My family and I are from Taiwan. We moved here in 1990 for the American dream ofa better life and business opportunity. I was 6 years old at the time. With the new environment, came also new dynamics. My parents were busy, and business focused. New language, life, and people …I never felt like I was home.
 
     My Christian journey started when I was 10 years old after a Chinese woman dropped off a Chinese children’s storybook with cassette tape of Jesus’s stories. The first time I heard it, I cried because I instantly believed Jesus’s love was so great that He sacrificed for us. The rest of my childhood wasn’t typical. We grew up around a business in a rough neighborhood. My father became alcoholic and addicted to gambling. He went to the hospital’s ICU so many times. It was hard to keep faith in a tumultuous household.   
 
     It wasn’t until high school, I started going to a youth Bible study group in a Taiwanese Evangelical Church for a couple years. It was the only other exposure and education I had in any religion. I would attend mass or services sporadically without much knowledge or heart. I always believed but lived agnostically with dark periods. I felt lost and would think, “I want to go home.” Yet I was physically home.
 
     Fast forward to adulthood, there was a tug on my heart to reach out to God. At the same time, I had wondered why there were so many Christian denominations out there. Which one was true to God and not just man’s own interpretation?  In February 2019, while scrolling through Facebook, there was an event post for a speaking event with Jeff Cavins. After attending, I learned of the 8 Week Bible Timeline course taught by the wonderful Carol R.  After Bible Timeline, I learned about RCIA. Why not learn it at least? Find out what Catholics are about since my fiancé, Jorge Melara, is a cradle Catholic.
 
     RCIA has given me so much knowledge to process. I love how open and giving the people are in the group. Learning that Catholicism is the same all over the world and started with Jesus is what has me excited about my upcoming baptism. I don’t know all the prayers or Catechism yet but it’s nice to know a mass in Taiwan, US, or Honduras is similar to Rome.
 
     I realize God has always been in my life even when I failed to acknowledge Him. I believe God was still trying to get through when I turned my heart away. Even while I had my heart closed, He still gave me strength to get through hardships and deaths in the family.  I have a sense of comfort and a better understanding of what love is. There’s no way I can ever truly understand God’s love for us but sometimes I feel overwhelmed with joy when I think about it.
 
Colossians 3:14 
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
 
 
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At the time I am writing this, everyone in the world is dealing with the Wuhan coronavirus. Jorge is on the frontline in healthcare. So we pray for protection. The world has stopped but it’s a chance to reset and renew. This is the time to get close to God and reflect on what’s important. To open our eyes and heart to God for guidance and comfort. To show love to others as God has to us. We pray for patience, strength, guidance, and protection to get through this pandemic.
 
 
Psalm 46: 2-8
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.  Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea, Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging.
Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day.
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, he utters his voice and the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.