yep… i’m back (actually hv been back since last Monday). findally findin’ a pocket of time to write this update! =)

We returned on Monday around noon, and I went back to office at ard 3pm. We had a whole week of policy review which was v. impt for me to attend. But getting back into action, and having to stay awake the whole day helped me overcome my jetlag quicker…

Many of u probably read abt the computer glitch that brought LAX to almost a standstill. We were there… in the ‘thick of the action’! Our flight was delayed so we only got on the plane at 3am+… It was so crowded it was scarry. On the way to our gate, we were just being pushed along, literally sandwiched by people around us. It It really felt like we were in some local airport in a 3rd world country.I was so worried that there would be a stampede cos people were so mad about the whole situation. Our 3 kids were really brave thru it all, and stayed really close to us so they won’t get lost.

While waiting to board the plane, the kids were sleeping on the floor in the terminal. It was quite eventful, not our idea of fun tho’…. But God granted us the patience, and joy (and strength, cos’ we were sleepy too!!) to pull-thru until we got on the plane almost 3 hours later.

Welcome to the campgrounds of the 21st century! Yep, u read correct, free WiFi!! We’re staying at the Archview Campground & RV park. Actually, we’re not campin’… we’re chose to stay at one of their cabins here for our 2 nights in Moab, Utah.

It’s fairly comfortable… it comes w a bunk bed, and a double-bed, with a tiny shower unit, and a small sink. It’s got some kind of air-cooler (not quite an air-con) but keeps it fairly cool. It helps that the temperature at night here in desert cools down considerably… =)

The past 1 1/2 days we’ve spent enjoying the awesome creation of Arches & Canyonlands National Park. Each has it’s own beauty, but each very special. You can see some of the pictures by clicking here.

Tomorrow early morning, we head to Las Vegas for 1 nite, and then it’s to LA where we’ll be staying with a friend, and spending time with supporters & friends.

We just spent 2 whole days in Colorado Springs… it’s a beautiful city!

We were blessed to be able to stay with a friend who hosted us in her beautiful home. We felt right at home, cos’ of her warmth & hospitality… and esp. blessed cos’ she gave up her mastser bedroom so that all 5 of us can fit into one room!!

I read this from Psalm 138:2 this morning. And yesterday in an opening video clip, Kent Hutcheson (a senior staff who played a major role in starting CCC ministry in Asia) said this:
“If you look at your feelings, you’ll want to give up. But if you look at the power of God’s word, you’ll have staying power!”

This seems to be somewhat of a theme so far in our time here at CSU. And I hope to reflect his more in my next couple blog entries to encoruage those of you who read this…

Just to get people up to speed. Yep, we’re in Colorado.. have been here since Tuesday (US time) It’s taking us a while to get over jet-lag (people say sometimes it takes a good 5-7 days to fully adjust). Our kids are having the hardest time, which has made it very challenging for us, cos’ they knock out anytime during the day, and we have to carry them, drag them around various activities etc.

It’s been also rather hectic schedule. (The main conference started yesterday) But it’s also been ‘powerpacked’. I felt every session was prepared by God to speak and minister to my heart. I’ll share more soon… but suffice to say that it’s God keeping his promise to us. (And to think that I was feeling rather ‘sian’ the 1st few days here, not really wanting to be here…tired with caring for the kids, coping with the hot & dry weather, dealing with my own poor attitude, etc. etc)

1 key thing you can pray for Lil and me. That God would grow and cultivate in us a thankful heart. A heart of thanksgiving is one that reflects a spirit-filled life, and we desire for that. Thanks…

Tomorrow morning, we leave with the whole ForeRunner team for CSU (Colorado State University) for the US CCC bi-annual Staff Conference.

Except for Dotz, who just got married (Congrats Melvyn & Dotty!! ) The rest of the team will be there for a time of re-tooling, renewing our vision, refreshment in the Lord. We will hear from many gifted teachers of the Word, worship with brothers & sisters from the US & all over the world (get inspired in worship with Chris Tomlin!! Yes, he’ll be performin’ one of the nites) and of course spend time connecting with the God who has called us to this great movement in Campus Crusade!

If I’ve never expressed it before, I feel I should. I’m proud to be a Campus Crusade staff. I hope this does not come across as the wrong kind of pride… but the kind of pride that honors God! I do honestly believe that this movement & organization is God’s idea. He thought of it. He made it happen in 1951, through the obedience & faithfulness of one man. And so we who come along 5 to 6 decades later, being involved in it in one way or another can be thankful… and give glory to God for all the wonderful things He’s accomplished in & thru this ministry!

Hmmm… I didn’t even know I was going to say that.. it just came out as I typed.
And I was supposed to write more about the trip. haha…

The main conference will start on 19th and end on July 26th.
Along the way, we hope to get to know others in ministry, network with like-minded ministries in areas of Creative Communcations, music, media etc.etc. It’s gonna be exciting!!

Our kids will be attending the child-care program.. which we’ve heard, is excellent!
Do pray for them to learn much too! I really believe at this young age, they can grow a heart for the Lord, and a compassion for the lost too!

Just one more important request for Lil & me. The past few days leading up to this trip.. has been rather exhausting. Do pray for us.. as we find ourselves losing our cool quite easily. The kids are probably just being kids… but we’re just too impatient with them.

Pray for us an extra measure of grace & patience… as we have to travel long distances (on plane, bus, car etc.) with sometimes cranky kids etc. Pray for us for really allow the ‘Joy of the Lord’ to be our strength! It’s possible.. but He needs to empower us. Will you pray for us…

Returned fr our mission trip to NST & BKK on June 22nd, had a few days rest, and then it was back to a flurry of activities at work. Much excitement to share & blog about.. but alas, never quite got the chance to do it.

Maybe I’ll take another time to unpack it another time.. and with pictures as well. But for now.. here’s the quick and dry.. and for those who like statistics.

13 Days
10 concerts
2 States (Bangkok & Nakhon Si Thammarat)
1486 heard the gospel
595 prayed to receive Christ
61 interested to know more

Rejoice with us, together with the angels in heaven, for the many who entered the kingdom of God!

This Sunday, I’ll be going to Thailand again!
This time round together with a couple of staff, we’re leading a team of 10 students, on a concert tour to Nakhon Si Thammarat (S.Thailand) & Bangkok. This is part of our 6 week Music Mission project called the The Ultimate Road Trip!

Over the last week has been hectic hectic hectic.. cos’ of a lot of last minute changes.. esp. the re-routing of our road trip. Originally we were supposed to minister in Hatyai, and the Songkhla area, and several key gigs & outreach has already been planned for us in those areas.

But the recent spate of events, including bombings in Hatyai has ‘forced’ us to re-direct our tour.
So now, we’ll be going to Bangkok for about a week.. after a about 4 days in Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST) which is about 200km north of Hatyai.

Would appreciate your partnership in prayers as we go.

It’s exactly a month since I made an entry…
Life has been quite full the past month, and I’m thankful for the many ways God has shown his grace to me and my loved ones. Lil’s entry on ‘Tragedy…or grace’. sums it up well..
Much is also going on the ministry front.. but I’m thankful that I experience his very real peace in many challenging situations.

Also by His grace & empowering I’ve been reading the bible everyday!
If I did not read for one day, I feel like something’s missing in my day… It’s a strange but a good, positive thing! heh heh….

Lil has been doing the IDT (Intentional Discipleship Training) in church, which requires them to do their daily readings from the One-Year-Bible, daily journals, memorize Scripture etc. And so I decided to join her in the bible-reading part, and got myself a One-Year-Bible. I guess I realised tt I wanted to ‘train in righteousness’ as well, and I gotta to apply decisive action if I was to go anywhere…

I try to do my bible reading in the mornings if possible, and then at night I’ll log on to http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/  to read the commentaries, see the pictures, illustrations etc. For me it helps so much to be able to visualize what the Tabernacle could look like.. and some of these ‘artist’s impressions’ of what it could have been helps bring greater depth to the Old Testament…   Those of u Covenanters… gotta chk out the site! (u can even subscribe to a weekly summary email.. with links for the entire week’s reading!)

We attend conferences for all kinds of reasons…  from training for leadership, to effective communication, to growing in discipleship, or for spiritual renewal or refreshment etc.

But this is the first time I’m attending a Family Education Conference.. one that intentionally ‘teaches’ and tutors us to be ‘better’ parents. And boy, there’s sooo much to learn.
And YES, we can be trained to become the kind of parents God wants us to be… =)

While the content of this conference has been mostly about exploring education options for our kids… but because most of the instructors and presenters are parents themselves.. their journeys in parenting (thru joy & pains) come through readily in their sharing & messages. And it has challenged me tremendously to consider once again the awesome task of raising the kids God has given me.

God has awesome plans & purposes for Josh, Emily & Zach, and he has chosen to place them in our care… So we as parents have the privilege to ‘partner with God’ in helping them ‘flesh’ out this purpose in their lives. We are essentially raising adults..  We have to keep the end-goal in view.. otherwise we can easily lose sight! =)

So much I’d love to share.. but perhaps will leave for another time.

Lil & I are soakin’ it all in… treasuring this special opportunity to grow & learn as parents. Truth is, we feel totally inadequate… which in some ways (as I’m reminded) is a good thing.. cos’ then we really recognize our desparate need for God, and His empowering and leading in our lives & in parenting. =)