My dad found a friend in the midst of the mud.

We let it go after.. But I swear, my dad is like a big kid.

 He was serious about keeping it.

Clean up day!

It was a family effort. We got the street cleaned and better looking. And then reenforcement  came. Huge tractors in a bunch all of a sudden came! They really cleaned up the streets!

A break from the rain! Yay!

The aftermath of the storm left a bunch of mess on our block. Today was the first time I actually got to go outside and drive around the city. It turned out that my block wasn't the worst site. A neighbor on the other culdesac got mud all the way to their garage. and the City was just a mess. We got it good. Thank God for keeping our house and family safe. But today was not the day to clean up because I spent the whole day with Kevin, Thomas, and my sister and my family.

Updates about the storm

I took pictures by the hour-ish.. and the storm got worse.. better.. and....Hopefully not worse!
I'm thankful that both my parents are stuck and safe inside the house. 

My dad found little friends along
 the way of cleaning the driveway.

The weather guy is actually right!

I woke up twice this morning. The first one, I was woken up by my sister at 7 in the morning, to hear water pouring. The second one was an hour later by a neighbor pounding at our front door. Our neighbor, a caring lady, came to tell us that our driveway is flooded with mud and that we should call the city.

So my mom called the city to tell them that the sewage drain under our house is completely full of mud, hence the reason why we're trapped in our own house. This storm is pretty bad... The weather guy was actually right about this morning being the worst of the storm.

I pray safety for everyone!

More than half of our driveway is covered with mud!

An excerpt from Crazy Love

Page 29
' There is an epidemic of spiritual amnesia going around, and none of us is immune. No matter how many fascinating details we learn about God's creation, no matter how many pictures we see of His galaxies, and no matter how many sunsets we watch, we still forget.
...
It may sound "un-Christian" to say that on some mornings I don't feel like loving God, or I just forget to. But I do. In our world, where hundreds of things distract us from God, we have to intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of Him.'

Remembering the meaning behind Christmas...

A date with Dad

Actually.. I wouldn't call it a date.. But my dad sure spoiled my sister and me. We got to watch the new Chronicles of Narnia movie in 3D! Have to say..it's a good movie! My dad even cried (though he didn't admit it). And then after that, he treated us out and took us to eat at the Vietnamese restaurant we always go to. Pho definitely gave me a huge food coma. Chill day.

Ups and Downs

the Downs.. my sister came home from dropping Thomas and Albert off to tell me that our car got splatted by eggs.. Boo.. Luckily we cleaned it up quickly.

The UPs.. A faithful group came out to the Row. We got to pass the a lot of the scarves and blankets left from the SSB (Socks/Scarves/Blanket) drive. I got to eat 5 delicious tacos, got to have midnight tea time with my sister, Thomas, and Albert, while watching Kung Fu Panda, AND got to webcam with Kevin! Despite the downer.. I feel so blessed and grateful. Don't know why I feel so enlightened.. maybe it's because finals are over or because I have amazing people around me..Nah. It's because God is good. (:

Thanks for the donations and prayers!

A.T.I.S.

A.T.I.S. = Alicia, Trisha, Iris, and Sally! Took us a while to think of an acronym that didn't sound awkward. We thought of TIAS ( aunty in Spanish), TISA, SITA.. My favorite.. ISAT. We decided on ATIS.

My future pet!

Bored after Finals..

Kevin not being here + my sister not done with finals = watching Glee by myself & crocheting & baking. I'm such a grandma. :]

Love Language: Jubilee Project Short Film & Fundraiser

Dreams of a little girl.

So I've been in the Beth Moore study for the past quarter. The Bible study is great because it speaks truth and breaks strongholds. One thing that is so true is that women are much more powerful and impactful than they really think they are.

4 dreams that all girls dream of at one point in their life is:

1. to be a bride. We are all a bride to God.

2.  to be beautiful. Media shows that thin, sexy models are beautiful, but we are beautiful in God's eyes. 

3. to be fruitful. Though many women face infertility, they somehow are drawn to be motherly figures to someone else spiritually.

4. To live a happily ever after. To me, a happily ever after is to be with God.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm so thankful of many things!

My mom 

My dad

My brother

My sister 

(I could of just said my family) lol.

My home

My Kevin

I'm thankful to even have a break from school and leading.

I'm thankful that I was able to have 5 thanksgiving dinners.

I'm thankful that I can stay warm and full ( not to mention thankful that I can sleep well because of all the turkey).

I think I'm most thankful that I know God.

Because without Him, I'd be nothing.

This is one of many turkeys I ate this break.

So blessed that I'm well fed!

Service Project:Skid Row!

I can't express how thankful I am with people who have stepped up and out of their comfort zones this Friday. It's been such a blessing to see so many willing and serving hearts go out to the Row.

There were little obstables along the way .. Like.. I had no idea we had to rent the Hub! I mean, I guess it made sense because it's not the Edge room anymore.. But I just assumed that it was ok last year, then it would be ok this year to just borrow the room for an hour to make sandwiches for the homeless. That was a minor lack of knowledge on my behalf.. Other minor things included Cue forgetting the table on which we usually serve the food. We ended up using two plastic garbage cans, flipped upside down and the back compartment of an Element car. BUT! God was and is Good for providing and for moving in our midst. 

P.s. Today I got to meet General Jeff! He's known as the Mayor of Skid Row. Once a hip-hop artist/rapper is now the Skid Row Resident Representative. I was SO honored to talk to the political voice of Skid Row!!

Despite the little let downs, Service project was a blessing not only to those who received the lunch bags, but also to the college students who went out. I'm glad that Friday was dedicated to serving. 

8 cars,

40 college students,

100+ sandwiches and lunch baggies,

150+ blessed homeless people,

1 God that's using the blessed to bless others.

(:

This is something I need to remind myself..

I need to remind myself that I am important.
God has gifted me with the ability of leadership.

He needs me. 

In the midst of busyness --> God

Sorry I haven't been able to update about my life. I've been cheating by posting up random pictures I find throughout the week. You got to admit though, that the pictures are quite interesting.

So what's been going on lately?
Small groups are going well. Each week, more women continue to come out. These women are amazing because although I've never met them before or seen them in the Edge before, these women are so open and so willing to learn. I'm pretty blessed to have my small group and my leadership team.

Something I regret is that I personally have not been able to connect or spend time with these women on a one-on-one basis yet. It's kind of hard not knowing what the consistent group will be like.. Having women not from the Edge or women from UCI also poses the difficulty of meeting up too. Yeah.. just some of my thoughts. I know that 2nd quarter will be better though. Hopefully getting accountability starting and definitely testimonies. But overall, Small groups are a okay!

So when I say in the midst of busyness --> God, I really feel that God is around me, watching me, and encouraging me. Skid row is having a Socks/ Scarves/ blanket drive and organizing these things are kind of difficult. But! God has provided me people who have donated things and ways to spread the news.

This is the scarf I'm crocheting. Not done yet.. but it will bring warmth

to the one who wears it. 

I've been feeling blah for the bast week.. It's probably about school. Today, at my home church, my pastor preached about not giving up! I think I really needed to hear that because I know that with God on my side, I can do all things. God is a funny one though. He knows what to speak and when to speak at the most perfect time.

I'm so blessed to have Kevin by my side! He has been very understanding with midterms and I'm so thankful to have someone so special like him. I now know how much he drives whenever he drives from his home to Irvine just to visit me. I'm lucky to have him. (:

Celebrating Kevin's B-day at Benihana!

legit.

9GAG

So I happen to stumble on this website.. and they have pretty cool stuff. I found the pictures of the sisters on this website too. #1 new distraction.

Like my sister and I when we were small!

The smaller kid probably represents me. (: 

haha!

Heard this during Orphan Sunday!

Totally like whatever, you know? 

By Taylor Mali 

www.taylormali.com

In case you hadn't noticed, 

it has somehow become uncool 

to sound like you know what you're talking about? 

Or believe strongly in what you're saying? 

Invisible question marks and parenthetical (you know?)'s 

have been attaching themselves to the ends of our sentences? 

Even when those sentences aren't, like, questions? You know?

Declarative sentences - so-called 

because they used to, like, DECLARE things to be true 

as opposed to other things which were, like, not -

have been infected by a totally hip 

and tragically cool interrogative tone? You know? 

Like, don't think I'm uncool just because I've noticed this; 

this is just like the word on the street, you know? 

It's like what I've heard? 

I have nothing personally invested in my own opinions, okay? 

I'm just inviting you to join me in my uncertainty?

What has happened to our conviction? 

Where are the limbs out on which we once walked? 

Have they been, like, chopped down 

with the rest of the rain forest? 

Or do we have, like, nothing to say? 

Has society become so, like, totally . . . 

I mean absolutely . . . You know? 

That we've just gotten to the point where it's just, like . . . 

whatever!

And so actually our disarticulation . . . ness 

is just a clever sort of . . . thing 

to disguise the fact that we've become 

the most aggressively inarticulate generation 

to come along since . . . 

you know, a long, long time ago!

I entreat you, I implore you, I exhort you, 

I challenge you: To speak with conviction. 

To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks 

the determination with which you believe it. 

Because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker, 

it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. 

You have to speak with it, too.

Newsong All Church Retreat!

Who would have thought that I would go to an all church retreat with a church that's not my home home church? Knowing that I go to Newsong church when I'm away from my home church makes me think/ feel that Newsong is just a substitute church. But! my mentality has changed. Newsong is a family church. No matter if you're a guest or a long-timer, Newsong treats everyone like a family. And so, family/ community was the theme of the retreat this weekend.  

Murieta Calvary Chapel Resort and Bible school is so beautiful and relaxing. The best part was being able to sit in the hot springs after an hour or two worth of baby sitting. Oh!.. So I signed up as a childcare volunteer at retreat, knowing that I'd baby sit, but not knowing that I'd actually be the leader/ teacher for 8 year old kids. I think I was scared of the children than they were of me! I've never taught twelve 8-year olds before and man on man! It was kind of hard to be the bossy bully. But! It was a great experience because I came out with lots of tiny friends, the knowledge of being a better parent, and a voiceless voice. I lost my voice for sure.. 

Although serving takes sacrifice, I didn't really get to go the the sessions. I guess the childcare team had just enough volunteers to divide the age groups, but not enough to take shifts. God is good though. I learned a lot. And we got to relax in the hot springs for therapeutic relief.

For those who play Plants vs. Zombies!

You can get your own plant!!! ahaha! Creative people.. I wish I thought of that first. lol!

haha! TOO fat.. Cute!

I won't be that mean and leave him to roll like that..
Well... Maybe for a little bit. lol.

Life lesson Equations

I learned so much in the Break Free Bible study today.
I don't know if it's the equations that spoke out to me because I'm a nerd, or because it's just so true.

- Christ sets the captive free through Truth.
- Satan sets the free captive through lies.

My environment + my experiences = Truth ( my testimony and my life's lesson brings truth because I've already gone through it).

My truth + 0 = incomplete ( Revealing my junk doesn't help if I'm honest. It also takes God to heal it).

My truth + satan's truth = captivity ( Self-delusion and denial makes us lie. Life of captivity = life of detachment).

My truth + God's truth = Freedom ( SELF-EXPLANATORY)
God's word is truth and the truth sets us free!

This inspires me to study!

Universal Studios!

Went to Universal Studios with my church friends and Kevin!
Halloween Horror night!
It was actually fun! For some reason, I wasn't as scared.

I would day the best maze was the tram one! I recommend it.! Basically, you go on a tram ride and the tram ride breaks down in the middle of the tour. The rest.. you have to see. (:

The best ride was the Mummy! I haven't been there since the Mummy was a walk through instead of a ride. BUT it was sooo fun! I definitely Recommend!

The best part, was being with Kevin. <3 I have no fear with him.

My future Dog

Planting of the Lord

Small group day is always nerve wrecking for me.. For some reason, up until the time people start coming in, I have a feeling of nervousness.. of confusion.. and of.. what am I talking about kind of feeling. It's because of God's grace that when people start coming that I get an overwhelming peace.

Today we talked about the things that keeps a plant alive.

God is the planter, we are the plant, and His word is the seed.
Small group was amazing because we got to talk openly about where we're at spiritually. God always manages to bring amazing people in my life. I love the girls already. (:

I got to take home a plant of my very own. I hope it's long living.

Purple-Yellow Pansy..

Haha funny name. Pansy..

Anointed

I got Anointed today in Women's small group!
The whole experience was amazing because right after, we got to share about our strongholds in our lives that are hindering us from living a spirit-filled life.

I thought the order of events was analogous to how Jesus did it. He choose me as His precious child, not knowing or caring the sins in my life.

Being anointed made me have the same feeling of when a famous person touches your hand and you don't want to wash your hand forever. If I could, I would keep the anointing oil on my forehead forever and never wash it off. :)

I'm Yours(ukulele)

Haha! He makes me smile!

This is for you Jen! Since I know you love kids! (:

First Small Group Ever!

Words cannot express how amazing God is!

Even though today was my first small group ever, even though numbers weren't that high, and even though I had no idea what I was doing... God was in the midst of us. He brought two EAs. I don't know if they're just checking it out or what not, but I'm really glad that they came. I was nervous at first, but I wasn't nervous anymore when we got to share and learn more about each other. I had no reason to be nervous because it's not me that's trying to impress, it's God that will move in this small group.

Today's activities were simple.. do a 5 finger ice breaker, talk about our vision, and write a letter to God.

Even though not much was planned, the timing was perfect, and everything flowed. We were able to be open with each other and to be REAL. For some reason, I can't stand fakeness.. so I'm really glad to have the people who came out come out.

We got to share about:

  (thumb) = what's Good about us, our strengths

  (index) = where our direction is heading, our goals and ambitions

  (middle) = our pet peeves

  (ring) = our commitments

  (pinky) = our weaknesses

I don't really know what this activity is called, but Kristen learned this when she was on missions in East Asia. Whatever it's called, it's a really good ice breaker. 

I pray, that as the quarter goes on, God will bring rawness and intimacy to our small group. (:

Rain - Priscilla Ahn

The Row

Today was the first Friday of the quarter. The first Friday that would initiate many trips down to LA, initiate many volunteer opportunities for college students..  but most of all.. initiate sowing of the service seed in people’s heart.

Not many people came to the Row today. It was only Kevin, me and George. I’m so glad that Kevin came down to Irvine and drove with me to Downtown LA. It’s pretty far driving from Irvine to LA, but tonight was especially far because it was especially trafficky. The night started small with just 5 people including Cue, Troy, us, who came from Irvine, and a really drunk guy.

The drunk guy prayed after Cue prayed about forgiveness and how he has to ask for forgiveness every single day... He was “ the most sensed drunk guy ,“ according to Cue. What started as just a simple prayer from a drunk guy, came lots of other drunk/high people. I figured.. it’s because it’s the beginning of the month that people just spend their paycheck on booze, drugs, or both. The streets were very busy tonight.

I would say that tonight was the most of the scariest time I had at the row. There was this huge black lady who came after Cue closed in prayer. She had a sense of authority because she would not go in the back of the line.. but say that, “I am the line.” She would not budge. She all of a sudden came so close to my face, staring those dark intense eyes into my eyes,  slithering her head as if she was like a snake, and slurring an eerie  question, “Who’s your God?” I just stood there.. (thinking to myself... maybe.. maybe not..) Good thing Kevin stepped up. But she did the same thing to Kevin too. And then Cue came. The huge black lady caressed her cheeks on Cue’s shoulder. But Cue coolly brushed her off. When the lady left.. Cue turned around to smile and me and Kevin and said, “Demonized.” He confirmed what I thought to myself earlier.. I was staring into the eyes of a demon attached woman! I was pretty scared.

After passing sacs of McDonald hamburgers and water out, I got to talk to Luis, a black guy who lives around the neighborhood and who always comes out to the row. He can whip out sooo many Bible verses like it’s etched in this brain. He described how he saw spirits and wasn’t afraid of them. He described it like looking at a light and seeing the orb around it.  He talks a lot, btw.

Leaving the Row was a bit scary too. It turned out that Cue and Troy left before us (me, Kevin, and George). We got caught up in praying for this two guys and it was already past 9 o’clock. The scary part was seeing all the drug dealers come out. It was when we were done praying that Kevin opened the front door of my car and told me to, “go, go, go, drug dealers are behind us.” I sped off and left the image of three huge, bald, drug dealers on my rearview mirror.

It was some interesting night at the Row. But God is good is keeping us safe and loving those on the streets.

Beauty for Ashes

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while... So many things have happened. School started and I've been trying to get used to my schedule. Mondays are my longest days because I start from 10 in the morning and end at 5 at night. Before I dropped Econ, it used to be from 8 in the morning until 5. Dropping Econ was a tough decision.. but I'm glad I dropped it because now I have more time to blog, more time for small groups, and more time to sleep in! I'm starting to get the hang of school. Research is pretty good too. Not hard at all. But a lot of washing dirty test tubes and touching lots of larvas and dead fruit flies.

Small groups haven't really started yet.. But the women's small group at Newsong did. We're doing a Beth Moore's Bible study about Breaking Free. Breaking free from strongholds and from struggles and from addiction.. mostly in general oppressors that's keeping us from living out God's glory. I was pretty scared getting into the study because it was way out of my comfort zone.. I'm still kind of scared, but I know that it'll be a good stretching of spiritual growth. My own small group has not launched yet.. I'm scared about that too. Actually, yesterday was the kickoff event and I realized that it's going to be hard getting people to join my small group. In fact.. I was a little discouraged.. but! how can I be discouraged already?! I talked to Kevin and he made a really good point.. "Think of it this way.. a small number is not a bad thing. I'd rather have a small group that starts out small, but grows deeper than a small group that starts big and people leave." Kevin made a real good point..

I think I found the perfect Bible verse for my small group's vision.. I shouldn't say "my small group," but Kristen's and Yvonne's too. Isaiah 61:1-3. 

The Good News of Salvation

 ¹ “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

      Because the LORD has anointed Me 

      To preach good tidings to the poor; 

      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 

      To proclaim liberty to the captives, 

      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

       ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, 

      And the day of vengeance of our God; 

      To comfort all who mourn, 

       ³ To console those who mourn in Zion, 

      To give them beauty for ashes, 

      The oil of joy for mourning, 

      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 

      That they may be called trees of righteousness, 

      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

This verse speaks out to me because that's what service is all about. To cater to the poor, to be a listener, to love.. I want to make the women in the small group feel beautiful and to plant God in them. Beauty for ashes literally means taking something that is hurtful or painful and troublesome and making something beautiful. I don't know what small groups will look like, but I truly want God to be our #1 member!