17 days and counting...

I am so ready for this trip to Thailand... I just cannot wait to wake up to the ocean, sip on smoothies all day long, enjoying every moment with my family. It's just going to be such a sweet time! We're finally into the teens!!!

But I'm doing terrible with my 21 day challenge. The whole pop thing is going best and getting up at 7... the worst. Shocker, eh? Well I had every intention on getting up at 7 on Tuesday until the middle of the night woke me up causing me to run to the lu. Yeah... I felt like I did last summer when John and Sarah were here. Body aching like never before... I'll spare you the details but I literally could not get out of bed. I begged Mike to come in and massage my body (we have a handy dandy handheld massager) because I just ached and ached. It was awful. I finally managed to get out of bed around 11am but only for a few short hours. How wonderful it was that Pastor Ed allowed Mike to stay home all day with me and Hannah was able to come over in the evening while Mike was out. I have NO CLUE as to what caused it and I'm thankful to say that while my stomach is still a bit tender... I felt great the minute I woke up on Wed. In fact, I ran my best run ever Wed night and felt like I could've run all evening. Wierd.. so Mike and I decided that once a month I just need to lay in bed for over 24hrs. LOL Wouldn't that be nice! I couldn't even look at the computer my head ached so bad. So needless to say... I haven't gotten up at 7am at all and I'm quite okay with that. ;) I'll try again soon.

I have a bit more that I need to write... especially about our fun day today with Adelina and Kayla but surprisingly I'm not in the mood to be on the computer. I'd rather read so I'm outta here.

But I have to share that as of yesterday... I was 1 up on Mike in our challenge. I'm sure it's all evened out at this point as I didn't get my workout in today (for very good reasons) but at least for 1 day... I was in the lead!!! Wohoo! A few people mentioned to Mike this past weekend that I might be a bit competitive... what do you think? LOL

And I can't really forget to wish my sis and big ole HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! {It's an especially sweet birthday for her... well number wise anyway.... and just wanted to wish her the happiest of days!!!!} (yes I know it was yesterday but I didn't blog so I decided to write it today..lol)

2 for 2

just a few pics from our trip to macau


Here's the layout I made about Isabella's one day of potty training

Well... we're 2 for 2 though Mike insists he should get like 5 bonus days for his run this morning. Every Saturday he runs about 20K with some friends in preparation for a 100K race next fall and well... it's hard to argue with that. LOL This may be a harder challenge than I thought and I'm quite convinced that there will be a tie in the end but if this causes us to develop a very consistent, healthy habit... then it doesn't matter who really wins... right? :) But I'm way to competitive not to at least try and out do him! hehe

I've been looking at the calendar, doing some planning and realized that on Monday, we only have 21 days left until our trip to Thailand. (Yes, I have been thinking about this A LOT lately!) And some of you know what 21 days means... it's supposed to take 21 days to break (and I'm assuming make) a habit. So I decided to push myself a bit with some other challenges. So here it goes... starting on Monday, I will...

1. Get up every day at 7am to run (or do some sort of exercise.. I don't know that I can run 21 days straight)
2. No pop (soda for those of you who don't know what pop is... Mike)
3. Only 1 dessert a week (and I'm only saying one in case something just happens to come up... like a dinner at my favourite dumpling place for my red bean dessert dumplings...hehe)

So the whole pop thing is going to kill me because well I need to just face it... I'm addicted to Coke Light. Even my friend Amy from MN knew how bad my addiction was because when she came to visit me in the hospital after I had Izzy she was sweet enough to bring me a bottle of Coke! And the waking up to get my exercise out of the way is going to kill me too but well it'll be good for me and I pray that at the end... it wil become a habit and that it'll give me a bit of quiet time before Izzy wakes up.

Today was quite interesting. Isabella threw her paci down the lift shaft and therefore refused to fall asleep for a nap. The weather went from extremely warm and humid yesterday to really cold and almost typhoon like wind. Isabella was cute today.. I have pictures but my computers extra slow tonight so I'll share tomorrow but anyway... we have these big rice bags and she insisted on being put inside one. So I put her in and carried her around a bit. Then I washed a few dishes and came out and didn't know where she was. So I called her name and up she pops from inside the bag. She was trying to put on her shoes. Ahhhh... crazy kid. :) I'm feeling almost giddy and I'm not totally sure why... beware Mike it may be a long night. So anyway.... I want to read a bit so I'm outta here!

Mommy... the phone's ringing

Yeah I finally scrapped! Okay.. I cheated a bit and used a template from Melgen Designs and Sweet Genevieve's kit Soft Spoken both available at Oscraps.com

Well I don't have much to post about today.

Actually, the cutest thing happened today and it just made me realize how smart my baby is and how much children learn through watching. I hopped into the shower while Izzy was playing in the living room and out of nowhere a little arm reaches into the shower with the phone. I had no idea (didn't hear it ringing) why she had done this but I thought it was cute... so I grabbed it and set it on the dehumidifier. Isabella decided to stay in the bathroom and play for a little and the phone rang again. Before I could get to it, Isabella picked up the phone and again reached into the shower and handed it to me. I don't know why such a little thing surprised me but I just thought it was precious.

And it was my sister... always good to talk to her. So we chatted for a bit... actually a long bit and then Izzy and I headed outside. She was such a good girl today... eating properly, playing well, even giving me the opportunity to clean up a bit and her nap was amazing! I put her down around 2:30 and she didn't wake up until about 4:30! And even when she woke up... I sat her on my lap and she fell back to sleep until about 5:15! What was sweet about that (besides the fact that this doesn't happen very often.. her sleeping in my arms) was that it forced me just to sit and relax and I finally got to finish (well almost anyway) the scrapbook page that I want to frame and hang on our long, white, bare walls.

Today's reading in 'A Heart Like His' talked about when David was hiding in the cave and how he handled his feelings in this situation. Beth Moore points out how wonderful it is that God 'inspire David to write his feelings' (aka the Psalms) and I couldn't agree more. We don't always get to read the deep personal thoughts of the people mentioned in the Bible but God inspired David and we get the inside scoop on how 'the man after His own heart' communicates with God. We get to see that it's okay to share our frustrations, our hurts, our pains and just cry out to God. The focus of this chapter was Psalm 142.. a prayer from when David was in the cave. If we study this Psalm, we are given an amazing example of how to respond when life gives us difficult circumstances.

1. David prayed. We know that praying is important but how often is that our first response?
2. David cried aloud. There are often times when a good cry is all you need to gain sanity yet we try to be macho or keep our dignity. God can take it... cry out to Him!
3. David poured out his complaint. I think sometimes we feel that it's a bad thing to tell God our frustrations, troubles, etc.. but God wants to share in everything... the joys and sorrows and in reality... He knows them anyway.
4. David rehearsed his trust in God. This was powerful reading for me. The whole idea behind this verse is that it's easy to be attacked by the enemy when we are down so we need to be constanly reminding ourselves that 'God knows our way.' I think I will memorize Psalm 142:3 'When my spirit grows faint within me, /it is you who know my way.' to quote when I'm struggling with a difficult circumstance.
5. David longed for God's presence. I'm not totally understanding what Beth is pointing out in this observation so I'm not going to add my own thoughts here. LOL
6. David confessed his desperate need. Too often we try to fight/deal with things in our own power but David (who killed Goliath, a lion and a bear) cried out to God and admitted that he couldn't do it on his own so why in the world should we?

Beth Moore ends with this statement: 'We often get far more specific sharing our hearts with a friend than we do with our God who can truly intervene and help us!' and it made me think about some things I've been dealing with lately and how I've approached them. I definitely have approached people more than God and why??? Especially in some of the situations they CAN'T do anything except offer prayer so why not go to the Father myself?

This study is awesome! Not only am I learning more about the Bible and David's life... I'm learning how practical and how much it applies to my life right now. The Old Testament is very difficult for me to understand and study but this study is really opening my eyes up to a whole new world (if that makes any sense... i feel like I've been saying that a lot lately... lol). It's amazing how God speaks when you really take the time to build your relationship.

I've been hearing a lot of questions lately about how does God speak to you, how do you know what He wants you to do, etc... but when the answer given is.... you need to build your relationships with Him, take time to listen to Him, etc... the words may not be 'that sounds like a lot of work' but the eyes say it. I know myself that I've thought... where am I going to find the time to do this or that but you know what... it all comes down to priorty and what's important to you. If you are that interested in something... you make time for it.

This is one of my biggest parallels into my preparation for the 10K. I wanted to do this race more than anything and I wanted to do it well and while I didn't prepare as much as I should have towards the end... I MADE time to run, I woke up early to run (yes Mike.. I did a few times. lol) And what happened? I reached my goal and in the process developed a love for racing. A few months ago I was feeling distant from God but I was lazy in taking time to develop my relationship with Him. When I decided it WAS that important to me, I started making time and my relationship has grown tremendously and passion has returned. While God is always with us... our relationship with Him takes effort just as a relationship with a friend does.

Woah... I guess I had more to write than I thought. I still haven't uploaded all my pictures yet but at least I have one of my little sweetheart. It's actually from our trip to the states but hey.. it's better than nothing.

One of my very first pictures of Isabella in which I said, 'Say Cheese' and she did it!

One more for the evening...

Mike came home for lunch today so I could hit the gym. I've been trying to get up in the mornings but every night that I plan too... I don't end up falling asleep until after 1am or Isabella wakes up (yes they're excuses) and I just can't get my butt out of bed in the morning. So today I pushed myself a bit and it felt WONDERFUL!!! I always do this and think... why in the world is it so hard sometimes to get my butt moving when I know how good I feel afterwards? I pushed my lifting too and it just feels so could to be strong.

So I wrote all that to say.... Mike and I have challenged each other to see who can be more consistent in exercising over the next few weeks. The goal for me is to make exercising first thing in the morning a habit. So far... we're 1/1 but you better believe I'm going to give him a run for his money!!! LOL

Oh yeah... I forgot to mention the cutest thing Izzy did the other night. Mike was tickling her so hard that in the midst of her big belly laughs... she snorted! Oh it was adorable. And she's now saying (very clearly) 'bubbles' and has discovered that riding in the bottom of the stroller is much more fun than in the actual seat. Oh yeah... she also is definitely going to be a climber (we're hoping for rock climbing) as she figured out all on her own how to climb up the playground equipment that are just holes in the wall! I'm so proud. I feel like I'm forgetting something but oh well... that's enough blogging for one day!

Blessings!

Learn it, Live it

Tuesday night is my night to fellowship with the ladies of our church. In December, we studied 'Love and Respect' a series that I absolutely love and highly recommend. Now we are studing 'Learn it, Live it' a series on spiritual disciplines. This series has a study section and then a 'do' section which I think is wonderful because it forces us to put into practice what we are learning rather than just discussing it. Anyway...

Our first discipline we studied was prayer and to be honest, the 'learn it' section was somewhat basic to me but the 'live it'... well I think it's changed my prayer life forever. There are a few options that your group has to choose from but ours was to:

Choose a passage of Scripture (try Psalm 23, 51 or John 17). Individually write the first verse of the passage you chose on a sheet of paper. Pause to reflect on its meaning. Then write a prayer to God based on how God speaks to you through this verse. Continue writing each verse until you've prayed through the entire passage.

I've prayed through scripture before but never like this. Never taking it verse by verse and reflecting on just one verse at a time. To me it really helped me feel connected to God, I could understand and hear what He was saying to me, I knew how to pray and what to pray for. I think writing it out really helped me to focus on what I was learning and not to forget it too.

The first passage I prayed through was Psalm 119:57-64 and while it was all so wonderful, verse 60 almost haunts me. It says, "I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands." How many of us really hurry to obey? So often we stop to think about it or make excuses, whatever it may be but I pleaded (and still do many times a day) that I will have that desire (and actually do)... to hurry and obey. Verse 58 ("With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.") really helped me to see a side of myself that surprised me. There is something that my heart truly desires right now but it's not God's time and this verse reminded me (okay so maybe this isn't exactly what the verse is trying to say here but this is how God spoke to me through it) that His timing and His blessings are so much better than what I could ever dream of. And I thought of Israel when they demanded a king. That was not God's plan at all... He had something so wonderful in store for them (David) but despite what Samuel warned them of... they insisted and so finally God granted their request. What happened then... DISASTER! I don't want to demand something from God and He grant it to me... I want it to be His blessing. And I truly meant that (which is what surprised me... lol).

I absolutely loved praying in this way and will now make this a regular part of my prayer life. I fall in habit of praying whenever it's convienant for me (and use Isabella as my excuse) and what ends up happening is praying before falling asleep (and well I'm sure many of you know how this goes... 'Heavenly Father.... snore... oh yeah where was I?") and I miss the deep communion with God.

Really need to update...

My oh my... I'm not doing so well recently in keeping up with my resolutions... one being blog every day so I don't forget even the tiniest of ways that I noticed God at work.

Okay... so back to well a week ago... (yikes!)

Actually last Wed, I got a call from Makiko (the Japanese mom I met on the bus to TST) asking us to come over to visit on Thursday because she was returning to Japan permantantly and wanted to spend some time with us before she left. I was so bummed because she is the sweetest woman I think I've ever met. And I was even more bummed after spending the afternoon with her on Thursday because all of the children (she's got 4 ranging from 3-11) got a long so well and we had some great conversation despite the language barrier. But she made me promise that if we ever visit Japan, that we need to come to her place. How sweet!

While during our visit (which was only supposed to be for about 2hrs but we were having such a great time it ended up about 4/5hrs) I noticed Isabella was scratching her belly A LOT. I noticed in class on Wed too but I looked and there was nothing. However, at Makiko's I noticed a rash around the top of her diaper. It made me nervous but I didn't think too much of it. Then we got home and after Isabella crashed on our bed, I checked her stomach again and noticed that the rash was covering parts of her entire chest area and under her arms. That threw me into somewhat of a panicked mode. All I kept thinking was... 'She's got the chicken pox and now all the children in her class and Makiko's family will get them too.' So as soon as Mike got home, I got his opinion and he immediately called Dr. Kelly. We are so very blessed that Dr. Kelly is so generous in caring for all of us. She has given us her private numbers so that we can reach her at any time and being in a foreign country... well that just means a lot. Anyway... she happened to be at home and as Mike described Izzy's belly, she said to bring her over to her building (also feel very blessed that she lives just two buildings away from us!) because she was convinced that yes it was chicken pox. However, once she saw Isabella she decided it was just a rash. So it was a bit of a whirlwind evening for us but I praise God for how He has provided for us and meets our needs and that He protected Isabella and all these other children she was around from the chicken pox for now. I know they're miserable when you're older but I just can't imagine a 2yr old with them wanting to scratch.

The weekend was our youth group retreat 'Reveal' and it was excellent. Mike and Hannah did a fabulous job helping all of us to understand how God reveals Himself in us, to us and around us. It was a lot of hands on type of learning rather than teaching (which stretches our students here) but I really think the students enjoyed seeing God in that way. Jill, Ryan and Hunter (new teachers this year at CAIS with a little one) joined us and it was a great way to build relationships with them as well. We had great attendance (in my opinion anyway) and a few students that surprised me by coming. Some of them are really coming around and it's really fun to look back and see how some were so shy around Mike and now they just live to pick on him. It's taken a long time for the relationships to build (in comparison to what we're used to in the states) but they're growing and now we feel kinda like we've earned the right to stretch them in their spiritual lives. I know what I mean but it's hard to express so I hope that made sense. LOL

And of course after all that planning and then the actual event... poor Mike ended up sick on Monday morning. So Izzy and I went to class and then walked around the mall/had lunch to give him some peace and quiet. This week is Keswick, then camp and then a week to kinda catch his breath before he can totally relax by the pool, with a smoothie in hand in Thailand. :) (Had to throw that in there as Mike keeps teasing me because I'm always talking about our upcoming trip.)

Well there's more to share but I need to get something posted before I go to bed. :)

Race Photos

I'm SOOO excited!!!! I actually have race photos and found out what my actual time was and it was MUCH better than I anticipated. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am.

If you're interested in seeing the photos you can look HERE and if it asks for a bib number mine was B2926. There were 4 photos of me! Granted the first one is impossible to see me with the logo overtop and the others aren't so flattering but hey... it's me in my first race!!! And I went to check out the previews of the types of photos they sell and my time read... 1:06:36!!!! Wow... now I went and typed in several other bib numbers to see if this was just a standard number but it wasn't so I'm hoping this was my actual race time!

***ETA This takes you to the first page of the site. Click on HK Marathon and then type in the Bib number and whala

Oh wow... this just really made my day!

Okay... I have more to share about my day but it's much later than I want to be up so I'll try to write more tomorrow before heading out to camp.

Blessings!

World Domination

Another gorgeous day here in HK! Although it quickly cooled off in the afternoon causing us to go from wearing short sleeves and pants (actually we could have gotten away with shorts but I didn't feel like it) to wearing coats and pants. Crazy how fast it cooled off. Mike was so wonderful in letting me sleep in and then taking Isabella to her make-up Little Gym class while I cleaned the flat. It was so great not to have a little one following me around wanting to help me clean. LOL While I love that she wants to help... it always makes the process longer and I just desperately wanted the entire flat clean. Anyway....

We've gotten hooked on the game Risk, thanks to another Youth Pastor (Dave) who keeps inviting us to play. I think I enjoy the fellowship more than anything but tonight the game rocked! Why? Because I was the one who dominated the world! LOL We started playing around 8pm and around 11:15 I rolled the final victory. It's funny because I was hoping (around 9ish) that we would just give up (it didn't seem like the game was going anywhere...especially for myself) but the Mike (who was currently in the lead) lost a few territories and the game took a spin. :) But in attempt to gain a continent (and being made fun of) I gained 75 armies which allowed me to start in Asia, conquering the world until I ended in the one country I defended the most all evening... Africa. Now that I made it sound like this is really important.... :) It's really just fun for me because I don't ever remember playing this game to completion nor do I ever remember winning... and just ask Mike... I NEVER win board games when I'm playing against him. So anyway....

Here I am rejoicing in my victory and the bottom pick shows my red armies covering the world. :)





On another note... I expected to wake up sore from the race but I woke up feeling great! I really wanted to run again this morning but time got away from me and that's okay. My motivation is totally back making me want to push myself to build my endurance, beat my time, and just continue to live a healthy lifestyle. While I haven't mastered anything... preparing for this race has taught me so much about what it really means to be healthy and I feel blessed to have a few people ask me to help them develop a healthy lifestyle. Totally fun for me... if I had the money, I would instantly start classes to become a personal trainer because I know the struggles that lie in losing weight, developing proper eating habits, learning to enjoy different types of exercise and to push yourself beyond what you can imagine and I know it would be so fun to encourage and support others in the process. It's hard work but the way you feel once you get started is totally worth it. Okay... off my soapbox.

I'm still continuing to think through everything that this race has taught me so I promise to respond to your comment Margie... on the spiritual parallels of this process but for now I'm off to bed. I have to turn my chip in tomorrow (I was so afriad I was going to make Hannah late to church on Sunday that I didn't bother to turn it in) and I'm anxious to see what time my chip read.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

HK Standard Charter 10K

Lining up in the waiting zone.

A few shots of the runners...

there's just a few to compete with.

Posing in front of the line...

taking my place in line.

2 minute countdown

10,9,8...... 3,2, RUN!!!!


My attempt to get to bed early last night was unsuccessful. Not because I didn't try but because I couldn't sleep. I was so nervous, excited, fearful... and of course I dreamt that I was late, forgot my number cloth, etc.... which woke me up probably every hour. So when the 4:45 alarm went off my first words were.... 'You've got to be kidding me.' LOL

I got ready, then Mike got up and got ready and we were out the door by 5:10. We took a cab, who informed us that he really couldn't get us that far but that was okay. We just wanted to be a bit closer than Hung Hom. We got to East TST and the cabbie dropped us off in the middle of the highway! It was crazy but thankfully there really weren't many cars out and there were tons of people on the streets. We made our way to the waiting zone and tons of people were already lined up. I was convinced that I would be at the end... a place I REALLY didn't want to start at but I managed to squeeze in about half-way through the pack. I was able to be at the edge so I could be with Mike until the race started. He was so great to get up with me and see me start. It was raining at the beginning so I sent him home instead of trying to meet me at the end. I figured he'd be soaked and I didn't think he'd actually get to see me cross the finish line so there was really no need for him to make his way over there.

So I got in line and at about 5 minutes before hand they let us move a little closer and then again at 2 minutes they moved us up to the starting line. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of English spoken by the announcers (at least I didn't hear any) but everyone started cheering and then I could understand the count down and new the race was beginning. It was so exhilarating to cross the starting line. I was still pretty much walking at that point (with my 9000 friends) but it was fun nonetheless.

We started to spread out a tiny bit and I found a comfortable pace but I learned quickly that it's impossible to keep a steady pace with that many people. I dodged and weaved, got pushed, almost tripped and on occasion found some empty space to pick up speed. I was amazed at the people participating in this. There were definitely some seasoned runners and quite a few first timers. There were children and elderly. It was amazing to be a part of that. There were quite a few people who walked a large majority of the race as well. This was encouraging to me because I wasn't so embarrassed when becoming overheated and my knee acting up caused me to walk for a little.

So as I said, I started well... kept a comfortable pace and was feeling great through the first 5K. By that point though we were in the tunnel and breathing became difficult for me. The tunnel was very warm (imagine that being underwater with no ventilation and 9000 people running...lol) and I found myself becoming very overheated. And then I started to see people on the sides with oxygen masks or passed out... this made me a bit nervous and I think I panicked a bit. I decided it would be best to walk half way up the hill at the end of the tunnel for fear if I didn't I would too pass out. I was so glad to get out of there! The fresh (as fresh as it gets in HK) air and breeze felt absolutely wonderful! And then there was the 2nd and 3rd hill that no one told me about. lol There aren't many hills where I run (to run up) so I was not prepared for this... especially at the end.. but I pushed through. Unfortunately, my knee began to bother me a kilometer 6 and I had to on occasion walk for a few seconds to give it a rest. I was so TOTALLY bummed to have to walk but I knew it was best for my life for the next week. (I refer to the first time I decided to train in which I pushed and pushed and then couldn't walk for the next 3 days!) It was so wonderful to see the sign that said, '500 left', and to cross the finish line! I felt relieved, energized, and simply exhausted. I really should never have given myself the break that I did while I was at home. It really affected my running abilities but alas... I did. I was really bummed at my time. It read 1:27:?? (didn't pay close enough attention to that). My goal had been 1hr but it felt great to look back and see thousands of people still behind me! LOL After the race, I collected all my goodies (water, sports drinks, chocolate, fruit) and caught the ferry back to Hung Hom. It was so surreal to be done. All the training, preparation, excitement of this race... over. It left me craving for another chance, an opportunity to beat my time, and a nap. 4:45 was awfully early. :)

While I was bummed about my time, I am so proud of myself. I'm so proud that I went through with this, that I pushed myself, that I was dedicated to something, that I learned to enjoy another sport. I had a BLAST and would do it again in a heartbeat. I felt like I accomplished something big but that there was more out there to reach for. I felt strong and powerful.

It was absolutely a GREAT experience and I look forward to the next chance I have to race. I'm seriously considering either the Singapore 1/2 marathon or the Macau 1/2 marathon both on December 2 of this year however, I'm also considering re-running the 10K to both beat my time and prepare for next year's HK 1/2 Marathon. I for-sure want to run the 1/2 marathon here in HK next year and maybe the following year to complete my first marathon. I guess I'll have to put off that second child for at least one more year. lol We'll see though... a lot could happen in that time.


A couple of things I learned:

1. It's very difficult to keep a steady pace when you are amongst so many people. I tried to stick with a few people to help me stay within a comfortable pace but with the need to dodge and weave so often... it was hard to stay steady and not trip over someone.

2. Take a watch or my iPod with me next time. I had no way to judge my time or pace. I feel as though if I had one of these, I would have pushed myself a bit harder.

3. Wear a tank-top. I always exercise in one so why didn't I race in one? I'm going to be hot and sweaty no matter what the temp is. LOL

4. Do not give up on your training the weeks before your race. It really killed my endurance and knee.


I know there is more that learned... I was making mental lists on my ferry ride home but of course I can't remember them now. Maybe in the days to come.. they'll pop into my head.

So if you've made it this far... you deserve a medal! :) Thanks for the support and encouragement throughout this process.

brief update

For those of you who may be interested and might check one more time before bed... I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!! I survived my very first race. Updates later today but as far as enjoying myself...

LOVED IT! Would do it again in a heartbeat. I guess this means.... 1/2 Marathon.. here I come!

Pre-Race

It's here! Just a few short hours and I'll be running my heart out... literally I'm sure. It'll be pumping so hard I'll feel like I'm going to explode.. a mixture of nerves, excitement, fear... and of course the whole exercise thing. I'm actually REALLY excited now and am dreading the results of my unmotivation this past week. But... it'll be okay. I'm sure the adrenaline will kick in and keep me going.

Yikes... I can't belive it. I must be crazy to run amongst 9000 other people! There's a total of 47000 people participating in the 3 events... CRAZY! But I must admit that I've been having a blast talking with some friends who are also participating and feeling a part of the culture and biggest event here in HK.

Well... I NEED to get to bed. 4:45 comes awfully early for me. Keep me in your prayers please!

Unmotivated

~Some pictures from our day today~


I really do have a lot to write but I'm just not finding the energy to sit and write. I think it's because I know it will take a long time to gather and write out all my thoughts. Anyway.... only 1 more full day until the race. Right now I'm at the point in which I really just want it to be over. I know it sounds wierd but I should be pumped, excited, and motivated to run this week but I'm the complete opposite! I can't wait until the race is over so I can get back to running for fun for a bit. Wierd... I know.

~Can you believe this???~

I couldn't believe my eyes when Isabella pointed to her diaper, ripped it off, and ran to the potty! I was so proud of her! And then it happened... she went number two and it scared her to death. She now refuses to have anything to do with the potty. I'm totally bummed. I know she's still awfully young but a Mom can hope right?

Our day

Today's been a wonderful day! It started with Mike preaching and then off to Victoria Park to pick up my time chip and race number. It was so gorgeous out (sunny and warm with a slight breeze...lol) that we walked around the events at the park for a bit and then walked to Wanchai to catch the ferry home. I can hardly believe the race is next Sunday and that I'm actually participating in it. I'm so nervous but very excited at the same time. While we were walking around the booths we saw that Standard Charter does the same type of races in Singapore in December so Mike and I are considering participating in that one together. My goal would be a 1/2 marathon and I'm not sure if Mike would do that or push himself for the whole marathon. Either way it would be TONS of fun and a great excuse to go to Singapore! :)

But ask me again after Sunday... I might have a different opinion. :)

Things seem to be falling into place for Childrens' Church. Map is going to help me with some training sessions for our teachers so that we can transition our current set-up into one that is more like an adult worship service. We both have a passion for our children to experience Christ in a variety ways and we feel they need something (being that our AWANA and Sunday School are Sat/Sun events) a bit different and not so repetitive. She's doing a fabulous job training the 2/3yr old teachers and she's even agreed to help me (and help me find help) for VBS.

Sunday school was awesome with my girls. They are asking great questions and desiring to deepen their walk with Christ. It's so fun to see them understand something or even want to understand something! My prayer for them is that they learn now how important it is to put God first because if they continue to live the fast paced/pressured lifestyle that is Hong Kong.. it will be an even more difficult lesson to learn the older they become.

This week should be a fun/nerve wracking one. LOL We get our furniture on Wednesday, I'm going to pick up some new, big frames (to cover our ever so long bare wall), and the big race on Sunday.... yikes!!!

And oh yeah.... all of our plans for Thailand are worked out!!! Wohoo! We leave the Monday after Easter for a week at Dolphin Bay. I've already been making lists of things we need to do. :) Ahh.... massages, pedicures, hiking, smoothies delivered to me as I lay by the pool.... he he...

Here's a few pics of our day... enjoy!

Catch up

St Paul's in Macau
the crowds in Macau

I'm back... wohoo! We had a fabulous trip to the states but it is great to be back home and with Mike. I have quite a few blogs that I want to write in regards to some great conversations that I had but for now I'm just going to catch up on the past few days.

Sunday we were invited to celebrate Chinese New Year with some friends in Gold Coast and it was a great time. There were two other children there so Isabella had a ball following them around and being a copy cat. We missed the parade but that's okay.. it was much more fun to feel like we had family here. Plus seats were sold out and there was NO WAY I was going to attempt just standing like we did last year. Monday, Mike and I headed off to Cheung Chau for a night away. Hannah blessed us with a night at a Bed and Breakfast and it was great! We walked around the island a bit and sat down for a (what turned out to be) 2hr dinner. Tuesday we headed home and in the evening played Risk with some friends. I haven't played Risk in a very long time and Scott dominated the game pretty quickly but it was still fun to be out with friends. Wednesday was our trip to Macau and while we didn't have as much time as we anticipated it was still fun. We finally ate at Fernandos and we were able to get a new tv stand and some very cool carved wood wall hangings. I still can't get over the price we paid (very cheap) but it was the first day of the new year that the stores were open and therefore sales were HUGE! I forgot to take a picture but it arrives next Wed. Today I spent the day doing laundry and cleaning up the mess we made when we got home from the states. I also did some redecorating in preparation for our new furniture next week. It'll be a bit tight but we're praying that we'll move this summer and then it won't be a big deal. So anyway....

While we were in the states, the girls were always playing the beds (mostly jumping but also like it was night-time and they were getting ready for bed) and Isabella decided to continue playing in that way here. Mike snapped this photo and I just thought it was adorable.



Just over a week until my 10k... yikes... I can hardly believe it's so soon!

First impression...

I have lots to write but my first impression of HK upon returning was this....


It's simply wrong to have to use air con in Feb. just WRONG!!!!!!!!





now off to nap with izzy

Pictures

Jumping on the chair with Grandpa

Watching Frosty

Sledding at Grammy and Pappy's


I don't have a lot of time but I had to show Mike some pictures....

Well while I wait for the photos to upload.... it has been an absolute blast watching Isabella interact with her cousins!!! She follows Kara around like a little shadow... copying everything she does. She's learned how to race and how to jump on the bed. The three of them play ring around the rosies and sit at the table to snack... they even pulled out the little DVD player and laid on the floor to watch Frosty. Oh how it makes me wish we lived this close all the time but I often wonder if we did if they would enjoy/appreciate each other as much. I'm so grateful that Erin and Scott moved to Greensburg so I can see them everyday while home!!! Okay... I really need to do my shopping and get home. Have a blessed day everyone!

Why is it?

Dad asked me to share a little in both services this morning and while I was scared to death, it was fun to share what God's doing in HK and it was neat for me to think of how a part of our ministry Dover is with their prayers. I decided to share some specific examples on how God answered their prayers and it was just wonderful for me to focus on God's blessings over the past year.

His message was very interesting and powerful too and I felt blessed to be able to hear it twice! I was able to pick up on some things that I missed the first time around. The message was based on Romans 10:14-17 and the title was 'A Remedy for Rejection.' He was talking about how Paul was confronting the Israelites with the truth of Jesus but how they refused to accept this.

One thing that really stuck out to me was this verse: Acts 28:24 "Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe." Notice it doesn't say couldn't believe... they wouldn't believe. It was a choice that they made and it brought to mind so many situations in which we chose not to do something and then turn around and try to justify the behaviour. One example that he used was speeding. A person choses to speed then when they get caught they try to justify their behaviour by saying they didn't see the speed limit sign. The truth is the truth (for the ex above the truth is the law of the speed limit that even if everyone does it.. if you get caught you will pay the price) and that truth is found in Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." And as Christians it is our responsibility to 'bring good news!" (Romans 10:15, Matthew 28:19)) Only God is the one who knows who will and will not be saved but it's our job to make sure we give everyone the opportunity to hear the truth.

And then I attended Sunday School and they are going through the book 'The Life You've Always Wanted' (a great book) and they were on the section of hurry-sickness, I believe it's titled. And we discussed what happens when we live a hurried lifestyle... we lose patience, we respond to others in negative ways, our relationship with the Lord truly suffers. We talked about why we feel the need to 'hurry.' How it makes us feel important, makes us forget our lonliness, prevents us from having to deal with our true selves. It was very interesting and the statement that really got me here was... 'We have eternity with Jesus.' The second he said this I began thinking about all the things I try to do here on earth and how when I get really focused on those things ... my relationship with the Lord tends to suffer. If I'm going to be spending eternity with the Lord why wouldn't I want to take every chance, every opportunity now to embrace my relationship with Him, to discover His truths and to bring others along with me?

It's was just a great morning of worship and I'm thankful that I was able to be a part of it.

****************

Being home and not really having any responsibilities has really made me think about my life, my hobbies, my responsibilites, etc... I've thought about my purposes in different situations. I've asked if all aspects of my life reflect Christ and if not, why? It's made me question why I choose to get so upset, so frustrated at situations when I know that the Lord is in them and that He has a plan. Why do I not choose to rejoice more? It also has me thinking why I tend to shy away from speaking the truth? Why should I be afraid to share with someone what God tells us in His word to Christians and non-Christians? Why do I feel like I have to walk on egg shells when it comes to the truth with some people? Why are people afraid to look deeply at themselves in order to become more like Christ? Why are we afraid to hear words that may hurt at first but will guide us into a deeper relationship with the Lord? I think the biggest question popping into my head is why do christians become content in their relationship with the Lord, how do we become content, why don't we realize that we've become content, etc and it brought me back to what was discussed in church this morning... do we chose to be content because it's too hard to become like Christ?

I've been reminded that it's too easy to get caught up in the negatives of life, to blame others, to justify inappropriate behaviors and how devastating that is to our personal relationship with the Lord and often with others too. But what if we chose to respond by saying, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord' in all situations? To remember that we are not of this earth... and to focus/lean/depend on God? Wouldn't we ultimately be happier, have healthier relationships, and draw closer to God now. I'm not perfect by any stretch but I do pray that what I've learned will stick with me and when I deal with difficult, challenging and even wonderful times that I will say... 'Blessed be the name of the Lord' and rejoice in how He's working in my life.

A lot of thoughts running through my jet-lagged head so I apologize if this doesn't make a lot of sense or flow very well but if I get behind in posting now... I'll never catch up. LOL And note to self... POST SOME PICS!

Sitting here...

enjoying the snow fall. It's absolutley beautiful!

I've been thinking about what to write and after this morning... I have some many more things that I've been thinking so I just decided for now to answer some of the questions that I've gotten...

1. Do you miss HK? Not really but it's not because I don't like it there... I'm just really enjoying my time with family.
2. Do you miss Mike? Well of course! But skype has been wonderful even if we're both really to tired to talk.
3. Are you enjoying American foods? Definitely... I got some Barq's rootbeer and Diet Dr Pepper and Wal-mart's sugar cookies... hmmmm. We're having Olive Garden tomorrow and I'm hoping to make a trip to the Greensburg Mall on Tuesday for Chick-fil-a! LOL I'm enjoying meat other than chicken and mashed potatoes. I'm still amazed at the portion size differences. We had Wendy's and what is a small there is a large in HK so I keep reminding myself to order smaller than what I used to. It's no wonder that the average American woman weighs about 160lbs.
4. Do you miss driving? No way and especially not all the work that goes into caring for a car.


And here are some random thoughts from my head...

1. I'm not missing space as much this time but I'm missing the fun of living in a house, having a guest room, being able to store Christmas dishes, having a yard to care for, etc.
2. I'm not as cabin feverish as I thought I would be. I'm enjoying staying at home and just relaxing.
3. I'm not overwhelmed by the malls or stores but I am overwhelmed every time we walk into a grocery store or that section of Wal-mart.
4. Man has the time flown by already! I can hardly believe we head out to Morgantown and then my parents tomorrow. Crazy but I do get to come back to Dover and go to work with Mom for at least one day. I'm really looking forward to that.

I'll probably come back and edit this post a few times as I think about things but it's fun to get out (even if it's all randomness) the thoughts that pop into my head.

Mix and Match

My intention was to write at least a little each day so that I didn't forget what we did while visiting everyone but I begin to doze at about 7:30 so my desire to be on the computer is just not there. But anyway... we arrived safely in Dover about 7pm on Tuesday night. It was a long flight with all the layovers but it is worth it to be able to spend time with family. Aunt Kathy and Nikki were able to drive up and visit for a few days and I'm so glad they did.

It didn't take long for Isabella to warm up to everyone and she is having a blast making everyone laugh. It's really entertaining to see her be such a ham. She's a charmer for sure but I've never seen her quite like this. She enjoys pointing Daddy out in all the pictures and is always checking the computer to see if he's there. She was introduced to snow but she's not quite sure what to think of it. Thankfully, she's handling the carseat and heavy coat well.

Jet lag hasn't been too terrible. Yes I start to get a bit tired early but that's to be expected and if I'm doing something I'm usually okay. Isabella has done great and I'm so thankful for all those who have been praying for us. We've only had one bad night so far.

I've enjoyed Chick-fil-a, Mexican and Wendy's so far and have been overwhelmed in Walmart. I realized today though that it's not so much the household/clothing type items it's the grocery section. There are so many choices and I was amazed at how everything is so convienent... (I couldn't get over the bags of apple slices or the different types of dr. pepper...when did it become flavored?). I've been amazed at how quickly our bodies adjust to the weather where we live... I'm freezing here when I go outside and I'm constantly saying... how is this possible, I moved from MN?

Well there are lots of thoughts going through my mind, lots of things to process and adjust back to... I feel so out of the loop and almost out of place but I guess that's a good sign. I did laugh at the expression of the lady at the deli in Atlanta's airport when I asked for Coke Light (and myself for repeating... Diet Coke, Diet Coke before hand and then saying Coke Light anyway) when she said, 'What?'

Okay... I really need to get to sleep. I don't know what the night holds with Isabella.

Totally Randomness

I have some things to write but I'd really like to go to bed early today so here are a few things that went through my mind today...

1. Do public bus drivers get free bus transportation?
2. Why is that everyone at the markets know my name?
3. If I yelled 'SARS ALERT' in the MTR... would people scatter so that I could get through faster? (probably not but I may have better luck if I yelled H5N1 (bird flu))
4. Would I break the DVD player if I took it all apart? (turns out no... wohoo!)
5. How do you know if you should (or is there ever a bad time/situation) give money to a person (that you don't know) in need?
6. I've got the cutest, sweetest little girl ever!
7. How in the world will I answer my door and get Isabella's diaper on at the same time?
8. Why am I so un-disciplined (is that even a word)/unmotivated in my PT for my balance when I can't even play ring around the rosies with my baby?
9. Had I purchased a purse at the market for her immediate asking price, I would have totally been taken advantage of. She started at 180 and ended at 50! I didn't even try to barter, I was just asking how much it was and as I walked away she continued to lower the price.
10. Why do people at the markets try to take advantage of me because I'm white and a foreigner? Do they ever think that these white people might be Hong Kongers and not rich?
11. Oh I'm so very blessed with the friends that I have here in HK and so lucky that I keep meeting new ladies.
12. How sweet it was to meet Makiko's daughter Miyu and fun when she asked me to bring her something back from the states.
13. Mike looks so handsome with his new do... oh if only I had a picture. Oh wait.. go here:

http://web.mac.com/aicyouth/iWeb/AICYouth/Who%20we%20are%20.html

and you can see a picture of what I'm currently looking at.

Okay... I'm up past my bed time. Need to get up and run.

Have a wonderful day!



VOTD:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Isn't this an encouraging verse!

High Tea

{The classical grandeur of The Peninsula Lobby is the epitome of all that is great about this legendary hotel. The Lobby is a busy but relaxed all-day drinking and dining venue, and one of Hong Kong's premier meeting places. The world-renowned afternoon high tea is a Hong Kong "must" where guests are entertained by a live string band. In the evening, The Lobby pianist plays.}

{High Tea is an early evening meal. It would usually consist of cold meats, eggs and/or fish, cakes and sandwiches. In a family, it tends to be less formal and is an informal snack (featuring sandwiches, cookies, pastry, fruit and the like) or else it is the main evening meal.}

Sharon invited Dorie, Imelda, Hannah and I to the Peninsula Hotel for High Tea last Thursday. I was so excited because it was a chance to get all dressed up and be a lady (lol) without Isabella at one of the most gorgeous and famous hotels in HK. We arrived at 3pm and got a table right underneath the musicians (explains the bad photo). We were quickly greeted and served English Tea. Oh it was so fun... so my style. And then they brought the food and wow was it good! There were little sandwiches, chocolate, scones...yummmm. I had a ham sandwich for the first time in HK and it was devine! (and I don't even normally like ham) And the scones... oh my. Then the musicians began to play and I felt like I was in heaven. :) The music was amazing and I found myself really missing that part of my life. But the fellowship was icing on the cake. It was so great to just talk about life and not church details. We took time to share prayer requests and that was really special. To know how to pray specifically for each person and be able to see their hearts. I don't get to spend much time with any of those ladies so it was a real treat to spend the afternoon with them.

The whole experience was so fun, so memorable. It made me wish we had more money so I could do it on a more regular basis and it made me wish Isabella was old enough to go. Oh how fun it will be to take her, to have mother/daughter outings like this!

It was a wonderful blessing and something I needed desperately and I'm so thankful Sharon thought to invite us all.

Final Weigh-In for Biggest Loser

Well... TheBiggestLoser-DigiStyle is over (well the first round) and I'm thrilled that while I wasn't the biggest loser, I did lose and managed to gain a better grasp on my eating habits. My final weigh in was 115lbs and lots of inches (can't remember the total off the top of my head) smaller. :) It was fun to push myself and try some different exercises but the thing I'm most excited about is that it got me running. I'm really excited about my first 10K and Tim told me on Sunday that he will keep me posted on other races in the future. Races here are a really big deal with people coming from all over the world to compete so while I know I'll never win, it will be fun to be competitive even if it's just beating my own time.

However, right now I'm so frustrated! With the holidays, weird work schedules and a severe lack of desire (no comments Mike...lol) to get up at 7am... I haven't run consistently for about 3 weeks and now I'm paying for it. The ache in my knee has returned. :( I'm so frustrated with myself and nervous about the 10K but am trusting that going back to interval training for a few days will fix the problem again. And to top it off... I lost my LV card and can't get into the gym for weight training which I really thinked helped as well. Grrrr but it's my own fault. I'm just going to have to be more disciplined that I thought while in the states. No slacking for me. LOL

A Heart Like His... Saul

Poor Mike.... he was trying to watch tv and I kept interupting him with some 'ooh's and awe's and I can't belive that'. But he was very gracious in listening to what I had to share and thinking through things with me. I was reading my book on Monday night and the chapter (actually 3 chapters that I had to re-read like 3 times) was about Saul (another important person in the backstory of David). It was these chapters that made me starting highlighting like a crazy woman. There was one thing after another that grabbed my attention and it was so exciting to find Biblical answers to some questions I had over the summer.

For example... she was talking about how the people demanded a king instead of waiting upon the Lord and what that cost them and then she said this, 'Often when God does not readily give us what we want, it is because He knows what our desire would cost us. Faith sometimes means forgoing our desires because we trust Christ to have a better plan for our lives.' This was a very powerful statement for me because there is something I deeply desire but every time I think it's going to work out... something else is thrown in and it gets pushed back. It's very hard on me but and I question why this keeps happening so I need to be reminded that to push and make something happen will probably cost me.... cost me Christ's plan for my life. I don't want to demand something from God, I just want to be confident that this isn't working out right now because God has a better plan. It's much easier to deal with letting go of my desires when I focus on God's greater plan.

And then we discuss the difference between godly humility and low self-esteem and this was really interesting because how often do we do something (like sing/play for special music or lead a ministry or etc..) and when someone compliments us we say... 'oh it wasn't that good or I should've done it this way, or etc.. again you get the point'. Maybe you don't... but I definitely find myself saying things like that. It is very difficult for me to accept compliments because I never seemed to be pleased with myself or sometimes it's because I don't want to sound arrogant.. so instead of giving God the glory with my words, it becomes about 'me'. I may be 'trying' to be humble but that's not being humble... it's low self-esteem. We may be trying to posess humility but humilty doesn't come in the form of 'denigrating' ourselves either. Humility is having confidence in how God has created you and what He has asked you to do. So in situations that I mentioned above... I don't have to be arrogant but I also don't have to put myself down either. I can be confident and give glory to God for how He allowed/guided/helped/etc me in that particular way. I was really convicted that I criticize myself too often and how that suggests a lack of confidence in God.

There was one more thing but my wording is not yet figured out and I want to be clear in what I'm thinking so maybe another day and I've been tring to post this for a few days now so I'm just going to end here. More to come later.... lol

Fun few days...

It's been a fun few days here in Hong Kong. On Monday, I met a student to get our hair highlighted and what an experience that turned out to be! (More on that later...) Yesterday, it was finally nice enough to get outside for a bit and Isabella and I spent the morning at the park and today... well it's not even over and we've only been home for about 1/2hr. So anyway...

Monday: I've tried writing this story about 3 times now and I keep finding myself writing way too much to explain my hair so I decided just to suck it up and share what my hair looks like. Well... after giving this stylist complete freedom to do as he chose, my head weighs about 5lbs less! I haven't had my hair this short/layered/thinned since I was in elementary school but I LOVE IT! To be honest... if I don't take style it... it probably could be described as a mullet but styled... you wouldn't say that. (well I hope anyway. LOL) He pretty much lifted the hair on top of my head and cut, no measuring or anything and I think my face showed fear because Noel said, "Are you sure you're okay with this?" :) And then the highlights came and the color they put on my hair was blue. I was a bit nervous but I did tell him to do whatever and he did take quite a bit of time (like at least a 1/2hr) to decide what to do so ultimately I did trust him and figured it would grow back anyway. So I walked away with green... yes GREEN highlights and a new do. I really do love it. I like the highlights a bit more when my hairs wet (they're a bit strong when my hair's completely dry) but overall.. it's so easy to style in the morning and my head feel so light. I asked for change and I got it! It makes me laugh though because I've only cut my hair once since moving because I was so afraid to have a Chinese person cut my hair (and that one time I spent a lot of money to get a westerner to cut it to walk away with not much of a difference) but it was a Chinese stylist who wasn't afriad to listen to me and I walked away very pleased. I guess I learned my lesson.

Tuesday: It was really beautiful out so I finally got outside and to the playground. Isabella went nuts running around, climbing, throwing her ball. It felt so good to get outside again. That was about the extent of our day... just played, played and played some more. Mike was taking the TFC choir to the peak but Isabella had some busy days coming up so I didn't want her to be exhausted.

Wednesday: I was so grateful to some very helpful men this morning. We were given a new stroller by the Manghams and it's absolutely wonderful! It's a bit bigger but it has a much bigger storage area underneath... something we were really starting to need. Anyway... it's not as easy to fold up one handed as the other one and today was the first day for me to take it on public transportation by myself so I was struggling a bit. But getting onto the bus and getting into/and out of the cab... a man grabbed it and helped me. In fact, the man on the bus told me, 'just go sit down and I'll bring it to you' and getting out of the cab the man said, 'grab the important things, your daughter and purse and I'll get everything else.' I felt very blessed to have them be so helpful.

Isabella did wonderful at her class today. They really encouraged giving the children space and freedom to do whatever (which is very nice because most parents don't seem to believe in that here) and I absolutely loved watching Isabella follow directions, try new things, etc all on her own. I was so proud and she was so eager to receive her stamp at the end that she actually fussed a few seconds because we had to sing our good-bye song first. lol TFC was performing at the school (where our church meets) so I decided to just stay out and about after gym class until then so we went to Toys R Us and KFC for lunch. Then we hopped into a cab to go back to the school.

It was so fun to see familiar faces (and actually be remembered by some!) and to listen to the choir. They are treating us to dinner this evening at my dumpling place and then Mike and I are going to be tour guides and take them to the night market. That should be a lot of fun and it's perfect because I have a few gifts I want to pick up before heading home. So we've only been home an hour and we still have a long fun day ahead.

Blessed yet again

Carolanne made this comment in regards to my post yesterday.... "And you know, guess this could be applied to when we're writing up our blogs. Definitely something to think about for sure - thanks for sharing!" It was a great reminder that while I blog for myself... others do read and I never know where they stand in their relationship with the Lord... so I need to 'speak as though I'm speaking the very words of God.' Talk about putting the pressure on. :) I wouldn't ever want to say something that is unbiblical or misleading.

And today's VOTD is:

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:1-2

Yet another powerful scripture! How much would my life change if I simply followed the words of God that I've posted over the past two days?!! It is definitely something worth striving for that's for sure... man I should have made one of my resolutions to memorize scripture because I'm definitely on a great start with that. :)

Today was full of blessings as we worshipped together as a church family. My children's church worship leader did an AMAZING job with the students this morning and when I chatted with her about some changes that will take place soon... she was really excited which definitely encouraged me! I taught the 7-9yr olds today and they blessed me by being excited about being involved in the changes that will take place in a few months as well. Adelina, Nick and Kayla were back and it was so good to see them. I met with my girls for Sunday School and we're begining a new study with them: Experiencing God (LOVE this material) the youth edition and I was blessed by their excitment to do this study. Isabella took a wonderful nap and I got to join her this afternoon... always a welcomed blessing. And we had some great family time in the evening coloring and taking a walk. Just a great day all around.

1 Peter 4:11

When we were in MN, we always had a calendar fundraiser for the new year. The calendars always had gorgeous photography and I loved that they included scripture verses. So anyway... someone sent us one this year and this was the very first verse for January.


"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the words of God." 1 Peter 4:11


Wow.... powerful... definitely gives you something to think about... definitely makes you think before you speak... Wow. I think I will memorize this so whenever I find myself in a frustrating situation, or I'm about to complain, or even about to give advice... I will think twice about what I say.

A Heart Like His...

an Intimate Reflection on the Life of David by Beth Moore


Wow... this is an amazing book! I'll be honest in saying that for the longest time I was not a big 'Beth Moore' fan. It really had nothing to do with her or her books but rather a situation that I dealt with a few years back that I didn't agree with that involved the use of her books. I'll admit it was immature on my end and now I'm way behind on the books she has published but at least I've been given (and have taken) the opportunity to be blessed by her ministry. Actually, a few years ago I got one of her books for Christmas but never really got into it. I think mainly because I was involved in quite a few Bible studies that it was difficult for me to really dig in one more. But anyway....

My in-laws gave this book to me for Christmas and I have been forcing myself to put it down each day after one chapter. I thought I understood the story of David... and well I did know the basics but this book has taken my level of understanding to a whole new level. She has a way of not just pointing out but helping you discover the details that make David's story so amazing!

I've learned so many things about God and how blessed we truly are that Jesus died on the cross for us and how that has changed our relationship with God. I've learned quite a bit about David's 'backstory' (as Beth calls it) and how God worked way before David to allow David to become who he was. It's so amazing to see all the details that went into David becoming... 'A Man after His Own Heart' and knowing that God planned for all of that to happen. I was amazed at how Hannah gave up her first born (and how difficult that is to digest now that I have my own child), and how God extended grace to Eli to father again (and how encouraging that is) and to realize how old David actually was when he was first annointed... wow and then to know how unperfect David was yet God called him a 'man after his own heart.' Crazy.... and I'm not that far into the book. I can't wait until I have a total overview of the who David really was and how God worked in his story.

Her writing has given me a new appreciation for the Bible because she helped to unlock a door of mystery. Like I said before, I knew I was missing so much and not able to put all the details together and she has helped me to do that. She's helped me to make the story personal and she's helped me to read God's word in a story form. Everyone has always told me to look at the Bible as a story book with just lots of chapters but it's never been 'that easy' to do... I always got stumped by the geneologies, books that repeat stories, or stories that are a bit out of order time wise. So while I enjoyed reading... it never seemed to flow like a book to me.

This book (with it's detailedness... is that a word? LOL) has made me understand and yet still question (which I think is a good thing because it leads me to further discovery) God and my relationship with him and I'm stocked about what I'll discover in the next 2 months (yeah it has a lot of chapters! lol).

So thanks Mom and Dad for an AWESOME (that was for you Mike) Christmas gift!


VOTD:
“wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” - Isaiah 1:16-17

Should've added...

I don't always remember that I have other readers when I blog so I apologize for the 'Thank you, bye bye' post without explaining. :)

I'm not exactly sure how to explain this so bear with me.... not everyone speaks English here but everyone does know 'Thank you' and 'Bye Bye' (and they don't always know how to properly use it) and there's just something about how they say it here that is too funny. It's very short, quick, to the point, with a slight raise in the voice and it just makes us laugh every time we hear them say it. Just imagine saying a foreign word, repeatedly, simply because that's the only word you know but you're not always saying it correctly or you say it with a funny accent. Unfortunately, I guess it's just one of those things you have to experience to understand the humor but I had to write about it because I was so caught off gaurd that I actually said it myself.

When I said, I hoped I didn't offend anyone... I just didn't want them to think I was mocking how they speak.

On that note....

Thank you, bye, bye.

Sabbatical Granted

My sabbatical was granted! LOL I'll be returning to the states on Jan 23rd for about 3 weeks!!! I'm so excited and a bit nervous about a really long flight with Isabella but that's okay. It'll be worth it to see family! So mark your calendars and let me know if you are available to get together! (hehehe)

I'm so excited about this trip because I'm going to get to see all of my family! Erin and fam moved back to Greensburg (and she's not working) so I'll get to see her and the girls the whole time and Nikki's going to try and come up to Ohio so I can see her too!!! What a great trip this will be!

Biggest Loser Update

Only one week left! I'm so excited to push myself one more week and then I move on to maintance! Wohoo so exciting. I have really enjoyed the challenge and adding some new things to my exercise routine... including running and not on the elliptical. They have allowed me to stay a part of the boards and I'm really looking forward to cheering on my current (and new) team members. I think this board is just fantastic in promoting healthy lifestyles.. not just quick weight-loss. Yesterday we had 5 (10 minutes) challenges and it was so fun to see how much I'd improved. For some things (like curls and squats) I came close to doing almost 1 per second for 10 minutes straight! I haven't lost as much as I thought I would but I have lost a lot of inches and that's ultimately the most important thing to me.

As I mentioned before I started running and as of today... I'll be running the 10K for the Standard Charter Marathon!!! I am STOKED!!!! I've been having some problems with registration but today it was confirmed! WOHOOOOOO! Can you tell I'm excited! The only bummer is that I can't totally relax while I'm home... I'll have to keep running but that's okay. This was just the extra motivation I needed this week. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watch out HK here comes Melissa! LOL

I think it's time...

to take a sabbactical from Hong Kong.

Last night I made a purchase at Jusco and as the cashier handed me my change, I said, "Thank you. Bye Bye." It just came out, I wasn't trying to be funny, I wasn't trying to mock anyone, I guess I have just become so used to hearing this that it's been ingrained in my mind.

I sincerely hope I didn't offend the cashier.

But as I walked away... it hit me and Mike and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time. It felt good... I should laugh like that more often.

New Year--New Me (aka Resolutions)

Mike took this photo of me in our hallway after Christmas Eve service. This is the beautiful dress (and shoes.. he's one stylish guy!) he bought me for Christmas and I just loved it! Having this new outfit to end the year just reminded me of how much I've changed... physically, spiritually, even in my fashion sense :) and excited me to think about how I will change this coming year.

As I mentioned before... I love setting goals and resolutions for myself. It's fun to think about things I would like to try or areas of my life that I would like to change. I try not to set too many though because I know the more I list... the more I'll fail and I also know that the more I set... the more I'll try to do on my own rather than seeking God's help. So anyway.... it was really fun to look back at what my last years resolutions were:
1. Train for a half-marathon
2. Write a story for a children's book.
3. Organize an English speaking play-group
4. Develop my skills in photography and editing

And this is what I was able to accomplish (though definitely NOT on my own!)...
1. The half-marathon I wanted to run was this year's 2007 HK Marathon in March and while I won't be doing the half-marathon (when I first started training my knee hurt and I literally couldn't walk right for a few days) I will be running the 10K! (well as long as my registration has gone through... I probably should check that eh?)
2. I have an idea for a Children's book and I have the basics written out but I have not completed it. I want to write an ABC book on the characteristics of God and while I have all the characteristics (except for the letter X) I also want to include scripture references and I need to find all of those first.
3. Done... there are five of us right now!
4. Done... I have greatly improved (well at least I think so... lol) I know I still have a lot to learn but hey... at least I'm trying.

So what resolutions have I set for this year???

1. To research hard (Bible, commentaries, people, web-sites, etc..) those things that I question or don't totally understand to find God's truth so that I don't just walk away with an opinion... I walk away knowing where that opinion came from, what verses support my decision, etc.
Why? I found myself last year learning a lot of new things and understanding that I have my own opinions about these things but yet when I would blog about them... I never had specific references to refer to. I don't really want to be a person who just spouts off their opinion... I want to be able to have reasoning behind it.
2. To blog more about the blessings of life and what I'm learning about God and myself.
Why? I started this blog to be able to look back and see how God has worked in my life but towards the end of the year... it became more of just simply what I did each day. And while that's fun to recollect... I want my blog to be more meaningful to me and anyone that may read it. I want to be able to look back and see that I'm growing and I want to encourage/challenge others to grow too.
3. Email/Snailmail more regularly
Why? When we first moved to HK, I was incredible (in my opinion...lol) of emailing, sending photos, just plain ole keeping in touch with people and writing regular prayer updates but again I slowly slacked off and have lost contact with a few really special people to me so I want to get back into regular touch with them and I want my family to be able to see regular photos of Isabella and we have an INCREDIBLE group of what I call 'Prayer Warriors' (those that have asked to receive our prayer updates... if you'd like to be a part of that just send me an email) and I want to take advantage of their prayers and support. I want to be able to share with them how God is working.. how their prayers are being answered and just plain let them know how much we appreciate them!
4. Take care of myself.
Why? Since moving to HK, I have really worked hard to live a healthier life. I have been exercising regularly, eating much better and it has paid off in so many ways. I have lost about 60+ lbs (well since having Isabella anyway), I have more energy (maybe not so much in the mornings but that's for a different reason and something else I will personally be working on LOL) I feel strong, confident, etc. I've never felt so great in my life and I want to continue to feel this way for the rest of my life. I also want to set a good example for Isabella and be around to enjoy all the stages of life. But on top of the exercising and eating healthy.. I want to take care of myself spiritually and emotionally. I have many things to work on in these areas but I know that with God's help... He'll change me because while 'He loves me just the way I am... He doesn't want me to stay this way.'

So that's it.... a very different set of resolutions this year and there are many more specific things that fall into those categories but I know it's going to be a good year. As I said last year... 'In all I do, I want to glorify and serve God' and that's ultimately my heart's desire.

I found this prayer on Gospelcom.net in regards to New Year's Resolutions and I really loved it and so I decided this prayer was going to be my 'life prayer' (well at least for this year... maybe I'll find something different in the future).


As we enter a new year, 
may the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi become ours:

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
Not so much to be understood as
To understand;
Not so much to be loved
As to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we awaken to eternal life."

Praying everyone has a year that draws them closer to our Almighty God!

New Years Eve

Well it's 2007... so funny to think that 7yrs ago so many people stocked up on canned goods, worried about their computers, thought the world would end, etc. It's hard for me to believe that Mike and I have been together for 7yrs and it was fun last night to reminisce with our youth group about our first NYE together. It was full of fun moments... bag pipes, getting lost, car accident, first kiss. :)

I just love New Years but this year... well just didn't feel like New Year's. Not sure why but all of us thought that way. Mike and Hannah planned a youth lock-in so maybe (and if you know me at all... I was less than enthused) that was why I wasn't super excited for it. lol Horrible I know but it's not that I don't enjoy spending time with the students... I just NEED my sleep... I really don't do well without it and now that we've got Izzy... someone has to be happy to play with her and I was really nervous about how or even if she would sleep at a school.

But anyway... Hannah's mom has been visiting and offered to watch Isabella at home so I could go to the lock-in. I was so grateful that she was willing to watch her but I also decided that it was best if I still came home to get a good nights sleep. I wanted Mike to be able to rest without having to worry about Isabella. It was a good decision as I've never seen Mike sleep so much! LOL I knew he'd be tired and expected him to sleep but he's not really a good napper so I really didn't expect him to sleep so long. :) Alas...

The lock-in was great! Mike and Hannah did a fabulous job with all the preparations.. the games were fun, the devotions were great, the food was plentiful. We had a total of about 18 students attend. It was such a different type of lock-in compared to the states (no sports tournaments but lots of board games and movies) but it was really fun. We (well Becky and I) played X-box for like at least 1 1/2hr and then I joined in on a game of 'Settlers'. It is now my mission to find this game when I visit the states later this month!!! It was so much fun. We played some link tag and before we realized.. it was time to count down. We were a little late in counting because at about 7 we heard horns honking, fireworks going off, people yelling... but that was okay. We still counted and shouted the New Year in.

Afterwards Mike shared a devotional with us that was awesome!!! I really enjoyed hearing what he had to say. He was sharing out of Ecclesiastes and how Solomon had this 'poor me' syndrome as he looked back on parts of his life. Then he challenged us to have a positive attitude about this new year and to commit to allowing God to use us in any way.

He gave us mirrors and asked us these questions: 1. How do you see yourself? (he also suggested to look at what 'season' we were in) Out of all the seasons that are listed, I kept coming back to 'a season to die'. Great I thought but the more I dwelled on it I realized that God was telling me that I'm in a season of 'dying to myself.' With some of the personal things I'm struggling with, I need to die to my wants, my selfishness and put others before myself... I need to let go of some of these things and I need to let God heal.

Question 2 was: How can God use you this year? And this was exciting to me. My prayer is that God will use me to plant His seeds with these ladies I have been building a relationship with but I can also see many other opportunities of how God can use me if I'm willing which makes me want to stay close to Him. I don't want to miss out on being a part of God's plan.

I'm still working on what my actual resolutions are. I love to do this because I'm the type of person that once I write something out or make it known to others... I'm motivate to press on to reach that goal. So that will have to be another post.


VOTD:

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12