:: Urgency of the Gospel ::

Grandpa Wang died on Thanksgiving (that’s mom’s dad). Sadly, it hasn’t hit my heart the way Salvie’s death did because I didn’t know him that well. I’ve probably only seen him 3 or 4 times in my life. It seems like the mourning process was pretty quick for my mom too, as she’s been rather removed from her family for the past 30 ish years.

Last time I went to Taiwan, I knew my grandparents’ time would be up soon. And I was sad. There’s so much I don’t know about them, there’s so much I want to ask, and now I can’t ever ask my grandpa because we’ll be eternally separated.

His death has sparked in me a renewed sense of urgency for Taiwan. There’s so much hype for China, but in reality, I would bet China is doing a LOT better off than the United States spiritually. My mother’s family grew up with generations of ancestral worship, Buddhism, and Taoism. So at the end of my grandpa’s life when my mom shared the gospel with him, what would Jesus have to do with anything? Who is this “white guy,” Jesus, this Western god, and what does He have to do with eternal life and death? Little did my grandpa know, everything.

I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

It just seems so unfair to me, as though my relatives have no fighting chance. How can they believe if they hadn’t heard? How could they hear if no one has preached to them? And how can one preach without being sent? My dream is to spend a summer in Taiwan, for my cousins and aunts and uncles to believe in Jesus and be saved, and then for them to be insiders in a spiritually dark nation…to live among the lost and impact the nation of Taiwan, one disciple at a time.

A few days ago, I was in a very minor car accident. If I hadn’t swerved it could have been a major one. Life is fragile. Life takes unexpected turns. Any one of our loved ones could pass on at any moment. God has called all believers to bring the gospel to those who are not saved. Are we being faithful to this calling? Or are we waiting until it’s “not awkward” anymore, for a better time, when the gospel will be more convenient?

:: Hello, Goodbye ::

Hello, 2009!  Goodbye, 2008…you were so good to me.

Highlights and Events of 2008:

1.  I got engaged!  (January 3rd/19th)

2.  I got married!!  =)  (August 23rd)

3.  Left Irvine, my home of six years (not a highlight…) 

4.  Moved to Riverside! 

5.  My hubby graduated from the University of Oregon…and now is a big boy!

6.  Started EDGE Corps with the Navigators…round 2!

7.  Learned to appreciate that God made people to think and process a lot differently than me…and that I’m not always right. 

8.  I have become more administrative and detail oriented…I believe that came with marriage and an even more disoriented man.

9.  Witness God provide for RJ and I in mighty ways as we begin our lives together, not only with our entire wedding, but our apartment, our furnishings, and our funding.

10.  Said an exuberant good-bye to long distance!!  No more phone calls after 9pm or seeing each other once every three months!  Or hotel lobby dates for 2 hours after driving for 5 hours.  Or softball coaches looking over our shoulders.  Or endless blubbering at the airport.  Or pent up affection.  Or…well, you get the idea…it’s just better this way.

11.  I learned to surf…well, kind of…thanks Emiliooooo!  =)

12.  Went to Mexico for the first time, which is lame since I live in San Diego!

13.  Learned that not all dogs are mean and bite when you touch them…just Oliver.

14.  I no longer NEED to wear make-up when I go anywhere…I choose to, or I choose not to.

15.  Discovered Vanilla Coke Zero!

16.  Taste preference has changed yet again from salty to fruity, slowly but surely.

17.  Went to a tequila factory for the first time!

18.  I am more convinced of God’s perfect timing, and His sovereignty in making His children wait for His plan to unfold.

19.  I went scuba diving for the first time ever!

20.  Changed my name legally to Alice Matagora…and saw it a couple months before we were married in Colorado Springs on our donor cards…trippy!

21.  I’m beginning to learn to let go of things I can’t control, and to trust and rely on God more than ever.

22.  Joyfully witnessed four good friends get married, from all eras of my life.

23.  Redefined forgiveness as trusting that the blood of Jesus covers the sins of those who sin against me.

24.  Realizing that I’m a lot more wounded than I thought, and it’s the word of God and His Spirit that breaks the hold of lies and patterns of thinking.

25.  Saw my grandparents from Taiwan again, and got my grandpa to laugh uncontrollably…I’ve never seen him do that!

26.  RJ and I found out that conflicts that existed before we were married don’t disappear just because we’re married.  =)

Now I’m positive there are more amazing firsts and events that happened in 2008, but as it is 1:24am, I can’t think of them now.  Moving on…

2009 New Year’s Resolutions:

1.  Fitness – more cardio and weights.  I used to be so in shape…what happened??

2.  Nutrition – multi-vitamins and eating more whole foods

3.  Stop the occasional cussing…completely!

4.  Complain less, encourage more.

5.  Make time with God a priority, over my husband and over ministering to others.

6.  Make music more of a priority – violin and guitar.

7.  Let go of things that can’t be changed and move on.

So here’s to 2009!  May it be even richer with blessings than 2008!

Happy New Year!  =)