Trains and Circuses

Yesterday we figured out how to use the DART train system. It's not entirely user-friendly right off, but you get the hang out it after a while. Yesterday my mom and I took a DART train up to where I met Lance (my boyfriend) near Ft. Worth so he and I could spend the day together. It was a really great day, and of course it was great to be with him. We went bowling, ate lunch with his dad, and saw a movie before having dinner at his house. Then he brought me home. I won't get to see him for a week and a half or so (I'll explain why in a minute), so it was good to have that day together.

Today we also used the DART system to go see Barnum and Bailey's Circus. I slept really late, getting a full 13 hours (!), so about the time I got up, it was almost time to go. I went with my mom, my Uncle Stan, and my cousins Jeff, Noel, Kaleb, and Seth. At first, being a sophisticated 19-year-old, I wasn't entirely enthusiastic about the circus; but seriously, it ended up being a lot of fun. They did some pretty cool stunts! So there was a lot to enjoy.

My mom and I are going to Georgia to see family this week, Monday-Sunday, thus the reason I'll be gone all next week. It will be nice to see family there, although I'm not as enthusiastic about getting on another airplane. So I'll be gone for a week, during which time I'll probably not have Internet access, so it might be that long until I can post again. (I'm pretty sure none of you will wait with too baited a breath, so my conscience can rest easy) Unless I post again tomorrow, you can expect to hear from me in a week or more.

I really am thankful to God for all the developments and blessings he's put in our lives. I don't understand them all, but I think that trying to analyze the good things that come our way take some of the enjoyment out of them. And feeling like something is too good to be true, or being afraid that the good will be taken away, is almost like saying to God, "I don't trust you enough to think you'd be this kind and loving to me." I pray he would forgive me for those times of doubt or fear, help me to live the fullest during good times, and to live fuller still during the bad times, knowing that at all times, our God is a faithful, good God. May God bless you with goodness and peace this week; all my love to each of you!

Just an ordinary day

It feels like this day has gone on forever, but it's still only 4:00 in the afternoon.  I suppose it could be blamed on the fact that I woke up at 7:00 and that I'm still jet lagged, so it seems like many hours have dragged by, with several left before the day is over.  But it hasn't been a bad day, just a rather ordinary one.

I went to the doctor's office with my mom this morning, and for now the doctor is holding off on surgery for now.  He gave my mom a shot and some exercises to do on her shoulder, and then she's supposed to see him again on the 9th.  If the exercises haven't helped by then, they'll consider the option of surgery.  The surgery itself has an 85% chance of being sucessful, while the exercises alone have a 70% chance--so he thought it was worth a try.  We'll see how it goes.  Mom's cold is doing better, so that's good. 

I did get to eat Taco Bell for lunch, so that was exciting.  Everyone went to take a nap around 2:00, and I went to my front-living-room-turned-into-a-bedroom (complete with air mattress) for a while.  I ended up playing guitar for an hour and a half, which I really enjoyed, although now the tips of my fingers are sore and I think my voice is a little hoarse.  Then I've checked my e-mail (finally, since the server was down earlier this morning) and decided to update my blog.  So there you have it!  I really don't have too much more to say that would be of much interest...so perhaps I'll sign off for now.  Have a lovely day!

Home

After almost four months of absence, I'm now back home in Texas!  (And even calling someplace in the US home is a big step for me)  It was sad saying goodbye to my dad and sister, but our trip overall went very well.  The Lord blessed us with a safe trip--as well as business class seats (!) which made the trip so much more comfortable, enjoyable, and restful.  Everything went well (although I didn't love the 7-hour layover in LA), and we got into DFW early Tuesday morning. 

My granddad met us at the airport, and it was wonderful to see him, as it was to see my grandmother an hour later when we got home.  We spent probably two hours just at the kitchen table talking as I had Honey Nut Cheerios for the first time in months (woo-hoo!).  Then I managed to have  a long wonderful shower and had the agony of figuring out what to wear since my boyfriend was coming over at noon.  But even the agony of outfit-picking was worth it to see him again!  I had really missed him, and it was so good to be together again.  We went to an incredible mall and ate at an amazing restaurant I'd never been to before, so that was fun; and then we saw the newest Harry Potter movie, which he had especially waited for me to see it with.  He stayed till evening, and so that was a wonderful blessing to have time with him again.

Please pray for my mom; she got sick on the trip over and is fighting a sinus infection.  She did go to a doctor for antibiotics the other night, so we think those are helping.  Tomorrow she has an appointment with a specialist to see about shoulder on her surgery, so please pray for wisdom for him and that my mom will be able to receive treatment as quickly as possible.

I slept pretty well through the night last night (which is great for jet lag) and have managed to stay awake all of today.  I did take a couple of hours to finish Mansfield Park (very well-written, I love Jane Austin's wit) and write in my journal, and then this evening we went to church with my grandparents.  So everything is going well, and I'm so thankful to God for a wonderful trip and for being back in Texas with the ones I love here.  I'm hoping to see other friends soon, too.  For now, that's my update!  I hope all of you continue to have a blessed summer, and I send my love!

Up and Away!

I am flying out of Malaysia tomorrow and heading for the US!  I can't believe it's really time.  Four months have gone by so quickly, though it hadn't felt like it at times.  Though I've had mixed emotions, I'm ready to go back.  So to everyone in Texas...I'll see you soon!  Tomorrow morning "I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

CNN.com - Militants�take Egyptian diplomat hostage - Jul 24, 2004

CNN.com - Militants�take Egyptian diplomat hostage - Jul 24, 2004

Please pray that God will keep the hostages safe, that their families will be comforted, and that the Lord will thwart the plans of the kidnappers.

Random Bits of Info

#1--Last night I finally got all my souvenir shopping done for my friends.  Woo-hoo!!

#2--We think we may have found a baby cobra in our house last night; very interesting.

#3--I absolutely DESPISED the season-which-became-a-series finale of
"The Agency."  I'd been watching it here while I was home, and it is a fantastic, interesting series.  Not only was I disgusted that it was cancelled but that it wasn't cancelled in time to have a more conclusive series finale.  Ggrrr!

#4--I got to sleep late this morning!!!  Until 11:00.  A first for me in a while.

#5--I am about 75% packed by now!  I'm very proud of myself.  And I've discovered I have a LOT of clothes.

#6--Tomorrow's my last day at my church here!  Sniff, sniff

#7--I leave the day after tomorrow.

That's it for now.  If I think of more random, possibly interesting comments, I will put them up.  Love to all of you!!

The Day After the Day After Tomorrow

Yes, I am leaving the day after the day after tomorrow--also known as Monday, the 26th of July.  It's incredible.  Even so, everything the last few days before a trip usually involves stress.  There are people to see, people to say goodbye to, things to do, things to buy, food to eat (especially true in Malaysia where the food ROCKS), and all the last memories one wants to make.  So, to be frank, I have gotten caught up a couple of times in the "stress mode" of leaving.  But I have begun to feel better about it.  I actually had rather long, good cry today, and I think that was a really good outlet for a lot of emotions I may not even realize I have.  You see, there are these two parts of me: one part is thrilled because I will be in Texas again, I will get to see my boyfriend after four months, I will see my friends from college, I will see my grandparents and aunt and uncle, and I will soon get back into school at a university I love in a life I love; and then the second part does not want to leave my family, does not want to leave my church here, does not want to leave Asia, and does not want to leave period.  So that's a lot of emotion to handle, especially when the two are conflicting.  I'm sure I will have to deal with both the next few days, but for the most part I am going to try to enjoy every minute and capture every good memory I can.  I have one more friend to see, a couple of more places to shop, a roll of film to finish and develop, some packing to do, and a couple of last things to do with my family.    Then on Sunday night, I'll begin to frantically finish last-minute packing and look forward to beginning a journey.  I am in the hands of a beautiful, faithful, and more-than-trustworthy God--he will carry me each day in his arms.

 

A sunset from a Malaysian beach near our home 

This next week

Wow.  I'm leaving Malaysia one week from today.  It's surreal!  As the count down has dwindled, I'm starting to be hit by strains of homesickness, even though I haven't even left yet.  It's odd, because I'm supposed to have already said goodbye to this place and to my home...and now here I go again.  Such is life.  Even as I will regret leaving here again, I am excited about this next chapter of life!  The very day I get back to Texas, I get to spend the afternoon with my boyfriend, whom I haven't seen in almost four months.  I'll get to see other friends in the area, be with family, and soon school will be starting.  A whole new semester will roll around then, a whole new chapter bringing around unexpected challenges and blessings!  It's exciting when you think about it--even though there is grief at what will be left behind.  I cannot wait to see what God holds for me during the next year of my life, for I believe He has much good in store, as well as much growth. 
 
This last week I am squeezing in everything I need to before leaving: shopping, time with friends, time with family, and gift-buying for people in the States.  Plus, we're trying to get a family picture made, considering our last one was five years ago!  I believe it will be a good week, and I want to enjoy every minute of it, even as I prepare for the next chapter I will step into.  Blessings and love to all of you!

Through It All

I read this in an e-mail I received from a friend; I thought it was precious.  May God bless you with the knowledge that through whatever you have gone through, are going through, or will go through, he's by your side, more trustworthy and more faithful than you could ever hope for.
 
I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow,
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong;
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation That my trials come to only make me strong.
Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, Through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
 
I've been to lots of places, And I've seen a lot of faces,
There've been times I felt so all alone;
But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was His own.
Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, Through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
 
I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through;
For if I'd never had a problem I wouldn't know that He could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.
Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, Through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
 
-Song by Andrae Crouch

CNN.com - South Asia flood toll tops 270 - Jul 13, 2004

CNN.com - South Asia flood toll tops 270 - Jul 13, 2004

Please pray for these people, those who've lost loved ones and those who are rebuilding their lives. Pray that our Father would use these tragedies to bring them closer to the floods of his love.

Me and Lins!

photos

Mom took some pictures a while back of me and Lins when we'd gotten our haircut, so I thought I'd put them together on a webpage instead of making everybody download them from huge e-mails. (I know, I'm too kind) So if you'd like to check out the pictures, check out the above link!

The Passion for Souls

My mom sent me a copy of a powerful, stirring e-mail that contained an excerpt from a book by Oswald J. Smith called The Passion for Souls. I had never heard of Oswald Smith or his book, but the words he wrote echoed inside of me. The whole excerpt would be pretty long to copy here, but these words in particular challenged me:

'Years ago, I went through the Bible to see if I could stay in Canada and still obey God. Would it be possible, I asked myself, for me to enjoy a comfortable pastorate; never cross the boundaries of my country and still carry out my Lord's commands? Would God be satisfied? And as I studied the Bible, I found such expressions as these: "All nations, all the world, every creature, every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; the uttermost part of the earth." In other words, the Gospel, I discovered, was to be given to the entire world. Every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, must hear it.

'When I saw that...[I realized that] if one nation lives beyond the boundaries of Canada, then I am in duty bound to leave my country, cross the boundaries and go to that nation. And if I cannot, then I must find substitutes and send them as my representatives. And if I do neither, I will be a missing Christian in the day of rewards.

'My friend, what about you? You know that the Gospel must be given to all nations, to all the world, to every kindred and tongue and people, to the uttermost part of the earth. What are you doing about it? What are you going to do? Either you must go yourself or else you must send someone in your place, and woe to you, if you do nothing.'

I pray that we will not be a people who do nothing.

--If you would like to be able to read the entire article by Oswald Smith, please leave me a note in the comments section and I will e-mail it to you. Every word of it is worth great thought!--

All Things New

I suppose the beginning of any new school year brings excitment and anxiety, from the first day of kindergarten to the first day of your senior year at university. A whole new year, full of possibilities! My coming year at college has been on my mind lately, as I've been putting together my schedule for this coming semester. I can't wait to be back, on campus, with friends I haven't seen, some in four or five months. I'll be in a new dorm, new classes, and I'll meet new friends. And yet, there is some anxiety. Because of difficulties with my depression and occasional mess-ups with medicine, I have yet to complete a full school year, uninterrupted, in the last two years. Will this year be the same, halted half-way through by something beyond my control? Or will I triumphantly complete two full consecutive semesters, a first since 11th grade?

Today I was listening to KLTY online (my favorite station), and I heard a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman called "All Things New." I love Chapman's music anyway, but this song particularly touched me. It felt so personal as I listened to the words. Imagine...we can receive a touch from God, a touch that can make us new and bring new blessings each and every day. I felt as though God had reached from heaven and hugged me. With all I've been through, with all I'm sure I will go through, God is making me new every day. Beautiful, precious thought! I felt such a hope and promise, from God himself, about the year to come...all because he doesn't give up on me, and because he is still making me new every day. Whatever my year brings, I trust God is planning something new, something beautiful, for me, even now.

May this fall bring his newness and love in your own lives. Blessings!

Prayer for Indonesia

I wanted to ask for prayer for Indonesia right now. It's in the middle of its elections, a very crucial time for this country. Indonesia has been through so much unrest, instability, corruption, and economic hardship in the past several years, and this election could really decide the nation's future. It especially will be important as Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world--should a leader take over who is more sympathetic with Muslims and even terrorists around the world than with the cause of freedom, this shift could forever change the course Indonesia and even impact the rest of the world. Please pray for this country; it is very dear to my heart. Even if you just say a small, sentence-long prayer for Indonesia only now as you think about it, it would mean a lot. Prayer is powerful, and I believe God has awesome plans for Indonesia. I hope we will join him in his work by praying in his will. Thank you for your prayers

For info about the election process and dates, check this out:
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/indon.elex.facts.reut
For info about current and anticipated results of the election so far, go to this address:
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/indonesia.poll/
For some basic facts about the country of Indonesia, this has some good stuff:
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/indonesia.facts.reut/

Sucessful (tho short!) vacation

Hey! I just wanted to let ya'll know that I'm back from Thailand. My family and I had a fantastic time there! We stayed with a family who are dear friends of ours for one night and then got to spend two nights in a hotel we used to have organization meetings at--brought back neat memories! Plus, it has an amazing pool.

For July 4th, we had our own worship service with our friends; I led a few worship songs on my guitar, and we had a Bible story. To celebrate, we had hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch, and then wonderful homemade ice-cream!! Probably the most delicious July 4th I've had in a while. That evening we went to the hotel and all swam around for a while, as well as playing "Monkey in the Middle" with a big, yellow, smiley-face beach ball. The two kids in the family were adorable! Absolute sweethearts. The next day my family and I had most of the day to ourselves. I literally spent all day at the pool! I managed not to burn, but I don't have much of a tan either...oh well. Around 3, our friends came again, and we spent the rest of the day playing Skip-Bo and swimming. That evening we ate in the hotel restaurant--the milkshakes are to die for! We had to say goodbye that evening, which was sad, but I was so tired that I barely realized what was going on. (Swimming all day really takes it out of you!) Our drive home today was good--lots of great family time to talk and laugh (which we especially did when Lindsay and I decided to quote from memory the entire script of The Princess Bride! It was entertaining, and we didn't do half bad).

All in all, the trip was a lot of fun and a good time to relax. I'm thankful for that, and for safety as we traveled. So that's my update for now! Thanks to everyone who have left comments...I appreciate you checking out my blog! Much love to all of you.

St. Augustine's Prayer

Well, my family and I are about to head off for Thailand, but I wanted to post this awesome prayer of St. Augustine's that I read. Hope it will challenge you as it did me.

"O Lord my God, my one hope, listen to me, do not let me give up seeking You for weariness, let me eagerly seek your face always.
"Give me the strength to seek, since You have let Yourself be found, and have given us the hope of finding You more and more. You have before You my strength and my weakness; preserve the one, heal the other. You have before You my knowledge and my ignorance; receive me as I enter the door You have opened to me, open to me as I knock at the door You have closed to me. May I remember You, understand You, love You. Increase in me these three things, until You change me to perfection."

***Extra Note: this is for those who have no clue who St. Augustine is or who would like to know more about him:

St. Augustine lived from the year 354-430 AD during the Roman empire. Since his youth and even in his rather rebellious adolescence, he had shown exceptional brilliance and an intense desire to find the "truth," which he eventually did due partly to the fervent and constant prayers of his Christian mother. He became a Christian at the age of 33, a priest at the age of 36, and a bishop at the age of 41, the latter two due to the choosing of the people. Augustine was a brilliant debater of Christian truths; he wrote over 230 books (his most famous of which is Confessions) and countless letters in which he probed the most basic doctrines and beliefs about God, Christ, and man. He is called the "Father of the Church," and one author writes that "Augustine, more than any other individual, helped define the Christian faith within the Church as it is outlined in the New Testament." The same author, in a summary of St. Augustine, wrote that he "is the foremost Christian theologian after Paul. More than anyone else, he has promoted a better understanding of the doctrines of the Christian faith. His writings provide the central pillars of Western civillization. Augustine's tumultuous life is a remarkable example of how God is found by those who honestly seek Him."***

*Source: Heroes Who Changed the World, by Ben Alex and others

Change in Travel Plans (again)

Hold it, shift in plans. We WILL be simply going to Thailand over the next few days, and will be back by Tuesday. Just in case you wanted to know. :-) Our trip to Cameron Highlands will probably be later this month, if it works out at all.

Love and all the blessings God can give to you guys!

Comments Welcomed---Here's How...

I'd love to hear back from you guys on my blog, so you're welcome to respond to my posts (the stuff I write and put up on the blog) with comments. To do this, click on the link that say X Comments (X represents however many comments have already been posted); that link is located at the bottom of each post. Then click on the link that says "Post a Comment." If you're signed on to Blogger.com, put in your username/password; since most of you may not be, go ahead and click on "Post Anonymously." In that case, simply include your name in the message so I can know who sent it!

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you guys!

Travel Plans

No rest for a drifter! Well, I'm not technically a drifter, but I will be traveling for the next week. I'm leaving tomorrow for Thailand, as planned, and then on our way back, we will stop in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, from Tuesday-Saturday. After that, I will be back home until I get ready to go back to Texas (woo-hoo/sniffle). So I won't have online access again until July 11 or 12th...by then I'll only have two weeks left here in Malaysia! Amazing how fast time flies...and yet how long it seems to last...and yet how fast...

Anyways, I hope you all have a fabulous week! Your prayers would be appreciated, especially as we travel in Thailand, where there's been some unrest recently. We don't anticipate a bad situation--but prayer can never hurt!

Thanks again, and as always, much love to everyone.

The Firstborn

My very first Blog notice! I feel like a proud parent. Or maybe not. I just found out about blogging today, so I thought I'd give it a try, set it up. Since I'm headed back to college soon, it will give folks a good way to keep up with me. I'll try to keep things current.

Just got back from Singapore today; spent a few days there visiting friends. I have today and tomorrow, and then we head for Thailand to see another family. We'll spend the 4th of July with them, and that should be fun! Plus, I hear we get homemade ice cream in the mix. ;-)

I'll write more after Thailand. All my love to you guys!