Second Semester OVER!

Second semester is over! Whoah, this semester has definitely been different from the first. The first semester was overwhelming, but this semester was even more overwhelming. The two classes that really hit me the most was my Marriage and Family Counseling course and Group Dynamics class. I've learned so much about myself in that class, did a whole bunch of self-reflection and I was just doing too much overanalyzing. I learned a lot about the patterns that went on in my family and how that had affected me from childhood until now. I learned about people.

"Hurt people hurt people" & "nobody does nothing for no reason" were some quotes that stuck out to me throughout the semester. Classes like these help me to really understand people. Most of all, I enjoyed the classes so much because the professors were professional and they loved what they taught, it was so evident through their lifestyles. These are professors I would love to continue to learn from and keep in touch with in the future. I must say, I'm really enjoying what I'm learning. God is good. And despite all the distractions that prevented me from studying in excellence this semester, God has much grace on me and blessed me with all As. I don't deserve it for sure, but God is good. I want to learn so much, I want to read so much, I want to absorb so much but I haven't even digested half the things I learned the past two semesters. I wish everyone was learning what I was learning!

ABCs of Love

"I accept you as you are."

"I believe you are valuable."

"I care when you hurt."

"I desire only what is best for you."

"I erase all offenses."


We could call that the ABCs of love. And I don't know of anybody who would turn his back on such magnetic, encouraging statements.

There is nothing shallow about authentic love. Nor is it a magic wand we whip out and wave over a problem with a whoosh, hoping all the pain will go away.

Real love has staying power. Authentic love is tough love. It refuses to look for ways to run away. It always opts for working through. It doesn't cop out because the sea gets stormy and rough. It's fibrous and resilient. . . .

While the world around us gives the opposite counsel, love stands firm.

Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001). Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Thoughts about Grandma.

My mother went back to Taiwan to visit my grandmother whose been hospitalized recently. Yesterday, Johnson and I Skyped with my grandmother and mom. The moment I saw her face, I couldn't help but to break out in tears. I wish I could just go back, stay with her, give her a hug, tell her I love and appreciate so much. Just from one month of getting to know her, I fell in love with her because of selfless heart. I'm so glad to have personally met such an amazing such as her. It breaks my heart so much to see her in so much pain, it broke my heart so much to leave Taiwan knowing that I might never see her again.

Grandma never had a job before. She spent her whole life taking care of her husband and her four children. She's never left anywhere to have fun or relax, she's only left the house to take care of errands and go grocery shopping for the home. She's been to America once so that she could take care of her grandchildren for a couple of months. Her husband passed away a couple of years ago and since then, she's been pretty much by herself. Until this day, she still handwashes all her clothing, buys grocery, cooks food, washes the dishes, wipes the floor by hand, everything, everything, everything. She has four children but many of them are busy working and not spending enough time visiting her. She's so faithful, she really trusts in the Lord and when we were in Taiwan, she bent over backwards to make us happy. Gah, I miss her.

 

Johnson's praise/prayer report:
1. Good news: Grace. I've been selected as the 2011-2012 Valedictorian of the Grove School of Engineering. As Valedictorian, I will have the honor of representing my graduating class at the 2012 Grove School of Engineering Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 1, 2012.

2. Prayer request: Mercy. Paternal grandmother was diagnosed with gastric cancer in October 2010 and returned home after having 3/5 of her stomach surgically removed. She is currently in the hospital once again. Pray for her recovery from pain and suffering through God's healing mercy. Quote (translated): "By myself I do not want to eat, but I'll eat for the Lord; by myself I do not want to live, but I'll live for the Lord." My mother left for Taiwan since Saturday to care for and pray alongside my grandmother. She recently posted a Youtube video petitioning for prayer support and of my grandmother praying and praising God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7JM_yxBUTQ&feature=channel&list=UL

Thanks,

Johnson Ho



Grandparent's coming-to-faith testimony:
Grandparents had no faith background.
My father (eldest son of four) was born.
Father as baby was sick, to the point of death.
Grandparents sought for sources of recovery.
Physician treatments of no avail.
Buddhist prayers of no avail.
Christian pastor prayed.
Father healed.
Grandparents believed on the Lord Jesus.

I am a People Person.

After my individual counseling session this morning, I realized that no matter how introvert I say I am by nature, I am a people person. Yesterday, I felt so free after work because I'm done with school, I don't have any major obligations and deadlines to meet and I ended at 4PM which was so early! Freedom felt so good and I wanted to take advantage of that by just doing whatever I want to do and just relax. I ended up staying in my cubicle for about four hours, enjoying my time of peace and quiet and spending some me-time. I have no problem being alone in quietness and silence, it's so refreshing. But I noticed that even in my me-time, I'm always in some sort of communication where I'm interacting with people -- I'm really not alone having time to myself even though I feel like I am. If I'm not interacting with someone in person, I'll be responding to emails,  texting, on the phone, or blogging. At the end of the day, I love being around people because people are what make the memories. No one ever talks about a memory when they were by themselves but rather, I make memories when I'm with people. I want to value every moment I have with people because they are the beings God created for us to enjoy life with. I feel like that's the way to make the most out of every opportunity. Anyway, just a thought.

The Cost of Following

Taken from: InterVarsi​ty National Alumni Newsletter - April 2012

"Follow me on Twitter."
"Follow us on Facebook."
"Follow my blog."
"Follow the latest breaking news."

We live in a world today where corporations, celebrities, and sometimes our friends, clamor to increase the number of people who follow, like, or subscribe to them online.

The concept of "following" is not a new one--Jesus even 2,000 thousand years ago said "Follow me," as he called people to him. There is, however, a vast difference between choosing to follow Jesus and following someone on Twitter.

Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." There is a much higher personal and lifelong cost invovled in following Jesus.

What are the costs involved for you today as you follow Jesus?