Leaving a Legacy

Last month, I received word that one of the churches I was a member of in the States has disbanded on good terms. A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the 50th anniversary of the church I am a member of here. I have been reflecting a lot on these two events and what it means and what it takes to leave behind a legacy. One church was not even in existence for a decade, yet, it greatly impacted my life and the lives of others through church planting and sending us out into the harvest. I know the church here too as sent many out within the community and abroad. I realize that it is not the extent of your days that determine your legacy, but how you live each one of those days.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

If the holidays are stressing you out, take a break and check out this site for some guaranteed laughs: www.elfyourself.com. Go on, elf yourself, elf your family, elf your friends for some good clean fun this festive season.

Merry Christmas, ya'll!

My First Thanksgiving

A friend and I hosted a family from our church for a second Thanksgiving this year. We had turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, yeast rolls and olives. It was the first time either or us had cooked a turkey or done the dressing. The dressing didn't come out quite right the first time - I didn't add enough juice. But the second time I got it right. Who knew that dressing is the one dish you can do a second try on.



The international table setting - plates (Japan), table cloth (Iran), basket (Singapore), etc, etc.





Don't forget their are two cavaties with "stuff" inside. We named our bird Simon, after Simon Cowell. We don't have Saturday morning cartoons. We have Saturday morning re-runs of American Idol. The "stuff" was stuck. Simon was still frozen on the inside, even though I took him out of the freezer on Tuesday. This is what earned him the name Simon.



Simon taking a really hot bath to defrost his insides.











The defrosted, seasoned, somewhat stuffed Simon. We put the leftover celery from the dressing and an onion inside for flavor.





I forgot to take a "fresh out of the oven" picture. Actually, I forgot to pick my camera up again until after the guests left. Duh! Anyway, I'm thinking they liked it from the looks of things here.

Life is a Highway**

**Disclaimer: This is one driver's account of her encounter with God. Any feelings of conviction should be taken to God.

I love to drive. I don't really understand all the talk about engine size, but I love to drive. It was on a beautiful Saturday afternoon that I was zipping along the expressway that I discovered there was a price to my love of driving. I have been praying lately that I would be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction. So I asked, as I was driving, if there was anything I had just written off as no big deal. And, of course, He said, "What about your driving?" as I passed by the speed limit sign at a high rate of speed. I replied, "But I love to drive. . .I'll just pay the fine." This caused God to raise an eyebrow, I am sure. He then politely said, "Oh, really. Are you willing to pay the penalty for all your other sin?" At that I slowed down and moved out of the fast lane with a much different outlook on sin and it's penalty.

Follow the bouncing ball

Yesterday, I carried off my first ever surprise birthday kidnapping. I think the most surprising part of the adventure was our activity for the day - karaoke. It is a favorite past-time in Asia, but I think it was a first for many in our group of American ladies. It was also very interesting to note some striking differences in our cultural approaches to karaoke.

Asians - karaoke is very serious on the performance aspect with heartfelt solos and a love the microphone

Americans - we like belting out the tunes, but no one picked up the mic to save their lives. It was more like a group sing along.

But for all karaoke singers, there was the common exclamation of "I remember when this song came out . . ."

Identity & Purpose

I am a list maker. I have mental lists of highlighted Bible verses for different situations and struggles. Two verses took on new meaning to me and got added to my Purpose and Identity list.

1 Peter 1:9
IDENTITY - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, PURPOSE - that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

I know I have heard endless teaching on the Identity part of this verse, and oh how rich each one of those roles are. I know I could spend another lifetime exploring what each one of them means for my life. But how much sweeter those become placed next to the purpose for each in the believer's life.

Colossian 1:28-29
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energry, which so powerfully works in me.

This is a huge Purpose verse, but it is the second part that really struck me. I had to stop and ask myself a few questions:

1. Do I labor or do I try to get by with the bare minimum and look for the easy way out?
2. Do I rely on and work out of Christ's strength?
3. Is Christ working powerfully through me or am I constantly flashing low battery?

These questions are key, because if these things are lacking then the purpose God has for me in the first verse won't happen.

I know as a human we crave purpose; we are totally lost without purpose. But it always amazes me how many times I settle for merely existing over God's beautiful, huge and eternal purposes.

Cruising the Strip

Driving is a big deal here, and there is an endless array of campaigns put on by the authorities to insure the safety and well-being of the people. So, what better entertainment could there be, but a campaign about road safety! All you engineers are going to love this one.

A new highway or expressway as we say here, is being completed. In the mail, we received these very well designed booklets with song lyrics - traffic safety song lyrics sung by local artists in every official language. Oh, yes, has to be heard to be believed.

http://www.kpeunderground.sg/

For an added bonus, here is a website that details the costs of cars here. The prices and taxes are regulated.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/motoring_matters/index_motoring_vo.htm

So, put the top down and enjoy your ride.

Personal Alarm Clock

As I tucked Hannah in bed the first night, she informed me that her mother woke her up every morning by singing her a song. I assured her I would keep that in mind at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. I think she got more than she bargained for. I did too.

Day 1 - The Oscar Mayer Weiner theme song
Day 2 - Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts
Day 3 - Brady Bunch Theme Song
Day 4 - Orea Theme Song
Day 5 - The Song that Never Ends

I have never seen a teenager wake up faster than one who was trying to figure what kind of wacky song was being sung to her at 6:30 a.m.

The Spamily Experience

Whatever our season of life, it offers its own opportunities and challenges for spiritual growth. Instead of wishing we were in another season, we ought to find out what this one offers. John Ortberg


I find this quote particularly interesting since my brief experience with spamily. My experience was so enlightening that I was inspired to create a new word for it. Spamily - a network of relationships that resemble family, but the memebers are not related by blood or marriage. Like Spam is not meat; James, Hannah and I are not actually related. But like Spam that has it's own recipe books and conventions; they call me "Aunt." That's spamily!

I was pretty curious to see what it was like on what I see so often as greener grass. Realizing, of course, that an essential element was missing from the picture. But also remembering that in my line of work that that essential element is often traveling hither and yon. Nonetheless, the transformation from curiosity to complaining about the constant reappearing stack of dirty dishes happened so much faster than I ever expected. And that is when this quote hit me like a ton of bricks. I wonder if I really learned all that God wanted me to through this experience. Does that mean I will have to repeat it?

Life Stories

Amelia (see 2 Tomatoes) was here last week to help her parents with medical visits. We were able to meet up one night for coffee. (No, I did not drink coffee.) I really wasn't sure if we had that much in common other than working for non-profit organizations. Even in that work, she is in a whole other world since she is an economist. I can barely balance a checkbook, so determining how to stregthen and boost the economy of a third world country is a little beyond me.

But we soon found a topic that had us going for hours - boys and relationships. I think that topic, like laughter can bridge any cultural gap. We found a lot of common ground as women in our 30's who are still single. I was able to share a great deal about how my faith in God and relationship in Christ has been solid ground to stand on througout my journey. On the surface, she echoed much of what I said about faith and agreed with me on many points. However, there was a hint in her voice and a look in her eye that signaled that she knew her experience was different from mine. I pray that she seeks after that difference.

Stay tuned for your local news

My brother told me that my tiny little island made the local news where he lives with pictures like this. Just a little FYI, my apartment building is to the right of the one in the picture. I was at work at the time, so I unforatunately missed all the action.

You know you live overseas when . . .

the perfect house warming gift is a package of hot dogs

2 Tomatoes

It is always interesting to see the outcome of a serious of seemingly unconnected events. It all started in the radiology department during all those lovely visits to the doctor last month. People from all over Southeast Asia come here for medical care, so any given waiting room in the hospital is converging of languages and people groups. I had noticed a woman about my age wearing a bright floral headscarf with her mother in the waiting room, and when the seat I was standing by came open, I smiled my welcome for her mother to sit down. I was finally able to secure a seat of my own across the aisle, and we struck up a conversation. She is from Bangladesh, but lives in London where she works for an NGO (non-government organization). My name was soon called and we parted ways.

Four days later, one of my colleagues that lives in the same apartment complex came over to borrow 2 tomatoes.

The next day, I went back to the doctor to get the results from all my tests. In front of the hospital is a mall, which is very typical here. Pretty much every building either is a mall, beside a mall, opposite a mall, connected to a mall, around the corner to a mall . . .well, you get the picture. So, I went next door to get 2 tomatoes. On my way to the grocery store, I walked right by the girl from radiology, and next thing I know we are in a full tilt traditional greeting with kisses on both checks and everything. This time, Amelia and I took the time to exchange email addresses and phone numbers. She will be back again to help with her mother's medical care, so who knows where seemingly unconnected events will take us next.