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Monterey trip recap

March 4, 2014 johnclinLeave a comment

Not too long ago IUSM went to Monterey to enjoy the beautiful nature! On, that trip we got to see the “crown jewel” of Monterey, Point Lobos. We didn’t know that rocks and water could look that magnificent! Words cannot do justice, so let me share some pictures that we took at Point Lobos. 🙂

Another group shot, but this time next to some scary looking tree 🙂

Afterwards we also went to the world famous “17 mile drive”. There we saw the famous Lone Cypress.

Haha, seems like the guys were trying to be the cypress!

We also spent some time playing frisbee, throwing football on Fanshell outlook, and exploring the amazing rocks and the sea creatures that were in them.

Wow, that was a packed day of hanging out with each other and also feeding our eyes and mind with the gorgeous nature that God created! But we were all hungry at the end of day, and we got to feed our stomachs too! We knew exactly where to go, so we went to Santa Clara to get some DELECIOUS KOREAN FOOD!!!!!

Here is a picture of the guys eating nicely decorated shaved ice! Look at the smile that is on their faces, Mmmmmmmmm….you can tell how good the food was, and how happy they were that they could dip their spoons into that shave ice! haha 🙂

Don’t you wish you were there?!! It won’t be the last time we go there or take other trip to other beautiful place just like Monterey! Come join us next time!!!!!! 🙂

Recap: Fresh Start Winter Welcome Night

January 15, 2014January 15, 2014 johnclin1 Comment

Hello Everyone! Welcome back for your winter break, hope you guys all had a good time, and is ready for this new quarter and new year!

This past Friday, to welcome back all the students and also new friends we had special event “Fresh Start”. It was really good to see many of our old friends and also to meet some new ones! 🙂

We all had an awesome time that night, as we started off with some delicious Asian food with plenty to go around, and we watched a skit put on by many of our students. That was an awesome performance, as we also discover some hidden talents in our midst! haha. 😀

We really have to recap the skit in couple short sentences because it was not only awesome, but has great meaning and insight to life. The skit is about this young man who tries to spin (handle) the different plates (responsibilities, expectation, and obligations) in his life. As he took on more and more responsibilities he realized that it was getting harder to handle everything and keep everyone happy. (Isn’t that so true to our daily life?) At the end, it was tragic as he dropped all the plates. “crash” “crash” “crash” sound…….

Wait, that would have been a sad note to end the night on right? With that imagery and the sound of those plates crashing still linger in our head, our invited speaker John gave a thought provoking message to challenge us to have a new perspective for this new year. In our busy, and overloaded world, how can we find a sense of peace or rest and how do we properly handle all those tasks and things that we have in our life? John pointed to the Bible, Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The new perspective that we are to have is not to be anxious about our life, trying to handle all the things or obligations in our lives, but to simply trust those things into God’s hand and he will take care of it for you and to put our mind and our life to seek God’s kingdom first. John also shared with us his past experience of how he trusted his life into God’s hand and how God is coming through and taking care of his life better than he ever could. Wow…..something to think about and to reconsider how we view our life, ya?

Alright, with that in mind, let us have a FRESH START for this new year and this new quarter carrying that verse in mind, to seek first the kingdom of God and experience how God will come through! that’s it from me- see you! 🙂

Recap: Thanksgiving Service & Celebration

November 26, 2013November 26, 2013 johnclin5 Comments

We had a wonderful time at the special Thanksgiving service at Gracepoint Davis Church this past Sunday.

Many sharings from our Gracepoint Church members (around the world) with expressions of praise to God.

We started off with off a very inspiring video and heard testimony sharing from Gracepoint members, and then Pastor Will gave a very powerful message reminding us our indebtedness to people and to God as none of us got here on our own. We are where we are because of God and others’ involvement.

The praise band playing uplifting songs.

Pastor Will delivers a message on Thanksgiving.

Afterwards we had a very challenging message, we feasted! There were so much delicious food (turkey, corn, ham, mash potatoes with gravy, and RICE!) and the desert mmmmm…the delicious pumpkin pie with whip cream…yes, the food was awesome!

But that was not it, IUSM along with other groups at Gracepoint Church put on various dance performances and skits, and people had really really really fun time dancing together and laughing. Man, that was alot fun celebrating thanksgiving together! Hey, if you miss it this year, too bad. But NEXT year, put it on your calendar and JOIN US!!!!

The freshmen sang to “God’s Great Dance Floor” with a real disco ball.

Here’s our IGSM & IUSM skit. Mark played Albert in the skit, but sometimes he forgot who he was.

We’re worth more than gold… because of God.

How Great is Our God. Not only in Chinese, but one day in all the languages of the world.

Sophomores: Don’t be an ungrateful Kaiju!

Upperclassmen: There’s much to be thankful for.

Praxis: It’s not a dream, it’s the abundant “Praxis” life.

IGSM & IUSM Group Picture – Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy many more photos from our Thanksgiving Celebration here.

Please write a comment here about your most favorite moment!

Recap: Saturday Dimsum and Sac Outing

October 28, 2013October 28, 2013 ericmiao912Leave a comment

It was a beautiful Saturday in Sacramento, and we had about 30 IUSM students join us for a fun-filled day. The day began with delicious dim sum at a restaurant called Asian Pearl (順峰大酒樓). For many of our students, this brought back fond memories of their home country. After a group picture outside the restaurant, we stopped by the Sacramento State Aquatic Center. Unfortunately, we were unable to ride on kayaks., but we still had a great time by the river playing with water guns, catching crayfish (小龙虾), and taking many photos. And no trip is complete without a stop at the local milk tea shop.

Join us next time for future IUSM outings!

A group photo after dimsum in Sacramento — A group photo after dim sum in Sacramento

water gun fight! the camera person is very brave

IMG_0084a — gotcha crayfish! (we let this one go back to its home)

Recap: Friday MYT (Week 2)

October 28, 2013October 29, 2013 ericmiao912Leave a comment

Last Friday (10/25), we had week 2 of our MYT (multiply your talents) class. The cooking team got a lot of practice as they made delicious finger foods such as deviled eggs, korean pancakes, and more! Other classes include piano, guitar, photoshop, filming, and photography. Check out some of the pictures the photo team took below.

And sure to join us next Friday for the 3rd and last week of MYT. We are going to have a fun “show and tell” for each class- you don’t want to miss it!

Break time, but some people are still practicing guitar

Recap: San Francisco Outing

October 8, 2013October 10, 2013 ericmiao9122 Comments

This past Saturday, IUSM left Davis for beautiful San Francisco and were able to drive into SF on the newly built Bay Bridge.

The day began with people enjoying the world famous clam-chowder at Pier 39.

We then took some funny pictures at “Krazy Kaps”, a store full of wacky hats. People were having a great time wearing flamingo, pharoah, witches, and cowboy hats.

We saw the large and lazy sea lions (海狮) and then left for the Golden Gate Bridge.

What great timing as a boat passing right behind us. Toot, toot!

We were able to walk under the Golden Gate Bridge and over to the Vista Point to take some breathtaking photos. The day was not complete without walking onto the bridge itself and taking group photos together.

The guys are looking as cool as the great weather.

It was the first time for everyone in front of the famous bridge.

Everyone is mimicking the cables on the bridge as a way to connect with it.

Join us next time for future IUSM events!

Recap: International Student Welcome Night

September 29, 2013October 10, 2013 johnclinLeave a comment

The much anticipated International Student Welcome Night finally happened on September 20! We had a packed house at SCC Multipurpose Room and we almost ran out of food! After a delicious dinner, we started off the night with a UC Davis trivia game.

: Our game host Brian was explaining the game and also the grand prize of some yummy chocolate.

: The competition was fierce!

: After the excitement, we settled down to watch a funny but thought provoking skit called “Race of a Lifetime”

Our invited speaker, John, gave a short talk on creating and valuing meaningful encounters while we are in college. He recounted his own meaningful encounters that led him to understand Christianity. The audience was attentive throughout the time.

We had a lot of meaningful discussions afterwards as we made new connections with those who came.

We hope to see the many new friends we met that night to come back in the future, and may remember this night as one of the meaningful encounters in their lives!