Heading 'home'

It's 2.20am right now. I've just finished watching "Brave Heart" with Aaron and Luke (Sarah's brothers) It's been sweet and sour for me today, knowing that i'm heading back to Dallas tomorrow morning. I have always wanted to watch this movie, but another reason why i watched it tonight even though it's so late already is because i want to spend time with the boys. I've grown to love them, as friends and as brothers. I know that i will miss them much, but i know that i will see them again.

This family: Mr. Brian, Ms Jan, Sarah, Aaron, Luke, Papa Jack and Mima has been such a blessing to me this past week. They have embraced and accepted me as one of their own. What a tremendous joy..on top of that, they have also loved Thomas even though they've never met! Aaron also bought a gift for Thomas with his own money..because i mentioned that Thomas shares the same interest as him but just never had the money to buy and keep 'them'. Aaron came to me tonight and passed me a gift for Thomas. It spoke volumes!! It meant that he has loved me as a sister..and has also loved and accepted Thomas as he accepted me. It was so sweet!!

I don't quite know how to say what i feel about this family. Each has blessed me MORE than words can say..really! I can't wait till i see them again..maybe during Thanksgiving or Christmas..someday..SOON!

Clayground

Today, we (Sarah, Ms Jan: Sarah's mum and myself) went to Clayground and painted ourselves coffee cups and platter. Basically, you choose whatever you want to paint ranging from cups, mugs, photo frames, platter, napkin holder, plates..etc. Then, you can pick whatever colour you like and start painting on your selection of clay products! You can either paint one, two or even three coats as long as each layer is dry before applying the next. One layer of paint will give a water-colour kinda effect while three layers of paint will be an opaque colour.

There's different kinds of brushes: fat, round, thin. There are also some stencils or stamps that you can choose from to help you draw the motives you want on the cup. The pencil marks will disappear when the cup is heated in the fire and glazed. I'm excited to see the final outcome of my first hand-painted cup! woohoo...

That's the highlight of my day today. Will stay over at Sarah's grandparents' house tomorrow..till then.. =)

Redeeming Love

I slept at 4am yesterday..and spent almost the whole of today reading the BEST novel i have ever read so far in my life-"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It's a novel based on the story in the bible about prophet Hosea and his prostitude wife. It tells of how the Father's love is for us as well..undying, unquenchable, unconditional love for us. He's always hoping, always trusting, always luring us to come away with Him..to be in a love relationship with Him. It's sooo beautiful. I cried more than a dozen times, it's too good a book to not read it! So yeah, i highly recommend this book!!

After finishing the book, it dawned upon me that my sniffling and sneezing is more constant than my usual nasal problem. I've also had sorethroat since yesterday! I think i'm falling sick. Luke-Sarah's brother noticed my 'flu' or watever you call it..and asked if i was okay. I voluntarily asked to have some medicine! Unbelievable..anyways, so i took this cold medicine..and i'm starting to be sleepy. so i better go and sleep now..

Nights..

El Paso

Just leaving a note to say that i've reached El Paso safely last night. I was so tired..i slept the entire way on my flight here. It was so good to see Sarah, my roomate in CFNI after almost 2 months! We chatted until almost 2am..so that gives me the 'excuse' to sleep until 11am this morning! Heehee..

This morning..i watched the movie "The Village" directed my M. Night Shamalan..(except the first 30 mins cause they started the movie already!) and i like the movie very much. Very interesting story.

Hahaa..cool. so yup..gotta go!

What Good Is The Armour of God....??

Hey peeps! I just came back from the Hillsong United worship night at High Point Church last night. It was really good. I don't know about how tight the band was, whether they were good musically, da da daa..but spiritually, it was good. I really connected with God and the presence of God was there.

When one of the worship leaders led, spoke and prayed..i can really sense his heart, his passion and closeness to the Lord. I think his name is Marty Sampson. Not just him, but the rest of the team..you can just tell from the way they worship. It was inspiring..another worship leader also blatantly said that they are not here to entertain us, but to worship God! That is so cool! I'm sure that hit some ppl hard in the face cause it is an American Christian culture to bring bands in. People come, people go..sometimes or most of the time, it seems more of an entertainment than a worship band to them. So yeah, it was really good that the team made that statement!

After the worship, the Hillsong United youth pastor came up to speak. He was challenging us to stand for Jesus and not to go with the flow of society. What really struck me was the testimony he shared at the end of the sermon..

There was a youth named Jeremy in his youth group. At the end of each youth service, the pastor will randomly pick a high school's name and pray for the school. One day, he picked the name of a particular high school and asked if there's anyone who goes to that school so that they can be prayed for. No one came to the stage..but after waiting for a while, a boy slowly walked up to the stage to be prayed for-Jeremy.

From that point forward, Jeremy lived his life all out for Jesus. He brought 5 friends the following youth service and all of them got saved. He was radical!! Even when Jeremy graduated from that high school, he would still go back to the school to give seminars and talks to the students on self-esteem, values and leadership. He served and loved the people. The principal and students simply loved him!

Early this year, Jeremy died in a tragic car accident at the age of 19. At the funeral, 1500 ppl turned up!! The principal rented buses to take loads of students from the high school to attend Jeremy's funeral. Talk about the impact he made!!

Towards the end of the funeral, 2 of Jeremy's younger brothers came up to share their hearts. One of the brothers shared, that while he was looking through Jeremy's journal..this one line struck his heart.. "What good is the armour of God..without a warrior in it?????"

I am challenged to be that warrior that God has called me to be. To be a Frontliner..to stand at the battle line, pushing back the forces of darkness..and preparing the way for the pivotal event-the coming of our Prince of Peace!!

What good is living if we do not make a difference with our lives? What good is calling ourselves Christians if we do not shine in this dark world? What good are these vessels if they do not bring glory to the Maker? What good is the armour of God..if there is not warrior in it??

BORED

I am so bored right now i can almost puke! I i don't feel like reading a book, i've cleaned and organized all my belongings, i've baked a cheesecake, i've watched tv, i've read articles online, i've done almost everything i can think of..and i'm still bored! arghhhhhhh!!

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