it fits!!! that’s the best part. it actually looks a little bit big on him…