Just to introduce what we're doing, each officer and counselor will eventually create a post about him or herself.  Jonny and I have been chosen to make the first two posts, so here we go!

I thought I would share with you some pictures of me (images can sometimes tell a better story than words.)  Each picture will hopefully help you get to know me a little better.

This picture is from my fishing trip to Alaska.  In general, the people who know me know I LOVE fishing.  Everything about it makes me happy-- the intricacies of setting things up, the strategy, the reeling, etc... BTW-- I'm holding up a ling cod and the halibut on your left is the one I reeled up.

                                                                                

If you did not know, this will be my first year serving as your Hi-Koi sponsor.  However, this will actually be my eighth year as a Hi-Koi counselor.  Here's what I looked like when I first started Hi-Koi. haha  This is the closest picture I have.  I just graduated from UCI (Zot Zot!) and a lot was going through my mind.  I was thinking about where to apply for grad school, and I was anxious on where God wanted me to be, in the present and future.  Little did I know that God was going to call me to be a Hi-Koi counselor soon after this trip to Hawaii.

I cannot deny that I feel very blessed to be where I am right now.  There is no doubt that God has been very real and evident in my life.  In the midst of joys and hardships, I have been able to experience God in ways beyond my understanding.  Perhaps I can share a more detailed testimony later, but this picture shows you two things I value: my heritage and my family.  Not sure if you can tell, but I was SUPER excited about being in this lion dance lion.  Seriously, this was one of my bucket list items that I was able to cross off a few years ago; and it was all made possible by my relatives.  I think the picture says it all, especially for all of you who know my family. :)

My wife, Denise, snapped this picture of me without my knowledge.  We were out on Castaway Cay (Disney's private island in the Caribbean) where we had this whole section of the beach to ourselves.  Whenever we sing the song, "Oceans," I always think about this moment in my life.  (There is another but can share about that another time.)  Especially when it comes to the lines, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders; Let me walk upon the waters; Wherever You would call me; Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander; And my faith will be made stronger; In the presence of my Savior," I sing this song as a testament to how God has worked in my life.  I encourage you to always seek God and His perfect will.  Even though you may peer out and it looks "deep" and challenging, you can rely on God who is mightier and stronger.  "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad,... For Thou art the Lord Most High over all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods." Psalm 97:1, 9

Have a great rest of the week!  Hope to see you @ Hi-Koi this Friday!