Change of Blog Space

Move on to http://www.mydesignstreak.com

Developments

Interesting developments in my life thus far. The Lord has brought someone special into my life and our friendship has deepened a lot. It started out as friends who have similar beliefs and backgrounds and who have tons of fun together.

Then it moved on and deepened to people sharing our personalities, thoughts, struggles and joys.

One thing I'm amazed is how easy and open we are in discussing stuff. I feel so comfortable and not worried at all about questions I have, or he has. I love that both of us have strong desires to want to serve the Lord and we have a similar foundation in that.

We are being practical and careful because we both know that dating is not "Just for Fun" as culture loves to tell us. It's more of a journey together in seeking what God wants for us.

The Lord has been teaching me loads of stuff and I'm eagerly learning.

It's Funny How...

Interesting how God springs surprises...

It's funny how a person can slowly creep into my life and weigh anchor.
It's funny how someone can slowly gain such importance in my day and life.
It's funny how seeing someone smile makes me want to smile too.
It's funny how open I can be, without any games or beating around the bush, knowing that someone will not judge but give your questions thought and the honest answers.

It's not a romantic, high electric feeling that the world tells us. It's respectful, honoring and quiet... It's prayerful and trustful and most of all, learning obedience to the Lord in this...

It's Funny...

Winter Fantasia

Sat was an amazing day! Winter Fantasia finally came and I got allll dressed up and got my hair done!! Come look!

Winter Fantasia 2007

Reality

Time to be realistic. I can't buy a new laptop. Right now, with my finances, I worry I can even feed myself after graduation. Reality is sinking in...

As I worry, I have to force myself to pray. To trust that God will provide, that He will meet my needs. Another lesson in trust and obedience.

Financial Independence Stinks

Did a rough budget for the 2 months I won't be working after graduation while waiting for my work permit to be approved. Money is so tight right now. I'm gotten so spoilt having my parents' money to use. I'm finally realizing that:

1. I'm not getting anymore money from them. (Plus, I feel bad asking for more since I'm graduating and supposed to be paying them back soon.)

2. My income stinks right now. And all of it is going into paying for gas and bills.

3. I've never been so controlled with my money before.

Being totally independent financially stinks!! Plus, it sure didn't help that last semester when I WAS earning tons of income, I spent it all. Darn me and my spendthriftness. I could have so much more savings now if I just saved!!! Now I'm trying to go through all my accounts and subscriptions seeing what I can cancel and get some money back in. Oh the joys of adulthood... sigh...

Words of Wisdom From C.S Lewis

"Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. ... This process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important stll. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God.

We learn that, on the one hand, we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other hand, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven."

~ Mere Christianity

New House Member

We found a new house mate living with us. His name is Charleston, he's really tiny, does not require a bed and has wings.

He's the little brown bat!! We knew we had a few bats living in our attic because we could hear them through the walls. Apparently little Charleston decided to come down to join in the fun!

We let him hang above the living room door for a day and tonight we finally managed to catch him, put him in a shoe box, seal the shoe box and put him in the fridge. Yes, the fridge. A biology professor told us to do that. Tomorrow, one of the girls will bring him to her field biology professor who will hibernate him and keep him comfy and safe during the winter. Come Spring, he'll be released and since bats have excellent honing senses, he'll probably be back. YIPPIEE!!

Isn't he adorable!

Today

Today, I saw myself for what I really am - Sinful, Worthless, Helpless and Hurtful.
Today, I saw the reason why Christ died for me, why I need Him.
Today, I know I'm just a useless and worthless soul fighting against God for who knows what reason.

I'm done trying to act and appear strong. It's not working. It's time I let God take over and if that means dropping all my pretenses of being strong and instead be the weak person I am, then that's what I'm going to do.

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Low

It seems God is teaching me several things and I'm feeling really pathetic. He's showing me how much more I have to change and improve, showing me how low and evil I am now.

God, it hurts. I'm useless, I'm pathetic, I'm evil. And it hurts. I've hurt my friends, myself and most of you all. I'm so sorry. Help me please. Help me change and learn and have the courage to humble myself and beg for forgiveness. Please help me.

2007 is here. I'm back at School.

It's 7:21am and I'm wide awake. Something is wrong with this. Oh yes, jet lag. the wonders of it.

I'm back at school. Got back yesterday afternoon. The temperature is a sudden change from home, and I'm freezing. The buildings and multiple Asian faces are gone. Replaced are the American faces and vast spaces of empty land.

I'm doing ok. I miss my family and the comforts of home, but I'm also excited for this new semester. I'll be taking only 6 credits of classes and doing an internship with the Women's Resource Center in Grand Rapids, doing Marketing and Development. I'm looking forward to the challenges I will meet but am also scared because this is a different side of society I will be facing everyday. But good to have a bit of fear, so I won't be overconfident and stupid. It'll be an eye opening experience with ups and downs I'm sure, but I am confident that the Lord will be right there beside me, giving me the strength and wisdom I will need.

2 of my house mates are back. The rest will come today. I can't wait to see them and my other friends. 2007 has begun and I'm going to make sure it'll be a year where I grow deeper in the Lord and learn to give up my entire life to Him (definitely not going to happen in one year... its a long process.)

My Christmas Prayer

Dear friends,

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful time with loved ones and a wonderful celebration of the greatest gift on Earth.

This Christmas, I pray that God will be ever real and close to you as you ponder and stand in awe of such amazing love and sacrifice for us, who are not worthy of such grace. Christmas is not about the gifts. It's about the love so powerful and great that we have no ability to fully realize its true magnitude. I pray this love will enter your heart and grow deep and lasting roots.

Merry Christmas and God's love.

Debby

As our eyes gaze upon that bright Christmas Star
May Gods presence be with you wherever you are

As we celebrate this beautiful season of love
May many of His blessing fall from above
May your heart be filled with His peace and his joy

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Gods’ boy
May His love and His comfort
Make your heart whole
May His sweet Holy Spirit
Penetrate your soul

This christmas I ask Him
To keep you in His care
And bless all your loved ones
“My Christmas Prayer”

By Brenda Lewis

Current Status

I am missing someone terribly and I don't even know why. Praying and praying. Trying to enjoy my time at home and I am, don't get me wrong. But why, oh why, do I miss the person's company and presence so much?

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane

I know when I'll be back again... Jan 6! hehehe!

Wohoooo! I'm heading home! I'm soooo excited and soooo happy!!! Home home here I comeeeeeee!!

Car Dream Busted

You know when you were young and you dreamed of owning a car, of being free to go wherever you wanted to with no worries.... POP!! The dream has burst.

Within this week, I've:

1. Locked myself out of the car when EVERYTHING in it, my cell phone, keys, the works! To make things more interesting, it was during the worst snow storm of the week. I was freezing, covered in snow and very stressed and worried.

2. Gotten a flat tire. Now this I know I had no choice or hope or not getting it. Went to get my license plate this morning and as I was driving along the road, out comes this big pot hole with NO SIGN and no WARNING. I couldn't have seen it coming even if I was searching for it, as it blended in with the road. I couldn't change lanes because this huge truck was next to me and I couldn't slow down because the car behind me was so close to me. So I had to go through it. WHAM! Front tires took the brunt of it. Didn't realize it until I was driving this evening and someone told me of the flat tires. Went to pump air into the front 2. the left one worked out fine. The right one is busted.

But I have to thank God for giving me so many people who helped me out. To the kind lady on Monday who drove me around trying to get my AAA membership number, to AAA who has come super fast to help me out for free, to the random guy at the gas station who helped me look at my tire and to the Holy Spirit who helped me stay calm and listened to my pleas of help.

Ah.. responsibilities... Bummer.

Wisdom

Also from Regina Franklin's Book "Who Calls me Beautiful".

Find Wisdom and let her teach you how to silence the voices that do not reflect the truth of who you are in Christ. Hear the voice of God as He calls you His beloved.

Find Wisdom and let her teach you to love the woman God has created you to be. Let her teach you to stand in awe and wonder at the marvelous work of God's hand when He made you.

Find Wisdom and let her teach you how to treat your body as the temple of Christ. Know that you are a sanctuary for the One who is your refuge.

Find Wisdom and let her teach you to stand in a place of proper perspective. When you seek her, she will guard your mind and transform your thoughts.

Find Wisdom and let her teach you how to allow your husband to revel in the body of the wife of his youth, not in his wife's youthful body. Let him take pleasure in the true, genuine, one-of-a-kind you -- sags, bags, rolls, and all.

Find Wisdom and let her teach you that your life will change and so will your body. Let her also remind you that you serve an unchangeable God who has loved you from the beginning of time.

God's Defintion of Beauty

I've been reading Regina Franklin's "Who Calls Me Beautiful" for religion class and I'm glad I took the opportunity to do so. This book is AMAZING and very insightful, thought provoking and personal.

I HIGHLY recommend all the ladies to read this book. And Men, this will make a great gift for the women in your life!

Let me share with you just a few bits that have made me think and reflect on my own life.

“Our inability to understand our own inherent true beauty destroys the very beauty that results from our being the temple of God. … If we do not value the temple, we cease to be the temple.”

“I see beauty.
She leans against her Savior, and she finds grace. Knowing that only God can sustain her, she stands in the face of fear and resolves not to give up. She recognizes that the things of God are the only things that matter. Seeking after the things of Christ, she lives a life of integrity. She is a fighter, a survivor, a woman of strength.
She is beauty.”

“Thus, a woman’s beauty must be found in and defined by things that are eternal, life-giving, and true. We must desire things that draw us to Christ and bring us to fullness of life in Him. He is our salvation; so too He is our beauty.”

Beautiful Snow

So, even though i don't like the cold, I have to admit that snow is BEAUTIFUL!! It just shows how amazingly creative our God is! Look at the pictures He paints with the snow!! I went around campus taking some pictures today after the snow stopped falling for a while. Look and see the beauty and wonder of our God!

Christmas & Snow 12/1/06 3:27 PM

Snow has arrived. So has the shoveling...

From Christmas & S...

Snow is pretty when looking from the inside. When we have to walk in it and worst still, SHOVEL it off our walkway... Not so nice!!

On the bright side, I don't need to go to the gym anymore. Snow Shoveling is a much better work out AND it tackles those never-been-used-for-decades arm muscles of mine. Wohoo, here's for building those muscles!!!!

Noise is Back

The people are back from break and things are back to its noisy, fun, laughter-filled self! I'm happy!

I'm also happy that I'm heading home soon in 14 days!! 2 WEEKS!! I can't WAITTTTTTTTTT!!