Truly Asia

The Christmas Challenge

2009-11-03T04:52:00.001-08:00

This year we will be in Singapore for Christmas along with two other couples on our BGR team. That's 7 people total. The gals and I have decided to make this a fun and challenging Christmas by picking a "theme" and figuring out fun and whacky ways to intermingle the theme with our normal Christmas traditions. Last night we came up with a list of twelve possiblities ranging from colors, fruits, animals, and flowers. We drew one from a bowl and guess what our 2009 theme is: LEMONS! I know we will have fun thinking through that theme and a challenge finding white elephant gifts, food, and decorations that we can incorporate into our festive Christmas dinner. I will be glad to hear from any of you if you have ideas! This is going to be fun. Rick and I are headed to Greece tonight so I know what I will be looking for while I'm there - lemons!

Wish I had a picture...

2009-09-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you about our trip to the butcher in Delhi! My friend wanted to buy some chicken so we stopped by her butcher to pick up some. As we walked into the small shop there were two men sitting on the floor up on a wide ledge on the right. THEY were the butchers. But the most fascinating thing is how they were holding the knives. EAch man held a big butcher knife between his BIG TOE and the next toe. He used his hands to postiion the chicken as the knife cut it up. Yes, from where I was I could see their feet and they LOOKED clean to me! They could cut chicken up faster than anyone I have ever seen. And that's what they do all day - sit there and cut up meat for their customers!

Wish I had a picture...

On to Bangalore

2009-09-07T03:24:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts about visiting Bangalore was seeing old friends that we were with in West Africa for many years. They gave us a great tour of the Bangalore Hospital where Rebecca Naylor served for so many years. There's a beautiful painting in the foyer of the hospital. It is Rebecca Naylor doing surgery with Christ standing behind her telling her what to do. It was very beautiful.

Bangalore was alot cooler than Delhi so we enjoyed that change. We stayed at a guesthouse on the hospital compound.

One of the most interesting things about our entire trip was visiting a project that BGR has been involved in there. An Indian couple have about 200 slum kids come to their house every afternoon after school for tutoring and a hot meal. This is the kids' only meal of the day! Their ages range from 4 - 12 (as far as I could tell). They were so well-behaved. The couple is doing a great job ministering to them.

Lori

Akshardam

2009-09-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry, on the last post I sent you to the Akshardam site. We also visited there but it is not to be confused with the Red Fort.

Anyway, one other thing I wanted to mention about the red fort is that we had the most wonderful guide there. He spoke many different languages. In our little tour group, there was also a couple from Israel. He could call the names of places in English, Italian, German, many others, and HEBREW! He was also very entertaining. When we first "hired" him to give us the guide, he told us that we were VERY lucky. He kept telling us that all through the tour - how lucky we were to have him.

At the end of the tour, he offered to read our palms - but no one wanted that done in our "party".

We walked to the nearby "cafe" and had Mountain Dews and 7-UPs.

That night we ate at the Indian restaurant down the street from where my friends live. It was delicious but VERY spicy.

The Red Fort

2009-08-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

One day my friends took us to the Red Fort in Delhi. It was built in 1639. It took nine years to build and cost 10 million rupees (over $200,000) which back then was an astronomical amount! Half of the money was spent on the exotic palaces inside the fort. The fort is build of red sandstone and is octagonal in shape. A wide moat surrounds the fort, which was originally connected with the river and was always filled with water.

There was great shopping in the fort and I loaded up on goodies for my children and upcoming grandbaby! He will have lots to take to show and tell one of these days!

For pictures you can go to www.akshardam.com.

More later.

Old Delhi by Rickshaw

2009-08-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

I certainly enjoyed my trip to India but one of my favorite parts was riding through Old Delhi in a rickshaw. Now, this rickshaw was pulled by a man on a bicycle so at least he wasn't just pulling us on foot. Still, my friend and I settled back and let him do all the work while we gazed at the sights. It would have been difficult (if not almost impossible) to get through those narrow streets in a car. And it would have been even more dangerous to try to walk them on foot. So it seemed that rickshaw was the only way to go.

We stopped here and there and did some shopping. The rickshaw driver told us that wherever we stopped and bought anything -he got 1%. I guess it is a way for the shop owners to get them to get people to stop and buy from them. Anyway, we picked up a few things and were glad to let the rickshaw driver in on the deal.

We stopped and ate at a local Indian restaurant and had the most delicious NAAN (a flat bread) that I have every had. It was hot from the oven and delicious. Now, alot of the Indian food is a little spicy hot for me but I always manage to find something I can enjoy. And besides the "spiciness" I always try and taste a little of everything.

After our Rickshaw ride we headed back to the area our friends live in. We had a spectacular dessert while were were in Delhi. It is called gelobjamun. I know that doesn't mean much to you but BOY - was it ever good. It tasted like a Krispy Kreme donut hole right out of the hot grease! Yum, yum!

More later.

Trip to India

2009-08-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

Rick and I just returned from a week in India. India is the seventh largest country in the world. Bound by the Great Himalayas in the north, it tapers southward into the Indian Ocean.

India is a union of 28 states and 7 union territories. (Union territories are governed by an administator appointed by the President of India). Each state/union has a unique population, culture, heritage, festivals, food, etc.

We visited two of the largest cities in India: New Delhi (in the north) and Bangalore (in the south.) Over the next few blogs I hope to share with you some of what I saw and experienced.

Hang on to your hat!

January 3

2009-01-03T04:26:00.000-08:00

Today we headed for the Singapore Science Center. They have an Omni-theatre there that is extreme. The theatre is round and the entire ceiling and halfway down the walls is the screen. We watched a 40 minutes movie on the Ocean and it was incredible. You almost felt like you were IN the water with the fish!

Afterwards we went to a Magic Show and then an exhibition on how magic is done. Then we just explored the Science center. I'm sure we didn't see it all, but it was fantastic anyway. I think that might be something I will want to do again. I think the movies change from time to time. Will watch the paper for what's next.

We ate supper at New York New York - some "American" food for these kiddos. (We ate Asian for lunch!)

We are making tons of memories!

Second day of the new year

2009-01-02T02:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we actually stayed home and rested! Ha! PLUS, one of the local channels was running an all day marathon of the first season of HOUSE. There were a few commercials but they were short so we got a full dose of HOUSE and are ready for season 2!

Today we went to Chinatown. The Christmas decorations were already down and Chinese New Year Decorations were up. It is the "year of the ox" so there were plenty of oxen around! But the Chinese market was a favorite. I think Ross and Chelsea really enjoyed it. It reminded them a little of the African markets they are used to. They even did some bargaining. We came home with lots of goodies from there and will definitely go back before Ross leaves at the end of January.

Ross had a Megaburger (4 pieces of meat on three buns!) from McDonald's. Yum, yum.

We also took them to where we first lived in Singapore and to have coffee at the little coffee shop near there where we used to get on the internet! The lady there remembered us and wondered where we had been all this time.

We also took them to IKEA - which is a home furnishings/decor place. I think there is one in Atlanta. It is a neat store with rooms decorated to show you how you can set their furniture up in even small spaces.

Made it home about 6pm and I think everyone is pooped!

Tomorrow is Saturday. I'm not sure of the plans but will certainly let you in on the adventure!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T01:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all from Singapore!

A Day of Pampering

2008-12-30T20:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Chelsea and I went to the West Coast Plaza for a day of pampering. IT started with a shampoo at Jamez - a Singaporean friend we have made that has a beauty salon at that mall. He is hilarious and had fun with us. We met the Palmer gals there and had a blast. To have a shampoo in Singapore is to experience something. You sit down in the salon chair and first, someone brings you a cup of tea right off the bat! Wow! Then she/he puts a little piece of plastic underneath your shirt collar and then puts on you a regular salon drape. Then the fun begins. Sitting there in the salon chair, she/he begins squirting water and shampoo right on your head. When there is enough liquid there, the most luxurous shampoo/massage you have ever experienced happens. It lasts at least thirty minutes - all sitting up in the chair. No shampoo in your eyes. Just a wonderful massage. When it is finally time to go to the sink - you lean back, and there in the sink is a wonderful head rest - not just sticking your neck in that hard sink indention! Wow. A shampoo, cut, and blow dry can last upwards to two hours! So don't be in a hurry. But who would want to?

After the shampoo, we all had appointments to have pedicures. We each sat in a huge massaging recliner. We were also served tea and two dark chocolates! Yum! Then the pedicure began - soaking, scrubbing, filing, soaking, rubbing, massaging all the way up to your knees, lotions, oils, then finally painting of the toes. Chelsea and Sarah also had glitter flowers painted on their big toes - so cute. The whole affair lasted about an hour and a half. Such a treat!

Our next stop was to have fruit facials. Now this was my first facial and I have to say it was about the nicest thing I have ever done for myself. I laid down in a soft lit room where quiet music was playing. A lady came in and wrapped my head in a towel and began a series of facial techiniques that were exceptional. All kinds of cleansing, some with actual pieces of fruit, and lots of time in between to just relax. That whole thing lasted well over an hour, too.

Then I had my eyebrows threaded again. This can be a painful process but it is over quickly and I don't seem to mind it too much.

When Chelsea came out of her facial room - she said that it was the most relaxing thing she had ever done. THEN when she had her eyebrows threaded - ouch - THAT was the most painful experience of her life! Sorry, Chelsea!

What a way to end the pampering.

The Funderburk clanned ended the day at the movies - Yes, Man.

What a great fun day with my sweet Chels!

A day at the beach

2008-12-29T05:56:00.000-08:00

This morning we headed to Sentosa - which is the "resort" recreation island of Singapore. We took a tram there and arrived about 10:30. As usual, not much was open. (Even the malls don't get going here until around 11 or 11:30am. But we walked around and also had a cool drink as we sat near the beach. The beach at Sentosa actually looks out on the port area. Did you know that Singapore is the largest port in the world?

We went to a 4D movie that was about pirates and pretty cute. We also ate at Subway.

But then we went back to the beach, rented me a chair, and found our little "corner" of the beach. Chelsea and Ross "baked" in the sun. I wrote a long letter to Becky B. And Rick studied the map of Sentosa and other things.

We stayed all afternoon and just relaxed.

A friend of Ross's came over and the two of them decided to stroll on down to the other end of the beach. Chels, Rick and I took the tram back to Vivo City Mall - the largest mall in Singapore and my favorite. Chelsea had fresh pineapple (the best she ever tasted she said). She also tried Roti Prata (which is a type of bread with curry sauce or as she had hers - filled with bananas.

We took the bus home and Chelsea and I just talked and talked and talked. It was great.

What a wonderful day!

First Sunday in Singapore

2008-12-28T05:04:00.000-08:00

We went to our church this morning. It is located in the same office building as our office so afterwards we took the kids down to see our new office. I think they were impressed. After Chelsea goes back we have loads of work for Ross to do at the office. We even have him a desk all for himself! Ha!

This afternoon Chelsea laid by the pool while Rick and Ross went to get our family passes to Sentosa Island. We are going there tomorrow so I will have loads more to tell then.

All in all, it was a quiet day (we needed a little rest) and we will start again tomorrow bright and early.

I LOVE having them here. I just miss Audra and Brian so much.

Saturday

2008-12-27T05:38:00.000-08:00

Chelsea was feeling lots better today. She even went and laid out by the pool this morning. We got off about 11am headed for what Singapore is known for - FOOD. The kids wanted "normal" so we ate at McDonald's across the street. Then we headed to the Singapore Discovery Center where we saw a 3D movie entitled "Fly Me to the Moon". It was cute. Then we saw a little Christmas movie. The Discovery center had lots of info about Singapore and we enjoyed walking through and playing with all the high tech stuff.

Afterwards, we took the bus and MRT down to Clark Quay (pronounced "key"). We ate at the food court there (it was about 7pm) and then walked the outdoor mall there. It is neat because it is outside but somehow Singapore has figured out how to air condition it! There is also a bar/restaurant there called the "Clinic". The seats are made out of hospital beds and the tables are operating tables. Some of the chairs are wheelchairs! Funny.

By the time we took the bus and MRT back home it was almost 9pm. We are pooped and want to be able to rest well before heading to church tomorrow!

I have posted pictures on my facebook (can't figure out how to get them on here from there.) Check them out.

The Day after Christmas

2008-12-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

Jet lag is still hounding Ross and Chelsea but they are trying their best to get it behind them.

Today we took them to the IMM mall - the place where Dr. Fish Spa is. That's right, they stuck their feet in the little pool and let the little fishes eat all the dead skin off the bottom of their feet. Sound gross! Well, it is very ticklish at first and they laughed and giggled something fierce. Then when they finally got used to it, I think they were really enjoying it. The lady even let them keep their feet in an extra ten minutes!

Still feeling the weight of jet lag, we didn't push them too hard today. They were hoping for a sunny day to swim but it never happened. Chelsea still isn't feeling too well. Maybe tomorrow she will feel better. She is already asleep - before 10pm! Ross is too!

Tomorrow is Saturday. We don't usually venture out much on Saturday because of the crowds but we will see what tomorrow holds. I don't think they will be satisfied to sit around long.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

What a great Christmas Day we have had. It is nearly midnight here and I know America is just getting to their Christmas Day. We miss Audra and Brian and Jackson very much but pray that they are having a memorable day at their house.

Today I spent alot of time in the kitchen getting ready for our joint meal with the Palmers across the street. Rick made dressing. I made sweet potato casserole with marshmellows, green beans, a pecan pie, and watergate salad. We ate with the Palmers at 4 and then came to our house for dessert. Our next door neighbors, the Armstrongs, joined us for dessert.

Chelsea went to sleep about 9pm tonight. She is down with a cold.

Rick and I are heading to bed. Tomorrow the kids are hoping the sun will be out so that they can enjoy the pool.

I am just glad they are here and am enjoying them so much.

Christas Eve in Singapore

2008-12-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

Ross and Chelsea are hanging in there with the jet lag. Christmas Eve morning they slept until about 9am. Chelsea said she woke up about 3am and was up till almost 7am but she was feeling pretty good. Slow morning start. We had plans to take the morning off and relax by the pool but God decided to send a nice morning rain so we enjoyed the storm from our 18th floor BIG WINDOW.

We had lunch - cheeseburger soup - one of their favorites and then headed out for Christmas Eve on the town. Ross and Chelsea are enjoying experiencing the transportation system here (we don't have a car.) We took the bus to the MRT (Subway) station and then took the MRT to the city. We went to Orchard Road (the main avenue in Singapore). It is beautifully decorated and this year's theme is the "Sweet Family" - so there is candy hanging everywhere. It looks completely different during the day but we wanted them to see it both ways.

We tried to register for the free open top bus tour of the lights but it was full. Good thing, too, because later on it rained! So we walked the avenue enjoying the sites and doing some shopping. (Have I mentioned that shopping is everyone's main hobby here?)

One store here, Takishomya, is like the Sax Fifth Avenue of NY. Out in front they had several Christmas activities going on under a very beautiful tent. The Scandinavian Teak Wood furniture store had provided couches and chairs for people to sit around in and just relax and watch the activities. Chelsea won a prize (a very nice umbrella) for answering a question. Ha!

We ended up (of course) at the Hard Rock Cafe. The "boys" were so glad to meet Ross and Chelsea. They played their hearts out for them and it was so good. (Too bad the place was crowded all night) right up until the last set. BUT we were given some great party favors (hat, mask, pop toys, noisemakers) to bring in Christmas Day. At midnight everyone pulled out their favors and everyone wished all a "Merry Christmas". It was nice. Look for some kooky pictures of that coming up.

Well, it's Christmas morning here. It's after 10am and I'm the only one up. But I'll let them all sleep. Today we are just staying home (nothing is open) and eating with friends around 4pm.

Merry Christmas to all.

They made it!

2008-12-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

Chelsea and Ross arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore this morning at 1am (our time). They said it was a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG trip but were glad to be here. This is the first time they have traveled without any checked in luggage. So nice. All they had was their back packs!

We took a taxi home and they LOVED our apartment complex and apartment (on the 18th floor). Chelsea got a little woozy looking out the window! We stayed up until about 3:30am. Slept well and until about 9am. Chelsea and I went down to the gym and worked out for about 30 minutes. My next door neighbor made us a special Spanish dish for lunch - Tortilla de Potata (yum!) We headed out the door around noon.

We went to Jurong East Mall and did some shopping as well as let Ross and Chelsea taste some local cuisine (Curried Chickern Korean BBQ) Ross is determined to try Pig Organ Soup before he leaves. (Yuck!)

We then went on to have coffee at the McCafe in the mall (always a treat) and did more shopping. We shopped until we dropped - back at the house about 7pm. We walked across the street to eat at McDonald's (they wanted something "normal"). Chelsea was asleep by 9:15 and Ross was not far behind.

What a great day. We are SO glad that Ross and CHelsea are here for Christmas! Wish Audra adn Brian were here but we will count on them coming another time when Baby Bailey is with them!

Will post pictures ASAP.

Christmas Tree is Up!

2008-12-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

This is definitely the LATEST I have ever been in getting up our Christmas tree. But the boxes left on Tuesday morning and it took me all of Wednesday and Thursday morning to get the living room/dining room cleaned up. Thursday night Rick and I put up the tree. It is, of course, as beautiful as ever. Every ornament is a memory. When Rick and I first got married I started a book cataloging all the ornaments we had (where they came from, some memory attached to them). It is always fun to look back and SEE those memories. Audra told me that she is doing the same thing!

Because I am so late in getting my tree up, I think I will leave it up for the entire month of January - just to enjoy and appreciate it!

Chelsea and Ross will leave Nashville a week from Sunday. they are both excited about the upcoming visit. We can hardly wait on this end!

Arrival Date

2008-12-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. Chelsea and Ross will arrive in Singapore on December 23 at 12:30 am. You will not want to miss all of the adventures we will have while they are here. we are tickled to share Singapore with them and know they will LOVE it.

Meanwhile, today - the final boxes that came from West Africa will be headed to our new office. This is the latest I have EVER been at getting the Christmas tree up. I've decided to leave it up through January just to get a chance to appreciate it!

Hold on - it's going to be an ACTIVE holiday season around here.

Coming Soon

2008-12-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Singapore with Chelsea and Ross!

The thrill of going home

2008-09-08T03:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been so lazy about writing on the blog. I have just had so many projects in the works, I really haven't been able to make the time. Even this one will be short.

Rick and I will be heading back to the states the first of October for about six weeks. We are so excited about seeing our children and family and friends. It is hard to be caught between two worlds. We live here in Singapore and we love it. But it has not quite become "home" for me yet. I haven't hung any pictures. I still haven't made our apartment "home" yet. Still, when we go to the states, we will be living in a hotel - that's not home either. We don't really have a home there. We will be with our children or family some - but that still isn't home for us. It's a weird place to be.

But we will be together - and that will be home enough I guess.

Our family tradition is to begin playing Christmas music on October 1. I'll be on a plane. No Christmas music for me. That's weird and sad, too.

Funny what makes something home.

Dr. Fish Spa

2008-08-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

Let me break here a moment and show you some pictures of my recent adventure to the "fish spa". It was in a mall and you just rolled up your pants leg and sat on the side and stuck your feet in. The little fishes swarmed your feet and began "feeding" on the dead skin. (Sounds gross, doesn't it?) The sensation was somewhere between extremely ticklish and a small electric shock (not painful at all). Very weird and very funny. If you come to Singapore, I will definitely take you there! I was in for about 45 minutes and yep - my feet were SMOOTH when I got out! How cool was that?

He reigns

2008-07-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Mercy Me sings it - He Reigns! Psalm 93 proclaims it - He Reigns! The interesting thing about this particular psalm is how the author begins "at the beginning" and recalls just how significant it is that He Reigns. The children of Israel are reminded of the many times that He has Reigned in their adventures to Him.

Have you ever thought about just sitting down and reminding yourself of (just the highlights even) how God has Reigned in your life? I decided to do that and you will have to just bear with me on it. These may be the most boring posts I've ever written and you will just skim them and go on to something more important. OR just maybe, it will remind you of some way that God has Reigned over your life.

To start my own psalm here goes:

Lord, we bless your wonderful name. You are more wonderful than any words could express and the object of our worship. You created everything and gave it purpose. You filled the heavens with so many starts, they are too numerous to count. You gave life to all living things including us and for that we are truly thankful.

You were reigning on your throne the day that Rick and I met. I had just graduated from Blue Mountain College and had come to the big city of Memphis to a new job teaching Chemistry, Physics, and General Science in a private school - Towering Oaks Baptist School. I attended Towering Oaks Baptist Church that first Sunday and was escorted into the "College and Career" Class. Rick was still attending Memphis State University. I didn't know it, but that day Rick "set his cap" for me and although it was a few years later that we actually started dating, YOU were on your throne.

Rick and I both had a strong calling to serve Him somewhere overseas. we both felt that we needed to be in a place where there not much "Light".

I know that the belief that there is are two people especially made for each other is shunned by most but I believe that YOU were Reigning when Rick and I found each other and fell in love. You gave us a sweet home at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains and an absolutely wonderful first year of marriage. That foundational year has made such a difference in our lives. It was during that first year that you melded our hearts together.

Lord, Your thoughts were so much greater than ours. You put us in a position to learn how to study Your Word during our first year of marriage through Kay Arthur's Precept method. This served to strengthen our relationship and the foundation of our marriage. You had all of this planned out - and we honored You as You Reigned!

Your plan included us moving to New Orleans. In our minds, we thought we were there to get twenty hours of seminary so that we could fulfill the requirements of the International Mission Board. But your plan was much more vast. We ended up staying at New Orleans for eleven years! During that time, we would both gain experience that would be utilized throughout the rest of our lives.

You Reign!

My mini-retreat

2008-07-19T23:26:00.000-07:00

On the theme of "Quiet Time" the Lord has given me a unique opportunity this weekend. My husband has gone on a business trip for the weekend and I have decided to have "mini-retreat" with the Lord. Have you ever done that? Do you ever have a time where you can just get away with the Lord for an extended length of time? You know we take vacations all the time (well, some of us do!) They may be for a whole week or just a few days. They may be to the beach or with family in other states or countries. But getting away from the normal routine is good for what ails you. And getting away with the Lord for a weekend is just what the doctor ordered for me.

So yesterday after Rick left, I got all of my "quiet time" materials, plus some other stuff, and settled on the dining room table. I have been trying to wade through several books by Chip Ingram (Good to Great, God as He Longs for You to See Him) that have been incredible encouragements to my family so I stacked those up as well. I have also been working through A Heart Like His by Beth Moore so it is here, too. The spiral notebook that I keep my quiet time notes in as well as prayers and prayer requests is also here. I have some great music - Chris Tomlin, Nicole Nordeman, etc. Three DVDs that I highly recommend by Louie Giglio (Indescribable, How Great is Our God, and Hope) are also something I wanted to watch this weekend.

After I got all of my materials together, I sat down and began to just read through Psalm 88 which is where I am right now. I read out loud (which is always so good and so effective in keeping you focused and keeping Satan away). Within moments the Lord was speaking to me and I thought of the song I heard at my oldest daughter's church recently:
Beautiful are the words spoken to me
Beautiful is the One who is speaking
Come in close, come in close and speak
Come in close, come closer to me.
He is so real. He is so awesome. As I watched the three DVDs I mentioned, I was reminded of just how BIG our God is and what a privilege it is to be in a relationship with Him. He is the Creator of all things and yet He knows my name and desires to have a relationship with me. How stupid of me NOT to meet with Him in a concentrated way daily knowing that He is IN ME and WITH ME all through the day. Amazing.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the first 8 hours of my mini-retreat were awesome! He wants to speak to us so much but we just rarely ever give Him the chance.

I know many of you are getting ready for your kids to go back to school or back to college or whatever. Can you imagine how a mini-retreat would jump start your fall? Think about it.

Facing the Truth

2008-07-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

Confession is good for the soul "they" say. I'm not sure how "good" it will be, but it is necessary. Since I have been sharing about all of my wonderful quiet times with the Lord - part of the journey hit a big valley this week. If you read my last entry you know that our "goods" from West Africa arrived last Saturday. As you read of my frustrations and emotional struggles, I'm sure you felt pretty sorry for me. You may have even prayed for me and for that I am truly thankful. What you didn't know was that I allowed all of that "stuff" to rob me time with the Lord every day last week! Because of that, I was leaning on my own strength and as you might guess - it ran out. Isn't that just the way it is? We just think we are SO strong and can manage anything. And the funny thing is - we can handle alot. But eventually, that strength runs out and we are left lacking - frustrated, emotional, and not very good company.

Every day last week, I felt so low and even depressed. Going through all of that stuff was so emotional for me. Even though I knew I didn't need 3/4 of it, or want it, or had space for it - each piece I picked up carried with it tons of memories and it was the MEMORIES that I was having a hard time letting go of. IF I had spent some time with the Lord on those days He would have reminded me then what HE reminded me of this morning when I finally set my mind to BE with Him for awhile. I STILL have all the memories - no one can take those away from me. But all of that stuff was just that - STUFF! Material things that had no eternal value. Downsizing was something that the Lord had been telling us to do for years but this week we were forced to do it. (No way you can fit 1600 square feet of stuff into 900 square feet!)

And now looking back on it - even after just these few days - I'm glad. This morning I spent some time with the Lord and apologized for keeping Him waiting every day last week. My goodness, imagine ME - keeping the King of Kings waiting every morning. I passed by Him every morning and just kept walking.

This morning as I talked with Him about how I let all of those "things" come between us, I was reminded that He doesn't like ANYTHING to come between us.

Is there something between you and the King of KIngs? Has He been waiting for you every day and watched you pass by - not stopping to spend time with Him when He so much wants to spend time with YOU?

I confess...I'm certainly not perfect. It is all part of the journey.

Three years of dust and mold!

2008-07-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends. Sorry it is already July 10 and I am just now writing. Things here have, to say the least, been hectic! Our things from West Africa arrived last Saturday, and to be honest, we have been overwhelmed and nearly paralyzed! Our cute, clean, little 900 square foot apartment has been invaded with 150 cardboard boxes covered with mold, mildew, and full of memories! These things have been packed up in the hot and humid climate of Ivory Coast for over three years! They were things that filled a 1600 square foot, three bedroom house in Abidjan! So, as you might guess, there is NO ROOM to put most of the stuff.

Rick and I managed to go through all of the boxes in about four days. We piled up 3/4 of it to be thrown/given away. Some of the stuff was usuable - but no room for it. I had about 50 boxes of just KITCHEN stuff. Remember, our apartment here doesn't even have an oven! And if I stand in our kitchen, I can touch the cabinets on both sides of the room!

Anyway, we have several boxes of our kids' things that we will let them go through at Christmas. I feel like it is important for them to go through them and have the memories before they toss them. It has been quite an emotional week for me and for Rick. I don't need any of the stuff that I tossed and I don't even want it and there sure is no room for it. Still, I have grieved over getting rid of it because of all the memories attached!

Rick and I concluded that the Lord had been telling us for some time now to downsize and we just put that off. So when you walk into our apartment and the smell of three years of dust and mold hits you - that is the smell of disobedience!

Today we hired a man to come and take away all the boxes we had ready to get rid of. It is not so overwhelming now, although we still have lots of boxes that will eventually go to our new office (when we find one).

Pray for us as we try to find places for the stuff we decided to keep and that His grace will cover us as we "let go" of these things!

Back in the Saddle

2008-06-29T22:06:00.001-07:00

Hey, folks! Sorry I have been so silent lately. Jet lag was really a killer this time. I'm still getting up early but trying to use that time wisely. Since I last wrote I have had some incredible quiet times with the Lord. In spite of that, I have still chosen on occasion NOT to meet with him. Why do I do that? Why do I let other things get in the way of meeting with him. When I know he wants to have a relationship with me and at times reveals himself so sweetly to me - why do I still wake up some mornings and choose NOT to meet with him? This morning I spent some time pondering that question with him. It was the day to read Psalm 78. Go there and read it and you will be amazed. The children of Israel were just like me! God had delivered them in some miraculous ways. He had parted the sea for them to escape. He had fed them manna from heaven when there was nothing else to eat. He had revealed himself in ways like a pillar of fire! Wow! And yet, they still - from time to time - chose NOT to meet with him.

Praise God his mercies are new every morning! Today is a new day. And I have chosen to start it with him.

Thank you, Lord, for having patience with me as you had with the chidlren of Israel!

Quiet Time Resources

2008-06-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

What an incredible few weeks I have had as I have been becoming "radically intimate" with my Lord. It is truly an adventure to be in relationship with Him. I have been experimenting with all kinds of resources in my quiet time with Him. You know you can NEVER run out of possibilities of devotion to God.

I am nearly finished with the book "Six Secrets to a Power Quiet Time" by Catherine Martin. It has been so helpful in revitalizing my quiet time. I do hope you will check on that resource.

I have also been using some other resources. My Bible, of course, is what I open first every morning. (Did I mention that I am NOT a "morning person" but the last few weeks the Lord has helped me get up and get going with Him?) I have started off reading one psalm every morning. While I am reading through it, I watch for a verse or phrase that really stands out to me. When I am finished reading the psalm, I write the verse or phrase that stuck out to me in my spiral notebook (It is a notebook that I just use for my quiet time.) I focus on that verse or phrase for a few minutes and then I began to write a prayer to the Lord concerning the insight He has given me concerning that verse or phrase. For instance, this morning I read Psalm 65. The first verse stuck out to me almost immediately. "There will be silence before You and praise in Zion, O God." I began to think about Him being the King of Kings and Creator of all things and the awe and respect He deserves. And as I began reading through that psalm again, I began to list all that I learned about Him from it. I listed it in this way:

You:
* hear prayers
* are who all men come to
* forgive transgressions
* answer us in righteousness
* are the trust of all the ends of the earth
* established the mountains
* still the roaring seas
* make the dawn and sunset shout for joy
* visit the earth
* greatly enrich the earth
* prepare the grain and the earth
* water the earth
* settle its ridges
* soften it with showers
* bless its growth
* crown the year with your bounty

Your paths drip with fatness
The pastures drip
The hills gird themselves with rejoicing
The meadows are clothed with flock
The valleys are covered with grain

THEY SHOUT FOR JOY.

Then I began to think about how God is all that and how He does all of that and yet He still wants a personal relationship with little bitty me. He is so awesome. He is so great. What a God.

I also began to think about the last section that seems to be pointing to preparation for harvest. I committed myself, my husband, and my children again to Him. He is preparing all of our fields for harvest. We all want to bring Him a harvest of glory.

Hey, that was just from reading ONE PSALM!

I also use a reading through the Bible program - the one I use is a Max Lucado version. I love how he brings Old and New Testament together as well as a Psalm and Proverb together with a recurring theme.

Some other devotionals that I have used that will really bless your heart:
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (deep but so good)
31 Day of Praise by Ruth Myers
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Sometimes I listen to a CD of praise music. I have copied the words down on my computer so I can sing along. When I get back to Singapore and we get our shipment from West Africa, I am looking forward to having our Clavinova (electric piano) and hymnbook. I can play and sing sometimes in my quiet time. If you don't sing, just sit and listen. It can really bring you into His presence.

If I have time each day I delve into some kind of bible study. Right now I am doing Beth Moore's study called "A Heart Like His". I don't get to this part every day but I certainly do it as much as I can.

I can't wait to get back to Singapore and find me a basket to put all of my Quiet Time materials in so they will be handy.

Remember the PRAYER outline in doing your quiet time:
* Prepare your heart (reading a psalm, listening to a worship song, etc.)
* Read and study God's Word
* Adore God in prayer (that's what I did this morning as I was writing down all He was and does)
* Yield yourself to Him (take time to just sit and listen and reflect - He wants to speak to you but maybe you are not letting Him get a word in edgewise!)
* Enjoy His presence (it is sweet)
* Rest in His love

More to come....

Radical Intimacy

2008-05-31T15:02:00.001-07:00

Intimacy with God becomes "radical" when we become intentional with Him. Intentionality requires a plan. It is not just haphazard. It is not just grabbing a moment when you are "free" to be with Him. It is not just using a "read through the Bible in a year" plan. It is not just opening your Bible and reading a random passage and hoping that He will speak to you. You must have a plan.

When you get ready to go on vacation you don't just get in your car and hit the road. Weeks ahead you start planning. You get out a map and decide where you want to go. You get on the internet and search for the all the "tourist attractions" and decide what all you want to do when you get there. You get out the calendar and pick out the perfect time to go. You start thinking through your wardrobe and picking out what you are going to wear and what you want to pick up before you go. Days ahead you might even start preparing some goodies to take along on the trip. A couple of days before your trip you start packing your suitcase. By now, if you are going a long way, you have already called ahead and made hotel reservations along the way. There's alot to do to plan a vacation.

If we can spend all of that time and energy on planning our vacation, is it too difficult to understand that to "journey" with God we need a plan, too? If you want to have a meaningful quiet time with Him, it is going to take some planning on your part. This is what I am discovering in my own personal time with Him and it is what I want to share with you in these coming days.

Where do we begin? We can certainly follow Jesus' example. He often took breaks to fellowship with His Father. (Luke 5:15-16) He intentionally set aside a time. He set a goal to make it work. Finding the right place for our quiet time is different for each of us. I have enjoyed these last few weeks sitting in a small office in this "borrowed home" in front of a window that faces the back yard. I have raised the blinds and had a window view of God's world. Trees, blue sky, green grass, birds, squirrels, and even a couple rabbits have met with the Creator each day. You may have a place at your house where you can get off by yourself and meet with Him. This morning I was confronted with the idea that with all the traveling I am doing these days, finding that "perfect spot" won't be easy, but I am determined to do it.

That's the WHERE now what about the WHEN? The Bible does seem to emphasize the importance of the morning. (Mark 1:35) I know what you are thinking. "Oh, my. Getting up early is too difficult for me. " Hey, no one has had more struggle with that than I have. I am NOT a morning person and if you know me, you know that is true. However, I have to tell you that starting the day WITH Him, leans the whole day TOWARDS Him and makes me much more conscious of His presence and gives me much more wisdom in my decision making throughout the day. It really is amazing.

Now, I also know some of you have small children. It may mean getting up a little earlier so you can have some undistracted time. However, I remember reading a story about Dwight L. Moody's mom. She had LOTS of small ones (including little Dwight). But every morning - with kids running all around her, she would sit in a chair and pull her apron up over her head. All the kids knew that she was "spending time with the Lord" and left her alone! OR let's say you are up having your quiet time and oh, boy, here come your kids. Tell them what you are doing and begin teaching them to have their own quiet time with the Lord. How sweet would that be?

There's no set time as to how long our time with the Lord should be. For me, it is different every day. Some days I have more time to spend than others. I just make the most of the time I have.

Okay, you've got the WHERE and the WHEN, now let's think about the HOW?

Catherine Martin in her book "Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time" suggests an easy way to remember how to spend time alone with Him. We will dive deep into each of these in days to come but here is the whole plan in a nutshell:

Prepare your heart
Read and study God's Word
Adore God in prayer
Yield yourself to God
Enjoy His Presence
Rest in His love

These are "disciplines" that will help us in our devotional time with Him. This is just the guide, but we each must personalize the plan as the Lord leads us in our adventure with Him. This is a flexible plan and can be used whether you have just a few minutes or an hour or more!

One of my favorite new Bible verses says, "The eyes of the Lord look throughout the earth to strongly support those whose hearts are committed to Him." II Chronicles 16:9

God is looking for someone whose heart is committed to Him. He wants to STRONGLY SUPPORT that person. Will you be that person He is looking for? Can I be that person? I'm praying that you will have a heart totally committed to Him. He WILL give you all the support you need to meet with Him every day! And to be honest, these last few days, I've noticed that I wake up before I even NEED to get up. I guess my spirit just can't wait to be with Him. He' s waiting for you. Will you meet with Him?

The Heart

2008-05-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

The quiet time we spend with the Lord every day is the heart of our relationship with Him. That time is initiated by Him, led by Him, and enriched by Him. He has given us everything we need for intimacy with Him: His Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, the companionship of Jesus, and the fellowship of good friends! Our quiet time with Him is the most important part of our day. Yet there are very few who have cultivated a consistent quiet time with the Lord on a regular basis. There just seems to be so many things that get in the way. Can you imagine how different our days would be if we spent time with Him before each of those days got started? We would be changed ourselves. No doubt about that.

Why don't we do it then? Is it really something HE wants us to do? Look these up and see.

Psalm 46:10
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Matthew 11:29
John 7:17
Revelation 3:20

What will this intimacy with Him lead to? Knowing Him. What's so important about that?

Exodus 33:13 (It is something HE delights in - us getting to know Him!)

Catherine Martin say:

* He invites us to a pilgrimage of the heart (Psalm 84:5) to find our home in Him while jouneying in a foreign land until we reach our final destination - heaven.
* He invites us to personal, spiritual revival (John 7:37-38) to constant renewal, and to a restoration of God's purpose and plan for our lives.
* He invites us to share His heart (Psalm 46:10), to move in perfect step with Him as He leads us through life, and to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.
* He invites us to influence the world (Luke 24:32) with a heart burning with a contagious love that spreads to those around us
* He invites us to an eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:18) seeing life from His point of view, looking beyond the temporal to the eternal.
* He invites us to radical discipleship (Matthew 4:19) paying the price in time and energy to sit at His feet and learn from Him.

I guess that pretty much leaves the ball in my court. So I think what all this is saying is that God wants to have an intimate relationship with me. He has given me everything I need to have it. He has told me what good will come of it. I JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE TO DO IT. I have to make that choice EVERY DAY. Yes, things will get in the way. I WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE TO NOT LET OTHER THINGS GET IN THE WAY. Yes, there will be deadlines to meet. I WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PRIORITIZE MY TIME WITH HIM. Yes, I will be traveling. I MAY HAVE TO GET UP EARLIER. IT IS ALL A MATTER OF CHOICE!

Are you with me?

Renovation in Progress

2008-05-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be brutally honest and vulnerable here. It may even shock some of you. I have needed a "Quiet Time" renovation for some time now. It's not that I haven't been spending time with Him or reading my Bible. It's just that I want MORE. I want a radical intimacy with Him that I know will take a strategic plan to happen. And while I have been here in Nashville, shopping around at Opry Mills, I may have stumbled on just the thing. It's a book by Catherine Martin called "Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time". I have discovered some incredible truths there and I want to share some of my discoveries.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth: for I delight in these things."

There is NOTHING more important for you and I as Christ followers than to KNOW Him intimately. I don't know about you but I am "desperate for Him" as Michael W. Smith says. I want to dive deep in His love and in the knowledge of Him. And I want that for you, too. What greater adventure could there be? So hang on - and share in these truths with me from time to time.

If you haven't been having a quiet time with the Lord each day, you can start right now. How will you ever grow in your relationship with Him, if you are not spending time with Him? I love my husband and I LOVE to spend time with him. And because of all the time we have spent together I KNOW him, I know I can TRUST him, I know he has my best interests at heart...and he is just my husband! How much more God knows me already - He MADE me. He can see my heart. He can see my motives. He sees the ugly part of me that no one else sees and loves me anyway.

Hey, I have been a believer for almost 30 years and I still struggle with getting a consistent quiet time with Him. You are not alone. We are not perfect. But I am praying that we are hungry enough for Him - desperate enough for Him - to know Him...that we will journey together so that we might KNOW and UNDERSTAND (as much as our finite little minds can) that HE is the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justcie, and righteousness on earth. We will do this because He DELIGHTS in these things.

Ask God right now to prepare your heart for the journey- the pilgrimage of your heart to HIS!

Hang on! He is doing a mighty work in you right now!

On to other things...

2008-05-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well, that about does it for our trip to Israel. As one of my daughters says - I've about beat that dead horse long enough! But I just wanted to share with you the pics and my thoughts about the whole trip PLUS some historical and biblical references. I would encourage you if you ever get the chance to go to Israel - DO IT! I'll tell you why. Yesterday morning I was reading in my daily Bible reading and got to the part in Matthew where Jesus fed the 5000! Wow. I could picture it. I had seen it. I had been there. And it all took on a whole new meaning - a new reality that I have never known before. It was an incredible feeling.

Now, I am writing this from Nashville (just to catch you up with where I am). Someone suggested that I put the application "Where I am Now" on my facebook page. Incredibly, there was such an application and I DID put it on. We have traveled so much already during 2008 and it isn't even June. But what a wonderful adventure with the Lord.

I can't imagine this adventure (at my age) without Him. He is my Rock. From Him comes all of my strength. This is the day that He has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Thanks for coming along the journey with me.

Walking Where Jesus Walked

2008-05-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

My most memorable day was the day we walked where Jesus actually walked. Few structures combine the ancient with the new as successfully as the Church of St. Peter. It was built in 1931 to commemorate Peter's denial of Christ. Beneath the church are a number of carved out chambers. The House of Caiaphas was on this very site and these chambers are where Jesus was imprisoned and tortured. You can even see the pillar where Jesus was probably tied and beaten! But it is the steps up to Caiaphas' house where I felt JESUS WAS HERE! These steps are the very ones that He would have walked up to enter the gates. Peter stood in this area and denied Christ three times.

I sat on the stone steps and contemplated all that my Lord has done for me! My my....

The Sea of Galilee

2008-05-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

The Sea of Galilee (also called Lake Kinneret and Lake Tiberius) is Israel's largest freshwater lake. It is 33 miles in circumference, 13 miles long, and 8 miles wide. At 209 meteres below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake.

The Sea of Galille is situated deep in the Jordan Great Rift Valley. It is fed partly by underground spirngs although the main source is teh Jordan River, which flows through it from north to south. Due to it low-lying postiion in the rift valley, surrounded by hills, the sea is prone to sudden violent storms; hence the New Testament story about Jesus calming the storm. Indeed, the main feature of the lake seems to be its ever-changing character. It is still noted for its rich fish stocks.

We had lunch by the Sea of Galillee - yes, FISH! And it was good.

But the most exciting thing was that we just happened to connect with a boat that believers ran and were able to go out on the Sea of Galillee and have a worship service. My goodness!

The Garden Tomb

2008-05-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

One of my most memorable times in Jerusalem was the time I spent in the "Garden Tomb". The Garden Tomb is believed by many to be the garden and tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and therefore a possible site of the resurrection of Jesus. The Garden is owned and administered by The Garden Tomb Association, a Charitable Trust based in the United Kingdom.

In Jerusalem for a visit in 1884, General Charles Gordon spied a prominent rocky crag which looked to him like it could be the "place of the skull" mentioned in the Bible as where Jesus was crucified.

Around the corner Gordon identified an ancient tomb and putting the two together he located the hill of crucifixion and the nearby burial place.

The slope has eroded badly in the last hundred years, but I could still see the eye sockets and the nose bridge.

While officially the Garden Tomb Association only maintains this as a possible site for Christ's burial, some tour guides of the site are convinced of the authenticity. They note the large cistern nearby, which proves the area must have been a garden in Jesus' day. They maintain that there are marks of Christian veneration at the tomb which also prove its sanctity throughout the ages.

This is the place believed by many to be the resting place of Jesus. Some archaeologists question the authenticity of this tomb because typological features suggest that it is a tomb originally hewn in the time of the Old Testament and not a "new tomb" as specifically stated in Scripture.

The Wailing Wall

2008-05-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today I want to talk a little bit more about the Wailing Wall. On Friday evening in the Old City of Jerusalem voices can be heard singing out as other voices join in devotions. The Sabbath, a holy day for the Jewish faith is beginning. The Jewish people gather before their most sacred shrine, "The Wailing Wall". This wall is the western wall of an ancient courtyard and for that reason it is also referred to as "The Western Wall." The Romans destroyed the Jewish Temple in 70 AD after the Jewish people revolted against Roman rule.

The wall is the only remaining structure of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. Inside the courtyard King Solomon's glorious temple once stood. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times until only part of the western wall remained. The wall is just outside of the Temple Mount and is considered to be Judaism's holiest site.

Some of the ruins of the original temple can still be seen today. People built their houses all around the temple. On the top of the temple mount the priest would stand and blow their Shofar to call the people to prayer. Then, the Jews were exiled from their homes and it was years before they could return to Jerusalem to stay, but the temple was never rebuilt.

The reason people pray at the wall is because it is believed to be the closest point to the Holy of Holies, the holiest room of the old temple. A Muslim mosque now occupies this site. This old tradition of praying at the wall began around 200-300 AD when Rabbis claimed that God's presence still tarried at the location of the Holy of Holies. Sad to say, the wall has been an object of bickering between Muslims and Jews for centuries. When Jews began moving back into the territory in the 1800s the tenseness increased between the two religions.

Jews come to the wall from all over the world. No one knows when it became a Jewish tradition of offering prayers there, but it is believed that this portion of the Temple was not destroyed because the Shekhinah (divine presence) continues to reside there. Thus, praying there is like praying directly to God through the wall. In addition to spoken prayers, it is also common for prayers to be written on slips are paper which are slipped into the cracks. The men wear either a hat or shawl to show respect. At the wall you can hear some of them wailing or crying for the loss of their great temple. This is why the wall became known as "the Wailing Wall." There are three things they are mourning for:
* the destruction of the city and the temple
* the loss of the 10 commandment tablets and the ark of the covenant
* as they wait for the arrival of the Messiah

Many events take place at the wall such as religious gatherings and celebrations. Today the area is under Jewish control since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War when Jerusalem captured Jordan.

Before you can enter the courtyard you have to go through a security check. There is a fence separating the men from the women. Sometimes they will do quick body frisks and even open your bags. While you are there, you are expected to act in a manner of reverence. (After all it is considered a place of worship!) One should dress properly (no spaghetti straps or even short sleeves!) While I was walking toward the wall I saw a lady to the side with shawls that you could borrow - she would even put on on you if she thought you were not dressed properly!

For Muslims, it is not only part of the huge platform which forms the foundation of the Dome of the Rock, but it is also believed to be the gate through which Muhammad was carried by a mythical creature known as the Buraq when he arrived at Jerusalem for his ascent to heaven. But more on the Dome of the Rock later....

The Via Dolorosa

2008-05-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Via Dolorosa or "Way of Suffering" is a street in the old city of Jerusalem. Traditionally, it is held to be the route followed by Jesus from the Praetorium (the Roman Judgment Hall) to Calvary, which was the scene of the Crucifixion. Over the centuries, millions of pilgrims have come here to walk the way that Jesus took to his death. Each Friday at 3pm priests lead a procession for pilgrims along Via Dolorosa (starting in the Monastery of the Flagellation at the tower of Antonia, not far from the Lion's Gate). Large wooden crosses are carried by some of those in the procession and prayers are said at each of the 14 Stations. It begins in the Muslim Quarter and winds its way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter.

You can enter the Sanctuaries of the Flagellation and the Condemnation, where Jesus was scourged and judged. In the sanctuaries are some of the original paving stones of the Lithostrotos. As you leave the sanctuary to follow the Via Dolorosa, each Station of the Cross is marked by a small sign or a number engraved in the stone over a door. Paving stones have been set in a semicircular pattern to mark those stations directly on the street. Other stations are behind closed doors.

Here is a list of the "Stations".
1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus receives the cross (at the foot of Antonia).
3. Jesus falls for the first time.
4. Jesus meets his mother.
5. Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.
6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face.
7. Jesus falls the second time (at the bazaar crossroads.)
8. Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls the third time.

The five remaining stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

10 Jesus is stripped of his garments.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross.
12. Jesus dies on the cross.
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in the arms of Mary.
14. Jesus is laid in the chamber of the sepulcher and from there is resurrected.

Out of the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, only eight have scriptural foundation: Stations 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 being unattested in any of the gospels; and Station 13 being a misrepresentation of the gospel account (it represents Jesus' body being taken down off the cross and laid in the arms of Mary, while all four gospels state the Joseph of Arimathea alone took Jesus down from the cross and buried him.)

How I guess I related all this was the movie "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson that came out a few years ago. Gibson is a Catholic and the movie especially moves through the Stations of the Cross. So now, go back and watch that movie and see if you can discover the "stations".

The Pool of Bethesda

2008-05-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Pool of Bethesda was located on the eastern side of the city near the Fortress of Antonia. The name Bethesda means "house of mercy." The water source was a nearby spring. The Pool had five porches and according to the Bible there was a tradition that an angel moved the waters at certain times and healed the sick. It was here that Jesus healed the man who was lame for 38 years. Being at this site was really the first time I felt like I actually was where Jesus had been - at least in the general vicinity. We know he healed the paralytic man and we know that it was at this pool He did that!

We got a little Crusader history at this site. The Crusades were a series of military conflicts of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal threats. Crusades were fought against Muslims, pagan Slavs, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Mongols, Cathars, Hussites, and political enemies of the popes. Crusaders took vows and were granted an indulgence for past sins. The Crusades originally had the goal of recapturing Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rule and were originally launched in response to a call for help against the expansion of Muslim Turks.

The Crusaders defeated Jerusalem in 1099. However, the feudal lords that "ruled" Jerusalem after the Crusaders defeated it, started dividing the unity. Not far away, Saladin the Great, a very powerful Muslim military leader heard of the "disunity" and found the weakness a good time to conquer Jerusalem. He captured 40,000 Crusaders in the process but did not kill them. He gave them three choices:
* take what they would and leave
* stay and pay tribute to him
* embrace Islam

Very interesting!

The Dead Sea

2008-05-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Twelve miles from Jerusalem is the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is a salt lke between Israel and Jordan. It is 1378 feet below sea level and its shores are the lowest point on the surface of the Earth on dry land. The Dead Sea is 1083 feet deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world! It is also the world's second saltiest body of water, after Lake Asal in Kjibouti, with 30% salinity! It is almost 9 times saltier than the ocean. It is 42 miles long and 11 miles wide at its widest point. It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley and its main tributary is the Jordan River!

The Dead Sea has attracted visitors for years. Biblically, it was a place of refuge for King David. It was one of the world's first health resorts (for Herod the Great), and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products from balms for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers!

Well, I have to tell you that it was HOT at the Dead Sea and I did NOT go in. But Rick did, and yes, he floated!

We did buy some bath salts derived from the Dead Sea and I can hardly wait to use them!

Lori

P.S. Sorry you have not heard from me in a few days. I have been on the road!

Bethlehem

2008-05-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

The trip to Bethlehem was very interesting. Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank, approximately 5 miles south of Jerusalem. It has a population of 30,000. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Govern ate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism. The town in inhabited by one of the oldest Christian communities int he world. Not only is it believed to be the place where Jesus was born, it is believed to be the birthplace of David and the place where he was crowned as king of Israel.

The city was sacked by the Samaritans in 529 AD, conquered by the Arab Aliphate in 637, captured and fortified by the Crusaders in 1099, and its walls were destroyed and rebuilt during the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans lost the city to the British during WWI and it was to be included in an international zone under the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. Jordan occupied the city in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and it was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War Israel has retained control over the entrances and exits to Bethlehem, though day to day administration has been under the Palestinian National Authority since 1995. Needless to say, it has exchanged hands MANY times.

Modern Bethlehem has a Muslim majority but is also home to one of the largest Palestinian Christian communities. It's the home of the Church of the Nativity.

The particular day we tried to enter Bethlehem, we couldn't get in the main entrances. Because we had a Palestinian driver and tour guide, however, they knew a "back door" for us to enter.

The Church of the Nativity in the heart of Bethlehem marks one of Christianity's most sacred sites. Situated on Manger Square, the church is built over a grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. The church's large fortress-like exterior stands as a testament to its turbulent history. For centuries, it was one of the most fought over holy places. It was seized and defended by a succession of armies - including Muslim and Crusaders forces.It is controlled jointly by three Christian denominations - the Armenian Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. (However, a Muslim traditionally holds the key to the church and is responsible for doing so each day. The key is passed down within that Muslim family.) The Grotto of the Nativity contains the manger that is believed to be the place where the baby Jesus was laid after he was born. The grotto is encased in white marble. The site of the birth is marked by a 14-point star on a marble stone.

When we arrived at the site, there was THE LONGEST line you could imagine, so we stood there for over an hour working our way towards the "holy site".

The entrance to the church is a low doorway that has its own legends. One story is that the door was installed by the Muslims during their rule to remind Christians that they were guests in the country and must bow to their hosts. An alternative explanation is that the height of the door was designed to prevent unbelievers from entering the church on horseback. Yet another version holds that it was to protect the Christians from their hostile neighbors.

The church is divided into five naves by four rows of Corinthian pillars with pictures of the apostles on them. The names are written in Greek and Latin and many visitors have carved their own signatures over the centuries. The floor of the nave has a hole that allows you to see what remains of the Byzantine mosaics that covered the original church floor.

The Altar of the Nativity sits below a silver and gold chandelier. Stairways on either side of the main altar lead to a grotto. A fourteen-point silver star embedded in white marble indicates the birthplace of Christ. Fifteen lamps burn around the spot. Nearby is the Chapel of the Manger, where Mary placed the baby Jesus.

Four Quarters

2008-04-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters, according to religious groups. Although, not equal in size, the four quarters form a rectangular framework.

The Christian Quarter

Located on the northwest side of the Old City, the Christian Quarter includes the major sites relating to Jesus Christ. Many churches, monasteries and shines line the famous Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is built over where it’s believed Jesus died and was buried.

Besides the holy sites, hundreds of stores line the narrow streets where you can buy everything from souvenirs to pharmaceutical items. Things were a little pricey but you could bargain some.

The Armenian Quarter

The Armenian Quarter is the center of national, religious, and culture life of Jerusalem's Armenian Orthodox residents. The Armenians make lovely pottery.

The Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter is the home to about 22,000 people. Although it's the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) begins here where pilgrims pray and walk in the footsteps of Jesus as he carried His cross to Golgotha (which is in the Christian Quarter.)

The Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount are also located here. On the east border is the Golden Gate (also known as the Eastern Gate) where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is on the southeast side of the city. We visited the Wailing Wall (Western Wall) there where faithful Jews come to pray. Men and women go to separate sides where they insert prayer requests in the wall's cracks.

Four more gates

2008-04-27T03:14:00.000-07:00

The Lion's Gate (also known as the Sheep Gate):

is located in the east wall. It marks the beginning of the last walk of Jesus from prison to execution, the Via Dolorosa. Near the gate's crest are four figures of lions, two on the left and two on the right. Legend has it that Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent placed the figures there because he believed that if he did not construct a wall around Jerusalem he would be killed by lions.

Israeli paratroops came through this gate during the Six-Day War of 1967 and unfurled the Israeli flag above the Temple Mount.

Herod's gate was built between 1538-40 by Suleiman. Also called the Flower Gate, it is called Herod's gate because early pilgrims thought that it was the gate to the former palace of Herod Antipas. They were wrong but the name stuck. At noon on July 15, 1099, the Crusaders breached the wall at this gate to take the city of Jerusalem and proclaim the Latin kingdom.

Jaffa Gate (also known as David's Gate) is so named because it is the portal for Jaffa Road, the precursor to the modern highway to the ancient port of Jaffa and the Mediterranean coastal plain. Inside the gate is a small square between the Christian and Armenian quarters. Running along the high city walls, south of the Jaffa Gate is the Citadel of Jerusalem (also called the Tower of David). The current tower was built by Suleiman the Magnificent (this guy really was a busy guy!) Legend has it that every conquerer of Jerusalem will enter through the Jaffa GAte. So when German Kaiser Wilhelm II visited Jerusalem in 1898, the Suleiman authorities breached the city wall right next to the gate so that he could enter and think he was going through the Jaffa Gate. In 1917, a British general, Edmund Allenby, entered the Old City through the Jaffa Gate, giving a speech at the Tower of David. He entered on foot in a show of respect for the city and a desire to avoid comparison with the Kaiser's entry in 1898. The British demolished other buildings adjoining the city wall in 1944 in an attempt to preserve Jerusalem's historic vistas.

During Israel's War of Independence, Israeli forces fought hard to connect the Jewish Quarter of the Old City with Israeli-held western Jerusalem by controlling the Jaffa Gate. With a Jordanian victory in 1948, Israeli forces were not able to gain control of the gate until the Six Day War in 1967.

This is the Dung Gate. It is on the south eastern side of the Old City. The gate leads straight to the Western Wall. The Gate is named for the debris from each consecutive destruction of Jerusalem that was dumped out into the valley below.

The walls of Jerusalem's Old City stretch for approximately 2.8 miles and rise to a height of 16-49 feet, with a thickness of 10 feet. Altogether, the Old City walls contain 43 surveillance towers and 11 gates, seven of which are presently open.

The Garden of Gethsemane

2008-04-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Gethsemane was the garden where, according to the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples retreated to pray after the Last Supper, the night before he was crucified. According to Luke 22:43-44, Jesus' anguish in Gethsemane was so deep that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Gethsemane was also where Christ was betrayed by the disciple Judas Iscariot. (And in case you didn't know - Orthodox tradition holds that Gethsemane is the place where the apostles buried the Virgin Mary.

The garden of Gethsemane is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, now within the city of Jerusalem in the Kidron valley. Located by the garden is the Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of the Agony. It is believed that this church was built directly over the spot where Jesus' knelt to pray and sweat drops of blood.

It's a peaceful garden among a grove of ancient olive trees. looking back at the eastern wall of the Old City. Behind an iron fence, eight old olive trees attract one's attention as he enters the garden. There has been much discussion about their age. There can be no doubt that these olive trees, with their hollow, gnarled trunks date back considerably. Whether or not they were the "silent witnesses" of our Lord in prayer - only He knows!

One significant thing I learned about the olive tree - even if you cut the trunk down, if you leave the roots, it will grow again! Roots are important!

The Mount of Olives and the Golden Gate

2008-04-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge to the east of Jerusalem. It is named for the olive groves on its slopes. At the foot of the mountain lies the Garden of Gethsemane. In the book of Zechariah, the Mount of Olives is cited as the place where the dead will be resurrected in the days of the Messiah. For this reason, Jews have always wanted to be buried there, and from biblical times until today, the mountain has been used as a Jewish cemetery. There are an estimated 150,000 graves on the Mount, including the tomb of Zechariah. Many important rabbis are buried there as well as Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin.

There were many interesting things about this particular site. Scattered throughout the MANY gravestones were the most beautiful red poppies! On top of the graves were rocks. These are placed there instead of flowers because they are cheaper and more abundant.

One can clearly see the Golden Gate of the Old City from the Mount of Olives. The Golden Gate (also called the Gate of Mercy) is the oldest of the current gates in Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, the Shekhinah glory of God used to appear through this gate, and will appear again when the Messiah comes. The gate is located in the middle of the eastern side of the Temple Mount. The portal in this position was believed to have been used for ritual purposes in biblical times.

In Jewish tradition, this is the gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I sealed off the Golden gate in 1541 to prevent the Messiah's entrance (like that would stop Him!). The Muslims also built a cemetery in front of the gate, in the belief that Jesus would not walk through a Muslim cemetery! Ha! The Golden Gate is one of the few sealed gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls, along with the Huldah Gate.

One can see the Dome of the Rock from the Mount of Olives, but more on that later!

The Damascus Gate

2008-04-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

Because we couldn't eat at the hotel, we all gathered together and began walking towards the Old City...just a few blocks from our hotel. The wall that encloses the present-day Old City of Jerusalem was built in the sixteenth century by the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. Originally it had seven gates; an eighth, named the New Gate, was added in the late nineteenth century in the walls' northwest sector. We entered the Old City through the Damascus Gate. Called the Shechem Gate by the Jews, it is the largest and most splendid gate. Located on the wall's northern side is adjacent to ruins attesting that this has been teh site of the city's main entrance since ancient times. The gate's defenses include slits for firing at attackers, thick doors, and an opening from which boiling oil could be spilled on assailants below.

We meandered our way through the narrow streets until we found a restaurant. Yummy! Schwarmas, hummus, as well as several other things that I couldn't identify but sure tasted good.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a place of new ministry called the Jerusalem House. It will eventually be a place where people can come and pray. Several volunteer groups have been coming and helping the folks there renovate the building and landscape the grounds. It is a beautiful piece of property once owned by Horatio Spafford (penned the words of the hymn - It is Well With My Soul). While taking a tour of the building I met a volunteer group there from Olive Branch, Mississippi. Would you believe that the pastor of their church was Rev. Wayne Marshall - a friend of mine from college? Small world!

The cleansing ritual

2008-04-23T01:42:00.000-07:00

Coming to Jerusalem during Holy Week (Passover) was quite an experience in itself. We stayed at the Grand Court Hotel and arrived with all of our luggage and met our team there. However, our hotel rooms were not quite ready.

I don't know if you realize it or not but the most significant observance related to Passover involves the removal of chametz (leaven) from the homes (and the hotels!) This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing pride from the soul.

Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt) that has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water. Traditional Jews also avoid rice,corn, peanuts, and beans as if they were chametz. All of these items have been used to make bread, thus use of them was prohibited to avoid any confusion. All chametz including utensils used to cook chametz must either be disposed of or sold to a non-Jew.

The process of cleaning the home (or hotel) of all chametz in preparation for Passover is an enormous task. To do it right, you must spend several days scrubbing everything down, going over the edges of your stove and fridge with a toothpick and a Q-tip, covering all surfaces that come in contact with foil or plastic wrap. After the cleaning is completed, the morning beore the seder, a formal search of the house (or hotel) for chametz is undertaken and any remaining chametz is burned.

Our hotel was in that process. Everything in the kitchen and in the dining room was wrapped in plastic wrap. No food was being served that day because of the preparation. Undoubtedly, this hotel does a lot of Jewish business and had to be made "kosher" for the Passover meal.

WOW! Talk about living UNDER THE LAW!

Stay tuned...

Sunday, April 12

2008-04-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

My first trip to Israel! What a new adventure and one that will be written on my heart for eternity! Over the course of the next few days I will be sharing with you about our eight days in the Holy Land and all that we experienced. I hope to share pictures with you of our trip as well, so hold on tight. It will be quite a ride!

Our "ride" to Israel started with a two hour flight to Bangkok, Thailand. In all of our "flight history" we have never experienced such service as on Thai Airlines. The staff was so cordial and the seats were fantastic. It's a good thing because the next leg of the flight would prove to be more difficult! We flew from Bangkok to Tel Aviv on an eleven hour flight - probably one of the most uncomfortable seats have ever been in (I was by the window and Rick was in the middle by the "stranger"). The interesting thing was that although we had our own little television sets in front of us - at 1am all of them were turned off and everyone was just "expected" to go to sleep! I DON'T sleep on planes so you can only imagine the next few hours for me. They finally turned the sets back on about two hours before we landed - while we were having breakfast.

But we finally arrived and found the airport in Tel Aviv to be very nice. In spite of prior trips that Rick has made with long waiting lines at security, we made it out to our taxi in about an hour. He was surprised. We also met up with another family from our team so we all piled in a bus (taxi) together and headed UP to Jerusalem for the week of Passover! (Will try to get my photos uploaded today.)

John 2:13 says, " When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem." (NIV)

I've been threaded!

2008-04-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my friend and I set out for a new adventure. She had a received a "1 + 1" coupon (buy one get on free) at Browhaus for some eyebrow architecture. Okay, so she knows I'm up for anything and Chelsea has been telling me I really need to have my eyebrows plucked. So why not? Let me preface this story by saying I have NEVER had my eyebrows plucked. Once, when I was in college a lady plucked ONE hair out of my eyebrows and I nearly fainted. So I knew this was going to take some courage on my part to actually go through with it!

We arrived at Browhaus and "signed it". The only problem was that the girl who did the eyebrow plucking was at lunch and the only appointments "open" were with the girl who did "threading". (Huh? - that was my reaction.) We agree (half-heartedly, I might add.)

Threading is a traditional Indian form of hair removal. It involves pulling out a row of hairs from the follicle by twisting the hairs into a cotton thread. The therapist holds one end of the thread in her mouth and the other end in one of her hands. She uses her free hand to grab the middle of the thread to form a loop that traps the unwanted row of hairs. Then the specialist pulls the hairs from the skin, leaving a smooth finish.

Threading vs Waxing or Tweezers
• Threading just pulls the facial hair, unlike waxing, which pulls the skin. Over time, waxing loosen the skin and develops premature wrinkles.

• Threading does not have the unpleasant side effects of rashes and irritation caused by the "stripping off" of the top layer of dead skin in waxing.

• Threading lifts the complete hair from the follicle while maintaining a larger coverage area, unlike tweezing, which is more time consuming.

• Threading gives perfect lines, creating the right form under the eyebrow instead of the arch that wax or tweezers do.

• Threading remove the hair from the roots while tweezers cut the hair, resulting in thicker and faster growing hair. Ingrown hairs (black points) may occasionally develop.

• Threading does not only remove facial hair, it exfoliates too

Does it hurt?
It may sound painful, however threading is a lot less painful than waxing (or so they tell me), which often burns or peels the top layer of the skin.

The sensation felt during threading is akin to the hair being plucked using tweezers, but unlike tweezing, threading removes many hairs at once. Since the hair is pulled out from the root, the hair that does grow back is usually finer and sparser. Frequent threading makes the hair regeneration time longer as they become thinner.

Eyebrow threading is a practice of shaping the eyebrows using a thread.
Benefits of Eyebrow Threading

• Eyebrow threading is the best method to shape your eyebrows in comparison with other methods as it gives perfect lines, creating the right form under the eyebrow instead of the arch that wax or tweezers do.

• Eyebrow threading is less expensive compared to other methods.

• Eyebrow threading is less painful than using tweezers.

Okay, so if you still can't picture it, I found a video of it on you tube. Go there and watch and be amazed. Just run your cursor over this link and copy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIeHYNt-rl4

Lost in Malaysia

2008-04-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Well, most of you know that I am directionally challenged, to be sure. That was proven AGAIN this week when a friend of mine and I headed out to the China Outlet Store here in Singapore. She had printed out directions from a kind of "mapquest" site and we got there fine even though it was raining VERY hard.

The place was fascinating. It is an outlet store for China (I'm talking about dish patterns) that have slight imperfections. Of course, I couldn't see the imperfections but the patterns were absolutely beautiful. There must have been hundreds. Since Rick and I are still waiting on our shipment from West Africa, and since we have been eating on paper plates since September, and SINCE a whole 16 piece setting of china was less than $25 - I just had to buy some. So I did.

Now, comes the hard part. Getting to some place in Singapore is easy enough with directions. But getting back home is an entirely different story. Have you ever tried to read directions backwards. I guess we should have known something would go wrong when my friend handed me the map and told me to give her the "bearings!" Ha! Needless to say, we drove and drove and drove and finally looked up and WOW - we were in Malalysia! (I know I've been lost before but I have managed to at least stay in the same country!)

We finally got turned around and headed back into Singapore! (You must have been praying!) We were no worse for the wear but certainly had a tale to tell Rick when we got home. (I'm not sure he believed me at first but then remembered my sense of direction and laughed that my friend would put me in charge of the map!

Jet lagged

2008-03-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

We arrived home early Thursday morning (3am). A friend surprised us and met us at the airport. I'm sure we looked awful after the long flight. I don't wear make up on that flight and we were all wrinkly and exhausted. But it sure was nice to see her smiling face there. She dropped us and all of our luggage off at the apartment and it was good to be home. We unpacked a little and then hit the sack. The last time we did this I didn't have much trouble with jet lag but this time... In fact, it is 5am and I am up typing this. If you know me, you KNOW I don't get up this early! Guess it will pass in a few more days.

Singapore looks great. The weather is much more hot and humid than when we left but not unbearable. You are never too far from air conditioning! Thursday afternoon we met our team members for coffee and supper. It was so nice to get back with them. We have missed them so much. Friday we finished unpacking and I started realizing all the things I should have bought while I was in the states. Will have other opportunities soon so I'm not worried.

Saturday we stayed at home - Singapore is too busy on Saturday to get out. Just not ready for those crowds yet. But yesterday we went to church. I sat by a young man who had a great voice so it was nice harmonizing with him on the praise and worship songs. I wore some new shoes and had blisters all on my toes before it was all over! But it was a good day. our friends came over for supper and we played cards.

Today we are going shopping in Little India. I will try to find a few things for the apartment. We sure do love it. I am getting anxious now to get our "stuff" from West Africa. Don't know when that will be. Hopefully this summer some time. It has been three years since I packed it up in boxes there. It will be like Christmas opening them up now. And sad, too - because alot of the kids' stuff will be in there.

Have a great day.

Heading Home

2008-03-24T11:42:00.001-07:00

Well, the bags are about 90% packed. We have moved from our nice mission house to a hotel room. We still have some last minute things to do at the office plus a little shopping and errand running to do. We have said all of our goodbyes (except for our oldest daughter and her husband - we are eating with them tonight). And we are shifting gears as we prepare for the LONG trip back to Singapore tomorrow. Will you PLEASE pray for us?

The flight to Detroit is 2 hours.
The flight to Tokyo is nearly 14 hours!
The flight on to Singapore is another 8 hours!

Whew!

We will arrive in Singapore on Thursday. We will be there for 13 days before flying to Israel for 8 days of meetings (and a little touring). We fly back to Singapore for 6 days and then head back to the states on April 28.

Our stateside office has its grand opening on May 1. Please pray for that, too!

Will write when I get back on the other side of the world!

Fallen off the face of the earth?

2008-03-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been so lax in updating the blog. Rick and I have been traveling so much I can't even keep up with where I am. Does the line - meeting myself coming and going mean anything to you? Ha.

We arrived in the states on February 12 and hit the ground running. We were able to see our son after his recent tornado experience and loss at Union and he was fine. There's something about HEARING him say he's okay and actually SEEING and FEELING him to be sure. He (and we) have been humbled at the way people have continued to meet his (and other students at Union) needs. Thanks to all of you for praying him through his own disaster.

We have seen our other children and they are all doing great.

Rick and I will be stateside until March 25 then we will head back to Singapore for about two weeks before our next trip - Israel! I'll keep you posted.

On our way...

2008-02-11T04:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it is 8:46 pm (Monday) and we have finally packed our bags. As always, the last 24 hours has been hectic as we have been preparing for our six weeks trip to the U.S. Of course, the best laid plans.... we had a meeting go two hours over today, we had last minute errands to run, etc. You know the story. But we are pretty much ready now and will try to get in bed by 10pm. We have to be at the airport at 4am for our flight at 6am. Got lots of goodies in my bags for kids and family. We didn't get to spend Christmas with them so I am bringing a little Christmas with me! Ha!

Talked to Ross this morning. He will be with us on Friday as will Chelsea. Audra and her husband live in Nashville so we will have a happy reunion on the weekend. I can hardly wait. Ross continues to amaze us at his response of his loss even though this is the third time he has lost everything. Bless his heart!

Rick and I have been recounting all the times that our family, either as a group or as individuals, have been in life threatening situations and how God continues to preserve our family. We are humbled by the many times His hand has cared for us in miraculous ways. Have you thought back recently at all the times He has been abundantly faithful to you in times of need? He is an awesome God and we forget that sometimes.

I will try to keep up the blog while stateside. There are many adventures to come, I'm sure. Thanks for taking the ride with me!

New update on Ross (and picture)

2008-02-08T22:05:00.000-08:00

Another update on Ross – today the National Guard went through the campus condemning the dorms. Ross has been there since the tornado hit, helping clean up, bag and tag items from dorms, etc. So he was walking around with the National Guard. They got to his dorm and condemned it. But then one National Guard asked Ross – if you could have three things out of your room, what would you want? Ross said – my hard drive, my acoustic guitar, and my bass guitar. Then the Guard proceeded to get those things for Ross. Of course, Ross was elated. But as he began to think about what all was LEFT in his room that he would not be able to recover, I think he grieved. I guess up until the “condemnation” there was always that chance that he would be able to get things out. Now they are gone forever. He will be with us on February 15 and you can imagine what a reunion that will be!

However, the church of one of his frat brothers took up a collection and sent it down and Ross was able to go buy some clothes last night. Another frat brother (graduated years ago and doesn’t even know Ross) told Ross to go and get his car fixed (the dent and broken window) and bring him the bill!

We continued to be amazed at our God but not surprised!

Here is a moving tribute to what happened at Union!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O-IiHCrsK8

P.S. If you would like to send Ross a card please email me for his address and phone number!

Update on Ross

2008-02-07T18:04:00.000-08:00

Just another note about Ross. We talked to him this morning and he is doing fine. The National Guard has taken over the Union University campus and is not letting anyone on campus. All of the dorms (except for two) have been condemned and they are not letting students retrieve their things. However, because Ross was a resident assistant, he has been put on a team that is going into the dorms to retrieve goods. They go in, bag and tag the stuff, and then take it to the gym for students to be able to collect at a later date. He was even able to go into his dorm. His roommates room were okay – not even windows were broken out. He tried to go into his room but the roof and wall have bucked out right at the door (structural damage) and he could not get in. The National Guard guy with him told him that it looked like that wall was holding up the roof so he would probably not be able to get any of his stuff. Ross also said that the back wall of his room was gone. He could see through the crack of the door that the window over his bed had blown through his room including the window frame. Where his computer screen used to be was just rubble. So it looks like he will be starting from scratch. He is still wearing the clothes he wore on Tuesday. He is staying with a family and washing them every night (thank goodness) but just hasn’t taken the time to go shopping!

For detailed pictures of Union: uurecovery.blogspot.com (no www).

We have a Great BIG God!

2008-02-07T01:37:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night, around 8pm my son and some of his friends were outside watching the storm clouds rolls onto Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. As they were standing there fascinated by the sky, all of a sudden the wind made a noticeable change. From a distance they heard what sounded like a freight train coming straight towards them. (Thank goodness they have seen enough disaster movies between them to know that when you hear that sound - you RUN for cover!) They ran to the nearest dorm and as they made their way to the bathroom their ears popped and every window in the place blew out! We have a GREAT BIG God!

In what seemed like hours (but was probably only a few minutes) all they could hear was the roar of the wind, the bumping and banging of tree limbs pounding on the roof, and finally a dead silence. Because they knew others were "out there" they made their way out of the bathroom and onto the campus which now looked like a "war zone". (Believe me, my son knows what one of those looks like!) My son and his frat brothers scrambled all over campus breaking down dormitory doors to get people out and to safer places. (Did I tell you that he has always been my superhero?) We have a GREAT BIG God!

Although the tornado devastated the Union Campus (some $45 million dollars worth Dr. Dockery said) not one life was lost! There were a few students stuck under the rubble but always in cell phone contact with someone "on top". Every student did their part to ensure the safety of everyone and in what have could have been a very chaotic situation, there was overwhelming peace! (Wonder Who that came from?) We have a GREAT BIG God!

Later on a bus from FBC Humboldt came to take some of the students back to their church. They fed and clothed them (some were without shoes!) and found homes for the night. Thanks to Steve and Dottie Babcock who were instrumental in making sure that everyone was safe, fed, clothed, debriefed, prayed for, and tucked in for the night. They are dear friends of us and know how to handle crisis situations (because they have been in many themselves.) Thanks, too, to FBC for the way they stepped up to the plate to minister to these young ones - some so far from home (like our son!) We have a GREAT BIG God!

Needless to say, I was up most of Tuesday night watching FOX News as the photos of the destruction across Tennessee began to meet the light of day. As thankful as I was that all of our Union students were spared, I was deeply sad to hear of the many who lost their lives and their homes on Tuesday night across our great state. I know you will continue to pray for them as they face the uncertain future. We have a GREAT BIG God!

Ross called again on Wednesday morning to say that he was headed towards the campus to see if he could locate his car. Of the 1200 cars on campus fewer than 100 escaped damage. Ross's was one of those! (PTL!) He was able to get his car which was only dented a little with one little cracked window and drive away! We have a GREAT BIG God!

I asked him how the campus looked now that it was day and he could really see the devastation. He replied, "Mom, people should have died." It was true. When you see the photos of the destruction, it is amazing that not one student sustained mortal wounds. We have a GREAT BIG God!

Emails and phone calls have poured in to each one of our family members offering whatever help Ross needs. He doesn't even know what those needs are exactly yet, but we do appreciate how everyone has rallied around him! We have a GREAT BIG God!

Rick and I will arrive in the states on Tuesday. Our GREAT BIG God knew all of this was coming and had already arranged for us to be in the states (months ago) for meetings and some training. We will be able to wrap our arms around our children and thank our GREAT BIG God! that once again, He has proven Himself faithful to preserve our family! We praise our GREAT BIG God!

True Stories

2008-02-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you one of the stories we heard while we were in the Philippines. One of the pastors that we visited with shared his testimony. He was traveling to a village to set up an agricultural project in an area where rebel soldiers were known to live. He arrived at the village late at night and was directed to a certain house where he would be staying. He didn't know that this was a house where a rebel commander lived. The commander asked the pastor, "Did you not know who I was and that with just a thought I could kill you?" The pastor replied, "Even if you chop me into pieces, each piece will cry out to you how much my Lord loves you!" Before the night was over, the commander received Christ as well as his whole household!

This same pastor was doing agricultural work in another village near to where the rebels were said to have attacked recently. He remarked about his fear to the village believers. They told him, "Don't worry. We will die before we allow them to kill you." He was ashamed of his lack of faith!

We heard many stories like this from the people who worked at the farm. Our own faith was challenged and we were inspired to walk closer to the same God who had proved Himself so faithful to these.

On the farm

2008-01-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

Our trip to the Philippines included a trip to the farm - a community development project that started over 20 years ago. It was an incredible experience seeing how a whole community has come out of their poverty level and is sustaining the work themselves. The project also included a BOOST program which included a two to three month training in agriculture, animal husbandry, health and sanitation, well drilling, and chronological bible storying. (BOOST = Baptist Out of school training). People from all over Asia have come to the farm to learn techniques that will better their lifestyles.

One of the animal husbandry projects is an odorless pig farm. Wow, I have never seen cleaner pigs and they absolutely had NO odor. They are in individual "cement" cages with water access. Someone washed up after them any time they "go". The feces is being used to make some kind of gas that will be used for something else. Here is a close up picture of one of the "Porky Pigs!"

Back from the Philippines

2008-01-29T23:07:00.000-08:00

Well, we are back from the Philippines. I wanted you to see where we were in relation to the Philippines. First you have to find Singapore, right? Okay, you can see Cambodia, can't you - in the pink? Go left from there and down that side "arm" until you are in the dark green Malaysia. Are you with me? Okay, right at the tip of that dark green, if you look closely, you will see Singapore. Now, the Philippine Islands are in red. They are farther away than you think. All in all, it took us five hours of flying time to get there. The Philippines is made up of 7000 islands but only 700 of them are inhabited. The Philippines was settled by the Spanish and if you hear or read their language, you can hear alot of Spanish influence. The Philippines have a strong Catholic background. This is where Magellan was finally killed (FYI!)

The Philippines reminded me so much of Sierra Leone. The people were friendly. The towns were so similar (only they had electricity). The Filipino people have combined Catholicism and their traditional beliefs just as the Sierra Leoneans have combined Islam with their traditional beliefs. There were some really striking parallels.

Over the next few days I will be telling you all about my trip - so hold on!

A Room with a View

2008-01-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

I am excited about filling you in on a few major things that have happened this week. Rick's employment pass was finally approved! PTL! That means that we can now open a bank account, sign a lease on an apartment, get a credit card, etc. Now all we have to do is to fill out the dependent application (for me) and send it in. There should be no problem in mine being approved since Rick's was.

The second bit of news is that we finally have an apartment! As you know, we looked at several apartments all day Monday in three apartment complexes within walking distance of each other. Although the other couple here with us didn't find anything they wanted, Rick and I narrowed the choices down to two by Tuesday. Our real estate agent was able to negotiate a good deal for us and yesterday she informed us that we had a deal!

The two bedroom apartment is less than 1000 square feet (good thing Rick and I were planning on downsizing!). There is already some furniture in the apartment and the landlord is willing to move out a few pieces to make room for our own things. I have to tell you that the apartment is gorgeous! I will post pictures of it soon. The complex is very resort looking and includes several swimming pools, a tennis court, a gym, and a small 7-11 type store right on the grounds.
Now that Rick has the employment pass and we have an address, we can proceed to have our things from West Africa shipped here. No one knows how long that will take so it is good that we are walking into a furnished apartment. I will still have to buy a few kitchen things (dishes, a few pots and pans, towels, etc.) to get us through until our things do arrive.

Now that we have an address, you can start making your plans to come and see us!

Apartment hunting

2008-01-12T14:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday Rick and I finally met our real estate agent (Iris) to look at some apartments here in Singapore. Since one of our families (not coming until June) has a child still in school, we thought it was important to locate somewhere in close proximity to the school. That is on the west part of the island and also where rents are a bit cheaper than on most other parts.

After researching for hours (if not days since we got here)I found three apartment/condominium complexes in the same general area (within walking distance of each other). With three different complexes (total of more than 1000 apartments/condos, surely we could find two. We won't need the third one until just before June. I sent our agent the three complex names and she arranged for some "viewing" of available apartments in two of them.

We met her there at 9:30 on Saturday morning. The first complex was absolutely beautiful. It is a "low rise" meaning it only goes up 6 stories. The first apartment we looked at was on the sixth floor. It was immaculately clean and freshly painted. It had three bedrooms and was fully air conditioned. Now here in Singapore, "partially furnished" means it includes a fridge, washing machine, and possibly a microwave. This one was just such a deal. All the windows were ceiling to floor giving lots of light to the place. Being up high gave it a wonderful panoramic view of the area.

The kitchen was small. Kitchens here are usually not very big because not much cooking goes on in Singaporean homes. Everybody EATS OUT alot. By the way, did I mention that there is no oven! (This was true for all the apartments we looked at except for one. IF you are going to need that, you get a "toaster oven" for the counter space!

The back porch or "yard" as it is called here was where the laundry is done. It also included a "maid's room". It is no bigger than a walk in closet. Those who can afford it (and need it) hire a maid (usually from the Philippines) to do their house cleaning and be a nanny to the children. There is also a bathroom in the "yard". (No, we won't be having a maid here!)

Counting the bathroom in the "yard" - there were three! Oh, I forgot to say that the "maid's room" would also make a great storage room for us. We still have lots of Chelsea's stuff among our shipment and will need a place to store that until we can get it to her.

This apartment complex had a large pool, a wading pool, a spa pool, gymnasium, tennis court, sauina room, and club house. (It is nearly like a resort!) Very impressive (and just another reason why we LOVE living in Singapore!)

We looked at two other apartments in this complex and they were all very similar. Some were cleaner and had a fresh coat of paint. Some needed painting. Some were more "partially furnished" than others, but all in all, this still remains a great option for us.

The second complex was across the road, putting it within walking distance of the first one. (By the way, the first complex is two bus stops for the school, so this is a great option for our family with a child still in school.) The second complex was even more "resort-like" and was a high rise (I think it had 24 floors.) The first one we looked at was on the 19th floor. What a view! All of the windows were ceiling to floor letting in all the morning sun. (This is important to know because the afternoon sun can be a killer PLUS run up the electric bill trying to cool the place.)

I LOVED the kitchen - it was an open kitchen concept - meaning there was just a small half wall separating it from the dining room/living area. This one was just a two bedroom - about 900 square feet of living space. But it included a "safe room" (I'm not sure why) which could be used as a store room/pantry. Still no oven, but there was a great brand new stove top with a grill!

The amenities were about the same - pools, gym, etc. And there was a small "7-11" type store right on the premises. We were, needless to say impressed. We looked at three apartments in this complex.

Now - what do we do? Well, first of all, we have decided that these three complexes are certainly what we are looking for so Iris is arranging to look at more apartments here on Monday. We will meet our other team members there so they can look as well. Hopefully, in the next week we can decide on something and sign the papers for our new living space.

At that time, we can have our stuff from West Africa shipped here. Now, who knows how long it will take that to get here. Could be a few weeks (doubtful) or a few months. No one really knows for sure. We haven't seen that "stuff"in nearly three years so it will be interesting just opening up those boxes. We have already decided that we will definitely have to "downsize" to live in the small spaces we have available here but are willing to do so.

Our goal is to have the apartment rented before we leave for the states in February so when we come we will definitely have PICTURES! Since we are not sure when our "stuff" will get there, we will also have to buy a few things like bath towels, kitchen towels, sheets, etc. We will go ahead and get a bed and are even thinking about getting some living room furniture. We gave away everything but our couch and a bookcase before we left West AFrica so in many ways we are "starting over" in the furniture department.

I will certainly keep you updated on all of this so you can pray me through it! I feel like a newly wed!

Another reason why we LOVE living in Singapore

2008-01-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Rick and I spent the day discovering a new mall. We are looking for a desk chair for me and have been doing some comparative shopping. Anyway, we decided to take in a movie about 4:30. Have I told you about the movies here? Well, they are up to date with the ones on in the U.S. pretty much. But that said, they are SO much better.

1. You can actually get your movie tickets online and just pick them up at the theatre.
2. You have to CHOOSE your seats (like at a play or the opera). So you can make sure you have the seats of your choice.
3. The theatres are very nice - very comfortable chairs with plenty of leg room. People can walk in front of you to get to their seats without you having to scrunch your knees up.
4. At the concession stand, you have two choices of popcorn - salty or sweet. The sweet is a light version of cracker jacks. So good. OR you can have a mixture of sweet and salty.
5. Yesterday during about 15 seconds of the movie the picture went off but the sound kep going. During the credits the management came on the loud speaker and apologized TWICE. Then someone met us at the exit door with FREE PASSES to another movie of our choice! Wow.
6. Haven't experienced this yet but there is also a Gold Classic theatre which offers reclining seats and a menu! They BRING you your orders!

What a great day, except the desk chair I wanted is out of stock until March! Boo hoo!

My Christmas Tree is STILL UP!

2008-01-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Can't believe it is already four days into 2008 (twenty oh eight, as they like to call it here!) Hope your new year has already been adventuresome and that your knowledge of Him has already increased!

Rick and I stayed home on New Year's Eve after our "crowded" Christmas Eve experience on Orchard Road! It was nice to watch the fireworks from our window in our pajamas!

I still haven't taken my Christmas tree down. Just can't bring myself to do it. Rick bought some purple beads back before Christmas. I think I will add those to the tree and just celebrate Mardi Gras while I have it up! What do you think?

Rick bought me alot of local magazines for Christmas so I have had fun sifting through those. Most of them are about activities here in Singapore. I am ready to get ACTIVE. In fact, I attended my first Bible study this morning. It is just a three week "course" on the book of Ephesians but we meet from 9:30 - 12. The speaker is very good and it is nice to be with other women. I was invited to join a ladies' cell group, too, so that was exciting. It won't begin meeting until the last week in January. I will be out of town then but hopefully, will get started in it the first week of February.

Rick and I have also signed up for a Precept course on Genesis at a local church. We will only get to attend 3 of the 7 classes but couldn't pass up the chance to study my favorite book Precept style!

We are still receiving a few Christmas cards. Thanks to those who paid the extra to get them all the way to Singapore. Some of your cards that you sent to the Nashville address may have been returned. Sorry. For some reason the U.S. Post Office did not recognize that as our "valid" address, although our daughter lives there. So if they were returned, please send them to our Brownsville address. If you need that, email me.

We continue to discover the city on a daily basis!

Added a pic of our two college kids!

Christmas Dinner

2007-12-28T23:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know we are behind the times but Rick and I are having our Christmas dinner today (Saturday, December 29). We were just so busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that we didn't have it then. The day after Christmas Rick wasn't feeling well so we didn't have it then. The next two days we decided we better get out of the house because we could feel a post-Christmas depression coming on! So we put it off until today. But that's okay. We don't usually go out on Saturdays because everyone else in Singapore is out that day. The malls are always full and it is a nice day to stay in and catch up on housework and office work!

So, what's on the menu today? We have been buying a few things (as we found them) since before Thanksgiving. For instance - marshmellows. Sweet potatoes aren't sweet potatoes without marshmellows! I also found a little bag of pecans (very hard to come by here) and have been saving them for the half of the sweet potatoes without marshmellows! Rick has been busy making dressing (he makes the best - okay, it's right up there with my momma's!). We even made Watergate salad - had to cut the marshmellows in pieces because we couldn't find the little marshmellows that go in that. Of course, there's the other items but these are the mains ones. I even have a pumpkin pie for later (on a homemade crust - I might add!)

We have a DVD of Belmont University Choir singing carols on the TV. We will be thinking of you as we eat today - wishing you were here to enjoy Singapore with us.

We miss all of you so much.

Merry (post) Christmas!

The big day is over

2007-12-26T04:11:00.000-08:00

Today is December 26! As my husband says, "Big John's dead and the big day is over!" But let me backtrack a minute.

December 24 Rick and had a great day out and around the city. We enjoyed the Christmas decorations all over town and ended up on Orchard Road about 6pm. If I told you there were a million people walking on the sidewalks with us, I'm sure I would not be exaggerating! It was an incredible crowd. The funny thing is that no one was pushing or shoving. Everyone was just moving along slowly. We were trying to get to where we knew people were supposed to be caroling. We could see a choir standing on down the sidewalk on the other side of the road but couldn't get to them. We couldn't hear them from where we were. By the way, in Singapore "caroling" is someone singing TO you, not everyone singing Christmas caroling. What we could hear, was not even in English! Ha! So we walked up a couple of escalators and got up where we could see a little better.

A Christmas parade came by with about seven or eight floats. All of them were lit up to perfection and each depicted a character of Christ: bread of life, living water, etc. And each float had the name JESUS prominently displayed. I was so excited. Now what we believe to be true about how the "true meaning" of Christmas has been emphasized this year is to "educate" the people of Singapore about the religions within her culture. They believe that if we can all understand each other's cultures, we will get along better. Whatever the strategy - the TRUTH will shine above the rest so I was glad that Singapore was showing the true meaning whatever their reasoning!

The kids all called on Christmas Eve (it was morning for them) and that helped with how much we were missing them. It also helped to know that sooner or later they would all be together.

Christmas morning - we opened our presents and the kids called again. We lazed around (like you are supposed to do on Christmas morning) until about 11am. Then we went to some friends' house for Christmas lunch. We had ham and turkey and green bean casserole, etc. (Rick and I have decided to cook our Christmas dinner on this coming Saturday). We visited with these friends until about 5 and then headed to the home of one of our Singaporean friends who had invited us for an authentic Chinese dinner. Don't think I am going to try and tell you what we had to eat - no way. Some of it was great and other parts were a little too spicy for me. But the company was good. We left there about 10pm.

This morning our kids woke us up as they were opening their presents. Our son eventually joined them after lunch and I know they have had a ball together. Meanwhile - Rick and I were going "down" by the moment. We finally just took a long nap. It is now after 8pm and we are watching a short Shrek Christmas movie on television.

Looking forward to tomorrow. It will be better. We are headed toward and exciting new year. Thanks for your prayers.

Can it really be December 18?

2007-12-16T22:29:00.001-08:00

Dear friends,

I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I posted last. Sorry. Things have been hectic around here PLUS we are enjoying Christmas in Singapore. As I wrote last, the city is decorated to the hilt. It is an amazing site to see. Hope you enjoyed the pictures I sent last.

This past weekend we went to a concert in the Esplanade concert hall. It was absolutely amazing. to see the concert hall go to http://www.worldvr.com/esplanade.html. Anyway, we went to hear the Celebration Chorus (which I have signed up for and start rehearsing with in January.) It is an ecumenical choir representing many churches here in Singapore. There are 75 in the choir and after hearing them the other night, I can hardly wait to start practicing with them. They had an orchestra (PLUS a harp and a huge pipe organ!) Wow. The choir is directed by a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. How he ended up here - I can't wait to find out! Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.

I'd like to take a moment and ask for you to pray with me. My youngest daughter just called and said that one of her college friend's sister had been killed in a car accident today. Of course, death at any time is terrible, but during the holidays it just seems to be worse. Please pray for this family. You don't know their names but HE will.

I do hope that you all are having a joyous time this Christmas season and enjoying family. Rick and I are planning to go to Orchard Road on Wednesday. There will be a live Nativity scene there plus loads of caroling. Yes, we'll end up at the Hard Rock Cafe to hear "the boys". Wish you were here to go with us.

Just wish you were here....

Enough about animals

2007-12-05T03:53:00.000-08:00

Suffice it to say, we had a great time in Kenya and saw lots more animals than you want to read about. My kids are accusing me of using this as a teaching moment so I will move on. Besides, it's Christmas and there is lots to tell.

Christmas in Singapore seems to be enjoyed by everyone. There is a great build up of events and of course, the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up. Orchard Road is THE main shopping road and business road on the island and it is decorated to perfection. Now, it isn't cold but you can buy an ice cream or a chilled fruit drink from one of the road side cafes.

This week Rick and I are supposed to go on an open top bus tour of the lights of Orchard Road but just to get you excited, here are a few pictures of it.

The Hairdresser

2007-12-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to stop here, in the middle of my game drive saga, to tell you about an adventure I had in Singapore yesterday. My friend, Lisa, and I had made plans to meet at a place where she got her hair cut on a regular basis. She also had a voucher at another salon for a free "micro-misting". So we met at the shopping center about 1pm. We walked to the beauty salon which was completely busy and full. There were 8 beauty salon chairs along two walls in a shop 15ft X 20ft. Right in the center was the appointment desk and then behind that (behind a big curtain were two typical beauty shop sinks.

They put Lisa and I in the next two available chairs and asked if we wanted coffee or tea. (My goodness, why can't the beauty shops in the states do that?) They brought that out to us and then you will never believe what happened. My "girl" tucked a piece of black plastic at the back of my neck and covered my back. Then she wrapped a towel around my neck and clipped in in the front. Okay, I know that doesn't sound too different - but wait! THEN she began to squeeze a plastic bottle of shampoo mixed with water onto my dry hair. She gave me a shampoo sitting right there in front of the mirror. And this wasn't just ANY shampoo. It was a total head, neck, and shoulder massage - WOW for about fifteen minutes. I got so relaxed I could hardly keep my eyes open! She swooped up all the soap in her hand leaving me looking like Alfalfa from The Little Rascals. I thought it was over. But after she put the soap that was on her hand into the sink (behind the curtain) she came back to me and started the whole process over. When she did finish - I looked up at her (she was probably barely 19) and in my most Southern drawl said, "Honey, that was the best shampoo I have ever had in my life!" She laughed and I'm not really sure she understood what I said but I had to say it!

Then she took me back to the sink and I laid my head back. Now in most salons in the states (all that I have ever been in) when you lay your head back in that sink - if it doesn't quite fit you neck, it can be painful. Not going to happen in Singapore because they have a little sponge pillow to lay your head on in the sink so it is NEVER uncomfortable. When she got ready to rinse that part of my hair, she just lifted my head up. (Why can't salons in the states do all of this?)

A different lady came to cut my hair and she did a great job. Since Lisa and I were on our way to another shop for the "micro-misting" there wasn't any need for drying and styling. Oh, by the way, this fantastic massage, shampoo, and cut experience cost $21.00! Beat that ANYWHERE!

We managed to get to the next salon to have our "treatment" which turned out to be a "conditioning" that was nice. Got another good head massage in the sink. I tell you, after about two hours of all of this kind of treatment, I could hardly walk! Besides that, I have a new hair cut to show for it.

Just wanted you to be there with me!

The Leftover Parts

2007-11-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

Today I want to talk about what some consider the 'ugliest' and 'stupidest' of all the animals we saw on the Kenyan savannah. I'm talking about the wildebeest. According to one African legend, God made the wildebeest out of the bits and pieces He had left over after He finished creating all the other animals. He gave the wildebeest a mule's face, a cow's horns, a goat's beard, and a horse's body. Sometimes a wildebeest behaves as if all these bits and pieces want to go in different directions. It will start to gallop around, leap up and down, and kick its heels into the air for no reason anyone can see!

March and April mark the rainy season as well as the mating season. Males fight for dominance among the herd. The gestation period in a female is eight and a half months, producing one offspring. The calf is able to stand within minutes of the birth. In a few days, it is able to keep up with the herd.

During May, more than a million wildebeest migrate more than 800 miles from the Serengeti to open woodlands to feed until November. About 500 wildebeest run at speeds of up to 50mph make a stampede. Stampedes are destructive, but also encourage new plant growth and renewal of soil.

The strong bulls in every wildebeest group defend territories that they have marked with their waste and glandular substances emitted from their face and hooves. Young males and bulls without territories form bachelor herd. Bachelors are forced to live on the fringes of the herd.

Here's a picture Rick took of ALL the different animals we saw at just one spot. If you look closely you can see a giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle!

The day of the jackal

2007-11-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

I've always HEARD of jackals but had never seen one until today. What a beautiful, graceful animal.

Our guide told us that this carnivore has long been the subject of superstition about death and evil spirits. The ancient Egyptians believed a jackal-headed god guided the dead to those who judged their souls. Such beliefs were probably encouraged by the jackal's cleverness, nocturnal habits, eerie howling and scavenging.

Jackals live singly or in pairs (mate for life) and are sometimes found in small packs. Mated pairs are territorial, and both the female and the male mark and defend the boundaries of their territory.

Yipping calls are made when the family gathers. Members only respond to their own family's calls and ignore those of other individuals. Although they have long had a reputation as sneaky, skulking scavengers, research has shown jackals to be agile, lithe hunters with close-knit, cooperative family groups. They have been successful in adapting to changing environments.

Jackals are noisy. Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a sirenlike howl when a kill is located.

Are the animals up THIS early?

2007-11-19T06:34:00.000-08:00

Are the animals UP this early?

Tuesday morning we met at 6:15am to go on an early morning game drive. I think the ultimate goal of every game drive is to see a “kill”. (lions killing something) We saw lots of animals this morning (not nearly as many as yesterday – I don’t think they were up yet) and the weather was so nice and cool.

One interesting animal we saw was a spotted hyena. We saw one yesterday lying in the road. The hyena is known as the “scavenger” because he loves to come behind lions and finish up on the dead carcasses. They have the strongest jaws of any animals and can chew up bones like they were nothing. In fact, they DO eat so many bones that their feces are “strikingly” white because of the amount of calcium that they intake.

Litters of one or two are born, usually of different sexes. They are born with their eyes open and their teeth well developed. They start fighting at birth, especially if two females are born. One ends up killing the other before too long. That ensures dominance and that the strongest survives. If there are one of each sex born, the male will usually survive since he is no competition for the females. Weaning starts at nine months and is usually completed by 18 months. No other female will ever suckle a sister's young and should the mother not return from the hunt, these young will be left to die as survival of it's own genes is important. Other females will protect another's cubs. There is always a dominant female in the clan.

2007-11-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

The Maasi and the Baboon

On our drive into the park yesterday we began to come through Maasi territory. The Maasi is a tribe that lives in Kenya and Tanzania. They are a well known tribe and we were thrilled to hear that there is a revival among the Maasi and that many of them are believers. Several things mark a true Maasi. They always wear RED. They pierce their ears at an early age and then continue to put larger things in the whole so that their lobes are stretched. (picture) They always have a gap between their two front teeth. If it is not there at birth, they either remove a tooth to make it there or put something between the teeth to insure the gap. If a young Maasi man has killed a lion, he will have scars on his arms. (If he ran from the lion, he will have scars on his back to show that he was a coward!) The Maasi women keep their heads shaved and do some beautiful beadwork. (yes, I bought some).

At this particular lodge where we are staying, there are several Maasi men who have been hired to control the baboons! Yes, because the eating areas are very open plus there are many chairs and small tables outside. The baboons are notorious for coming to the tables to steal food. The Maasi men (in their red) stand around with long sticks and homemade sling shots to keep them away. One Maasi man told me that when the baboon sees the red, he runs. It was evident he was right.

Rick had taken his coffee out on the veranda to enjoy the view. The Maasi man walked toward the door to help someone with a chair and two baboons set their plan to steal Rick’s sugar cube. One of the baboons walked toward the Maasi man to distract him. The other baboon quickly scurried down the roof ledge, jumped on to Rick’s table, grabbed the sugar, and scurried back up to the roof! Rick said it all happened so fast it was hard to take in.

November 5, 2007

2007-11-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

Rick and I arrived in Nairobi (after seven hours to Qatar and then another six on to Kenya) about 3pm in the afternoon on November 4. We (along with another BGR couple) were picked up at the airport and taken to a guest house where we were able to refresh ourselves before meeting nearly all the BGR team for supper at a local restaurant. The next morning we had to be ready to go at 6am. The fourteen of us boarded three vehicles (Land Rovers) for our trip to Amboseli Park (a game park/hotel) where we would have our meetings and FUN time. The drive took about four hours but then we got into the park and drove for another hour in (slowly) as we say MANY animals! I will be describing them all and hopefully putting on pictures but just to wet your appetite – just on the drive in we saw zebras, elephants, gazelle, hippos, giraffes, lions, and MANY others. It was amazing. The land is flat for so far you seem to be able to see forever! In fact, the sky is so big I could hardly open my eyes big enough to see it all. We finally got to the lodge/hotel and were met with cool wet towels and freshly squeezed orange juice! Rick and I got our key (which was hooked to a very interesting piece called a ringu – picture later ) and set ourselves up in Room 9.

Our team had lunch – a beautiful buffet. We were in our rooms just long enough to prepare for our afternoon game drive! Wow, it was incredible! Our truck was very high so we had good views PLUS we all had binoculars! (“binos” as they are called here). Our hosts are two young men (one was from Zimbabwe and the other was from South Africa) who work for a Christian tour group called ACTS. You can find out more about them at www.actsoverland.com. They knew all about the animals and had led tours in this park many times. As we drove along they told us interesting things about the animals that we were seeing. And boy, did we see the animals. We drove right through a herd of hundreds of zebra. A herd of about forty elephants crossed the road right in front of our truck and it was absolutely awesome to watch them majestically parade in front of us. I wish you could have all been with me to experience this first day of the game drive. It really was incredible and I could see the hand of God at every turn.

We returned after about two hours and had a great supper. Then our team met for worship and prayer. When we got back to our room our mosquito net had been drawn and our beds had been turned back. What service! We hit the sack about 10:30. Remember we are still dealing with jet lag so we were more than ready to hit the hay.

going on safari

2007-11-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know that Rick and I are on our way to Kenya tonight. We are headed there for team meetings and for fun – to go on some game drives. Will write all about it when I get back – with pictures. Get ready.

Sunday in Singapore

2007-10-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

October 28, 2007

Wow! What a Sunday! First of all, it is so good to have Rick home! I missed him so much and am thrilled that he is back to explore Singapore with me!

I also talked with Chelsea this morning (Saturday night there). You may or may not know that this week she was diagnosed with mono and strep throat. She is one sick little girl. You can only imagine how hard it is to be WAY OVER HERE knowing she is so sick. The doctor gave her an antibiotic for the strep but said the only thing to do for mono was REST. If you know Chelsea, you know how active she is and always in the middle of everything. SO this is going to be very hard for her. He told her that if she rested and took care of herself she could be pretty much over mono in four to six weeks! If she didn’t, she could rupture her spleen! She IS trying to rest a lot. She talked to the dean at her college and her professors and they all seem to be sympathetic to her. Pray that they will be patient with late work and missed classes. Chelsea did go to spend the weekend at my sister’s house. She lives about thirty minutes away. I think the change of venue did her a world of good. By the way, today is her 19^th birthday! If you’d like her address, email me and I will give it to you.

Back to our day here. We went to a new church this morning. The name of it was Community of Praise Baptist Church. They have a webpage at www.cpbc.org.sg. It was a great service and an incredible sermon. I hope to tell you more about that tomorrow. The Lord really spoke to me through His word.

After church Rick and walked a couple of blocks to the Great World City mall. We found a nice restaurant to eat at (a little more upscale than the food courts we have been eating in). Rick ordered a “set meal”. That is like a soup, an entrée, rice (of course), and a dessert. His set meal also included JELLYFISH – I tasted it and it was kind of like the kraut salad my mom used to make! I ordered a chicken dish cooked and served in a little clay pot! It was absolutely delicious. They brought Rick’s dessert at the end of the meal – mock bean soup. Yes, it was some kind of beans mashed up with a sort of dumpling (more raw than cooked) in the middle of it. I wanted so much for it to taste like what it looked like – sort of a raspberry pudding. It didn’t. Oh, well, so much for exploring!

After lunch, Rick and I walked around this FOUR story mall and were absolutely amazed. It was so much fun. We didn’t buy anything but, hey, looking is half the fun.

Tonight we are home catching up some email and just resting.

Rick is home!

2007-10-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Rick arrived home about 2:30am Tuesday morning. It was so good to see him and he was wide awake. So we stayed up talking until nearly four. We had a lot of catching up to do since he had seen all of the family and had many greetings! He slept until 8am and then jet lag woke him up. So we got up for awhile and then jet lag hit him again and we took a nap! He can use that jet lag excuse for a while!

About 3pm we finally got out and decided to try out a new mall. Now that he is here we can ride the bus since he can figure out which one to get on. WE went to the mall called Vivo City. It is the largest retail mall of the city – a three story huge shopper’s heaven. And there are stores here you would recognize: GAP, Gloria Jean’s Coffee, Toys R Us, and then some you wouldn’t know. We walked around quite a bit and then decided to eat. There was a “food court” there with many different kinds of Asian food. I settled on something I recognized – fried rice, sweet and sour pork, green beans and honey chicken. It was absolutely delicious. Afterwards, we walked around a little more and found a coffee shop we thought we could relax in. It was nice and the seating was very comfortable. We talked for awhile and then I realized the Rick’s jet lag was kicking in because it was after 6pm. So we found our way out of the mall and to the bus stop.

At home we caught up on a little email and then made a few phone calls to check up on sick family members.

Today (Wednesday) Rick has been to talk to the lawyer about our registration. We are still being processed but seem to be on the final end of it. Keep praying that this will soon be finished so that we can start looking for an office and an apartment. I know that you have already been praying for those two locations so hopefully, as soon as we get the green light, we will find exactly where God wants us.

My birthday

2007-10-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I turned 53 today and proud of it! What a day! You all must have been praying because it was a great day. It started off a little stressed because my alarm didn’t go off. I was meeting my friend, Lisa, at church. I made it there via taxi and was not too late so that was good. We had a great worship service and an even better S.S. class (we went to early service and S.S. after).

Then Lisa took me to a really neat place for lunch. It is called “The Vilage”

It was a very unique restaurant with lots of different things to try. We split a salad and a peppered beef, mushroom, and cheese crepe! AND Watermelon juice. Delicious!

Afterwards we had a pecan praline frappacino from “The Coffee Bean”

The Coffee Bean is a lot like Starbucks (which we also have here) but cheaper. Remember that $6.90 Singapore dollars would be about $4.50 U.S. dollars PLUS Starbucks doesn’t have the Pecan Praline! And after all, it was my birthday!

Lisa and I sat and talked a long time today (just getting to know each other better.) I told her all about my family and she just let me rant on and on about them. I hope she is around when they all come to visit.

We also took in a movie and enjoyed some Singapore shopping!

I wanted to thank you for praying for me on my birthday. It could have been discouraging not to have Rick here (and I do miss him) but Lisa took out a big chunk of her day to make my birthday a special one.

By the way, Rick will be home tomorrow night around 1am. Please pray for him to have a safe and comfortable journey. There’s nothing about a twenty hour flight to look forward to except the fact that you will be home.

I’m sure we will have tons of adventures next week as we start looking for an office. Please pray that we will find one easily and within the company’s price range.

out on the town again

2007-10-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

I got my laundry together yesterday to take it in. I had a pretty big bag full. Let me just stop and say right here – please remember to appreciate your washer and dryer today. It is so nice to have them right there in the house with you. So when you go by them today – pat them and say a prayer of thanks that you have this convenience IN your home. I took a taxi to the shopping center where the laundry we found was. It was $27 (about $19 U.S.) worth of laundry. I have to go and pick it up today.

Another couple on our team arrived over the weekend and they were over their jet lag enough yesterday to go exploring with me. I took a taxi to the apartment they are staying in (which by the way was beautiful) and then we took the bus and MRT to a part of town I had not been in. We were looking for a specific store they had heard about and eventually found it. It was good to know, because this is where we will probably get our appliances. We ate at McDonald’s (yes, we have those here) and just walked through the market. There was so much to see.

I got home before 5pm (which is good because the taxi fares go up after that and it is much harder to find a taxi that isn’t hired out already). Got all comfortable in my place and warmed up leftover pizza from Saturday. What a treat.

Only a week before Rick comes home. You can’t imagine how glad I will be to see him. I have really missed him. Thank you for praying me through this time of separation.

Hari Raya

2007-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Today is Hari Raya! “Hari Raya” is the Malay term for the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr. It literally means “Day of Celebration”. It is a time to reconcile and renew relationships with others.

During the Muslim month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya, it is mandatory for Muslims to fast from dawn to dusk. All Muslims except the young, old or infirmed must fast. This is the celebration of the breaking of that fast. Widely, markets, or “Ramadan bazaars” are held in many areas around the country, where all sorts of traditional Malay delicacies are sold for breaking fast.

On the eve of Hari Raya, Muslims will recite a special phrase in mosques. In some communities, there will be congregations reciting it from house to house. Here, big promotions and price discounts are given at shopping centers. Decorations are hung in public areas and Hari Raya songs will be played throughout the city.

Many people also traditionally return to their hometown generally from big metropolitan cities to rural areas.

Usually on the eve of the celebration, family members, especially mothers and housewives, will be busy preparing food, cakes, sweets, cookies and various delicacies to be served on the day of Hari Raya. Other family members will help in other chores such as decorating and cleaning up the house.

Muslims will attend Eid prayer in the morning and congregate later to meet and greet one another. Once the prayer is done, it is also common to visit the grave of their loved ones. During this visit, they will clean the grave and recite a chapter from the Qur’an. All these are done in hope that their loved ones are blessed by God and they are spared from the punishment of the grave.

The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. Hari Raya is a very joyous day for children for this is the day where adults are extra generous. During the night, there are often celebrations with sparklers and firecrackers.

In many ways, it is a lot like Christmas!

Hard Rock

2007-10-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

The big news is that our company got its application approved yesterday! This is BIG. Now, we can get our employment passes (when Rick gets back) and start looking for an apartment and for an office.

Many of you must have really been praying for me yesterday because I had a GREAT day! The day before was a little depressing so I NEEDED a day out and a friend. Before coming to Singapore I had met Lisa in the states at a conference. We had spent a few days together and knew each other cordially. I had written her when I knew we were coming to Singapore because I knew this part of the world was also her assignment and she lived in Singapore. So… that’s how we knew each other.

Since arriving we had been trying to get together. In fact, we did get together one night. She was one of the girls who took Rick and I to the Chinese gardens that first week we were here. (Of course, Rick and I were in serious jet lag and don’t remember much about that week. Thank goodness we took pictures!) Anyway, Lisa and I planned to meet at a mall yesterday and do some shopping and then go to a movie. That was the plan.

I left the apartment about 1:30 because I had to go to Queensway Plaza Shopping Center to pick up some contact lenses I had ordered. I took a taxi there and got there just fine. There’s not very good “shopping” in that particular mall – it is mostly business type shops (places to get name cards made, trophies, oh, and contacts!) So I left there and got in another taxi. I told him Singapura Mall (which was not correct, but he corrected me by saying – “you mean, Plaza Singapura”. I said yes, that was right. So we drove a little while and he dropped me off at the taxi stand in front of a big mall. I went in and walked around for awhile. Then I decided to have a cup of coffee. At the Haagen Dazs, if you bought one cup of coffee you got the second cup free, so… PLUS Haagen Dazs was at the front door of the mall so this seemed like a good place to meet Lisa. I had bought a Reader’s Digest, so I just sat and enjoyed my coffee and read my Reader’s Digest (the Asian version).

In a while, Lisa called. She had been taking the written driving test here (not easy) and had passed and was ready to celebrate. Where was I? I told her where I was and she said okay, I’ll meet you there. In about thirty minutes, while I was on my second cup of coffee, she called and said that she was by the stores I had said but didn’t see a Haagen Dazs. Come to find out, we were at two different malls. My taxi had dropped me off at Centerpoint Mall – NOT Singapura. Lisa was at Singapura Mall. So I said, sit still and I’ll come to you. I got in the cue at the taxi stand which had a line of about twenty people in it. We were all waiting for a taxi. Luckily it was the time of day when many taxis were coming our way and I got in one about twenty minutes later. I got to Singapura Mall and met Lisa and boy, did we have fun.

Lisa is a big time shopper and she took me to one of her favorite places to shop in Singapore. It is the $2 shop – everything in there is $2 (that would be $1.40 for us). It had some WONDERFUL things and it was really fun trying to figure out what half of it was. It all came from Japan and I have never seen so much stuff. I wish I could have taken a picture. Definitely a place to do stocking stuffers for Christmas!

We had wanted to go to the movie but after looking over what was on, nothing really stood out as something we wanted to spend time seeing. So we decided to go eat instead. Lisa had been wanting to go to the Hard Rock Café here in Singapore but couldn’t find anyone who would go with her. Of course, I’m all for it. Love music and would enjoy some “western world” familiar food. We took a taxi there and the waiter put us right up front, he said, for the concert later. We didn’t pay much attention to that but went on in and sat down and ordered. The food was good (and expensive) but it was all fun. We even shared a delicious dessert. THEN about 9:30 three young men from the Philippines got on stage with their acoustical guitars and began the “concert”. They were absolutely fabulous. They played songs from the 70s (Bread, James Taylor, Eagles, etc) and sang in three part harmony. They sang so smoothly and the guitar “picking” was just fine! Lisa and I sat there mesmerized until about 11:30. After midnight, taxis start getting harder to find so I thought we better hit the road. We left after the second set and there was still one set to go. If Rick had been there we would have stayed for the third set. Oh, well. We did find out that this group called Acoustic Trip is there every Wednesday night and Friday night so we will definitely go back – even if it is just for coffee! What a treat!

So this tired little girl drug in after midnight last night. Had a great time and I know it was because you all were praying. Thanks. I needed that!

On another note, you can check out our company website . You'll have to email me to get that address.

Down with a cold

2007-10-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I believe I have concerned some of you since I have not written over the weekend. Would you believe I caught a head cold and have just not felt like doing much. I am feeling much better today. I managed to get out Saturday and have lunch down at the local coffee shop plus some delicious tiramisu coffee – but I haven’t felt like much else. Today – Monday morning, I am feeling much better. I have been working on my email this morning and was planning to go to town to pick up my contacts. I called the place and they are supposed to call me back when they see if they have come in. They haven’t called yet. It is raining outside anyway, so I may put that off until tomorrow.

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

Rick is gone

2007-10-05T01:16:00.000-07:00

Rick is gone

It is Friday afternoon here. I got Rick off in a taxi this morning at 3:30am. But so much happened before that. For one thing, things are happening with our registration and we are hoping to have it by the time Rick gets back from his trip to the states (October 5 – 23). AND at 10pm last night we finally got internet service in our apartment! I know it was because so many of you were praying. Now, we can get our email here. I can do research here. We have our Vonage phone hooked up and can call the states anytime (write me and I’ll send you our number. It will cost you minutes on your cell phone but will be free on your land line.) We can also SKYPE on the computer – a phone service through the computers. You can sign up for that free on the internet – if you have a camera on your computer I can even see you! (I don’t have one on mine so you can’t see me!)

After Rick left I called several people in the states (since it was afternoon for them). It was so good to talk to family. Besides that I couldn’t go back to sleep after Rick left. I finally went to bed about 7am this morning and Chelsea woke me up with a phone call at 2:30pm. It was great to just be able to talk to her for as long as we wanted.

Today, I have a sore throat (hope Rick brings back cough drops) so I am staying in. I may make me something hot to drink. Maybe that will help. I know you are all praying for me as Rick is gone. It is going to be a critical time. I was able to get on KLOVE this morning – my favorite radio station. So I have my music playing – no, not Christmas right now – and am about to clean up our place.

Stay in touch.

On My Own

2007-10-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that it is Thursday already and Rick will be leaving tomorrow. As a matter of fact, he will have to leave our apartment at 3:30am because his flight is at 6am. I have a feeling we will just pull an all nighter tonight since he has to leave so early.

This week we have been doing some shopping for the kids. It seemed necessary to send them something from here on Rick’s first trip back. He will see them either this weekend or next since he will be in the Nashville area. He may even get to BBC on one of those Sundays so watch for him if you are in B’ville.

Me, I will be on my own. It will take everything in me to get me out of that apartment without Rick around. I am NOT so adventuresome without him. We are supposed to have internet in our apartment starting tomorrow, but we will see. I do HAVE to go pick up my contacts at the Queensway Plaza on Monday. And I really want to go to the National Library (although I can’t actually check out any books unless I have an employment pass!) It helps to know that you all are praying for me during this period.

Rick and I are meeting with the Singapore Board of BGR this morning to finalize the “Business Plan” to present to the government. This may help with the process. Another thing that I KNOW you will be praying about.

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me will be from our apartment! By the way, I am on FACEBOOK if any of you are.

Playing Christmas Music?

2007-10-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the second day of October and I am enjoying Christmas music again this morning! Rick is looking for me some speakers for my computer to make the music a little more clear and loud! One of my friends from BBC also made me a DVD of a Julie Andrews Christmas show he loved so I am looking forward to watching that while Rick is on his trip.

For Christmas last year, Rick bought me a set of DVDs called “Film Noir”. They are old black and white movies like “The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers” (starring Barbara Stanwyck) and “Quicksand” (starring Mickey Rooney). There are 18 movies in all – about an hour and a half each – but they are a good treat at the end of the day. Last weekend we bought a new television and it is being delivered today. In fact, the men are here now “installing” it. It will make watching the movies even better. PLUS we will have a Singapore channel that will surely give us more clues about this culture.

Last night we went to a new mall. It was three floors. The first floor was clothes and optical shops (yes, that’s right). The second floor was clothes and some food stalls. The third floor was all printing companies. Rick went there to get some name cards made up. They did it in about 30 minutes and they did a great job. He will go back there, I’m sure to have the company stamp made.

Afterwards we went to the grocery store across the street called “Cold Storage”. Some prices of food you might be interested in:

Ground beef – $5.91 per pound

Chicken breasts – $3.81 per pound

Smart Start cereal – $7.03

Can of corn – $1.24

Can of black beans – $1.53

Can of kidney beans - $1.24

1 liter of skim milk - $1.22

Can of stewed tomatoes - $1.32

Lb. of cheddar cheese - $8.75

Can of chicken broth - $1.24

Bottle of Ranch dressing - $1.96

For those of you who have asked what you can send me, I have come up with a short list. These things could be mailed in an envelope.

Taco seasoning

Chili seasoning

Ranch dressing mix

Crystal light or sugar free Kool-Aid

As you can see, things are pretty expensive here. We can eat cheaply at the “hawker centers” but all of those involve RICE. I love rice, don’t get me wrong. But my body can’t metabolize rice very quickly. Besides, I am hoping to get back on my Weight Watcher diet on Friday – when Rick leaves.

Yes, I know you are already praying for the days when I am here in Singapore by myself. It should be quite an adventure. Rick will be gone October 5 – 23. If you still want my address, just let me know. This may be a great time for encouraging cards and letters!

Continue to pray that our internet service will be turned on by Friday. That is when it is supposed to be on and it will really be a blessing to have it here in the apartment rather than having to walk down to the local coffee shop that has free internet service for its customers.

Also, remember to pray for our company’s registration. Rick has a meeting on Thursday concerning the registration. He has been busy writing a business profile that will hopefully help in the registration.

Looking forward to hearing from many of you in the coming days.

Worship in Singapore

2007-09-30T20:29:00.001-07:00

Well, it is 5pm Sunday afternoon here and it is 4am Sunday morning where most of you are. You still have a wonderful day of worship to look forward to. What will you bring to your day of worship? Will you just be looking for what “church” can give you today? You know, one thing I have learned is that my worship doesn’t depend on where I am on Sundays. In Africa, we went to some pretty interesting churches. Many times I couldn’t understand the language. Sometime I couldn’t appreciate the music. However, I could ALWAYS worship. Because worship isn’t dependent on those things. It comes from inside you. Oh, those things can enhance your worship but they can’t take away from it. What will you take to worship today? A clean heart? A spirit ready to praise your Creator? Don’t leave home without those.

Today our worship experience was definitely enhanced. We went to a progressive Baptist church here in the city of Singapore. The church is so big it is held in a pavilion – like a great hall in the superdome. As we got off the subway we were joined by many others making their way to this church service. When I say there were THRONGS of people, I’m not kidding. I’m sure there were at least 5000 people in the service. As we made our way to our seat, the three worship leaders were already leading the crowd in the song “I am a Friend of God!” Behind them were two choirs of young adults and they were dancing and singing as well. Yes, there were bright lights everywhere and many of you would have thought we were at a Chris Rice concert! The air was absolutely electric! We sang praise songs for nearly an hour and it was incredible. One song we sang that I had not heard before was “Divine Exchange”. Oh, my, did it touch my heart. Be sure and look for that one at your local music store.

After the singing, two offerings were taken (at the same time). One was the regular offering and one was a mission offering. A blue bag and a red bag were passed and they were clearly marked.

The regular pastor and his family were traveling today so we heard a guest pastor. He spoke from God’s Word concerning a harmonious family. There were three main points:

1. In the relationship between wives and husbands, switch your mind on to submit and love. (Wives, submit to your husbands. Husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the Church.) You know I always get a little itchy when pastors start preaching about submission. I understand what the word means, but so many times, we, as women, just hear the submit part. That was not true today. He spoke on submission but actually spent more time speaking to the husbands on loving their wives sacrificially. I was pleasantly surprised. (You know, submission is easy when sacrificial love is evident.)

2. In the relationship between children and their parents, turn your emotions on to obey and encourage. (Children, obey your parents for it is fitting in the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children.)

3. In the relationship between families and God, act on your will to remember and restore. Remember God’s Word and HE will restore your family in the last day.

It was a great sermon and the Lord spoke to me so much during it. I was reminded of the blessing my family is to me. I have a husband who loves me sacrificially on every count. Therefore, it is easy to submit to him as the leader of our family. Our children have blessed us by being obedient and continuing to glorify God in all that they do. God’s Word is important to Rick and I as a couple and we have tried to pass that importance on to our children. God has continued to keep our family close and ever searching for His will for our lives.

By the way, after the sermon this morning, many came to know Christ as their personal Savior. PTL!

Well, I didn’t MEAN to preach today. But it was such a great worship service this morning. I hope your worship this morning is heart touching and life changing. The chorus of that song, “Divine Exchange” said this:

I live to worship You

I breathe to worship You.

You are all I need and I will ever seek Your face.

As I worship you

You lead me to the place

To the place of Divine Exchange.

Find that place today and have a great worship experience.

Found popcorn

2007-09-29T02:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we finally found a place to take our clothes to launder. Okay, at our temporary abode there is no washer or dryer (and boy is it humid here). We have washed out a lot but there are just some things – that need to be in the washing machine – jeans, slacks, shirts, etc. So we taxied to a laundry that we found in the phone book. It costs S$13.40 (about $9) for between 1 – 4 kg. We had just under 4 kg so that was good. The lady asked if they could all be washed and dried together – we said “yes”. Then she said come back after 5pm. We told her that we would probably just come in the next day and get them and she was fine with that.

This morning Rick went to pick up the laundry and it was very nicely folded and wrapped in plastic. They did a great job and we will use them again (until we have our own place with our own laundry!)

Last night was pretty uneventful. We walked along the front street of Chinatown and I saw lots of good shopping opportunities but Rick wasn’t in the mood for that. We found a little sidewalk café to eat at. It was nice. The weather here in the late afternoon is very nice – it cools off and there is even a sea breeze.

October is right around the corner and it is a custom of our family to start playing Christmas music on October 1. I have a lot of Christmas music on my computer and am waiting patiently. Of course, I will be playing it before any of my kids because of the time difference! I think it will make me miss them a lot but it will be fun knowing that they, too, are getting in the Christmas spirit.

I know you will also be getting into the Christmas spirit there as soon as Halloween is over. The stores will be decorated for Christmas and shopping season will be underway.

If any of you have old Woman’s Day magazines (or others) you want to send me, I’ll be glad to take them off your hands. You’ll have to email me for my address but I will be glad to give it to you.

Haven’t heard from a lot of you. Write soon. You can’t know what a lifeline it is.

Oh, yea, yesterday we found Popcorn. I can make it here now.

Friday is here again!

2007-09-27T23:15:00.001-07:00

It is so hard to believe that we have been in Singapore for a week now. Wow! We have discovered so much and explored much of the city (still have 99% more to go!) Last night we ate at a place down from our neighborhood called “Fish Head Steamboat”. It is a local place and there were many Singaporeans eating there. It was an outside restaurant so we sat down at a table and a young girl brought us the menu. Of course, Rick asked “what do you recommend”. Oh, she recommended the fish head steamboat! And Rick said, “Fine!” We also ordered some stir fry vegetables. Another girl came over and took our drink orders. We both ordered Pepsi Light. The funny thing was we had to pay for the drinks separately!

Anyway, soon the fish head steamboat arrived. Here is what it looked like! There was burning charcoal down in the “steamboat” looking thing and it kept the soup and vegetables hot. Yes, there was fish head in there and also seaweed (the black stuff you see there on the left). Although I had to pass on the fish head part (Rick ate that), the soup part was delicious. And last night it was slightly raining and cool and just the right weather for soup! There was also plenty with the rice bowls that were also served. We are practicing with our chopsticks!

I forgot to tell you that Wednesday night we went to the movie. The theatres here are the same except for this. When you buy your ticket, you go ahead and pick out your seat and reserve it. Now one theatre we saw last week even delivers your popcorn and drink to your seat after you are already in there! It was nice to sit back and watch a movie (we saw “The Invasion” – a remake of “The Body Snatchers”). We found out that Tuesday night is bargain night – tickets are S$6.50 each PLUS free drinks with your popcorn! (That’s about $4.50 in U.S. currency). It is regular S$7.00 ($4.90).

Anyway, after we ate at the Fish Head Steamboat we went back to our apartment and watched an old black and white movie on my computer. What a relaxing evening we had.

Today we are in town (after getting on the wrong bus and taking about 2 hours to get here – supposed to take about 15 minutes!). But we got to see more of the town and the bus is air conditioned and there are seats so…what a way to explore.

Don’t know what’s in store for tonight. Will tell you all about it next time!

Ugly Tuesday

2007-09-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Missed another day in there, didn’t I? Well, there was good reason. Tuesday – two days ago – I think I really came to a crisis of belief point! I had so many feelings that day – feeling of desperation about what in the world we were doing here. I felt swallowed up by this big city and all the unfamiliar around me. Brownsville was looking pretty good and I wouldn’t have minded waking up in it on Tuesday morning. There was such a feeling of heaviness on me that I could hardly stand it. I wanted to curl right up in this apartment and never go out the door again. It was scary out there. People were different. People looked at me differently. New food, new languages, new customs. So much new and not much familiar. So Tuesday, I stayed in. I know Rick was concerned about me but probably felt just leaving me on my own would be the best idea. He headed off to explore on his own. I curled up on the uncomfortable rattan sofa and escaped. I was discouraged, distracted, and deceived. I felt overwhelmed and just about at the end of my rope. I missed my kids. I missed friends and family. But most of all, I just missed the familiar.

Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you have a new job or maybe a new baby. Maybe you’ve just moved to a new community or a new church. Or maybe you just feel like you would rather just curl up in your room than face the day ahead. Believe me, I KNOW how that feels. I’ve been there.

I lost myself on Tuesday. I gave in to the lies that Satan loves to tell me. I am insignificant. I am weak. I am not able to be used. I am too unworthy. I am not strong enough to do that. I can’t do this. I can’t pass this test. I can’t take this job anymore. Sound familiar?

I lost myself Tuesday. I hid away in my shell, afraid, discouraged, and deceived. Poor pitiful me. If anybody can have a great pity party, I’m telling you that I am the one to plan that out for you. I can throw a doozy! Praise God that He puts up with all of that in me and loves me anyway.

Do you realize what a big God we have? Do you realize how much He loves you for YOU. You don’t have to pretend with Him. No, He already knows all of those feelings and fears. He made you and He knows you through and through, good and bad. I’m glad He loves me anyway, in spite of my MANY unbecoming characteristics. I can be pretty UGLY. But He loves me, UGLY and all!

Tuesday was UGLY. But Wednesday… there is always a new day with Him. “The steadfastness of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, therefore, I will trust in Him.” Wednesday was a new morning… a new day.

After we talked to our kids and family on the phone Wednesday morning (and I had a good cry because I missed them so much)… Rick and I headed out. I have to tell you that the first step out the door was the hardest but I MADE myself do it. And you know what, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I had envisioned it on Tuesday. I saw the Lord’s hand many times yesterday – His hand of love showing me that HE was there and that HE was in control of everything and that I was right where He wanted me.

Give yourself permission to have a bad day. Go ahead and have it. Cry. Have a good pity party and invite others if you want to. It’s okay. Every day is not a great day. Some days are hard. Tuesday was a hard one for me. But I made it through (because you were praying for me) and Wednesday looked a lot different.

Thanks for your faithfulness to pray.

Chinese Gardens

2007-09-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Did I miss a day? Yes, and I don’t apologize for that. No way I can write every day. And nothing exciting happens EVERY day, you know.

However, last night we did do something special. We went to the Chinese Gardens here in the city. This is the season of the Malaysian New Year and the gardens were decorated with lanterns and it was absolutely beautiful. I will do my best to put some pictures on as soon as I can. The gardens alone were breathtaking but with the lanterns everywhere it was marvelous.

Today Rick ventured off by himself while I stayed in to wash clothes. WE don’t have a washing machine in this apartment so we are trying to do what we can at home and hopefully find a laundry somewhere close.

No word on registration yet. Rick has a meeting with the lawyer on Wednesday afternoon. Will continue to keep you posted.

Thanks to those of you who have written. The “new” is wearing off and the culture shock is setting in. We are getting over our jet lag and that is a good feeling. But other feelings are setting in and we could easily be discouraged. Thanks for your prayers.

Lori

New friends

2007-09-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say we had a great worship service this morning but, in fact, we just about missed it. We took the bus, missed the right place to get off, a monsoon came (downpour), we had to stop and buy umbrellas, and we finally got the church about halfway through the sermon. BUT afterwards, we met a nice American couple who we invited us out to lunch! Then we went to their home for coffee and had a delightful afternoon visit! They have been in Asia (Hong Kong and China, mostly) for the last 12 years. So they gave us a lot of tips on the culture here and that really helped. Their kids are all grown, too, so they will be a great couple to do things with here. They travel a lot though, so we will just have to catch them at home!

When we got home, we just relaxed, read the paper, and listened to the radio. Did I mention that we don’t have a TV yet? It was a quiet Sunday afternoon.

We did receive a note from our son about his weekend adventures, though. He accidentally broke his nose at a driving range! That, in itself, is a whole ‘nother story!

By the way, Sunday was a great day.

Telling the future

2007-09-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

It just hit me today that we are finishing up with Saturday and you in the states are just starting it. So in a way, we can tell you the future! Saturday is going to be a great day!

I was able to sleep right on until about 6am this morning. However, Rick was up at 3:30am. “While I was sleeping” he rearranged the whole living room and set up our office space! And he did all of that and didn’t even make a peep! He is good!

I checked my email and had heard from some of you. If nothing else, I hope the blog helps remind you to pray for us AND to write! If you want my new postal address you will have to email me and ask me for it!

My quiet time with the Lord this morning was sweet. As if He needed any help remembering, I reminded Him of how He had granted compassion on Nehemiah and provided him with the permit from the king he needed to go and rebuild the wall. Without that permit, look what would have happened. We are in the same boat with our permit. We have to have it before we can do anything! I want to remind YOU all to pray about that without ceasing!

Today we hit yet another set of stores in our exploration. I promise we ARE going to do more than shop while we are here. We are just trying to familiarize ourselves with the bus and subway system. It is so much cheaper to do that than to get a taxi everywhere. We left at about 10am and stopped off at our new favorite little internet café down the street from our apartment complex. We had coffee and a sort of strange omelet that was pretty good.

We went to the grand opening of the MRT mall. The MRT is the bus system here. There were all kinds of stores and I was even able to pick up our first Christmas present for one of our kids! Since Rick is headed that way early October, I will have to get my Christmas shopping done early!

We had lunch in another food court. I had bean curd soup (delicious!) with rice and Rick had friend prawns (shrimp). Later we got a fried scrambled yam. Okay, I can’t explain it but it was delicious, too.

Our next bus trip took us out to the IKEA store where they sell furniture. There is actually one of these in Nashville so some of you may have heard of it. However, this one was at least three stories tall – each story about the size of a super Walmart! We walked and looked and planned. We will have to buy several large pieces of furniture including some chairs, a dining room table and chairs, a bedroom suit, a washer and dryer, and possibly a small refrigerator. We also have to set up the office so we looked at desks and cabinets, etc. IKEA had some really beautiful stuff.

Next door to it was a COURTS megastore which was a lot like IKEA and just as big. Across the street there was a GIANT – yes, a grocery store, but we didn’t make it over there. By the time we had walked through both of those BIG stores, I was pooped and ready to head towards home!

We caught a bus outside the stores and it was packed. In fact, every bus and subway we got on was FULL and we had to stand most of the time. So that made me even more tired. By now our jet lag was really kicking in and I didn’t know if we were going to make it. We still had to stop for supper – remember we don’t have much set up in our little apartment kitchen yet. We stopped at a mall on the way home (got off the subway, walked up to the mall) and had supper. I had the most delicious cup of broccoli and cheddar cheese soup PLUS two pieces of garlic bread. Rick had some kind of ham and cheese puff balls (local food) which he enjoyed. He is much braver than I am at trying all of this new food. He could have also gotten octopus puff balls but decided it might be too late in the evening to have that!

We have now arrived home and I am bathed and ready for bed. I even managed to color my hair – which was in bad need of it – so I am ready for Sunday. I know that the Lord has a wonderful day planned for us as we have our first worship service here! And I’ll let you know how that goes!

Lori

Jet lagged

2007-09-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

I slept right on through until about 6am. Wow. That was pretty incredibly sleep. However, Rick woke up at midnight. He worked on some emails he needed to answer (no, we didn’t have internet – he was just answering some that he had already received.) Bless his heart, he didn’t get back to bed until nearly 4am. Again, you just can’t imagine what jet lag is like.

We ate a nice breakfast at the YMCA dining room. Again, there were things that would have been a lot better to me served at lunch or supper but Rick loved them all. So many different tastes and textures – it is really something.

We gathered up all of luggage and headed out to catch a taxi to take us to our new “temporary” home. It was moving in day! We got there and began to unpack all of our things. (There is no telling when we will be able to move into our own place so we might as well settle in here and get comfortable for awhile.)

All of our luggage was in good shape except for one. Now I blame myself because from all of the packing I have done in my lifetime, I should know to put things in Ziploc bags. However, I neglected to put this particular item in one and I am so sorry! And you will never guess what it was – one can of my favorite GFIC coffee – French vanilla! That was going to be my treat to myself. Oh, well. I don’t know if I was sorry that I wasn’t going to get the coffee or that it had gotten all over everything in that suitcase. Guess what was in that suitcase – all of our DVDs and CDs – and Rick’s clothes, of course! It was like sand and all of the DVDs and CDs had to be hand washed and air dried! Poor Rick. He volunteered for the job and it took him several hours to complete this one bag! But he finally got it done.

Around 10am we headed back out for another exploration. Rick had another mall in mind – and we were going to look for a simple cell phone to buy without a contract just to get us through until we have our resident permit. This mall has four stories and I think you could be in there a week and still never go in all of them!

One of the most fascinating places we went was the “food court” for lunch. All around the sides there were all kinds of Asian food booths. There were pictures on the wall of the different items available. We walked all the way around and STILL didn’t know what we wanted. Finally, we just got something and looked for a place to sit down. It was pretty good food and there was a whole lot in one portion so I was glad we just shared the one.

After lunch we walked around the mall more. This particular mall is called Suntec and it has A LOT of computer and cell phone stores in it. By the end of the day we were the new owners of a simple cell phone (which is being charged up right now!) We went outside to catch a taxi home and saw the line of people waiting for a taxi. It was so orderly (not anything what we experienced in Africa). We probably stood in line 45 minutes before it was “our turn” to get the taxi. When we arrived at our apartment I literally thought I was going to have to drag my own self to the door. By the way, we live on the 8^th floor (there is an elevator!) We came home and put away the few things we had purchased (shampoo, soap, yogurt, granola, etc.)

Rick still needed to “top off” our bus cards for tomorrow and he wanted to pick us up something for supper. Meanwhile, I took a hot bath – that did wonders for me. Soon he came home with the topped off cards and supper – rice with some kind of sauce and some kind of fried shrimp cakes. They hit the spot and now I am ready to hit the hay! Tomorrow is another big day!

Rice for breakfast!

2007-09-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

We got up and dressed and headed down to the YMCA dining room for our complimentary breakfast. Now this was an experience. Okay, it was right up Rick’s alley but there’s some thing that are just not meant to eat for breakfast. RICE IS ONE OF THEM! I tried several new items including a chicken sausage that wasn’t half bad. There was fried rice and noodles and several things to go on top of that. Rick finally led me to the TOAST and coffee and I was glad for something familiar. There was also fresh fruit – little finger bananas (like we had in Africa), pineapple, watermelon, and such. After breakfast, we headed out to explore the world. Little did we know but the rest of the world in Singapore (stores and shops) don’t open until 10am! We did meet with the lawyer who is working with us to get our company registered. Still nothing there so PLEASE let that be a matter of prayer. We can’t really do anything without our resident permit. We can’t

· sign up for any kind of internet service

· get a local cell phone with a contract

· have any kind of television service

· look for an office

· look for an apartment

So you can see how IMPORTANT it is that we get that registration! PLEASE remember to pray about that.

That morning we also got the keys to the apartment where we will be living temporarily until we can find our own. It is three bedrooms (about 1300 square feet of living space). There is a nice air conditioner in our bedroom and in the living room (but not in the kitchen). It has two full baths which is nice, although one of them has a really bad odor so we just keep that door shut. It is partially furnished. There is a bamboo type living room set (couch and two chairs). There is a small dining room table. And we have what we believe to be a queen size mattress! What else could we need? The kitchen doesn’t have much so I guess we won’t be cooking too much! Aw!

We left the apartment and walked for a ways and found a very small café in our new neighborhood which I am sure we will frequent. We had a club sandwich (with egg mayo – sort of like egg salad). It was good. But the best thing was the mango smoothie. Oh, my was it delicious.

After lunch we headed to one of the MANY malls here in the city. We took a bus there and was able to see a lot. I think we will really enjoy not having a car and letting someone else do the driving.

The city was so clean and the weather was nice, too. It was probably about 85 degrees, more humid than we left things in Tennessee, for sure! The mall was incredible! There were so many different levels and so many different stores. We walked and walked and walked. We promised ourselves that we would not go home until 6pm so we wouldn’t be tempted to nap. Most people say you can get over jet lag quicker if you just take on the sleeping habits of your new environment with no afternoon naps. I’m sure this is wise, but by about 3pm my body really started to IDLE. We pushed ourselves more and left the mall about 5pm. We got on a bus and headed home. We thought we might stop and eat but we both were fighting sleep and decided we better head back to the YMCA before someone had to scrape us off the ground! I’m so glad that Rick had reserved our room for two nights. We had a nice shower and then hit the pillow. I don’t even remember a thing! I know it was about 7pm when we both got to bed. Sweet dreams!

Feelings

2007-09-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, we have so many feelings hitting us it is hard to even think. First of all, even though we are awake, our bodies are not quite all there. I’m talking about jet lag, of course. It is very hard to explain if you have never experienced it. I sort of feel like a car stuck in idle. My mind wants to “DRIVE” but my body just won’t do it. There are times when my mind is just flitting about but my feet will not move. I almost feel paralyzed sometimes. The kind of tired I’m talking about is just not explainable. Okay, I remember how a friend of mine described it. It is like trying to walk in Jello! Can you even get a picture of it?

Another feeling that has hit me is the fact that we are SO FAR AWAY from our family! I told Rick as we went to bed the first night – I feel somewhere between FEAR and EXCITEMENT! We are so excited about being here and we are SO READY to get started on this adventure. But I sure do miss my kids. And knowing that we are separated by a big ocean makes it that much more difficult. I know that they are all in good hands but waves of missing them come over me frequently. I can’t even write anymore about that. I think the fear we are feeling is wondering if we will really be able to do what He has called us here to do. It is such a big job and responsibility and we feel so inadequate!

The other feelings we have already experienced involve culture shock. I’m sure we have not seen the last of these feelings but here are a few we have already run across:

· the food (as I have already stated)

· no KLOVE radio station (or any other Christian radio station that I can find)

· just being among so many Asian people

· seeing very few Africans (if any)

· hearing many different languages throughout the day

· riding the bus and trying to figure out which ones go where

· people driving on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road

· the use of wash cloths (I think we only use those in America! Even the hotel didn’t have any.)

just to name a few!

I hope this will give you a clue as to how to pray for us!

Goodbye!

2007-09-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Goodbyes said, we found ourselves at the airport excited about the adventure ahead. We had carefully packed up our 4 check in bags + 1 excess piece and our carry on bags. To be honest, when I picked up the bags I was sure they all weighed 100 lbs. each. The limit was 50 lb. each and anything over that up to 70 lbs. would be $50 for each piece!

I wish you could have seen us! Rick has figured out how to link lots of big suitcases together so we sort of looked like a small train when we came in the door! I’m sure we looked funny.

When we got to the airport all of the pieces were under 50 lbs. except for the excess piece! Believe me, that was miraculous! There was some discussion about the 70 lbs. bag but eventually they took them all and didn’t charge us anything extra.

Rick had bought me a nice computer bag that doubles as a purse and I had one pull bag. He had a HEAVY backpack with his computer in it and a pull bag. They all checked through fine and finally we arrived at our gate – the last one in the Memphis airport – and settled down. We made a few last calls to folks to say goodbye again. Rick had forgotten to have our phones cut off so we ended up taking them with us.

The plane to Minneapolis/St. Paul was uneventful. In fact, I managed to doze off for a little while (which is highly unusual for me). We arrived and had about an hour to get to our next flight. That gate was packed and I immediately began to have a culture shock! There were many Asians surrounding me and they were all speaking something besides English! And we were still in the U.S.!

I don’t mind telling you that I was really dreading this leg of the flight – the 13 hour leg! I had promised myself that I would get up and walk often on this flight to prevent my feet from swelling. I did so well. I know many of you were praying for me and no feet were swollen at the end of the journey! PTL! I didn’t sleep any but my feet did not swell. Rick slept nearly the whole flight. We finally arrived after being served fried rice and teriyaki chicken for breakfast on the plane! It was delicious but certainly not anything I have ever had for breakfast.

We didn’t get to see much of Tokyo since it was about 5:30 pm when we arrived and already getting dark. Our flight from Tokyo to Singapore was delayed by an hour. But once we got on the flight it was only 40% full so we were able to take a whole row and relax. I was even able to put my feet up and sleep a little. The flight was not bad at all. When we arrived in Singapore it was about 2am here. We got all of our luggage and piled in a taxi headed for the YMCA hotel where Rick had made us reservations. I don’t mind telling you that a hot shower and the bed looked pretty good to both of us. AND YET, we both woke up about 6am! Go figure out jet lag and you will be a millionaire!

I’m going to stop here because I think my next blog is going to be about some feelings we have had so far.

Lori

2007-09-14T07:15:00.001-07:00

Just thought you'd like to see the picture we made last Sunday when we were all together!

No comments necessary

2007-09-14T05:52:00.001-07:00

I understand from some of you that commenting on this blog brings up "red tape". Please don't worry about signing up for a new account just so you can respond. Most of you already have my email so you can continue to write me there. That address won't change. I don't think signing up for a new account costs anything or causes anything to come your way (advertising emails) but don't worry if you don't have an account. This whole blog thing may not even work. But I thought I would try it for a month and see. It's not costing me anything either.

He Makes All Things Good

2007-09-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

We returned last night from saying goodbye to my mother. While we have been here in the states, He has made all things good! My sister and I were able to get my mom moved into a "retirement village"! Moving could have been a very distressing time, but He made it so GOOD for my sister and I. We had so much fun "decorating" my mom's apartment and made a lot of memories. And getting my mom settled was a priority. She is now surrounded by lots of friends and is having the time of her life. Truly He made it all good.

While we have been here at the church, Rick has been able to work with the senior adults. Today they gave us a going away luncheon and it was spectacular! It is so hard to believe that our time here among this sweet church is about over. We want to continue sharing with all of them because through them - we are the arms of love around the world. So even in our leaving - we are an extension of them "in His name". He has made it all good.

We are almost at a stalemate at the packing stage. Rick has made the goal of having everything packed up before we go to bed on Saturday night! That is a pretty high expectation but I will do all I can to meet the goal (I am so goal oriented!) Things are nearly finished upstairs except for some cleaning. This area (upstairs) is where our youngest daughter "lived" these two years. The walls ring with her presence up there. It makes me miss her so much. We will say goodbye to her tomorrow. I know you will be praying for us then. He will make it all good.

Many of you have asked how to respond to this blog. If you scroll on down, you will see "post a comment". Just click on that and you will be able to post an answer. And you will be able to read the comments of others (should you choose to do that). I'm telling you that so that you will know that this is a "public domain". So don't write anything you don't want others reading. One way or the other HE WILL MAKE IT ALL GOOD!

This time is different.

2007-09-10T03:40:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 10, 2007

This time is different.

So many of you have asked questions about our new adventure overseas. What will we be doing? Where will we live? I decided to create a blog for those of you who want to know the specifics. And it will also give you much more detail (probably more than you want). It is also a way for me to express all that I am feeling these days - these exciting, difficult, days. As I have told many of you - the "going" is so exciting but the "leaving" is so hard.

This time is different. First of all, we are leaving all of our children on "this side of the big pond" (not to mention that it is a whole different POND!) But we are leaving them healthy in their relationships with Him. Our oldest daughter and her husband (and Jackson, the dog) are in Nashville. They will soon celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Our son is a junior in college and our youngest daughter is a freshman in college. They are all spiritually strong and ready to face their own adventures in life. But it feels funny not packing for them. It feels funny not sewing in labels in all their clothes to go off to boarding school. It feels funny to just pack for two. This time feels different.

This time is different. This is our third "furlough" in the states since we went to Africa in 1993. The other two times we crated up things to take with us. The first crate included four years worth of Christmas and birthday presents, clothes and shoes for three growing children for four years, major appliances, household wares and bedding, and even a few air conditioners! We literally crated up pretty much everything that we owned. The second time we crated Christmas and birthday presents and clothes and shoes and lots of special food items we liked that were unavailable in West Africa. This time is different. There is no crate. No need for one. Our crate will come from Africa - where we packed up the household items two years ago before we came back to the states. It cannot be shipped until we have resident permits so we will be lucky to see it before Christmas! This time is different. No crate. Just suitcases. No toys. No presents. Just clothes. A few special items like the picture our son made for me for Christmas this year. The two special teddy bears the girls gave me for Mother's Day this year. This feels really different.

This time is different. The past furloughs ended with tough goodbyes. Last time I said goodbye to my Dad for the last time here on this earth. We left knowing we would not see extended family again for years. This time is different. We know with our new job we will come back to the states at least once a year. That makes the goodbyes a little easier (but they are still very difficult).

This time is different. We are leaving our African culture and going to an Asian culture. Thank goodness the national language is English! That is different. We will be learning a new culture, a new way of life. We will not be in a third world country but will be in a country which in many ways, surpasses our American culture. We are going to a place where no electricity is unheard of. That is different.

This time is different. We are with a new company. We are setting up a brand new international office. Our job descriptions aren't even written down. There are a lot of blank spaces. I feel like a learner all over again. And I'm up for a good stretching. These stretching times are the times I learn to go deeper with Him - to depend on Him more.

This time is different. There are so many things about it that are different. It feels funny. It feels sad. It feels exciting. It is hard. How can so many emotions be wrapped up in one decision - that decision is to be obedient to Him - above all? Even though it feels funny and unfamiliar. Even though it feels sad to be separated from our wonderful children who continue to bless us with their obedience to Him. Even though it feels exciting. Even though it is a time of stretching. Even though it is hard - maybe the hardest thing we've done so far - harder than leaving our families back in 1993 - harder than leaving our kids in boarding school year after year - harder than facing war at our front door or burglars in our home - yes, maybe this is the hardest thing I've ever done.

Yes, this time is different. There is no doubt about that. But in all of the DIFFERENCE - He is the same - yesterday, today and tomorrow. I can count on Him to lead me, push me, pull me, stretch me, comfort me, and love me. I know He will put His big Old arms around me and whisper my name. He is worthy of all my obedience. He is worthy. What a pitiful thing I am and what I have to offer seems menial in contrast to His greatness. But I give it wholeheartedly - my obedience. He said it is better than sacrifice.

Yes, this time is different, but that's okay. We will all be okay because He is the focus. It's not about me.