A new chapter in my life began today. At about 2pm, my family and I loaded the car with my stuff, got in, and drove to Berkeley. On the way, we stopped in Vacaville, where I bought some sandals and a basketball. We arrived at the apartments I'll be living in at about 4:30, and moved all my stuff into the room.

From there, my family started going over to San Francisco to visit my aunt and grandparents, but before we got onto the freeway we saw that the traffic was pretty much at a standstill. We turned back and had dinner in Berkeley, at a restaurant called "Taiwan Restaurant".

After dinner we walked around on campus for a tiny bit, got some yogurt for my brother at Yogurt Park, and then said our goodbyes at around 7:30. Joseph came back from his DC dinner a little after then, and we went to the RSF with Tommy for some pickup basketball.

We played until almost 10, went back to the apartments, and played a game called Settlers. After the game, we went up to the floor above us and had a late meal at Sang's apartment (fish soup).

Life over here in Berkeley seems a lot more chaotic compared to Davis. The streets always seem to have all sorts of people walking around, and there's pretty crazy sights everywhere you look.

I've been missing my family ever since they drove off back to davis. This weekend I'm planning on going to the youth group camping trip with my brother and Joseph. After that, I'm going to be making trips to Davis at least once a week, but I don't know the duration of my stays yet.

Devotion notes and thoughts:

1 Kings 3

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

If we put God first in our lives, he will surely bless us with all that we need. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says,

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Isaiah 49

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.

God loves and cares for each of us on a personal level.

Mark 9

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."