Falling Leaves

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15

Our oldest son’s friend’s mother died of cancer last Monday. She was just in her mid-50s. When we saw her at our sons’ graduation just last May, she was radiant and full of hope. I remember when I briefly Skype chatted with her earlier last year when her son visited us in Canada. She said she wanted to continue the work the Lord had called them to do in Brazil. During the graduation’s reception, we had the chance to visit some more and I prayed with her for her healing. She lived an extra eight months after that time before going to the one she loved and served.

Today, I just found out that one of our close friends, a “barkada” (a Filipino term for a member of a tightly knit group) in high school passed away due to illness. Although I haven’t seen her in years, I feel the loss. I cannot believe that a friend I’ve grown up with, gone to school with, and hung out with, could already be dead. How is it possible when we’re barely over 50? I will miss her and her friendship. I’ll also miss her cheery and sweet disposition. I’m only consoled by the fact that she believed in Jesus and He was her saviour. In one of our rare phone conversations, she acknowledged her belief in Him. She also indicated that she was ready to go if the time came to do so. We prayed for her healing then and that was around two years ago.

I know I believed both times when we prayed that they be healed. I respect the Lord's wisdom in not answering with a longer time than what they were given. Also, neither were just completely physically healed. Instead, they were spiritually completely healed as they now dwell with the Lord. I don't have the answers, BUT, I am sure that both are much happier where they are now. They’re free from their physical and excruciating pain. They’re also in a place where there are no tears. What could be better? Most of all, they’re with Papa God =) so I don’t think they’ll ever have any problems nor need anything ever again. Perfect bliss. =D

Their untimely departure made me think of my own death and my going to heaven. I don’t know when I’ll be called home but I am ready. I’m very grateful for my life now but I am so looking forward to going home to my final destination (no more moving!).

Last week, I actually took a long climb to the top of a mountain. A monk I spoke to before my ascent told me that there were 990 steps leading to a still unfinished chedi (a mound like structure containing Buddhist relics) which was on the mountain top. I went there to enjoy the panoramic view but I couldn't help but enjoy watching the falling leaves, too. Some leaves danced this way and that before landing gently down. Others dropped unceremoniously down with just a final thud. My favourite are the ones that seem to take the scenic route on their way down. After they twirl, fly, meander, and hang in mid-air; they find their spots and occupy them. Watching leaves fall is such a fascination to me! It’s like Papa God. As indicated by the verse above, our deaths are precious to Him. I know it’s not because He’s a sadist. I do wonder if it’s because He excitedly awaits our spirits to leave our bodies so we could join Him. What a joyous thought! =) I’m looking forward to falling, too, Papa God. One day, I’ll get to see you and join you forever, too. =) YES!

Unfailing Love

And it’s constant in the trial and the change
This one thing remains, this one thing remains
Cause Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
From the song, “One Thing Remains” by Kristian Stanfill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_o6s5X5LSw

Just today, I was relating the story of how our oldest son’s first year of studying at Houghton College was provided for. My colleague and I had been talking about some concerns of late in our family regarding our second son’s continuing on in college. Eric was considering going to a college that cost $30,000 US per year. How on earth were we able to pay for that? Except, this was a question already asked of us over four years ago. Evan actually wrote about it in this blog. The post was called “Provision in Answer to Prayer” (February 6, 2008).

His college then, wanted us to list our assets and give them a copy of our bank account(s) to prove that we could support his education (totalling $120,000 by the time he finished his 4-year degree). At the time, we had about $400 saved up in our bank so we were in a serious quandary. Our money was just a little over one percent of what was needed. =D What could we do? How would we provide for him? A little later, I suggested that we write, “The Lord God Almighty will provide” in our application form. Eng thought I was crazy but he relented, got the paper notarized at the US Consulate, and sent it off. =)

Because nothing is impossible with God, Evan was accepted at Houghton College in spite how we responded to their forms. For those who regularly read this blog, you already know he graduated last May 2012. Currently, he pays $80 a month to pay for his school loan totalling (drumroll, please) just a little over $5,000. It is mind boggling that the difference of $115,000 was provided for from the total but that is exactly what God did. Evan received scholarships every year, had part-time jobs throughout the school year, two summer jobs, and financial gifts. The biggest gift was for $10,000 US and the smallest was $5,000. They were given by people we hardly knew. I’d known the lady who gave us the $10,000 for barely 3 days. We just met at a week-long silent retreat so we couldn’t even talk a whole lot. =) She was convicted by God, pointing out to me different sections in our collective prayer one morning. It was almost as if she was convincing me why she was giving Evan the money! I was just flabbergasted; I didn’t even know what to say! When I found my tongue, I explained that Evan hadn’t even been accepted by his college yet. Once he was, I told her I'd write her. True to her word, once she heard from me, she immediately transferred the funds to Houghton.

God’s love will do what I just narrated. His ways doesn’t make sense but He is able to work it out. From nowhere, stuff just happens and we just find ourselves with our needs accounted for. I’d learned not to figure it out because it’s inexplicable. Truly, God’s ways are higher than ours. We can allow ourselves to be stressed with our situations, or we can choose to be in complete peace as we wait on Him to provide. Either way, He will come through for all of us. His love never fails, it never gives up, and it never runs out. Really! Ask Him to prove it to you because I know He will. We currently don't know how Eric's schooling will be provided for but we know our Papa God who doesn't change, WILL do so! =) Thank you in advance, Papa God!

Thanks 2012!

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, O Lord.
From the song “I Exalt Thee”

Hours after ringing in the New Year, we gathered as a family to pray and thank the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to us in 2012. We had so much to be thankful for! He is so good and blessed us abundantly. It would make a terribly long post to list them all so I thought to summarize some major points of our year in addition to our highlights and prayers which follow below:
• Gratefulness for the house we lived in in Canada.
• Our move back to Chiang Mai, Thailand (from Toronto).
• Evan and Eric at Camp of the Woods for the summer.
• My mother (and Chris Tom) had gone to be with the Lord. I made it back to Toronto for three weeks to be with family and to attend my mother’s funeral.
• Eng and I traveled to Malaysia to visit family and to celebrate Eng’s Mom’s birthday.
• Fun with friends and family while camping at Doi Inthanon.

We were all grateful that Evan and Eric could be here and celebrated Christmas and the New Year with us but Eng first mentioned it. He would like prayers to know what he should do this year as he senses the desire to do something different.

Evan’s highlight of the year was his graduation (with an English and a Writing major) from Houghton College. He’s also grateful that he was able to take care of his grandfather from August until he came here. He would like prayers to find a full-time job in Toronto but he is also willing to move to the US, if necessary. Also, he would like to meet someone special in his life.

Eric was grateful for finishing a term in his college. His continued prayer is to do well next term and to know what he’ll study next, and where. His one year Liberal Arts program will finish at the end of April. Please pray that Evan can be there for his graduation because neither Eng nor I can be. His current choices for next school year are: Houghton College, McGill University, and Redeemer University College.

Eli would like prayers to continue to do academically well in 2013 as he did in the last semester. He would also like prayers to know what he should do in the future (where to study and what to study) after he graduates from high school. Finishing in June 2014, he hopes that his brothers can attend his graduation.

Ethan’s thankful that we were able to return to Thailand. Because Evan and Eric will leave us shortly to return to Canada, his prayer is that we’ll be able to be together as a family again. =)

Still amazed, I’m so glad my friend from the Philippines came to celebrate my birthday with me when none of my family could be here in August. My prayer is to love well in 2013 in spite relational challenges. I also want prayers for help with my online Counseling courses and the provision of finances for those courses.

The Lord has been so faithful and good. We do exalt Him, thank Him, and praise Him. We are sad to have to be separated again soon (not knowing when we'll all be together again) and we still have unanswered financial needs, a job for Evan, direction guidance, etc., but we can surely trust that the Lord will be just as faithful and good to us in 2013 as he was in 2012. Amen! Thank you, Papa God! We are looking forward to what you have in store for us in this new year.

Happy New Year! =) With love and blessings from us,
Eric, Eli, Evan, Ethan, Eng, and Linda

Christmas 2012

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Psalm 118:28

Merry Christmas! Wishing you love, joy, and peace from all of us:
Eng, Ethan, Linda, Eric, Eli, and Evan.

After Eric and Evan arrived last week, we immediately left for a scheduled camping trip to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Aside from our family of six, there were 68 other campers (all together we were 33 adults, 28 teens, and 13 children) so we were a huge bunch. All the children went to the same school so they particularly enjoyed being together. Doi Inthanon also has the highest peak in Thailand (8415 feet above sea level) so it was cold with an average nightly temperature of 8 degrees centigrade. We enjoyed the cold weather, the people, and most of all, our surroundings. We took a two hour hike up the peak of the mountains where the view was simply spectacular. We hiked to waterfalls

and had walks into the woods. In between meals, we played games (board games, card games, and volleyball) with one another. There was enough for us to do and the freedom when to do it so we tremendously enjoyed our time. We praised God for the opportunity to be a part of the trip. It was such a blessing!

For our Christmas celebration, we slept by our Christmas tree in the living room last night. We’d been doing this for the past 16 years to remind ourselves that we were gifts to each other. Eli started us on this family tradition when as an 11-month old baby; he crawled under our artificial Christmas tree and slept on his tummy. Since then, it’s something we’d always done as a prelude to opening our presents on Christmas morning. I was amused when I took their picture this morning because although all of us slept under our covers, Ethan slept above his and without his shirt on! We turned on our air conditioner in the living room and it was set to 18 degrees centigrade. Also, during the quiet of the night, we again took turns saying “Goodnight,” “Merry Christmas”, and “love you” to each other. It’s my favourite and for me, the best part of our sleeping together. =)

Today, Christmas Day, we hung around the house and ate, played ping pong and card games, watched movies, and used the gifts we received. We listened to Michael Buble's Christmas CD as he bridged the generation gap in all our taste in music. =) We do thank God for His kindness and goodness to us for giving us one another. We had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you, Jesus, for coming as a baby and giving us a reason to celebrate. Most of all, we thank you for the salvation you offer because of that coming. Happy birthday - with love from all of us. =)

Recent Arrivals

first time flying alone, and my flight's been delayed... Lord have mercy.
please close your eyes and extend your hands heavenward in petition for me
to make it home safe and soon.
Eric’s post on Facebook, December 17, 2012

I should have listened to what Eric asked and prayed as intently as he requested. Although we did pray for him and his flights, little did we know that the delay he mentioned would literally mean over a day of waiting for him.

At right is Ethan when we welcomed Eric at the airport and below while relaxing with Evan at home.

Travelling separately from Toronto, both Evan and Eric arrived in Chiang Mai, today. We are extremely pleased but most relieved as Eric was actually due 26 hours before he actually got here. His first flight was delayed so he missed his other connecting flights. Delays are a normal part of air travel and because we’ve travelled so much, we normally dealt with the added “wait” as best we could. In typical fashion, Eric did just that and simply told his younger brother to tell us that his flight was delayed. We were then left

wondering what became of him for a whole day as we waited to hear when he would get here. Without him connecting again, we didn’t know whether he managed to get on other flights. We anxiously awaited his arrival which was thankfully tonight, over a day late. He ended up staying overnight at a hotel in London and the whole day at Heathrow Airport while he waited for his 10 p.m. flight. Sometime while moving about from terminal to terminal, he lost his passport, too. He said it provided a scary excitement to his day as he spent a fair bit of time retracing his steps until he found his passport with the people looking after the transit trains. Praise God. =) While all that was happening, I had people at the school I teach in and the staff at the OMF office in Canada, praying for him. Thankfully, God graciously answered and looked after him.

Eli obviously looked very happy to see Evan at his school. They hugged first!

Evan left half a day later than Eric but got here half a day before Eric. His flights were uneventful. Both of them spent long hours watching in-flight movies. All together, they watched close to 10 movies while on their flights! Too much! Both met people they enjoyed chatting with. The Lord’s hand was upon them as we asked for in prayer. We are so grateful to have them back and look forward to spending time with them for the next two weeks. We realize that it could be a very long while before we all spend Christmas together as a complete family in Chiang Mai. We praise God for this wonderful opportunity! It is such a precious gift. In light of all the sad and horrible deaths caused by shootings, we are not taking this for granted and thank God. He is good. =)

A God Who Speaks

“You have permission to speak for yourself.”
Acts 26:1

The Christmas Plant on the right is indigenous to Chiang Mai. It is usually green throughout the year. When the weather becomes cool and it gets closer to Christmas, the plant turns white. Upon closer inspection, it hugely resembles the red poinsettias.

Today, my Thai teacher asked me how I knew how much to give when I read her my written Thai story about giving. It’s the same story that was posted two weeks ago. In the past, my former Thai teacher and I got it translated in Thai so I could read it to different unsuspecting Buddhist people who spoke the language. At the time, I thought it was great to practice my reading and spoken Thai while sharing my God stories. I still do! I hope to continue to be able to do this in the future. As my language teacher said repeatedly, it is so encouraging to see how God works in our lives. It sure is!

In answer to the question posed, I talked to her about how we’re made up of three parts: spirit, soul, and body (1 Thes 5:23). Our physical body is the mass that gets left behind when our spirit leaves us when we pass away. Our soul (or mind) is that part of us that isn’t the body or the spirit. =) I think I’ll leave it there so as not to get into a theological entangle or explanation that could take up half the post.

I explained to her that I didn’t hear anything audible. There was no booming voice nor soft whisper that said P2,000. I just knew it was the amount like a thought that I didn’t think up. It wasn’t like I was there choosing a number from one to infinity. All of a sudden, I knew it was 2,000! Because I was praying and seeking God to know how much to give, the Holy Spirit communicated with my spirit and gave the answer. My mental mind eventually caught up and received the same answer as my spirit communicated it to me. I hope that made sense! =)

The manger scene on the left is a rare sight in Thailand. It's displayed in the playground of the school I teach at.

We have a God who speaks and He wants us to hear Him. The more time we spend with Papa God, the easier it becomes to hear Him. We are His sheep and we do know His voice. We can recognize Him. Sometimes, He's there when someone says something and their words resonate so much within us. Sometimes, we can’t even explain why we are so touched by what we hear; we just begin to tear up (even with music!). It's Him! Sometimes, we just know that what the person in front of us is saying is what God wants us to hear. We feel encouraged, full of hope, and know His peace. We feel affirmed and loved. We seem to bubble from within and become exhilarated by His joy. =) Ahh, what a wonderful God we have.

And I do want to add that it wasn’t always like this for me. There was a time (close to 20 years ago) when I couldn’t hear God. I didn’t know how to! Back then, there was a major change in my life that greatly affected how my extended family would relate with me and I wanted God to affirm that I was on the right track in what I needed to tell them. I locked myself in a room with my Bible and read and prayed for hours to know what to do. Finally, they were about to arrive and yet I still didn’t know what to do. Should I say what I felt God wanted me to do? How could I be sure? What if I was wrong in hearing Him? “God, please!” I implored. “Help me!” Nothing, there was only silence.

In desperation, I closed my eyes tightly and flipped my Bible to a different page. I prayed under my breath and asked God to please show me what to do. I took my fore finger and still with eyes closed, made it land on a section in the Bible. It landed on the first verse quoted above and it was the perfect word for me. My family all knew how I grew up (in verse 4). My Lord was giving me permission to speak. Yes! =) And speak, I did!

The Lord will do that for you, too. He will answer you. If you seek Him, you will find Him. Go ahead and try. Don’t give up until you hear because He will speak. He is a God who speaks.

Still Amazing Grace

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1

Yesterday, I sat on top of the table as I watched the children running around the track while they participated in the school’s “Track and Field Day”. It was a moderately hot day with just a slight breeze to cool us, somewhat. I don’t know how my sitting under that tent was singled out by that butterfly but it came. Possibly, my tent was a quieter one as I was alone. The other ones periodically had the kids cheering and screaming in them as they broke out in concerted yelling whenever their teammates passed them by. I didn't want to be in there either =) which was why I was on my own in another slightly way off tent. And, it was then that a multi-colored orange and brown butterfly fluttered around me and by my right leg. For a while, I thought it contemplated on whether to land on my shoe but it danced this way and that way, then flew off as my eyes followed it. IT was a beautiful sight and it reminded me to write about the week-end and my time of quiet at the resort I’d gone to. Why was I blessed to have a butterfly fly right around me? I honestly don't know. The Lord’s goodness puzzles and amazes me.

The painting on the right is Eli's work for "Scarlet Letter." The fine print are the words from the chapter. =)

Last week-end, my usual once-a-month 24-hours of time on my own happened. I enjoyed it tremendously. It was precious to me and allowed me to see the goodness of Papa God as I reflected on what was happening in my life. I had just finished writing my research paper and today, the course ended. =) I was relieved and I learned a LOT! There were sides to God that I wouldn't had known had I not taken the course. It was on the Theology of the Old Testament so Papa God and His plans for us then made more sense to me. He is such a compassionate God and has such a BIG heart for us! I’m sitting here wishing I could express myself better than that! Papa God is just too good to be true and His grace is AMAZING.

Although I didn't think I could do it, I know now that I’ll pass my second online course. I praise God for His help. With my mother’s passing, it was so hard to get started and to be on the right track but I made it. Still, in my being quiet, I realized that the busy life I had wasn't what I wanted. I didn't like the ways my prayer times, my relationships, my work, and my sleep, were affected! I weighed what mattered to me and although hard, I decided that earning my Masters of Divinity in Counselling wasn't worth it if I didn't handle my times with God and my family better. I saw God’s goodness in allowing my dream to come to pass but I am choosing to give it up if my relationships suffer. Please pray for me as I take the next course on the Theology of the New Testament and use that as a gauge on whether I should keep going. It will be from mid-January to mid-April, 2013. Thank you!

The finances for the courses' tuition will also need to be provided. If the funds don't materialize, I’ll take that as Papa God’s answer that I am to give it up. Thank you, Lord, that Your wisdom, leading, and guidance for me will be there.

At the resort when I checked in, the receptionist gave me her personal gift. It was a DVD with everything in Thai script except the words “Amazing Grace” on the cover. She said many things (all in Thai!) so I’m not sure what it’s about but she did say it was from her family. What a sweet gesture! Then, the next morning, their manager presented me with her gift (on left). With a journal notebook, she gave me a scarf full of different coloured butterflies. =) Amazing! I don't know why they both gave me gifts and she didn't know anything about butterflies in my life. [Please read the post “Transformed” on September 2, 2012 for this to make more sense.] The next morning, we were singing “Amazing Grace” at church. I get it, Papa God. You are AMAZING and full of GRACE! Thank you, for being you.