Thankful list

-Thankful for Don & Amy and for our dinner hangout this past Sunday 

-Getting to FaceTime Susie 

-Long walks in the park with Leah 

-For some reason, I just barely realized that I don't dance to the beat (my roommates kindly pointed out that I don't have any rhythm when I dance) so I've been trying to be more cognizant of how I move. I've been doing this thing where I close my eyes and just try to "feel" the music. Yesterday, I walked to the park and was jamming out and practicing some moves and it felt so good; I felt so free. 

-I went back to work today after a 18-day hiatus and I'm so thankful for my squad - these women make it all worth it! I realize that even as COVID counts accelerate here in Chicago, what I am doing is critical. I pray that I would make the most of the work that the Lord has given me, even if it's just for a season. 

-Mini Wellness Retreat at Rush - I'm so thankful that my place of employment values the wellbeing of its employees.

-Yesterday's LG meeting was so good - we dived into scripture and everyone had such good insight. So thankful for this group of people.

 things that give me joy:

-cooking and having people over for dinner 

-dancing, especially to this song: 

-i love waking up and starting my day with the lord. coffee with Jesus yes please. 

-going for long runs 

-laughing and being silly 

-simply being,  simply ceasing to strive and gain approval and affection. simply being and allowing Jesus' love to wash over me 

 God, I lift up to you this hard heart, this selfish heart, this grasping heart. This petty and fickle heart. This disbelieving, doubtful heart. This heart that does not wholeheartedly love you and loves others conditionally. Lord, have mercy on me. Holy Spirit, breathe new life - may the caves and valleys and deserts of my heart be filled with your presence. 

Where I'm From

Home is where knees hit the ground
where palms etched with psalms are lifted high 
and the utterances of '아버지' & '주님' are familiar cadences that roll off the tongue 

Home is sacred ground, 
the place where jars of tears spilled over to nourish the ground;

where faith was a glimmering thread that was never obscured 

by the dark dark night 

Home is three stories; three journeys intertwined - 

the backdrop of my gasp and cry 

I am from a place where the valleys and mountaintops collide,

where the all-consuming presence of God cannot be denied.

Thankful List

Wowza, what a busy week. Here goes my recent thankful list:

-Working my first 40-hour work week (the last of which was in 2017 prior to grad school!)  

-This past Tuesday's LG - I'm so thankful for all the new people who have joined our group. Super excited to get to know them this season. Thankful for the old members who have committed to another season of SG.         

-Thankful for my team at work and for how caring and supportive they are - I can't imagine working in such an intense work environment without Kate, Maggie, Alma, and Meg. Also, I have loved driving up north and along lakeshore in the mornings.    

-I got to go to a live sermon recording at church yesterday and it was so great. Pastor Peter preached on Spiritual Warfare and holy moly it was so good to just be in a shared space with a handful of people and be completely present. CC arrived late so I tried to emulate him and respond to the preaching by shouting out 'amens' and clapping. At the end of the recording, I looked sheepishly at Pastor Peter and was like "I tried my best" to which he laughed and responded, "Grace, I think you are the most emotive Asian American woman I know." Haha.                                                

-Got to spend the whole day yesterday w Alison running errands. Love this woman so much.           

-Today is Nastassja's baptism!! It's been such an honor and joy to walk with her this year and wow, this year is truly a celebration of God's resurrection power and glory. And his overwhelming, abundant love.   

-On a whim, I got on Hinge (yes, the dating app) this past week and it's been super fun just chatting with guys and getting to know different people. I've been going about it pretty lightheartedly; no expectations, just lifting it all up to the Lord.