random thoughts:

i have many men in my life. father, brother, brothers in christ, nephew (plus 1 more coming in October), boss, teachers/pastors, students, etc.

i have many women in my life too, yet it seems that only men seek my ear often, especially of late.

especially lately, my heart has been burdened to pray for the men in my life.

today, i connected with a brother in christ in korea (serving in the military) via skype. it's been awhile. and him telling me of his life, it puts everything in perspective.

god is good to me. he gives me clarity and comfort through all situations.

and thank God for my men in my life.

today was a good day. in fact, this past week was amazing.

as of last monday, i felt so overwhelmed by all the (work) responsibilities, i decided to take a break from chatting, facebooking, blogging, and e-mailing. it was a decision made with a glad heart, and i am thankful for god's hand in my discernment and that it was indeed a wise one.

i've been at my job 11 years now (in fact, the tuesday after the memorial day is my work anniversary) and with that comes not only stability and thankfulness, but also frustration and impatience. this week, in order to prepare for my june denver trip, i've been working..furiously. yes, i actually use that word, as i felt like an overworked engine, frequently having to water (in my human case, junk food) the overheated engine (= brain). had i continued with my daily chattings, facebookings and such, i would've been unable to concentrate so fully on the job. i'm known as the queen of multitasking (not a princess, but a QUEEN) and i just had to admit to myself, something had to give this week. i apologize to all my friends for having "ditched them" for full 5-6 days!

but what a blessing it was and i am still fueled by that blessing. today after jetting from the sunday school, i went to a lecture by ron choong titled "the triune god: the god who is one."

i didn't expect to hear the name aristotle in a talk about the triunity of god. but how appropriate it was to learn about the kατηγορίαι katēgoriai, gregory of nyssa and why monotheism/unitarianism and tritheism are different (and wrong). there's not an easy way to explain all this. i highly encourage you all to read up on this!

** picture is taken by my bro on a beach of my sis-in-law and nephew. beauty of god and his creation is so evident in this yet...

today, i braved the supersoaker and went to barney's to sample rogan for target @ barney's.

and i was about 6 hrs too late.

all the goodies were gone. i asked a saleswoman (FYI: barney's is really incredible when it comes to the sales staff. i've shopped in different departments - when i can afford certain items - over the years and i've always had friendliest waitstaff there. they're incredibly efficient and helpful!) who empathized with me. Said "yeah, people were lined up outside of the store this morning at 9 AM. i'm afraid all normal sizes are gone" - that meant mostly L or XLs were left. people were scrambling like there's no tomorrow (think of a very messy scrambled egg cooking on your pan and you'll understand the feeling). i quickly just grabbed whatever i could and then retreated into a corner ("can i get a dressing room?" "yes, let's find one...here it is!" - again, so freakishly friendly) and tried them all on - and i didn't like any, except a pair of really cool black - leopard-print - jeans. she said "all the really cute dresses were gone by 9:30 AM." darn it! freakish NY shoppers!!!!

anyway, i scored - $39.99 for the jeans. not too shabby, i must say!

i am thankful this week.

i am thankful for beautiful weather god's given us - even though it's cloudy & rainy today, it's beautiful. thank you for your all your creation.

i am thankful for the consistency of my job and its environs. thank you for providing for me always.

i am thankful for my church's projects and its servants. thank you for guiding us.

i am thankful for the struggles of this week - i am totally lost on what friendship is all about. i am lost trying to reconcile that of god's word and that of this world in terms of how one should act and react.

i am thankful for his comforting words in romans 12 and 1 corinthians 12.

i am thankful that i know that i will grow after struggles. one of my fav verses:

...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

thank you for the hope.

Thrice, you rock. Thanks for the great time yesterday.

i was searching on my gmail account to see if i had any old links pasted in e-mails or chats to give to someone at my church re: some cool church websites as a model for ours.

then i came across and e-mail i wrote to a friend on january 9, 2006:

<<my daily communication with God for the last 4-5 months have been sporatic cries of "why is this happening to this church? please help us." (FOR CONTEXT: i was at a church that was dying) for the last month, i have hardly spoken to Him. i feel so dry & tired. i need SUPPORT. i need bible study, i need fellowship with believers, i need small group, i need the church that will be able to supply it ALL for me, however greedy i am! while i'm tired & sad, i am also on the verge of excitement that i'll find a new church and that it'll be an exciting time for me, a dormant SeaPea to really once again learn & be of help to a church and of course, most of all, to myself. >>

it got me sooooo happy that God heard my cries! :)