jet lagged...on thanksgiving day

I slept for only 2 & a half hours...& then out of no where...I just woke up (?)
Random thoughts:

1. It's raining this week! I don't even like rain, but I'm glad it's raining for a change...
2. Why am I still having jet lag issues, waking up in such odd hours...
3. Glad to be home...at the same time, missing the little world I left behind. Already getting wrapped up in my new setting. Say no, Stephanie...say no..
4. Time to settle down, get plenty rested...
5. Coming home with Thanksgiving & December around the corner...I realize how fast & soon 2008 will be ending.
(Then immediately, I thought:)
6. Oh my goodness. I'm not sure if I'm ready for a new year yet...

Lastly,

7. Whatever. Happy Thanksgiving, hope it's extra special this year. Good night.

good-bye Luang Prabang..

Good-bye.....I think I will really miss you.
Time to pack up & go home....

i will miss you, my sister

I love you. Always.

my last weekend w/ Jo

lol...haha :)






Currently, enjoying my little adventure with my sis :)

my prayer

(A prayer from a book I'm currently reading, "Character Makeover" by Katie Brazelton & Shelley Leith)


"Precious Lord,
I wasn't sure I would ever say this, but thank you for the wilderness. I admit I've complained, despaired, & even lost faith during my time of waiting. But you've been patient with me. Thank you. Help me to keep waiting patiently, knowing that this quiet time is both healing & restorative, a time when you & I can just meet together & be together, without too many expectations. Thank you that while I wait, you are working in ways I cannot see, leaving me here as long as it takes to grow me into the oak tree I need to be for the next thing you have in store for me.
In the name of Jesus, amen."


...took the words right out of my mouth...hmm, how lovely.

honeymoon w/ God

Luang Prabang, Laos is where I am currently staying, with my lovely sister. Each day is amazing & a pleasant surprise. I came here to just spend time with my sister, maybe baby-sit her cats & have a quiet time with God. I didn't expect anything (actually, I didn't really want to come!) But for some reason, I felt that I had to come...

Then to be able to marvel at all this beauty...the blue, blue sky, beautiful scenery, & a close look into a strange, unknown world.. What a wonderful gift!

My sis suggested that we do our quiet time today by reading a (short) book of the Bible & sharing our insights from what we read. I was currently reading 2 Corinthians, so I decided to finish reading it. A lot of the verses were words of encouragement..as I read along. It gently reminded me of God's overflowing love for me & for all. And I was reminded of a new life that is to come, where I can finally be with God forever..in paradise. I can't wait! :o)



2 Corinthians 6: 15-18:

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more & more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light & momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

a day in Laos..

The trip to Laos seemed impossible since I stepped foot onto LAX..At my first check-in, the associate told me that in order to enter Vietnam, I needed a pre-approval visa from the embassy. So they told me that I couldn't go, not even to Korea!!! I frowned..all my preparations...and what? I can't even get out of LAX?? While my head was spinning, it's funny how my heart somehow, wasn't. I knew that in some way...I would be able to go. All the directions always pointed toward me going to Laos. It was always myself that was saying 'there's no way I can get to Laos.' After 10 minutes of...confusion, I asked again, saying that I am going to Vietnam, but it wasn't my final destination...bingo. Got my boarding pass & was on my first flight to Korea.

The trip got harder & harder. WOW. I thought I wasn't gonna make it after I got to Vietnam! Almost 30 hours of flying & lay-overs..

All I can say is, I'm so glad to finally be here at my final destination!!!!! :)

What's the best part? Every experience is an opportunity to make memories. Even if I slip...really badly..down a flight of stairs carrying my very heavy suitcase...-_- (Man, that hurt. OW~~~)......it is a memory. I am allergic to cats & my allergy medicine is so not working. I have a bulging left eye & it's now red. Great.


BUT so far, my sis showed me how to ride a scooter (kinda), I have witnessed traditional Lao dancing (beautiful), I've been behind my sister's scooter around town..met my sister's co-workers & students at her University, napped with Jo's cats (who love me by the way..)

Each day is so much fun! I look forward to...further damage. hahaha. Maybe tomorrow I'll fall off Jo's scooter..ouch. I hope not. My left elbow is still freshly wounded from my fall.

Oh, who cares.

Bring it on :D