Today when i went running at tasek i decided to bring my ipod with me mostly cuz i wanted to test out the earphones that came with my iphone 5 =] I put on ipod on shuffle and just ran.. While I was running Chris Tomlin's song Come Home Running started to play...there is something about old school songs that just move me... the lyrics were exactly what i needed to hear.. God has such perfect timing. and such awesome ways of moving that He even can speak through the songs that come onto your ipod when it is on suffle mode! not so random is suffle mode...
I've been thinking a lot about where I am now, family, what is important to me, what my future holds, what i have done in the past and all these things, how desires of the flesh have strayed me, why things worked out the way they have, but u know I feel like I'm coming home in a sense... like being here in Brunei is like my own revival, last few months stripped away from my own desires to God's way of making me rediscover Him and His call. I know i'm definitely a work in progress. Yet i still can come as I am...I know there are still great things in store for me and I know that what i thought was good for me God has something far better planned. I just need to wrap my head around that and stop being so stubborn. I'm still in the process of letting go it is taking one finger at a time.
Come Home Running
Oh heart of mine, why must you stray?
From one so fair you run away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shame
Oh heart of mine, come back home
You've been too long out on your own
And He's been there all along
Watching for you down the road
So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are
Oh child of God so dearly loved
And ransomed by the Savior's blood
And called by name, daughter and son
Wrapped in the robe of righteousness
Monday 29 October 2012
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Rainy Days
It is amazing how much weather effects my mood. Today waking up to a cooler day in Brunei was nice but when the clouds came and rain it made me think so much of Vancouver. I got kind of sad. Rain and Vancouver go hand in hand. I think of it as perfect weather to snuggle up with someone have hot chocolate and watch food network! LOL then get hungry and make food or go out to find something awesome to eat. I love the rain (haha when u dont have to go from class to class struggling with an umbrella and packing into a smelly bus that is...but i do miss those days too) It wasn't a good day to wear flats as right when I got out of the car my feet were soaked already!
I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to the "relaxed" culture here. I know once the Bistro is open i'll be super busy and not have much time.. But I still can't believe I'm going to be the "owner." I promise that I still will be sure to make time... I think I'm going to be in denial that im doing all this until it really opens... Like really i should working a 9-5 job and ya doing that... that would be easier.. and i dont need to think so much LOL ... eh but i know that is not the path set out for me. Doing all the little decisions eg. like which way the tiles go. so many little things that add up that i never really thought about before... too many things to decide in one day was kinda stressing out.
I just stopped took a breather and read my bible after lunch. My bible has like daily readings suggested and i turned to todays which was Psalm 136. And i was like wow yup God you obviously are telling me to just remember your love. "His faithful love endures forever." Just repeated every other verse, plus GIVE THANKS.
Reminding myself that my life, my path is a blessing. Holding on to the truth that His faithful love endures forever. Even when all else fails, even when i fail, God love is forever.
I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to the "relaxed" culture here. I know once the Bistro is open i'll be super busy and not have much time.. But I still can't believe I'm going to be the "owner." I promise that I still will be sure to make time... I think I'm going to be in denial that im doing all this until it really opens... Like really i should working a 9-5 job and ya doing that... that would be easier.. and i dont need to think so much LOL ... eh but i know that is not the path set out for me. Doing all the little decisions eg. like which way the tiles go. so many little things that add up that i never really thought about before... too many things to decide in one day was kinda stressing out.
I just stopped took a breather and read my bible after lunch. My bible has like daily readings suggested and i turned to todays which was Psalm 136. And i was like wow yup God you obviously are telling me to just remember your love. "His faithful love endures forever." Just repeated every other verse, plus GIVE THANKS.
Reminding myself that my life, my path is a blessing. Holding on to the truth that His faithful love endures forever. Even when all else fails, even when i fail, God love is forever.
Monday 22 October 2012
Sun, Blue Skies, & Beautiful Sunsets
I'm still appreciating the amazing year round weather in Brunei. Even though it does get hot sometimes.. ba ba ba ba ba I'm Loving it! hehehe.. (McDonalds slogan) it seriously adds to the feeling that im on a year long vacation! hehehe... if i had an umbrella drink in hand that would be perfect right now. Ehh but i know when Christmas comes I'll be wishing for snow... seriously this year is going by like lightening speed so much stuff is happening it is crazy. For a slow paced country, i mentioned before my days seem to be going by so fast!
Been so busy picking out different things for the Bistro. I realized i took forgranted little things back in Canada that were so readily available like windows that open upwards, or auto faucets and toilets, and fake candels LOL. While all the coming together is quite stressful i know everything will be awesome when it is all completed! There is still lots to do! Taking small steps everyday. I Praise God for this opportunity seriously, is this real life?! Wow God I'm totally not worthy.
Another really cool thing that is happening now is seeing all the different ppl that God has placed and is placing in my life at this season!
something that has been on my mind a lot is deciding on a church to settle down to here.. ahh i think im really scared of making a committement cuz then i will find myself really starting to be rooted n Brunei.. i dunno... it seems aboiut time... yet im still kinda drifting around .. i just need to make a choice
Been so busy picking out different things for the Bistro. I realized i took forgranted little things back in Canada that were so readily available like windows that open upwards, or auto faucets and toilets, and fake candels LOL. While all the coming together is quite stressful i know everything will be awesome when it is all completed! There is still lots to do! Taking small steps everyday. I Praise God for this opportunity seriously, is this real life?! Wow God I'm totally not worthy.
Another really cool thing that is happening now is seeing all the different ppl that God has placed and is placing in my life at this season!
something that has been on my mind a lot is deciding on a church to settle down to here.. ahh i think im really scared of making a committement cuz then i will find myself really starting to be rooted n Brunei.. i dunno... it seems aboiut time... yet im still kinda drifting around .. i just need to make a choice
Friday 19 October 2012
Precious and Loved
when i stop and think about everything... like my life so far... i can only say wow! i would never imagine myself where i am right now even a few years back... even though i kinda feel like a lot of the times im just "faking it till i make it" or just kinda trying to figure this whole thing called life out... what is comforting is that God has it already planned out... i just got to trust Him even when i have no idea what is going on a lot of the times.. seriously really taking it one day at a time now. It's not like being back in school, when u knew when the deadlines were or even what was expected to come because we were given course outlines! hahaha
if only there were a course outline for life.. and the percentages beside each stage LOL! midterm 40% final 60%
last week i was just in hk enjoying the privilege of travelling ... it just amazes me every time i fly.. how a giant metal structure can transport ppl in the air to different places. but really what a privilege it is to catch up with friends and just chill and share our life, our ups and downs, and just be in each others presence. a plus when it is over great food and drinks.
availability is something i have always cherished. one of the blessings of being in Brunei right now is the time to be available. i guess cuz my bistro isnt in full swing yet but it is just nice not to be tied down to a schedule.. like today my dad and i were window hunting for the bistro and we ran into one of his old friends.. we could just stop and spend time catching up in a store.. he was able to shared with me his experience of moving back to Brunei after being in the UK and sharing how tough it was for him at first..but now he loves it... how he says you really feel the difference here.. that everyone is just a phone call away and available to go for food or ect... i was encouraged because this guy was able to just take time and talk and share... wow! hehehe why are the ppl i meet so free to be available here? it is just nice. a nice change from always hearing that ppl are busy. busy. too busy.
this week Isaiah 41 - 43 has really been encouraging.
Praise God for having my back
if only there were a course outline for life.. and the percentages beside each stage LOL! midterm 40% final 60%
last week i was just in hk enjoying the privilege of travelling ... it just amazes me every time i fly.. how a giant metal structure can transport ppl in the air to different places. but really what a privilege it is to catch up with friends and just chill and share our life, our ups and downs, and just be in each others presence. a plus when it is over great food and drinks.
availability is something i have always cherished. one of the blessings of being in Brunei right now is the time to be available. i guess cuz my bistro isnt in full swing yet but it is just nice not to be tied down to a schedule.. like today my dad and i were window hunting for the bistro and we ran into one of his old friends.. we could just stop and spend time catching up in a store.. he was able to shared with me his experience of moving back to Brunei after being in the UK and sharing how tough it was for him at first..but now he loves it... how he says you really feel the difference here.. that everyone is just a phone call away and available to go for food or ect... i was encouraged because this guy was able to just take time and talk and share... wow! hehehe why are the ppl i meet so free to be available here? it is just nice. a nice change from always hearing that ppl are busy. busy. too busy.
this week Isaiah 41 - 43 has really been encouraging.
Praise God for having my back
Sunday 7 October 2012
Living a Life that Points Towards Christ
Wow. Just looking back to the beginning of the week I really wondered how this week would play out. I can truely say wow how creatively God provided, amazed, and went further than all expectations I had for this week!
Even though I've almost come to an end of the gratitude challenge. My gratitude won't stop here. It is really just a small step at the start ... it is just the beginning. I want to live a life that points towards Christ everyday, though I am a sinner when I am weak then I'm strong, when I stumble I can count on Him, when I suffer I can share in Christ's suffereings. I was reading Psalms this morning and I got this feeling that my next challenge will be a Praise Challenge. LOL woohooo
Heading off to Macau and HK tomorrow! oh I can't wait for all the good food! lol my mouth is salivating and my stomach is grumbling just thinking about it... the portugese influenced food oh yum!! po tat.. and the sandwiches and cheese, and mmm baked stuff..oh man dim sum!! haven't had good dim sum in so long.. lol since vancouver! hahaha i really want so lo mai kai..and also roast goose!! lol i love food
Gratitude Challenge (Last Day woohoo did it!) Lord Thank you for blessing me with:
1) Really really amazing ppl i met from CHCB, wow making me feel so uplifted and cared for! truely showing the love of God to a practical stranger
2) Birthday presents that i didn't expect! cards, bracelet, book, a BLOW TORCH, sheet cook book lol, and even flowers and chocolate! wow toooooo much! and even cake!! so not used to receiving so much so not used to ppl getting me cake... im usually the one getting ppl cake...last cake i can remember someone getting me on my birthday was my 21st from sam and nat!
3) Back to back Korean meals .. yummm
4) My loving family <3 thank you that we are so close
5) A spontaneous Sunday. Watching Taken 2.
6) fixing my internet broadband stick lol
7) many chances
8) a mini vacation tomorrow
9) Your unfailing love
10) You choosing me
Even though I've almost come to an end of the gratitude challenge. My gratitude won't stop here. It is really just a small step at the start ... it is just the beginning. I want to live a life that points towards Christ everyday, though I am a sinner when I am weak then I'm strong, when I stumble I can count on Him, when I suffer I can share in Christ's suffereings. I was reading Psalms this morning and I got this feeling that my next challenge will be a Praise Challenge. LOL woohooo
Heading off to Macau and HK tomorrow! oh I can't wait for all the good food! lol my mouth is salivating and my stomach is grumbling just thinking about it... the portugese influenced food oh yum!! po tat.. and the sandwiches and cheese, and mmm baked stuff..oh man dim sum!! haven't had good dim sum in so long.. lol since vancouver! hahaha i really want so lo mai kai..and also roast goose!! lol i love food
Gratitude Challenge (Last Day woohoo did it!) Lord Thank you for blessing me with:
1) Really really amazing ppl i met from CHCB, wow making me feel so uplifted and cared for! truely showing the love of God to a practical stranger
2) Birthday presents that i didn't expect! cards, bracelet, book, a BLOW TORCH, sheet cook book lol, and even flowers and chocolate! wow toooooo much! and even cake!! so not used to receiving so much so not used to ppl getting me cake... im usually the one getting ppl cake...last cake i can remember someone getting me on my birthday was my 21st from sam and nat!
3) Back to back Korean meals .. yummm
4) My loving family <3 thank you that we are so close
5) A spontaneous Sunday. Watching Taken 2.
6) fixing my internet broadband stick lol
7) many chances
8) a mini vacation tomorrow
9) Your unfailing love
10) You choosing me
Friday 5 October 2012
Thoughts and Memories
We live in the present, hope for the future, remember the past.
When i'm not busy working, my thoughts often wonder... and a lot of the time it brings back memories of good times shared in the past with people. Picture snip bits and the happy feelings. Today I started to think about the last hoorah hangout at Library Square that had before leaving to Brunei, it makes me really smile to remember the small little silly things, the funny things that were said, the people who came, the start of snow fall, but it also is so bittersweet, that THAT night cannot ever repeat itself. Of course there will be other good times, but that memory of that night will be kept with me. My thoughts often wonder back to Vancouver... right now i even am craving a pumpkin spice muffin from timmy's... =]
At times i can't help but think about you, wondered where you are, what you are doing, how your day is going by, all i can do is pray that God's guidance is with you.
Heatbreak is really one of the most painful things anyone has to go through, be it the heartbreak of someone passing away, or a broken relationship, or even rebelious kids... all i could do during these past few months is lean on God with everything i have....and truely He has lead and provided even in the depts of sorrow...
i sort of feel like a tiny bit of Job right now...how everything was stripped from him yet he did not curse God...he was faithful ..and in the end God blessed him with more!
God has been blessing me with more, more than i ever expected... more than i can even understand why... more than i even think that i deserve...really i dont deserve any of this...it is more than im used too .... i still think it is hard to accept that God knows what is best for me and His plan is being carried out to completion.
It is so fitting that everything is just happening around Thanksgiving weekend back home, fitting that i really just want to give thanks for everything in my life. Fitting that my gratitude challenge is coming to an end as i challenged myself up till my birthday. Fitting that i can move on to the next year of my life. This year felt too fast it is just like yesterday i was celebrating my 23rd in Australia at chey chey mengs wedding. And it felt like the day yesterday yeserday i was celebreating my 22nd at Broadmoor with a cocktail party, and the yesterday yesterday yesterday my 21st at Decourcy.... 3 years in a blink... how fleeting this life is.
Gratitude Challenge
Thank Lord for:
1) All the little things that you know about me that moves my heart.
2) Your love shown through others, how practically ppl i just met celebrating my birthday in advance wow! honestly Lord i thought i would be "forgotten" about this year.
3) The amazing week that have had- i cant believe it is Saturday already!
4) G ee who came by to check up on me and chat
5) These cool looking birds here in brunei that make me smile they look like pretty penguins
6) Going to Macau and HK in 2 days
7) Being able to spend my birthday in Macau!!
8) Great food, great company
9) teaching me how to receive so i can give.
10) financial stability
When i'm not busy working, my thoughts often wonder... and a lot of the time it brings back memories of good times shared in the past with people. Picture snip bits and the happy feelings. Today I started to think about the last hoorah hangout at Library Square that had before leaving to Brunei, it makes me really smile to remember the small little silly things, the funny things that were said, the people who came, the start of snow fall, but it also is so bittersweet, that THAT night cannot ever repeat itself. Of course there will be other good times, but that memory of that night will be kept with me. My thoughts often wonder back to Vancouver... right now i even am craving a pumpkin spice muffin from timmy's... =]
At times i can't help but think about you, wondered where you are, what you are doing, how your day is going by, all i can do is pray that God's guidance is with you.
Heatbreak is really one of the most painful things anyone has to go through, be it the heartbreak of someone passing away, or a broken relationship, or even rebelious kids... all i could do during these past few months is lean on God with everything i have....and truely He has lead and provided even in the depts of sorrow...
i sort of feel like a tiny bit of Job right now...how everything was stripped from him yet he did not curse God...he was faithful ..and in the end God blessed him with more!
God has been blessing me with more, more than i ever expected... more than i can even understand why... more than i even think that i deserve...really i dont deserve any of this...it is more than im used too .... i still think it is hard to accept that God knows what is best for me and His plan is being carried out to completion.
It is so fitting that everything is just happening around Thanksgiving weekend back home, fitting that i really just want to give thanks for everything in my life. Fitting that my gratitude challenge is coming to an end as i challenged myself up till my birthday. Fitting that i can move on to the next year of my life. This year felt too fast it is just like yesterday i was celebrating my 23rd in Australia at chey chey mengs wedding. And it felt like the day yesterday yeserday i was celebreating my 22nd at Broadmoor with a cocktail party, and the yesterday yesterday yesterday my 21st at Decourcy.... 3 years in a blink... how fleeting this life is.
Gratitude Challenge
Thank Lord for:
1) All the little things that you know about me that moves my heart.
2) Your love shown through others, how practically ppl i just met celebrating my birthday in advance wow! honestly Lord i thought i would be "forgotten" about this year.
3) The amazing week that have had- i cant believe it is Saturday already!
4) G ee who came by to check up on me and chat
5) These cool looking birds here in brunei that make me smile they look like pretty penguins
6) Going to Macau and HK in 2 days
7) Being able to spend my birthday in Macau!!
8) Great food, great company
9) teaching me how to receive so i can give.
10) financial stability
Wednesday 3 October 2012
So Blessed
there are weeks like this were i really love love love that im in Brunei!
but there are also time where i wish i was back in Vancouver, and i miss home and i complain to sam and he makes fun of me for chosing to be here =|
either way, no matter where i am, seriously i am truely blessed
my cousin wrote me in a card before they left in June. One thing she said that just has stayed with me is...
"Brunei may not be for everyone but it agrees with you."
i guess i couldn't have said it any better.
i find my self just appreciating all the little things- like the sun shine, the birds who are on the road that fly off at the last sec before u think u gunna run them over (LOL), the patient and kind ppl (so many times on the road here i think man if they did that back home they would of gotten horned at and possibly fingered), the time being able to spend with family
in the past two weeks got to have so much time just celebrating birthdays and weddings and just and spending time with family and friends over food and dinner =] and meeting new friends
i wondered how i was going to manage being alone this week but it just seemed like God had everything prepared even the little things to where i would eat dinner. like today a family friend who really i've never met before invited me over to there place, fed me, and just taught me and spent a few hours just chatting and giving me a bunch of tips on how to run things in the kitchen as she has many years of experience in the food industry in australia! ...wow God you are really good. someone who is practically a "Stranger" offers to help me... im so blessed
when i was driving home for their place in subok, the song So Blessed by Hillsongs just was playing in my head... So Blessed i Can't Contain it, so much i got to give it away! Your love has taught me to live now, You are more than enough for me... when ever i sing this song i think of Koko and Sandy and the Praise night long ago at VCBC where we did actions for this song like how the backstreet boys dance! haha yaa.. random.
The last week of the Gratitude Challenge
Lord Thank You For:
1) getting me safely to Subok! first time driving there.. and WOW it is soooo beautiful in that area
2) having good sales at my moms store
3) mentors in life- even if they are just there for a day
4) the warm weather, it is nice wearing a dress and not having to worry about what jacket would match lol
5) the nice dinners i've had this week so far- hot pot, birthday banquet, and home cooked italian food! wow!
6) placing the correct ppl in my life at the right times
7) my age im still young!
8) your unfailing love
9) giving me the opportunity to be the one to make some big decisions for the bistro
10) the assurance of faith, that all things work out for the good of those who love You
but there are also time where i wish i was back in Vancouver, and i miss home and i complain to sam and he makes fun of me for chosing to be here =|
either way, no matter where i am, seriously i am truely blessed
my cousin wrote me in a card before they left in June. One thing she said that just has stayed with me is...
"Brunei may not be for everyone but it agrees with you."
i guess i couldn't have said it any better.
i find my self just appreciating all the little things- like the sun shine, the birds who are on the road that fly off at the last sec before u think u gunna run them over (LOL), the patient and kind ppl (so many times on the road here i think man if they did that back home they would of gotten horned at and possibly fingered), the time being able to spend with family
in the past two weeks got to have so much time just celebrating birthdays and weddings and just and spending time with family and friends over food and dinner =] and meeting new friends
i wondered how i was going to manage being alone this week but it just seemed like God had everything prepared even the little things to where i would eat dinner. like today a family friend who really i've never met before invited me over to there place, fed me, and just taught me and spent a few hours just chatting and giving me a bunch of tips on how to run things in the kitchen as she has many years of experience in the food industry in australia! ...wow God you are really good. someone who is practically a "Stranger" offers to help me... im so blessed
when i was driving home for their place in subok, the song So Blessed by Hillsongs just was playing in my head... So Blessed i Can't Contain it, so much i got to give it away! Your love has taught me to live now, You are more than enough for me... when ever i sing this song i think of Koko and Sandy and the Praise night long ago at VCBC where we did actions for this song like how the backstreet boys dance! haha yaa.. random.
The last week of the Gratitude Challenge
Lord Thank You For:
1) getting me safely to Subok! first time driving there.. and WOW it is soooo beautiful in that area
2) having good sales at my moms store
3) mentors in life- even if they are just there for a day
4) the warm weather, it is nice wearing a dress and not having to worry about what jacket would match lol
5) the nice dinners i've had this week so far- hot pot, birthday banquet, and home cooked italian food! wow!
6) placing the correct ppl in my life at the right times
7) my age im still young!
8) your unfailing love
9) giving me the opportunity to be the one to make some big decisions for the bistro
10) the assurance of faith, that all things work out for the good of those who love You
Monday 1 October 2012
Bake. Pray. Love.
it has honestly been awhile...
awhile since i baked out of my heart.
it got lost somewhere along the way
doubts and stress creeped in and i forgot
i forgot how much joy it brings, not to myself but others
its kind of hard to explain
on the road of rediscovery
like that book eat. pray. love
for me now in a different country, BRUNEI!
bake. pray. love <3
Behind every cake from my heart there comes a story. With this one included! It is one of the most last minute cakes I made. On Saturday I attended a family friends wedding, i ran into my cousin Ah Sin Koko unexpectedly, started chatting and he asked for cake advise LOL like flavour and kind of designs.. cuz he said a lot of cakes in brunei are pretty similar.. He wanted to get something for his wife =] how sweet, such a good husband hehehe.. to see his love for his wife at a wedding haha how perfect. So i told him to let me know if wanted me to make something. He texted my the night and ya went from there. The next day there were lots of things to do and i just began to pray and ask God how i need to prioritize my day cuz there wouldn't be enough time to do everything!! .. and God just dropped into my heart
Colossians 3:23 " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for humans."
from there i knew i gunna need time to do the best for the Lord cuz a rushed cake is not working at it with all my heart..was able to prioritize the day and everything went smoothly Praise God and had enough time as there was another wedding to go to at night!
Made a Orange Chocolate Raspberry Cake, inspired by the flavour combo of my fav cake back at Saint Germain. With home made Strawberry Fondant! hehehe
Gratitude Challenge Day 40! ( i think wow has it been 40 days already?!)
1) experiencing two weddings this weekend
2) Ah Sin Koko ordering a cake from me
3) Making own fondant worked out better than first time i tried here
4) Aunty Realli to help me clean after i make a mess
5) The start of a new week
6) praise 106.5 LOL i actually miss hearing the praise songs they play
7) classic sunday school songs learned at vcc that are stuck in my head
8) having a week in the office
9) one week till hk and macau woohoo
10) it being October already. i can just imagine the halloween and thanksgiving season back home =]
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