These are the opening words to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a popular Chinese novel dating to the 14th century and was attributed to the playwright Luo Guangzhong. Indeed, these words prove to be a prophetic summary to the history of China, a history oscillating between deep divisions that enabled corruption to fester in society, and oppressive unities that purchased oneness at the price of warfare and policing.

Wherever I sit, whatever I eat, whatever I do with my hands this day, may I become more aware of my own limitations and the expansiveness of God’s power.

Recently, I have come to realize that breathing is not easy. When I scurry to catch the train, I move quickly and breathe shortly. During tense and difficult conversations, my breathing is neither steady nor relaxed. When I think about my to-do list, the steady rhythm of my breathing quickens. When I watch a movie or read a book, I often hold my breath in anticipation. When I climb up many flights of stairs to get to my apartment, I am out of breath. For me, breathing properly in my daily routine has been difficult.

Many of us grew up in environments that we have come to disagree with. We attended churches with people who ate the same food as us, may have looked like us (not this mixed race Asian-American though), and experienced the world as we did. But none of this was enough to conjure a sense of “home.”

"Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness..." --Genesis 1:26

I was wondering-wandering through the spaces of lesser pains and worse pains of the lent, that makes it more than a linear moving-across from the ‘God’ to the ‘Godless’ and/or from “Godless” to “God”. I/i continue to see and unsee Godless in the Godly and vice-versa as beauty must always be preceded by ugliness, which makes ugliness a prerequisite of beauty. Beauty is ugly in another key.

God, bring grace and justice to usGod, bring grace and justice to usChrist, hear usChrist, graciously hear us

Aimee had a conservative upbringing in Taiwan, where gender roles were strictly enforced, both at home and school. It wasn’t until her early adulthood when she was living in the United States with her husband and child that she fully embraced her queer identity. In this episode, Aimee shares about her journey both from Asia to America and into her sexual identity and how it all fits with her roles as mom, wife, immigrant, editor, publisher, story teller, and PAAC. Thanks for listening!