Day 5

I've settled down at Lee Abbey London. The first few days took some adjustment. But no more jet lag at last!
Today is Saturday and I planned to be out and about exploring the city. But then I woke up with a sore throat and was feeling unusually drowsy. I popped some Coltalin and followed by a brief nap. Now I thought I would just hang around the house for the rest of the afternoon and drink plenty of water.
It's easy to lose track of time. London is always gloomy. There are always thick layers of gray clouds covering the city, like a giant soft box we often used in studio photography. But the city and its people are so vibrant it cancels out any bad weather.
Lee Abbey is name of the Christian hostel I will be working at for the next three months. In the last few days, I've met so many amazing and God-loving people from all parts of the world. My roommate whom arrived yesterday is from Hungary. Her name is Luca (pronounced "Luza") and she's awesome! Others come from countries including Spain, Latvia, Russia, Korea, and Uganda. I haven't had the chance to get to know each and every person yet but I already love them so much. I pray that God will replace our self-centeredness with his love and continue to change our hearts.
I'm proud to say that I am doing an absolute great job budgeting. Since I've arrived I have only spent close to £28, which is equivalent to 40 USD,  At Lee Abbey, my meals and accommodation are covered and to top up, I get roughly £45 of pocket money per week. I was worried that I would be spending too much at first since exchange rate to British pound is high. I didn't know how realistic it was to live and travel Europe on a budget. But afraid not because God provides! I'm thankful for those who have helped me along the way. I likely won't be where I am today if it wasn't for your support.

Breathe in life, breath out graditude

Weather like this makes me want to wrap myself in a blanket, drink hot cocoa, and watch Netflix all day. I’ve been working 9 to 5 for the most part this Christmas break, which leaves me with essential no personal time. But I’ve had a good Christmas break nonetheless! I’m extremely grateful to be among families and people I love. I’m thankful for a savior who knows the depths of my heart and loves me the same! This holiday my heart aches for people who are homeless and separated from families and loved ones. I pray for the less fortunate ones who are in times of war and violence. I don’t take my blessings for granted.

This morning I managed to get out of bed early to do yoga, made breakfast, and two jars of smoothies before leaving to work. I also intentionally left my phone untouched until I arrived at the office at 9AM. My morning was quite and enjoyable. I’m even challenged to make a practice out of it!
I must say that this past few months had been particularly hard for me. I have spent more time crying in bed than I have ever before. I was mentally drained. In the process of picking up my broken pieces, I learned that it’s easy to let yourself drown, yet it takes so much strength and courage to simple take the first step and move forward. I was reminded that I need not to conquer fear on my own but rather trust in the Lord. Because He is my constant and my anchor in times of storm! Despite trying hard to keep my sanity when everything seems like go wrong, God has been so good to me this past year. I'm just so utterly thankful for the life I breathe.

2016 will be a challenging year, with college graduation and job hunting within arm's reach. I have been telling everyone I know that I can hardly wait to get out of school already! But deep inside I'm actually freaking out. Yet, I figured that 2016 is the year I stop being afraid and stop questioning if I'm good enough. And just do whatever God calls me to do.

This year will be a memorable and beautiful one. I have a good feeling about it.

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.