book collecting.

Okay, it's not really "book collecting" like real collectors who find valuable, rare editions. My book collecting is more like treasure hunting. Okay, scouring through sales piles at bookstores for books that I've read and enjoyed before or ones I think I'll enjoy... for REALLY, REALLY good prices.

I used to not really read on planes. They play movies! Why read when I can watch a movie?! Well, with the travel I've done this year I found myself less and less interested in watching the on-board entertainment. And, I found myself buying last minute airport purchases of paperbacks. While it gave me something to do on a travel day ... as you can expect, buying a book at the airport -- no matter what airport it is -- isn't exactly the cheapest place to buy a book.

So, I've started to keep my eyes open for "travel day" books when I'm out and about.

This weekend I found some great buys! Yesterday a friend introduced me to 99 peso pile at National Book Store. I found some books by authors I've enjoyed in the past. Yay!

And today, while running some errands I walked past a sale of books. And there I found wonderful treasures... 2 volumes of the "Anne" series... for 29 pesos each!!

I leave tomorrow on a trip -- no airport book shopping for me!!


*Have any recommendations for books to hunt down? What books do you think should be on everyone's "must read" list? Any books or authors that you really enjoy?

It's ONLY Wednesday.
I'm sooo ready for the week to be over.

This week has been kind of an emotional wrestling match.

I think the biggest thing I'm being challenged with is -- "God is God and I am NOT. And that really is GOOD and RIGHT." :) (ISAIAH 45)

Sometimes I look at life's circumstances and situations and just think and feel -- "That's not right!" And it's easy for my gut reaction to be -- "God fix this!"
As if I know better. Ha!

My parents have been planning and preparing for a trip to Manila. They were supposed to arrive this Friday. They were supposed to attend my dad's 50th high school reunion... and to visit ME (and other family of course!!)

Unfortunately, their plans had to change and they aren't coming anymore.
Over the weekend my mom had to go to the ER because of high blood pressure and high fever. Turns out she has an infection -- she's doing fine and has medicine to take care of it. However, while a hard decision to make, they've decided to not make the long trip at this time. They're unsure about traveling so far, so long.

Also this week I received news that a friend passed away. A young, beautiful and passionate woman, her heart for the Lord and for serving Him was evident. I met her only last June and saw her again in August -- but even in that short time, she was an incredible blessing and example to me. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer -- and from all that was shared about her time living with cancer, she lived with incredible faith, truth and peace in Christ. What an example of a life well-lived.

Grateful ...
- that my mom is feeling much better and she is getting what she needs to continue to get better.
- that while I can't see my parents in person ... I can still see and talk with them over Skype.
- that my friend is such a beautiful example of faith... to all whose life she has and WILL continue to touch through the stories that are shared about her.
- that she had the peace and love of Christ in her life... and in death.
- that in Him there is healing and wholeness.
- that God is patient with me. When my heart just wants to rage against everything that feels like it should be different... He knows and understands my heart and my hurts and helps me through it all.
- that God IS God... that He is in control... that He is WISE and GOOD and so are ALL the ways that He works.
- that even with all the questions, confusion, disappointments and sadness... that in Christ there is Truth, wisdom, hope, peace and joy.

Please pray for my parents. That my mom's health would continue to improve. And that the disappointment of missing out on this long-planned trip would be replaced with fun, sweet surprises while they stay home.

Please pray for my friends' family and friends. Pray for healing for hurt hearts. Pray for comfort and peace. Pray too for the lives that would be impacted through her life and how she chose to live it.

Pray that God would be glorified in ALL things. And, that I would trust and believe that.

1. I really do love mornings at Ortigas Park. The quiet and serenity there MAY be enough to get me up early in the morning.

2. Communion is really a sweet way to celebrate Valentine's Day. "May we never forget the cost of Your love..."

3. Mall of Asia -- too many people!! Really, with all the malls here... Don't know that I'll ever have the need to go there again. At least not on the weekend.

4. Movies are really extra enjoyable when viewed from a lazboy. :)

5. Trusting my parents (my loved ones) to God I think will be a continual trust and faith exercise for me. It's hard to be so far away... Mommy had to make a trip to the ER because of high blood pressure and high fever. She's home and better. Pray for them both please. They are leaving to come here on Friday. Pray for clean bill of health and a safe, enjoyable trip and stay.

6. Finding TRUE rest-- physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually ... Not always easy to do. But so very worth it. Must remember to do it more often.

A little late, but...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!


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What I dreamed of then...


And, how God has provided...
















I was just thinking back to "this time last year" and looking at one of my photo albums on Flickr. The photo on top was taken 2/13/09 ... and the bottom was taken today.

2/13/09...
I had been in the Philippines for just about two weeks. I was getting acquainted with my colleagues. I was looking ANXIOUSLY for a place to live. And, I was getting ready to head out on my first trip in the Area.

A lot was happening. Everything seemed to be going incredibly fast... and incredibly slow all at the same time. Things at work were moving at warp speed. It felt like that to me anyway. But, moving sooo slowly was my search for a home. I wanted so badly to find "my place" and to start settling in and make Manila home. It felt like things couldn't move any slower in that area.

I can't even remember how many units I saw. Pretty much every building in walking distance to the office -- I visited. This unit was one of the units that I thought -- ah... now this is something I'd like. Unfortunately, it was way over budget. Eventually... I found the unit that today I call home.

2/13/10...
Spent the day resting and relaxing after a busy week. I've been preparing for some upcoming trips over the next couple of months. I'll be busy over the next few weeks visiting with my parents during their stay here in Manila. YAY!!!!

I've been thinking this past week about the HOPE that God has been giving me lately.

I've been here a year. I can't honestly say that I've not had my doubts about being here over the last 365+ days. I've had many days of doubt. Especially after my trip in December, returning was incredibly hard.

But each time I have feelings of doubt, God continues to remind me of what's TRUE.
And, what's TRUE is this...

• He has called me to this place and to this work.
• He has blessed me to be a blessing.
  
• He has NOT called me to a life of ease and comfort where everything is sunshine and roses.
• He has called me to a life of knowing Him, trusting Him, believing Him, loving Him ... and obedience to Him.
  
• He DOES promise that He is with me and that He is my HOPE, PEACE, JOY and EVERYTHING.
  
• With faithfulness, obedience and trust is great reward and joy.

And, looking back over this past year I see that God has provided over and over again in His own sometimes surprising, sometimes unexpected, sometimes confusing, ... but always GOOD, FAITHFUL and GRACIOUS ways.

I look around my home and think... wow! God provided me with a great place to live.
I think about nights that I've shared with friends here and think, wow... God has provided some really great people who bless me in my life. Here, and around the world.
I look out my window out over Ortigas Center and think -- this is a great area to be in!
I think about places I've gone and work I've done in this year and I think -- yes! There is great reward! I've learned much. I've been challenged through much. I've been enriched through so many.

So... a year later.
Continuing to trust ... with each step.

Yes, I'm trying to learn Tagalog... AGAIN.
Last year I had started to take lessons, but those were quickly interrupted because of travels.
I tried to learn through watching Tagalog TV shows and movies.
I tried to learn just through being around friends.

And, while I do think I'm understanding more -- and faster, I'm not talking in Tagalog hardly AT ALL.

So, I decided that this year I would make SERIOUS attempts at learning the language.
I asked one of my friends in the office if she'd be willing to help me. So now, two nights a week we are getting together for my lessons.

It's been fun. And at least I'm entertaining her! Hahah!

My homework was to write 10 sentences practicing the things we reviewed together. I was to write the 10 sentences and then write them over again using another sentence construction.

The first sentence I wrote was...
"They are riding the elephant." --- "Sila ay sumakay sa elepante."

So, the second construction would have read:
"Sumakay sila sa elepante."

But, instead I wrote -- "Ang elepante sumakay sila" ... The elephant is riding them.

HAHAHAHA! At least I knew that it was wrong when I wrote it!!!
I think I will be giving my teacher plenty of laughs along the way.
Hehehehe!!!

I think my biggest barrier in learning Tagalog is my pride. It's hard to think about sounding foolish. It's hard to be willing to make such big, embarrassing mistakes. It's hard to think about how long and hard it takes me to learn this kind of stuff and how easily it comes to others. I'm learning more than just language in taking these lessons... hopefully so anyway.