.memory lane.

A trip down memory lane today...ok so not too far down memory lane, but still.  

SNEAK PEEK:  my loot for the day.

For the past four years I've gone to the Philippines with Moody Bible Institute's PCM Dept, but more like Papi Nathan and the crew (Ilene, BR Butler, Nora, Eric, and many other friends).  


SOOO now, I've moved to Grand Rapids, away from all of these people (I know i'm being a bit nostalgic) with a common shared experience:  Living and hanging out in the Philippines *2 weeks at a time*.  

...............bottom line....................

I MISS THE PHILIPPINES, but more importantly the people there and friends I go with, and thinking I might not be able to go this year is a bit crushing.  I wish Sean and I could find a way to go, but alas, if it doesn't work out, I have a feeling we'll make it there at some point...soon.  Can't wait too long.




ANYHOW.  So I was searching online for Asian stores to buy a rice cooker - when I have money.   SO I found one called Asian Delight Market.  They have Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai foods/flavors.  

So naturally I went to the Filipino section ;) ha.  I found these treasures: 

Palabok is a Filipino dish that we see @ Jollibee (phils mcdonald's)

Banana Sauce = Filipino Ketchup!! - shoulda bought some

MILO!  Chocolatey goodness anyone?

Pancit Canton - one of my first intros to Filipino food! YUuummmYYY.

Overall, it was insane, I walked up and down the aisles looking longingly at all of this awesome food, wishing I were back in the PI.  I miss the friends, the warmth, the faith, the love, and the simplicity of life there.  

Let's go back please? 

I'm not a failure. I am His.

This past week I've been struggling a lot with contentedness, my abilities, and my general sanity. There were a couple of days when I felt like I was just an absolute failure. So many little things had accumulated and conversations were had where I really felt as if I were letting down so many people and doing so many things wrong and not being motivated enough to do the things that needed to be done. It was rough. Luckily, things are looking up and I've determined a few things.
1) I am not a failure.
2) God has me go through these things so that I can grow stronger.
3) If I'm in God's will, I am certainly not in any trouble.
4) I do need to be more responsible with work, finances, etc.
5) I have people who love me, who will stay by my side, who will pray for me...and I need to let them in so they can!

Anyways, God is doing big things, but sometimes they get lost in the noise of the World and Satan will use these times to get me down and away from doing what God has called me to do.

In other update-ish news: God has already laid it on some peoples' hearts to give to me financially. It's exciting to hear about these things, it shows progress :)

I'm going to Moody to help recruit for Beechpoint tomorrow (wed), I'm excited to be going back to Chicago, see some friends, and hopefully find some great staff for the summer!

Prayer Requests:
1) my continued efforts to develop support for Beechpoint
2) HAITI - many of my friends are involved in someway with Haiti and its people. Pray for their rebuilding, their communities, their lives, their losses, their economy...everything.
3) my dad and his life situations right now
4) Winter Blast! Coming up this weekend.

Thanks for reading!!