hello.
this is probably the best week for a long time. (a real lengthy post, but it is an update about what i have been up to these few months)

i will start with what i have announced to many at church today: my bible study group had a bbq recently and we had a breakthrough of 16 visitors that made up a total attendance of 25. i guess that meant a lot to grace and i because our net was sort of infamous for being a little sleepy and unexcited, but (really) regardless of state or condition, once we pray and see God as the only solution, things happen. through this week, i did an experiment. i mean you always hear about this 'power of prayer' thing at church right? so I decided to give it a try. i prayed every night, whether i liked it or not and refrained for the evil temptations of what television brings (i think guys can understand better haha). on thursday, i was a bit sian of it all but i still pressed on and prayed and wah i must say that this prayer thing works! i think you would understand my excitement better if you were in my shoes. hahah the whole 25 people thing is a big miracle for me. so for those who came, if you are reading this, i really thank you for coming to our cheapo BBQ. sorry that we could only serve you guys mostly hotdogs and crabmeat. i hope you enjoyed yourself. :)

last sunday, i told my parents about my future plans for work and studies. i am going to work at the church office as a graphic designer and am studying at a bible college. i kinda knew about this in december but i refrained from telling anyone (other than jeremy and grace and a few classified friends) because i wanted my parents to know about it first. and of course, i was terrified to tell them about my intensions of going to bible school because they aren't christians and I sort of pre-amped them a lot about me going to further my design studies in the UK (oops).

i got this calling when i started to ask God about what He wanted to do with my life. i always prayed for a direction and said that i would give my all for God. i guess God took me seriously because i remember Him asking if i would be willing to give up on my design for Him. Immediately, i said "no" because you have to understand that design has a big place in my heart. i prayed about it continually and one day, i told myself that i had to just do it (and see how la). so i talked to Jesus again and told Him that even though i was reaaaalllly frightened, if not pursuing design was what He wanted, then so be it. but He has to give me another direction. i laid down my design plans for God and He spoke to me during youth camp 2008. He whispered "bible school" twice (only because the first time i pretended not to hear). when I realized that bible school is where He wants me to be, i got really scared again.

siiigh. sometimes i do feel that this calling is a little too big for me and that it might require me to step out from my comfort zones a whole-ton-lot. and i know Iiam not totally holy or be like the best candidate for this. but i guess if God called me, He would protect me right? so I said, "okay" and went on to ATCEM to ask about the details.

i delayed talking to my parents about this for a long time. but when the time where God said, "okay now," (i was like shaking!) i took a deep breath and sat them down and told them everything. i shared with them what God said and i told them that i was frightened about it. God did something that day because my parents were supportive of me! Mom even told me to focus on my goal and not allow fear or anything to steal my calling. Dad took a big portion of my worries when he said, "Don't worry about school fees." i was reminded that three years ago, in a desperate situation and probably in a pretty low time of my life and i saw everything in front of me was impossible to conquer. but as i followed God's directions, those small tiny steps lead me to a loving family with no walls and a life that is in a much less dramatic turmoil... in short, i am happy. so i guess, if you take the past as a case study, i guess this God that I believe in will help me out through this crazy thing that i think i am doing right?

and really, since i have told my family and they have pledged their support, i can tell my friends now and i must say, the burden is much lighter (wah hoo!) to be frank, i have no idea where this path will lead me but i know with all of my loved ones with me, and God, i won't feel too alone about this.

so amen to bible school! hahaha

(this the end of part two and probably the beginning of much more stories)