January-February, in photos

Ladies Book Club -our 1st discussion of 2012!

celebrating the berfday at the park w/Sonny boy.

witnessing lovely Keziah marry Nathan! 1st wedding for Blush&Braids of 2012!

Peerow Talking with Babycat

nearby work buddies on a lunch date at Azuki Sushi!

matching w/Miss Clara! we both forgot to smile.

cafe bassam w/Meemers! i've been going here once a week. good place to get some reading done =)

making encouragement cards with the Small Group

dress fitting with M's Bridal Party

Happy Birthday, Unni!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY UNNI! If you see her today, please wish her a Happy Birthday! My sister is an incredible woman. She's someone I've looked up to since childhood (even during her rebellious phase). I remember thinking all the new things she would say, do, or have were super cool, like "nincompoop," spitting ice into her cup and saying"Pttooey! Ten Points for Jenny!" (taken from Gaston song in Beauty & the Beast), buying different kinds of skater shoes and me stealing a pair on days she doesn't wear them, videotaping her own Comedy Shows with friends, having a DJ Dance Birthday Party that I wasn't even invited to, etc, etc. My sister's soooo cool, right? ;) But really, she's the best older sister I could ask for. When God saved her in college, His Spirit did amazing things to transform her heart. She is someone who truly fears the Lord. She is shameless in lovingly pointing things out to others if they're not walking right with God. She loves and is fiercely loyal to her family (both Shin & Hasegawa). My heart is filled with gratitude because God provided a sister who points me back to the Savior & reminds me to not be of this world. You are a blessing to me!

Follow Christ

"It'll be hard to understand why [things turn out the way they do], but what is that to you? Focus on following Christ" -N

This was the exhortation I needed to hear. I am thankful for this sister who cares to address the condition of my heart.

²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

John 21:22

Rainy Day

Because Everyone Else Is

I received a text from my brother on Saturday. When I get a txt notification, my phone will show a snippet of the text & who the sender is. So when I checked my phone it said...

Hans: Caro, I found you a potential...
(oh no. not another setup from a family member)

I braved myself enough to view the entire text message.

Hans: Caro, I found you a potential husband: he's tall, athletic, chinese, smart (harvard grad), and most important of all, a Christian. His name is Jeremy
Hans: Lin
Hans: :)

This is the first suggestion I don't mind.

Fond Memory 1

As I was reading through Mark 11 today, the passage reminded me of a time (~13 years ago) when my dad, little sister, and I were playing outside in the backyard. We have quite a few palm trees in our backyard, and a couple of their leafy branches fell on the ground. My dad told my little sister and I to each pick one up. He explained Jesus' triumphal entry where Jesus was riding on a horse, and those around him had leafy branches and were shouting, "Hosanna in the highest!" as Jesus walked by.

I think Aileen and I really enjoyed the story. I remember us lifting up those branches up and down, repeatedly singing, "Hosanna! Hosanna!"

⁶ And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. ⁷ And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. ⁸ And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. ⁹ And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Mark 11:6-10

Though I didn't really know what it meant at the time, I'm so blessed that my dad would talk to my siblings and me often about Scripture. Now having a relationship with Christ, I am thankful to personally and joyfully say, "Hosanna in the Highest!" Piper couldn't have said it better:

So when we sing "Hosanna" now, let's make it very personal. Let's make it our praise and our confidence. The Son of David has come. He has saved us from guilt and fear and hopelessness. Salvation! Salvation belongs to our God and to the Son! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!