no.126 130903 Thank you for my preschool department pastor

Looking through my missions journal. I have to share my testimony this Sunday.

I love it when my friends and family encourage me. It has extra effect when they do it by sharing their testimony or through verses in the Bible.

Well, I got one today from my pastor of the preschool department, where I serve as a teacher. Since I was sick last Sunday, I had to let her know of my absence so her and other teachers can take care of my class. Anyways, I got an unexpected email from her that she was worried about me. In the email, she also shared a verse from Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:1-5)

I'm thankful for my thoughtful pastor, her words of encouragement, and also for the Bible verse she shared with me. I remember being thankful even the times I was sick. For example, when I got sick in Mexico, I was thankful that I got sick after the completion of the ministry. Another time was this past Good Friday. I got food poisoned so I was sick in bed for a few days (thankfully, I got better for my confirmation on Easter Sunday!). Yet, I was thankful because it reminded me of how much pain and suffering Jesus went through to bear the cross for me. Compared to what He went through, what I was going through was nothing. Well, this time, I was more worried than thankful. I was worried that my family will keep associating my sickness to Mexico, which will hinder me from going on future mission trips. But still, I thanked God for my family who took care of me. Yes, I still complained while I was sick - asking questions like why me and why now. However, we shouldn't forget to praise God for his greatness even the times we are sick. Even in these times of sufferings - whether they are physical or spiritual, know that God has purpose in each mountain you are facing. In fact, it's through these hardships where we really grow in God and become more like Jesus as God shapes our character. So we should really be thankful!

no.125 130902 Thank you for the healthy foods

You know how I said that I'm looking forward to fall? Ummm.. I kinda want to take that back...! The sudden drop in temperature makes me sad and lonely! Just joking! I'm gonna be fine.

Ever since I got sick (which was only a couple of days ago), I've been being more careful of what I buy and what I eat. I can live without chips or crackers, but I can't live without chocolate. When I go grocery shopping, I would often get my favourite chocolate bar or some sort of chocolate snack. When I went grocery shopping yesterday, I was really tempted to pick up a bag of Oh Henry because it was on sale. It was calling my name so I walked towards to it, grabbed one... but I put it down after hesitating for a second. Phew! Why do stores place these temptations in front of the cashier? I guess it's to get people like me to buy one. But I resisted! Instead, I bought a tub of strawberry greek yogurt, block of marble cheese, a bag of roasted almonds, and a box of nectarines.

I'm thankful for the healthy foods. I hope to keep it up for a while at least. I know for sure I can't give up on chocolate and other sweets forever. So, I'll eat more healthy!

Today I've been listening to Hillsong's "Till I See You" on repeat. "I will live to love You, I will live to bring You praise, I will live a child in awe of You." Let these words be true as I sing.

no.124 130901 Thank you for September

September. My goal is to be consistent with my daily quiet times.

Today is the first day of September. Summer is officially over. Am I sad? Yes and no. I'm sad to say goodbye to summer because like I said before, I had the best summer yet. However, I'm looking forward to autumn for all the great things the season will bring. Autumn is romantic yet melancholic, if you know what I mean. I like that about autumn. I wanted to try something different today, so I'm making a category of the things I love about this wonderful season.

 

Sight

I love the colour that fall brings - red, orange, yellow leaves and the blue sky. If you have been following my blog, you'll remember my love for yellow ginkgo leaves.

 

Hearing

I love listening to old, smoky jazz. Don't worry, I'm planning to share my list with you soon.

I love stepping on the pile of leaves on the ground (I love nature walk!).

 

Taste

I love drinking a cup of white hot chocolate or green tea latte. In the fall, I sometimes get a pumpkin spice latte but I remember it having too much chai taste the last time I got it. Just to be nice, I'm gonna give it a try one last time before I make a final decision to take it out of my Starbucks menu.

 

Smell

I love the fresh crisp air and the smell of the autumn leaves that the breeze brings.

 

Touch

I love wearing a warm sweater and the feeling of the soft blanket wrapped around me.

To sum it up, it would be ideal if I'm at a park, surrounded by trees with red, orange and yellow leaves, listening to my jazz playlist, sipping on a warm cup of white hot chocolate, breathing in the smell of the autumn leaves while wearing a warm sweater. Oh, it would be nicer if I had my favourite book in my hand and a good company. That would be just perfect and so romantic. Doesn't it sound super awesome? Mmmm, just thinking about these makes me so warm and cozy! I love it!