Tired

My Dad

My dad does not know much about college. All he knows is how much he needs to pay out of his pocket to support me every month. But he might just be my biggest supporter of all.

Recently, I have been worrying about the fact that I may not be able to graduate again. Some people that I know are getting dismissed and my classes are not going great. So I told my dad and give him a heads up not to expect that I will graduate. His reply strucks me, and I will try my best to translate it into english. He said, "I am not worried about you not able to graduate; I am not worried at all whether you will succeed or not. Even if you are dismissed from UCLA, there are other schools that you can graduate out of. As of now, there is no telling whether you can or cannot get a degree. For as long as you try, you will have no regrets in the future. If I were you, I would not even let such thoughts in my mind and do my best. For one who worries before the battle has already lost half of it." And then he gave some examples to support his point.

I seldom say good things about my dad, so he is definitely unappreciated at all angles. But, it is things like these that inspire me to move forward, that I can present to the rest of the world truly how proud I am, to be his son.

Jesus' Genealogy

Yesterday, I read Luke 3. According to this passage, it traces Jesus' fathers all the way to Adam. But as I flip back to Matthew 1, it says a different thing. Which version is true?

It is definitely interesting to see that Judah (and Tamar), and Boaz (and Ruth) are fathers of Jesus. Okay, maybe Boaz makes sense. But Judah? (For Judah and Tamar's story, see Genesis 38.) I thank God because He does use sinners to achieve marvalous things!

My UCLA Experience

A lot has happened in this summer. Really, a lot happened. It was like a roller coaster ride. Two things in particular I want to talk about, housing and transportation. Since I am an emgineer, let me list out all the things that happened. Each item happens a day or two before the next item.

Housing Issue:

1. Called UCLA Housing and found out that none is offered to me

2. Found a potential housemate online

3. Contacted a friend of mine and find a potential christian housemate

4. Friend's friend backed out; potential housemate lost

5. Lots of prayer; found a room nearby

6. Room was not secured; find a family friend as back-up plan

7. UCLA Housing called and made an offer (Turns out a professor leaves UCLA and brought his research students over to the new university, leaving extra space in the graduate dorm )

One thing lead to another, eventually I am back where I orginally planned to be. Through this experience, I can see how God is taking care of what I need. Oh yeah, my parents are stressed and constantly nagging me about finding housing around school. Afterall, I just need to be patient and see how God works His wonders.

Transportation Issue:

1. Car needs a transmission replacement

2. Fixed car and double checked that the car functions correctly

3. Car was crashed while parked (no one was in it)

4. Plan to take dad's car to school

5. Dad needs his car back

6. Dad sends me down to UCLA and his car was crashed too

This was a surprise for me as I'd never thought that I would go to college without a car. I brought a car in as I was a undergraduate, and there was never a time where I don't have a car to use. Now in graudate school, I am living in a dorm system without a car. Everything happened as if I cannot have a car here. I don't know why, but I am sure there is a lesson for me to learn.

Before the car wreck, I thought my car was getting old and that I need to replace it soon. It wasn't until the accident happened that I realize how much God has given me. Currently, I am learning to walk to school and shop at a supermarket nearby. Noah and Simon helped me quite a bit in church hopping. Noah even lend me a bed for now! So until all my lessons are learned, I will live without a car. It will be an interesting experience, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

A long long time... and a prayer request