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on thoughts and experiences in Thailand.

Something Logical

It’s just something logical. God is God, and so everything that happens or does not happen glorifies him. He cannot stop being God so it is only natural that everything he does glorifies himself. And the beautiful thing is that God being glorified includes God being generous, us getting saved, us being adopted as his children, and us enjoying him. -Philip Lee

Amen. Thanks Philbo.

Ten Things

My recent posts have been quite down, but the truth is… Fall 2012 has been my favorite semester at UT so far. A lot happened; and I have never had this much fun pursuing God. I thank Him for a thrilling past four months. Here is a list of ten things I will miss the most about this semester, in no particular order (except for the first two):

1. Powerful, refreshing Thursday-night prayer on the “mountain.”
2. Saturday Night Hangouts with friends from all over the world.
3. Teaming with passionate sis&bros to share about the love and grace of God to those who don’t know it.
4. Catching glimpses of the Holy Spirit’s power.
5. Reflecting and ranting to the sassy roommate, Melissa Pan.
6. Discipleship.
7. Deep discussions about biblical things with some scrubs. 
8. Listening to Eric/Daniel/Steven jam very loudly during the day or late at night from my room.
9. Praying and praising with apartment #319.
10. Community on fire for global missions.

I am truly grateful that I got to experience these things this semester, especially since I desired so greatly to be abroad during this term. I learned so much in the past few months, only to discover, all the more, how much I do not know. But I am learning slowly, but surely, that God’s timing is impeccable.

#Community #Reflection #God

chenyu-e-v-z:

When I hear Matt Carter talk about how the Austin Stone began, with about a dozen people fervently praying at an apartment, I can’t help but think about this community and where God will take it, for His Glory. It’s not about any of us, miracles, or spiritual gifts, but about Him alone and making Him known, the Giver of these gifts. Will this “church”/body of Christ have to separate and multiply when more people join next semester? If we go our separate ways after college, where will we all end up?

I think our community is nowhere near the Acts community, but little things give me hope and encouragement that it will continuously grow in that direction with the Holy Spirit. If you scrubs are reading this, know that you set a great example for me because you all are so generous. Today two of you huffed and puffed in helping Kathleen and I move a gigantic sofa upstairs, downstairs, then upstairs, with literal blood and sweat involved. Another one offered a bike helmet so casually to take. Another was so generous in gifts, since makeup is your specialty, it means a lot, thank you…all in the span of a few hours. It’s been a blessing praying on the “mountain” that accidentally lasts too many hours or ends up in street outreach. It’s been a huge blessing to do SNH’s with intl’s. It’s been a blessing to be held accountable in follow-ups with the growing google doc. This is the stuff I’m going to miss about college. 

Acts 2: 43-47 “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common (shared everything?), and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the churchdaily those who were being saved.”

Things that came up during discussions I am so thankful for, and all attributed to God’s doing:

*If Jesus were to be taken out of the picture and our lives, this community would not exist, what would we do?

*Wouldn’t it be great if we take everything we’re doing here in Austin and move us to an unreached nation to do the exact same thing?

*The Lord brought us together so randomly, we’re all from different ministries but the bond is strong because we live together on mission.

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After prayer meeting at villas tonight, Petra walked me out. This sister loves me and all my weirdness. I actually don’t like a lot of my characteristics like my laugh, phrases I always say, and puffer fish reaction when I’m provoked in a good or bad way. :( But Petra embraced all those and said she now uses phrases I tend to say, like “so funny!” and “that’s interesting.” I thank God for our iron-sharpening-iron friendship.  I was honestly intimidated by you before spending all those hours together in our dship and MC communities because of your superior business background, family success in this world, and your makeup LOL. Love is constantly pouring out of this girl, and she is one of the most sacrificial sisters I know.

Sometimes I just want to fast forward a few years, to the time when my parents are willing to let go of me. But at that place in a few years, I wish to be doing the same thing here today as there in the future. I hope everything that’s happening now within this “church,” or body of Christ will continue, but probably with different people. Doing this gives me so much joy. It’s the purpose I live for. Everything and anything to make Him known.

I have so much respect for this girl. So excited for all of us next semester.

• Can’t concentrate on schoolwork right now.
• Daniel and Eric just called me a plankton because I float everywhere and a lot of other organisms need to eat me.
• I’m ready for Urbana.
• I’m ready for Thailand.
• I need to take these finals tomorrow.