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When I graduated college, I didn’t expect to feel so… disconnected.

I was stepping into a new job, learning how to “adult,” figuring out bills and schedules and responsibilities. On paper, life was moving forward. But spiritually? Something felt off, and I couldn’t put a finger on it. 

I often say, “Food is the love language of the Chinese people.” If you’ve ever been to a Chinese banquet, you know that we love good food and lots of it! We celebrate birthdays, weddings, memorials, and all special occasions with food. Good food is the way we share love and celebrate relationships. I’ve found this to be true in every culture I’ve experienced.

I always tell my students that tax collectors were kind of like mobsters. They weren’t your typical blue-collar criminals; they were the worst kind of traitor, getting rich off the imperial oppression of their own people.  

In ������Ƶ, we make a big deal about decisions to follow Jesus. This year, we counted 2,670 first-time decisions to follow Jesus across the United States. Discipleship with Jesus is a daily decision to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). But formal moments of decision play a key role in our lives with God too.

I met my husband at UW-Milwaukee’s ������Ƶ chapter. At that time, there was a culture of not dating. Two of the male student leaders were especially advocates for creating a culture of brothers and sisters in Christ. My now husband, Ethan, was one of them.