I'm in Singapore...

Hey everyone,

I am in the Singapore Changi Airport. I've just stayed the night and man do I have lots to tell you all about. My flight for Columbo leaves in 2 hours. It's been a wild ride so far but besides being very, very tired I'm doing ok. My cold is loving the humidity and has improved a lot.

I miss everyone already. Hugs all around.

K

My last Sunday

Last night was my last Sunday at my home church before I leave for Sri Lanka. I knew that it was going to be an emotional day but I didn't realize how much I am going to miss it. It was really hard to say good-bye to some people. During the service I tried to take everything in and memorize every detail so that I can remember it when I'm gone.

I was blessed to have Dan sing. I love that song or maybe it's just the passion that he sings it with. I'm going to miss him lots.

I'm still sick. I went to the Doctor today and he figures that it is just the flu. It won't be fun to travel feeling this way though. I would appreciate it if you read this then you would say a prayer for my health. Thanks.

Experiencing Hair

So you are probably wondering..."why is she blogging about hair?" Well it's not about types of hair or hair belonging to other people... it's about my hair.

So now you are thinking "hey crackhead who blogs about their hair?" ...well ...me...actually it's more about experiencing my hair.

For the past 14-15 years I have maintained my hair in a variety of short hair styles with the exception of my mohawk which had grown quite long...I miss my mohawk *sigh*

For practical reasons I have decided to grow my hair long for my trip to Sri Lanka. At first it just irritated me to no end because it was too long to spike and yet too short to put up in any sort of clips. My preferred choice of hair management has become the bandana. I wear them all the time.

So the whole experience that caused me to write this silly post happened one day in class. I had straightened my hair that day and left it down in the back. It was a little chilly in the room so I put my scarf around my neck. I was surprised at how comforting that felt, my hair on my neck that is...it felt like a soft hair blanket. Memories of when I had long hair flooded my mind, I actually remembered the good things about long hair.

So I've decided that perhaps short hair is not necessarily superior to long in all things...although it look much better on me. I will be reverting back to the short hair when I return from Sri Lanka.

Really I'm not insane...

Does it get any better than long, orange bangs?

AAHHHHHHH! Remember the days when I had long bangs and color-a-plenty? Soon, soon I will be there again!

We met along the river...

This is a picture of Dave and myself the weekend that we met in Saskatoon. The picture was taken at Colin's wedding reception.

Luck-o-the-Irish

This is my friend Laura and I last St. Patrick's Day. We had a missions fundraiser at our school called "the Irish Blessing". We dressed up to hand out the blessings that were being sent to everyone.

8 more days!

There is only eight more days until I am flying westward.

On one hand I am very excited and on the other I am starting to get nervous and slightly stressed (I have so much to do before I go)...mostly excited though. I just wish that I could leave sooner, like tomorrow.

I don't have much to say other than my life is caught up in the countdown.

The Mansion on the Hill

Well I don't know if it's a mansion or not...just a really big house. Matt and Rebecca have found a home!!! Praise God for providing for them, as always. Apparently it's a beautiful house with a view and many perks that are a great blessing to them. I am excited that I will have a roof over my head when I get to Sri Lanka!!

I get a bathroom with a nice tub in my room!!!! God is good. Who would have thought that I would get to take bubblebaths when I was on my mission internship???? Certainly not me. I think that perhaps we have a warped sense of missions sometimes. It's not all hardship...I may have more to say on that subject when I'm there though.

13 more days people

Proposed Amendment Ruled Unconstitutional!!! Praise God for That!

About 5 weeks ago I posted a news report on the proposed bill put forth by the Srilankan government which would restrict religious freedom in Sri Lanka. If you would like to read more about what the bill proposed click here.

Here is what happened...

Proposed Amendment Ruled Unconstitutional (Sri Lanka) With the horrible disaster caused by the December 26 tsunami, eyes of the world have been focused on the physical suffering facing the people of Sri Lanka. In the midst of the devastation, a positive development has arisen, relating to religious freedom in the country. On December 8, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a proposed constitutional amendment which would have severely restricted religious freedoms for non-Buddhists in the country. According to a January 6 report in TamilNet, after the amendment was tabled, the Speaker referred it to the Supreme Court for a determination on its constitutionality. The Court has determined that some clauses are inconsistent with the present Constitution. Changing the Constitution to allow this amendment would require a two-third majority vote in parliament and a nationwide referendum. Praise God for this ruling and pray that Christians will continue to be free to worship and spread their faith in Sri Lanka. (this was emailed to me from a friend that receives a missionary report from Sri Lanka...not my writing)

Standing on the Edge of Me

Do you ever get the feeling like you are standing on the verge of something amazing, something life changing. I feel like I am in that position right now. There are so many things in my life right now that are new, things that I've never experienced before.

As I count down the days to my internship I am both sad and excited. I am sad to leave school, family and friends yet I know that I will see everyone again in a few short months. I'm sad because I have just started a new relationship and I have to put it on hold until I come back but I am excited that he is willing to wait...I hope I'm worth it.

I am excited because I want to see and experience everything that God has for me. I'm excited not only for the experience itself but the growth that will occur. My life is going to be changed...forever.

The title of this post is from a song called "On Fire" by Switchfoot. I feel like I'm standing on the edge of everything that God wants for me, the edge of everything that I could become. I can't just stand on the edge...I must go, take that step. Here are some of the lyrics of the song...

Give me one more time around; give me one more chance to see.
Give me everything you are; give me one more chance to be near you.
When everything inside me looks like everything I hate,
You are the hope I have of change; you are the only chance I’ll take.

When I’m on fire when You’re near me,
I’m on fire when You speak,
I’m on fire burning at these mysteries

I’m standing on the edge of me; I’m standing on the edge of me.
I’m standing on the edge of me; I’m standing on the edge of me.
I’m standing on the edge of everything that I’ve never been before.
And I’m standing on the edge of me, standing on the edge,

And I’m on fire when You’re near me,
I’m on fire when You speak,
I’m on fire burning at these mysteries, these mysteries, these mysteries…
You’re a mystery

I love this song

In the quiet of my soul
In the stillness I hear your voice call
and I am overwhelmed
and I am lost for words to describe you

Chorus:
Jesus you're more than a friend
Jesus you're more than my heart could ever express
Your love and your grace never fail me
your merciful touch always heals me
You bring joy to my soul

My heart longs to worship you my King
and I long to bring you a pleasing offering
and I am overwhelmed
and I am lost for words to describe you

"More than a Friend" - Jeremy Riddle

Thank You

I just wanted to send out a big thank you to all my friends and family that have expressed concern about my internship. I know a lot of you are concerned about safety for myself and for the people that I am going to work with. The Bakers are doing well and I will be in God's hands. I feel more now than ever that Sri Lanka is where God wants me so that is where I will go.