B&W: a + c

Got married on a Wednesday

Today's wedding is one of those I'd remember for life! The groom cried. Not just teary eyes, he cried! I'm not sure what else I need to say. I love seeing how God brings two people together. Athagon and Chin Yan's joyful simple wedding was truely beautiful. Well, every wedding is! Isn't it? It was such an honor to help out on their big day.

Looks like Spring

but I feel like I'm in an oven, suffocated by heat! Heh. I shall summarize my thoughts for the day in points because I'm having a throbbing headache and am lazy to write full paragraphs...

-I've been waking up exceptionally early this past week! This is a great self-improvement. Feel like I'm getting much more done in my day though the workload is still pilling up like no one's business.

- Writing a paper on doctrine survey, in desperate need of insights. This is a tough one but it will and shall be done, with God's help.

-I can't believe the month is drawing to an end. Can time please slow down and not fly by at such a frightening speed.

- Tomorrow, I will be photographing a wedding. Truth to be told, I'm a little nervous. I still have so much I don't know. Just hope I can catch the moments, emotions and details! I want to take a photography class.

Everyone be well!

1 more candle

Birthdays are always very special in my family. First up for the year...it's Daddy's! Our first attempt at making cupcakes with cream frosting.

Papa...thank you for always having your arms open when I need you. Thank you for letting me hang onto your arm. You have no idea how much confidence and feeling of comfort and protection you give me. Thank you for being the strong father that I need, and being the man that I can look at with love and say, "Yes, that's my daddy."

Halfway there

type...type...type...SEND! Finally completed another essay, with much relief. 5 more modules to go... all I want to do now is fly a kite and eat sushi! I've been having a whole lot of thoughts stuck up in my puny brain the past week but I haven't had time to write them down. Maybe tomorrow...

Zoo

To the endless question of "Has Woody flown away?" I have decided to write a post. Sadly no, Woody now thinks he's human! Well lately, one of his feet seems very weak so I'm afraid that in the wild he won't be able to survive since I never taught him how! Protective mama here. I wonder how long his lifespan is. Woody is about 1 month 7 days old. Bird shit disgusted me but now it is like a normal everyday thing. I wake up, feed him, "sing"...*poop*... nice one Woody!

I think animals just love dropping by our house. No, this is not my new dog. We don't intend to take this fella in because he has a collar but he just loves to get in by crawling under our gate and stick around to disturb Aragon. So far in my life, I've had rabbits, hamsters, a terrapin (Henry), fishes, 4 dogs (Shawn, Trix, Dino, Aragon), a cat (Ginger), and a bird. Let's see what's next! Mom would just flip haha.

"I dreamed a dream"

This just made my night. I bet you all have heard about 47-year-old, Susan Boyle who took part in Britains Got Talent. She's not attractive, not married, never been kissed, took care of her sick mother for years. Everyone in the audience clearly expected a horrible performance. People were caught on camera literally rolling their eyes at her when she said she dreamed of being a professional singer. Even the judges were suppressing chuckles.

Then she sings the first bar of "I dreamed a dream," from the musical "Les Miserables." They are stunned. Quickly everyone changes their opinion of her. She has an amazing voice! I watched it and teared up.

What struck me as most impressive about Susan, besides her powerful singing ability, was that despite her less-than-glamorous appearance, she was confident and strong. There is an understated self-assurance that shines through in contrast to the outer appearance.

Don't judge a book by it's cover! Who am I to define beauty? If I can see a person as God sees them, THAT makes all the difference. You know, the people who have impacted my life the most are the ones who have seen me the way God has and believed in me.

Reds & Yellows

The situation in Thailand grows worse... though it's peaceful here in Mae Sai, we are all keeping one eye on the TV monitor and most of our conversations all center on the current events that are unfolding in Bangkok. Please pray that, by God's grace, the people will be willing to negotiate and find long term solutions for the common good.

When will we realise, people need the Lord! -Steve Green

Happy Songkran!

I have an awful t-shirt tan but it comes with the price of having an awesome load of fun! Baby powder fights, cold iced down water (brrrr) everywhere you go, you get soaking wet! We spent the entire day having "water war" at the back of the track as we drove round and round town . Happy Thai New Year my friends!

He is risen!

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah soul Defender
Has won the victory
Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Ah, another stamp

Today we made a day trip into Laos for our visa run. We took a boat ride in and had the best yogurt milkshake ever! Sure has been quite a week. Okay, I'm going to turn in now. I must sleep early tonight, for we have Easter sunrise service at Baan-nana, 5am!

On this Good Friday

"About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about!" Just as He was speaking the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly" Luke 22:59-62

The Lord looked at Peter... can you image that look he gave?.... I can. Because I, like Peter, have disappointed Him many a times. It is an undescribable look, it is piercing yet so tender, disappointed yet still full of hope and love. It is the look of grace. The look that exposes my heart with all its ugly sins and what follows is the only appropriate response- to turn and weep.

But in that look is the discovery that saves, the exposure that purifies and the judgement that redeems. May we weep in godly sorrow knowing that we are forgiven and are empowered to live a righteous life with God's help.

Thank you dear God for being so merciful and kind to me.

With all my heart, I love you.

I come to the garden...

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The son of God discloses!

And He walks with me, and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own!
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing!

And He walks with me, and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own!

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known!

Photobooth

All I'm going to say is that we will still be talking about this when we are 100 years old.

Burma by day, Myanmar by night

This country needs lots of prayer, especially from the whole oppressive government thing. Thank God for the opportunity to minister in an orphanage there. The people are incredibly friendly and the kids are so sweet, waving and grinning for the camera. Like the boy in my first picture, a lot of Burmese cover their faces with Thanaka, part makeup, part sunscreen and some say to scare away evil spirits. Those little baskets there are the only possessions that each kid have. There isn't proper roads or an internet connection in sight... what a stark contrast with its rapidly modernizing neighbor, Thailand.

Pranked

"I should seriously throw this lousy mouse away!" Little did it occur to me that it was april fools day. I was a victim, good one boys & girl.