a quick Update

So I'm home from two well spent days with Anson, visiting him in Charleston. What a wonderful time I had down there... and what incredibly warm weather too! I'm sad to see it go.
School is over for the semester... now I can relax for a few weeks and enjoy myself without projects and deadlines.
I have a song stuck in my head. It comes from these verses in Psalms...

"I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;"
Psalms 121:1-3

Naomi

Ambon Manise!

Listening to Michelle Tumes this afternoon and looking at old photos of Ambon brought back a flood of memories.

I'm so very homesick right now. I found a random family's website that have put up recent photos from January 2007. But it's been soo long and sadly I don't recognize any of the places except a few.

(The beach photo) It made me smile to find photos of this beach, Santai. We once dug a huge hole in the sand that several of us fit standing up with room to spare. The waves would crash, especially on a stormy evening, against those concrete barriers sending water high into the air over 15ft!

Browsing the internet for photos of Ambon though isn't the best place to look. For every nice, pleasant beach photo there are three of burned or bombed buildings and churches, burnt or decapitated bodies and rioting. Gives me shudders some of the stuff I accidentally ran across. Almost sick. Oh how sad it is! :`(

(Left)
One of the old ferrys, probably one that we would have used to cross the Ambon bay back in 1998. At age 11, crossing the bay by ferry was so much fun. The whole experience was exciting... waiting in your car for everyone to unload and then boarding... typical Indonesian syle, seeing how many people and vehicles could fit without falling off either end. There were stories of taxis without breaks rolling off the ferry and into the bay. I don't think anyone was in it though.

(Left) One of the new ferrys, packed as usual. (Below) Ambon city... a recent photo I think



God You keep us without failing
As You watch us from above
In our comings and our goings
Sheltered by Your precious love
In the pouring rain of mercy
Comes the grace by which we're saved
For the glory of Your Name
For the glory of Your Name

You have touched our lives forever
Can we be the same again
May our hearts be ever faithful
Ever faithful as a friend
Let us live that we may serve You
Overflowing with Your praise
For the glory of Your Name
For the glory of Your Name

We behold the man of sorrows
Hanging there upon a cross
Where we wounded One so holy
Yet these wounds are life to us
For the blood You shed was perfect
And Your finished work remains
For the glory of Your Name
For the glory of Your Name

Now we life our eyes to heaven
See You seated on the throne
Still rejoicing in Your promise
This is where our hope is found
For we know that You are coming
Every tongue will sing Your fame
For the glory of Your Name
For the glory of Your Name
("For the Glory of Your Name" by Michelle Tumes)


Naomi

listening to "Please Come Back" by Michelle Tumes
& reading Meggs' History of Graphic Design (really boring, I don't recommend it)

So I'm loving the December weather thus far. it's 70 outside! Work on my projects is going slow but I am so very glad tomorrow is Monday.

Here are a few more pages from my book.

Slow Progress

The first page in my book. I normally don't like showing unfinished work but here it is. Proof that I've got at least something done. :)

I'm a little frustrated. As you know I love movie soundtracks. Tuck Everlasting has a simply amazing score by William Ross... but guess what! It's not sold on iTunes, and even worse the CD's on Amazon are close to $100!! That's crazy!... ok I'm done ranting for the evening :)

Naomi

December Already?

Wow I can't believe that it is December already! So where did November go? or October for that matter?

So most of my afternoon and evening today was spent drawing sketches for the book that I'm illustrating. I'm very excited about this project... though I only wish the due date wasn't so soon... or perhaps that I hadn't procrastinated so much (which is mm... normal). Other then projects that are due at the end of the semester school life is going very well... though I'm a little impatient for it to be all over and getting a real job doing what I love. This past Wednesday we had a guest speaker, Leigh Brinkley, in my History of Graphic design class (www.brinkleydesign.com). After class my teacher gave her some of my artwork to look at. I'm so excited! What an opportunity. I don't know if she could give me a job but perhaps she knows someone that can.

Tomorrow I'm going on a small trip to church in Columbia. And I get to see Anson a week earlier then I was expecting! I'm so excited.
Brian is here tonight watching Lost season 3 with Josiah. I'm listening to my "love songs" play list and slowly running out of things to say here... and illustration wise I'm feeling very uninspired. Perhaps I'll do some reading before I head to bed.

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by him and for him. He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together. And he is the head
of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the
firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything
he might have the supremacy."
Colossians 1:16-18

Naomi

listening to "Yours to Hold" by Skillet
& reading... right now? nothing at the moment

Thankful Mornings

...so I've found, oddly enough, that I really do enjoy getting up early...

So I suppose the reason for this post is really just to say how amazed I am with the things God is doing and showing me! I don't feel at all deserving of what he has given and so I smile and say "thank you" once again to the One who is my All.

And I am so very thankful for Anson. We've been dating now for over a week but the news to me will never get old...!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members
of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your
hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or
deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:12-17

Naomi

listening to "Out of My Leauge" by Steven Speaks
& reading Colossians

In love with Christ

I really should be getting some sleep. but I needed to write just a little about my evening. I got home from a Chris Tomlin concert & Louie Giglio spoke. Isn't God incredible!?!! what amazing things he has done for me... he's so huge I can't describe it and yet he cares so deeply for me and knows my exact thoughts.
part of me wants to step outside right now and look at His huge and vast night sky above me but I'm soo sleepy! I'll take the time tomorrow night when I'm more awake. :)

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8

-Naomi

listening to "Fly" by Sara Groves
& reading "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge

...Free?

So I've officially quit Picture Me. My last day of work is Friday. I feel... free? Relived for sure. I hope Friday at work goes well. I kept mulling over weather not to quit or not for so long I almost needed to quit to stop thinking about it.

This weekend Anson is coming up. I'm glad I will get to spend some time with him.

... wow I should have started writing this much earlier. More tomorrow perhaps. :)

-Naomi

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you."
Psalm 139:7-12

listening to "Unbreakable" by Westlife
& reading Psalm 139

Free time & the weekends

I haven't had much free time since I've been back from Canada. Last weekend (Oct. 19-21) I had a lot of fun and thankfully work hadn't put me on the schedule that weekend.

Today is going by really slowly. I love the weather these days, though I am cold most of the time now. It's been overcast all morning. Praying it doesn't rain this Sunday. Me, my brother and several friends are planning on going to the Renaissance festival. My parents are going out of town again this weekend, though I don't think they will be gone long. Josiah is staying here this time so I get to play "mom" for the weekend... he enjoys it though.

I ran out of the house this morning and completely forgot to bring along my book. I've been reading through Mere Christianity and really enjoying what Lewis has to say. Lunch I had a wonderful hour and a half to eat and then read my bible. It's good to just stop and escape during a busy day.

"I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands."
Psalms 119:10

-Naomi

reading Psalms 119
& listening to the teacher... :)

Canada: Tuesday (Day 6)

It's hard to believe I've been here almost a week! Kind of makes me sad to think about since I'll be leaving tomorrow. :( Today Joy and I are going to the Chinese restaurant where she waitresses for lunch. Then after that we're going trail riding! I'm so excited!!!

----

Horseback riding was so much fun. we took an hour & half trail in about 45min, trotting most of the time. quite painful after a while. :)

-Naomi

Canada: Monday (Day 5)

Finished Joy's scrapbook while she was at work today. Then stayed up really late talking and watching season two of Lost. :)
And David Crowder Band came out with a new CD!

-Naomi

listening to "O, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing" by David Crowder Band
& reading Mere Christianity

Canada: Sat/Sun (Days 3 & 4)

Saturday:
Didn't do much. slept in, read "Mere Christianity" and watched The Guardian & Hitch with Joy and her "man" Menno. :P

Sunday:
This morning Joy had to work so I went to church with her parents. Surprisingly I didn't feel at all uncomfortable there even though I was new.
**and that is Joy & I Sunday night making oatmeal facial masks**

-Naomi

Canada: Friday (Day 2)

Joy lounging in the woods, quite close to a cliff really

oh look its me
the two of us at the bottom of the gorge
and we found a cave!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

-Naomi

Canada: Thursday (Day 1)

under a bridge near Niagara Falls

Joy on the Canadian side of the falls
me... & yes it was cold!

some amazing abandoned ship we found. I wanted to go explore inside it soo bad!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1

-Naomi

Packing

So really I should be packing right now... but I keep getting distracted!
I'm so excited about this trip! not only am I excited about seeing Joy but also leaving the country and seeing Canada. I didn't even realize how beautiful this time of the year is when I planned my trip. pray I don't get too cold though.

Thinking of planes reminds me of the last time I was on an airplane. I sat next to a Jewish man. I had taken my bible out of my bag just before boarding so I had it with me in my lap. That must have caught his attention because he asked me quite a few questions and then took a nap, leaving me to ponder. What an incredible experience! By the end of the flight I had found several passages to help him... but that's really not my point... sure I might have helped him find the answers to his life questions but the whole experience opened my eyes. I had been slowly becoming the "lukewarm" Christian that Revelation 3:16 speaks of. After we arrived I went to baggage claim with the rest of the passengers... I didn't see him again. I wish I could remember his name...

"How great you are, O Sovereign LORD!
There is no one like you, and there is no
God but you, as we have heard with our
own ears."
2 Samuel 7:22

-Naomi

listening to "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin

soar on wings like eagles

You have no idea how frustrating this is! I want to tell the world how I feel... but to explain it, to capture the emotion, the feeling, the delight would take an entire book!


"but those who hope in the LORD will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

-Naomi

listening to "Heaven's Heart" by Michelle Tumes
& reading Isaiah 40

The Realization

It's taken a while but I've come to the realization that I need to cut back on something in my life. I have no time for a personal time with God, to reflect on the day, or even write in my prayer journal! It's so frustrating living like this... but what do I cut back on? I've thought about quitting one of my jobs, or a class. But "I'm not a quitter. I don't just up and end something. I've committed to this" and so I don't quit my job. I don't have more time with God and for that my relationship with Him suffers. I have friends at work -sort of- and I enjoy it -most of the time. Why is it so hard to just let it go? Is it because I'm so committed to work I've made it a priority over everything else?!

And if I were to have more free time would I even use it wisely? I suppose this is a matter of prayer... How much of a priority am I making God in my life...?

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in
affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are
in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13

-Naomi

listening to "Never-Ending Road (Amhrán Duit)" by Loreena Mckennitt
& reading Romans 12

Counting Down The Days

I've been counting down the days till this weekend and till my Canada trip on the 11th of this month. I'm really excited about seeing friends, swing dancing and going someplace new! I'm a happy mk. Silly me, I even added a "count down" to my facebook profile.

At work (Old Navy) we now sell stuffed animals. They have the cutest brown teddy bear ever!... ok not sure what that has to do with the rest of my story, but anyways there's a new girl I work with. She's going to college and interning as a chef. I've found it so very hard to be around her because she always complains. It's either about too much work, or not enough free time, or not enough time for online classes she's taking this semester. It's so very frustrating to hear! But it did get me to thinking about how often I have complained in the past.

yikes... I'm going to cut this short. I have to go to class :)

-Naomi

Slightly Stressed

As you know already life is busy. Very busy. several mornings ago I woke up and could hardly breath my sinuses were stopped up so bad. I thought about calling work... but honestly I don't think that is fair, I can still walk, kind of talk and sort of laboriously breath so I'll go to work anyways. I ended up working about a 11hour shift! Not something I want to repeat again when I'm sick. But as always I'm learning... no not of new and creative ways to quietly blow your nose in a studio full of people... but of how to love, especially when you're sick, drowsy and fed up with customers and coworkers. :)

"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
John 13:34

-Naomi

listening to "Jesus, Our Lord Jesus" by Hillsongs
& reading John 13

Sick... in More Ways Then One

So I've got a slightly scratchy throat now. I think it's because I haven't been getting the rest I need in the past few weeks.

Tonight at work I ended up leaving an hour later then I am supposed to do. The girl I was working with had never closed out the week before, and that process in and of itself shouldn't take any longer then 45min... instead of the 1hour & 1/2 that it did. I'm sick of working with these people. God help me have patience. We had a short conversation on how Heather (the girl I was training) used to be the good Christian girl. It's so sad to see people that don't really understand what it means to be a true Christian. All she ended up talking about was "feelings", attending church and reading her bible; sadly not mentioning a relationship at all.

Church this morning was much more lively then normal. I really enjoyed it. I think sometimes I do need to get out of my comfortable shell when it comes to worship and really truly worship. It's easy to forget it's purpose.

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for
this is God's will for you who belong
to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

-Naomi

listening to "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Michael Buble
& reading 1 Thessalonians 5

Artist's Block... & Procrastination

Thank you God! for months now I've hardly done any artwork I would call "good" so finally last night I found some inspiration. :)

My graphic design teacher suggested I inquire about displaying some of my artwork at an art gallery here in Charlotte, and tell them he sent me. :P So I might do that. We'll see.

I have this horrible habit or putting things off. I guess somehow in my mind I think that if I put it off long enough that it will go away and I don't have to deal with it anymore... and so really what I've been learning is to step up and just do it no matter how time consuming, or uncomfortable it may be. But I don't always follow my own advice. :( My online class is an excellent example! I'm afraid to even look online because of all the assignments I've missed. I hate this because I'm not at all like that in my normal classes. makes me so very frustrated with myself!! I don't know what to do. It's a constant 'battle'.

...and then there's work. yeah. *sigh*

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
John 8:36

-Naomi

Focus... on the Light

I have the hardest time focusing. It's one thing I constantly struggle with, focusing on school, projects, work, and even maintaining a healthy spiritual relationship with God. Not to imply that I have my priorities mixed up but perhaps a lack of enthusiasm? and I think mostly it's because of my personality in that I tend to avoid things instead of facing them... But how to overcome this constant procrastinating... God only knows. :)

Today at work a girl, who is originally from Thailand, told me about her life before coming to the United States. Her name is Yee. In Thailand many of her people are still living in refugee camps, camps that were set up during the Vietnam war. I was surprised that I hadn't heard of this before... Her family lived in the jungle to stay alive, they had their own gardens, chickens and pigs for food and lived in wood huts. "to stay alive" by that I mean people would have killed them if they were found. It was so odd to be hearing this from a girl that went to public school in the US and works at Old Navy with me.

My thoughts all over the place tonight. I can't concentrate on just one!
I love the imagery in this passage. Just think about each word as you read...

"The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light; on those
living in the land of the shadow
of death a light has dawned."
Isaiah 9:2

-Naomi

listening to "I Saw the Light" by David Crowder Band
& reading Isaiah 9

Unexpected Gifts

Today an unexpected gift came in the mail. If you know me well you know I love surprises (though normally pertaining to my own personal interests, personality etc. unlike the one today). and this was quite a surprise. A check from my school's financial aid program, three times the amount I was expecting. Apparently they pay you to go to college now :)
... funny how many gifts we're given in one day that we don't even recognize. What else have I been given today... and more importantly what have I given?

My boss (Eugine) at Old Navy agreed to let me work till 8:00pm tonight so I could come home early to work on projects for class... but have I done anything relating to class since I've been home? no. I really do frustrate myself sometimes!!

ooh and speaking of coming in the mail... I'm waiting on a civil war era costume to arrive sometime in the next few days. :) It's for a costume party next month.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34

-Naomi

listening to "Only You" by David Crowder Band
& reading Matthew 6