Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Catching Up

For the last couple of months I have been avoiding writing blogs for two main reasons: 1) I'm not sure that anyone actually reads these, and 2) I don't want you to think that all I do is sit on the computer and Photoshop random photos and write senseless blogs. Truth is that I do much, much more than that. Like, sometimes I also play Texas Hold 'em on Facebook or browse the online listings of auctioned merchandise from the county courthouse. You know, important stuff like that.

Every Tuesday morning I go eat soto (chicken soup) with my friend and former student Tim Kim. He graduates in 4 weeks. We've been hanging out since my first month in Indonesia. He was in 9th grade then. Today the junior class is celebrating him. Each senior is honored for a day by the juniors. They sang/rapped a song in Korean that Tim likes over the intercom. Everybody laughed and cheered. Tim's a great musician. He writes his own songs, and mimics many talented guitarists like the guys from Dream Theater, Joe Satriani, or Philip Keaggy (pardon the spelling). Tim wants to study music and serve in worship, but his parents want him to be an engineer. Difficult choice.

Recently Tim laid this decision before the Lord. And God showed up. He gave Tim unexplainable peace, then told him that He has a plan for Tim that Tim cannot achieve if he stresses too much or tries to make his life happen in his own strength. That encouraged Tim so much, that lately he's been encouraging the other seniors to let their burdens go too. The seniors here are constantly stressed about their SAT, AP, ACT, TOEFL, or some other standardized test scores. Now, even with the SAT and AP Calculus tests coming in a couple of weeks, Tim's feeling at ease. He said that his study times have been more productive and relaxed as a result. How cool is that.

So, really, I guess I do get to do some cool things. I get to hang with guys like Tim who know and love God just as much as I do. What joy!