March Joy Dare 10, 11, 12

10. 3 gifts carved

• Papacheng purchased this hand-carved cross at a Korean church bookstore.  It was one of two originals made by a pastor who had passed away just before this purchase was made, and Papa got to meet his wife and talk to her for a little bit.  The pastor had installed little tiny metal squares to feature tiny little metal crosses decorating this big cross. We've put it in our living room facing the door, and sometimes, the light hits the little metal crosses just right so as to make it glow.  We don't worship a graven image, but the glow always reminds me of the presence of the Almighty in our home.  

• The time my friends carve out for me.  I suck at reciprocating, but each precious fellowship makes my day.  A lot.

• Space that MrsRock carved out for us in her home to do so much prep work for our youth group's brother's appreciation last weekend.  And then the time that Mrs.PB and D's mom carved out to help this fool with cooking, cleaning, and general advice-given on a hectic Saturday afternoon.

11. 3 gifts read

• The Word.  Literally, each time I open it up, there is something new and more to be had. Especially my chunky Chinese-English Bible that my parents gifted me with on my 18th bday, still so beautiful! 

• Letters and notes from my friends.  I keep them all for mementos and sentimental reasons.

• Spiderloverbridesmaid read a letter I wrote to her once upon a time.  It was a time of cringing and embarrassment.  She noted how absolutely self-depracating and put-downing I was (literally every other sentence had something about how I was bad at something or how I was a dork or how she could learn from my embarrassing moments).  With all the exasperation and tenderness in the world, she took the time to affirm me and build me up with loving words and encouragements.  Thank you!

12. a gift in wind, in water, in white

• There's a breeze today as I get relegated to a random patio at my internship at the elementary school.  It's sunny, and there's a pretty tree with yellow flowers to adorn the place.  It's an unexpected blessing in the midst of being shuffled around and trying to be patient and kind and humble about it all.

• Water! I'm trying to learn how to drink more of it everyday, as my skin is very dry, and I'm sure my body can use more.  Mamacheng gave me three bottles of water yesterday, and I downed them like the crazy Israelites wandering in the desert!

• The breakfast in the white bowl Mamacheng prepared for me this morning in my daily morning rush to get to work on time.  She is so self-sacrificing, humbling in her constant show of love and care!