A little bit of Oakland

Sand, salt, sun

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

The anchor of my soul

So when the darkness overwhelms me and the tide of life rises and swells it is well is what compels me. When faced with adversity your truth constantly reminds me that you command the seas with ease and with words you’re turning wind to breeze. It helps me to understand that we stand on solid rock not on sinking sand.

Only one thing is necessary

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

I know. I've been rambling a lot about Jesus lately. That is because I live for God. I love because He first loved us. I would not be nearly the same person I am if it wasn't for His grace. 

I started reading a book called “The Sacred Search” by Gary Thomas…. since last summer when Stephen recommended it. I met Stephen for the first time about five years ago but we only became closed friend last summer when we spent two months working and traveling together in Hong Kong. One night, we were at quiet bar across the Victoria’s Harbour when we started talking about our spiritual journey and how to be a follower of Christ when the rest of the world is seemingly crushing you down. I love little spiritual talks like that especially when feeling a bit under the weather. It’s almost like God sent you an angel to tell you that it's okay because He is with you through it all. The author of the book, in short, urges Christians to first seek the kingdom of God through finding their other Christian halves. I think it’s a great book. But I set the book aside as I was half way through reading it. I couldn’t go on because it raised so many questions of the way I was living my life and my relationship with God. Who wants to be told that he or she is in the wrong?

Recently, I've started picking up the book again. I believe that God is putting me at where I am right now for a good reason. I believe that through trials, God not only allows me to grow closer with him but also lift and build others up. Though I'm struggling to know when to sit and when to run, and where to be, the one necessary thing that remains is the life-saving and heart-changing presence of Jesus. 

His grace is enough

God did not intend for us to solve our own problems. Instead, Christians are used by God to courage one another and build each other up.
This summer I want to think less about myself and more about God and His intentions in me. Sometimes, following Jesus is as simple as to unfollowing your own desires. Jesus is on the wheel. Now seat back and enjoy the ride.
I just came home from our church retreat. These past few days were all about refocusing our daily walk with God and seeing His handiwork through the stars and wind. It is refreshing to be in God's presence and away from distractions of our busy lives.
You may be having a bad day today. But every day is a good day when we walk in the light of God because his grace is sufficient.

A little vsco here, a little vsco there

Home is where the heart is

My ideal weekend consist of a couch, Netflix marathon, a cup of hot cocoa, and a blanket... expect that didn't happen.
Instead, I spent the last couple of days with my loved ones drowning in food and coffee, watching fireworks shows in crowded San Francisco, coming home on late night trains, having cup noodles at 1 a.m., and cheering on Team USA. And there's nothing that I would do to change it.
On this Independence Day weekend, I was reminded that my freedom was purchased at a high price. I am thankful for those selfless and brave souls who have served this country and continue to give their lives for my freedom.

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"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:30

This summer I am committed to doing my daily devotions, bible reading, and writing blog posts about it as I progress. I want to stay hungry for God's word and speak the truth in his love. We read about 1 Peter in today's service. In chapter three, Peter the apostle referred the water, which destroyed all living creatures during the time of Noah, as the very thing that saved the eight souls that remained in the ark. Often times, the sufferings that we experience are blessings in disguise.
It is often through trials and hardships that we learn to be humble and allow God work on our hearts. It is often through challenges and temptations that we testify and stand fast in the grace of God.

We were built for this

I am forever in awe of my creator. Even though I am too small to matter in this world and even though I am unworthy of such love, he cares for me and loves me unconditionally. How great thou art! 

I am built to worship him. I am built to magnify His greatness. I am built for this.

Comatose

It is 9:40pm. It was another typical school nights wasted on boring TV shows.
This sore neck has been bothering me since early last week. I had to pull my hair to turn my neck at night. It was rather pathetic. Since then I can't do either crossfit or running. I am having trouble sleeping and even focusing during the day. And then I thought that enough is enough. I did yoga this morning to help relax those shoulder muscles and spine. Thankfully, it helped! Now I'm about to move my pillow and blankets to the floor to straighten the spine. Something has got to work.
I'm only 23. And I refuse to have neck pains when I get old. No, thank you.

I feel more alive this past few days than I've been in a while. What does it feel like to be awake after a coma? I've never experienced a coma exactly but I suppose that's a similar feeling that I had. Okay, maybe not quite. Bad analogy. But you get the point.
Now, what's next?

Lost and found

"Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. Don't let yourself lose me." -Rainer Maria Rilke

You make me brave

"I've been told to pick up my sword and fight for love. Little did I know that love had won for me here in your arms."

Sometimes you need to just let go of all worries and fears. Take a leap of faith and let God take control.
I need to stop feeling so deeply. Because I hate to feel the way that I am feeling right now. Conceal, don't feel. And I must carry on.
Recently I feel like I've lost my sanity. I've became obsessed with things that will take me off my own mind, even if it's just for a minute. But I'm constantly remained that God is in full control. I need to just close my eyes and let him take me by the hand. And just believe that he won't take me anywhere that he won't go.
He steadies my heart and I know that I'm not alone.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end yet.

Sunshine sunshine

I'm not magazinely-gorgeous but I'm not ugly. I think that God made me beautiful in my own way. But let's face it, I'm average. But I do get those occasion stares in coffee shops, from older men.
I attract perverts. Like magnets. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating.
In fact, I'm sitting across from one as I'm writing right now. He has a ring on his finger. It makes me uncomfortable. It makes me what to punch him in the throat. And I believe that no girl deserves to feel that way. One time, this sick sag came to me and asked if I needed a ride. I could even go home and sleep with him if I want to. It was the greatest insult I've ever gotten.
I promise that I don't look like a prostitute. I actually consider myself a conservative dresser.
My best response to the harassment is to not acknowlege him at all. He doesn't even exist. Nope. It's just a mirage.

Anywho... Today was a good day! I kicked off the morning with another great WOD at crossfit. I cut the back of my angle on Sunday. The wound is so deep that I cried when the bleeding didn't stop until two hours later. It was very embarrassing but anyways. Today was my first day back in the game. Now I can't feel my arms but it hurt so good. My body is feeling better and stronger than ever. And I'm lovin' this active life! I'm planning on getting back to bikram yoga early next week. So I can claim that I'm a runner who does it all. Roar.
It's feeling a lot likes summer today! Go outside. Get those vitamin D and bloom!
That's it for today. Sending positive energies your way:)

Smile, why not?

Memory takes me back to where we started. How did it all come down to bitterness?

Winter came and go. That's the way of life. Nothing stays constant in this world. I thought that I would get used to goodbyes by now, after 23 years of experiences. But the feeling is likewise uneasy and overwhelming each time. There are some things that you just can't get used to. That also explains the excitements in life. It's full of uncertainties and surprises. 

Everyday is a blank page. Today, I'm going to fill mine with colors and happiness. Be present, surround yourself with inspiring souls, run barefoot, feel everything deeply, share your tears and secrets, do yoga, pour love and expect nothing in return, laugh until your jaw hurts, forgive, fill your soul with positive energy, be grateful, pray for the unfortunates, climb a mountain before sunrise, climb another one before the sun sets, quiet your mind, listen to the silence, make mistakes, laugh it out and then learn from your mistakes, have a glass of wine or two, go easy on the cheese, find what feels good, let your inner beauty glow, be courageous, go on an adventure, get out of your comfort zone, get lost, put flowers in your hair, chase every opportunities, eat your vegetables, be a hippie but wash your hair, don't be consumed by materialistic things, travel, hold off on the mascara and foundation, and run until you're out of breath. Life is a flux. Let every piece of experience be the opportunity of self-discovery. 

Everyday is a blank page. What will you fill your page with?

Excuse my stomach

It's hard to put into words the depth of gratefulness I feel for my family and other encouraging individuals in my life. I feel bliss and I'm excited for what God has in store for me. 

I woke up this morning to the soothing sound of raindrops. It was 7:30am. I left the comfort of my bed and hustled to brush and change into my workout clothes. Breakfast consisted of a big bowl of happiness (cereal and milk). 

And then life happened... Lunch time! I went for pho with my dad.

And then blah, blah, blah. 

Tacos for dinner.

I am happy. The end. 

Stillness

At least I see the same sky as you.