Ryu2.mind

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Julie Chen, a member of the Family in NorCal went Home this past Monday. She passed away suddenly from an asthma attack while jogging in Davao, Philippines where she had arrived just a mere month ago to teach children of Workers in the field.

In life, her seed was already making a difference. True, while I was friendly with her, I wasn't intimate... still, the few memories I have of her are fond, for we first met via mutual friends at WCC in 2003, a conference targetting Asian-American members of the Family interested in overseas Work or more generally, integrating Work-mindedness into their daily lifestyles.

It was during my own period of exploration... wanting and feeling a desire to take the leaplong-term, but not exactly sure how or when, and over some mealtime and small group conversations, her warmth was contagious and encouraging, reassuring to me that yes, I wasn't some crazy guy in a proverbial boat all by myself... =) A year later, when we were both serving together as part of the organizing team, I saw more of her gifts of teaching, encouragement, and patience. And then, we went our separate ways... ultimately leading to Asia for both of us.

Yes, we mourn for now, but in a way, I am joyful, for her single seed is indeed now many, multiplied before my eyes in being a blessing to others that are looking up to her and through her to Him...

In death, she has inspired and is insipiring many more -- many closer to her have written much more eloquent and moving pieces that ultimately capture and continue her spirit of insipiration through joy. The number is large and growing, too many to completely link to, but I recommend alvonator's and searchingfortreasures' as those that were especially touching for me.

Even those that didn't know her at all, like my GrX friends nerdjenni729 or ihtc have been blessed (the power of blog-networking at work!) For me, reading her own blog that I just found out about has certainly affected me here and given me much to reflect on.

Overall, amongst the biggest things that I've been reminded of thus far:

*** Are we living knowing that our time here will end... even suddenly as was the case for Julie?

*** And when that time comes, will our actions, relationships and interactions be such that our seed sown will produce many more after our time here?

Whether in Shanghai or San Jose, some reminders for us all...