Reconnect: Month 1 (and a half)

It has been 7 weeks since Ann (I) set foot on LA soil (cement at LAX). Since then, it has been a whirlwind of events, most all of them good. 

We are so thankful for God's faithfulness in really providing key people to help with our transition here. That's why this blog entry is called "Reconnect" because this past month has definitely been a time of reconnecting with friends, either recent or dating as far back as high school days and even a study abroad friend from Hong Kong! It has also been a sweet time for me to connect with God in an unconfined time period, allowing for more opportunities to dive deeper with the Lord. 

One of the biggest blessings from God was one of my best friends, Grace. She lives 3 minutes down the street from us, and since Justin broke his arm, quickly coordinated with her Fuller friends to furnish a very nice rocking chair for him to sleep in (instead of a box in the corner). Her and her husband Peter helped us unpack, break down boxes, and take them to the dumpster. This was of major help since Justin was still out of commission with his arm (update on that later in this entry)

Pictured: Me, Jeannie (visiting from Houston), and Grace

Another huge provision was my cousin Erin, who lives 5 minutes from us. She has been so welcoming, taken us to the farmer's market, and even baked us bread from scratch! There's nothing like having family close by. Not to mention, she fedexed us our passports when we forgot them...

Enjoying Dim Sum with Erin, Kellen, Auntie Flora, and Uncle Andrew @ King Hua

Not pictured are other friends from high school and college like Karen Weng, Ricky Lin, and Ling Kung. They all have been in living in LA longer than we have and really have shown us a good time. 

An unexpected reunion was with one of my buddies from study abroad in Hong Kong. You'll never guess how wereconnected: Yelp! Aimlessly looking for a breakfast spot in Santa Monica, I stumbled across her friend Jennifer's Yelp review and westarted facebooking from there. Usually when you haven't seen someone in 7 years, you've reached this awkward phase of "I don't know you anymore" and "I can't remember why we were friends and I've moved on". I am not that kind of person though. Thankfully neither was she! Next thing you know, she invites Justin and I to a camping trip in Yosemite, which happens to be Justin's "favorite place on earth". His words, not mine. 

Ann pretending to be outdoorsy on their hike to Cathedral Lakes

Happy as a clam at Cathedral Lakes

El Capitan (left) Half Dome (right)

And last but certainly not least is the Longhorn crew! Johanna, Mark, Janel, Timmy, and Kenneth are all friends from either high school or college and all live in LA. They have instituted "Texas Dinner" which are potlucks at someone's place. We went to our first Texas Dinner last week and laughed until our sides hurt!

Updates on Justin's arm: It's about 95% better. It didn't heal all the way straight (5 degrees off), but it works and no one can tell except Justin. Very thankful that saga is over.

Real time update: Justin is on his way to Uganda and Kenya for two weeks. His flight is 28 hours long with many stops along the way. If you remember, please keep him in your prayers because he was not feeling very well before getting on the plane. Dizziness and headaches. Not sure if this is spiritual warfare or if this is just being human. Either way, the timing is bad. Very exciting trip though, he is going to actually check out the microfinance institutions he works to support every day!

Update on Ann's job search: I've been doing LOTS of soul-searching, praying and asking God what he has gifted me to do on this short time on earth. While waiting on the Lord, (if you know my penchant for maximizing efficiency with my time), I have signed up to volunteer at a World Vision sponsored event, attended my first women's small group, and plan on attending a faith based anti-human trafficking conference next weekend. Through scripture and people I've met, I feel like God has been telling me lately "Don't settle. Hold out for something I created you for, and don't worry in the meantime about the money or how long it takes".  Also I feel reassured that God loves me no matter what I choose to do for a living. 

Us Update: We have been doing overall well. Marriage is a continual refining process, as we try to figure out what it looks like to walk with the Lord together, and as we decide what we want to be about while we are here in LA.

That's it for now! I will leave you with some random pictures of our time here in LA and our prayer requests. Please let us know how you are doing as well. Don't want it to become one-sided! Keeping in touch is really not our strong suit so please feel free to email us a personal update :)

• Safety and health as Justin travels to Uganda and Kenya
• Continued guidance for Ann's job search
• A community for Justin and Ann to plug into and live life with
• A God-centered marriage 

Freshly shucked oysters from Quality Seafood @ Redondo Beach

That Uni is still moving!

Sunset at Redondo Beach

The day we fell in love with Santa Barbara (Leadbetter Beach)

One of Ann's successful dinners: Chicken Piccata and Roasted Tarragon Potatoes with Salad

Renewed Hobby: Card Making!

Bike Riding in Santa Barbara -NOT TANDEM. Side by side with a fake wheel so Ann can't try to steer.