Christmas is Coming!

I get to go home to Georgia in about two weeks! I've posted this picutre of my adorable DJ wearing his santa hat because I am really excited about this Christmas. Thanksgiving was only yesterday but I am already looking forward to being with my family.

I've tried to resist the urge to buy all kinds of Christmas gifts for friends and family now that I have a stable job. Last Christmas, I gave hardly any presents because I had no money. But it is very tempting now and I'm trying to figure out how to steward money well. What types of gifts will endure and are actually worth giving? I've thought about supporting World Vision or Advent Conspiracy to provide farm animals and drinking water to poorer countries, but I guess a part of me likes receiving a gift I can use or cherish myself. Is that selfish? Sigh...

I just received a really cool gift from my Aunt, it was a clear plastic container with 5 types of beans, a seasoning bag and a recipe for bean soup. The container is reusable, the soup will be yummy and clearly the gift isn't just something she bought. She knows I like to cook and it really made me pause and be grateful for her thoughfulness. Now if only I could come up with great ideas like that for all the people I'd like to bless this Christmas.

On Sunday, I'm going to go down to Skid Row with my church, Christian Assembly to distribute blankets, socks, and clothes to the homeless. Every year we bring a hot meal and offer prayer to anyone who will accept it. I used to go every week back when I lived in Highland Park and it really helped me to see and understand what Jesus meant when he said to love the least of these. The most amazing thing is how far a little love can go...we witnessed people on skid row coming to faith and even those who had spent years there, breaking down crying as they heard that Jesus still loved them no matter what mistakes they had made in the past. The transformation isn't just limited to those we sought to serve, but many of the volunteers say that their faith has been deepened by seeing God manifest himself unmistakably. Please keep this ministry in prayer.

Merry Christmas and may the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified by all the nations!

Retreat! Retreat!

I turn 24 this Sunday. How crazy is that? If I haven't told you already and you're reading this, please come to a BIRTHDAY PARTY that we're having at 1pm on Saturday (Sept 27th) for cool Oxy people, born at the end of September, whose names begin with "J" The music, spoken word, food and fun will be held at Jess, Sharon, and Jess' house on Budlong. Call me if you need directions...

I have great hopes for this year as I am entering my 2nd year in Servant Partners. This past year has really gone by quickly but God has been so good through it all. We taught ESL classes to our neighbors, prayed and fasted for our community and I have seen so many amazing things come to pass.

This past weekend I took a weekend to just get away from the lunacy that is Los Angeles. Sharon, Jenny, Dia and I fled the city to a monastery in Riverside where we took a day and a half to just rest, pray and listen to God about this upcoming year in the internship. The nuns have opened their house up to visitors and they have beautiful gardens and a stone labyrinth. The labyrinth is a walkway partitioned with brick that winds back and forth until you reach the center. It is an incredible devotional practice to pray and walk because it symbolizes how God leads us perfectly and how we cannot rely on our own understanding. While I was there, I also saw a coyote, hummingbirds, and a black woodpecker and it reminds me of how beautiful creation is. We ended the weekend by doing Lectio Devina on Isaiah 42: 1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;he will not falter of be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.

This is what God the LORD says-he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:

"I the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you to be a convenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."

What a beautiful promise to hold on to...I pray that I this scripture would really inform how I see the world and interact with people.

This is my internship class at our Palomar Retreat in Mid-May. As you can see we take each other very seriously. The retreat was an incredible time of bonding with community and taking some time to rest and stop worrying about life so much. I really loved the time to reflect on the year and how God has been teaching me to care for my neighbors and grow in community. We got to shoot rifles and ride horses and of course just enjoy being out of the city. One thing that came out of the retreat for me was the need to communicate with my roommates better and share more vulnerably because I can't do this alone. Lately we've been able to pray more together and really trust each other which has been great.

After a long absence...

So, I know I've been away from my blog for a while but I'm back now. Life has been absolutely crazy, but it a good way because I love my new job and it challenges me daily. Right now is a really exciting time to be in the health policy field because the healthcare system in LA County is really under a lot of pressure because of budget cuts. Many hospitals and ERs are closing or at risk of closing and it is scary to think of our healthcare system going into a complete meltdown. Our work consists of gathering the data and synthesizing it into a clear message that people can understand and take a stand on. Every day I'm learning something new and it is so gratifying to feel like I can work for my community in SouthLA both from the policy side at work and at the community level with Servant Partners.

Our ministry projects are underway and our team is pioneering an ESL class for local spanish speakers. We average about 4-5 people a week and focus on speaking and comprehension of English. Our students are moms, construction workers, and are all very enthusiastic about getting one-on-one help with learning English. It has been great to partner with Iva as she teaches and to learn how to delegate tasks, cooperate, and come up with innovative ideas for the class. In the meantime, we are also beginning our "gifts project" which involves reading a book and soliciting advice from others on what our natural and acquired gifts are. In other words, we are trying to figure out what we excel at and how to focus our energy on honing those skills while also strengthening those that are not as strong.

Please pray for me during this time because life can get extremely hectic and full and at times it is difficult to remember to pray and maintain healthy relationships. Yet, God is awesome even in the midst of busyness. My roommates and I are growing closer through learning to share our lives more fully it has been incredible to see how we can each be a part of each other's healing and growth. I'd be happy to elaborate in person on this so please write to me if you'd like more details. Thanks!

I Got at Job! Praise God!!!

Today I finally heard back from LA Health Action on the Program Assistant position that I've been hoping to get, and they want to hire me! I'm so jazzed about this position because its exactly what I have been looking for-health policy and advocacy. Not only that, but it also has a generous benefits package, great pay, public transit is reimbursed, Christmas off, and two weeks vacation. I've been in a state of euphoria all day today, and feel a compulsive urge to hug everybody! Or as I'm walking down the street, I imagine there is a great big thought bubble above my head that reads, "This person is extremely happy!"

I have to give glory to God for this job because many times I could have settled for something else, or gone the "safe" route but I clearly sensed God telling me to wait on his timing and to be patient. Previously I was offered another job at a community hospital that could have been a good option, but they wanted a decision right away and I wanted to wait on this job. So, they took someone else and I felt really vulnerable staking all my hopes on this uncertain job prospect. However, God has a reason for everything and my roommate pointed out that having waited so long for a job I am now more able to trust God and depend on him completely to provide. So many times I prayed against anxiety and experienced peace that didn't make sense, and I have seen that he is faithful.

One verse that has been particularly fitting is Romans 8:28-- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. How true this is!

If you're interested in the organization that I'll be working for, here is their website: www.lahealthaction.org andI'll be working there as a Program Assistant.

Ruthless Trust

I just finished reading an excellent book by Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust: A Ragamuffin's Path the God, and it has some great insight on what it means to trust God with everything. Trust is one of those elusive things that cannot be summoned, but simply wells up within us in response to seeing God's faithfulness in our lives. At the end of the book, Brennan modifies a familiar scripture, "I trust you Lord, help my lack of trust!" I really relate to this sentiment because it is so difficult for me to let go of all my elaborate plans for the future, and simply to say, "Daddy, your will be done."

This morning, a friend sent me this article and it seems very fitting for the mood that I'm in. Hope you enjoy it!

"Shelter of the Swallow" by Michal Ann Goll

Of all the men and women in the Bible who came to know God intimately, King David was certainly one who understood what it meant to enter the secret place of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 84, he paints a sensitive and inviting word picture for us.

Psalm 84 ~ To the Chief Musician; set to a Philistine lute, or [possibly] a particular Gittite tune. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1. HOW LOVELY are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

2. My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.

3. Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young--even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6. Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.

7. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.

8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

9. Behold our shield [the king as Your agent], O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed!

10. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.

11. For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12. O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]

Recently, when I read this wonderful psalm I was in a quiet and reflective mood with the Lord. I felt Him drawing my attention to verse 3: “Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.”

This scripture is one of my most treasured possessions! It was treasured by my grandmother and then by my mother. It has become part of my family heritage. The more scripture we have hidden away in our hearts the greater the opportunity we give to God to speak into our beings. I have one such experience I’d like to share with you.

A Lesson from Nature

Sometime ago, my girls and I were over at our neighbor’s place where they were taking riding lessons. As the horses were being brought in, groomed, and saddled up, I happened to look up and see a barn swallow’s nest built against the rafters of the barn. "What a delightful find!" I thought to myself.

Personally, I think that barn swallows are some of the most beautiful birds in God’s creation. They have such an iridescent bluish, black coloring on their backs, and their faces, throats, and breasts are rich shades of deep orange. These precious little creatures perform like flying acrobats as they swoop and dive after insects in the early evening light.

As I stood there admiring these fascinating little birds, the Lord began to weave together for me an understanding of Psalm 84 using these beautiful swallows. I found myself thinking what an accurate picture the sons of Korah had painted concerning the nature of swallows, especially when building their nests.

A swallow will first find a structure where there is a supply of mud close by. It will carry mud and twigs in its little beak, making trip after trip. Then it carefully constructs its nest, placing the mud on a board up close to the ceiling of the barn, creating a mud-dauber type of structure. The outside of the nest is very solid and very secure. Yet, the inside of the nest is lined with down feathers and is soft, warm, and inviting!

The thought struck me: Swallows build their nests the way they do because, instinctively, they know that the safest place to build is up against the wall. On the other hand, we use the expression “up against the wall” to describe a place of inner struggle where we may feel trapped or feel that we’ve run out of options, and we have no place to run and no way out.

Oh, that we would learn from the swallow the wisdom of God, that we would let our Divine Shepherd’s leading and guiding become so deep in us so as to mirror the powerful instincts built within His creation. May He build within the fabric of our lives the truth that the place of abiding is found where difficulty crosses our will and our fear. That is actually the safest place.

Where She May Lay Her Young

The sons of Korah said, “Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” We can rest our young in the shelter of that holy, wonderful presence, also. It doesn’t matter if our young happens to be our children, our dreams, our goals, our ministries, our gifts.

This shelter, this nest is not for us alone. It’s also a place for those concerns in our lives that matter most to us. There our fragile, tender, developing “young” can be nurtured and protected under the loving wings of God.

On our own, apart from the Lord, we don’t know how to build a nest that’s secure. We don’t know where our hiding place is a lot of times. The nests of security we build out of what the world has to offer are not anchored. They offer no real security, only the illusion of it.

God’s Word is filled with assurances that He wants to be a shelter for us in times of trouble. He wants to be our rock (see Ps. 92), our fortress (see Ps. 18), and our strong tower (see Prov. 18). These are all good images of places to where we can flee when danger has come upon us and we need a temporary hiding place. Yet, these are not intended as places to live for a long time.

What’s so wonderful about the imagery in Psalm 84 is that a nest is more than an emergency shelter. A nest is where you can live always. Here you can abide in peace when everything around us is being shaken or everything around you is still.

Where Is Your Nest?

Where is your nest? What do you trust in for your security, peace, and strength? If you know the Lord as your God and Savior—has He become for you a nest where your spirit can flee to find the shelter it needs?

Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself. David and so many others found their rest at the altars of the Lord. And now it’s your turn. Softly, tenderly, quietly He’s calling you from the depths of His wonderful presence. How will you respond? Will you join Him in the secret place?

From Left to Right: Jenny and Scott or wait is it Scott and Jenny? I just can't tell with their clever disguises...


















This dragon definitely looked hungry when he came up to me!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today I organized a group of people to go out for Dim Sum in Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year and watch the parade. We feasted on lots of tasty dishes such as chicken feet, shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns, and taro root cakes. After lunch we heard the dragon dancing in the street to loud drumbeats and cymbals, and ran outside to watch. Next, the Shaolin monks stopped in front of us and a guy in did several flips and impressive moves for us. Lots of dignitaries came by in the parade, waving and smiling, including the LA mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa loudly declaring, "Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the Rat!"

Another tradition that I love during Chinese New Year is when married couples give red pockets, or "hong bao" to the younger generation. Earlier this week at my Aunt's house, several Aunts and Uncles and even some married cousins showered me with red enveloped filled with money. However, this year I received an especially unexpected "hong bao" from my community in Servant Partners. I have not been working since shortly before Christmas because my position at Community Health Councils could no longer be funded. So I have been job searching for over a month without any good job leads. My savings were about depleted and I could not pay next month's rent and bills. Without my knowledge, my community took up a collection for me and gave me a significant financial gift that is more than I ever could have imagined receiving. I am still in awe of people's generosity and willingness to give even when they are struggling to make ends meet. The scripture verse accompanying the money was: Matthew 5-..."Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be givien to you as well..."

How true it is that God hears and answers prayers through his people!

Trusting God in Everything

I have witnessed several miracles in the past few days that I really must share to give glory to God. God is moving powerfully here in LA, and I am totally amazed. The first miracle actually repeated itself three times as we began our ministry projects this week. Scott and I wanted to meet our neighbors but the rain kept pouring, so we prayed that it would stop. We stepped outside, and the sun came out. This happened not just once, but for all three days that we went out, the rain miraculously stopped afted we prayed and started walking. Isn't God amazing?

This past weekend our internship team went on a retreat in Santa Monica, and Saturday night my roommate's back was hurting really badly, so we prayed for her. As we were praying, our team leader said he had a sense that we should go outside and pray for her in the rain! Soon after that, another teammate said that he felt that in order for us to pray for physical healing, we must first repent of sin within our community. Several people took the opportunity to confess ways that we had harbored feelings of envy, bitterness, and resentment towards our teammates or allowed negative comparisons to come between us. I personally confessed how I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and would self-censor my opinions for fear of being judged by those I deemed more learned or gifted in speaking.

At first standing in the rain sounded crazy, but several other people said they felt that we should do it. We stood out in the rain, seeking God's forgiveness and mercy, and confessing our sins and literally letting him wash them away with the rain. We knelt on the ground and asked to be cleansed and healed, and it reminded me a lot of being baptized by the rainwater. His power moved and my friend's pain went away. We came back inside and sang hymns and worshipped with great joy. That night is one that I won't forget soon, and I pray and hope that it will be a turning point for our team to trust one another.

Life in the SP Internship

I'm starting a blog of my experiences in the Servant Partners internship because I want to keep people updated on all the great things God is doing in Los Angeles. For those of you that don't know, I'm doing an urban ministry internship that focuses on builing community ties with neighbors and sharing the gospel through those relationships. It is focused on urban areas where poverty, inadequate housing, and poor health is common and seeks to be a force of compassion and grace in the midst of the city.