Worth the Wait

Good morning! I went on a run this morning around the park nearby and as usual came back a little hungrier, a little darker, and a little more convicted. Something about running always has a way of letting loose for me. The ground and everything else seems to blur around me and I always find myself snapping my fingers to the steady thump of my footsteps and then I start thinking about what I want to eat right when I get home... =) This is usually the case but I guess this morning's run was a little different. Different in the sense that I saw probably the biggest squirrel of all time perched under my car (I think it was a raccoon hybrid or some kind of freak warm-blooded vertebrate from Mars) and also different in a way where I was extremely convicted, humbled, yet healed, encouraged, and challenged all within the matter of a 45 minute run.

I think I'm in a mood to write so I'll be aware and keep it short. Hehe. :) Lately there's been a sense of yearning in my soul, almost like an intense feeling of loss or lack and a longing for something. I guess it's always persistent, usually wistful but nonetheless it's there. I think I'm mainly referring to a longing for change or for things to hurry and speed up the way I envision it to be. I find myself compensating the unpredictable joys and blessings of the here-and-now with my idealistic and imaginary fantasies of the future. And naturally I become discontent, dissatisfied, and almost disillusioned with the time, place and circumstance God has put me in right here and right now. I guess if I state the issue in one sentence it's whether I am willing and whether I desire to wait upon the Lord, trust in Him and His promises and submit to and obey His will. If keeping Christ in the center and laying at the foot of the cross giving praise to Him who is worthy is how we retain our ultimate joy in Him then why is it so hard to do so?

I guess this was the issue tugging at my heart and I was convicted and reminded today of some awesome truths. We're always spiritually battling within the confines of our heart. It's like two natures- one lower, one higher: the flesh and Spirit. The flesh has no claim on us yet sometimes we deny this, listen to the promptings and desires of the flesh, capitulate and fall. But as Christians, we should mortify the flesh! And we can do so only by submitting to the supremacy of Christ- to His authority in every area of our being. It's an issue I actively must fight. Waiting on God and trusting him Him requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within myself the unanswered questions YET lifting my heart to God, crying out to Him and letting Him lead me in the way He sees I'll be most sanctified.

I have so much more to write but I'll close with a quote. S.D. Gordon describes 'waiting' well:
"Steadfastness, that is holding on; patience, that is holding back; Expectancy, that is holding the face up; Obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do; Listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear."
Definitely encouraged to live daily acknowledging that His faithfulness, mercies, and love are new every morning. I can wait upon and trust in this faithful Creator. How amazing!!!
Dang. This morning's run was pretty awesome! Must have been that freak vertebrate raccoon hybrid that's probably still chillin' under my car... Jk.

Yesterday spent lovely time catching up with my girls!!! SEEMs like forever ;)

SEEM. <3 Thankful for you girls!

Coca Cola: Keep it Real Folks. (8

Lovin' it

Hello everyone!

Since my last few posts, I went on a 3 week trip to Europe along the Mediterranean coast, went on a blessed missions trip to Mexico, came back with a bad case of food poisoning (which lasted a week.. still recovering), went on a day trip to SD, learned how to tie a bow-tie, watched my brother leave to college, signed the lease to my new apartment, and applied to multiple jobs. I must be growing up!
The last few weeks were some of the most relaxing days I've had in a long time. My weeks and weekends prior have always been on-the-go and I hardly had time to catch my breath. But I'm finally recovering from a busy month- a hodgepodge of exciting travel and transitioning back to real life and recovering from jet lag and poor health.
Right now I feel so... at peace. Content. Everything is where it should be. Nothing too amazing or terrible. I guess it's the calm period before the changes coming up soon. It's strange to describe since things are so mediocre. Definitely enjoying every day of my last month of summer and quality time with friends and family. :) Oh September! Why are you here so soon!
Here's what the last few weeks looked like:

It's game over once you introduce water and water games to the kids in Mexico. 

Definitely was game over for me. :( Ponty lookin' like he lovin' it. Lol. 

Canaan and Nasung youth group Love Mexico team! A privilege serving with ya'll. 

Came to grub on some Bomb.com tacos before we hit the border. Only in Mexico!

Spent a day and toured all around SD with this fella. :)

I used to be a ballerina in the 2nd grade... Trying to bring it back.

Thanks for a fun & memorable day! Let's go back :) 

Hollywood Bowl with the family before Jeremy left for school. :) Can't believe I hardly spend time in LA! I felt like a tourist in my own hometown.  Tickets were such a good deal! 

Spent quality time with my Cornell roomies at Tebo Tebo Lounge one last time before we move out this week!  A sweet reunion. :) 

Yay! Greetings from AMBROSE! =) =)

Sportin' our bowties!

Studying with Matt and Meg

Almost taller! :) Visiting me in MB. I feel like we're always at a beach. Favorite pass time spot? Haha =)

Went running this morning with my mom. Never knew I could get this dark so quickly! :( But nonetheless a good run. Thankful for quiet times and good convictions. Getting ready to hang out with my better half Sarah Chung soon! It was her first day of school today! Until next time... Sayonara!!! :D

Dwight Howard

We're going to win the Championships this year! 

It's like he was born to wear this jersey. =)

That is all!!

=)

Viva la Espana!

Currently in Barcelona, Spain. :) It's 8:15pm and we're getting ready to have dinner soon. Everyone eats dinner here at 9-10:00pm! Then afterwards is when Barcelona becomes its reputable party city. Finally... What I've been waiting for!! :o Just kidding. =) Barcelona is such a beautiful city teeming with tourists and taxi drivers who all drive Hybrids and Mercedes... European taxi drivers are pretty legit. I guess it's because these nice cars were produced here. But shoot. I wouldn't mind being a taxi driver in Europe. We visited a popular la mercado in the morning and sampled some candies, organic dried fruits and home made mushroom tapas. Afterwards we took the bus tour all around Barcelona for a few hours. My cousins and I enjoyed the scenery sitting up on the open view top-deck. You could only imagine a bright colored bus filled with enthusiastic picture-taking Asians. Hehe. :) We then visited the Barcelona Spain soccer stadium. FCB!!! I could totally imagine a packed blue and red stadium thundering with proud Spaniards cheering for their champion team.
The most interesting thing here in Spain (in my opinion at least) is that they have something here called 'la siesta' which means 'nap'- an activity that is very commonplace in a lot of the work offices and agencies. Most places close from around 1-4pm for las fiestas!!! I mean las siestas... Even better. I thought those ended in preschool. I wish America had nap times :(
We've all been napping more than we should.

Sneaky Leslie and Megan... Las siestas at its finest. Check out my brother's double chin. =)