Today as I was decorating the Christmas tree at work, I held a green garland in my hand. The phrase "garland of grace" came to my mind. I knew it was in the Bible, but not sure where, or what it was talking about. Thanks to the internet, I googled it and found out.
Here are the two places it uses that phrase:
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."
Proverbs 1: 8-9
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
Proverbs 4: 7-9
Wisdom/understanding is like a "garland of grace".. why a garland? and why grace? it could have been a belt of peace, or a bracelet of mercy. but why those two words. I wish I could think deeply and figure it out and have a heap of profound things to think. but I can't really figure it out myself..
wisdom, it saves you from being stupid, in that way it is grace, and grace upon your head I suppose, instead of not having wisdom, doing something foolish and then "bringing shame upon your head". hmmmm
anybody have any thoughts on this?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
2 months and 2 days
Well, It is two months and two days until I get on the plane and head to South Africa.
I'm excited and nervous. I can't believe it is coming soon. I don't think I really realize what that means... It probably won't hit me until I am in the airport!
but mean while, I continue to slowly get things ready.. organize my papers, get my eye prescriptions, use my dental insurance one last time and get my teeth cleaned.. working on getting my visa..
I am reading a book about cross-cultural missions, and short-term missions trips, and things to be aware of.. If the author of that book read my last blog about culture, he probalby would have not liked it! hehe.. oops. it's a learning process I guess.
My friend also has given me some books on foster/orphan children and attachment theories and bonding and all of that.. It has been very interesting and beneficial to read. Actually alot of the attachment and bonding development occurs from birth to three.. If some things don't happen during that time, it is very difficult for children to learn those things, and to function in a normal and healthy way. (of course, without a miracle touch from God). It made me realize though that the place I am going is more important than I thought. We have those babies/children during that time. We can make a difference in how they will learn attachment/bonding/relational issues in their development, where if we didn't have them, they might not learn those things and be disfunctional or lacking the ability to "attach" normally. Wow. that's really amazing. It makes me excited to be a part of that.
I really think Jesus is thrilled with children. He loves babies, and little children. Well, He really loves all ages, but I think there is something very special about babies and children to the heart of God.
I'm so blessed to be able to go to South Africa and be at this baby home.
that's all for now.
I'm excited and nervous. I can't believe it is coming soon. I don't think I really realize what that means... It probably won't hit me until I am in the airport!
but mean while, I continue to slowly get things ready.. organize my papers, get my eye prescriptions, use my dental insurance one last time and get my teeth cleaned.. working on getting my visa..
I am reading a book about cross-cultural missions, and short-term missions trips, and things to be aware of.. If the author of that book read my last blog about culture, he probalby would have not liked it! hehe.. oops. it's a learning process I guess.
My friend also has given me some books on foster/orphan children and attachment theories and bonding and all of that.. It has been very interesting and beneficial to read. Actually alot of the attachment and bonding development occurs from birth to three.. If some things don't happen during that time, it is very difficult for children to learn those things, and to function in a normal and healthy way. (of course, without a miracle touch from God). It made me realize though that the place I am going is more important than I thought. We have those babies/children during that time. We can make a difference in how they will learn attachment/bonding/relational issues in their development, where if we didn't have them, they might not learn those things and be disfunctional or lacking the ability to "attach" normally. Wow. that's really amazing. It makes me excited to be a part of that.
I really think Jesus is thrilled with children. He loves babies, and little children. Well, He really loves all ages, but I think there is something very special about babies and children to the heart of God.
I'm so blessed to be able to go to South Africa and be at this baby home.
that's all for now.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Culture is a funny thing
Culture is a funny thing. Growing up in various cultures, I have picked up different mindsets, standards, and ideas from the four various cultures that I lived in. I am as they say "multi-cultural". Now today, when I realize I think a certain way about something I have to stop and assess what culture and country that idea, or thought, or way of thinking came from... and of course, how it is different from the culture I currently am in.
Sometimes it's easy to point out what is cultural, other times it's more difficult and subtle.
Growing up and even now, I often chalk insults and certain rudeness to being cultural. I don't understand why someone said or did something, I just tell myself "oh it's cultural", and some how I'm not as offended. Funny how that works.
Sometimes people would ask me, well what is the culture like in the Philippines, or China, or Albania.. and I shrug my shoulders and say "uh, I don't know".. because often I just lived life, and didn't really think about my surroundings or why people said or did certain things. It was just normal, or they were just from some place else so it didn't matter.
Now as I am an adult and going somewhere that has a very different culture(s) than what I grew up in, I realize I should pay more attention to my surroundings and the culture of the people that I will be with.
South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation (I think another country is called something similar too, but I can't remember what country that is.) because they have so many different groups of people, so many cultures, and acutally 11 national languages! In some ways, I think it will be perfect for me, because everyone is used to different cultured people. On the other hand, it might be hard, because I have to figure out which culture I am going to be most around, and then figure out what that culture looks like. There are of course, geographical sections where more Xhosa and Zulus, or British decent, Dutch decent or Indians live so that might make it a little bit easier.
So once I figure out who I'll be living near, then perhaps I can start to see and understand their culture.
It's funny, I'll be sitting thinking about a certain situation and all of the sudden, I'll have an ephiphany (revelation) of the cultural backbone of the situation. It makes me happy to feel like I am making progress about being more aware of my surroundings.
I have learned two cultural things already about a certain group of people where I will be going. Mind you, I'm not a cultural anthropologist, and I haven't read any books about it, so I'm just saying things I have noticed. Also I don't mean to generalize, but there is always some of that when one talks about cultures anyway.
One thing is because of the structure of this one particular language there it always sounds when they are speaking English like they are commanding or demanding something. When I was there last year, I couldn't figure out why they would say things the way they did. I wasn't offended, I just thought maybe I wasn't doing something right. Then as I began to learn more about their language, and interacted with more people who were talking to me the same way, I realized that it was a cultural/language thing, not that they were mad, or thought I was stupid or anything like that. What a relief!
Another thing is there is a lot of indifference. Even if they don't act excited about something, or you, or what you are talking about or whatever, it doesn't mean that they could care less. I just learned that one today actually. I couldn't figure out why the people (all of 20 people, not very much I suppose for a sample size) I interacted with didn't seem to care too much about what I said or did. Then I realized hey, this is a cultural thing. They do care, it's just they don't express it or something. Kind of strange to wrap my head around, since I grew up with people expressing everything, and that's how you show people that you care is by showing interest in what they are doing or talking about.
I'm starting to wonder if they don't ask questions very much of other people either. I remember when I was in Swaziland, our students would say "you American's ask too many questions". I would think to myself, how are we supposed to get to know your, or how can we interact with you if we aren't asking questions. I guess there is a balance I have yet to learn. To me, asking questions means you care and are interested. This is a bit difficult because when I do all the question asking and no one asks me a single thing about myself, I feel a bit like they don't give a rip about me. But that isn't true. Well, at least that is my hypothesis.. It's a cultural thing perhaps. =) I have yet to find that out, but in the mean time, It helps me feel better about myself. HA!
The world really is amazing. I am so glad that we are all different, and there is so many things to learn about people, places, and cultures. Albeit it can be difficult and sometimes frusterating, it can make things very exciting.
I'm sure there is much more to learn!
Sometimes it's easy to point out what is cultural, other times it's more difficult and subtle.
Growing up and even now, I often chalk insults and certain rudeness to being cultural. I don't understand why someone said or did something, I just tell myself "oh it's cultural", and some how I'm not as offended. Funny how that works.
Sometimes people would ask me, well what is the culture like in the Philippines, or China, or Albania.. and I shrug my shoulders and say "uh, I don't know".. because often I just lived life, and didn't really think about my surroundings or why people said or did certain things. It was just normal, or they were just from some place else so it didn't matter.
Now as I am an adult and going somewhere that has a very different culture(s) than what I grew up in, I realize I should pay more attention to my surroundings and the culture of the people that I will be with.
South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation (I think another country is called something similar too, but I can't remember what country that is.) because they have so many different groups of people, so many cultures, and acutally 11 national languages! In some ways, I think it will be perfect for me, because everyone is used to different cultured people. On the other hand, it might be hard, because I have to figure out which culture I am going to be most around, and then figure out what that culture looks like. There are of course, geographical sections where more Xhosa and Zulus, or British decent, Dutch decent or Indians live so that might make it a little bit easier.
So once I figure out who I'll be living near, then perhaps I can start to see and understand their culture.
It's funny, I'll be sitting thinking about a certain situation and all of the sudden, I'll have an ephiphany (revelation) of the cultural backbone of the situation. It makes me happy to feel like I am making progress about being more aware of my surroundings.
I have learned two cultural things already about a certain group of people where I will be going. Mind you, I'm not a cultural anthropologist, and I haven't read any books about it, so I'm just saying things I have noticed. Also I don't mean to generalize, but there is always some of that when one talks about cultures anyway.
One thing is because of the structure of this one particular language there it always sounds when they are speaking English like they are commanding or demanding something. When I was there last year, I couldn't figure out why they would say things the way they did. I wasn't offended, I just thought maybe I wasn't doing something right. Then as I began to learn more about their language, and interacted with more people who were talking to me the same way, I realized that it was a cultural/language thing, not that they were mad, or thought I was stupid or anything like that. What a relief!
Another thing is there is a lot of indifference. Even if they don't act excited about something, or you, or what you are talking about or whatever, it doesn't mean that they could care less. I just learned that one today actually. I couldn't figure out why the people (all of 20 people, not very much I suppose for a sample size) I interacted with didn't seem to care too much about what I said or did. Then I realized hey, this is a cultural thing. They do care, it's just they don't express it or something. Kind of strange to wrap my head around, since I grew up with people expressing everything, and that's how you show people that you care is by showing interest in what they are doing or talking about.
I'm starting to wonder if they don't ask questions very much of other people either. I remember when I was in Swaziland, our students would say "you American's ask too many questions". I would think to myself, how are we supposed to get to know your, or how can we interact with you if we aren't asking questions. I guess there is a balance I have yet to learn. To me, asking questions means you care and are interested. This is a bit difficult because when I do all the question asking and no one asks me a single thing about myself, I feel a bit like they don't give a rip about me. But that isn't true. Well, at least that is my hypothesis.. It's a cultural thing perhaps. =) I have yet to find that out, but in the mean time, It helps me feel better about myself. HA!
The world really is amazing. I am so glad that we are all different, and there is so many things to learn about people, places, and cultures. Albeit it can be difficult and sometimes frusterating, it can make things very exciting.
I'm sure there is much more to learn!
One step at a time
Well, I bought my ticket to South Africa, and now I am working on getting my visa. Pretty strange. I don't think it has quite hit me yet, that I am going. I think, it will become reality the week before when I am packing or perhaps when when I reach the Johannesburg airport. It's crazy.
Yet, things are falling together, I keep seeing the hand of God working little things out now that I have decided to go.
Lots of connections. Ten years ago when I was 14, one summer in Hong Kong I met and became good friends with a South African girl called (that is S.A. to say "called" instead of "named") Michelle. I had lost touch with her for the last ten years. Since 2005 when I went to S.A. I have thought of her often, and have wanted to get in touch with her. I didn't know how though because I didn't remember her last name. Just this week she found me on facebook (their is a purpose for those things after all!). And we got back in touch. She has had a crazy life, and actually was miraculously saved from dying when a serious gang in S.A. who kill blondes for initiation slit her throat (maybe this blog is PG sorry). Anyway, we got to catch up and she told me her whole story. She is just now married, and wants to go to nursing school. I found out (because back then I didn't know anything about South Africa) that she is Afrikaans and Zimbabwean (spelling?). She lives in South Africa now as well. She is now another friend that I can have there! God is very amazing how He set's things up. So much better than I could.
I also found out that my friend from school who is there till June helping some pastor's is actually a lot nearer to where I will be then I thought. He has a car too, so I might not be as stranded as I thought I was going to be! Sweet! I feel so blessed, and am encouraged that I won't be alone.
Yet, things are falling together, I keep seeing the hand of God working little things out now that I have decided to go.
Lots of connections. Ten years ago when I was 14, one summer in Hong Kong I met and became good friends with a South African girl called (that is S.A. to say "called" instead of "named") Michelle. I had lost touch with her for the last ten years. Since 2005 when I went to S.A. I have thought of her often, and have wanted to get in touch with her. I didn't know how though because I didn't remember her last name. Just this week she found me on facebook (their is a purpose for those things after all!). And we got back in touch. She has had a crazy life, and actually was miraculously saved from dying when a serious gang in S.A. who kill blondes for initiation slit her throat (maybe this blog is PG sorry). Anyway, we got to catch up and she told me her whole story. She is just now married, and wants to go to nursing school. I found out (because back then I didn't know anything about South Africa) that she is Afrikaans and Zimbabwean (spelling?). She lives in South Africa now as well. She is now another friend that I can have there! God is very amazing how He set's things up. So much better than I could.
I also found out that my friend from school who is there till June helping some pastor's is actually a lot nearer to where I will be then I thought. He has a car too, so I might not be as stranded as I thought I was going to be! Sweet! I feel so blessed, and am encouraged that I won't be alone.
Monday, September 24, 2007
God is still in the business of healing
Hey everyone, I want you to know that God is still in the business of healing. Most of you probably already believe that, but I want to just encourage you and give glory to God, for what He has done in my body.
I have congenital (born with it...)scoliosis (curvature of the spine) in my tailbone area, and in the last few years have developed a bit of scoliosis in the vertebrae between my shoulders.
I have been having a lot of bad headaches often for the last four years. The other day I went to a place where Christians will pray for any healing needs you have, and asked for prayer about my headaches. I didn't want to go, because I was tired that day and had a bad day as well, but forced myself too.
When I was talking to them, I mentioned my scoliosis (which I have x-ray documentation of). They said that when they were praying earlier that evening, one of the team members had felt God tell them that someone was going to come in with scoliosis and be healed. I said "I'll take that!". So they prayed for me.
As I was going home I felt my back (before I was able to feel the place where my spine was curved between my shoulder blades) and it was straight. When I got home I had my mother feel my back (she often massages it, and can feel the curvature) and didn't say what happened. She told me it was straight! Then I told her what had happened!
Jesus Christ healed me! I believe it, but am so amazed at the same time! I keep feeling how straight my spine feels! The thing about healing is, that it is a free gift. God has all the power to heal, and is interested in healing us as well.
Just want to encourage you to keep praying for God to heal all the things in your life and body, and healing for others too!
Thank you God!
I have congenital (born with it...)scoliosis (curvature of the spine) in my tailbone area, and in the last few years have developed a bit of scoliosis in the vertebrae between my shoulders.
I have been having a lot of bad headaches often for the last four years. The other day I went to a place where Christians will pray for any healing needs you have, and asked for prayer about my headaches. I didn't want to go, because I was tired that day and had a bad day as well, but forced myself too.
When I was talking to them, I mentioned my scoliosis (which I have x-ray documentation of). They said that when they were praying earlier that evening, one of the team members had felt God tell them that someone was going to come in with scoliosis and be healed. I said "I'll take that!". So they prayed for me.
As I was going home I felt my back (before I was able to feel the place where my spine was curved between my shoulder blades) and it was straight. When I got home I had my mother feel my back (she often massages it, and can feel the curvature) and didn't say what happened. She told me it was straight! Then I told her what had happened!
Jesus Christ healed me! I believe it, but am so amazed at the same time! I keep feeling how straight my spine feels! The thing about healing is, that it is a free gift. God has all the power to heal, and is interested in healing us as well.
Just want to encourage you to keep praying for God to heal all the things in your life and body, and healing for others too!
Thank you God!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Beginning to Blog
I'm beginning to blog, blog, blog like there's no tomorrow!
Why did I start this blog? Because it's 2007, and with all of this technology and people traveling (oh myself) around the world, it is a good way to keep everyone who wants to be updated, with the happenings and the going-ons of ones life.
It's the newsletter of today.
So here I am, ready to blog about everything in sight. No just joking.
I am going to be living in some far away countries, of which hopefully I will be able to get onto the blog site, to blog about where I am and what is going on, so you all can know. Thanks for reading and as they say in many countries. ENJOY!
one small disclaimer, I might not always catch all the spelling and grammer errors, so please forgive me. My English is not very good. =)
Why did I start this blog? Because it's 2007, and with all of this technology and people traveling (oh myself) around the world, it is a good way to keep everyone who wants to be updated, with the happenings and the going-ons of ones life.
It's the newsletter of today.
So here I am, ready to blog about everything in sight. No just joking.
I am going to be living in some far away countries, of which hopefully I will be able to get onto the blog site, to blog about where I am and what is going on, so you all can know. Thanks for reading and as they say in many countries. ENJOY!
one small disclaimer, I might not always catch all the spelling and grammer errors, so please forgive me. My English is not very good. =)
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