the negative effects are not getting enough rest, falling behind in other things, neglecting people i don't mean to, and not taking care of myself [like not having time to eat right or exercise].
it is SO hard to balance everything. the Lord knows i need Him.
so there's been a lot of events going on in my life. not too many significant events but a lot of searching and pursuing that leads to significant events.
this past saturday morning, i went to a Bat Mitzvah. It was a very enjoyable service [although it was THREE HOURS long!!!]. This was my second time going to a Jewish service and first time going to a bat mitzvah. i really enjoy Temple Beth El's cantors because they have lovely voices, the congregates are very welcoming&personal, the temple is really pretty [especially the ark center stage], hearing hebrew is a blessing, and seeing their dedication and organization is really enjoyable.
Also, the temple i went to is a reform temple so they have a female rabbi and their dress code is not extremely strict.
at the Bat Mitzvah, i saw my professor and it was kind of a weird experience seeing him outside of school. He noticed right away that Beverly and Jasmine were not in his class [they came with me to observe a Jewish service because for their ethnic studies class they needed to write a report as well] which was kind of bad cause i told them to pose as his students. The reason for that is because Carolee, the Bat Mitzvah-ian, was the speaker who came to our class and invited our class to come to her Bat Mitzvah. i was the only one who went up to her afterwards to ask about details of her Bat Mitzvah and she was so welcoming and friendly and when i went up to her after her Bat Mitzvah service was over, i explained how i was from the class that she came to a month ago and she was SO HAPPY that someone from the class actually came! she couldn't believe someone would come and did not expect it. it was great to receive her hug and big thankful smile :O)
one could tell she was really loved because according to the rabbi, they haven't had such huge attendance since the high holidays ahaha. and so many people prepared for her many gifts and presentations and really expressed their care and love.
at the closing song, we did a little Jewish jig with them by putting our arms around each other, side to side, and then rocking back and forth and adding a little kicking to the sides by switching off. it was fun :O) the lady next to me explained how it was done. it was funny cause jasmine, beverly, and i were the only asian girls so people could tell right away we stuck out. one of the guys sitting in front turned around and said "don't worry, it's almost over!" hahah he was referring to the service because it had already been 2.5+ hours. not to mention i was freezing from wearing a dress [my professor said to wear a dress and to cover our shoulders].
there was this one part where Carolee carried the scrolls and marched around the room while dancing and sort of formed a conga line behind her. it was sooo funny to watch and totally fit the Jewish cliche. if i had known her and the people around me better, i so would've wanted to join in on the dancing :O) it was so lively and looked like so much fun!!
in the end, i was really glad i got to go and experience such an amazing service. it was realllly interesting and i enjoyed it a lot. i would recommend for everyone to attend a Jewish service if you get the opportunity. it's very intriguing.
-switching subjects, i finally found a church again! God has been very patient with me on my journey towards finding a perfect church that will grow, challenge, and encourage me at the same time. i've realized throughout my constant 4-year search for a church that i will never find the perfect church in Riverside. the thing is, i'm already set to commit to my home church but i can't do that until i move back home. therefore, i must find a temporary church in Riverside while i'm away at college. but it has been quite the difficult challenge in finding one. there is always a switch off where i might like worship but not the message, or the message is good but worship is too showy or too old styled. i've finally realized i need to compromise and the message is way more important than the worship. so i am going to stick with Cornerstone for now because it's messages are very Biblically grounded and that is something i need right now. It's a bonus to have a lot of my close friends attending as well so i get to fellowship&eat with them afterwards. i also can carpool :O) but i really enjoy the size of cornerstone and their focus is so intent on the Gospel, it's really encouraging and gives one passion and brings one back to the purpose of our worship.
aside from church, ministry has been difficult. it is keeping me on my toes. i feel like i experience highs and lows in a very inconsistent way that i just can't seem to get out of. but i am trusting that everything that happens is for my&everyone else's own good and God has it all planned out.
i've been spending more time hanging out with Epic people and it's been very enjoyable. i love getting to know them better and spending time with them. we have many a good laughs and fun :O]
i truly miss my homies back in Irvine. i have not been able to visit them at all this year and it makes me so sad. i've just been really busy and am trying to prioritize which sadly irvine's epic is not up there. but those people will always have a special place in my heart.
i've really enjoyed that we started up small groups and i have been so blessed by not having to lead, getting to know the girls better, and diving into the Bible with other sisters!! i have MISSED Bible study so much. i really love asking questions, getting opinions, and discussing our different views of what we interpret. God is so amazing and we can never learn everything about Him. small groups also provides more accountability which i am always lacking so i truly appreciate it!
because Epic has been so busy with the servant team, small groups, events, and so many meetings to attend, i've been having less time for other ministries like the LGBT ministry with Marissa and Grace.
We still pray for the LGBT community but there has been no recent events that we attended or could attend. things have just felt like it's been placed on hold for now as we continue to seek direction from God. i so desperately want to make friends with a member of the LGBT community from campus!! i'm looking for opportunities and continuing to pray for them. may God hear us out.
it is such a blessing to be able to serve God, be loved by Him, and pass His love on to others :O]
ministry has grown me so much not only spiritually but as a person and my character. i've learned endurance, trust, genuine seeking&connecting with God, and so much more!! i would recommend serving to every christian college student because it really stretches and grows you. you experience God in a different way and are blessed beyond belief as long as you obey.
aside from ministry&friendships, there is school. ai yai yai. school has always been like a sword in me that will stay on my side. aha i know that made no sense. but i have always had so many difficulties academically. God has been gracious to me over and over again and never denies me mercy.
i am slowly working my way towards finding an internship. i really think it will be beneficial for experience, my resume, and to get a better grasp of where God wants me.
i'm so thankful for the resources UCR provides like talking to counselors and going to workshops. they have endless resources! i do not know exactly what kind of internship i want to go into but i just want to find one. once again, got to trust the Lord with that!
it is now late. i am tired. but tonight was a fun night [and day for that matter]. i enjoyed cornerstone, hanging out with certain people, and playing a game that just produced laughing so much and hard that my stomach hurt and felt like i went through an ab attack session!! fellowship is a great blessing God has given us. :O) yay for target, costco, winco, and mall shopping all in one day!! kristen is my homey that is just one of the most awesome shopping buddies :O]
may my posts glorify God, keep you guys updated on my life, and help me to process things as i write them out.
God is good!!! all the time!!! :OD
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