| Ich bin... |
| [Tana]. Child of God. Teacher. Youth leader. Music-minded. Blessed.
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| Ich liebe... |
[Jesus]. My Family. My Church. P & W. Mission Trips. Music. Prayer. Traveling. Writing. Drama. Sunshine. Languages. Photography. Badminton. Nature. Snail Mail. Fruit. Green. Simplicity. Listening.
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| 27 May 2004 |
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strange to think that in twenty-four hours from now, i and thirteen others from evangel will be soaking in and contributing to the excitement that is YC. it's been four years since i attended, and that time has served to build suspense and extreme anticipation. certainly, to be in an atmosphere with 10 000+ others who are lifting their hands, bowing and praising the Lord Almighty for His saving grace is an awesome experience that lingers in memory even years later. i still recall listening to michael w. smith's sharing about columbine, about cassie bernall and how she lived her life with the highest purpose till the very end, till it was her time. oh Lord, that You would impart even greater, life-changing wisdom to us this weekend!
my passport arrived yesterday, and with the ticket bought, all that remains is packing and having the days pass till departure. with everything that's happened recently, some time away in other pursuits will be refreshing. besides, i'm thankful to be able to spend time with loved ones across the ocean while scouting out other opportunity to be on mission and share His Word.
melo, thanks for your encouragement. i know tribulation is a necessary refiner and preparation for what lies ahead, for still bigger mountains and battles.
i've begun reading "the ministry of nurture" (by duffy robbins) again and am benefiting tremendously. it draws a clear distinction between secondhand and firsthand faith, and how it is only when the latter is present that individuals will stick it out and display genuine commitment. it also challenges me to re-evaluate my own habits and activities, to consider changes i can make to truly build on not only my spiritual walk position, but also the foundations of this walk.
In my personal struggle to break free
The only piece for the puzzle that I need
Is just to follow the sweet familiar lead of Your love
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posted by simplejoys @ 18:43
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| 24 May 2004 |
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i feel so blessed to constantly be among and cared for by genuine brothers and sisters who freely give of themselves to enhance the lives of others. thanks for being a shining example to me.
my brain really has gone into overdrive recently, with too many miscellaneous thoughts swirling around. although my recent discovery is not one that i anticipated, i know i definitely do not want a consolation prize (or second best, if you will). all it means is i need to ground myself fully in reality and all its details, not just those that i choose to see. the real test will come at the end of next week, i think. obviously the best thing to do is p.u.s.h....and with great frequency! once again it boils down to being unable to change the circumstances, thus all that i am able to adjust is my own perspective, but that's not likely to happen without divine intervention.
to my niece, thanks for making my weekend so special and always giving me a reason to smile. i'm honored to be 'small aunt m.' have the best birthday ever!!
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posted by simplejoys @ 18:57
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| 22 May 2004 |
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today has been quite overwhelming, but not entirely in the negative sense.
thanks to three lovely sisters for a wonderful afternoon. i didn't think i would enjoy "Troy" as much as i did, since i wasn't engrossed in "Gladiator". actually, watching "Troy" makes me want to go back to the original text and read all the background.
and who can forget the detailed and impressive battle scenes? many people have a considerably less enthused opinion about the film, but i especially was attracted by the lack of modern-day jargon, and how everything seemed to be so much simpler - conquer if able, withdraw if not.
i'm not thrilled, but i guess i finally got an answer to prayer. thus, i don't anticipate any more disillusionment or ambiguity. ah, hurt has come but it will go, too. i'm thankful AMM can make me crack up even in the dire, stressful times.
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posted by simplejoys @ 22:47
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| 20 May 2004 |
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more and more i'm realizing the erroneous nature of human thinking and action. were we not guided and consoled by God's grace and wisdom in abundance, we truly would have managed to either offend or be offended by practically everyone around us, as a result of impulse, emotional outbursts and speaking our minds. it's so easy to get sidetracked by the littlest disputes, but it's important to stay focused, to not lose sight of the mission. i'm glad my WT had a chance to pray together tonight about it.
so thrilled about two dear sisters' brain child. what a wonderful way to share inspirations and support each other! thanks so much for thinking of it. (you'll notice i linked to it in the left sidebar.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIN!
having dealt with one major task today, i feel somewhat less burdened. it's really all thanks to Him that the outcome was entirely positive. HALLELUJAH!
man at his wisest is still considerably less than God's foolishness.
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posted by simplejoys @ 22:05
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| 18 May 2004 |
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thanks to CW for a long chat that opened my eyes. although you saw me going in circles, refusing to acknowledge what's right there, you never pushed me to state what i didn't want to. as you know, it's an uphill battle, but your patience and periodic honest assessments are greatly appreciated. why can't i be as wise? :p
OF, hope you had an amazing birthday. i'll see you in less than two months, so we can celebrate you then. i can't wait to give you the additional surprise! miss you a ton!!!
TROY PLEASE!
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posted by simplejoys @ 12:09
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| 15 May 2004 |
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surprisingly enough, i finally got a call back from one of the countless schools i applied to. too bad i'm not of the right faith background to take the position, though! meanwhile, i'm also exploring a new possiblity for work after the summer months. it would be so neat if i didn't have to start afresh.
karaoke last night was awesome. thanks again, everyone! and CL, i enjoyed giving a tour of your neighborhood, too! ^_^
almost had coffee today. interesting story...
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posted by simplejoys @ 20:18
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| 12 May 2004 |
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the weekend was pretty eventful, hence why i'm still reeling from all that's happened. saturday i took part in the great human race with my colleagues for the first time, which was pretty neat, especially because i ran into mary on the way. 3K went by in no time at all, though - i need a bigger challenge, so if i'm around for this next year, i'll try the 8K run. the best part of saturday, though, was angel's birthday dinner.
whoever knew superstore could be a memorable adventure? well, today it was as i got to laugh and hunt for a red nalgene at the same time...didn't luck out with the second, but the first was heartwarming. :)
passport photos are a horrible undertaking. although mine this round looks less "convict-ish" than the last, i still hate it. i've realized just how much more i have to get done prior to leaving on a jet plane. thank God for the nearly two months left...
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posted by simplejoys @ 18:24
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| 05 May 2004 |
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exactly two months till GOODBYE FLAT, DRY LAND...HELLOOOOO PACIFIC OCEAN and TYPHOONS :) just have a ton to do before then, including passport renewal, tutoring upkeep and of course PACKING. wow, this all happened so fast... LS, i entirely know how you felt last year now!
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posted by simplejoys @ 18:15
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| 02 May 2004 |
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this has been a weekend of DRAGONS, CRAZY WINDS, and STRAWBERRIES.
special thanks to TS, KL and CL for allowing me to walk down memory lane and directly put to the test what i supposedly learned in junior high home economics while laughing. :)
also kudos to AMM, KW, CW, AL, TC and AT for entertaining me through simultaneous chat and gaming. as you can tell, i'm still in the crawling stages.
another interesting posting yesterday in the paper, but i'm not going to get overly excited about it, as i know the competition will be just as intense as that other one. nonetheless, i suppose this will be a week of massive drop-offs accompanied by prayer.
click here for a guaranteed brainboggler...then comment and tell me whether you solved it (i did, but i confess it's only because of the walkthrough ^_^).
still can't forget about the nightmare (or should i say DAYmare since it was moments before my eyes opened to greet the day) from about 48 hours ago. i guess today helped with easing the memory a bit, but it's still wayyy too vivid.
Father, i can't explain this kind of love, this kind of grace
i know i still break Your heart
and yet You run to welcome me
this is my song of praise to You for who You are and all that You do
from the moment my life began You have been faithful
Father, i love the way You hold me close and say my name
i know when my life is through, my heart will find its home in You
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posted by simplejoys @ 20:22
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