people, places and seasons

We only get two types of weather in Malaysia - sunshine and rain. I've gotten to experience autumn here in Korea and though I'm not very accustomed to the cold, i love how beautiful autumn is :) The leaves are starting to change their colour and some trees have gone bald bare. (is bald the right word for trees? maybe bare is better.) 

Beautiful Autumn :)

Well, it's been exactly two months since I got here. And it's been quite a journey of learning and experiencing new things. Been travelling a bit more this month - a temple stay in Boeun, a day trip to Daejeon, Seoul to meet Nie Nie, Busan to meet Adam and also to watch the 9th Busan Fireworks Festival, and also around our beloved city of Cheongju. :)

Thank You, Lord, for bringing me to this beautiful place :)

Suam-gol, Cheongju

And for all these wonderful people :)

Trip to Daejeon with these girls and Jake from IVF :)

Who teach me so much :)

Temple Stay at Boepjusa Temple, Boeun

Who love me and whom I love :)

Meeting Nie Nie in Seoul :) Was such a blessing and encouragement.
Insa-Dong, Seoul

And who take good care of me :)

With Adam Choi in Busan for the Fireworks Festival
Gwangan-ri Beach, Busan

There's so much to see around here. But I think the thing that makes all these trips and places really special to me are the people I encounter or am with in these places :) Thank You, Lord for each and every one of them :) I hope that I too will be a blessing to those around me. But more than that, I pray that I would be salt and light wherever I am, a witness for Christ and one who is not ashamed of the gospel.

Lord, help me. I really want to follow you and be obedient to your Word. But many times, I'm afraid and I fail so many times. Help me to love you with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul and all my strength. Help me to live a life that is pleasing unto you. I need you, Lord.

still waters

Songnisan National Park, South Korea

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Myeongam Reservoir 몡암저수지
Cheongju, South Korea

Earlier this week, a friend and his wife lost their baby girl the day she was born. It was heartbreaking to hear the news and I cannot imagine what it must be for them. But I was very encouraged by his facebook post that reflected their unwavering faith, hope and assurance in God.

As I prayed for them and just reflected on it, I was reminded of this psalm. A very commonly recited psalm. But it speaks that we can put our trust and hope in God. It is HE that makes all the difference and gives us a hope that is eternal and not just temporary.

I write this to remind myself that when life is in a state of uncertainty, a state of lost, a state of grieve, a state of pain, a state of brokenness, a state of fear, a state of mess, or whatever state we may be in, good or bad, that God is constant and I can put my hope and trust in Him. He is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

Amen.

Be Thou My Vision

A brand new month :) It's been quite a journey and I'm very excited for what God has in store in the coming days :) This song truly reflects my heart's desire and hope.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

 This is my prayer.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.