Hello, friends!
This weekend I had the pleasure of helping Meg and the rest of the Missouri International Student Ministry staff put on their Fall Retreat. There will be an update about Fall Retreat coming a little later but I wanted to share a little about something that struck me while I was there.
My role this weekend was pretty much to be a jack of all trades. My official title was tech guy but I also helped with a number of things from snacks to photos to logistics to games. Pretty much, wherever help was needed, I would do what I could to help.
I got back this morning after driving the speaker to the airport (another job) and had a little time to reflect on my job(s). The conclusion was that I really liked my role at Fall Retreat. There was something really freeing about just doing what I was asked to do and not being asked to make any decisions. I knew that I was making an impact but at the same time I also knew that it wasn't me who was really the one responsible. While it meant that I couldn't take all the credit, it also meant that I was free from worrying about whether or not what I was doing was right.
The thought that came to mind was whether or not that was an ok feeling to have. Is it ok to feel free and enjoy not having responsibility? Does it mean that I am lazy or irresponsible? As I thought about it more, the more I came to see that this is actually EXACTLY how we are supposed to live life.
Hear me out. What if we went through life just doing what Jesus told us to do and didn't worry about if the things we were doing were the right things because we trusted the one who gave us the directions? Wouldn't we be more free to love sacrificially, take risks, and talk openly about all the cool things that Jesus has done in our lives? It seems to me like living with the freedom of knowing that our decisions are not our own is a pretty sweet way to live.
Of course, it isn't quite that simple. I am definitely NOT advocating doing what we want and then saying that it was God who made us do it. That would be irresponsible and a misudentstanding of God's soverignty. What comes first is us actually listening to Jesus' voice and knowing what He is asking us to do. THEN comes us doing it free from worry or anxiety.
It sounds like a pretty sweet way to live. Join me in trying to live this life, won't you? =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Go Home!!!
Hello, friends!
Happy Thursday to you all. I am writing from here in Saint Louis, just like I normally do on Thursdays. I woke up this morning, and as I was reflecting on Large Group last night, I was struck by how much life has changed for me in the past month.
To break it down, last night, my good friend and fellow InterVarsity staff, Chioma Chukwu came in as a guest speaker for Large Group. If you know Chioma, you know that she is a terribly fun person to be around, pretty much all the time. What you may not know about her is that she is a Mizzou ACF celebrity. When the leaders found out she was coming to speak, everyone immediately tried to schedule some "Chioma Time" with her. I don't think it's a coincidence that we had one of our largest groups in a while in attendance last night.
Chioma spoke on persecution, namely about how it is not actually a bad thing and that God can, and does, use times of us being put down for our faith to further His kingdom and grow us. It was a great message and we had a good time of prayer and reflection afterwards.
The part that really struck me as evidence of how much things have changed in the last month is what happened after Large Group. One of my big vvalues for ACF is the community aspect. I love seeing ACFers hang out with one another after the programming is done and oftentimes I measure how "well" ACF is doing by what time I finally get to leave the building for the night.
Last night, things were definitely rocking in the after party. Our new students were hanging out with our veterans. Our international students were hanging out with our Americans. Chioma was hanging out with everyone, even learning a few new moves in the process. By all accounts, ACF was doing "well" when everything ended. We could have easily gone on having conversations and such until 10 or so.
But, once we broke for the night, as much as I loved seeing folk connecting to one another, I only had one thought on my mind: I need to get home to see my wife. I miss her.
Of course, I'm not going to completely shut down a party. That would be selfish. But, I did start to shuffle groups of people to the exit so they could continue their conversations elsewhere. I don't think anyone minded (well, except maybe Chioma). =0).
So, there you have it. We are almost 4 weeks into marriage (hooray!) and I am still very much in love with my wife as well as loving my job with ACF. I am so glad that we have students who love being around one another and desire community. To me, it is proof that we are making an impact, sharing Christ's love with the Asian and Asian Americans on campus.
Prayer points:
- Tomorrow, Meg and I leave for Fall Retreat. Praise Jesus, there are 21 students from UMSL going! Please pray for a great time of community and that the Spirit will move in a big way.
- Praise Jesus, October is almost over and I have been relatively migraine free! Please pray for continued good health, especially this weekend.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Happy Thursday to you all. I am writing from here in Saint Louis, just like I normally do on Thursdays. I woke up this morning, and as I was reflecting on Large Group last night, I was struck by how much life has changed for me in the past month.
To break it down, last night, my good friend and fellow InterVarsity staff, Chioma Chukwu came in as a guest speaker for Large Group. If you know Chioma, you know that she is a terribly fun person to be around, pretty much all the time. What you may not know about her is that she is a Mizzou ACF celebrity. When the leaders found out she was coming to speak, everyone immediately tried to schedule some "Chioma Time" with her. I don't think it's a coincidence that we had one of our largest groups in a while in attendance last night.
Chioma spoke on persecution, namely about how it is not actually a bad thing and that God can, and does, use times of us being put down for our faith to further His kingdom and grow us. It was a great message and we had a good time of prayer and reflection afterwards.
The part that really struck me as evidence of how much things have changed in the last month is what happened after Large Group. One of my big vvalues for ACF is the community aspect. I love seeing ACFers hang out with one another after the programming is done and oftentimes I measure how "well" ACF is doing by what time I finally get to leave the building for the night.
Last night, things were definitely rocking in the after party. Our new students were hanging out with our veterans. Our international students were hanging out with our Americans. Chioma was hanging out with everyone, even learning a few new moves in the process. By all accounts, ACF was doing "well" when everything ended. We could have easily gone on having conversations and such until 10 or so.
But, once we broke for the night, as much as I loved seeing folk connecting to one another, I only had one thought on my mind: I need to get home to see my wife. I miss her.
Of course, I'm not going to completely shut down a party. That would be selfish. But, I did start to shuffle groups of people to the exit so they could continue their conversations elsewhere. I don't think anyone minded (well, except maybe Chioma). =0).
So, there you have it. We are almost 4 weeks into marriage (hooray!) and I am still very much in love with my wife as well as loving my job with ACF. I am so glad that we have students who love being around one another and desire community. To me, it is proof that we are making an impact, sharing Christ's love with the Asian and Asian Americans on campus.
Prayer points:
- Tomorrow, Meg and I leave for Fall Retreat. Praise Jesus, there are 21 students from UMSL going! Please pray for a great time of community and that the Spirit will move in a big way.
- Praise Jesus, October is almost over and I have been relatively migraine free! Please pray for continued good health, especially this weekend.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Dealing with Loss...
Hello, friends!
Last night, my boys, the Saint Louis Cardinals, played their final game of the 2012 season, losing to the San Francisco Giants 9-0 in a game that ended in a downpour. It was a season full of highs and lows, as well as great potential squandered. There is always next season but the loss of a chance at #12in12 is still a disappointment.
Watching my Redbirds go down without a fight reminded me of how much I have grown in the past few years. In 2004, the Cardinals were swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, ending an 86 year drout for Boston but meaning the first chance I ever got to see the Cards play in the World Series (I was alive in 1985 and 1987 but was but a baby) ended in heartbreak. I was a sophomore in college at the time and did not respond to failure well. What was my response? I stayed in my dorm room for a week, only leaving my bedroom to eat and go to the bathroom.
Thinking of THAT made me think about 4 years prior to that when I was tried out for Drum Major in the marching band. I was the Assitant Drum Major that year and definitely the band favorite. I was skipped over by a gal who was less than popular with the people and felt like I had let down the band. My response then was to go into shock and spend about 36 hours crying.
Of course, THAT episode made me think about a year later when, in a rare instance of cleaning, accidentally pitched my merit badge "blue cards" which are proof of earning the merit badge. Not having those cards meant that my quest for Eagle Scout was in a dire position. My response then was to run away from home for 4 days.
Needless to say, I do not have a strong track record of dealing well with failure. However, I would like to think that this is an area where God has been growing me. Without sounding cocky (although it probably will anyway), growing up, I didn't deal with failure much. While on the one hand, I was blessed in a number of ways, on the other hand, when failure did hit, I was unprepared and did not deal with it well.
I think that the thing that God has been teaching me over the years as I have dealed with other failures (and many more of them, for that matter) is that nothing is ever as bad as it seems when it happens. Losing the blue cards did not exclude me from getting Eagle (Class of '03!). I still had fun in the marching band. The Cards made it back to the world series in 2006 (and again in 2011). Life goes on, God is still good, and eventually time heals all wounds.
At least, I think that's the lesson I have learned. Doing college ministry, you deal with loss in a number of ways. There are the students who fall off the face of the planet. There are leaders who decide they don't want to follow Jesus anymore. There are the non-Christians who get so close to following Jesus but then graduate. There are the lost donors. In the midst of all of those things, while they hurt when they happen, God continues to be good.
In my 27+ years of existence, the goodness of God has far exceeded any hardships I have faced. I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful and loving family. I have a job that I love. I have friends who deeply care about me and a community that I care about just as much. I have seen dozens of students make decisions to follow Jesus. God has been very good to me.
Besides, there's always #12in13. =0).
Prayer points:
- Meg and I are going to be leaving for the Missouri International Student Ministry Fall Retreat this weekend. This is a great opportunity for international students to come together and hear God's word, many for the first time! Please pray that God will work in the hearts of students this weekend.
- Guess who needs a root canal?! If you guessed me, you're right! I am not looking forward to this. Please pray for a painless procedure.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Last night, my boys, the Saint Louis Cardinals, played their final game of the 2012 season, losing to the San Francisco Giants 9-0 in a game that ended in a downpour. It was a season full of highs and lows, as well as great potential squandered. There is always next season but the loss of a chance at #12in12 is still a disappointment.
Watching my Redbirds go down without a fight reminded me of how much I have grown in the past few years. In 2004, the Cardinals were swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, ending an 86 year drout for Boston but meaning the first chance I ever got to see the Cards play in the World Series (I was alive in 1985 and 1987 but was but a baby) ended in heartbreak. I was a sophomore in college at the time and did not respond to failure well. What was my response? I stayed in my dorm room for a week, only leaving my bedroom to eat and go to the bathroom.
Thinking of THAT made me think about 4 years prior to that when I was tried out for Drum Major in the marching band. I was the Assitant Drum Major that year and definitely the band favorite. I was skipped over by a gal who was less than popular with the people and felt like I had let down the band. My response then was to go into shock and spend about 36 hours crying.
Of course, THAT episode made me think about a year later when, in a rare instance of cleaning, accidentally pitched my merit badge "blue cards" which are proof of earning the merit badge. Not having those cards meant that my quest for Eagle Scout was in a dire position. My response then was to run away from home for 4 days.
Needless to say, I do not have a strong track record of dealing well with failure. However, I would like to think that this is an area where God has been growing me. Without sounding cocky (although it probably will anyway), growing up, I didn't deal with failure much. While on the one hand, I was blessed in a number of ways, on the other hand, when failure did hit, I was unprepared and did not deal with it well.
I think that the thing that God has been teaching me over the years as I have dealed with other failures (and many more of them, for that matter) is that nothing is ever as bad as it seems when it happens. Losing the blue cards did not exclude me from getting Eagle (Class of '03!). I still had fun in the marching band. The Cards made it back to the world series in 2006 (and again in 2011). Life goes on, God is still good, and eventually time heals all wounds.
At least, I think that's the lesson I have learned. Doing college ministry, you deal with loss in a number of ways. There are the students who fall off the face of the planet. There are leaders who decide they don't want to follow Jesus anymore. There are the non-Christians who get so close to following Jesus but then graduate. There are the lost donors. In the midst of all of those things, while they hurt when they happen, God continues to be good.
In my 27+ years of existence, the goodness of God has far exceeded any hardships I have faced. I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful and loving family. I have a job that I love. I have friends who deeply care about me and a community that I care about just as much. I have seen dozens of students make decisions to follow Jesus. God has been very good to me.
Besides, there's always #12in13. =0).
Prayer points:
- Meg and I are going to be leaving for the Missouri International Student Ministry Fall Retreat this weekend. This is a great opportunity for international students to come together and hear God's word, many for the first time! Please pray that God will work in the hearts of students this weekend.
- Guess who needs a root canal?! If you guessed me, you're right! I am not looking forward to this. Please pray for a painless procedure.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Sunday, October 21, 2012
It's About Time!
Hello, friends!
Guys, has it really been almost 2 weeks since I last posted? My apologies. Between trying to get back into a rhythm (more on that here), Fall Conference (more on that in just a bit) and all the new stuff that is happening in my life, apparently time has gotten away from me.
With all the craziness that has happened thus far, there is far too much to post in just one blog entry. So, I am going to post about the most important thing that has happened since I got back from my honeymoon... New life in the kingdom!
Two weeks ago we had our Fall Conference. 140 students from Saint Louis University, Washington University, Mizzou, and University of Missouri - Saint Louis, gathered together to fellowship, get away from the hustle and bustle of school, and worship God together. Our teachers were Kevin and Jen Blue, a couple who used to be on InterVarsity staff and currently lead a church in inner city Los Angeles. It was a time of great fun and great decisions for Jesus.
On Saturday night, Kevin and Jen shared from Luke 9, when Jesus asks the disciples who they say he is. Kevin laid out for the group exactly what it means that Jesus is the "Christ" or the "Annointed one" and Jen shared some amazing stories about what it means to actually give Jesus every part of your life. At the end of the night, Jen asked if there was anyone who wanted to give their life to Jesus, whether for the first time, or the first time as an adult.
Friends, it was an amazing sight to see THREE Mizzou students decide that they wanted Jesus to be the center of their lives.
- One student was an international student who was actually invited and pursued by another international student who gave her life to Jesus at last year's Fall Conference.
- Another student was one who grew up as a cultural Christian but never made a conscious decision as an adult to follow Jesus.
- The third student started coming to our Summer ACF and decided that Saturday was the night to make the jump and be a follower of Jesus.
My favorite part of Fall Conference was definitely singing "Happy Birthday" to all of our new believers as well as to our international student who gave her life to Jesus last year at Fall Conference. (NOTE: A second favorite part of the weekend was being there with my wife).
This is what we do. We spend the hours on campus, hanging out with students, doing life with them, buying meals and driving miles back and forth so that they will have a chance to come to Jesus when He calls. To say that I love my job would be an understatement. Honestly, right now I couldn't see myself do anything else.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Guys, has it really been almost 2 weeks since I last posted? My apologies. Between trying to get back into a rhythm (more on that here), Fall Conference (more on that in just a bit) and all the new stuff that is happening in my life, apparently time has gotten away from me.
With all the craziness that has happened thus far, there is far too much to post in just one blog entry. So, I am going to post about the most important thing that has happened since I got back from my honeymoon... New life in the kingdom!
Two weeks ago we had our Fall Conference. 140 students from Saint Louis University, Washington University, Mizzou, and University of Missouri - Saint Louis, gathered together to fellowship, get away from the hustle and bustle of school, and worship God together. Our teachers were Kevin and Jen Blue, a couple who used to be on InterVarsity staff and currently lead a church in inner city Los Angeles. It was a time of great fun and great decisions for Jesus.
On Saturday night, Kevin and Jen shared from Luke 9, when Jesus asks the disciples who they say he is. Kevin laid out for the group exactly what it means that Jesus is the "Christ" or the "Annointed one" and Jen shared some amazing stories about what it means to actually give Jesus every part of your life. At the end of the night, Jen asked if there was anyone who wanted to give their life to Jesus, whether for the first time, or the first time as an adult.
Friends, it was an amazing sight to see THREE Mizzou students decide that they wanted Jesus to be the center of their lives.
- One student was an international student who was actually invited and pursued by another international student who gave her life to Jesus at last year's Fall Conference.
- Another student was one who grew up as a cultural Christian but never made a conscious decision as an adult to follow Jesus.
- The third student started coming to our Summer ACF and decided that Saturday was the night to make the jump and be a follower of Jesus.
My favorite part of Fall Conference was definitely singing "Happy Birthday" to all of our new believers as well as to our international student who gave her life to Jesus last year at Fall Conference. (NOTE: A second favorite part of the weekend was being there with my wife).
This is what we do. We spend the hours on campus, hanging out with students, doing life with them, buying meals and driving miles back and forth so that they will have a chance to come to Jesus when He calls. To say that I love my job would be an understatement. Honestly, right now I couldn't see myself do anything else.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Top Ten!!!
Hello, friends!
Did you miss me? I missed you all. Where have I been? I got married!!! Hooray! Yes, the past few weeks have been a bit of a blur as I got married, went on my honeymoon (Jamaica!), got back, went to Fall Conference (more on that later), and spent pretty much all of yesterday trying to get my new married life in order with my awesome wife.
It's been 10 days since I tied the knot, so I thought it would be fun to do a Top Ten list of the Ten Best Things of These Past 10 Days.
10) Playing with My Ring. I don't wear much jewelry beyond my watch but this ring is really cool! It is made out of titanium, which has a number of advantages. It is way cheaper than gold, which was nice, but it also can't be adjusted, which means I have all sorts of incentive to not let my hands get fat. =0). Seriously though, I have been having a lot of fun getting used to my new bling.
9) Reception Flash Mob. Apparently, my sister (The Kid) choreographed a flash mob and sent it to everyone at the wedding so they could participate. It was so cool seeing so many of my friends and family dancing together. I think my favorite part of the whole thing though was that the Kid found the ONE Kelly Clarkson song that makes sense to play at a wedding.
8) The Generosity of Our Friends. We have some great friends. We were flabbergasted by the generosity of everyone. We now have way too much stuff in our apartment but it's full of stuff that shows how much people love and care about us. Hooray!
7) Family Reunion! Meg and I have a lot of family. Her parents are both 1 of 9 children and on my side we apparently breed like bunnies so there was family galore at the wedding. It was so great to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone together to celebrate with us.
6) Paying for Stuff. Ok, this may seem really odd but I have gotten a kick out of paying for stuff, knowing that my money is now Meg's. We haven't officially joined the bank accounts yet but the thought that Meg and I share our finances along with everything else is pretty cool.
5) No More Curfew! When Meg and I got engaged and once Meg moved into the apartment, we decided to set a curfew so that we would not be tempted physically before we got married. Now, 11pm hits and I don't have to go home! Even better, 11pm hits and I already am home! Life is good.
4) Jamaica! 6 days and 5 nights in Jamaica wasn't quite enough. Man did we have fun. We got to swim with the dolphins, learn to dance reggae, watch some crazy awesome steel drumming, hang out on the beach, swim in the ocean, enjoy delicious food (jerk chicken is so amazing), eat ice cream at every meal (for Meg), and drink all the chocolate banana shakes I wanted (for me). If you haven't been, I suggest going.
3) Covenant Renewal Ceremonies. =0).
2) Mrs. Leong. I still giggle every time someone refers to Meg as "Mrs. Leong" or I get to call her my wife. How cool is that?! I have a wife!
1) Waking up Next to My Wife. I am not a morning person. It usually takes me a little bit to get going in the morning. But these past few days, waking up, and turning to my left to see my wife, my best friend, the love of my life, is such an amazing feeling. Knowing that I get to do that for the rest of my life is even better.
So, friends, those are my top 10. There are so many great things about being married. I couldn't have asked for a better 10 days. Here's to (at least) 10 more! =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Did you miss me? I missed you all. Where have I been? I got married!!! Hooray! Yes, the past few weeks have been a bit of a blur as I got married, went on my honeymoon (Jamaica!), got back, went to Fall Conference (more on that later), and spent pretty much all of yesterday trying to get my new married life in order with my awesome wife.
It's been 10 days since I tied the knot, so I thought it would be fun to do a Top Ten list of the Ten Best Things of These Past 10 Days.
10) Playing with My Ring. I don't wear much jewelry beyond my watch but this ring is really cool! It is made out of titanium, which has a number of advantages. It is way cheaper than gold, which was nice, but it also can't be adjusted, which means I have all sorts of incentive to not let my hands get fat. =0). Seriously though, I have been having a lot of fun getting used to my new bling.
9) Reception Flash Mob. Apparently, my sister (The Kid) choreographed a flash mob and sent it to everyone at the wedding so they could participate. It was so cool seeing so many of my friends and family dancing together. I think my favorite part of the whole thing though was that the Kid found the ONE Kelly Clarkson song that makes sense to play at a wedding.
8) The Generosity of Our Friends. We have some great friends. We were flabbergasted by the generosity of everyone. We now have way too much stuff in our apartment but it's full of stuff that shows how much people love and care about us. Hooray!
7) Family Reunion! Meg and I have a lot of family. Her parents are both 1 of 9 children and on my side we apparently breed like bunnies so there was family galore at the wedding. It was so great to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone together to celebrate with us.
6) Paying for Stuff. Ok, this may seem really odd but I have gotten a kick out of paying for stuff, knowing that my money is now Meg's. We haven't officially joined the bank accounts yet but the thought that Meg and I share our finances along with everything else is pretty cool.
5) No More Curfew! When Meg and I got engaged and once Meg moved into the apartment, we decided to set a curfew so that we would not be tempted physically before we got married. Now, 11pm hits and I don't have to go home! Even better, 11pm hits and I already am home! Life is good.
4) Jamaica! 6 days and 5 nights in Jamaica wasn't quite enough. Man did we have fun. We got to swim with the dolphins, learn to dance reggae, watch some crazy awesome steel drumming, hang out on the beach, swim in the ocean, enjoy delicious food (jerk chicken is so amazing), eat ice cream at every meal (for Meg), and drink all the chocolate banana shakes I wanted (for me). If you haven't been, I suggest going.
3) Covenant Renewal Ceremonies. =0).
2) Mrs. Leong. I still giggle every time someone refers to Meg as "Mrs. Leong" or I get to call her my wife. How cool is that?! I have a wife!
1) Waking up Next to My Wife. I am not a morning person. It usually takes me a little bit to get going in the morning. But these past few days, waking up, and turning to my left to see my wife, my best friend, the love of my life, is such an amazing feeling. Knowing that I get to do that for the rest of my life is even better.
So, friends, those are my top 10. There are so many great things about being married. I couldn't have asked for a better 10 days. Here's to (at least) 10 more! =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
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