Welcoming the New Year – 2014

“Forget the former things;

    do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Isaiah 43:18-19

Between the holidays, we were able to
              go camping at Doi Inthanon. The falls above
           was a find during one of my walks.

Today, we spent some time praying and thanking God for the first six months of 2013. Only Eli and Ethan were here to pray with us (Eng and I). This year, Evan and Eric didn’t come back to Chiang Mai to celebrate the holidays with us as they intend to be here when Eli graduates in May. We gravely missed them! Tomorrow, we hope to finish praying through the remaining six months. Earlier in the day, Eng also shared about the verses above. As we talked, we pondered on what the “new thing” may be for all of us. We speculated awhile and then prayed that the Lord would prepare our hearts for what He has in store for us. We also prayed about the possibility that we may live back in Canada in two years when our term is over. We don’t really know what our future holds. We can only trust that the Lord will lead and guide us as He’d always done.

               Up until April this year, I was happily teaching ESL classes. Then, the Lord prompted me to apply for the Student and Family Life Ministries Coordinator position at school. I even protested because I didn’t think I could do it! In the end, the Lord’s will prevailed and I got the job. There really is no point in arguing with Him! However, the Lord didn’t abandon me. Instead, He helped me and provided what I needed to do the job well. Looking back at the semester, I can honestly say I enjoyed doing the new work more than my old ESL job! Papa God obviously knew what He was doing! =)

The temperature at Doi Inthanon
               went down to as low as 2 degrees
             at night. I succumbed and made
              a heater with tea light candles, two
         clay pots, and a bread pan.
            It worked! Thanks to FB!!!

Even Eng started managing our friend’s restaurant while they were away for eight months. He hadn’t done restaurant management in the past but just like to me, the Lord proved faithful and reliable in helping him do his financial management work and the management of the restaurant. He had now done both jobs concurrently for the last six months and with the Lord’s grace, he is managing well. Best of all, I know Eng would also say he is enjoying the restaurant management even more than his management job.

Which leads me to the point I’d like to make: the Lord desires to bless us with new experiences. The newness of the experiences is difficult as we gauge for the first time, the adjustments we need to make. BUT, the Lord is, and will always be there to help, encourage, and provide for us. Most of all, as we begin to take on new roles, we actually discover the joy found in doing them. If we don’t ever step out to obey God in the new tasks He gives us, how else will we discover the enjoyment of doing those tasks? It’s a remarkable process!

As 2014 starts, we’ll do well to allow God to lead and guide us and have us just follow Him. No matter how scary the journey looks, the ride will be worth it. Our Lord knows us best and He’s always right. May we completely trust Him with our lives. I know no one will regret it.

Our family picture without Evan and Eric.
             Ethan's at left, Eli, on right

How Great He Is

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

“How Great Thou Art” based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg

Translated to English by British Stuart K. Hine (who also added two verses)

Popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows in Billy Graham crusades

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk

At houseboats of Mae Ngat Dam in Mae Taeng.

Last week, I was the chaperone to our 17 year old son Eli’s overnight houseboat trip with 8 of his friends. Three of them were just back here to attend our school’s high school graduation and to visit with friends. Their families lived here as missionaries but left as their parents were called back to the US. It was good to see them again. After being with them in the same community for a few years, they just naturally began to feel like extended family. I’m glad we were able to do that together. Eli asked me to chaperone the trip as a few of them weren’t allowed to go without one. It didn’t take much to convince me to go. I wasn’t ready to let (our) 17 and 18 year old young adults to go on their own.  More importantly, I like going to the houseboats. It’s very peaceful there, so conducive to being quiet. I knew if I went, I’d enjoy myself. I truly did! The six young men all acted very gentlemanly. I didn’t have to carry my baggage at all! =) The three young women were also enjoyable to be with. As a group, I gave them the space they needed so they could fully enjoy their time together but I listened and watched them. They’re a hilarious and a very fun loving bunch. It was a privilege for me to be with them.

The adventurous teens devouring their communal food.

The Lord blessed our time together. It’s been really hot here but the day we went, it became unseasonably cold. We even slept overnight with blankets; it was that cold! The teens were also amazed that they found a hidden water trampoline and life-sized ball when they swam across the water and went behind a cove. Like little kids, they rejoiced when they were allowed to play there. One of them said it was a “God thing”. They knew finding the play area was a blessing plus the permission to play there. They stayed there for the most part of the afternoon. But, the highlight of our time was after breakfast. I asked them to take turns sharing about our time and that’s when Michael (Chris Tom’s son) asked to speak last. He said he wanted to pray a prayer of impartation over everyone. He explained that having lost his Dad, he believed there was a special blessing that he could give. I was so touched to hear that. Last year, I was so grieved for him, his mom, and two brothers because on the eve of their departure to leave Chiang Mai for good, Chris was fatally hurt in an explosion. I wrote 3 posts about them last year (from June 24-July 8, 2012). I requested that they be prayed for because I knew they were thrust to mature and face the challenges of life without Chris.

Peace, beauty, and quiet.

Now a year later, I can see the wonder of God’s work in answering that prayer. There I was, witnessing a 17 year old pray an earnest and sincere prayer for all of us. In his loss, Michael (with God’s help) had chosen to purposely bless us, impart to us what he had been given. I saw someone who was sure of his calling, a desire to touch people, just like his Dad did. When Michael left last year, he was a young man trying to understand who he was made to be. He came back with an understanding of who he is.

We have a great God. His ways are not like ours and we sometimes don’t necessarily agree with what He allows to happen. Still, He is always up to something good in our lives. We can trust Him. He is so good. His ways may be incomprehensible and even painful to us but it is always for our benefit. Thank you, Lord. You are GREAT.