Changing Seasons and Changing Times

Maybe it is the habit of being every few month kind of posts. Whatever it is, it needs to stop. Frequent visits to the blog to explain to you what is going on in my life and those that I care about is what really needs to happen. At this very moment, all I can say is that "God has truly blessed my life in more than one way." 

                                                          

As the seasons begin to change and summer now turns to fall. The leaves are changing and so is my life. Graduation is only two months away. TWO MONTHS AWAY!!!!! Lord, help us all. It's really bizarre to think that I will be a college graduate. Seems like yesterday I was freaking out about whether or not Campbell would even accept me. But good to know that I got in and I've passed the last three years. Well working on my fourth year at Campbell. Now before anyone asks me, "Would you change the college that you picked or the decisions that you've made?" That would be a negative. I have enjoyed every part of being at good 'ol CU. It is incredible to see how God has done an amazing work in my life there. I have truly met some of the most incredible people EVER..... I mean EVER there. An amazing family that I have developed. Especially this year and most of last year. My roommates this year have become two of my favorite people, there is never a dull moment in FMC 20C (don't stalk us now that ya'll know where we live). I love those girls. 

Honestly, God is doing a serious work at Campbell and I can't wait to see how much it grows. I can't believe I am saying this, but I love the freshman class. There are some really incredible girls and guys that have come in. I know I haven't met all of them or even most of them, but the ones that I have are amazing. 
Now the next serious question.... "What are you going to do after graduation?" Move into your house. Just playing! I have a serious ministry opportunity that I would love to take part in, now it is just the time to pray about it and see if God feels it fits! So if you pray on the regs, I would greatly appreciate it, if you could throw me in there in making this decision. Also, if you are curious to know more about this, I would love to tell you. 

Some serious life changes.... I am an Aunt again. My brother and sister-in-law just had a beautiful baby girl. Elliana Ruth Chin entered the world on October 6th, 2011 at 4:35am. She's a late nighter, or a early bird, however you look at it. She was 9lbs, 3 ounces and like 21 inches long. Elliana is definitely Asian! She has dark features minus I believe her blue eyes. But needless to say, she's amazing! Although, I have not gotten a chance to spoiler her yet... I know she feels it coming. I can't wait to hear her little accent when they come back from Indonesia. Now this is a serious blessing from God. The little Chin clan are doing amazing. Adjusting to the new addition and taking it one step at a time. Ethan seems to enjoy her, or at least when I was there. There are moments when I feel like he really doesn't care much about her being there. But truly inside and most of the time outside, he loves and cares about her. I know he can't wait to have a little friend to play with when she gets older. Have no fear.... She'll know all about cars too.

\ Now for the final change that I have the pleasure of being part of. Two of my great friends, Brian Zimmerman and Kim Vitale, got married this weekend. I came back to Baltimore for this spectacular wedding. It was a lot of fun, one of the most enjoyable ones I have been part of. I got the honor of being one of Kim's bridesmaids. Kim and I have been friends for quite some time now, I think like her sixth grade year, my 8th grade. Oh gosh, we used to go to snow camp together and youth group... Good times! Kim and I have been a part of each others lives for lots of bad, but mostly good! She is a great blessing to my life and I am VERY grateful for her friendship! Now, Brian and I have been friends since 9th grade. We were in the same class so we spent a lot of time together. I've gotten to see Brian grow and transform into an amazing Godly man! there is never a dull moment for Brian, and I love it! I know that I can always count on him! I have been blessed to see them grow their love for each other over the last 5 years. I am very proud of the two people that they have become. Oh man! Tears are coming back again! yes, I cried like a little child tonight at the wedding... what can I say. I love those two soo much! They are amazing friends to me and I care a lot about their happiness. 

Welp, a lot has been happening! I hope that you could catch up and feel like I filled you in enough :). Maybe, I will make this a little more regular or at least when one big thing happens at a time and not multiple! 

Love God Love People

Wow! The Time Has Flown

Hello everyone, 

It's been a long time since I've written on this blog. I almost feel as if I have failed from the very first blog I wrote when I tried to make a promise to myself to keep this going. However, nothing exciting was happening. Just trying to make it through the semester. Now I am on my very last semester at Campbell.. one more and I am an adult! Scary huh?!

Well here I am... in Florida. Yes! I said Florida. I am spending June and July here. Located in the lovely land of magical wishes and dreams coming true, I am doing a discipleship. This discipleship is through Campus Outreach, its is called Summer Orlando Project. During my time away from home, I will be becoming a disciple of God. I will receiving training in Bible Study, Stewardship, and Evangelism. Through these three areas I hope to see God transform my life to better his Kingdom! However, this will be a very out of comfort experience. I am living with 4 other girls that I have never met before, we are sharing 1 bathroom and there is only 3 beds. This is a serious experience. I also do not have a car, so I am learning to walk places and kinda depend on others when they go out. 

God is already doing so much. When I first arrived, I was VERY nervous! I barely knew anyone and felt as if everyone else knew each other except for me. But Hey! God works in every way possible. I have been able to meet so many new friends that are so encouraging. Although, the same basic questions are being asked, since this is the first full week. Questions like: name, major, hometown, college, and an interesting fact. I feel like I could spit those answers off before anyone even asks me. hehe. During this trip, we will be sharing God's great news through evangelism. Also, we will be able to share with those that are participating in SOP what God has already done in our lives through our personal testimony. TBOWL- testimony bowl that is. A random name will be drawn from a bowl to get infront of the group to share their testimony. Very scary!!! I'm having faith in God to remove those fears. 

What is very cool to have happen during this summer is... I will be working at SEA WORLD!  So far we have only had orientation and there are tons of rules on the limitations of things we can say about things happening at Sea World. I start tomorrow and I am very excited. I will not be working with any marine mammals, but I know that I will be here creeping on them! 

Well, I have limited amount of time to write. I will try to post as much as possible to keep everyone informed! 

I love you all and thank you so much for your support! 

I ask that you pray for me and the others on project that God will use us/ transform us into his disciples!

:)

"We Must Protect This House".......

I'm reminded lately of how as a christian, this isn't our home. That earth is not our final destination. We are called by a higher more amazing power to live here for the time being and serve God. I know that, as christians, we hear this a lot. I'm not going to lie, every time that I hear this... it puts me back into my bible class in high school when we went through the purpose driven life book. (Great book). One of the chapters talks about how this is not our home. Earth to us is just a stop or resting place until we reach our home, which is eternity. But when you go to a christian school and a Christian college, you sit through religion classes day in and day out; you hear this and it pretty much goes in one ear and out the other. Have you ever really thought about it though?

This past sunday, the guest speaker at summit used this metaphor. He rents a house here in NC and him and his family live there until, I assume, they find their own home. Anyway, he was talking about when his kids are playing around in the house; he gets pretty protective of the house because it isn't theirs. Like his son was standing in the hallway with a crayon looking at the white wall as if it is a fresh new canvas for him to paint on. Then pastor realizes what his son is conniving in his mind with that crayon and pastor runs toward his children thinking his is going to protect that wall at all costs. The way pastor said it was a bit more hilarious then what I just typed to all of you. But that kind of resonated with me. This life that we have we need to protect it like that white wall. Everything on this earth is not ours... it all belongs to God and we should help to sustain it as longs as possible. It is like when you borrow something from someone... we don't destroy it or use until it can't be used anymore. When you borrow something, you are mindful that it says in working condition to give back the original owner. That is our lives... we don't own this life. It belongs to God. He owns this life of ours... are we going to destroy it or use it until its broken?
 So I encourage you to be mindful with this life... to understand that we are borrowing this life to use it for the good of God. Keep in mind 1 John 2:28-29 "And now dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God's children." God will return to claim what belongs to him.... Do you belong to him?

Been to India and Back.....

It has been a while since my last post and I hope that you can understand why. I have been staying in India the last 2 weeks or so. I was working at the Missionaries of Charity for the last week, helping at one of the homes that Mother Teresa started. Overall, it was an amazing experience.

I was trying to figure out how to describe to everyone my trip to India. I started out writing all the things that we did, but it wasn't enough. I could tell you all the places that I've seen, but it wasn't enough. 

What my trip really was.... it was filled with love. According to webster's dictionary love is defined as without compensation; gratuitous. And that is what I was shown throughout this trip. It was God's love and the love for one another. "My command is: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down is life for his friends" John 15:12-13.  I spent five days with girls that have a love and show it to everyone that walks through the door, no matter who they are. There are no diversity limits to these girls, there are no caste limits for these girls to show love. However, these girls are mentally and physically challenged, but they are not any different than you and I. I helped to feed girls that are unable to feed themselves and that probably can't even recognize themselves in the mirror, but they have such a joyous presence in their life... it's inspiring. We are called by God to love everyone.. not matter who they are or what they are capable of doing. These girls will never be CEO of companies, or the next president/prime minister of any country. But what they will have is LOVE. They will continue to be a witness to me and others of God's love, and that is the greatest job of all. Through out my time in Kolkatta and with these girls, I could only keep thinking that we will all be reunited. That in Heaven I will be able to see these girls again, but when I see them... they won't have any problems. These girls will be able to run around, eat on their own, and not have any physical problems. This makes me so happy!!!!! I love knowing that if I never see these girls again on earth, I will be seeing them again in heaven. 

We were told that when Mother Teresa was with all the children of her homes that, that was when she felt the Lord's presence. I can see that, I felt that too. During my time in India, I had lots of fun but I was also transformed and renewed. God showed me a love that I will never forget. A love that I strive to show to everyone here in the United States. A happiness that I hope to gain within my own life. I owe those girls in Kolkatta my life and love because they showed me what I want in my life. 

But have no fear.. there were tons of laughs and lots of stories on this trip.. Just ask about the ridiculous dancers outside of the ticket center for the Taj Mahal. I have attached some photos beneath so you can get a little in site into India. There are also some videos on my facebook. 

Love God, Love People

I found Prince Charming...

I found Prince Charming and he is not the typical dashing debonair or the man riding up on a white horse. This man, yes, has done great things and continues... He will forever be successful.

I don't know why I have never really noticed him before. I always have known about him and his continued love for me. It's weird, I thought I had always loved him so much, but I guess it never really clicked DEEPLY. Well, I am sure you might have figured it out. But it's GOD!!!!!!

Maybe it wasn't a big surprise to everyone. ha. Have you really ever thought about it? This post really goes out to those, like myself, that are single and kinda feel like your prince charming got hit by a bus on the way to you! I'm not saying that I always feel like that, but its true, sometimes I do. Don't get me wrong, this is not a post so that maybe, one day, someone will read this and come sweep my off my feet (all said in a dramatic tone) *sigh*. If they do... That would awesome, but it's okay I understand it probably won't happen. ANYWAY, back to the real reason for this post.

My/ Our prince charming has been there all along. Think about it..........
1. He seeks you out (Ps. 119:58). Now come on who doesn't want a man that is pursuing them?
2. He calls you everyday... Although we might not always hear it, and sometimes we might think its a little clingy, but that is just how he is... He wants you to respond and he will not give up till you do.
3. He gives you gifts (blessings) When have you asked for something from him and he not give it to you, or he not give you something that you deserve?
4. He knows you better than yourself. Scary? Pretty cool, you really don't need to talk much about yourself.. he ultimately knows you anyway. But its a good conversation keeper!
I mean I could go on and on about the things he does to want to be with us. The ultimate thing he has every done... HE GAVE UP HIS SON!  I know that maybe you shouldn't be getting into a relationship with someone with children already ( a little to much dirty laundry if you ask me) but with him it is worth it! He gave up his one and only son for OUR FAULTS! Did you get that? OUR FAULTS! Since we are foolish and God loves us so MUCH and wants to have a relationship with us that he gave up his son!  Talk about making sacrifices. Sheesh, I'm blown away! He's won my heart with just giving me gifts, :)

It is so much deeper than that. He just wants to talk with us, so that we can know him! So we can know what his likes and dislikes are. What he might want for his birthday? Or how we can make him happy? He doesn't ask for much just our attention so that we can have a relationship with him. It isn't much, it takes time like any relationship. But it is worth it in the end! The reward is so great... spending eternity with your Ultimate Prince Charming!

Now, I think, that if we work on our relationship with Him. He will send us the true (earthly) mate for our lives. It just takes time and patience. Since you are waiting.. why not spend time with God?!


Love God, Love People.

Finale......

Finals week once again......
I've never seen the library more packed out more in my life than this week. It is hilarious to me that it is only this week that everyone feels the need to be in the library. I'm pretty sure that there are some people that straight camp out in here during this week.
For once in my college semester I am not completely freaking out about this week. Ha! I've realized that I have to just take it one test at a time and study my brains out ... then.... move on to the next one.

Anyway on to something a little more serious. While in Charlotte this past weekend, I went to church with Jon and Amy. I thoroughly enjoyed the service because it was something so real that everyone should hear. How I interpreted it was that everyone, including myself, has been blinded by the real happenings of christmas. That we get so caught up in buying the biggest and best gifts that the real reason we should be celebrating Christmas is the birth of Christ. As I was sitting in the service, I kept thinking of how I just the other day I was trying to figure out how great of a gift I could get my family and friends. I mean I thoroughly enjoy giving gifts (and honestly getting gifts) but I think it is so awesome to see someone's face when opening a present that I was able to buy for them. But what if this year I did not get a single gift for anyone? (Don't worry friends and family, I still bought ya'll presents) But what if I did that... you know how upset a lot of people would be. You know that you would be so upset if you did not receive a single gift, but at that exact moment we should be realizing that it is about the presents. It is about the present moment. The time that we have to be able to spend with our families. I think some times that Christmas should be about the memories instead of the gifts, because in all reality... The gifts will eventually get broken,lost, stolen, and pretty much anything could happen to those gifts. But memories are life long. Like take this memory.... my nephew for the first time saw santa and took a train ride this Christmas. He might not remember it, but I for sure will. Be absolutely loved it.... he got to talk to a Jolly old man in a big red suit who gave him a candy cane, which got all over his face. Its moments like that that will last a life time.

So I will pass on the challenge to you that was given to me this past sunday...... How about spending less this year and realizing the real moments of Christmas?


Love God, Love people

That Time Of The Year Again

It is the season that most of us look forward to, the season when spending money can be justified as "its for a gift," the season when families come together to spend time with each other, and the season were its okay to over eat... How else will we stay warm?

So I just got back to school from a long weekend with the family for Thanksgiving, and man! is it not a great time for family!? This year my mom's whole side of the family was in MD because my cousin Michael got married, congrats Mike and Laura!

 

Weddings are such a great time to get together with those that you have not seen in a long time and take in the time spent with them. 

However, before the wedding festivities began, Thanksgiving was not over.... BLACK FRIDAY happened. Probably not the brightest day ever created but it is sure hilarious and exciting to go. This year we woke up at 3:30 am and went to target... only to find out that 1. the line was way way way way way way beyond the stores front doors and 2. they were sold out of TVs before even opening. Just those two reasons right there was enough to go home and go back to bed. Ha not us! We went to walmart. Not crowded at all, and worth the length of time spent there too. We ended up with 3 tickets for 40 inch tvs and lots of dvds in hand. That store was worth getting up that early (we did, however, give away the other two tv tickets).  That is something to be THANKFUL for... dvds at 1.96 a piece and a nice 40 inch tv to watch them on!

So following the 3:30 wake and shopping till 11:00 am. I ended up with 6 or 7 dvds, new headphones, a new snowboard, a gift registry to REI, and great bonding time with my brother and dad!   

But this year I am truly reminded of how thankful I am for.... MY LIFE! For my devotion today I was lead to Psalm 92. The fourth verse is really what gets to me... "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!" This verse is absolutely true, without a doubt. The Lord has done so much in my life, He is still working and doing even better things everyday. What is there not to be thankful for? Are you not awake today? <---- Right there is a great reason to thank the Lord for all that He has done, but you are alive today! 

I hope that everyone had an amazing time with family this year. I pray that you would be thankful for the greatest gift you have... LIFE! 

Love God, Love People