Brothas and Sistas

The start of Christmas break has been such a blessing so far. Spending this past weekend in norcal was a BLAST, and the best was being able to spend it with friends. Whenever I get to go out somewhere is an adventure in it of itself because I've pretty much been a homebody since I was little (though not by choice!, don't get me wrong, I do love experiencing new things!). After spending some time to look back at this weekend, remembering funny things that happened, etc, I realized that without the friends I have, much of it wouldn't have been possible. God has definitely blessed me with the relationships I have made the past few years, especially in school, and to think that in less than half a year, I'll be out of here, never to come back to the books, studying, apartment, and possibly the fellowship and church I've called home for the past few years. It's a sad reality at first, and accepting the fact that the amount of time left here is getting shorter and shorter and there's nothing I can do about it. But with great joy I can say that by the grace of God, my relationship with Him is not like those I have here. Though the relationships I have here on earth may be constantly changing over time, and we can be swayed every which way, my Savior is constant and unchanging.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Procrastination

OWNS me. Now I'm paying for it. 2 research papers due wed and thurs + 1 problem set due thurs + a homework assignment that I only half understand due tomorrow. Oh jake, why you so foolish? Lord grant me joy and wisdom!

sidenote: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Thinking Heaven-ward

So this year like nearly every year before, I spent Thanksgiving with my family. Just the 4 of us. Thanksgiving has always had a special place in my heart, primarily because it was the first and only holiday that our restaurant was closed on for a while until we added 4th of July and then Christmas later. It has always been something simple and probably much different from other families. Instead of cooking, my parents take the opportunity to NOT cook, and we usually go out and eat lunch and dinner. This year seemed a little different for some reason. Maybe it was because I felt like I hadn't been home in a long time, and my parents felt it too. Being home never felt so good. When I'm all grown up and out of college I'm gonna miss this so much. Funny how we can take such a blessing like family and a comfortable home for granted for so long and then when we feel that it won't be there forever, we start treasuring it even more. But then something like heaven where we will live in for eternity after our earthly bodies have passed, we don't treasure all that much because we're so short sighted. I cling to so many things of this world.

ahhhHHH

I'm addicted to tea now. African Sunrise, sooo good. Thanks Will.
On a much colder note, our hot water's not working, so cold showers tonight. It brought me back to Ukraine when the electricity went out. Good times. A reminder from the Lord of just how good we have it here in America. Things that we take for granted because they've become so commonplace are luxuries in so many other countries around the world. A reminder from Rick this Sunday: when the men in the Bible would pray to God "give us our daily bread." That's because if God didn't give them their daily bread, they wouldn't eat that day. God, You are too good to us. I have no business being this blessed, but how often I am discontent at the most minute, trivial things. God, make in me a heart of constant adoration and thanksgiving. Amen

I had no intention of writing all that. Originally it was supposed to be something totally irrelevant like: "tea is so good" But I guess that's what the purpose of this blog is, to sit down, write, and reflect. Maybe that's why God created writing. The 10 Commandments written on stone tablets comes to mind. Our minds are too forgetful and easily swayed to rely on just pure memory. God knew what He was doing when He gave us the written Word.

I am UNdeserving

"There but for the grace of God I stand condemned, damned forever; the only thing that keeps me from it is God's grace and mercy."

Hiatus: ended

After nearly a year and a half...I'm back babyyy! (no one probably reads this anymore, but that's ok.) I have a midterm tomorrow... so it's back to studying... on a side note, Because of Your Love by Phil Wickham is a really good song, LISTEN to it.

Jesus you endured my pain
Savior You bore all my shame
All because of Your love
All because of Your love
Maker of the universe
Broken for the sins of the earth
All because of Your love
All because of Your love

Because of Your cross my debt is paid
Because of Your blood my sins are washed away
Now all of my life I freely give
Because of Your love, because of Your love I live

Innocence and holy king
You died to set the captain free
All because of Your love
All because of Your love
Lord You gave Your life for me
I will give my life to You
All because of your love
All because of your love

You did it for me, You did it for love
It's Your victory, Jesus You are enough