simple helpings of joy

Isaiah 26:9

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

We bear the image of God in our desire to create & we are passionate about things that He was first passionate about. 

Basically as catchy as One Direction, but to Jesus instead of teeny bopper love.

Wandering & discovering. #latergram (at 31st Street Beach)

Okay guys, forrealtho can we just take some time to marvel at the best gift I've ever received? Hand illustrated & hand created frame with a tree all the way from Kansas! From a lovely human (@heavenstobitsy), by a talented human (@nathanyoder). Shout out to Mr. Weaver & Jason too.

Ice orbs. #vscocam

Day 24: My last & final #ADVENTure post. I unintentionally saved the best for last. Let me be the first to tell you that I now believe the Chicago beaches are more beautiful in the winter than in the summer. And the best part is that I didn't realize it until I got there today. It was even better that I got to drag my brother along. I can't wait to post up more pictures. It was amazing. There were sandy ice formations and icy orbs all on the beach. We brought some tea and a giant thermos to warm up when we couldn't feel our limbs. The best part was there was no one there. Its certainly going to become an annual winter thing. I can't wait to go again! Well this is the conclusion of my ADVENTures, I hope you enjoyed them as much I did executing them. They were greater than I anticipated, and I hope to see someone take this on next year! Thanks for following me through this, the Lord has truly open my eyes to self awareness and finding identity in Christ Jesus. These events has revealed a part of my heart I didn't quite knew existed. So pursue the Lord in waiting for Christmas, you'll certainly find him if you chose to. To end, have a Merry Christmas & happiest of holidays, my good friends! #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 23: Because of the brisky weather today, I decided to stay in and spend the night wrapping gifts along with constant repeat of the Andy Williams Christmas album. I absolutely love gift wrapping, it is something that I find doing very peaceful, but structured. The front yard bushes were getting unruly, so I helped my dad trim them and used them for gifting instead. Gotta get creative with neature stuff! I wrapped a buttload of gifts today, I can hardly wait to give them away! #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 22: After thhe Christmas & Baptism service today, I bought some flowers to go visit my grandfather. People, its because of this man that my life is possible (& by the power of JC). He paved the way for my family to search for a better life in the States from China. He was an avid member of the Lee Association, the Chinatown butcher, and my favorite role model. I remember he would carry me home on his back if I was tired of walking from preschool or he would take me to the park if I wanted to go play. He was always so lively, knew almost everyone in Chinatown, and had the best sense of humor. I loved him so dearly. Unfortunately, cancer took his life a few summers ago, but my memories of him will always be fully alive. (In order to be respectful, this picture is the perspective of me looking up from where I was standing) #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 21: Sorry, I got a little delayed by the busyness of today. Since Andy has been back, I've been spending a lot of time hanging out with him and such. Its been really nice. My plan today was to walk around Northerly Island. For those who aren't aware, this place is not exactly an island, but a peninsula right off of the museum campus that has a trail and is kind of a nature trail area right beside the lake. In the summer i used to bike out here all the time and just sit and stare out at the lake. One of my favorite places to visit. I didn't spend very long there because it started raining, but if you're ever in town, remind me to take you there! #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 20: My initial ADVENTure was to ride to the end of orange line to Midway. And I did do that, but with the intention of picking this boy up. Everybody, Andy Nicholas has arrived back to Chicago from Providence. And for a month! I've missed him more than a million its so good to have him back I'm so excited to share all my cool things with him and be in the presence of my brother. Welcome back, poops! #ADVENTure #vscocam

Day 19: Before getting this as a gift for my membership to the Michael Jordan club, I have been procuring 50 cent records from the local thrift store for the past few months. I've accumulated a fine collection consisting of Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles, all nine Beethoven symphonies, multiple Simon and Garfunkel albums, and then some. My favorite by far that is a complete gem is the Andy Williams Christmas album. Everyday people, been playing it constantly. So good. I've been giving each of them a listen today. I love it. The records are kind of sentimental, its brings out the value of music, and might I add good music. A nice cuppa with a good record is such a prime night, I just need a fire place and it would be pure perfection. #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 18: Small business bookstores, people. Yes, they still do exist. And books do too. Enough with e-books, I like a good story printed on a tree, please. There is something about physical books that gives even greater character to a story. Had a great catch up and rare hangout with a sister and wandered into Myopic Books in Wicker Park. Literally stacks on stacks on stakcs of books in every genre you can imagine. Three floors of depth and opportunity to get lost in a book. I can spend eons browsing and perhaps even sit &read in their reading area. Go check them out! #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 17: Does someone inspire you? Well then, tell them! Today's ADVENTure was plain and simple, write a letter to someone who inspires me greatly and send it through snail mail. It just so much more thoughtful & fun to recieve! I admire this amazing woman of God so deeply, her honesty, creativity, and beauty. So I put my pen to paper and told her everything that I admired about her. Try it, I'm positive the person will forever appreciate it. #ADVENTures #vscocam

Day 16: First off, another big birthday shout out to my birthday twin, @kswaay!!! I recieved a lot of love from so many amazing people today. Thank you a million times, I'm entirely thankful for you beautiful friends. So my response for my ADVENTure was to give love back by sending a message in a bottle. The bottle above is actually sitting in snow on a frozen pond. The message in the bottle was hidden instead in hopes that someone will someday come a long and recieve it. The message is a reminder of how one is a beloved & blessed child of God. I appreciate all of those in my life and although I didn't get to spend much time with many of you, I am elated that I got to celebrate another year with some cool humans from a distance. Also, double thanks who climbed through a window last year for my birthday to surprise me. It was the greatest. Love for all & thanks for a happy 23rd. #ADVENTures #vscocam