what a MIRACLE!!! Ü

I was about to let go of the things that I get used to -- the things that are not meant for me...... because I’m sure, it makes me cry and depressed!

I fasted one day to help me let go and decide to start a new life... the Sabbath day came and forget all the worries that I have... and thankful to God for all the lessons that I learned in that day.

After the Sabbath, I worried again and prayed that hopefully, I will not worry and accept the things that were not meant for me, after a while, I just received a phone call from my Mom... Telling me good news ... said that, I will still be working and is able to serve God full-time in the office... I was shocked and surprised! How merciful our God is... happy to hear the news and wanted to dance a ‘Dance of Joy’ that time... happy that God was and is really there to help us in good times and in tough times. Considered it’s a miracle...

I really thank God for all these things. I could not afford to lose God in my heart...

In our life, sometimes, we get through difficult situations... and then, there we realized how challenging our life if we have that trials to overcome with... and we should be thankful for that also, trials teaches us lessons...

I really believe in this quote: “God without men is still a God, but Men without God, is NOTHING!” so therefore, let’s learn to love God with all our hearts... and focus to Him wholeheartedly...

STAFF --- for the first time :-)

This year's camp with the theme, “BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE” was very challenging. I was a camper for about three (3) times (year 2004, 2005 & 2007). I find it simple and lots of fun. But now, I’m already one of the staff. All I can say, ‘what a hard and difficult role’... waking up early in the morning, sleeping very late at night, washed dishes under the rain... it was an extreme experience... ‘One day’ feels like ‘one week’ for me...

I can now compare being a camper and being a staff... Being a staff was not really easy; you've got a great task. But, I enjoyed and learned many things on how to be the best I can be, for the reason that being a staff was my decision.

I love to serve, which was my first priority in life, to serve others and most especially to serve God. I cannot stop thinking about all the things that I've been through this year's camp. Learned our everyday lessons on how to be the best we can be. (Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, Socially, Occupationally and Spiritually)... This was very challenging yet very pleasurable. Meeting new people, serving new people, carve up a smile with new people; building new friendships... the greetings of every dorm when they passed by me makes my day bright… the smiles I received every day from campers & staff. It made me smile every time I learn by heart all those memories and wanted my tears roll down my cheeks. Kisses and hugs from friends, their corny jokes, the laughter, the aura… haaaaay! Okay! I will miss the temperature, cold water when taking a bath… hmmm… FREEZE!!! :D

It was marvelous to know that God works in you. He uses people to inspire you and encourage you in everything you do... Even though, you know that you’re very tired and can’t make things easily, but just a smile of anyone (campers & staff), all the pains and tiredness of what you feel will disappear. You can feel the love and care that they have for you, although they are busy and also tired, but still can afford to beam like there’s no tomorrow. I can also feel the pain that they’ve been through (cramps during their activities) because I’ve been there. YES! You cannot appreciate happiness if you’re not been through the pains... Just like life, LIFE is boring if you have no trials to overcome. That’s true!

One thing that it made me cry, was that even though you’re JUST A STAFF (not the highlight of the camp), but still they’re proud of you, remember you and thanking you for the help you offer, the effort to be a part of the successful camp. And the most important thing, the lessons that I’ve learned… and the people behind it… it’s the people (campers & staff – with God) who made the camp … ♥

So, with that, from now on, I will be joyful to serve God and His people... and make every effort to be the BEST I CAN BE! :)

I would say... The HARDEST, BEST and EXTREME CAMP EVER!

I will never ever, ever FORGET!!! :)

Keep the Faith, God will Provide. Ü

Early this morning, I was about to go to work, I am alarmed by this line inside the Jeep.

I thought to myself and said with a smile, "Thank you God for the reminder..."

Oh yeah! God will really provide everything. Worry NOT! Be HAPPY! 

5 Tips to Get a Happy Life

• Stay healthy. Health is possibly the greatest asset one can possibly possess. No creature on this planet can be happy if is not healthy. So the primary concern of all of us should be to become and stay healthy. What does this include ? Well, use the body the way it was designed to – for motion. Spend some time walking, exercising, cleaning the home or whatsoever – just do not stay in one position for a long time. You can also eat various type of food – only thinking of it will make you feel better, besides the benefits for the body. Finally, try to avoid stress – long-term stressful situations can lead to illnesses.

• Smile. Positive attitude automatically contributes towards better mood – good mood is crucial for being happy. Even when you find yourself to be apathy, don’t forget that you can at least smile, it’s free and thus it makes people around you feel your inner harmony.

• Save money. Strange enough, but saving money can indeed bring you happiness. Human beings feel enjoyment as they gain some kind of “value”. Storing money for some period can cause this positive feeling of having something achieved – thus you will gain the possibility to reach some of your lifetime goals and dreams.

• Find a good company. Have you noticed how different people have different impact on us? Well, considering that each of us can choose the people to hang with (unlike family members), one should make conscious effort to choose only those people who cause positive thinking – and love them honestly.

• Do a good deed regularly. Yes, I know that people sometimes tend to be self-centric, but it is a special delight when you accomplish something for someone else – be it helping your family, coworkers or even strangers on the street.  You will feel that affection inside, when the other person expresses the appreciation  for your goodness.

[[[ These tips are according to gethappylife.com website.

I just want to attach: Try to pray faithfully to God regularly and you will be happier. ]]]

SATURDAY: my Special and favorite day, ever! ♥

SABBATH day!

I am so thankful and grateful to God for the whole entire week, He made us alive and allow us to do whatever we want and also very much thankful for the reason that HE made Sabbath day for us.

(Mark 2:27 -- And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.)

I am so excited for the Sabbath day, as always. I can feel the peacefulness of the world. I’m pleased to fellowship with the brethren, eating good foods, hearing God’s messages through His servants and of course, for studying His very words.

the SMILES that I can never ever forget...  

 the friendship... and the Sabbath day. :)

Although I am far from my biological family, but I am happy since I have still my family in Christ here around me. :)

Happy SABBATH... every Sabbath :)

Angels in your Life

by Alex

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

FOR A REASON

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to help you to overcome adversity, to provide you with guidance and support, and to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. In times like this, they may seem like an Angel to you.

They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person may say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled and their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

FOR A SEASON

Some people come into your life for a SEASON because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They teach you something you have never done.
They give you an unbelievable amount of joy and cherished memories.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.



FOR A LIFETIME

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons and things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank them, cherish them, love them, for being part of your life, whether they were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Believe that, angels do exist, only they haven’t got wings. We call them friends.

Do you have angels in your life? And what’s their impact in you?

Being Single: A Blessing or a Curse?

A commentary by Mary Miller

My cousin was recently married in the gorgeous setting of Amish Country—my fourth wedding to attend this summer. It is so exciting to see friends starting the adventure of marriage for a lifetime, but where does that leave those of us who are still single?

I am sure we can all relate to having a longing to belong to someone and feel the loneliness of being single. It may feel like the "curse" of being single will never end. But is singleness really a curse?

At my cousin's house the other night I picked up a book that I read years ago but had forgotten about. When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy has really made me think about my approach to being single.

In our longing to belong to someone, do we forget to focus enough on the One to whom we must ultimately belong? God must be our number one priority, and sometimes He gives us the gift of being single.

I don't know about you, but even being single, I have so much going on and so little time. Being in a relationship of necessity takes up time in our lives to develop, build and maintain that relationship. But being single grants the gift of time...

"He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.

"There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband" (1 Corinthians 7:32-34).

Being single allows us to do many things we may otherwise not be able to:

• Serve others more. There are many ways in our lives in which we can serve God, people and society. While single, we have more time to devote to service outside a relationship.

• Focus on building a more solid foundation in our relationship with God. This needs to be a key part of our lives—"seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). God loves us and wants us to put Him first. He also wants the best for us—including for our love lives!

• Develop skills for that future relationship. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, including those skills needed in a marital relationship. Whether they are physical skills like yard work, home repair, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc., or emotional and spiritual skills, we all have areas we can improve for when the right time comes.

While being in a relationship leading toward marriage or being married is a great blessing from God, being single can be an immense blessing as well. Keep this in mind as you travel through the next days and months wondering when you will meet that special someone, and be thankful for the time you have been given to draw closer to God and prepare yourself for him or her.


[[[ When God Love Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy is such a great and lovely book. You can learn so many things. Must read. :) ]]] 

A WOMAN'S QUESTION by Lena Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be as true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheeck one day;
Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.



***Lena Lathrop