Dili, East Timor

Wow! I realize that I haven’t blogged for a long time and I apologize for that, but things have been rather busy here. I arrived here in East Timor September 13^th. That makes it about a month that I’ve been here. Time flies for sure. It’s been an amazing experience! It’s so fun to see so many new things and learn more about other cultures. I love the beaches here. It really confuses my brain though, seeing all the palm trees. I’m so used the cold waters in Canada or Alaska.

When I first arrived here they were having a bike race, called the Tour de Timor. It’s a mountain bike race and since there aren’t many social events here in Dili (the capital of East Timor), there were LOTS of people there to see all the racers finish. That’s what the first pictures are of. My student’s father was actually a contestant in the race. However, I didn’t manage to get a picture of him.

Teaching has been a good experience in a different way. I won’t lie. It’s been very challenging for me and my character is being refined a LOT. But I’m very glad I came! There are times when I think being in the US would be easier, and it would, but I wouldn’t grow near so much. I thank God for bringing me here.

I think that’s the issue with a lot of people. We think we’re good. We don’t seem to fail, but in reality we’re simply comfortable. We take the easiest path and are never challenged. We never really grow at all.

So, we shouldn’t be discouraged when things are hard or we fail because that means we’re trying. We’re growing. Proverbs 24:16 tells us that the righteous man falls seven times. It doesn’t say that the wicked fall at all! In some ways it may feel like he’s doing better than you, but really he’s just stagnant and complacent.

Anyway, enough preaching.

I’ve also learned how much I really depend on my friends and family. Due to the time difference, I can’t just talk to them whenever I want. It really helps me to appreciate them more.

Well, I’m going to end this for now. Hopefully I’ll be able to blog again sooner than later.

I'm in Korea!

I'm sitting in the Korean Airport. The mountains (or really bumpy hills) are quite pretty.

I have a lot of time to kill today. I may try to get on a tour. So far things have gone really smoothly on my journey. Praise God for that:D

Asiana Airlines is quite nice. They fed me two meals (they were actually pretty good for airplane food), gave me a steaming, hot towel for my gross, traveling face, and a pair of hideous slippers to walk around the plane in. Yes, they had very good service.

I'm getting hungry. I'm not too tired yet, but I know I will be soon.

I had written up a nice blog post while I was on the plane, but it didnt' really work now that I'm actually here in Korea and I didn't feel like taking the time to write up a new one that was just as nice. Maybe I will next time.

Well, that's all for now folks. If anything remarkably interesting happens to me, like some handsome asian guy proposes or I miss my flight to Singapore, I will try and get my act together and blog about it, for my grandmother's sake.

My adorable nephew

This is my nephew, Ethan. He's the cutest thing (and I'm not biased at all)! I posted some doubles because I liked both the black and white and the sepia. Oh, my! I can't believe how big this guy has gotten. I was there when he was born and he was so stinkin' little! This last one is probably my favorite, if I had to chose one.

The Puppet

I recently arrived back home from YFJ in Sacramento, California. While there I met some amazing people. I heard some amazing worships and made some awesome friends. One of these friends gave a worship talk that sort of inspired me to write this. I don't know who likes poetry and who doesn't, but it's just an expression of my thoughts, things that were on my mind after YFJ. I thought I would share it with  y'all. Thank you so much Pastor Daddio for your inspiration and Chelsea Bond for being a great sounding board!

The Puppet

I walk out on the lighted stage

Knowing my part quite well.

All the audience can see

Is my pretty, puppet shell.

But when the curtains have been drawn

And there’s no reas’n to hide

 My pretty, puppet shell falls off,

Exposing the sin inside.

Lord, I’m tired of being a puppet

Of playing the Christian game

I have a form, but deny its power

It’s no deeper than a name.

Lord, I’m tired of being a puppet

That cannot see or feel.

Please consume this whitewashed tomb

Cut my strings; make me real.

While in the pew, I sing and play

The godly part too well

But when at home, my family sees

I’m only a child of hell.

I claim to be on fire for You,

Giving up all for Your cause

Yet my life is a stumbling block

Causing others’ eternal loss

Lord, I’m tired of being a puppet

Of playing the Christian game

I have a form, but deny its power

It’s no deeper than a name.

Lord, I’m tired of being a puppet

That cannot see or feel

Please consume this whitewashed tomb

Cut my strings; make me real.

Though it’s easier to masquerade

Than to let You change my heart,

Lord, I want to be authentic

Please rip my shell apart

My Dormmates...

These are my illustrious dormmates! I just love them...we share food, laughs, and memories. They each have such distinct personalities. Anyway, I'm going to miss them so much next year!!!!