Finding a new home...

Some of our items we have purchased while in Singapore are now finding a new home as we continue preparing for our move to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Today we helped load up a small truck with our sofa, convection oven & stand, bookshelves, TV, and lots of other stuff from the kitchen and office room. We are thankful that we are able to share these items with others.

Here are a few pictures...I was busy helping and forgot to take some at the start in our apartment.

Larry was busy inside the truck trying to place everything so it would fit.

Our living room area sure looks empty...we are making progress:)

Making progress in packing...slowly!

We are making some progress in packing....but it does seem to be going slowly. I am getting tired of the clutter and boxes so will be glad to seee some of our things go this week. We are giving our sofa, convection oven, bookshelves, desk, chair and kitchen items to a friend and co-worker. That just leaves our personal items which includes many books...plus gifts etc......

Not much room to sit anymore....

A few of the boxes that are filled.

This is the view from my office room...I will  miss looking out here at the coconut trees.

With all the sorting and packing I need a break once in awhile so yesterday I enjoyed one of my blooming teas. This was the last one in the container and it was so pretty I wanted you to see it too. It also tasted very nice :)

Orchard Road Glitz

We took an evening this week and walked down Orchard Road to enjoy the elaborate lighting along the way. This years theme included stars.

Some of the churches in Singapore have a wonderful ministry of promoting the real reason for Christmas.

This year the story of Christmas was displayed with very large characters along the walkway. They were very nicely done but was hard to get a good picture with the thousands of people trying to see.

Hope you enjoyed some of our walk down Orchard Road with us:)...we even stopped at a DQ and had a small blizzard. That is as close to winter as we will get in Singapore...

Christmas Day

We have had a rainy day here for Christmas. I fixed a late lunch that we enjoyed together with our friends Htay & Chit Chit. We have had a special time together today.

Merry Christmas to our friends and family around the world.

Christmas celebration...

Enjoying a special Christmas celebration at a co-workers home... with some of the TWR staff and friends.

Merry Christmas!

As I was sorting through our belongings and deciding what to keep I came across the box containing these carved pieces of a nativity set I had bought in the Philippines. I decided to put them out so we could enjoy them this week of Christmas. We have our friends from Myanmar here with us and we are always encouraged and blessed to spend time with them but especially during this Christmas season.

We are thinking of you and miss you all so much. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Equipment break down!!!

Today has been an interesting day...

Our dryer quit working so I was hanging clothes all over the apartment ... sure made for an interesting change in our apartment decor.

I mustered up enough energy to get going with some cleaning....that is until my vacuum  cleaner decided it was retiring for good. Oh wonderful and of course I waited to do the small piece of carpet we have until last....so it will continue to wait now until I figure out if I want to purchase another vacuum cleaner.

The air con in our bedroom decided it wanted in on the action so it started to drip water...on my very conveniently placed suitcase placed directly under it. Oh bother! Now I have more clothes to wash and air dry around the dining room table.

It is now 7:30 pm and the repairman that was suppose to come between 3-6 pm finally showed up...I sure hope the dryer is going to be ok again. I will sure miss the convenience of using it...

I think that is enough for one day. I am glad tomorrow is a new day!

I'm back again:)

I'm back again...after spending over 3 months in the states. I was so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my mom in Montana as well as with our family and friends in Washington, Ohio and Nebraska. Yes, we were on the "fast track" meeting up with many in a short time.

As our move to Thailand draws near I have many questions and uncertainties about how things will change for us but most certainly I know God has a plan and purpose for each of us and we step out in faith trusting Him with each step we take.

Today as I was sorting through some items with our TWR-Asia ministry I came across this very encouraging listener letter. A good reminder of why we are committed to this ministry.




TWR-Asia: Thailand

This dear sister wrote in response to the Thai Women of Hope program. Her home country of Laos is tucked in between Thailand and Vietnam.

I had a lot of problems in my family and I was feeling so discouraged and lonely. I never listened to the radio, but for some reason one night I reached over and turned on the one at my bedside.
The first thing I heard was you on the Woman of Hope program telling me that God loves me. You spoke so directly to my heart that I prayed with you at the end of it to invite Jesus into my life. He has become my source of strength and joy.
I went to church and witnessed to family and friends. One time, I was put in prison for my witnessing. But God was with me and, after I was released, I kept witnessing until my family came to the Lord. Many others in our village have as well. My younger brother is in Bible School in Thailand.

We have a fellowship of believers in several places. Recently, when you conducted a seminar near the Laotian border, I and seven of my converts came across to that seminar. It was particularly thrilling to meet the person who led me to Jesus.
We are so isolated–often by fear. Sometimes Christians are too afraid to fellowship or even speak to me because they know that I am being watched all the time. Words cannot express how much Christian radio means to me and my Christian brothers and sisters in Laos.
(signed) Your spiritual daughter
- Laos

Another day of baking...

Another day of baking...

"cinnamon rolls" which are always fun to make and smell so wonderful as they are baking. It always brings back special childhood memories of coming home from school to the delicious smell of fresh buns my mom was baking. Oh, how I enjoyed them!!!

  

I do the kneading as I don't have a mixer.

It never takes long for the dough to raise here...

I put a little cream cheese frosting on them and sprinkle a few pecans on top.

I made these a little smaller so I would have one for everyone at the office. I think I ended up with 36 cinnamon rolls. I saved a few out for Larry and me to enjoy too.

Next came the "sour cream twists". These take a bit more work to do but the staff really likes them so I try to include them when I bake for the tea breaks. 

I left some unfrosted for those that like less sweet.

The cream cheese frosting with a drop of almond flavoring in it and then a few slices of almonds on top.

I did not do so good today as far as not tasting ...yikes I tried a few too many goodies today. I really like breads and it is so hard to make them and not eat a few while they are still warm from the oven.

This concludes my baking spree for a while.

Baking Extravaganza!!!

Today I began baking for our upcoming Asia Management Team meetings that will be in September. I really enjoy baking for the tea breaks and decided even though I will be away that week I could bake ahead and freeze the goodies for the team and staff to enjoy that week.

This is an old favorite of mine "Peanut Butter Blossoms" but since I did not have the Hershey kisses I improvised and used some chunky chocolate chip pieces. They turned out fine and I know because I tasted one to be sure:) 

I also did a favorite of most people chocolate chip cookies but forgot to take a picture of them.

The "Chocolate Syrup Brownies" are always a great hit...they are so easy to do... just dump everything in a bowl and mix well and bake. The frosting is like a fudge and makes them so yummy! And because I like nuts I usually add them to the top.

These muffins are from a recipe I discovered a few years ago and have made many times since. They are called "Morning Glory Muffins" and they are delightful. They have carrots, apples, raisins, coconut and walnuts in the batter and are so moist.  I used my mini muffin tin so I only had to do one batch to have enough for everyone.

"Never Fail Banana Bread" is another favorite of my Asian friends. I read on someones blog about sprinkling a little brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the dough before baking and I like the extra crunch it gives the top of each slice. And again since I really like nuts I added some walnuts to the bread.

I am done baking for the day...tomorrow I will do some cinnamon rolls and some sour cream twists...

The gospel message in song...

And Can It Be That I Should Gain
by Charles Wesley (1738)

And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died he for me who caused his pain? For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left his Father’s throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!).
Humbled himself (so great his love!), and bled for all his chosen race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?



The beloved disciple John writes, “…Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:9, 12 NAS).

These truths remind us that Jesus’ work is the basis for our acceptance, forgiveness and freedom!

Thailand trip...

Our time in Chiang Mai was really nice and we enjoyed spending time with many special people while we were there. I have lots more pictures but decided I better stop here.

A view of mountains from our hotel

Another view of the mountains from our hotel

Elephants in the landscaping at the hotel

Beautiful mountains near Chiang Mai.

Some really large bamboo trees.

Waterfall area we walked up to.

Yes!!! We rode an elephant.

Village Church

Pastor of village church

Sowing rice seed

Night bazaar...several blocks of shops along the street

Silk worms...

Silk Factory

beautiful wood sculpturing

Tiger Kingdom...this was interesting...people actually paid to go inside with these tigers and have their picture taken with them. Not me...they would have to pay me and then I don't think I would do it.

This is what the Songteaw taxi looks like...many people can fit in the back.

Us by a Tuk Tuk taxi