Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...

Have you ever struggled rejoicing with another brother or sister because of envy of their circumstances? Have you ever cast prejudice on another person before properly evaluate the situation? Have you ever felt so crippled to embrace another because your sin clings so closely?

That's me. I listen to another person telling me something and judge that person in my head. I smile on the outside but I can't rejoice or praise whole heartedly.

*ugh*

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfect of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2


I've been memorizing and teaching this verse to the preschoolers at our church, and what a conviction it brings to my sinful heart. At the same time, what a hope and freedom it offers. How I need to let go of my sinful thoughts so I can run the "race" freely!

Oh Lord, forgive me of my judgmental thoughts and help me lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, so I can run with endurance the race that is set before me... Looking to Jesus!

Broken Pieces

When I eat my chips or cookies, I always like to eat the broken ones first and save the complete ones for later.

One time I got some animal crackers and was trying so hard to eat up all the broken ones while I keep the unbroken ones in a little ziploc bag. Then I accidentally put the bag in my purse, and all the poor animals were crushed at the end...

Random Thoughts...

I love random thoughts... It's probably because I get them all the time...

Here's one for the day...

I think every year the bugs take turns to be the "annoying bug of the year." This year is ants for me. I've had to have several "ant genocides" in my yard already, and dug up some ant eggs in my garden... yuck.

I'm not a bug person... *goose bumps*

I love my Job!!!

Today I want to share how much I love my job as a new mother!

1. I love observing her daily growth and get shocked at how fast she is growing.
2. I love waking up in the middle of the night to feed and not miss out every moment of her growth. 
3. I love cooing with her all day long and sometimes forget how to carry an adult conversation.
4. I love feeding her and holding her in my arms, even though sometimes my back gets pretty sore. 
5. I love changing diapers and occasionally getting poop and pee on my hands. 
6. I love bathing her and have her splash water on me. 
7. I love hearing her snoring while she's taking a nap. 
8. I love reading my Bible out loud to her and have her telling me what she think of it. 
9. I love singing Bible songs to her before she goes to bed.
10. I love preaching the Gospel to her and remind myself as well that "Jesus died for our sins." 

I love the job that the Lord has given me... what a privilege and joy to be a stay-at-home mom!

On Becoming Babywise

"For all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27

For the last couple weeks, I've been reading the book On Becoming Babywise. The book is really informational and encouraged me to establish a routine for my baby - because babies like it and good for training them to be independent. For two days, I was trying really hard to implement the feeding routine. Mercedes was doing really well during daytime naps, but then when real bedtime rolls around, she would cry and scream for hours. I was a little discouraged about the results of my plan... and was in doubt of my decisions and actions.

Then the Lord reminded me how much I need to trust Him in all things, including raising this child. I was trying so hard to follow the books but was discouraged that her responses are so different everyday. (DUH...) I didn't fully realize that she is still an individual and not a robot/computer - her output won't always match my input... (LOL, forgive me of my engineer talk.) I also was reminded of the fact that God is completely sovereign in "all things". He didn't give us a baby that is sleep trained and without sin. He didn't give Mercedes to some experienced parents but rather Lance and Shu - the imperfect/sinful parents that are perfectly chosen by God for Mercedes. Oh how I need to trust the Lord before the books and internet!

After God changing my attitude and me letting go of the book theories, God has made everything work out miraculously! Mer not only goes to naps without much difficulties, her bedtime fussiness hasn't been bad at all! She is also sleeping through the night (from 6 hours to 8 or 9 hours)! We have a happy little angel while she's awake, and a snoring Lumberjack while sleeping... It's very cute.

Praise the Lord for His sovereignty in all things! Babywise is absolutely possible with God!

A picture of our sleeping Mercedes.

This picture is about 5 weeks old, and she's already 2.5 months now.

Low Balling My Expectations...

Yesterday this thought suddenly came to me - how wonderful it is to low ball my expectations. To me it's not quite the same as being pessimistic or not hopeful for something better. Rather, it's keeping a realistic perspective and be surprised at God's provision and generosity. Two of the biggest surprises that God totally caught me off guard with the last couple years:

1. When Lance proposed to me - Even though everyone else told me that he's going to propose anytime (I even arranged the phone call for him to ask my dad's hand in marriage), I convinced myself that he wasn't going to propose for another year... Totally shocked when he gave me the ring... LOL!
2. The recent birth of my precious baby girl! - Over and over again, I told myself that my baby is going to be ugly, according to some moms' experiences and baby books. When the baby was placed in my arms two months ago, I was just in awe of how beautiful she was, and couldn't stop praising the Author of Life!

Maybe this is a little stretch from my original theory, but I thought of the Gospel... How sinful I am through and through, and how could I expect anything good from a Holy God that can't bare with any hint of sin? Contrary to this thought, He is the most loving and glorious God that He came down to earth to live with us sinners, and died on the cross for our sins so that we can now approach the throne of God covered in the blood of the Lamb! What a shocker! What a surprise! What a hope to a desperate wretched me!

Here are some pictures of my precious little gift from the Lord!

Sweet little face from Day 1!

Dreams and Ambition

Lately I've been having some random thoughts on all sorts of things. They are not necessary organized, but maybe by writing them out, they can be organized.

Today I got to talk to my family about dreams and ambition. I was reminded of many verses in Proverbs:

16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

When I was in college, I made lots of plans of my future, regarding my career, my future husband, where I want to live, to travel... etc. However, the Lord's plans are different than mine, but much MUCH better than I could ever plan on my own. As the Buffalo and I make different decisions or "dream" about the future, it is important that we always factor in how we can first glorify God in our steps before trying to make ourselves look good or live comfortably.

Pray that God will continue to stimulate my desires to be challenged and not be a sluggard on the other extreme.