“Why am I getting up today if it’s just going to be like every other day?” I remember asking myself this question one morning when I was in junior high. Before coming to the knowledge of Jesus’ love for me, I struggled to find a sense of purpose and identity. When I was two years old, I allowed my parents’ divorce at the time to significantly wound my heart. I struggled to fill the deep longings for love within me, but was never satiated by the world and its insufficient remedies.
My mom married my stepfather after raising me by herself for eight years. We then moved from Taiwan to America due to my stepfather’s job. During my early years in America, apart from my mom, I was not close to anyone else.
Moving to America along with the two additions to our once small family proved to be a difficult adjustment for me. I did not want to share my mom with two new strangers. I was not close to my stepsister, and my stepfather rarely communicated with me. I felt lost in a new country, insecure and ignored by both fathers. 
When I was a junior in high school, my friend invited me to a praise night. Not having many friends at the time, I jumped at the opportunity. At the praise night, out of His immeasurable kindness, the Holy Spirit touched my heart. Though I did not know the songs everyone else was singing, tears started to well up in my eyes. I felt God’s love and peace for the first time in my life. His tender love touched something so hidden and deep in me that despite the fact that I didn’t completely understand who Jesus is, I knew He is the answer.
His love began transforming my life. He opened my eyes with His love to see the vast difference between how He loves and how I love. His intense unfailing love made my heart desire to love others more. I actually wanted to learn to not look at those close to me with failed expectations of what I wanted from them, but rather desire to love them like how God loves me.
Looking back, I realize that the first time I shared this testimony at church, I thought I had learned all the lessons concerning love and could love my family perfectly after just a few encounters with God. But the truth is, life is a journey we can choose to hold God’s hand that is ever extended out towards us. God created us not to go through life alone, but to take every step, leaning our weakness into His strength. Life was meant to be enjoyed with God, not apart from Him. The love, the joys, the pain and heartaches are meant to be shared with Him.
Thank You Jesus, for loving me so well.
International House of Prayer
Some videos to explain what we do here…
Onething Conference 2009
IHOP Promo Video
Ah old Scarlet Door Gallery. Thank you for blessings us with your beauty and songs! Love you -Heather