Summer '13 with the fam

-- Rebekah Cha

[really sorry! not that many pics :\ ]

[So, I was contemplating on what I should say.. But I feel like of all things that happened to me this summer, this is something I really, really want to share. So here it goes :D]
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My summer vacation started off with the sole idea of going back to my home in the Bay Area and relaxing. I was just really sick of being overwhelmingly busy, stressed, and overloading myself with caffeine. The past year, I found myself running around and not giving any time for God. So hopefully, this summer, I could spend more time with Him. Also, after having attended a few retreats over the year, I gained a goal in mind – for my family to be God-centered. Even if the relationships between all 5 of us isn’t so great, as a Christian family, at least we can have God in common and God alone will suffice.

There were a lot of ups and downs though. It’s been 3 months, and during that time I didn’t see much progress with me + God nor with any of my family relationships. But actually, looking back, God has been really faithful.

Although my older sister and my parents' relationship hasn't been good at all, this summer for once in YEARS, all 5 of us all ate dinner together -- without fighting. (Praise the Lord!) This gave me a lot of hope for the rest of the summer. 

Coming back, I barely saw my mom during the weekdays, so I decided to go to the church she attended, also in an attempt to 'honor my parents'. In return, God gave me much more quality time with her than I had expected!

Hiking in Muir Woods (national park filled with redwoods) with my mom [and my dad]

 As for my dad, a few years back he actually stopped attending church so this summer I really wanted him to go again. My attempts didn’t seem effective, but on my last Sunday he went! God was even more wonderful to have answered some special requests I made about the church service for my dad. :D I don’t think my dad is going to attend church every week, but I’m just glad God opened his heart up to go again even once. And also I'm glad my dad finally took his mind off of his 4 beloved chickens.... =___=

Recently, he's been spending his free time building a shelter for them..

God also brought the summer retreat, Horizon to my attention (It’s a retreat for the Korean youth groups in the Bay Area). The effects it brought to my personal relationship with God is a whole different exciting story I have yet to fully process… But it brought more than that.
For one, for the very first time in our lives, my 2 sisters and I all had fellowship time together! This was something I had struggled to accomplish on my own, but God had made it happen.  <3

In addition, remember, the reason why I stayed at home for 3 months was because I really wanted to rest. That too had its ups and downs. But recently, I find myself just sprawling on the couch spending the day sleeping, watching sunrises and sunsets, and not having any sort of troubling thoughts.. I used to see this as extremely boring, but man I really love this! I’ve also been striking up conversations with God more than I used to. 

God is truly amazing. He has really brought me peace this summer. It wasn’t roller-coaster fun or anything but it was a no-stress zone that I know I will forever miss. I've also learned to turn to Him for help, instead of just doing things without Him. Thanks to Him, every thing I started summer hoping for has basically come true! I may not feel ready for what God might have in mind this coming year, but I do know that ‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me’ (Phil 4:13).

Aside from all that, I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYSSSS AHHHHHH

Love, from Singapore

Dear MIT IV,

Greetings from Singapore! Weather here is 90 degrees (ahem, 30 degrees Celsius) all year round, and the bustling metropolis has really grown on me. Singapore is a beautiful, beautiful place.

(Disclaimer: Picture from the Internet.)

I’m here with MISTI as part of a leadership initiative! SUTD—the Singapore University of Technology and Design—is a new university that opened last year in partnership with MIT. Because it doesn’t have much of a culture yet, it’s importing MIT students to encourage innovation and community!

That’s the general overview. By day I TA chemistry and conduct research; by night I conduct leadership seminars and befriend students.

Though I’ve only been here three weeks, I love it here and have so many stories to tell you! But that would be far too long, so I’ll just stick with a few points.

Fact 1: Singapore has a lot of rules.

You’ve probably heard of Singapore as the country that banned sales of chewing gum. It also imposes the death penalty for drug possession, public caning for graffiti, and a fine for drinking water on the subway. Because of this, we Americans here have been a bit paranoid about the rules – are we allowed to eat food on the sidewalk? Can we drink water in the grocery store? Can I take durian-flavored bread on the subway?

The last question refers to the national fruit of Singapore, the durian. I love it, and have tried every durian-flavored dessert I could find! Unfortunately, I can’t share any durian-flavored things with my roommates – all 8 of them can’t stand it. I’m bringing home some durian-flavored taffies, so please try some and tell me what you think!

Fact 2: Singaporean food is amazing.

It’s super cheap to eat out here! People eat in outdoor food courts called hawker centers, and no one actually cooks. Actually, master chef Gordon Ramsey is competing with local hawker chefs tomorrow, and I’m going to go see the fun! Teehee.

Yum. Aren’t you hungry? The mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian influences makes great food. If I come back ten pounds heavier, you know why.

Fact 3: God is good. All the time.

Isn’t this beautiful?

God is good, all the time. He’s blessed me with gorgeous views of sunny Singapore, and with loving people to fellowship with. Have I told you about my first Singaporean church service, which was so beautiful it brought me to tears? Or about the morning prayer and worship group that’s started? Or the testimonies of how my brothers and sisters here have met Jesus and been transformed?

Amazing.

I can’t wait to see you all. But until then, know I am very happily blessed in Singapore!

Love love love,

Lina

* Strictly speaking, from a logician’s point of view, these aren’t facts but subjective opinions. Just a disclaimer!