"O the joy and O the sorrow"

I've realized summer's almost over already. It never did feel like it started for me haha. Maybe that'll change between now and August 21.

Being in the background of a spectacularly beautiful, Christ-proclaimed wedding, followed up by a funeral of the grandmother of a lot of my cousins will jack up your emotions in a short time span. We'll miss you Mrs. Wong. I don't have many memories of you outside of sharing Christmases but I do remember one time I got to eat with the Joe's and Wongs and somehow I invaded yawl's weekly family dinner. I remember the food was good and the home was welcoming and that the Joes and Wongs had grandparents who adored them. It was a blessing to hear of your legacy of faith today. Praise Christ.

I feel like there's been 6 chapters opened and closed this summer and now the 7th is about to start. I went into this summer wanting to simply grow up due to a lot of inconsistencies I had noticed. And I'm not sure I have that much but I've been exposed to a couple things that probably forced me to not see with the eyes of child anymore. It's that fun part of life where you want to be treated as an adult but not receive any of those responsibilities or disciplines that come with it. But by the grace of Christ, I am still here in full confidence of that central message of Jesus' mission, his life, death and resurrection ... That He saves for the glory of His name. I am stirred by the fact that the gospels recount particular people in particularly dark situations and heavy baggage and doubts and Jesus comes to these guys. Not just the dysfunctional family member, not just the criminal, not just the enemy of the state, not just the blind and lame. He even goes to the most religious bible-memorizing of them all and He proclaims Himself. Praise God. It's the moments where you're tested in believing whether or not the gospel really is the "power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" or not. Did Jesus really step in and rescue in situations like this one? The scriptures say: "yes." May God grant me the belief to believe it in such a way to walk in faith and obedience. There are many many many who don't know You Jesus. Draw them Father, send me out with clear vision, listening ears, and an overwhelmed heart for Jesus and His mission. Help me understand where you have me to be the best student missionary I can be. Help me with my unbelief.

Congratulations to my cousin Laurie and her new husband Josh. Laurie, I pray that you continue to walk beautifully in the grace and love of your savior, Jesus Christ, and Josh, I pray your heart would be set aflame for God and people even more. Lead my cousin well and welcome to the family. It really was the most beautiful, Jesus-proclaimed wedding I've ever been to or maybe it's just the only one I remember because I didn't see this stuff when I was 10 :p. Regardless, my heart was stirred and encouraged. The gospel of Jesus was proclaimed with power and I know for a fact that many non-Christians and beat up Christians were there that needed to hear it. I was one of the latter. Jesus, help us remember.

"Shadows" by David Crowder Band:

"Life is full of light and shadow
O the joy and O the sorrow
O the sorrow

And yet will He bring
Dark to light
And yet will He bring
Day from night

When shadows fall on us
We will not fear
We will remember

When darkness falls on us
We will not fear
We will remember

When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We'll remember the cost
We're resting in the
Shadow of the cross"