Sorry to have been MIA for awhile - a whirlwind of activity and flying up and down the coast.

A good sermon today rebuking us women for putting on the facade of "feminine Christian piety", meanwhile we're rotting underneath. To say we believe what You say in the word, and yet we disregard it. To truly believe, submit, trust, and live with courage. How easy it is to pretend that one is holy and devout! Why, no one else would be the wiser. And how much we need Your grace. Help me to be authentic, Lord, and to want changes inside rather than just the appearance of godliness.

I found a quote I had on a sticky note, which had fallen behind my nightstand and was covered in dust after being forgotten for some time. It is a needed reminder.

"You need only ask at night before you go to bed, 'What did I do to Jesus today? What did I do for Jesus today? What did I do with Jesus today?' You have only to look at your hands. This is the best examination of conscience." - Mother Teresa

Congratulations to the newly-wed Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Emily Chen! They will be moving to the Seattle area, so I'm particularly happy to welcome them to the Northwest.

As one who flies (I mean, on airplanes) fairly regularly, I've come to appreciate this - there's nothing quite like being surprised at the airport gate by friends. Janet, Evelyn and Allen welcomed me into San Jose with open arms - thanks guys!

Such a greeting definitely made up for the FOUR HOUR delay in departing from Seattle. (To make a long story short - on the plane's previous flight, a leak in the lavatory led to some liquid being spewed out onto the carpet of the first class cabin; they attempted to clean it; the machine didn't have enough gas to power it; they couldn't clean it; and then FINALLY it occurred to the airline to place us on a new airplane. And the entire time, they had strung us along with empty promises of departure at every half-hour. Sigh.)

On a happier note - congratulations to the very cute and silly Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Marcia Kuo, who tied the knot on Saturday. May God bless your marriage abundantly.

Perhaps you'll be happy to know that my sleep schedule has adjusted to that of a normal adult (and this does not mean college student "adult".) I'm taking 8:30am classes everyday - why, oh why? you may ask - and waking up at 7:30 today did not make me feel like death warmed over. I know this may be considered sleeping in for many of you, but it's also been a long time since I've gone to bed before 12am.

I do believe I enjoy this early a.m. stuff... the blueish-greenish tint of the world before the sun has made its appearance, the stillness...but perhaps it's especially bearable knowing that after I drag myself out of bed, I shall have a hot cup of freshly brewed Peet's Coffee. Mmmm. Life is good.

Time to go to class!

Today, Seattle welcomed me with 30 degree weather. Brrrr!