Recent Trip...

On a recent trip outside our city we saw many beautiful sights. Check out the pics below.

Breathtaking scenery!

Can't take Kentucky out of the girl!

Pine trees and snow. Too much like Christmas!

Who needs a pooper scooper when you have a pooper catcher!

Choosing my horse for the next Kentucky Derby!

Father's amazing beauty in His creation!

















When you gotta go, nothing can stop you!

Considering all His hands have made!







Riding on a horse pulled cart. A ton of fun!

Corn Anyone?

In my host country the snacks here are different. When I think of our traditional American snacks, I think of potato chips, candy bars, snack cakes, candy, nachos, etc... You get the idea. Well, here it is not a strange thing to see people munching on sweet potatoes or an ear of corn while waiting on the bus or going shopping. I find such humor in this because it is so unusual. My friends and I recently took a bus trip to a nearby mountain ouside the city. On our return trip, we pulled up to a stop light. I looked out and saw a street vendor selling roasted corn. I saw one of our bus passengers open her window and yell out, "How much?" She actually bought two ears of corn through the window before the bus pulled out once again. She broke the ears into four pieces and she and three of her friends enjoyed a nice snack on our ride back into town. Cultural differences still amaze me:)

My Newest "Wild Hair"

Just got a new hairdo and thought I would share it. I've found a great salon with a wonderful hairdresser. You girls know what I'm talking about when I say that it's not easy to find a really good hairdresser that you trust. So, this is the result. It's much easier to fix and doesn't take as much time. I'm all about that. Thankful that Father cares about even the little things we need:)

Barnum and Bailey Has Come to Town

Due to our lack of understanding the names of places here, it is just easier to name a restaurant something that catches our eye or something that happens while eating there. My friends and I have affectionately named this one particular restaurant "The Chick Restaurant.” We named it this because we were eating lunch one day in there when a small group of baby chicks waddled in and one of the waitresses had to shoo them out. I went with my friend Millie one evening to "The Chick Restaurant” for dinner. Millie and I sat a little close to the kitchen where there is a large fish tank with big fish swimming around. Talk about FRESH FISH!!!!! I was watching as one of the waitresses stuck her hand down inside the tank and began rooting around for a fish. We both began watching the girl go fishing. She pulled out a large fish and just let it fall over the side and drop down on the floor. I got so tickled that I couldn’t quit laughing. She proceeded to drop another one on the ground. I thought she was just not able to keep a hold on them, but later I realized that she was allowing them to drop to their death so that the kitchen workers could prepare them for someone’s meal. During this time, I looked over and saw a dog wander into the restaurant. He was taking in the sight of the fish falling to their death and he began sniffing out the situation. I couldn’t help but laugh harder as I thought of it being kind of like a three ring circus here. No one even batted an eye as the fish were flying and the dog was sniffing. It’s just a day in the life here...

Visiting Friends

On a recent trip to visit the A family in another part of the country, we had a wonderful time of fun and relaxation. Sweet friends, great fun, and GOOD TIMES!!!

Having Fun with the A kids!!!

In the market!!!

Part of our trip was on a train. I got the middle bunk!!!

Beautiful scenery!!!

Amazing Waterfalls!!

Spot For Dinner

During a recent trip to visit some friends in South EA, we ran upon an unusual site at a supermarket. Spot was not being invited to dinner. Spot was going to BE dinner. It's all part of the adventure!!!

Mammaw Sleeping

For those of you from the south, you recognize the term, "Mammaw." For others of you, it's what we might call the mother of our father or mother. While in SE Asia a few months ago, Matilda and I were taking a Tuk Tuk to see the city. Part of the ride included the driver stopping at some "tourist traps" (oops), I mean "tourist attractions" for 10 minutes to look. If we stayed for 10 minutes and looked, he received a free gas coupon. We obliged him so he might get some free gas. We went into this nice jewelry store. Immediately, as soon as we walked in, I noticed this little Asian Mammaw sleeping away in a chair. While I thought it was amusing, I continued on into the store to look around. Of course, Matilda and I walked into the store saying, "This is crazy, I'm not buying anything here." Yet, we left with both of us purchasing a new ring. Couldn't stand it! While waiting for my ring to be sized, the store staff seated us in the front of the store with a beverage to enjoy while waiting. Sleeping Mammaw was so close that I had to snap this picture. No one was even paying any attention to her and she was just sleeping away. With my warped sense of humor, I had to post this and let you see what I found so incredibly funny. The world was just going on and she was enjoying her snooze. Whenever I'm feeling a little blue, I can always look at this picture and get a chuckle. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

The Seat on the Chair Goes Round-and-Round

While strolling through one of our favorite places to shop, Katie was looking for some hand weights. Matilda and I saw a couple of seats in this sports shop, so we decided to take a load off our feet. My chair was quite strange as the seat was totally disconnected from the chair itself. I sat down and after a few minutes saw that there was an ON/OFF switch. Being curious, I decided to turn it on. I was expecting some soothing massage and yet I received something totally different. The seat began to move in a very fast circular motion taking my lower body round-and-round. I felt like I was doing a hula dance on high speed. I couldn't get it to turn off. Finally after a period of time, I was able to switch it off and stop doing the hula. Matilda and I laughed so hard that we were crying. The Asians that were watching just looked at us with somber faces with not even a faint smile. They must have thought, "What in the world are those crazy Americans lauging at?" As I have said before, you never know what a day holds at "The Crossroad."

Blessed By The Son In The Sun

A few pics to show some of my adventure during the month of February in Southeast Asia. Had a great time eating at many western restaurants, shopping, going to an aquarium, watching an American movie in English, riding an elephant, drinking from a fresh coconut, getting attacked by pigeons (read in the post below), walking on the beach, swimming, renewing friendships, and being blessed by a group from AK as they came to minister to us. I heard many encouraging testimonies of what Father is doing all around East Asia. We also had the privilege of being ministered to by the musical duo of Shane and Shane. They do one M trip a year and they chose to come and minister to us. We were blessed by their worshipful songs and their presence. I came away refreshed, renewed, and challenged to come back to my city with a new fervor in sharing the Son. Enjoy the pics!

Riding an Elephant!!!

Me and My New Friend!!!

Enjoying Hard Rock Cafe'!!!

Lovin' the Coconuts!!!

Attacked By Pigeons

Going to another country does not exempt me from having dumb things happen. While in Southeast Asia, Matilda and I were going to a museum. As we were lost, we began looking for a place with directions. We found this little map on the side of a building and were looking to find the way to the museum. A lady approached with a TON of pigeons around her. She proceeded to walk over to us and the pigeons followed. She crammed three bags of pigeon seed (I'm assuming) into my hand and three into Matilda's. She said to throw the seed out for the birds. Well, Matilda was the smart one and threw all of her bags down and ran like crazy. I, on the other hand, was a little slower in understanding that the pigeons would attack. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by pigeons. They were under my feet, flying around me and one even landed on my hand. The pigeon proceeded to scratch me as I tried to fling it off (imagine that). I was trying to throw the seed out, but just dropped the rest that I had and ran away from them. Then, the woman follows us and tells us that we owe her for the pigeon seed. We refused the charge due to the circumstances and the fact that she never told us of her intention. Later, as we drove by in a taxi, another clueless foreigner was having the same argument. The moral of the story is: "Don't take pigeon seed from strangers."

Back to the 80's

I never thought I would have to come to Asia to experience the art of Karaoke. Well, I have been smitten. Give me my own microphone with music and words and watch out! Wilberta, Matilda, and I went to Karaoke with Sophie and her husband Wayne. You can rent a room with a couple of couches, tables, a TV, a Karaoke computer (for lack of a better term), and two microphones. Renting the room also included snacks: sodas, dried figs, peas, peanuts, and an unidentified substance that I did not venture to place in my mouth. We spent about three and a half hours singing, laughing, and building relationships with our new friends.

We all chose some songs to sing and kind of mixed the Mandarin and English up a bit. I felt like I had slipped back into the 80's for a short time as we found many songs from this era. It is amazing how long time can pass since hearing a song, but once it starts playing, the words come right back. I chose a few like, "My Girl," "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Copacabana." It was quite amusing to say the least. The videos that went along with it were varied with some being the original artists singing and some were of Chinese singers performing the songs. Who would have ever thought that Karaoke and friendship would go together so well.

As I am growing to love my new friends, I long for them to know the greatest Friend they could ever have. Hoping they will one day be among the multitudes that will surround the throne and sing to the One who is truly worthy of our praise.