Grace Be With You

By God's grace, I have been back to the United States since August 12th. It is just about right for me to come back to the US.

Spiritual changes

A rainbow just appeared in front of me on Sunday when I was thinking of Doug. I was thinking that it is unfair for such a good person and a faithful heart. But, God is merciful and faithful. He showed me a rainbow to tell me that He had led Doug to the heaven through the rainbow bridge. My doubt or question was clarified.

To be honest, my heart went up and down strongly recently. It was because I felt that things didn't go well with me. The self-centered Derek came out again. I complained and worried. The emotional Derek showed up again. I visited two professors that wrote recommendation letters for me to apply for graduate school last Thursday and Friday. I didn't have a very good conversation with one professor. At the first moment, I felt that he was mean to me. So after I talked to me, I became very frustrated and disappointed. I couldn't sleep well at that night. I called Denver at that night around 1:30am. After our conversation, I found out that I was too selfish. I now will say he was the one who let me know there will be lots of challenge in the future. I should have a heart to know and to overcome. It will never be easy to study abroad. It was God's plan for me. He was helping me grow my patience and wisdom to solve problems. Thanks God for remind me all the time to have a great heart and good attitude to deal with my life. He is really faithful and merciful.

I carved "GOD IS FAITHFUL" on a cardboard. It now is on my dest. I wanted to remind myself to have a great heart to look at my life. Here shares it with you.

Life in Taiwan

(My hometown. Our place is located near the hill.)

Time is really flying. It is already three weeks after I got home in Taiwan. Things are really going very well. My family are not just used to my decision to trust in God but also accept it. I now feel more and more comfortable to pray before meals in front of them. The only thing I am still hoping is that they can ask me something about Christianity, but I also know it will take time. I won't force them to listen to me but will just pray that God will open their mind to see His glory.

(My nephew and me. He is around 5 years old, I am 27 years old, and the tree in the right side of this picture is 2800 years old. I think I am still young. *^_^*)

I went to a forest park with my parents and their friends this Tuesday. It was really a nice trip to be with them. I know that I will be back to this United States soon so my feeling is a little complicated. I would like to spend more time with them but I am also very excited to go back to the US. God's plan is perfect so I will try my best to use my time well in Taiwan, and also prepare my heart to go back to keep growing in Christ.

Recently, I visited lots of friends. It was really nice to see that most of my friends were glad to see my joy in God. With the wish of them, I now can be more confident to share my heart and pleasure with them. It is really encouraging.

For sure, Satan is always busy. I am still fighting against him. Because of the battle with the devil, I realize that relying on God is the only solution to win the battle because He is so powerful and faithful. Peace from God and the Love of Christ are still with me. Whenever I struggle with my own sins, I can hear a voice calling me back to the Holy Spirit. I really find out that I now can not leave Him, our Lord. As what Dral or Denver told me, we need Him more than He needs us. I do have this feeling.

I am going back to Forrest in three more weeks. I can't wait to be back to our church. My heart is thirsty to the Words. I really want to talk to all of the people from Fairbury, Forrest, Congerville, and other pleaces. Knowing God was the best thing I had in the last year. Knowing the people of Apostolic Christian Church is also the most blessed gift I got from God. Dear heavenly Father, please still be with me and all the people of AC Church.

Peace,

My Way Back To Taiwan

It seems that I have been in Taiwan for completely two weeks. It looks like a short time, but I feel that time goes so slow in Taiwan. Why? I was not busy in Taiwan at all. When people are not busy, it is the time that Satan is busy. He is trying to disturb my heart and make me go into negative thoughts. But, we all know that God is much more powerful. I try to use all of my rest time to listen to more sermon CDs and read the Bible. As what dad said, God has been too good to him. So does He to me. He saved my life, my soul, my future. The last month in Fairbury changed whole my life. I am thankful that God never gives me up but rescure my from sins, danger, struggle, sorrow, sadness, chaos, and so on.

I still remember the day when my flight delayed 3 hours in O'Hare Airport. My heart was peaceful. I wasn't angry; instead, I was thinking that God gave me more time to prepare my heart for my way back home. Because there would be a hard time waiting for me to overcome. He was with me and gave me peace. Even though I got more 24 hours in the LA airport, I spent most of my time reading the Bible. That extra day was really a good day. So, I got home also 24 hours late. When I saw the land of Taiwan, my heart was also quite peaceful. I wasn't too excited or sad. I knew that I was back home to share my joy to trust in God with my family and friends. Before Kent left the O'Hare Airport, he told me "Hey! Derek, be strong." After that, I started tearing because I realized that it was really the time to say "farewell." But as what I told mom and dad, saying goodbye is for next time to meet up. I will be strong and keep learning the Words and praying for God. I had a hope in my mind and I prayed for God's grace to send me back to the United States. And, He answers my prayer.

Two days ago, I got an email from University of Iowa, and the office of admission said that they decided to permit my application for this Fall semester. Yepper! I will be back to the United this August.

I reserved an English test later so I have to leave now. I will try to share more ans more with all of you. I will keep our brotherhood in my heart. You all are the most touched support in my heart because I can see that those prayers were through God to me.

In Christ's Love