I miss: family. friends. California weather. homecooked meals. close Asian supermarkets. grace community church. grace on campus. crazy ministry busyness.

but I praise God for: 10th Presbyterian Church. new fellowship at Penn. free time. good books (The Holiness of God and The Excellent Wife) cell phone. internet. music. football season (haha).

I am looking forward to: Oct. 20-22 (Jesse's visit, with things from home!! :-D). Nov. 22-26. May 2007.

yep, I am unfamiliar territory, but I know that God is faithful to keep and sanctify me.

My magnificent obsession

Steven Curtis Chapman's "Magnificent Obession" is currently on repeat on my windows media player:

...capture my heart again,
take me to depths i've never been,
to the riches of Your grace and Your mercy.
return me to the cross,
and let me be completely lost,
in the wonder of the love that You've shown me.
cut through these chains that tie me down,
to so many lesser things;
let all my dreams fall to the ground,
until this one remains...
everything my heart desires,
Lord, i want it all to be for You.
Jesus, be my magnificent obsession.

such humbling lyrics.

Ramblings

it was really good seeing friends again this past weekend at Ben and Leah's wedding. i did not want to leave california... my heart is still there. but grad school is what God has called me to right now, and grad school is what i need to be faithful to.

i feel very tired. im tired from my first full day TAing kindergarten in Nebinger Elementary... and the kids aren't even here yet! i never realized that setting up a classroom where everything is accessible is so much work! and tomorrow i have another long day of classes (at Penn). i feel that i've been so tired all week.. partially because i'm trying to get used to being three hours ahead again.

i feel bad for whoever i talk to because ive just havent had the strength or energy. i feel bad for the people i haven't called yet... im sorry! my body is dying on me. :( but alas, through it all, God is teaching me that He is ever faithful. my physicaly body and health may be suffering, but my soul has been so encouraged by fellow brothers and sisters! praise God!!

and in all of this, i have been enjoying the hymn, "Jesus I My Cross Have Taken"... i am falling more and more in love with hymns! :-D although there are many good stanzas, i have been looking forward to the day where i can see God face to face...

Haste, then, on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

as Christians, we know the end already! whatever troubles, flaws, earthly joys and pleasures... whatever persecution, wrongs... this world will end in God's victory!! and that is such a good thought to remind ourselves of. God will be victorious and we will enjoy heaven, not because everything will be perfect, but because God is there! the righteous, gracious, omnipotent, omniscient and holy God!!! we get to see Him! have fellowship with Him!! isn't that a crazy thought? :)

i love you all and God has been using each and every one of you to teach me more about Him, about patient, grace, love, and so many other things that i cannot keep track of. keep striving on brothers and sisters... and reflect the glory of our great God in your lives. and don't worry, God will be there to make sure He is honored, so we're not just relying on ourselves. ;-) take care. i miss you all dearly. i can't wait to see you guys again in a few months. (and yes, i will now go back to the reading i've been procrastinating on :-P)