In response to my prev post, God has been teaching me about the rewards of relying on Him in times of nothing-ness.
Now, I've been wishing for a puncher (in America a puncher makes 3 holes and it's as long as a letter size paper, I don't know why they just make everything different here). Stationaries are expensive here and I don't want to pay USD 8-10 just so I can make 3 piercings on my paper.
Guess what? I got one free today ! Got it in church at the lost and found section. No I didn't steal it. But after a period of time, everything on the table goes free if left unclaimed. Other than this, I got a corduray jacket, a pair of gloves, lunch bag, pencils, a set of wooden toys.
Not to mention my 2 hikes over the past weekends. I was complaining to God about being home-bound... and lo and behold a few hiking opportunities popped out.
I'm still praying for:
1# A visit to an apple farm. There was an apple-picking festival at a nearby farm over this weekend, but since my house-mate and course-mates were busy and I don't have a car so I missed it. Grumbled I did. But since God has been a Santa-Clause to me, I'm sure more opportnites will come by. The good thing is, even though I don't get to pick apples, I get free apples from friends who went.
2# A beautiful sunset. Sunsets are lovely here, you'll see shades of purples and reds (something about how light is reflected or bend over the horizon here...) Now I've caught a couple of lovely sunsets but those view were obstructed. There are some locations where you get to see sunset over the hills, but I need a car to get there...
3# Color papers and photos. I got my picture frames free, I need some color papers to paste my photos on. I hope someone can donate some art papers to me or that I can find some good deals at yard sale... (coz they're expensive here, and there's only one art shop around)
I've become very self-absorbed since classes begin. I used to complain to God that I don't have time for myself. In my previous job, I work with people, on Friday there's cg and on Sunday I'm scheduled for eithr worship or sunday school.
Here, I don't have much time, so it's just me and my books plus church on Sunday and bible study on Thursday. I hardly get to serve. Well, I guess I didn't volunteer to serve too because I am still church-hunting plus I did not think I would have thee time.
But it gets depressing after a while. Being self-absorbed. During bible study on Sat, a friend shared a story from "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis which went *nudge nudge* -> me. This is how the story goes (I may have mixed up some facts) : There was a group of visitors from hell who took a ride to heaven. One man had a snake tied around his neck. It got tighter every day. Now an angel (or was it God?) asked if he wanted to be healed. The only condition was he had to surrender the snake to the angel. He took a while to decide. Every day the snake kept telling him that he needed it or he couldn't live without it. But when he finally surrendered the snake, the angel turned it into a beautiful horse.
And that's how it is with the God of Abraham. He asked us to sacrifice our highest commodity so that He can bless it in return.
For me, it's my time. I've been very kian-siap to spend on it (with Him or for Him), since there's a big pressure to do well so that I can get a scholarship/assistantship to relieve my parents of their financial responsibilities. I feel bad relying on them at this age when every other filial son or daughter are giving back to their parents.
so #4, pray that I'll give God my time. Hopefully I'll get some form of assistantship/scholarship too.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phil 4: 19.
Pictures taken from Greenwood Furnace
p.s -I got a box of chocolate malt packets for free today. Someone from church gave it to me. Said her kids overdosed themselves and now they're sicked of it. This is just what I need ! Last week I returned a tin of choco powder back to Wal-marts caused they didn't taste anything like the chocolate I've drank before, namely milo. I didn't have time to look for another chocolate drink... God knows what I need ! oh ya this one's by nestle.
