So Long, School

It finally hit me today (of all days): the end of school.

Around this time of the year, I would be walking into a classroom, greeting friends around me, and taking a seat behind a desk. Without missing a beat, I would whip out a pencil and a notebook from my messenger bag, and be ready to engage the lecture before me. It was an everyday routine to follow - only now it is neither everyday nor a routine in my life anymore.

It really feels freeing yet somehow unsettling. While I appreciate the open evenings and no ties to any homework (woohoo!), I can't help but remember the simplicity of it all - having less responsibilities and more opportunities at your fingertips to learn anything you want. I guess after being in school for most of my life (so far), I realize that such an experience does grow on you. And when it's finally over, you are still left with that wonder on how those years made that difference in your life.

Praise God for those 18 years in school (fall, winter, and through most summers too!). It's a time I will cherish for the long hall.

"May our dreams always be bigger than our memories." ~ S.W.

Surf's Up!

Despite all the encouragements, I decided to opt out of the annual summer retreat in UCSD, and instead spend the last weekend of summer just relaxing at home. Ironically, there isn't much rest at a church-wide retreat (or at least, I know I wouldn't!). =) In addition, I still needed to gather some my thoughts on the summer and gather energy for the exciting year ahead. Since it was scorching hot, I thought it would be a good idea to hit the waves once more yesterday with my friend Garth.

We went to Manhattan Beach (conveniently right next to his place in El Segundo), and found a good spot in the midst of the Labor Day weekend crowds. I definitely felt more confident my second time around in the ocean, and caught some pretty good waves that late morning. I even came close to standing on my board for about 4 seconds (before wiping out)!

Such a fun water sport and a good ride onto the beach. I just might have to get a wet suit and my own board to do this during the off-season months. =) Cowabunga, dude!

Song of the Moment: "Walking Her Home"

Currently Listening Broken & Beautiful By Mark Schultz Walking Her Home see related

Play the song and read the lyrics below. You have to be a rock to not be moved by this song. =)



Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you’ll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
Was when the doctor said come in and meet your son

His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he’s got your eyes

And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night

(Chorus)

He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side

A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out

But when they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

IV c/o 2006 Reunion @ Bodega Bay

With one of the craziest yet blessed summers coming to a close, a retreat to get away is a not a bad idea. I was so happy to have such an opportunity this past weekend with IV Class of 2006 from Berkeley.

View Larger Map

We rented out a beautiful house called Ocean Song in Bodega Bay (1.5 hours north of San Francisco) right next to the ocean for the weekend. A full house of 10 guys and 5 gals looking forward to seeing each other again. It was nothing less than an AWESOME reunion for us , who were once used to spending so much time living and growing together in our college fellowship days.

Highlights of the fun weekend:

• Driving up north on Friday morning in almost no traffic with Jason and Esther. We made really good conversation that I barely felt the 5 hours on the road. Yeah, we were pretty fast!
  


• Rocking the karaoke machine with the rest of the guys the minute we made it to Ocean Song. Without any shame whatsoever, we "sang" to songs ranging from Britney Spears, Sonny Bono, Afro Man, and many more. I don't think I laughed so hard in a long time.
  


• Hitting the beach with everyone. Between playing mean games of tackle football and finding things to do with seaweed, it was really pleasant just to walk on the sands with friends, catching up and laughing over jokes like it was in college.
  


• Enjoying the delicious meals we made together. Cheeseburgers, crepes, yummy desserts, and even a pie night (chicken pot and lemon meringue) - all from scratch. I'm so grateful for our talented chefs in our fellowship!
  


• Playing "Apples to Apples" and chilling in the hot tub. There was also good time for us to share about our past year - what we have done, what blessings were in our lives, what we are struggling with these days, and how we can pray for one another.
  

Thank you God for my community up there. =) Already looking forward to our next reunion.

Play Time!

Presents…

THE SCRIPT

A one act short by Will Klotz

And

THE OLD FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY

A play by Pat Cook

Produced by special arrangement with Lillenas Publishing Co.

The Script asks the universal questions of our very existence. Are we merely characters in someone else’s play or do we write our own play of life?

The Old Faith, Hope & Charity is a Comedy with lots of heart. It is a tale of traditional ideals and virtues of small town America that encounter the progress and tensions of modernity from the Big City.

August 18th and 19th, 2007, 7:00 pm

Chinese Evangelical Free Church, 1111 S. Atlantic Blvd. Monterey Pk, Ca. 91754,

Admission: $5.00 ($6 at door) Tickets on sale now at CEFC or for reservations call: 626.570.8971 ext. 103

*Acts Of Worship is the drama ministry of Chinese Evangelical Free Church.



We've been working really hard to bring this to you guys and hope you can find time this weekend to enjoy it with us. =) You won't be disappointed!

Home Sweet Home

I'm back home! =)

I just returned from my very first missions trip in China on Saturday evening. The jet lag is killing me (check out a diagram on the left to see my point) and I only have a couple days out of the next two weeks to do nothing. Nevertheless, it is good to be back!

China was a great experience for me. I made so many new friends (I think our team has like 50 new e-mail addresses!) and I am excited for continuing my newfound relationships and seeing it grow. Same went for my team members from church, who were such a encouragement both verbally and through daily evening prayer together. Such divine interactions with both sides could not have happened without God's grace and His hand guiding the entire journey.

About to fall asleep on my keyboard now so I will be back later with a more formal debriefing/testimony and a slide show of my adventure in the big country of the East. Here is a preview for now:

Who says missions can't be fun, eh? =)

Youth Camp 2007

Currently Listening United We Stand By Hillsong United From The Inside Out see related

Just got back yesterday from our annual Youth Camp (my third time!) up in Mile High Pines, and I probably should strike while the iron is hot with my thoughts on what now appears to be one of the most blessed weekends to experience every year.

1. Although I wasn't granted the age group I preferred this year, God continued to ever amaze and fill my heart with wonder as I served as a counselor to the 7th and 8th graders. It was SO encouraging to hear the younger ones really take a stand to commit / re-commit their lives to Christ. The key thing now is how to help them progress forward in their walks with their hearts and minds evermore seeking out our God.
   
   
2. Aside from the dancing workshop, the most successful annual activity for everyone is the Bible skit. Every small group performs a skit based on a different Bible passage that needs to incorporate two pre-selected items and the camp theme. This year, the items were a baseball bat and a plastic trash bag. Some of the topics included Jonah & the whale, Cain and Abel, Jesus tempted by Satan, and David and Bathsheba. My group had the second one, so it wasn't that hard. But for the last one...well, uhh...use your imagination?! =)
   
   
3. The worship team from UCSD was really awesome (Go InterVarsity!). So good that I literally lost my voice halfway through the weekend while singing praises to God. I sounded like someone who can rip apart crate boxes just by talking to it.
   
   
4. Games which come out of improvisation as well as creativity are sometimes the most rewarding. Especially when they can build the body, like "Black-&-White"...with pushups!!
   
   
5. Aerobeds are the way to go. =) 'Nuff said.

Below is the song to go with the lessons learned at camp. Thanks for all your prayers and support, and I am already looking forward to what He can do between now and next year's camp. =)