bogo explores waco.

lisa & joe.

My little BIG is getting married on June 2nd! And she wanted some cheesy Baylor pictures with her soon-to-be hubby and some in her graduation gown. Cuties. Never thought I would take pictures of people on campus. 

geaux tigers.

Today, I snapped shots of this beautiful couple, Blake and Lena Satterlee. They are near and dear to my heart. Blake was one of my first co-leaders. He taught me about being a submitted, fully-given leader, and people simply followed him because they wanted to go where he was going. Lena has paved the way for so many. She lives her life in such security and confidence in Jesus. She is also one of the wisest, most strategic people I know. This summer, the Satterlees will be packing their bags to move to Baton Rouge to start a church. It's going to be awesome, but they will be truly missed.

I also got to see Harper Ella Griffin, another member of the Baton Rouge church planting team. Katie McCollister gets to be her roommate. So. Stinking. Jealous. Jake and Abigail Griffin are going to be the most amazing parents because they are already spiritual parents to so many. Jake carries the father heart of God and covers people with such protection, honor and value. Abigail is marked by purity. The way she leads, encourages, and loves is so pure.

The Baton Rouge church is going to blow up and touch the four corners of the earth. I'm especially bias because my best friend is going with them. Katie is woman who hears the voice of God. Wow, she obeys Jesus with such abandonment to his will and his plans for her life. I am so honored and humbled to have walked with such an amazing friend. She carries people so deeply in her heart, and she fights for people. Katie will not settle for anything less than what God promises, and she has taught me to do the same. I love her so, so much, and as I've seen her journey with Jesus these last few years, I've been challenged to live a life like hers. Her hunger for more of God will thrust her into a lifetime of intimacy with God because she is one that will risk it all for the kingdom of heaven.

asian spice & everything nice.

As I was driving around Waco with Stephie today, we happened upon this train car in UBC's parking lot. You can see I am getting a lot of studying done... Anyways, I realized how fun it would be to write a blog post about why I love being Asian. I get this question all the time: "So... What are you?" To put some clarity into your confusion, I'm 1/2 Vietnamese, 3/8 Chinese and 1/8 Scottish. It's true. Take it or leave it. 

To add some flare to my post, I even photoshopped a character of Manga (Mongolian comic books) into my picture. We kind of look alike, so I thought it was appropriate/weird. Ha, whatever. I also like what she's saying because it corresponds to "China Shipping." 

Anyways, here are several reasons why I love being Asian:

• I could eat noodles and rice every day of my life and be completely satisfied.
• I have this uncanny ability to understand people with really heavy Asian accents. Definitely comes in handy.
• Somehow, the volume in Asian restaurants of laughter, talking and eating, in comparison to normal places, makes me feel like we have more fun.
• Chinese New Year is the one day where kids get loads of money and get to gamble. And I win.
• Tanning comes naturally. Although, some Asians won't say they like this.
• I don't fear experiencing the unknown in weird foods. And I love spicy food. Yum.
• Mastering the art of chopsticks since birth gives me cool points. However, I use them wrong... But the food gets in my tummy regardless. :)
• Mulan may or may not be my favorite Disney movie. We connect on so many levels. Actually, that's not true, but I would like to think that it is.

I am definitely adding to this list in a future blog post, but I really do love how God has made me. It's so fun! I need to quit procrastinating and study, getting in touch with the Asian inside. :)

it's the little things.

Life is so sweet because Jesus is so sweet. So often, I hone in on the big things of life that I miss the little things, the sweet, day-to-day blessings God gives me. So today, I'm stopping to smell the daisies and appreciating the lovely gestures of my big god.

First, I love that big lamp. It has recently become mine because it was unclaimed in the BOGO household. It's going to look great in my gigantic room next year! Second, my ENO hammock is my new obsession. Thank you, Megan Shipley! I got it from her for $50. What a steal. My first week I had it, I hammocked twice a day, every day, and my favorite place to hammock is in my special place with Jesus in Cameron Park. Third, I really love encouragements. The stack I have is from the last 3 years in college, and I am overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God and the power of community and friendship. I read some of them and realize how people called me up to a place I wasn't at because they believed in me. Fourth, I love packing. My room is in a state of organized chaos, but I love change and the excitement before something new and seemingly better occurs. Like I said in my post, "door to door," I am so ready to walk through the doorway in front of me.

"A thankful heart prepares the way," so I am thankful. I become critical when I forget about the little things. I become critical when I become an observer of what God is "not" doing, instead of what he is. I also become critical when I feel entitled. Entitlement is supposedly the upcoming downfall of my generation. As believers, many of us feel entitled to God's blessings, goodness, and favor, and I feel like entitlement is also at the root of why we don't understand the justice of God and the mercy of God. However, nothing in us deserves ANY of it. It is all God, the big things and the little things. He is the source of all things good and right, and we aren't. That realization gets me thankful. The reality is God doesn't have to do the big things or even the little things, but he chooses to, despite my weakness, brokenness, and whininess. So, I'm going to get thankful. God loves me so much that he gave me a lamp and a hammock this month! AH. The god of the universe decided to plan it to where I would have a lamp and hammock. It's so little yet so big because God is so good.

realizations of a new believer.

My best friend, Stephanie Villa and I were talking, and we compiled a list of realizations/questions we had when first gave our lives to Jesus and/or started walking in a community of believers. I gave my life to Jesus my freshman year of high school, but I didn't even figure out some of the list until I came to Baylor. And Stephie, well, she was my pot-luck roommate my freshman year of Baylor. She gave her life at the first Lifegroup she attended. Here is our list:

1. The KJV Bible is cheaper for a reason.
2. The fish that is on every car somehow represents Jesus.
3. What is VBS, FCA, and YL? Are they important?
4. What's a mission trip? Where do you go?
5. What's the gospel? Oh, that means the story of Jesus.
6. There's something called Christian fiction. That sounds straight-up boring.
7. There's a difference between hymns and songs, and there are genres of worship music.
8. What is the Church of the Latter Day Saints?...
9. WHAT IS VEGGIE TALES?!
10. The Bible is not like other books. It's not in chronological order, and you should not start reading from the beginning. Or you will stop.
11. What the heck is an "unspoken" prayer request?
12. I never knew people could get "sick of" Blessed Be Your Name, Mighty to Save, or Better is One Day. They are awesome.
13. I know what the Sabbath is because I asked why Chick-Fil-A was closed on Sundays.

Okay, well, they are mostly questions, but I thought they were funny. :) However, we never actually asked people about these. We just figured them out on the way... So if you didn't know something from our list, it's okay. We understand.

fruity tooty.

It's been a while, but I'm not sure what constitutes as a while in blog world. Anyways, there is a constant theme in my posts. It's a deep and good work. Thank you, God! Yesterday, at church, Marissa Minter encouraged me with this word:

"Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!" Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP)

Found on Pinterest.

It wasn't until this year that I realized how much I care about the fruit. I like to see results and solutions because I like when everything is in its place. I like winning by nature, so it kind of makes sense. I mean... Who doesn't like to see the fruit of pressing into the will of God? However, we will all experience seasons of seeing little to no fruit. We will all go through seasons where it seems like you've tried everything, including God, and nothing seemingly works. It's easy to give up. It's easy to feel defeated, discouraged and disappointed.

Earlier yesterday morning in discipleship, Ashley Jepsen gave this word: "This is the only time we get to praise God in our sorrow, hurt, pain, and brokenness! In heaven, there is none of that. This is a moment of sweetness and intimacy with God found nowhere else." And then we all wept. No joke. Wept. Bawled. Ugly cried. What have you. After our lives on earth, never again will we have the option of choosing God when there's nothing in us that even wants to. Never again will we have the opportunity to engrave a "yes" on our hearts towards God, when everything in our flesh says "no". Labor is a result of the fall. Never again will it matter if there's fruit on the vine, food on the fields, or cattle in the stalls. In eternity, the fruit doesn't matter; our response to God, regardless of the fruit, matters.

To take it even further, God proves himself despite our response because "he is who he is, regardless of who we are in our weakness". That was a good word, Carl. In our weakness, we have ugly, wretched hearts, but he says he wants them. He is the captivator of our hearts and proves himself as "my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army." He reminds us that we need HIM and not the fruit. He gives us the endurance and the encouragement to press through. He does not allow us "to stand still in terror, but to walk." He fights for us because he is about the process. He reminds us of our identity because of his victory on the cross. He not only takes us to the "high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility" but through them. Nowhere else will we experience this tender, beautiful part of God.

door to door.

As this school year comes to an end, the one word that sums up how I feel is relief. Life's twists and turns have broken and pressed me, especially my natural, fleshy tendency to try and do things without God. Though some circumstances haven't changed and probably won't for a little while, I love the feeling of one door closing and another opening, knowing that God holds the door keys. 

"These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open: I know your [record of] works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name." Revelation 3:6-8 (AMP)

Found on Pinterest.

Looking back on this year, God has done so much, and as I look forward, he is taking me through even more transition. Transition. Wow, I feel like it's a constant, love/hate thing. Thank you, God, that there is grace in the transition, walking out of one door and stepping into another! The door that I'm seemingly leaving marks a season of pressing into the unfailing, never-changing character of God. At Awaken 2012, Lexia Meek, leader of the prayer ministry, describes knowing that God is good regardless of feeling or circumstance as having "the top-button is buttoned." God is buttoning my top-button, and from there, the rest of buttons are easily buttoned. Regardless of circumstance and feeling, I have been learning to lean on the goodness and faithfulness of God. It's a day-to-day process, sometimes hour-to-hour. God has been so, so tender during this season. In the storms, he's been my rock, fortress, refuge, and everything safe. The intimacy gained with God during this time could not have been found elsewhere.

The door I stand before holds so many promises. I am expectant without expectations, and I am extremely excited with a hint of nervousness. At the end of this year, I will begin living with the Owen family, Andrew, Michele, Andy, Josh, Rachel, and Makaela. And I'll be rooming with the infamous Annie Howard (her blog). "Stoked" encompasses most of my feelings. And today, I announced in my Lifegroup that I'm being launched out to start a freshmen Lifegroup in the fall. What. Am. I. Doing? Ha. Both living and Lifegroup changes are so fun but bittersweet. I love my roommates and my Lifegroup, but the next chapter is going to be amazing! In addition, I will be graduating in December of this year with hopes of doing Elevate in 2013. Those are just some of the exciting, transitional things, but each of those things holds beautiful, sweet promises of God that I'm so eager to unpack.

Despite the amazing events ahead, I am deciding and resolving that I simply want God. Yes, I am so for the promises, the solutions, healing, etc. and so is God. But, he is also so much for the process of me knowing the depths of his heart towards me. Every door and every season holds that! Every time I leave a door, I will know more of God's heart towards me, and before I twist the knob of the next, I will be expectant to see more of God's heart towards me.

We, as believers, can be sure that the doors he shuts, no one can open, and the doors he opens, no one can shut. As we walk through life, we will exit one door to enter another knowing more of God's heart and being made like Jesus. "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 3:18). We're going door to door, glory to glory!

habitual sneezers & old geezers.

Shalom. This past Tuesday, my section dressed up as habitual sneezers and old geezers to celebrate a multiplication! I'm so, so, so thankful for this group of amazingly fun, passionate people. We are going to see the world changed. And I'm so excited. Ahh!