A lot has happened...

Well a lot has happened since I last wrote. I'm posting mainly to say that I'm alive and well. God still continues to bless me each and every day! I'm very excited about what He is doing and planning for my life... I just need the patience to let it all unfold with His timing, not mine. The past few months I've been growing closer and getting to know even deeper the man I am so very proud to call my boyfriend. He has taught me so many things and has been a great encouragement especially with the ins-and-outs of school and work life.

It's hard to believe January is almost over!
Sadly, I have an early class tomorrow morning and my bed is now calling. goodnight. :)

"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died —more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:34-39

Naomi
listening to "Love You 'Til The End" by The Pogues
& reading Wild at Heart

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)