Welcome Sweet December

In the clear sky blink the stars

And bright is the moon up afar

Quiet is the night in cold zephyr

With only there the dancing crickets

Hot chocolate anyone?

brrrrrrr...

A peep into life last week

miss balloony

Happy Thanksgiving

I never cease having something to be thankful about.

First and foremost, I’m thankful for God’s goodness. God has been faithful. Ever faithful. Even when I am not. How unworthy I am yet He loves me. This past year, He has taught and revealed so much to me! I’m thankful for this life He’s given me to serve Him.

I’m thankful for… my wonderful family, the Fong clan. I can’t imagine having any other.
I won’t be here without my parents, and I won’t be who I am without them. What God has given me in them is priceless!

… for my brother. Though I use to think that he was a meanie which liked to tease me, I have since changed my opinion :) Growing up definitely gives you a different view of things. He is a great guy, my soldier!

… for my sister. I’m glad I have a sister to share my room with! She has challenged me and encouraged me in many ways. Yes, we have our quirks here and there but she still loves me when I’m unlovable. My best friend!

… for all the wonderful friends God has given me, both young and old. Those around here whom I am blessed to spend them with and those a distance away who never fill to send their love my way.

… for being in Thailand! The Paddy fields, mountains and kampong chickens. Having the chance to work with children I love dearly.

… for being homeschooled. For all the flexibility and ability to learn that it has given me. For all the lessons I’ve learnt which has enriched my life.

Last but not least, I’m thankful for the simple joys of home. The little things in life. Home cooked food, a warm shower and a good book.

Having a Quiet Heart

There was the frantic clanking of pots and pans, the harsh sound of broom bristles against dirt floors and the sweet aroma of hot vegetable stew. The roughness of dirt residing on skin and beads of sweat collecting on one’s brow was visibly apparent. Jesus was here to visit! There was so much to do, in so little time!

In all the chaos of the preparations, there was but one heart that yearned to catch every word that slipped from the Master’s tongue. Determinedly, she fixed her eyes on His gentle face. His countenance was soft, yet strong. Were these eyes truly able to see inside the windows of her soul? His heart, was it able to know every motive behind every action? His hands, were they the same hands that knit and formed her in her mother’s womb? His voice, was it the same voice that spoke worlds into existence and spun stars into the expanse? How could her mind wrap itself around such a revelation of undeniable truth and unfathomable depth? She was left in awe...

- written by Stephanie Carrillo and Melanie Smith

Mary was captivated by her Savoir while Martha on the other hand was busy. Often, life calls us to be busy with responsibilities and to carry out specific duties. But scripture clearly states that Martha was “distracted”.

How many distractions are set up as pit falls this time of year, with it almost being Christmas? Repeatedly, we fill up our calendars with a considerable amount of “good things” but end up distracting ourselves from what really matters most to the Father, which is a heart ultimately after Him.

God allowed me to be sick in bed for the past two days to teach me this important lesson.

Directions Please


It's been sometime since I wrote. Don't you think words are such beauty? This past month of mine, my Heavenly Father has opened and closed different doors in my life. For that, I am so grateful to Him.

A couple of you know about plans I had in enrolling to Singapore Bible College in year 2009. It has been about a year seeking God's direction on this and to those who has been praying alongside with me, I just want to say a big Thank You. During these past weeks however, the Lord has clearly shown me and my authorities that this isn't His plan for me at the moment. I struggled. "Won't this be the best place to be equipped for your ministry Father?" He answered " What use is it if it is not in my will?" He got me thinking hard at these questions. " What could be accomplised during these years if I didn't go?" "Am I wanting to go just because people think I should?"

You know, I can't see the big picture but I know who is painting my picture :) So pray with me that I will continue to be still before my maker and be obedient to His leading. He knows what is best! I never know what my future holds but I know that God's purpose for my life is that I have a passion for His glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory.

Our greatest strength is often shown in our ability to stand still and trust God.

A splash of yellow

Gone are the days of your 2 colour tone walls!
Chrissy was behind this all. I think she could not stand how it looked haha!

A love gift we can never forget :)

Before:

In the process:

Girl Power!

Vo-la! Ta da:

Our walls are light yellow and the pillars are creamy. Don't you just love it! Completed all in a day! Guess where we spent our night at? Foot and hand massage! Just 79Bahts, S$4.

Baan-nana

View right in front of our bamboo hut

Lor sua, Chrissy, Agar, Ah juua

This is the way I wash my hair, I wash my hair, I wash hair. This is the way I wash my hair so early in the morning!

Lor sua just entered the orphanage about a month ago. He's adjusted well to the routines and is one sweet little boy.

There's no oars so he uses his slippers!

It's the school holidays so we decided to plan some english lessons and craft for the kids! It was messy but want can you expect :) Fun was all I remember. They are so creative! Some just didn't turn out like a pig though.

Out of the 140 kids in this orphanage, about 30 kids are not able to go to school either because they do not have ID or because they do not know how to write Thai yet. Please pray for them that they will diligently study whenever they have the opportunity to do so.

Sunday Kids Service

I thank the Lord for showing us this ministry a couple of months back. It's been very fruitful the past few meetings we've had.We meet at 8:30am each Sunday for a time of worship, memorization of scripture, a Bible story, question and answer time and a craft that relates to the story told.

It was just yesterday

I had the honor to get to know this young lady last year through Bright Lights and since than she's been an example to me and I believe many others too. Through emails and little notes and the last 16 days she spent here with us, she's become my big sister. Someone who shares the same values, someone who has been so encouraging, someone who gives you good hard laughs.

A friend is one who knows you, but loves you anyway!

She's just so precious

Bright Lights

Let me try to do a summary of my trip to Singapore and Malaysia.

1 week in Malaysia for the ATII homeschool conference.

1 week in Singapore (Changi Chalet) for Bright Light's leader's training.

1 day for Strong in the Lord conference.

4 days to pack everything and move out of our house as we got it rented out.

All these back to back. Imagine that.

Conference 1:

B-being

R-radiant

I-in

G-godliness

H-holiness

T-testimony

Such a pleasure to spend time with these girls. As I taught, I was ministered to as well. We had much fun together learning and sharing.

Outdoor day! A simple game here but it got harder each step as the distance between each side grew bigger. These girls sure can throw and catch!

Sweet joy, little Danielle

Conference 2:

This was focused on teaching older girls about discipleship, ministry and starting a bright lights group. We had such close fellowship, eating meals together, working on assignments together, just building up bonds that will last forever. It was a nice place, a quiet location where I was able to just focus on the Lord.

6 from America, 4 from Malaysia, 1 from Indonesia, 2 from Hong Kong, 12 from Singapore and me from Thailand!

Chalet-mates. Such an encouragement to me.

Conference 3:

200 mothers & daughters. The girls from the training served as leaders for this conference small groups. I was assigned to 16 & 17 years old girls without any assistant. God knew how terrified I was. Never taught such an age group and did not know how to but I remembered that whatever comes out from your heart will touch another's heart and your life will touch another life. It's not about how well you can speak but about sharing about life transparently. Thank God for this opportunity. I truely enjoyed it.

Just a second ago, I received an email from one of these girls!

Moving of house:

The next time I return to Singapore, I've no home no more. It'll be weird when we go home for a short trip and not go back to dear Ivory Heights. I teared while packing up. Though it's hard to part, I want to praise the Lord. Once again, He arranged everything in such a good timing. A missionary family from America is moving in so I believe and pray that our home will be in good hands.

The mess

Unforgettable nights we slept at 4am and woke up at 7am to continue packing. When we got back to Mae Sai we were so dead we all slept for 15 hrs straight.

20 months

He finally answers my prayers in an amazing way.

I cried over this precious camera more than once.

I thought I should just forget about it.

This hobby is not for a church mouse like me.

"Patience my child" He lovely said.

It was not a need but a want.

I wondered if God agreed.

Money was not something I had.

But fervent prayer was all I did.

One fine day, the cash just came in.

So I began to pray doubly hard on the purchase.

This was the real test of faith.

I went on auctions and bet on most D70's.

I always got so close to closing deals.

But could not understand why no one sold it to me.

I decided to give up and just let God do His thing.

I never entered an auction site from than on.

Got back to Singapore and the camera was waiting for me :)

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Joseph!

It was all arranged.

Better than any deals I could get.

At just the right price.

With all the equipments I need.

I love my D70!

But I love my Lord more than anything!

Parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary

It was a day we all had been waiting for... an event never to be forgotten.... I think I was much more excited than my parents were. 25 years of marriage was something to be celebrated! An opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. The weeks before this was a mad rush and even though it culminated in just that night, it brought such joy, such sweet memories. I think I can become a professional wedding planner now! Mom says it's good training for my acutal wedding. Enjoy the pictures~ Credits to Nelson who has done so much for us~

Our hand-made programme sheet

Door gifts flown in from Thailand containing 2 hershey's truffle nuggests. yuum!

Guestbook - a picture of them 25 years ago on their wedding day

Cafe by the Quad

A beautiful day for a beautiful event

Cocktail

If only kor was here...

My grandmas :)

Strings of harmony by our very own homeschoolers

MC for the night none other than Elder Cho/ our 17th floor neighbour

Our pastor

The man of my mom's dreams ...

The woman of my dad's :)

Renewal of vows
This was so meaningful to me. 25 years and still so much in love.

Words from Children.... we had my brother record his"speech"on mp3 and we played it for all to hear .As usual, when mom hears his voice she starts to tear. I read to them a poem I wrote and as for Lois, she sang a song as we did a duet on the guitar.

Home-made cake by Aliya

Cake table

Bon Appetit

The young ones!
Lois, me, Aunty Cecilia (Pastor's wife) & Aunty Dolly (godma)

Sam, Zac, me, Adelynn, Lois
Friends for life.
Zac was a huge help the day before. He even did some flower arrangements!

I'm looking forward to their 50th Anniversary!