5 Questions With...Jasmine Tsao

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian? I was in another church for two years when, all of a sudden, God told me to change my church. It was hard for me to leave my church because I loved them so much. But I knew God was calling me elsewhere. My church at the time was a bilingual church, so I thought it was not possible for me to join a pure English church and receive the message every week. But I had a friend who recommended that I come to Friendship Presbyterian Church and said that I might like it here. I came on January 8th, 2017, when Pastor Dennis was preaching about marriage, and I strongly felt called to hear it. I was really touched that God answered all the questions I have ever had about marriage through Pastor Dennis. So, I stayed, and here I am. :-)

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday? Well, I wish I did not have to work from Monday to Friday! But I have to. It is also good to have a job at the moment, and I am grateful for God’s plan. For almost 4 years, I have been working in a pharmaceutical company as a clinical-operations assistant. After work, I like helping my boyfriend Garrett cook during the weekday evenings. We like watching Netflix and laugh together because that is the medicine every day after work. I will also hang out with some good friends after work over dinner and catch up with people I love so I can pray for them when I think about them. I like going to a community group on Fridays. Friday is the last day for work in a week, so it is a good time to relax with beloved brothers and sisters and worship God with them. On Saturday, I used to go on outings with people for a whole-day event. It was the most exciting day of the week. We went hiking, we went to a beach, we had a potluck party and bonded with one another. After we had dinner, we played board games. It was so fun. But I just got back from California with Garrett, and I am trying to adjust my lifestyle right now, get some rest, and meet with old friends. 

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you? I do not cook and I do not know how to do laundry, ha-ha-ha—surprise! My first time traveling abroad was when I was 25. I was taking an airplane by myself to meet my friend in Thailand. I was so scared to be lost, but I made it! And I had a great time in Phuket.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today? The most challenging part is to love your enemy, give them the love of Christ. Even though it is hard and I am struggling, I still want to love them. However, this difficulty does make it a lot easier to love lovely people and, as a result, I appreciate them much more.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible, and why? I think it is Ephesians. Every time I feel I need God, I always think about the “whole armor” of God. This world is not perfect, but we have God's guarantee that there is Heaven, where we will go after our mission in life is over on Earth.

"13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."  --Ephesians 6:13-20