Well, I know one thing, and that is that I won't be teaching at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia next school year. The waiting on that opportunity finished today with an e-mail thanking me for my application, but sorry, for economic reasons they will not be proceeding any further with my application. Unfortunately this is a situation where being single goes against me! Life's like that. So what next? I need to follow up on another application, and also to submit some others to other places. Time is moving on, and it's not easy being uncertain of your future. Meanwhile, God is at work in my life, and I know that ultimately good will come from this situation.
So the priority for tonight! Get some grading done, and think about what I'm going to teach tomorrow. Well, I have done some of that, but there's more to do. So it's time to stop procrastinating and get on with it.
Karen
11 March 2010
09 March 2010
Enjoying a break
It's been great having a few days off school. Yesterday was less productive than I hoped, mainly because by the time I got to school at 9am we had no electricity and it didn't come back on again until 7pm last night. I went for a swim, and then got some maths papers graded, and a little planning done, but by 2.30pm I decided it was time to head for home, where at least I could put a fan on. I had a pile of Social Studies portfolios that needed to be graded (at about 15 min each), and they were at home, so that was the plan. Instead I baked a cake, surfed the internet, wasted time on Facebook, and eventually got about 4 done before I went to bed.
That's it, I decided. They have to be done, and I'm not going anywhere until they are. So I set up a table in the bedroom (air-con in there), and by 12.30pm they were all done. I had some lunch and pottered around a bit, and headed out to school by about 2pm for 3 hours. Checked e-mail, and eventually did a little planning. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Fortunately I only have two days to plan for, but I've really got to get some stuff ready for writing report cards this weekend as well. Hopefully we'll have power for most, if not all of the day, and I'll be able to be productive. Not much I can do about that.
This evening I met up with a friend who is visiting from Poipet for a few days of meetings. Lucky her. She's not that excited about the meetings, but it's a good chance to catch up with folk in Phnom Penh. We enjoyed dinner at a coffee shop across the other side of town, that I wouldn't usually go to, but where I'd been given some gift vouchers for by a grateful parent. We both enjoyed our meal, and I even came home with some dessert treats for tomorrow. We travelled by tuk-tuk, as I just couldn't face the peak hour traffic tonight - wanted to enjoy myself, and enjoy conversation on the journey, so that was good too. I arrived home just 3 minutes before it started to rain! Thanks Lord. Unfortunately it didn't last long, and the humidity is now about 90%, well it feels like that anyway. However, it's official. Today was cooler than yesterday and the day before (by 1 degree!).
Last night, as I sat peacefully at home, I kept hearing lots of sirens. I wondered what was going on, since that many sirens usually means either someone really important is around, and they are closing roads and moving them through as fast as they can, or ??? It turns out it was the ???. There was a big fire in an area along the railway line, and near one of the temples. According to news reports 158 homes plus 5 or more monks rooms were destroyed. It seems that one of the recent traffic calming strategies created a big headache for the emergency services, as the direct road into the area is now only accessible from one side of the main road. There is another route into the area, but it is very round about, and narrow roads. To access from the main road required road blocks a substantial distance away in order to create safe passage for the emergency vehicles.
So why was the access route blocked in the first place? I'm not totally sure, but it does mean that traffic now has to continue in one direction without trying to turn left across traffic, and so it does make things flow more smoothly. Previously a number of drivers, like in any big city, would take the back route to avoid an intersection that regularly gridlocks, and then created a new headache about 200m from the gridlocked intersection as they either crossed the main road, or tried to turn left onto it (for those Aussies reading this, think right hand turn on Australian road). I've taken 30 minutes to get through the intersection that no longer exists at peak hour! And that's on a moto, so it might be 60 minutes for car drivers.
Well, the night is progressing and it's time I went to bed, but I want to finish by mentioning a few of the things I'm thankful for today.
Karen
That's it, I decided. They have to be done, and I'm not going anywhere until they are. So I set up a table in the bedroom (air-con in there), and by 12.30pm they were all done. I had some lunch and pottered around a bit, and headed out to school by about 2pm for 3 hours. Checked e-mail, and eventually did a little planning. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Fortunately I only have two days to plan for, but I've really got to get some stuff ready for writing report cards this weekend as well. Hopefully we'll have power for most, if not all of the day, and I'll be able to be productive. Not much I can do about that.
This evening I met up with a friend who is visiting from Poipet for a few days of meetings. Lucky her. She's not that excited about the meetings, but it's a good chance to catch up with folk in Phnom Penh. We enjoyed dinner at a coffee shop across the other side of town, that I wouldn't usually go to, but where I'd been given some gift vouchers for by a grateful parent. We both enjoyed our meal, and I even came home with some dessert treats for tomorrow. We travelled by tuk-tuk, as I just couldn't face the peak hour traffic tonight - wanted to enjoy myself, and enjoy conversation on the journey, so that was good too. I arrived home just 3 minutes before it started to rain! Thanks Lord. Unfortunately it didn't last long, and the humidity is now about 90%, well it feels like that anyway. However, it's official. Today was cooler than yesterday and the day before (by 1 degree!).
Last night, as I sat peacefully at home, I kept hearing lots of sirens. I wondered what was going on, since that many sirens usually means either someone really important is around, and they are closing roads and moving them through as fast as they can, or ??? It turns out it was the ???. There was a big fire in an area along the railway line, and near one of the temples. According to news reports 158 homes plus 5 or more monks rooms were destroyed. It seems that one of the recent traffic calming strategies created a big headache for the emergency services, as the direct road into the area is now only accessible from one side of the main road. There is another route into the area, but it is very round about, and narrow roads. To access from the main road required road blocks a substantial distance away in order to create safe passage for the emergency vehicles.
So why was the access route blocked in the first place? I'm not totally sure, but it does mean that traffic now has to continue in one direction without trying to turn left across traffic, and so it does make things flow more smoothly. Previously a number of drivers, like in any big city, would take the back route to avoid an intersection that regularly gridlocks, and then created a new headache about 200m from the gridlocked intersection as they either crossed the main road, or tried to turn left onto it (for those Aussies reading this, think right hand turn on Australian road). I've taken 30 minutes to get through the intersection that no longer exists at peak hour! And that's on a moto, so it might be 60 minutes for car drivers.
Well, the night is progressing and it's time I went to bed, but I want to finish by mentioning a few of the things I'm thankful for today.
- E-mails from friends
- Electricity
- Internet
- Air-conditioning
- Finishing the Social Studies portfolio grading
- Good food
- Friends to share it with
- A safe dry place to live
- Fans
- A God who cares for me, every minute of every day. He knows everything about me, and He still loves me! He has every day of my life planned, and is in control, especially when I feel like things are out of control.
- Refrigerators
- Thunderstorms
- Rain in Toowoomba's catchments - Dam levels area up to 16.1%. That's the highest they've been in a number of years.
- Family
- People who pray for me, and enourage and support me in many different ways. Thanks guys.
Karen
07 March 2010
"Green Leaf in Drought" & Transitions
The title of this entry is the title of a book I have just finished reading. Written by Isobel Kuhn, from original letters & transcripts, it tells the story of the missionaries with CIM (now OMF) unable to leave their station in the early 1950s. The story was both encouraging and challenging. One of the challenges was that God showed this couple that He didn't just want them to "get through" the difficult time, submitting to the will of God, but to delight in His will.
So what does that mean for me. Well, as I face an uncertain future, first I need to remember that it's only uncertain for me. God knows exactly what is going to happen, and I can trust Him to do what is best for me, and for His glory. The second thing, is that I still have about 9 weeks of school days to get through before I move on, and I need to do that in a way that brings glory to God.
As I attended church this afternoon, this message was confirmed through the message brought by our guest speaker who spoke on "Transitions". In considering the model that she used, along with a passage from Numbers 11, I know that I am at the beginning of a major transtion, and that's not an easy place to be, especially when you do not know what/where you are transitioning to. The good thing is that I am confident that God knows what I'll be transitioning too, and that I can trust Him to provide for me. I am also confident that God will be with me through every step of the transition, and know that He will give me the physical, spiritual and emotional strength to finish this school year to His glory. I cannot do it in my strength. If it were up to me, to finish the year on my own, I'd be quitting right now, but it's not up to me, and so I continue on, knowing that it will be His strength that gets me though and desiring above all that He will be glorified through these last weeks and days at Logos.
As I consider this transition, acknowledging the hurt that I've experienced, and the growing that I need to do, I'm seriously considering attending a retreat in Thailand to help me work through some of the issues surrounding this transition. It is 10 days at a "resort" just outside Chiang Mai, and is run by Christians, specifically for Christians serving in cross-cultural ministry. To find out more about it, have a look at the website: http://www.heartstreamresources.org/index.php and go to Refresh Thailand. God has put this in my heart, and I believe that He is leading me to attend. He has already provided a substantial part of the registration cost, and I'm trusting Him to provide the rest. The plan would be to return to Australia in early June, for about 4 weeks (maybe a little less), and then fly back to Thailand to attend this retreat, and from there to go to whereever God has called me next.
It has been great this weekend to be able to relax, do some shopping, spend time on the internet & reading, all without feeling guilty, because I know I have 3 days to get done the things that need to be done for school for the rest of this week, and the beginning of next. Quite frankly that's huge. The quarter officially ends on Friday this week, and that means report cards have to be done to go out the following Friday. In order to write the report cards I absolutely have to get a stack of papers/reports/portfolios graded. Oh boy. Is three days going to be enough. Then on Thursday or Friday this week I have a formal observation by the Elementary Principal, which means that I need to do a more detailed lesson plan than I might otherwise. In addition to that, I'm supposed to have observed 5 of my colleagues during the course of the school year, and completed an "observation" form on each of them. I've done one! So next Monday, I have a very special lady coming in to teach my class for the morning, while I get all those observations out of the way. Thank you JB.
On that note, I think it's time I closed this post, and started thinking about bed. The air-conditioning will be welcome. Typing on this computer is a hot job, even with the ceiling fan on. Thanks to those who are reading this. I'm sure I've given some of you plenty of fuel for prayer as well.
Karen
So what does that mean for me. Well, as I face an uncertain future, first I need to remember that it's only uncertain for me. God knows exactly what is going to happen, and I can trust Him to do what is best for me, and for His glory. The second thing, is that I still have about 9 weeks of school days to get through before I move on, and I need to do that in a way that brings glory to God.
As I attended church this afternoon, this message was confirmed through the message brought by our guest speaker who spoke on "Transitions". In considering the model that she used, along with a passage from Numbers 11, I know that I am at the beginning of a major transtion, and that's not an easy place to be, especially when you do not know what/where you are transitioning to. The good thing is that I am confident that God knows what I'll be transitioning too, and that I can trust Him to provide for me. I am also confident that God will be with me through every step of the transition, and know that He will give me the physical, spiritual and emotional strength to finish this school year to His glory. I cannot do it in my strength. If it were up to me, to finish the year on my own, I'd be quitting right now, but it's not up to me, and so I continue on, knowing that it will be His strength that gets me though and desiring above all that He will be glorified through these last weeks and days at Logos.
As I consider this transition, acknowledging the hurt that I've experienced, and the growing that I need to do, I'm seriously considering attending a retreat in Thailand to help me work through some of the issues surrounding this transition. It is 10 days at a "resort" just outside Chiang Mai, and is run by Christians, specifically for Christians serving in cross-cultural ministry. To find out more about it, have a look at the website: http://www.heartstreamresources.org/index.php and go to Refresh Thailand. God has put this in my heart, and I believe that He is leading me to attend. He has already provided a substantial part of the registration cost, and I'm trusting Him to provide the rest. The plan would be to return to Australia in early June, for about 4 weeks (maybe a little less), and then fly back to Thailand to attend this retreat, and from there to go to whereever God has called me next.
It has been great this weekend to be able to relax, do some shopping, spend time on the internet & reading, all without feeling guilty, because I know I have 3 days to get done the things that need to be done for school for the rest of this week, and the beginning of next. Quite frankly that's huge. The quarter officially ends on Friday this week, and that means report cards have to be done to go out the following Friday. In order to write the report cards I absolutely have to get a stack of papers/reports/portfolios graded. Oh boy. Is three days going to be enough. Then on Thursday or Friday this week I have a formal observation by the Elementary Principal, which means that I need to do a more detailed lesson plan than I might otherwise. In addition to that, I'm supposed to have observed 5 of my colleagues during the course of the school year, and completed an "observation" form on each of them. I've done one! So next Monday, I have a very special lady coming in to teach my class for the morning, while I get all those observations out of the way. Thank you JB.
On that note, I think it's time I closed this post, and started thinking about bed. The air-conditioning will be welcome. Typing on this computer is a hot job, even with the ceiling fan on. Thanks to those who are reading this. I'm sure I've given some of you plenty of fuel for prayer as well.
Karen
05 March 2010
It's Friday - Hooray - It was a long week
Hooray for five days off! Yes. It's been a long time coming, but I'm really glad it is finally here.
Officially it's a public holiday on Monday, but Logos has taken two other Cambodian holidays and given them to us this weekend instead of on the actual official day. That means I can really have this weekend off, and then spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at school getting caught up on grading, writing report cards, and planning for the coming week or two. Please pray that I will be disciplined to achieve what I need to achieve.
Meanwhile I am waiting to hear about job applications I have placed with different schools, to see where God is leading me for the future. Will it be Malaysia? Will it be Indonesia? Will it be ??? I know He has a place for me, and I'm hoping and praying that it will be somewhere in Asia, but I'm not definitely sure yet. I have also been invited to apply for some positions in China and Bangladesh, but don't have the strength of feeling about them that I have about Malaysia. I hope I hear soon. I'm not very good at waiting, but God is helping me with that. Please pray for God's clear leading on this matter too.
It's been a difficult week this week, and I've been just plodding along, one day at a time, but God has been very good to me. He has provided me with the right people at just the right times, as well as a sense of His presence. He has also continued to remind me of His loving care in the various scripture readings in my devotional booklet this week, as well as through music. One morning I selected a CD at random from the few adult worship CDs I have in my classroom, and the words of the songs were just what I needed. If you are struggling and in need of encouragement, get hold of Michael W. Smith's Worship albumn. I know it's fairly old, but the songs were just what I needed at this point in time. In addition to that, this break has definitely come at a time when I very much need it. God is good, and His ways are way beyond our comprehension.
Well, with the temperature still 30 degrees Celsius and humidity back up to 62%, having peaked at 36 degrees & 37% humidity at 1.30pm and stayed there for two hours, I think the time has come to retreat to the bedroom and turn the air-conditioning on. The temperature will probably drop to about 25 degrees overnight, but humidity will climb up to around 90%, so the air-con is as much about reducing the humidity as about getting cool. I continue to praise God that the area that I live in is also home to some very rich/powerful people, and as a result we very rarely lose power for any length of time, which means I can usually get a comfortable night's rest.
So what am I going to do with my "free" time this weekend. Hmmm! Let me think about that. A haircut is overdue so I might get extravagent and spend $1 on a haircut. Then my backpack is dying, so a trip to Russian Market is probably on the agenda. Some groceries would be useful, although I do have some yummy ginger chicken in the fridge tonight. It won't last long tho. Then I might do some baking. I think I've got enough ingredients to make a batch of Anzac Biscuits, or I could buy some dried fruit and make a boiled fruit cake. Now that would be delicious. Maybe I'll do both! Oh well, tomorrow will tell. I might end up doing none of these things. Praise God that He gives the strength for each day, just when we need it! God is good, ALL the time.
Resting in Him.
Karen
Officially it's a public holiday on Monday, but Logos has taken two other Cambodian holidays and given them to us this weekend instead of on the actual official day. That means I can really have this weekend off, and then spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at school getting caught up on grading, writing report cards, and planning for the coming week or two. Please pray that I will be disciplined to achieve what I need to achieve.
Meanwhile I am waiting to hear about job applications I have placed with different schools, to see where God is leading me for the future. Will it be Malaysia? Will it be Indonesia? Will it be ??? I know He has a place for me, and I'm hoping and praying that it will be somewhere in Asia, but I'm not definitely sure yet. I have also been invited to apply for some positions in China and Bangladesh, but don't have the strength of feeling about them that I have about Malaysia. I hope I hear soon. I'm not very good at waiting, but God is helping me with that. Please pray for God's clear leading on this matter too.
It's been a difficult week this week, and I've been just plodding along, one day at a time, but God has been very good to me. He has provided me with the right people at just the right times, as well as a sense of His presence. He has also continued to remind me of His loving care in the various scripture readings in my devotional booklet this week, as well as through music. One morning I selected a CD at random from the few adult worship CDs I have in my classroom, and the words of the songs were just what I needed. If you are struggling and in need of encouragement, get hold of Michael W. Smith's Worship albumn. I know it's fairly old, but the songs were just what I needed at this point in time. In addition to that, this break has definitely come at a time when I very much need it. God is good, and His ways are way beyond our comprehension.
Well, with the temperature still 30 degrees Celsius and humidity back up to 62%, having peaked at 36 degrees & 37% humidity at 1.30pm and stayed there for two hours, I think the time has come to retreat to the bedroom and turn the air-conditioning on. The temperature will probably drop to about 25 degrees overnight, but humidity will climb up to around 90%, so the air-con is as much about reducing the humidity as about getting cool. I continue to praise God that the area that I live in is also home to some very rich/powerful people, and as a result we very rarely lose power for any length of time, which means I can usually get a comfortable night's rest.
So what am I going to do with my "free" time this weekend. Hmmm! Let me think about that. A haircut is overdue so I might get extravagent and spend $1 on a haircut. Then my backpack is dying, so a trip to Russian Market is probably on the agenda. Some groceries would be useful, although I do have some yummy ginger chicken in the fridge tonight. It won't last long tho. Then I might do some baking. I think I've got enough ingredients to make a batch of Anzac Biscuits, or I could buy some dried fruit and make a boiled fruit cake. Now that would be delicious. Maybe I'll do both! Oh well, tomorrow will tell. I might end up doing none of these things. Praise God that He gives the strength for each day, just when we need it! God is good, ALL the time.
Resting in Him.
Karen
01 March 2010
Not a good start to the month
No electricity at school from about 9.30am to almost 5pm was not a good way to start the month. With the temperature at 30 degrees and 62% humidity, it was not going to be a good day. By 11.30am it was 33 degrees, and by 12.30 it was 34. The temperature peaked at 35 at 1.30pm, and stayed there until after 4.00pm so I was very glad to get into the pool at 3pm and do a few (20) laps. I felt better for a little while.
Fortunately it was not the school's fault this time, at least as far as we know it was a general area outage, so we can't be in trouble for using too many fans or air-conditioners. The hot season is just beginning, so please pray that the electricity situation will stabilize very soon! Kid's really can't learn well in these conditions, and teachers find it harder to teach. OK. I've got my electricity free lessons planned for tomorrow, although hopefully I will have power for Language Arts because then the CD gets to read the story instead of me.
In addition to that I was down four students today. Two didn't even come because they were sick, and two that got sent home by 9am. There's a bug going around. I hope and pray that I don't get it.
Well, I'm off to have a cool shower, and turn the air-conditioner on!
Good night.
Fortunately it was not the school's fault this time, at least as far as we know it was a general area outage, so we can't be in trouble for using too many fans or air-conditioners. The hot season is just beginning, so please pray that the electricity situation will stabilize very soon! Kid's really can't learn well in these conditions, and teachers find it harder to teach. OK. I've got my electricity free lessons planned for tomorrow, although hopefully I will have power for Language Arts because then the CD gets to read the story instead of me.
In addition to that I was down four students today. Two didn't even come because they were sick, and two that got sent home by 9am. There's a bug going around. I hope and pray that I don't get it.
Well, I'm off to have a cool shower, and turn the air-conditioner on!
Good night.
28 February 2010
Another HOT week
I safely returned to Phnom Penh on Monday afternoon, having stretched my funds to cover the weekend, and even having some left at the airport. I was very grateful for a ride from Phnom Penh airport from the father of one of my previous students, who just happened to be on the same plane as me, and was being picked up by his driver. Praise God for His provision for small details.
I managed to get through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a minimum of preparation. Between having taught the material before, and power cuts, things went OK. Friday we headed out to Northbridge for the Invitational Track meet, which was lots of fun for the kids, and when we returned I started showing "Mary Poppins", until the power went out. Fortunately it wasn't out long and we were able to continue, but I've had to promise to show the rest of it at a future date, since we only got about half we through it. The children were loving it!
The weather here is definitely moving into the hot season, with the thermometer usually hitting 30 degrees Celsius by about 10am. Humidity ranges from about 35% to 70% during the course of the day. Having no air-conditioning until after lunch is definitely taking its toll on both students and teachers, and I'm seriously lacking in motivation at the moment. If you are a praying person, please pray that our electricity situation will be solved sooner rather than later. We've been told at least another month, and I'm really struggling with that. Meanwhile I will have to depend on God for an extra measure of his strength to get through the weeks ahead.
OK. That's it for now. I'm off for a cool shower and bed. At least I have air-conditioning in my bedroom at home so I can sleep reasonably well.
In His service
Karen
I managed to get through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a minimum of preparation. Between having taught the material before, and power cuts, things went OK. Friday we headed out to Northbridge for the Invitational Track meet, which was lots of fun for the kids, and when we returned I started showing "Mary Poppins", until the power went out. Fortunately it wasn't out long and we were able to continue, but I've had to promise to show the rest of it at a future date, since we only got about half we through it. The children were loving it!
The weather here is definitely moving into the hot season, with the thermometer usually hitting 30 degrees Celsius by about 10am. Humidity ranges from about 35% to 70% during the course of the day. Having no air-conditioning until after lunch is definitely taking its toll on both students and teachers, and I'm seriously lacking in motivation at the moment. If you are a praying person, please pray that our electricity situation will be solved sooner rather than later. We've been told at least another month, and I'm really struggling with that. Meanwhile I will have to depend on God for an extra measure of his strength to get through the weeks ahead.
OK. That's it for now. I'm off for a cool shower and bed. At least I have air-conditioning in my bedroom at home so I can sleep reasonably well.
In His service
Karen
20 February 2010
God knows best
I know that I shouldn't be amazed by God's amazing provision for us in the various circumstances that we find ourselves in, but I'll admit that I'm often pleasantly surprised, and even amazed, by God's provision for our needs in ways that we least expect it.
Take for example my trip to Bangkok this weekend. I booked the tickets for this weekend get-a-way back in August 2009, when they were a great bargain. God knew, even then, that I would be in real need of a chance to get away from daily life, and to spend time with Him, and to just relax and forget about teaching students for a few days. In addition to that, He knew I'd left my wallet with my Thai money in it at home, and prompted me to get enough money from the ATM at PP airport to see me through this weekend in BKK (I didn't realise I didn't have the wallet until the plane was in the air). Praise God that He cares for ALL the details in our lives.
Another example of God's amazing knowledge has been some of the readings in my devotions this week. He has met my needs in and provided encouragement for me that has been so relevant to where I am at the moment. Consider the following:
On Monday, the topic was "Defining Failure" and the key verses was "Who through faith ... out of weakness were made strong. - Hebrews 11:33-34". The last line of the main article was especially encouraging: "Our life is not a failure if we've repented of our sins. God can still use us to serve Him." and the concluding poem
On Thursday, Psalm 62 was the focus with the key verse being verse 8: "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." The closing worrds were a timely reminder:
"While there is great comfort in sharing our difficulties with a friend, we miss the greatest help if we fail to bring them to the Lord. Joseph Scriven said it so well:
And finally today's key verse was Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He turned to me, and heard my cry." and the reflection also highlighted Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart".
So far I've enjoyed sleeping in, riding on the subway, and wandering through Tesco Lotus and CarreFour (Thailand's answer to my yearning for KMart & Big W), as well as IT City. Tomorrow I'm not 100% sure what I'll do, but I think it might include the famous Chatuchak weekend market and a movie on the BIG screen. Whatever I do, I know that God will be right there beside me.
By the way, the cake featured in my last post did not last long! Several of my colleagues enjoyed sharing it with me on Tuesday afternoon. It was moist, and delicious!
Goodnight.
Take for example my trip to Bangkok this weekend. I booked the tickets for this weekend get-a-way back in August 2009, when they were a great bargain. God knew, even then, that I would be in real need of a chance to get away from daily life, and to spend time with Him, and to just relax and forget about teaching students for a few days. In addition to that, He knew I'd left my wallet with my Thai money in it at home, and prompted me to get enough money from the ATM at PP airport to see me through this weekend in BKK (I didn't realise I didn't have the wallet until the plane was in the air). Praise God that He cares for ALL the details in our lives.
Another example of God's amazing knowledge has been some of the readings in my devotions this week. He has met my needs in and provided encouragement for me that has been so relevant to where I am at the moment. Consider the following:
On Monday, the topic was "Defining Failure" and the key verses was "Who through faith ... out of weakness were made strong. - Hebrews 11:33-34". The last line of the main article was especially encouraging: "Our life is not a failure if we've repented of our sins. God can still use us to serve Him." and the concluding poem
The lessons we learn from our failures
Are lessons that help us succeed,
And if we are wise and we heed them,
Then failure is just what we need.
Then on Wednesday the topic was "In the Car Wash", thinking about Isaiah 43:1-13, and especially verse 2, "When you walk through the waters, I will be with you."
How wonderful to know that He
Who watches from above
Will always keep us sheltered in
His ever-present love!
On Thursday, Psalm 62 was the focus with the key verse being verse 8: "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." The closing worrds were a timely reminder:
"While there is great comfort in sharing our difficulties with a friend, we miss the greatest help if we fail to bring them to the Lord. Joseph Scriven said it so well:
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
On Friday I was directed to James 1:2-3: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
Though you cannot see the outcome,
Trust the Lord--He knows what's best;
Be assured He sees your trial,
And He's with you in your test.
And finally today's key verse was Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He turned to me, and heard my cry." and the reflection also highlighted Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart".
Praying, resting, waiting, trusting--
These are words that tell a story;
As we wait for God to lead us,
He responds, "Just seek My glory."
God orders our stops as well as our steps. Praise God that he ordered this weekend's "stop" for me, and also that He has my steps for future service already planned for me.So far I've enjoyed sleeping in, riding on the subway, and wandering through Tesco Lotus and CarreFour (Thailand's answer to my yearning for KMart & Big W), as well as IT City. Tomorrow I'm not 100% sure what I'll do, but I think it might include the famous Chatuchak weekend market and a movie on the BIG screen. Whatever I do, I know that God will be right there beside me.
By the way, the cake featured in my last post did not last long! Several of my colleagues enjoyed sharing it with me on Tuesday afternoon. It was moist, and delicious!
Goodnight.
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