Do we ever stop to consider?
Consider the grace that God pours over us every single day?
As Thanksgiving is approaching fast, which has always been my favorite holiday whenever I lived in the US, we should stop to consider his Grace.
Tomorrow, many of the people that I dearly love will get together and celebrate an early Thanksgiving dinner in Biola's Caf', for even this place can feel like home when there are people you love and who love you!
I am so grateful tonight for a million things but here are some of them.
For my roommate Andrew, for the friend he has become to me over the last year and half. For all the conversation with him when the lights are out and honesty prevails. For the oneness of mind, when we listen to our song: "Sunday, bloody Sunday."
For my bestfriend Hayden, such a man of God, one I would trust my life with any single moment. For all the deep and intimate moments we have had together in midst of the dark times of our time here but also the abundant laughter we shared.
For Scott, my short Asian friend, that has become so dear to me, much more than I usually let him know. Always seeking for the truth and willing to ask the hard question but also willing to seek advice.
For Jason, my other suitemate, one could not find a more faithful friend and companion than him. For six months he drove me to therapy and I will never be able to repay him for all he has done for me.
For Greg who only lives a few doors down from my room and whom I appreciate so much. Such a strong character and so willing to serve his king, always with an open ear and well-given advice, but also someone to rub shoulders with, which is good.
For Alex, my RA, but he is so much more than that to me. We were roommates in Berkeley and have become friends over this last year, besides the fact that we share in a common passion for soccer and for the kingdom.
For Michael, such a brilliant mind that has allowed me to see God's kingdom in a very different light this semester. I think I have never met a person so passionate about apologetics as him.
For Cody, though he had to switch out of our group this semester, there are still these moments of deep conversation and he is someone who always forces me think harder about God.
For all the girls in my group that have shown me what true Ladies look like and continue to astound me with their amazing talents.
Only today, did I find out about Kyle's soccer skills, how could she hide that so long from me, not only is she brilliant and beautiful but she can also play soccer.
For Carolyn, who always puts a smile on my face because she loves life and people but above all God.
For Anja because she forces me think harder and because she is not willing to settle for less, she is our mysterious lady.
For Alicia, force warrior princess, always willing to argue the impossible but not many make me seek truth more.
For Sydney, we had our struggles last year but I have come to appreciate her so much and I am not sure that I have ever let her now that fact.
For Lauren and the death glare but also her concern for all of us and her fine Victorian character.
For Karissa, the party woman of our group, she sets up so many birthday parties and any other event one could imagine, she is also like a sister to me.
For Sarah and her concern for truth but also her easy outlook on life that forces me to take myself less serious, for being so gracious with me this semester.
For Amanda, though I have not gotten to know her as much as the others due to the fact that she only joined us this semester but nevertheless have I appreciated all her insights.
The same rings true for Jessica but I owe her so much for being so food coordinator for Torrey Orientation.
For Jonathan, who lives across from me, because he forces me to go out of my self and put myself in his place.
For Peter Gross, my djavisa, because even though we don't see each other that much lately, there is still a deep connection and I really regret that we don't see each other enough.
For all the other guys on my hall because I have already experienced more community this semester than all of last year. Guys like Christ Pang or Chris Lang, Dustin McCurry and so many others.
For all the Torrey Freshmen and for the opportunity that I had this semester to serve them during Orientation and afterwards.
For Jane Lauterbach who was the best Coordinator ever.
For all the people in ICS who force me think on a very different level from my normal thinking.
For the amazing opportunity to study at Biola! I can't even express my gratefulness for this amazing gift of God.
For all my Torrey professors. But more than anyone Dr. Peters, so much more than an academic mentor-over the last year he has become a friend and spiritual mentor and not many people know me better. Thank you for Mr. Llizo, Ms. Schubert, Ms. Howington, Mr. Henderson, Dr. Sanders, Dr. Spears, Dr. Jenson, and especially Dr. Reynolds, for if not for him, I would not be here. Thank you for Hilary and Janna, an invaluable help for Orientation and any other question.
For my family back home though I don't get to see them but all the phone calls always encourage. My mom and dad for all the support over the last 22 years and for still backing me in prayer, even when I am so far. For Mirjam, whom I have not seen in a very long time and her husband Jens. For Debbie, little sister and beloved friend, how much I miss her. For Sara, how much closer have I grown to her this summer. For Joni, my brother, whom I struggle most not to see because I sometimes feel that I let him down. For Silas, the youngest, but so beloved. For my grandmas, Lord, may you lead them to the knowledge of You. For my uncle Werner who has made all this possible financially and for all my other relatives.
For my friends back home whom to count would take forever but who have a part in making me who I am today. Samu comes first, one of those special friends you really deserve. Wim another one, probably the friend that I have stayed in contact with the longest, man I love him. For Karin, a spiritual mother and a dear friend. Manu, there are not many man that I respect more than him nor love, and there is his wife Charlott and their wonderful kids. For Markus, how much he has meant to me over all these years, one of those people I will see somewhere in this world again. For Esther and Paul, my Russian brother, so dearly beloved, a warrior in prayer. For Thani, for Josh, for Jens and how many others. For Martin Steinraths, whom I have known since he was born. For Hr. Klein. For Dany and Anna. For Michael Schild. Forgive me, all those I forget.
For my soccer kids on Friday, the joy of my week.
For Hayden's parents who have made their home my home. I love them.
For the Sywulkas and their willingness to take care of me last year.
For the Warkentins who are to this day a second family to me and I hope to see them this winter again.
For Aaron, a friend who is there when you least expect him.
For Jeff and all the smiles he has put on my face this semester and for his fiancee Megan.
For the ability to play sports again after my devastating accident last year.
For God allowing me to finish all my classes or so it looks like and for all he has taught me this semester.
For the seasons of life: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
For Kind words spoken into a wounded soul.
I could name so many more people but this list would never end but one person might have felt left out or forgotton but I didn't, for the last will be first.
I am grateful for Michelle Edmonds!
Grace like rain washes over my soul as I think about God's aboundant blessings and my gaze is turned upward and I see the Father smilling at me. He points somewhere and as I look, I see a mount with three crosses and on the middle Cross my Lord hangs and he calls out: "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani-My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
In that moment I grasp the truth, in this one instant in history the Father Heart has been revealed more than any time prior or after. God's love made manifest.
Grace like rain washes over me and I am lost, no more words to say:
High Fantasy lost power and here broke off;
Yet, as a wheel moves smoothly, free from jars,
My will and my desire were turned by love,
The Love that moves the Sun and the other Stars.
