Easter Sunday - April 8, 2007 (photos courtesy of the wonderfully talented Andy Kim)



Performance put on by the kids






Tim Yoon and I



Giving my testimony











Post-testimony



Answering "I do" to Pastor Steve's questions. I don't know what I found so funny to make me smile like that.



Tim getting confirmed



Drumroll please...



Getting baptized!



I'll admit, I wish I got dunked. I think it would've been cool. But this was still pretty baller.



Pastor Steve praying with me



Congratulations hug =]. Yo I got so many hugs that day; it made me extremely happy.



Officially a part of the family of God now =]



Praying over a newborn. Aw.


Easter really did feel like a second birthday. At first when Pastor Martin was talking about having it on Easter, I was indifferent to it. I didn't think it made the day any more or less significant. But dang that day was just so much more special because it was on Easter. Rebirth, resurrection...it was all so perfect, and all done according to His will.

My testimony went well; I was feeling kinda nervous about it while Tim was giving his and I sat waiting for my turn. But once I started talking, it felt so good to share my story. I did alright, but God, God did great. It didn't feel like me talking up there. The words weren't coming from my mouth but from my heart where God put them. God is alawys great, but yesterday His glory truly was all around and I could feel it weighing on me like I had never felt before.

I was so happy yesterday. Happy to officially proclaim my faith. Happy to be inducted to God's family. Happy to see so many of my friends AND my sister there. Happy that Tim drove for freaking ever from Amherst to come see me get baptized. Happy to receive so many hugs and blessings. Happy to get flowers, a Bible, and C.S. Lewis books. Happy to feel so much love and support from the church. And I felt such JOY to honor God. Joy to start a renewed life in Christ. Joy from being washed over with God's love. Joy in Christ's death and resurrection. Joy in salvation and redemption. Damn guys I could go on forever but I'll stop.

I've been on this constant high since Sunday. I feel so right with God. I remembering wondering what this baptism was going to do. What would change? My lifestyle? How would I feel? What if I failed to meet expectations after this? Then what? Was it all in vain? I was so worried about what this baptism was going to accomplish and what would be expected of me afterwards. But I didn't have to worry at all. God made everything so beautiful and perfect just like the faithful God He is. Rui Qi was telling me a few days before my baptism that I should just let go of my worries because any change I was concerned about, God would make happen, and He would take care of it. And hey guess what, He did.

I love where I am right now with God. That's not to say that I don't want more. Now that I've readhed this milestone, I can't wait for more. It only gets better. And I know that I won't always feel like I do now. There'll be times when I'm frustrated, distant, tired, etc. But I know that through all that I can always come back because He calls me and He welcomes me no matter where I may stray. And I know that there'll be dry periods. But I also know that what I felt yesterday and how I feel now is so real and that will keep me persevering.

This is a random note to end on, but I want to share it because it amused me. During fellowship time yesterday, David (our worship leader), asked me if I was an English major. I told him yes and he said in response, "Yeah I could tell. That was the most gramatically correct testimony I've heard." I asked him if he was being serious and he completely was. HAHA. Well I guess I'm glad he thought so.

What a great weekend =]