Drive across the Causeway...

The other week I went along with my friend Irene to Malaysia. We just went across the cause-way to Johor Bahru and spent the day shopping and eating. It was fun to get away from the crowded city life here and feel a bit more openness. Even the shopping malls felt so spacious. You walk through really wide aisles and clothing items are spread out more. There were several manikins dressed a bit different than I am used to seeing here. All in all we had a fun time just hanging out together.

Going through immigration...I took the picture before I saw the sign saying no photographs.

Driving over the cause-way to Malaysia.

Singapore is an island but is very close to Malaysia.

Johor Bahru

My $6 lunch of salmon which was served on corn meal. I also had a delicious pumpkin soup and bread.

Irene & Zoe looking for a bargain.

These huge footballs (soccer balls) were hanging in the center of the mall.

The attire of this manikin was seen quite often in the various shops.

The Malaysia flag near the car wash... it was very worn and faded.

Irene stopped and had her car washed and vacuumed before we started back home.

My favorite fruit...Mangosteen!!!

Mangosteen is by far the most delicious fruit in all of God's creations...in my opinion anyway. ;)

We purchased several yesterday and I am enjoying them immensely and I am trying to share with Larry but he is just not quite as excited about them as I am.

The trick is breaking or twisting them open and not getting the red juice on anything because it does stain.

Mangosteen.....mangosteen....mangosteen.... so delicious!

What ever happened to sin?

This week I started reading a book we have had here for some time now sitting on a shelf. It has certainly been convicting to me and I have had some special moments with the Lord as we talk about some of the issues mentioned in the book.

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Have Christians become so preoccupied with the major sins of our society that we have lost sight of our need to deal with our own more subtle sins?

In his admonitions, Jerry Bridges' offers a message of hope in the profound mercy of the gospel and the transforming grace of God as the means to overcome our subtle sins.

The “Respectable Sins”

So what sins are “respectable sins”? Bridges’ chapters include the following topics:

• general ungodliness defined as a sinful attitude towards God
• anxieties and frustrations  
• discontentment
• unthankfulness  
• pridefulness revealed specifically in self-righteousness, even in a pursuit of theological accuracy, in prideful motives behind our achievements and revealed in a spirit of independence  
• selfishness with our interests, time, money and inconsiderableness
• lack of self-control in eating, drinking and temperament, finances, entertainment and shopping  
• impatience and irritability  
• anger, even anger towards God, and the underlying roots of anger in resentment, bitterness, enmity, hostility and holding grudges
• judgmentalism and a critical spirit over differing convictions and doctrinal disagreements  
• envy, jealousy, competitiveness and being controlling  
• the sins of the tongue like gossip, slander, lying, harsh words, sarcasm, insults and ridicule  
• worldliness shown financially, by our idolatry and in “vicarious immorality,” that is, the enjoyment of watching or reading the sinfulness of others.

Loving Lord and heavenly Father, I offer up today all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer, to be Yours today and Yours forever. Give me grace, Lord to do all that I know of Your holy will. Purify my heart, sanctify my thinking, correct my desires. Teach me, in all of today's work and trouble and joy, to respond with honest praise, simple trust, and instant obedience, that my life may be in truth a living sacrifice, by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Master and my all. Amen
(prayer taken from Elizabeth Elliott paper)

The Pioneer Woman book signing

While staying in Skykomish, WA for a few days with Jennifer and family, we had the opportunity to meet Ree Drummond who is the author of the book "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" at her book signing in Seattle. We waited for almost 2 hours but it was a fun time. The cookbook is a fun one with lots of pictures and stories and of course great recipes.

Jennifer, Ellie, Barb and Ree as she signed our cookbooks and a paper note she signed for Angela as well.

Special moments...

I just returned from spending just over a month in the states and I sure miss these precious little ones already. They are just about 5 weeks old here.

Cash is getting along great with his new brother and sister.

I enjoyed spending time playing, reading and going for walks with him.

Special moments indeed!

Thanks Steven and Samantha for letting me come and hang out with you guys and enjoy some precious moments helping out with your kids.

Photo trail of my walk...

Come along with me on a photo trail of my walk this morning...

Grandma on her walk...

My such large footprints...stay on the trail:)

This tree would be a perfect one for my grandkids to climb on...as I was taking a closer look and trying to get a picture I was quickly covered with several very large ants...not a good tree to climb on after all.

This mirror is at this corner so you can see if someone is coming from the other way... it made a funny self picture.

Sometimes I stop here under the little shelter and watch for birds.

The flowers were really pretty today.

The bus interchange I walk by.

An altar used by some to offer gifts to their gods.

Mango tree in front of our apartment building.

Up the stairs I climb to our apartment.

Thanks for coming along with me...now I must go take a shower and cool off.

Precious Friendship

When God brings people into our lives sometimes those friendships grow and become very precious. My friend Chit Chit is such a blessing to me and I treasure the time we are able to spend together at different times through the year. She is so gracious and patient. Her heart is always seeking ways to honor and glorify our Lord in and through her life. She has taught me in many ways what a true servant of the Lord looks like. Chit Chit lives in a very difficult area and endures much hardship yet you seldom hear her complain. She desires more than comfort in life...she desires that those without Christ would hear of His redeeming grace. Thank you Chit Chit for your godly example. I treasure our friendship and the bond we have in Jesus. 

Gloriously Good Friday

Gloriously Good Friday  Please check out this blog for some encouraging thoughts as we meditate on God's goodness to us.