When I Think about August

It has been a month since I started ISEED program, time really goes fast! As I am sitting down and recalling my memory of August, August was really a very blessed time for me. I am very thankful that God has carried me through all the ups and downs, He has been teaching me how to be a better leader with a servant heart, and He has also provided me all the supports and help I need from brothers and sisters around me.

I have been involved with the August Welcome month in the past two years as a student before I started my internship with IFI, but it is the first time for me to take the leading responsibility for one of the three Welcome planning teams, and God has been teaching me a lot during the process. I was in charge of leading the Orientation/Involvement Fair team which included 6 days table booth on campus and the Involvement Fair day. I am very thankful that God gave me the chance to lead the whole team, we had very responsible members in the team that made the whole process fun and fruitful. Our team's planning work was done very early in June, and all the table booths happened in August.

One big thing God has been teaching me this summer is to have joy and a thankful heart when I am working on projects and tasks. In the past, I always had the tendency to separate my spiritual life and projects, especially when I am responsible for some events or projects. I always tried to absorb the words, be charged and prepared, then jumped into the work with energy, then I always feel burned out after the projects were done, then took a period of time off to be recharged again. But this summer, God has been really working in my heart to let me better understand and live my life with the sense that God is with me all the time, every second and every day, no matter what am I doing. No matter I am sharing the gospel with others, or doing administrative work without direct communications with others, I can always feel His presence. And I finally realized that the feeling of pressure and stress I used to have is because I could not fully rely on God, I was trying to get things done as I planned so I can have the sense of security. But it is wrong! If I am living according to my plan, I will never find security, but when I am living each day by asking God's guidance and have the faith that He will provide me what I need, and He will carry me through all the things, joy and relax just come so naturally.

Moreover, when I am just trying to cross what are on my planner and get things done, I could not feel relax, it always felt like work to me. But when I start embracing and enjoying my to-do-lists, I start having more appreciations of my work and people around me. After the big Involvement Fair day, I decided to just take a relaxing moment with my friend by walking along High Street and drinking some iced tea on the way home. For some reason, I felt it was so quiet on High Street that night, it might be because we had been standing near the big speaker for four hours:P Feeling the breeze, thinking about all the table booths that had been finished, I was filled with joy and thanksgiving.

I believe that God will give me a blessed ISEED year, it is a precious chance for me to have so much time and resources to let the Lord better equip me to be a disciple of the Him. So please pray for me that I will obey God's will all the time, and I will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Thanks for your reading!! 

Prayer Power

In the beginning of my ISEED program, I went on a trip with Bruce Fulcher, the National Field Director of IFI, to North Carolina. Through the trip, I learnt not only how to plant a new ministry but also realized the power of prayer. I learnt about I should kept praying for doing what God wants me to do, as well as asking people to prayer for me to giving me strength and keep me accountable. Thus, I sent an email to people I knew in Madison, WI to pray for me this summer and especially in leading a trip to Philadelphia.

Some of the most important thing I was praying for was that 1. praying for deep and meaningful conversations throughout the trips. 2. praying that I also would continue get to know them after the trips, so I would also need prayers for long lasting friendships from the trip.

             God indeed replies to my prayer.   

               I got chance to, thanks for the prayer, have deep conversations with many students throughout the trip. The most meaningful conversation happened between two Chinese students, Nigel Nan Zhou and Sophie Minghui Zhou. I was able to share my testimony with them from the first day of the trip. We talked about many topics like, the existence of God, why Christian are good and hospitable to them, why is Christianity the only truth. I spent most of time get to know where they are in getting to know Christ, so that I might give them my perspective in their question about Christianity.

               One amazing that happened to me is that: On Friday night, I was having dinner with Sophie and Nigel. The conversation naturally transit into if God exist and if Jesus is the only truth. I told them my perspective and also get to know their questions. At night, I talked to Daniela about things happened and we both think John 14: 5-14, Jesus is the way to heaven and the only way to truth, is a good verse for Sophie. Therefore, I texted Sophie and told her about the passage. She said she studied this passage once before with her host family in Columbus Ohio, but she had couple questions. So I replied to her but she wasn’t replying for like 20 minutes. I was praying that God will speak to her. And then I got a reply from her, and she said her host was talking regarding to her questions because the host saw her reading the Bible by herself.

               I was thrilled that God answering my prayer by bringing a more experienced person to help me. I felt that Sophie are so closed to Christ and please help keep pray for her, for that Holy Spirit would work in her to make the final step.

            I am really thankful for people’s prayer for me, and very excited to see the power of prayer. Please pray for me for the rest of summer.

Leeroy

The Story Never Ends

At the beginning of June, the ISEED program is officially done. For me, that is the most complicated moment in my life. I cannot forget the time when we have group gathering at German Village. I cannot forget the night that I laugh and weep with my host. I cannot forget the time when I first shared my testimony in church in front of almost 500 people. I cannot forget the time when I first evangelize gospel to a totally unknown passer-by.

Within this year, I have gathered loads of friendships, no matter in Chinese Fellowship or Friday Night Bible study. I enjoy the time when we had meal together, hanged out and had Bible Study. Most significantly, your prayer and blessings is really an encouragement, which keep reminding me that God will always make me a way when there seems to be no way.

Within this year, I have grown both professionally and spiritually. Thanks for my Godly supervisor Don Hayes, who shows me how to work as a qualified Christ-life Accountant in the work place, who even tolerate my “low-level” oversight when I worked in the office in the first few days.

Thanks those cherished people which God brings in my life. I am so appreciate that you witness my spiritual maturity.

My ISEED program ends, but my story still goes on. Please pray for my future spiritual journey.

It is okay to not know what's next.. God knows :)

It’s okay to not know what’s next

When I first started as an ISEEDer, I did not know what to expect to say the least; but I knew for sure it was going to be the beginning of the rest of my life; a life changing experience which would serve as eye opener on so many levels. If I could describe what my experience with ISEED has been, I would say that it has been a LIFE TRANSFORMING EXPERIENCE . I grew a lot in so many areas which need growth but the most beautiful thing that happened to me throughout this year is SPIRITUAL GROWTH.  ISEED helped re-shape my inclinations and values. So many people invested in my life that I feel indebted to them and the only I could ever show them my gratitude is to invest in as well as bless others as much as I have been blessed. This year has denoted a very significant landmark in my lifespan, I could not trade this experience with anything else in the whole wide world. I soaked in a lot of knowledge which I truly believe will continue to help me grow in my faith and character.

Now that I find myself at the end of this internship program, so many people keep on asking the most familiar question to any student graduating from an internship program or college : “so, what is next for you?”  Well, I had my education goals and career plans set in stone until about 2 weeks ago when I felt like my dreams were shattered. So, if anyone would ask me that question now, my response would undoubtedly be “I have no idea what’s next”.  Today as I was pondering on my various options, I came to a conclusion that Yes I do have an idea what’s next. I know God has set plans for me and nothing in this world will change it. I know , with the Lord's help ,I am now carving my way toward a strong and bright future ordained but our Heavenly Father. I know that God is calling me to make a difference in the lives of others wherever I go, He is calling me to put my FAITH in him and TRUST that He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Sometimes, it is hard to let go of what I have lost and embrace what is put before me. I am learning to trust that when God closes one door, He opens another one ( or a window haha).

The other day, I was talking to a friend of mine and He shared the following poem with me; I hope it uplifts you as much as it did for me J

As you travel through life there are always those times 
When decisions just have to be made, 
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce, 
And the rain seems to soak your parade. 

There are some situations where all you can do 
Is simply let go and move on, 
Gather your courage and choose a direction 
That carries you toward a new dawn. 

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward - 
The process of change can be tough, 
But think about all the excitement ahead 

There might be adventures you never imagined 
Just waiting around the next bend, 
And wishes and dreams just about to come true 
In ways you can't yet comprehend! 

Perhaps you'll find friendships 
that spring from new things 
As you challenge your status quo, 
And learn there are so many options in life, 

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected 
And see things that you've never seen, 
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds 
And wonderful spots in between! 

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring 
And somebody special who's there 
To help you stay cantered and listen with interest 
To stories and feelings you share. 

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends 
Are supportive of all that you do, 
And believe that whatever decisions you make, 
They'll be the right choices for you. 

So keep putting one foot in front of the other, 
And taking your life day by day... 
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road - 
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

When life is getting you down,
Take time to pray
Don't allow yourself to frown
God will help you see the blessings of the day.

IFI Fellowship Dinner

On April 18^th 2015, IFI hosted its 9^th Annual Banquet at The Ohio State Union Ballroom Hall. It is the most marvelous activities of IFI throughout the whole year. There were up to 600 people attended this dinner.  I am one of the co table hosts for the dinner. Another ISEEDer Angelique and I invited up to 11 guests. During this time, it is my great honor that my career mentor Bonita and her husband Merle could joined our dinner, which gave them a deeper insight of IFI ministry to them. Every attendant got to know what God has done with IFI International Student Ministry (ISM) through this dinner.

An IFI outstanding international student leader, future ISEEDer, TT Zhang shared her testimony, she shared about how IFI influenced on her on the way to the Kingdom and why she choose to enroll in ISEED program after she graduate this May. It was very encouraging. An Italian couple also shared their testimony after then. They were born in a traditional Roman Catholic family in Italy and later came to know the Lord. And IFI gave them an opportunity to grow deeper in Christ. 

On the first working day after dinner, I am one of the financial team in charge of processing people’s donation. I was touched and burst into tears by their generosity, no matter what amount they gave. Their kindly donation benefits a great amount of international students, like me. Just like the mission of IFI – “We serve internationals and partner with them to make Christ known among the Nations.”  If you are interest in various giving opportunity and are willing to help IFI ministry, please visit https://www.ifipartners.org/ for additional information. 

Live Victoriously: Masterlife reflection

In light of our last masterlife class, I thought it would be quite fitting to reflect on one (among many) thing I am taking away from this amazing, life-changing class. We were going through the second book “The Disciple’s personality” which explains how to become more Christlike in character, behavior and attitudes. It is a six week study which focuses mainly on how we should invite Christ to transform our “character into Christlikeness through the work of the holy spirit.”  During the last week, the author focuses more on how to LIVE VICTORIOUSLY.  Allow me to share with you the scripture-memory verse that was ascribed to this same week:  “DO NOT LET SIN REIGN INTO YOUR MORTAL BODY SO THAT YOU OBEY ITS EVIL DESIRES. DO NOT OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO SIN, AS INSTRUMENTS OF WICKEDNESS BUT RATHER OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD, AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM DEATH TO LIFE, AND OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO HIM AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” Rom.6:12-13 .  These verses pretty much sum up how one can live victoriously (especially in this fallen world).

So why did this strike me more than anything else, you might be wondering… Because I feel as though I am yet to start living victoriously. My life has been revolving around some type of fear to fully submit to God’s authority, hence, failure to live a victorious life. I used to feel this excruciating fear anytime I started thinking about God’s authority over my life. I would start weighing things I would have to let go vs. what I could gain; basically comparing the incomparable things: There is no such thing as submitting yourself under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It brings with it so much joy, satisfaction and strength to endure challenges. So, failing to yield to God’s authority lead to confusion and lack of the willpower to let Christ transform my character. One truth is that God will let us have our ways because He has given us the freedom of choice but He will NEVER change his ways. I needed a renewed mind from the futility of my thinking because I [like you] was bought with a price and was brought from death to life.

Going through the Disciple’s Personality book has left me with nothing but cravings for a more renewed mind; but Jesus and I make a very unbeatable team so we are working really hard on this. I want to develop a more Chistlike character which will ultimately allow me to live victoriously. A lot of us find ourselves trapped in entitlement bondage, where we think we deserve this and that and when we do not get whatever it is that we want, we start “rebelling” against God… at least I know I am like this a good number of times; that’s why I need a renewed mind.

Let me end on this note, sometimes we lose focus of our identity and goals and start looking for comfortable things and we tend to revert to the old self when things get tough.  One’s true identity is found in Christ alone. We all should be striving to be more like Christ and learn more about ourselves daily.  The younger generation seem to have time to keep up with the Kardashians rather than keeping up with themselves.  In order to live victoriously, we need to stay in tune with who we are in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

R factor - a can't miss workshop

Since March 8^th, all ISEEDers are invited to attend an applicable and powerful six-series of workshop held in Heritage Christian Church – R factor, leaded by Tom Knight. Mr. Knight is a founder of a consulting firm called Focus 3. There are many well-known organizations, such as The Ohio State University Athletics, American Electric Power, Ohio Health, Nationwide, Ernst and Young Banks of America etc.  

The most influential take out from this workshop for me is its core equation: E+R=O, which stands for Event + Response = Outcome. This equation renounce for tons of time in my mind after I attended this workshop. For all the outcomes we encounter, are not determined by the event itself, but are determined by how we respond to this event.

In the past, when I confronted some difficult situation, I always complain about the event. If I have a bad score on my test, I complain the questions are difficult. When I have harsh team member, I cannot stand why I don’t have a change to work with a nice, easy-going team member. Those are inappropriate response. I cannot change what is asked in a test, I cannot control other’s character. Why do I focus on the event I experience, rather than how to response to those event?

Now I learn to control over how I respond, but not control the event.

Thanks God for taking me to this powerful workshop. Cannot wait for the rest three classes!!! Yeah!! 

Here is the useful link if you want to know more about R-factor

Since March 8th, all ISEEDers are invited to attend an applicable and powerful six-series of workshop held in Heritage Christian Church – R factor, leaded by Tom Knight. Mr. Knight is a founder of a consulting firm called Focus 3. There are many well-known organizations, such as The Ohio State University Athletics, American Electric Power, Ohio Health, Nationwide, Ernst and Young Banks of America etc. The most influential take out from this workshop for me is its core equation: E+R=O, which stands for Event + Response = Outcome. This equation renounce for tons of time in my mind after I attended this workshop. For all the outcomes we encounter, are not determined by the event itself, but are determined by how we respond to this event. In the past, when I confronted some difficult situation, I always complain about the event. If I have a bad score on my test, I complain the questions are difficult. When I have harsh team member, I cannot stand why I don’t have a change to work with a nice, easy-going team member. Those are inappropriate response. I cannot change what is asked in a test, I cannot control other’s character. Why do I focus on the event I experience, rather than how to response to those event? Now I learn to control over how I respond, but not control the event. Thanks God for taking me to this powerful workshop. Cannot wait for the rest three classes!!! Yeah!!

If you want to know more about R factor, please visit http://www.focus3organizationalculture.com/