the beginnings of a "blog"

i started this blog back in august of this year (setting it up, no actual content), thinking that i wanted another medium to share with family & friends things on my heart & mind as TQ & i were out east (not just our monthly posts to journeyEAST2004). by now most of you know that the doors to remain there do not seem to be opened, but i still think this is a good medium to share thoughts with family & friends wherever God happens to take us.

being out east has challenged my identity as a believer (and faith in general) in so many ways. because i have essentially been living life in "two-year" chunks since graduating (2 years single in mtn view, 2 years married in SJ, 2.5 years in the east), i have struggled with what i consider "home". family is in toronto, church family is in the bay area and now beautiful relationships in china, and yet no real place to call "home" (in the traditional sense of the word). but the amazing thing is that God, in his goodness & grace, lovingly reminded me that my citizenship (and ultimately 'home') is not here. while it is fine to have a home and place to call "home" in whatever city/state/country, for me, the journey to this understanding of "home" was to help me realize that i am as temporary as the place which i call "home" and in fact all that i have and am, is not "mine" but on temporary loan to me by God. my head had understood this in the past, but not my heart.

and so through this personal challenge i was facing (and probably will continue to face until i die), sprung the 'theme' of this blog. i want it to be a place of personal reminder to myself of WHO i am, WHO i live for, and through this understanding, being motivated and able to live out the message of the cross practically.

with that, i will hit the 'publish' button for my first post ...