My Testimony

"The great gift of Easter is hope."

~ Basil Hume

Happy Easter - I wish you all an amazing, blessed Easter or Resurrection Day! ^^

It's been a hot minute since I posted my last blog. I've had a wild ride here at college, but I'm enjoying every day. It's no small blessing to study what I love. I've updated my College Life if you're curious what I'm currently working on. :")

I bet you know that Easter is meant to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. In the spirit of this, for today's blog, I would love to share with you my story – how this holiday became real for me.

I was raised in a Christian family. However, I didn't feel God's love right away. I’ve felt neglected, confused, and upset for most of my childhood. I grew up watching Cinderella and princess stories. Fascinated by their “happily ever afters,” I believed marriage was the key to fulfillment. Not knowing what true love was, I had feelings for any boy who would give me attention, even though they did not know my value. Although my heart was broken due to the disappointments of those boys, I am proud to say I’ve maintained my virginity and have not dated anyone. I plan to keep it that way till God hands me to my future husband.

An unexpected encounter changed me. During a recess in Grade 4, I felt the wind circling me. It seemed to call me. Its voice was as firm as a strong commander but also as soft as a baby’s coo. Was this…God? “Follow me,” it whispered.

For the first time, I was intrigued by someone other than a boy. The wind led me to a pile of leaves, and as it picked up the leaves in a swirl, for a moment, the swirl reminded me of the bronze snake Moses created and put on a pole to heal whoever looked at this snake. The snake symbolizes Christ on the crucifixion. Yet, I cared less as this thought fleshed out. I thought I was just brainwashed by Sunday school stories.

Still, I trusted my own dream of how to be loved. Still, I was seeking a loving boyfriend. And yet, still, I found none!

During Covid, I was more heartbroken than I had ever been. My health was also in shambles for the first time. My eczema from childhood had escalated from all the stressors due to the pandemic. For the first time, I cried out to God – telling Him my loneliness, my despair, and my fear of being neglected. As I struggled with my case of weeping eczema, I knew I had two options – either I was going to walk out of this darkness alone if I ever could, or I was going to lean on Jesus, whom I had ignored so far. I chose the latter.

Since then, God has redeemed me. Soon, I found out my calling as God paved my art journey, and later He told me to be an illustrator! (More about that here!)

Later, when I attended a summer camp in Sarasota, I couldn’t sleep, so we had to go to the beach very early in the morning to feel the sun. It was the only way for me to sleep, as the sun would dry my skin to ease my torment. One day, I felt God kissed me 4 times. In Chinese culture, 4 means death. However, God later told me this, “I kissed you 4 times because I was KILLING all the negative thoughts you had about me and replacing them with 4 words: I am with you!”

Four turns out to be a special number for me. I was the FOURTH person to be baptized in our new church in Sarasota. In 2024, I began my freshman year at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Sometimes I still struggle with neglect, confusion, and frustration, even anger. But I gain power to deal with those feelings. I’m not perfect, but I know my Jesus is perfect. Even though I still stumble, I know He loves me, and He will be with me all the way. And His company is better than any boyfriend/husband can ever give me. His love has made me whole.

Now, I know my value, my security, and the intense love that only He can give me. And no one can ever take that away.

I’d love to extend the same invitation He gave to me. If you confess that Jesus is God and He died for your wrongdoing, He promises you joy and the gift of eternal life. And on days where the burdens are heavy, He promises to be with you.

I believe Jesus can do amazing things for you. Even on my hardest days, I have never regretted giving Jesus my heart. He's truly been with me through it all.

Till Next Time,

Isabelle

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

~ Matthew 11:29-30