Refiner's Fire.

So much to blog about, but I don't know how much to put, what to put, and so forth. so.. I'll just begin by saying...
1. Suffering is good because God is so good.
2. Reconciliation is good because God is gracious.
3. Everything is done (or oftentimes NOT done) according to God's perfect plan and impeccable timing.

I am such a sinner.
But God will use it to magnify His glory in the end... and I shall be judged for all the damage I've done to people and to myself when my time comes.

You know, we constantly ask God.. "mold me, make me better, help me to be more like you, change my heart, refine me in the fire, etc"

And honestly, be careful what you ask for. Because God will give it to you.. It may mean immense suffering, sorrow, and shame. Think about it. Refiner's fire. Literally. FIRE. Agonizing, burning, PAIN. Feeling your skin get seared and torn apart as all of your flesh melts away. (Like Two-Face in Dark Knight, but with a much better result) Are you prepared for what God will show you? Even if you aren't God may do it anyway because it is all for HIS good, which means for our good too. But remember, amidst the craziness He may pour upon you, God is doing it to bless your life. There is always hope. It's really ALL OVER the Bible. Just take a look.

1. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2. And rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces pereverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2b-5

3. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

4. "My son (daughter. hehe), do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. [...] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12: 5-8,11

Order in the Randomness That is My Sleepy Mind.

0 lectures cancelled despite missing professors.

1 hour lost for delights havens dime.

2 midterms this week.

3 cavities to be filled.

4 days til spring break.

5 AM talks are always worth it.

6 weeks of work i have yet to be paid for.

7 th of march -perfect timing, saving me a hassle.

8 days til we leave for puerto vallarta.

Strawberry.. Blueberry.. Blackberry?!

So my phone plan ends in April, and over the weekend, my dad asked if I wanted a Blackberry.

(WHA??) I was speechless. I just assumed I'd stick with a regular number pad phone for the rest of my life and only switch over to a Internet-phone/QWERTY if I REALLY needed it. (I don't necessarily want a QWERTY actually. I love T9/Word) I didn't know what to say, so I just left him little response. Then, just a few hours ago, on the way to dinner for my mom's birthday, he asked again.

You may be saying, what's wrong with you? Are you crazy? TAKE IT! There are so many people that want it but can't get it because their parents won't let them, but YOUR parents are offering it to you! BBM is the best, Internet/Email is SO convenient! Blackberries make life better. blah blah blah.

So why does it pose such a dilemma, you ask?
Because Blackberries consume lives (yes, yes, there are exceptions, but this holds true for the majority of people)

1. Crackberries tend to ruin social situations. People cannot help but glue their eyes and attentions to their constantly beeping/buzzing/ringing/chiming/donging Blackberry. Yeah, I'm sure it's fun for the BBM'ers, but for us laypeople trying to have regular conversations, it is no fun at all when the person's mind seems to want to be elsewhere and not with you.
2. Dependency on Internet access. I kind of like being detached from the world sometimes, not having to turn on my computer all the time, etc. But with the Blackberry, you can't run away. And once you go Internet, you can never go back to a regular phone.
   
3. The MOOLA. Of course, the phone plan is much more expensive. (But I'm not sure how much more...) So I don't want to waste money when I don't need to.
   

But.. I have to admit. BBM and unlimited texting are VERY, VERY tempting and convenient.

One of the biggest reasons why I didn't even consider/want a Blackberry was because it is SUCH a huge trend. Like Macs. The things you buy/use/wear/etc. say a lot about who you are. I don't want to jump off the bridge, just because everyone else did. I took pride in staying on the other side of the trend. But... now that it has become a real possibility.... do I jump?

What if the other side IS better? If I were to jump, I'd definitely be diving into a large community. But, people who cannot control their Blackberry use, busting it out in any and every situation, always bug me. But if I were to get a Blackberry... I think I could control myself...But do I even need all those apps?

Am I overthinking all of this? Probably. Am I making a big deal out of nothing? ... Highly likely. But it stresses me out nonetheless.

So now I ask of you,
To Blackberry, or not to Blackberry. That is the question.

EXTREME MAKEOVER, Home Edition.

1. Our family FINALLY got new sofas! (after... 9 years?) I hated the couches we used to have. Tacky and uncomfortable. Now, we have dark brown, leather. Oh and the furniture people threw in a new dining table too. So yay!

2. NEW TV! (On sale at Costco, YAY.) Had to get a new one since all TV's have to be digital now. -_- But yes. It is very clean, nice, and beautiful. I can't enjoy it for a few more weeks, but it's all good.

3. Since our church has now .... closed... all of my dad's books at church have come home in the past few weeks (and trust me, there were already shelves and shelves of books here to begin with). Many PK's, I'm sure, can attest to this phenomenon where part/all of your house is devoted solely to books.

Our house has gone through a major makeover, becoming a dark, handsome, full-blown library. Too bad all of the books are in Korean and I can't understand/make use of them. (...not that I really would have anyway. heh heh..)

The thing is, our apt is really small, so the influx of bookshelves has been pretty crazy. My dad has been working day in, day out and he really did an AMAZING job getting everything to fit so perfectly (He is BY FAR the handiest man I know. And I LOVE it.) Basically, every wall is lined with either a door, closet, piece of furniture, bookshelf, or even bookshelves above the furniture. No exaggeration. I promise.

If our family lived in Belle/Beast's mansion, we could totally fill that library up.

So, of course, pictures are worth more than words, and so here's proof to back up my claims.

(And a treat for those of you who have never seen my mysterious K-town home.... so everyone, basically. HAHA)

Living Room, Side 1











Living Room, side 2 and wider view from kitchen



Small wall b/w my room and my brother's

My room (new bookshelf for me too)











and more shelves to come and to be filled. (Parents' room)










Tis my humble abode.
Adieu.