"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10

I promised my small group girls that I would post last week's verse.  OK, so it's Thursday night and we're about to meet again tomorrow...but for the record...it's posted!    I always thought this verse was pretty cool.  For those of you who have worked with toddlers or very young kids, it's kinda like when the teacher or dad walks in on them goofying off.  You know, that totally freeze in action and slow gaze up at this powerful figure.  I'm definitely one to busy myself just to feel ...alive.  Yet God challenges me daily to just stop and KNOW that He is God.  He will not be ignored...He will keep showing His faithfulness and love.  He's not going to stop being who He is because I didn't acknowledge Him.  He will be known by everyone. Wow.  I'm finding more and more that it actually takes a lot more effort to ignore God than to acknowledge Him.  I mean to ignore Him you have to keep busy.  What do you think?

As for what I've learned this past year off from serving @ church:

1. Although I was glad I got a chance to get to know other people outside of church and develop other relationships, I must say I was still very homesick for the youth group.  You guys were always a source of encouragement, inspiration, and support.  I can't get over how much somethings can change in just 1 year.  I was very touched by the welcome backs this past Friday too.  Thank you!  :) 
2. I finally got a chance to hang out in Charis a bit, just to see what it's like.  God blessed me with an awesome small group and a chance to meet other Charis folks at their winter retreat.  I got to know some pretty cool brothers and sisters in Christ, all who knew the balance of having fun and taking responsibilities seriously.  I got to have some fun sisters fellowship which was pretty sweet too.
3. It's pretty cool to just take a step back and watch God work in lives arounds you.  It reminds you that it's just not about you.  That was both a humbling reminder and a sort of relief.

These past few weeks have been a real whirlwind.  I was reminded how much I dislike living out of a suitcase.  I started this entry with the intention of listing big lessons this past year, but...as usual...I've lost motivation and am now drawn to the delicious smell of my dinner nuking in the microwave.  There are some bad habits one just does not grow out of.    Here's a sneak peak of my list:

(1) I absolutely love working with our yutes and can't wait to get back into youth ministry again!

(2) We have some amazing Charis folks!  I'm so thankful I got to know some of you guys.

Hello y'all from KaoHsiung, Taiwan!

I'm writing to you from an internet cafe for the first time.  I'm not quite sure what to make of this internet cafe experience yet.  Here are some observations so far:

-keyboard feels sticky...not sure if i really want to think about what made it sticky (must remember to wash hand when I return home)

-feeling a headache coming on from all the cigarette smoking around me. 

-it's such a weird experience to be sitting next to a total stranger and writing semi-personal stuff.  perhaps if i use some SAT words or only American slang I can speak code to y'all.  unfortunately, i'm not that smooth or smart.

-lots of white noise all around. kiddie games sound effects, fighting game sounds, girlie game sounds, need i go on? let's not forget chinese pop songs that sound strangely like some recent english chart topper (i think the current one sounds like a cher song or something like that)

This all makes me so very grateful not only for my wireless @ home, but own personal laptop. How fortunate we are in the U.S.A eh?  I've only been here for a couple of days and have already gone thru so many interesting experiences.  It's been 12 years since I last came here to Taiwan.  I'm here for a sad reason though...my grandmother passed away so my siblings and I are here for her funeral.  If you are near your grandparents and you are reading this...please do me a favor and just give them a hug or kiss.  I know i'm not making too much sense right now, partly because I think the 2nd hand smoking is getting to me and partly because there's still a lot to process.  I do ask that you keep me prayer as this side of the family are not Christians.  I hope all is well with y'all.  If you're feeling up to it, feel free to leave me a message and let me know what's happening in your life (no matter how small or big, i would still love to hear about it!).

I think is my longest xanga post..ever!  I think this is me acting out my homesickness in a very small way.  For those of you near Rock, please take of him ...make sure he doesn't eat bad food (ie: duck!)  Also, those of youz who's been back to Taiwan recently and know how to get around these crazy internet cafes...LEAVE ME SOME CLUES!  I have no idea what I'm doing and I think it's quite obvious when people look at me.  BTW, why in the world would this be a family spot?!  I miss you all and thank you to those who have been praying for me...it has given me great peace and comfort.

Wachussets 01.17.05

   he cracks me up!

I think I spent most of my time in the last position...on me bum, but it was worth it!

Apparently it was Yankee bashing day at work today

came into work and found:

-at least 10 emails re: last nite's game

-an empty champagne bottle

-several print outs reminding the Yankees lost

-repeated visits to my office by red sox fans and wannabe fans

the list goes on...

I'm actually a good sport when it comes to accepting losses, especially if we didn't play well.  Some people were being just a little stupid though...but hey, people are people.  I also made an exception, where only true red sox fans could speak with me and I in turn would congratulate them.  Bandwagon and fairweathered fans are never welcomed into sports discussions.

Funny thing is that Rock and I went to the mall because we agreed to not watch the last game.  We were pretty sure we were gonna lose and just couldn't take another late night torture.  We get pretty worked about these kind of games.  It was great!  The mall was a ghost town!  I felt like I was on a special shopping spree or something.  At the same time it was a little eerie.  Of course, despite our great efforts to avoid the game (no TV, radio, or internet)...it found us:

(1) in a store, cashier1 runs by cashier2 screaming, "2 run homer by Ortiz! 2-0 Sox!"

(2) in the apple store, internet was up on huge projection screen and playing internet radio broadcast of game.  one of the sales dude almost freaked cause he thought Rock accidently turned it off.

(3) went to eat at legals, and of course there was a tv at the bar, everyone cheering and screaming when the grand slam was hit

There's just something about sports...I love watching it!  oh wells- comments are welcomed as always.  I'm not expecting sympathy.  I'm a Yankee I can take it.   Go JETS! haha I know they don't have a chance against the Pats...but hey, "why not?!"..."I believe"