Sunday, May 31, 2015
For Good from Wicked
Remember the lyrics to that song from last Tuesday's grace letter? I've been listening to the song constantly after watching the videos of the actual performance from the musical a few days ago. I thought I would share it here. Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Tuesday Grace Letters
This Tuesday I'm writing to someone who has changed my story for the better because of their love.
Dear Kara,
I have never met you personally, but the impact you have made on my life is tremendous. When I was younger no one in my family knew the Gospel, so I was not raised in the truth during my earliest years. It was not until 5th grade that my family and I joined the church we currently attend. That's when my real journey of faith began. Still being young in my faith back then, I was still very weak spiritually. I didn't really have strong friendships or close mentors, so I had to carry the majority of my burdens myself. The summer before 8th grade was when I truly experienced God and was set free from the chains that had been holding me hostage. I had experienced the Holy Spirit occasionally during worship before, but that summer was when my faith was strengthened for good, and I officially dedicated my life to Christ. Since then, my story has taken a turn for the better.
As I grew closer to my church community, I knew I wanted to love on them on their birthdays and other holidays because we never really did anything special on those days in my house. After coming to follow your story, I realized that I didn't have to wait until those special days to love on my church community. Instead, I should be showing them love every time I see them. Thank you for teaching me this valuable lesson.
Unfortunately, I don't remember how I was led to Mundane Faithfulness. What I do remember though is that God taught me more about His love and grace through your story. I just wish it didn't take such hard suffering to have your readers and loved ones come closer to Christ and reflect back on our own lives. That first week knowing that you were in Heaven was probably one of the hardest weeks I had to go through. As I left church on March 22nd, something in my heart told me that an update would be posted on the Mundane Faithfulness Facebook page. Something else told me that the news would not be something I wanted to hear.
Sure enough, as I was finishing up my English project that evening, I checked Facebook during a short break and came upon the update I was dreading. Of course, I rejoiced knowing that you had flew away to be safe with Jesus for eternity, but my heart still hurt for your community. I know how much you mean to them and I know that sending you Home to Jesus was not easy for them. It definitely has not been easy for me, and I think I can say the same for anyone else who has come to love you either. We are all walking on this journey of seeking God's grace and love in the aftermath of your Homecoming together.
Being the oldest in my family, my heart specifically ached for Ella. If I am not mistaken, she will be setting off into high school in the fall. My own mom has been a huge supporter to me throughout my high school years, and I hurt knowing that Ella won't be able to have her mom on this side on Heaven to support her through those years. I know not being physically present in their lives must be hard for your other children at times too. I have 2 younger brothers and a lot of my friends are younger than me. I can't imagine any of us living without our moms. Even though hard days will come, I know that God's grace will be able to carry all the people that love you through their darkest moments, no matter what they are facing.
Music is one of the ways I cope with hard in my life. One of the playlists is specifically to encourage my heart when I'm overcome by grief. There's one song in particular that I always revisit. It's called "For Good" from the musical Wicked. One specific part goes like this:
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend...
I'm pretty sure everyone whose heart you've touched would be able to say this, not just the people who had the priviledge to know you personally. I hope you get to enjoy the farm you've always wanted on Earth in Heaven. I can't wait to finally meet you.
Until we meet in Heaven,
Yahan
Next week's grace letter will be to myself when I am a parent.
Dear Kara,
I have never met you personally, but the impact you have made on my life is tremendous. When I was younger no one in my family knew the Gospel, so I was not raised in the truth during my earliest years. It was not until 5th grade that my family and I joined the church we currently attend. That's when my real journey of faith began. Still being young in my faith back then, I was still very weak spiritually. I didn't really have strong friendships or close mentors, so I had to carry the majority of my burdens myself. The summer before 8th grade was when I truly experienced God and was set free from the chains that had been holding me hostage. I had experienced the Holy Spirit occasionally during worship before, but that summer was when my faith was strengthened for good, and I officially dedicated my life to Christ. Since then, my story has taken a turn for the better.
As I grew closer to my church community, I knew I wanted to love on them on their birthdays and other holidays because we never really did anything special on those days in my house. After coming to follow your story, I realized that I didn't have to wait until those special days to love on my church community. Instead, I should be showing them love every time I see them. Thank you for teaching me this valuable lesson.
Unfortunately, I don't remember how I was led to Mundane Faithfulness. What I do remember though is that God taught me more about His love and grace through your story. I just wish it didn't take such hard suffering to have your readers and loved ones come closer to Christ and reflect back on our own lives. That first week knowing that you were in Heaven was probably one of the hardest weeks I had to go through. As I left church on March 22nd, something in my heart told me that an update would be posted on the Mundane Faithfulness Facebook page. Something else told me that the news would not be something I wanted to hear.
Sure enough, as I was finishing up my English project that evening, I checked Facebook during a short break and came upon the update I was dreading. Of course, I rejoiced knowing that you had flew away to be safe with Jesus for eternity, but my heart still hurt for your community. I know how much you mean to them and I know that sending you Home to Jesus was not easy for them. It definitely has not been easy for me, and I think I can say the same for anyone else who has come to love you either. We are all walking on this journey of seeking God's grace and love in the aftermath of your Homecoming together.
Being the oldest in my family, my heart specifically ached for Ella. If I am not mistaken, she will be setting off into high school in the fall. My own mom has been a huge supporter to me throughout my high school years, and I hurt knowing that Ella won't be able to have her mom on this side on Heaven to support her through those years. I know not being physically present in their lives must be hard for your other children at times too. I have 2 younger brothers and a lot of my friends are younger than me. I can't imagine any of us living without our moms. Even though hard days will come, I know that God's grace will be able to carry all the people that love you through their darkest moments, no matter what they are facing.
Music is one of the ways I cope with hard in my life. One of the playlists is specifically to encourage my heart when I'm overcome by grief. There's one song in particular that I always revisit. It's called "For Good" from the musical Wicked. One specific part goes like this:
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend...
I'm pretty sure everyone whose heart you've touched would be able to say this, not just the people who had the priviledge to know you personally. I hope you get to enjoy the farm you've always wanted on Earth in Heaven. I can't wait to finally meet you.
Until we meet in Heaven,
Yahan
Next week's grace letter will be to myself when I am a parent.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
What Do You Want Your Legacy to Be?
Sorry for the lack of posts, it's been a crazy week.
Two things happened this past Monday. A friend of mine got her piano test results back, and I got inducted into my school's chapter of National Honors Society.
During lunch, my friend went to go see her music teacher to get her score report for her exam. When she came back, she was in tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she did bad. I glanced at her sheet, and noticed the A+ at the top. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that her score wasn't high enough to get into the all-state orchestra. My heart sank. I've walked down the same road of disappointment where I think I worked hard enough to achieve my goal, when in reality, I did not. I tried my best to comfort her, but it seemed to have little effect. She was on my mind the rest of the school day as I tried to see if there was anything the Holy Spirit wanted to say to her. I shared a few songs with her that were on my heart, and she asked me questions about our true identities in Christ. During our conversation, she confessed to me that she was determined to, as she put it, "leave her mark on the world". I agreed with her, who doesn't want that?
That led me to ask myself what kinds of legacy I want to leave for my people. Do I want them to remember me for the awards I've won and achievements in life, or for the love I show to them? I'm not sure about any of you, but I definitely prefer the latter. Showing love is more important to me than getting recognized for doing great works in my life.
Jesus thought so too. When He was teaching the disciples, they asked him, “'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' and "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 26:36-39) By putting the 2 commandments related to love first, it shows how much Jesus valued love. As followers of Christ, we are supposed to be the salt and light to this world. This responsibility includes loving others unconditionally, especially through their trials. People experiencing suffering need the truth of the gospel most because it will comfort and guide them.
So as we start a new week today, my challenge for you is this: How can you reach out to those going through a rough time in your life?
Two things happened this past Monday. A friend of mine got her piano test results back, and I got inducted into my school's chapter of National Honors Society.
During lunch, my friend went to go see her music teacher to get her score report for her exam. When she came back, she was in tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she did bad. I glanced at her sheet, and noticed the A+ at the top. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that her score wasn't high enough to get into the all-state orchestra. My heart sank. I've walked down the same road of disappointment where I think I worked hard enough to achieve my goal, when in reality, I did not. I tried my best to comfort her, but it seemed to have little effect. She was on my mind the rest of the school day as I tried to see if there was anything the Holy Spirit wanted to say to her. I shared a few songs with her that were on my heart, and she asked me questions about our true identities in Christ. During our conversation, she confessed to me that she was determined to, as she put it, "leave her mark on the world". I agreed with her, who doesn't want that?
That led me to ask myself what kinds of legacy I want to leave for my people. Do I want them to remember me for the awards I've won and achievements in life, or for the love I show to them? I'm not sure about any of you, but I definitely prefer the latter. Showing love is more important to me than getting recognized for doing great works in my life.
Jesus thought so too. When He was teaching the disciples, they asked him, “'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' and "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 26:36-39) By putting the 2 commandments related to love first, it shows how much Jesus valued love. As followers of Christ, we are supposed to be the salt and light to this world. This responsibility includes loving others unconditionally, especially through their trials. People experiencing suffering need the truth of the gospel most because it will comfort and guide them.
So as we start a new week today, my challenge for you is this: How can you reach out to those going through a rough time in your life?
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Tuesday Grace Letters
One of the things my favorite author/blogger Kara Tippetts did on her blog for a while was called Tuesday Grace Letters. Tuesday Grace Letters is something Kara challenged her readers to do on their blogs. Every Tuesday she and other bloggers would write letters about grace. I'm a little late to the game, as usual, but I decided to give it a try. The first assignment was to write a letter to yourself in 10 years, and to include as many pictures of today as possible. (A side note, Mochi and Mushi are only nicknames)
Dear 2025,
I'm not sure what I will be doing with my life when you come around, but I hope that by the time you arrive, I'll be able to have friends that are willing to partner with me on this narrow road of faith. I don't have many now, but I hope you'll introduce me to some. I pray that I would never abandon my faith even as my life gets busier and busier.
Irena, you're probably my closest friend. 2025 will find you 26. To be completely honest, that is a scary thought. We always joke to each other about how old we feel when we're around people who are significantly younger. Even though we may feel old, the truth is, we're still pretty young and have a lot of life ahead of us. You are very driven and ambitious, and I love that. I wish I could be as motivated. Even though life will get busy, especially as you grow older, I hope you'll be able to slow down and be able to enjoy the little things in life. When disappointments come and you feel like you're worthless, I pray you'll be able to turn away from the things of this world to find your worth and learn to pursue your true identity in Christ. Seeing you hurting brings back flashbacks of my disappointments and makes me reflect on my past hard. I wish I didn't have to say this, but there will be more disappointments as life rolls on. I know you don't fully trust in God yet, but I pray that you will soon. I see your heart slowly softening towards Christ and I hope that one day we'll be able to stand together as sisters in the faith. Maybe that day will have passed by the time you read this as your 2025 self, maybe not. I'll just have to trust in God's timing.
Emily and Justine, my two best friends from childhood. 2025 will mark 23 years of friendship (I think, at least). As the years pass, we see each other less and less. I hope this trend doesn't continue. I want to be able to keep our friendship as time goes by. I love how when we hang out, we always have a good time together. You guys are both very artistic and creative. Don't lose that. My prayer for you two is that you'll both be able to come to know Christ by 2025. We have been friends for so long, I don't want to lose our friendship for all eternity when you two won't be there for me to greet in Heaven. I hope that we'll be able to continue our friendship in Heaven long after our earthly lives are over.
Emma, I've only known you for roughly 2 years, but I've learned so much about you in such a short amount of time. This past Sunday I entrusted The Hardest Peace to you. I hope by sharing Kara's story with you, you'll be able to come to know and love her like I have. I don't know how 2025 will test your faith, but I pray you may be able to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. I hope we'll still be able to be love each other well once 2025 hits.
CC, it's been a while since we talked. The day you moved still feels like yesterday even though it happened last summer. I miss the summer days you spent with David and me at our house. I still have vivid memories of them, and I wish we could make more. I love your enthusiasm, your willingness to always share with others, and the fact that we both share a love for Pokemon. We haven't talked at all since we parted ways after the retreat. I hope that even with the distance between us, we would still keep our friendship. Come and visit everyone again before your 23rd birthday in 2025. We all really miss you.
Mochi, you'll be 22 in 2025. You are incredibly smart, so I expect that you will be almost done with college when 2025 comes around. I know you are a very ambitious girl that wants to learn as much as you can. You have so many opportunities ahead of you. I pray you may be able to trust your community to speak truth to you as you make big decisions for your future. Even with all your busyness, I pray that you'll be able to quiet down once in a while and reflect on all of God's goodness and grace in your life. Every time I see you I can find the many blessing that Jesus has bestowed upon you. I hope you'll be able to see those too. I pray that no matter what you do with your life, you'll be able to do it without a lot of stress and for God's Kingdom.
Jess, you will also be 22 in 2025. I've love seeing the friendship that has blossomed between you and Mochi. When you two entered middle school, I was worried that you and Mochi would grow farther away from each other. I'm so relieved that the opposite is happening. I hope your friendship will continue to grow as you two walk through your middle school and high school years together. Close friends are vital for the rollercoaster-like journey of the future ahead of you.
David, my dear brother. 2025 marks your 21st birthday. Just because I am me, I get slightly panicky when I see that number since that is the legal drinking age. To be completely honest, I'm not sure if I'm confident enough to see you set out into the world as an independent one day. But like I keep telling myself, a lot can happen in a year. Maybe you'll have matured a lot by 2025 and I'll be able to see you become a responsible young man of God. A few weeks ago, as someone from church was praying over you, they said that you were a blessing to our family. I'm sorry, I still can't help but cringe a bit when those words run through my mind. Luckily, God has granted me the grace to start to see the joy you bring to our family. I know it's not easy being the middle child, but learn to embrace the blessing of being in the middle. Even though I've never been a middle child, I'm sure you'll be able to reap the benefits of being one everyday.
Ella, everyday I see you growing more and more gentle. I also love how much you're willing to serve others. You'll be turning 19 in 2025. I pray that even with you trying to establish your footing in a new environment during the beginning of your college years, you will hold on to the truths of the gospel. They will guide you as you navigate through choosing a career path that you will enjoy the rest of your life. Keep loving others in your servant-hearted ways as we get closer and closer to 2025.
Mushi, you'll be celebrating 18 years in 2025. I have a more vivid mindset of you in 10 years than most everyone else in this letter because I am very close to that age. I hope by 2025, you'll be able to have an idea of what you want to do in your future so you can focus your college education on that career path. As you graduate from high school and start a new chapter of your life in 2025, I hope you'll be able to remain devoted to your faith as you fly away to college and an independent life. Don't lose the valuable life lessons your parents have instilled in you throughout your childhood.
And last but not least, little Eian. You'll be 14 in 2025. Like Mushi, 2025 will find you in a new chapter of your life. I remember my freshman year. It was an intricate dance as I learned to balance all the new responsibilities and freedoms that comes with being in high school. You are a very strong minded individual that always has an opinion about everything. I hope you'll be able to use your stubbornness to be a voice for God's kingdom and not to pursue your own will.
To all the other kids of my church community, I hope we'll be able to maintain the relationships we've built after many of us have left home to pursue an education after high school. I love our community. I would hate for it to disperse in 2025 when the majority of us have grown up.
From a very blessed friend and sister,
Yahan
Phew. That was long. Next week's grace letter is to someone who has changed my story for the better because of the love they have shown. (Some of you may already know who I'm writing to. If you do, please don't reveal it. I don't want to spoil it for those who may not know.)
Dear 2025,
I'm not sure what I will be doing with my life when you come around, but I hope that by the time you arrive, I'll be able to have friends that are willing to partner with me on this narrow road of faith. I don't have many now, but I hope you'll introduce me to some. I pray that I would never abandon my faith even as my life gets busier and busier.
Irena, you're probably my closest friend. 2025 will find you 26. To be completely honest, that is a scary thought. We always joke to each other about how old we feel when we're around people who are significantly younger. Even though we may feel old, the truth is, we're still pretty young and have a lot of life ahead of us. You are very driven and ambitious, and I love that. I wish I could be as motivated. Even though life will get busy, especially as you grow older, I hope you'll be able to slow down and be able to enjoy the little things in life. When disappointments come and you feel like you're worthless, I pray you'll be able to turn away from the things of this world to find your worth and learn to pursue your true identity in Christ. Seeing you hurting brings back flashbacks of my disappointments and makes me reflect on my past hard. I wish I didn't have to say this, but there will be more disappointments as life rolls on. I know you don't fully trust in God yet, but I pray that you will soon. I see your heart slowly softening towards Christ and I hope that one day we'll be able to stand together as sisters in the faith. Maybe that day will have passed by the time you read this as your 2025 self, maybe not. I'll just have to trust in God's timing.
Emily and Justine, my two best friends from childhood. 2025 will mark 23 years of friendship (I think, at least). As the years pass, we see each other less and less. I hope this trend doesn't continue. I want to be able to keep our friendship as time goes by. I love how when we hang out, we always have a good time together. You guys are both very artistic and creative. Don't lose that. My prayer for you two is that you'll both be able to come to know Christ by 2025. We have been friends for so long, I don't want to lose our friendship for all eternity when you two won't be there for me to greet in Heaven. I hope that we'll be able to continue our friendship in Heaven long after our earthly lives are over.
Emma, I've only known you for roughly 2 years, but I've learned so much about you in such a short amount of time. This past Sunday I entrusted The Hardest Peace to you. I hope by sharing Kara's story with you, you'll be able to come to know and love her like I have. I don't know how 2025 will test your faith, but I pray you may be able to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. I hope we'll still be able to be love each other well once 2025 hits.
CC, it's been a while since we talked. The day you moved still feels like yesterday even though it happened last summer. I miss the summer days you spent with David and me at our house. I still have vivid memories of them, and I wish we could make more. I love your enthusiasm, your willingness to always share with others, and the fact that we both share a love for Pokemon. We haven't talked at all since we parted ways after the retreat. I hope that even with the distance between us, we would still keep our friendship. Come and visit everyone again before your 23rd birthday in 2025. We all really miss you.
Mochi, you'll be 22 in 2025. You are incredibly smart, so I expect that you will be almost done with college when 2025 comes around. I know you are a very ambitious girl that wants to learn as much as you can. You have so many opportunities ahead of you. I pray you may be able to trust your community to speak truth to you as you make big decisions for your future. Even with all your busyness, I pray that you'll be able to quiet down once in a while and reflect on all of God's goodness and grace in your life. Every time I see you I can find the many blessing that Jesus has bestowed upon you. I hope you'll be able to see those too. I pray that no matter what you do with your life, you'll be able to do it without a lot of stress and for God's Kingdom.
Jess, you will also be 22 in 2025. I've love seeing the friendship that has blossomed between you and Mochi. When you two entered middle school, I was worried that you and Mochi would grow farther away from each other. I'm so relieved that the opposite is happening. I hope your friendship will continue to grow as you two walk through your middle school and high school years together. Close friends are vital for the rollercoaster-like journey of the future ahead of you.
David, my dear brother. 2025 marks your 21st birthday. Just because I am me, I get slightly panicky when I see that number since that is the legal drinking age. To be completely honest, I'm not sure if I'm confident enough to see you set out into the world as an independent one day. But like I keep telling myself, a lot can happen in a year. Maybe you'll have matured a lot by 2025 and I'll be able to see you become a responsible young man of God. A few weeks ago, as someone from church was praying over you, they said that you were a blessing to our family. I'm sorry, I still can't help but cringe a bit when those words run through my mind. Luckily, God has granted me the grace to start to see the joy you bring to our family. I know it's not easy being the middle child, but learn to embrace the blessing of being in the middle. Even though I've never been a middle child, I'm sure you'll be able to reap the benefits of being one everyday.
Ella, everyday I see you growing more and more gentle. I also love how much you're willing to serve others. You'll be turning 19 in 2025. I pray that even with you trying to establish your footing in a new environment during the beginning of your college years, you will hold on to the truths of the gospel. They will guide you as you navigate through choosing a career path that you will enjoy the rest of your life. Keep loving others in your servant-hearted ways as we get closer and closer to 2025.
Mushi, you'll be celebrating 18 years in 2025. I have a more vivid mindset of you in 10 years than most everyone else in this letter because I am very close to that age. I hope by 2025, you'll be able to have an idea of what you want to do in your future so you can focus your college education on that career path. As you graduate from high school and start a new chapter of your life in 2025, I hope you'll be able to remain devoted to your faith as you fly away to college and an independent life. Don't lose the valuable life lessons your parents have instilled in you throughout your childhood.
And last but not least, little Eian. You'll be 14 in 2025. Like Mushi, 2025 will find you in a new chapter of your life. I remember my freshman year. It was an intricate dance as I learned to balance all the new responsibilities and freedoms that comes with being in high school. You are a very strong minded individual that always has an opinion about everything. I hope you'll be able to use your stubbornness to be a voice for God's kingdom and not to pursue your own will.
To all the other kids of my church community, I hope we'll be able to maintain the relationships we've built after many of us have left home to pursue an education after high school. I love our community. I would hate for it to disperse in 2025 when the majority of us have grown up.
From a very blessed friend and sister,
Yahan
Phew. That was long. Next week's grace letter is to someone who has changed my story for the better because of the love they have shown. (Some of you may already know who I'm writing to. If you do, please don't reveal it. I don't want to spoil it for those who may not know.)
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Prayer Request
Just a short and sweet post today. Not much to say.
On Monday, my friend Abby wasn't in school. She told me on Tuesday she was absent because her grandpa's health was failing, and that her mom wanted their whole family to be with him. She was out of school again today, and I was a bit worried. During our lunch period, a mutual friend told me that he had passed away yesterday. If you're a praying person, I would really appreciate it if you could pray for Abby and her family (that they may have peace and be comforted), and that her grandfather is in Heaven. (I am not sure if he was saved or not.) Thanks.
On Monday, my friend Abby wasn't in school. She told me on Tuesday she was absent because her grandpa's health was failing, and that her mom wanted their whole family to be with him. She was out of school again today, and I was a bit worried. During our lunch period, a mutual friend told me that he had passed away yesterday. If you're a praying person, I would really appreciate it if you could pray for Abby and her family (that they may have peace and be comforted), and that her grandfather is in Heaven. (I am not sure if he was saved or not.) Thanks.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
1 Day, 2 Celebrations
Today's an interesting day for me. For one, it's the first anniversary of Ben's Heaven Day. Even though I've never met Ben or his family in person, seeing Ben's body lose a battle it worked so hard to win was heartbreaking. I got to follow Ben's story through a camp counselor that shared Ben's mom's blog with me on Facebook. After I started reading it, I fell in love with Ben and his family. Reading Ben's story also opened my eyes to the devastating reality of childhood cancer, which eventually led to me supporting other children who have cancer via social media. Seeing children battle cancer have led me to decide to focus my future career in medicine on pediatric oncology. It's not going to be an easy journey, but I'm willing to pursue it.
Today's also my friend Mushi's birthday. (She's more like my younger sister though since there's a 9 year age gap between the two of us.) Mushi is very creative, she loves to draw and write and dreams of becoming a children's book author and illustrator one day. I can totally see this in her since she always asks me for paper whenever I bring a notebook to church or Bible study. She's really funny too and has the sweetest smile. I definitely sense joy in her every time I see her.
Since I'm better at writing than talking, I thought I could start writing letters to my friends on their birthdays to give them something from me for their special day.
Here goes my first birthday letter.
Dear Mushi,
Wow. Time goes by so fast. You're already turing 8. Next thing I know, you'll be in middle school. My hope for you is that even with time flying by, you'll be able to enjoy each day to the fullest. Every day we meet, you're always so full of joy and silliness. Don't lose that. You'll need joy and humorous jokes to help you get through the hard of your middle school and high school years (and even beyond high school). But most importantly, try to find ways every day to spread the joy God has blessed you with with others in your life now. Don't keep it to yourself; share it with those you love. When a friend or your sister is having a bad day, cheer them up with one of your silly antics. (Just don't do anything too crazy.) If your mom is stressed out by her to-do-list, lend her a hand with gladness and without complaining. Strive to encourage others with your joyful nature daily.
I also love how creative you are. You make the best creations on my phone with all the food making apps you wanted me to download. You're also an amazing artist for someone your age and your handwriting is so neat. These are all vital skills for an aspiring author and illustrator, which I know is one of your dreams for your future. I pray that God uses your talents to lead children closer to Him. If you happen to decide to do something different with your life, I hope God would be able to use you for His Kingdom no matter the career path you choose.
I love you, Mushi. You, along with your sister, and our friends/sisters in Christ (Jess, Ella, Sasha, Micah, CC and Emma) are more than I could have ever dreamed for when I wished for a younger sister many years ago. I hope you've enjoyed your special day.
Your older sister in Christ,
Yahan
Disclaimer: Mushi is not my friend's real name, it's only her nickname. I'm just used to calling her that, so she will be referred to as Mushi throughout my writing.
Welcome~
After days of internal debates, I decided to start a blog. Since I am naturally quiet, I don't like sharing my thoughts out loud with others. This blog will be where I share what's on my heart and mind when things come up. Posts may be about (but definitely not limited to)
-My faith
-My family
-My friends
-School life
Some of you may already know some stuff about me, but for those that don't, here's some basic info.
-I'm a junior in high school
-I'm Chinese American
-I am a born again Christian
Right now everything's pretty bland, I'll make sure to make things pretty as time goes on. (Don't worry, this should be the only boring post. I plan on writing about more interesting stuff)
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