Welcoming 2011

In a few days, I will celebrate the New Year -2011.

Today I read a newsletter from Pastor Charles Stanley- In Touch Ministries- and it talks about how to prepare for 2011.

"The question we must ask ourselves if we want to make 2011 the very best year possible is: Where does the Lord fit in the decisions that we make?"

How can we be sure to stay on track in obeying God and leave all consequences to Him?

1. Recognize that your willingness to submit to the Lord depends on what you believe about Him

(Romans 8:28)

2. You must continue to trust the Lord regardless your circumstances

3. Growing in your love toward the Father.

4. You do not just talk to God, but also listen to Hi,

5. Finally, obeying God, require courage and full surrender.

I pray that I will learn to depend on God's strength, wisdom, power, and love in every situation

Taking Inventory::

Approaching the end of 2010, the words- "taking inventory" echoes in my ears.

As I pray, I feel that God wants me to take inventories of my life in 2010

Taking inventory means:

1. Writing down items

2. Evaluating items - throwing away obsolete items.

1. Writing down items:

I need to recognize what God has done for me in 2010...

Treasuring "the items" -successes, milestones, or memories that happened in 2010.

2. Evaluating items:

Evaluating on the productivity of days in 2010

Learning to trim and prune my time. Anything that is not bearing fruits, I should let God cut it.

Trusting that God will continue to supply my life with "items" that is best for my life.

Love from Kids' persectives

The following question was posed to a group of 4 - 8 year-olds:

"What does love mean?"
Below, their answers were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined!

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken."

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

This is also very entertaining: http://www.marryonamountain.com/childs-thoughts.htm

kids are too cuteeee...... =)

Taken from:
http://www.axioo.com/blog/2010/11/30/love-story-by-jan
http://gferenczi.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!1pDo4lgjTu6i0oXQ0HIS6UpQ!1084.entry

Swing Dancing

Yes! I went swing dancing :P
Not something that I imagined I would do, but i did it.
It was kind of fun + some kind of exercise, of course I enjoyed it ;)
We went to Halo Room- 500 E. Pike St last Saturday.

Going there, we were talking about how dance is similar to playing instruments together.
Both people need to be in sync.
Both has to know when to create spaces for one another......
follow the rhythm...eye contact- communicate-and have fun!

My lesson learn from Saturday night dancing: I need to trust my partner more- follow his lead...
*sigh...i realized how strong headed i am...

++ Happy Thanksgi\/ing ++

I was reading an excerpt from a friend's note earlier on Thanksgiving:
"Thanksgiving is a spiritual exercise, necessary to the building of a healthy soul. It takes us out of the stuffiness of ourselves into the fresh breeze and sunlight of the will of God. The simple act of thanking Him is for most of us an abrupt change of activity, a break from work and worry, a move toward re-creation."

This morning, on thanksgiving day, I choose to give thanks to God for my life: for His never ending love (Romans 8:38-39); for my family and friends.

I give thanks for I am wonderfully and fearfully made.

I give thanks that He ordained my paths (the ups and downs- all of my dreams and all my regrets)

I am even reminded this morning that I really thank God for the snow these past three days..

While others have problems with their commutes, God is gracious to me, that I don't have any problems at all. In addition, I even has super great time spent with Jack! Thank God for his 4WD car-Panda- that takes us everywhere safely, and of course, it's all God's protections...

Regardless, even if I got stuck for hours in the snow, I will still be thankful that in those moments, I can reflect on God's awesomeness. He created the Heaven and Earth, complete with the 4 seasons in mind...He is a detail-oriented God! and I can be sure that He has intricate and awesome plans in my life if only I am willing to lift it up on His hands :)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. -Psalm 136:1

"There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves." Thomas Wolfe

Weak Willpower :: Self - Control

There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable. ~Mark Twain

I think it is innate in human - inherited from Adam & Eve's curiosity combined with their rebellious attitudes....... We desires the forbidden. It is harder to resist or flee from something we know that's wrong or unhealthy for us.

Today, I listened to a sermon that being Christians aren't just saying no to sins.....but it is saying yes to pursue God's purpose & calling.
.......in being made into the likeness of God- His holiness
I realize it is like shifting the focus from us (we have to resist, our own willpower)-
and focus to God -to chase after His heart, after what He wants in our life.

I desperately need self control in:
- Physical Boundaries, eating habits, managing money and time well.....

While thinking about this, i googled a bit on the topic... and this article came on top:
http://www.paulstips.com/brainbox/pt/home.nsf/link/21082006-Five-simple-exercises-for-improving-your-willpower
From this particular article.......
I agree in one point strongly: "self-control is a skill worth developing"
Self control needs to be developed.......
It is not an instant thing. It is like a fruit........needs time to grow and mature....

I also talked to a friend earlier about self control.....
and she asked me "Did you pray about this?"
She reminds me that...unless im rooted deep in Christ.....
I wouldn't be able to bear the fruit of the Spirit- which is this self-control.
I realized that self control is not from ourself (like many motivational book would suggest)
But it is more spiritual than just that.

I need to pray more specific. and...just more.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5)

-Pride-

" ¹⁸ First pride, then the crash—
the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
¹⁹ It's better to live humbly among the poor
than to live it up among the rich and famous." Proverbs 16:18-19

Just a gentle reminder from God about pride.

Yesterday, after picking me up from the airport, JS hung around in my house. I had my AMP Bible laying around on my coffee table. Then I picked it up, and told him that it is torn half-way. He asked me why I keep the torn Bible - that originally he thought was romance novel :P- and I said, because then people will know that I read the Bible a lot (I said that kinda jokingly)
Then he goes "But.... that's... pride -.-""
I was just laughing as I joke about it.

But, later at night, this conversation keeps popping up in my head.
Was I really only joking?
Am I prideful?

Reminded also when I went shopping with my brother this past few days. We went shopping without even looking at the price-tags. We went to Saks Fifth and Burberry as if they are Macys and Express >.< "It's better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous."

My friend once said, "Once you have the money, it is easy to live like the rich and famous, but to maintain your lifestyle low- it's a challenge"
I am challenged. I want to be a low maintenance servant for God's glory.

Forgive me, Lord if I have pride in my heart. Search me, know my thoughts, and lead me to the way of the everlasting. Let it be only to God be the honor and the glory. Forever and Ever.

Amen.

Looking thru the eyes of love

Yesterday I was listening to Steve Schell's sermon "Just and Justifier"
It opens up my heart to be really overwhelmed and grateful
that God sent Jesus to take my place for my sin.
Me-wretched, sinful.......
and Jesus can still look me through the eyes of love,
paid all my sins on the Cross so that I can live free from the guilt
We are made righteous because of that Jesus' atonement.

Reminded me also, that last night,
I made this very messy tare panda cake:

I believe that although it is messy and ugly ><
but I think if a person would look at it through the eyes of love......
it always is beautiful.

Same thing with how God looks at us-
we are fearfully and wonderfully made. on His image.

Lord, teach me to look at things through the eyes of love so that I can extend grace, be more patient, and be more like You...

Yay! I am excited!

While being aware that being in a relationship will face lots of challenges...
I am also excited to see how God will move in both of our lives.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17)
By committed to learn more about each other,
I submit to God that God will change me and mold me to be more like Jesus through him.
I believe that I have made the right choice. He is worth it.
I thank God each day for allowing me to get to know him more =)

.Yayyy! I am excited.

::embarking on new journey ^^::
"Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, He'll make your path straight."- i am holding on to You.

Friday morning drama -.-"

I need to learn to be less reactive ><
What a Friday morning..........
I blame it to my early 5K run, the blood must have not pumped well into my brain yet.
Basicly, there was misunderstanding with some of my close girlfriends.....
due to some over-reactiveness on certain issue.
I thank God that my friend extended her grace and forgiven me =P

Anyway, I chose to google whether it is quite common trait across women being over-reactive, or it is just something wrong with me.
this is what i found.
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101007204433AAbnTq8

funny! :P

These past few days...
I keep on thinking and praying for the people around me that ran away or has back-slided from God's love...
I keep on wondering how's that happen?

Do they stop feeling God's love?
or......do they just being stubborn and say that they no longer need God's love?
Has the church failed to embrace them?

Matt Chandler from the Village Church once warned that people should stop preaching about Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, since it is only God's love that can transform people from the inside out to being a better person.

This song keeps on rising in my head whenever I think about this...

You are my all in all

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You like a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

I am not saying that I have not ran away from God before, but I am just glad that He never gave up on me and I have responded to that love since.
Even since the beginning, when Adam and Eve fell into sin, God- the All Knowing God- still looked for them and embraced them that time.

Psalm 139. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.

::Compassion::

Luke 7:43-47 (AMP)
Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” - ESV

Perspectives:.

Recently i have been thinking a lot about perspectives.
On how we can allow our minds and our responds to be more optimistic than pessimistic.

I am reminded about an illustration that a pastor gave during his sermon last week
about 2 shoe company's salespersons that are being sent to Africa to survey whether it is a good target market.
One of the salesperson came back and said: "No one wears shoe there, no one will want to wear shoes- it's a bad idea to export it there"
The second sales person came back and said: "No one wears shoe there. GREAT, we can introduce it and have all people start wearing shoes"

Perspectives.

While writing this post, i also keep on thinking about the 12 men that Moses sent to explore Canaan. 10 came back with bad reports that Canaan is full of giants and they will not be able to enter the land. However, Joshua and Caleb saw that Canaan is full of milk and honey and believe that God will give them Canaan (in Numbers 13-14)

Again, Perspectives.

Lord, teach me to always see my cups as full or half full and never as half-empty.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

God's love letters::

Everyone who has experienced love would know how wonderful it feel...
the woo-ing, the pursuit, the flattering words.......
You usually would re-read the letters, the text messages, the IMs over and over....until you probably memorize all the wordings.... just because.

Recently, God showed me the picture of God wanting me to do that same thing.
Oh, how wonderful are God's love letters to me, written in the Bible. His public display of affection to every single one of us.... I strongly encourage all of us to fall in love with God all over again!

I am reminded of His promise to me beginning of the year....

6"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-9)

:Father, teach me to love Your words; to meditate upon it day and night:

"Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for." -Bob Marley
~Give yourself a chance. take the risk.

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1Cor10:23-24

I believe that even though there is freedom to do things as we want to, we should weigh whether the outcome will be pleasing before God and others.

Choose wisely. Need lots of prayers.

-Keep Singing to You-

Just reminded of a song that my friend, Irma Soraya, composed early on this year...

"Trials may come my way ..
Dissapointments will cross my path ..
But when things seem to go wrong .. God I won't let you go
You're the One who hold my hands
I'm gonna keep singing to You .. praising Your name .. putting my hope in You
I'm gonna keep lovin You Lord .. giving You all (that) I am
I know You'll never let me go .. "

a note from her.....................................

I wrote this song when I was going through some tough times in my life ..
I confided in the One who writes the story of my life .. and this realization sink in ... as long as I live .. there'll always be something going on to "spice" up my life ... and it's up to me on how I'm going to respond to that and in whom will I trust ..

Just like the song said ..
I'm learning to give thanks in times of difficulties .. confident that my Author of life has the best ending to my story...

Easier said than done .. but I'm still learning ..

God's Pursuant of Us -2-

After hearing some of my friends' thoughts, I am reminded that God pursues us both for salvation and sanctification- as relentlessly- thank you Marini for reminding me this. Even after our salvation, God never stop to pursue us for sanctification- I think some people became "great" - Moses, Paul, Peter not only because they repented, but also because they responded to God's calling in their lives. They do not take their salvation lightly, but instead, they kept on responding to God's pursuit.
Take an example of Peter- Even after Peter's denials, and after his hanging out with Jesus all the times- Peter chose to go back to being a fisherman after Jesus' crucifixion.
Jesus never stop pursuing Peter (Jesus reinstated Peter in John 21 - after the resurrection of Jesus) - Jesus filled Peter with the Holy Spirit- Jesus continues to pour out visions in Peter's life.

Being caught up on the issue of election/salvation- I overlook this profound truth. I forgot that after us receiving Him, [true that we have to work out on our salvation with fear and trembling (phil 2:12) ] I realized that He still lavishly pour out His love and grace on us... He surely will deliver us in times of need, He will continue changing and molding us into His perfect image. I truly believes that God never stop to love us, never stop pursuing, chasing after our own hearts.
He just IS love..

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:34

-God's Pursuant of Us-

Last night, I discussed with a friend about God's pursuant of us- whether God pursues everyone the same- as relentless or God pursues some people harder (like Paul in the Bible where God has to appear in front of him so that Paul can not deny anymore)

My friend gave a cute analogy of how a person spent $1 vs another one that is willing to $10 (10 x $1) just to get a doll inside the doll machine. We were discussing to what extent God pursues each of us, whether He does quit trying on some, but somehow think others worth more (to serve God's purposes) so He pursues them harder?

I came to a conclusion that we cannot be opinionated how hard the Lord has pursued someone based on what we have seen. We cannot really know the weight of God pursuant based on our eyes or a person’s testimony. But yeah, like my friend said....we might be able to ask God someday when we are in Heaven....if that still matters :P

All that I know and understand for now is the gravity of God's love towards every individuals is the same. It is The Cross.

Overly Joyful. Forever Thankful.

The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are-C.S.Lewis

I thank God for surrounding me with great friends, co-workers, and family. I'm blessed.
I trust God that He will put me in the midst of great friends in whom I can also trust and who will also believe in me.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-NIV)

Father, I pray as I abide in You, I will grow and bear Your fruit. Shape me, Lord. Mold me so that I can shine for You alone.

[Being Vulnerable]

I came across this quote last week and I keep on pondering on what it meant......until God reveals it to me when i was reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” CS Lewis

We must choose to be vulnerable- to love- because the brilliance of Christ will shine better through it. "Charles Spurgeon once said that when a jeweler shows his best diamonds, he sets them against a black velvet backdrop. The contrast of the jewels against the dark velvet bring out the luster. In the same way, God does His most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desperation, Jesus is." Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire p. 78

>>Nothing compares to God

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 AMP

Reading the passage, I am once again astonished on how grand and amazing God's love for me.

God’s loving kindness is the consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, one-way love of God.

When I understand this- It gives me great comfort, knowing that I can trust God- I can completely rely on Him since He always has the best of me in mind.

A teaching that gives affirmation of God’s choice of and affection for us.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/doctrine/covenant-god-pursues

We love because He first loved us. (1John4:19)

-Counting my blessings-

Yesterday I got to spend the whole days with my mom.
It's been a while since I had my "dating" time with mom....
We went shopping and restaurant hopping in Chinatown.
I helped making-over her.....treat her to her favorite restaurant.....
and we chatted over many issues....
Feels nice^^

It makes me realize how blessed I am.....
During my quiet time last night, God reminded me my lists of prayers/petitions that I had 2 years ago when I reached my big 25 birthday :P
At that time, I was learning to view God as my Father..... and me being a spoiled and clingy daughter, I gave Him a long list of birthday gifts that I requested from Him on my 25th birthday.
Yesterday, I got to re-visited those lists again....
I am just left amazed on how God works in my life.

I am counting my blessings..........
I am very happy to have the whole family (my parents and my brother) here to celebrate my birthday this year.
I am excited to see more breakthroughs happening in my life.
This is the "kairos" =)

I am thankful and I am counting my blessings....

*Making Choices*

Recently, I was talking to a friend about the choices that just open up in our lives and how that affects our original plan....

She was afraid that the new choice or the new open door (choice B), might be a test of faith from God- to see on how strong we want the original plan to happen (choice A).

She was thinking what if choosing choice B eventually fail and we will regret it.

She forgot that the same risk is there for choice A although choice A looks safer...

I was reminded of a care group discussion that was led by my pastor's wife as she titles it "GPS: God Positioning System"- She was trying to answer our most common questions and fear: "What's God's will in my life?" "What if I don't make it?"

She was saying that like a GPS in the car, God is graceful enough that He allows u-turn if we got misrouted from His plan. However, in order for us to discern God's will- we need to start taking steps.... (like a GPS, you have to begin driving for it to function)

As long as we listened and aligned ourselves to the GPS, we will make it there (the path that God set for us) Some might take longer, but we'll get there :)

Along the years, I admit that have made several choices of which I regret. However, because of those choices/moments, I learn to understand God's grace and His redemption better. I realize that nothing can separate me from His love. I just need to offer up my hands quickly if I fall, and He'll be ready to help me getting back up.

I am making steps of faith as I make my choices and I pray for His will be done in my life as I put my trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, He'll make your paths straight.

Pursuit

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love,
scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist,
but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart.
~ AW Tozer

another still small voice of God...

I am reminded of another occassion when God speaks in a still small voice... it happened when i was in the gym.
I shared this while back to the music team.
I was in one of the core strength and conditioning class... and the class was hard -.-"" At that time, they were doing lots of push ups which i am not good at, so i kinda cheated. i didnt put my 100% effort to accomplish all the exercises. but then, there was this still small voice, " who are you fooling?"
I paused.
I realized I was just fooling myself. I dont go to gym for the sake of the trainer...or others... but for my own benefit. I will not going anywhere with my goals in being fit and losing weight if i keep on cheating like that.

After gym, when i was in the bus on my way home... God spoke again. He reminded me of my Christian walk with Him, on how i can fool some people sometimes, but still at the end, i am just fooling myself. i can do all the ministry to pretend that my relationship with God is fine (even song leading and lead Care Group discussion)... despite of my absent prayer life & quiet time. God reminds me for the "REAL" thing - He only wants to talk to me- have relationship with me [Martha & Mary story in Luke] rather than me busy serving and busy covering my weaknesses.

Later that night, I just came to Him to ask for His forgiveness and for Him to restore my passion for Him again...

:When God speaks:

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah experienced:
a great wind (verse 11), but God was not in the wind;
an earthquake (verse 11), but God was not in the earthquake;
a fire (verse 12), but God was not in the fire.

Finally, Elijah heard, according to the NRSV, "the sound of sheer silence." The Hebrew words translated "the sound of sheer silence" are qol damamah daqqah. Qol can be translated as "voice or sound." Damamah comes from a verbal root that means "to be silent, to be motionless," and daqqah from a root that means "small or thin." Various translations have been offered: "a sound of a gentle blowing" (NASB); "a gentle whisper" (NIV); "a still small voice" (KJV). What did Elijah hear? Silence, a whisper, a gentle wind? Whatever it was, it got his attention. And then a voice asked, "What are you doing here?"

I realize that we need to check in/ tune-in our ears to God's channel in the morning in order for us to recognize when God speaks through the still small voice... Lately, there are "coincidences" - the gentle whispers- or small voice- of God around me that I think is very cool; like, I had certain discussion with my bestfriend about the multiple dating issue, and then, at that time, I was asking whether she had found the church that she can be committed to...and I told her "It's ok, take your time, visit many churches, find which one suit you best, then you can grow and serve there" = then, there was this gentle whisper- "You should be ok with multiple dating...it's just like how you gave the advice to your friend about finding church. you are free to choose who you want to be with first. then you can be committed to one" - hmmm.....interesting, eh? =)
Also, I just had a discussion with a friend about the prosecution to the Christians in India and how we should respond to such incidents. He was quite upset at first, but then he told me that interestingly, during his devotional time, God reminded him of Romans 12:14-21. ;)

I believe that God continue speaking in our lives, through friends, to circumstances, to His word-most importantly- if we just want to listen.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

-Be Yourself-

I am back to the Taiwanese drama fever -.-""

I recently watched "Miss No Good" 不良笑花 / Bu Liang Xiao Hua
The movie is cute. It is about this girl, Xiao Hua, that's trying so hard to get a makeover, so that she can behave like the upper class ladies to impress some people.

Thinking more after the movie, sometimes I realize that I do that too....Even though I am fully aware that I have "people-pleaser" mentality, many times I unconsciously pretend being someone that I am not in front of certain people or certain social clubs...

But, im really glad that many times, God reminds me that He loves me just the way I am and He made me special- only one in this Earth (do you realize that there are no one on earth shares exact genes, even twins :))

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

"I am deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman." Max Lucado
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not.” ~Andre Gide

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel