The life of a Mexican missionary bear

Looks like my little Solomon (the yellow fella on the right) is about to head to South Korea with me. The uni just emailed us to say they cannot provide us with pillows!

... so this guy was born in Mexico, came home to Australia, then travelled to America to pick up some great prayer tips at IHOP with me, then came back home and now he's getting ready to try some kimchi and practice his korean on the locals. Oh my goodness. The blue fella belongs to Emily, who comes from America.

Another day with my favourite kids

Yesterday Annette sent me a text saying to drop around about 6.30pm. I really didn't feel up to it and said no, but then strangely enough, I suddenly felt led to go. On the way over, I felt led to buy a Family Feast dinner from KFC. When I got to her house, she told me Ps Alan and Angie were coming over. So we ended up jazzing up the dinner by putting it all in nice bowls and getting glasses out and so when they walked in, we had places set for them.

What an unexpected great night of fellowship. It ended with them all laying hands and praying for my next adventure into South Korea. I was amazed, Gabby started off by laying hands on me and saying a sweet prayer for God to make the kids like me. Ps Alan reminded me I am on a special assignment and God's Spirit has already prepared the way for me and set up divine appointments. Ps Angie prayed I would be united with the person God has chosen for me and Annette covered my family issues. Nice!

Despite a late night, I got up at 4.30am today and spent 2 hours in tongues before spending some more time praying in the understanding. Then Julz rang me up and I went over to her Floreat home and played with the kids, before bringing Angel to mum's house, giving her a bubble bath and reading her books and watching birds with her. When we went back to Julz' house, both Julz and Lars were asleep and continued sleeping about an hour after we got back. I had such a lovely time with Angel. Gosh I just love her so much! I like the way she just randomly tells me things she thinks are important like Malachi has a friend named Woody with a brown hat and she squashed ants at Aunty Nita's house.

Victorious breakthrough coming!

I was just reading some scriptures and came across this one, which seemed to leap out of the book. Suddenly, I remembered this was given to me as a prophecy just before I left IHOP-KC .... how interesting it refers to bars of iron and gates of bronze. God's going to smash them down for me as a testimony of who He is and how much stronger He is than every wicked work of the enemy. Glory to God!

Isaiah 45:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Isaiah 45

Cyrus, God’s Instrument

¹ “Thus says the LORD to His anointed,
To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—
To subdue nations before him
And loose the armor of kings,
To open before him the double doors,
So that the gates will not be shut:

² ‘ I will go before you
And make the crooked places^[a] straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron.

³ I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the LORD,
Who call you by your name,
Am the God of Israel.

A day in my life

Rose again at 4:30am to pray for a couple of hours in the Spirit. Saw mum come out of her angry state she had been in for the last couple of days, praise God.

She told me she had a vision of Angel's little hand reaching out to her and pointing to a window with prison bars and two big iron gates. It deeply troubled mum, as she felt this was symbolic of the potential outcome of Julz' battles. Julz is being sued for $1.8M from a previous employer and so far, the case is not going well. Her lawyer suggested her best option is to file for bankruptcy. Mum thinks that's a terrible idea. I personally do not understand why it is so bad, given that Julz obviously has a shopping problem, subject to change, and this would prevent her from over-spending even more.

I know that if that was really a vision from the Lord, then it is something to facilitate prayer, not get all worked up over. Things that are seen are temporary and subject to change. God promised me years ago that He will perfect ALL that concerns me, not just a few of the things. A lot concerns me at the moment.

Then I spent the next few hours downloading worksheets, flash cards and word search games off the Internet for Korea. I found a great sight prepared by an Australian dude who was teaching in South Korea, so he has korean words written under the English words and pictures - just brilliant. However, my eyes keep drying up, post surgery. Dr English explained that he severed my nerves, which affects my tear ducts and so my eyes are super dry and may be this way for three months. How am I going to cope in a dry winter in South Korea?

I feel a bit stressed about Korea, but I guess it's more my family that's putting pressure on me. Mum just gave me a lecture yesterday about how she doesn't agree with me going to South Korea. I just know though that I am meant to go. It was prophesied over me at IHOP and I feel peace in my heart about the decision, even though I have never taught in my life before and can barely speak Korean!!! So crazy, i know.

I also feel awful leaving the kids under Julz' care, when she is so obviously deprived of sleep and making bad decisions, subject to change. I know Grunde will walk out one day and never come back. I just sense that.

Today, I got a letter from the Citibank saying they had reinvested all my money I placed in a term deposit with them for one year. So frustrating because more than two weeks prior to it terminating, I wrote a letter to them and mailed it by registered express post (ensuring it got there two weeks before the end date) advising them that I no longer want to invest with them. Rather I would like to withdraw all the money and have it deposited in my Commonwealth bank account, so I could invest it in some shares. It expired last Friday.

Well, somehow the letter didn't make it to them (how, I don't know) and so instead of getting it put back in my account, they have hung on to it. It's a bummer because now I have to wait at least a week longer just to get my money back and that's a week of profit lost. I am leaving Oz next week, time is running out and it's one stress I don't need.

Then I try and change the pin number I got given with my new Commsec share trading account card. For some strange reason, the online option to change my pin, hasn't worked for me, despite trying in numerous times on different days. I ring up the customer service people and they were extremely unhelpful, saying I could neither change it on the phone or in person - that it simply must be changed online .... so I didn't manage to do it.

So anyways, I see this scripture and feel like it pretty much sums up how I feel at the moment.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

.... preserved and not pickled! That's what some guy on the internet added to it :-) haha

Breakthrough with fasting

Today I rose at 4.30am and spent a good couple of hours praying in the Spirit. I decided to fast all day - for reconciliation between family members and in their spiritual conditions. What a great day so far!

I drove to my sister's new rental house in Floreat (she's moving in shortly) and prayed for wisdom to be as wise as a serpent, cunning as a fox, bold as a lion and as gentle as a dove. Well I started reading Angel her toddler bible and got my sister to take over while I ducked out and moved the car. A little bit of the Word sown into their hearts - amen!

Then I looked after her kids while she ducked out to the shops. Well, unknown to her, I turned my unexpected babysitting time into a powerful time of prayer with the kids. Angel and I anointed her entire house with oil I bought at IHOP in KC :-) We prayed that a fresh anointing of God's Spirit would be poured into the house, which would break the yoke of wickedness and demonic bondage. We warred in the Spirit and released angels. Oh what an amazing time. Breakthrough is coming. God's Word NEVER returns void. He is faithful.

Subsequently, she caught me by surprise by handing me a lump sum of cash and a prepaid Mastercard gift card. I prayed over the cash and gave it to mum afterwards, and told her it was a peace offering from my sister. I'm sure that touched mum's heart.

Wow, God releases amazing blessings when we pray. If only more people believed in the power of prayer. It frustrates me how little my fellow believers pray. I guess I have a lot more motivation than most though, given my challenging family.

Ninth lot of Tim Tams to KC

Just sent my ninth package of Tim Tams to Kansas City, this time to a dear friend called MG who went out of her way to bless me by going to my old home in KC, collecting some of my mail and mailing it to me in Oz. Hopefully, it will arrive before I leave!

I also sent a Chrissy card to this dear old couple, Ken and Glenda, who are affectionately known as the post card pastors. I love their postcards - they are always so warm and friendly and ooze out God's love. I think that will be the only Chrissy card I write. It just seems like too much effort at such a busy time as this!

2.5 weeks to go

Oh my goodness, where does time go?!?!?! I cannot believe I will be in South Korea so soon!!! Oh Lord give me grace and guidance

Breaky with Tamz @ Ravenous

Love this chick. We had a great time.

Orange man

South Korean home

So this is going to be my new home in South Korea, at least for the first month. I will be sharing it with the Canadian teacher on our team :-) Stoked. It looks cute!

Graduation ceremony

These were taken last night - I loved the flags at the start held by international students from different nations. Had a nice chat to Tamz too and Ps Judy.

Graduation Thursday night

No sure what exactly Simon is doing here, but I like this photo. I like the fact we are all different skin colours.

Bubble buckets

Going to miss preparing bubble "buckets" for my favourite little munchkin and her pet froggie, turtle, octopus, whale and ducky :-) Marshall dropped by to say hello!

VLIBTC Dinner

We had a great time last night ....

New season

Well today I could really see a breakthrough in mum's mindset today as her poverty mentality is finally being broken down! With bulk rubbish collection due in a couple of days, she totally surprised me by agreeing to part with three old mattress bases, four mattresses a sofa bed, two old white washing machines, a display cabinet and a vacuum - all were in such a decrepit state, they should have been thrown out many years ago, but mum just couldn't part with them and would get angry every time I even suggested it.

I know my intense time of praying and interceding for my family while i was at IHOP for six months has started to display fruit. God is so good. His Word NEVER returns void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is intended. His timing is different to ours, but he is faithful to fulfil every promise.

My new Korean friend

Angelina at Jacobs Ladder

Aggggghhhhhh

Sure enough, my rollerblades sold today. It definitely must have been the Holy Spirit leading me to sell them! A lady rang me up from the other side of Oz and arranged to deposit the money directly into my bank account tomorrow. Nice! Feel a bit gutted to let go of these skates, but I really don't feel i'm going to be settling long enough to get maximum use out of them.

Feeling nervous about teaching in South Korea. Oh my goodness, lets recap again .... I have no teaching experience, have extremely limited skills in speaking in Korean, can barely read and understand Korean writing and haven't particularly enjoyed any of the Korean food I have eaten so far. It is going to be super freezing cold, like minus 15 degrees Celicius some days and I don't know any of the people I will be living and working with. Oh my goodness. How do I get myself into these situations?!?

One of the Korean guys at bible college suggested the other day that he find me a Korean bf. He said it's the only way i'll survive. lol ... What a crazy idea! Well fortunately I have a beautiful Korean friend here, Rachel, who i'm meeting with Wednesday to learn some more Korean from and i'll be going to the bible college graduation where i'll be sitting with the Koreans this Thursday.

Where is the turkey?

Someone put this up as a bit of thanksgiving humor, for those in America celebrating thanksgiving with turkey. Hahahaha

Nat's a winner

My friend, Natalie, just won a prize for her unpublished book called Bundaburra! Good on her, I say :-) I am so happy for her. I saw this web page confirming her win.

Donating glasses

Well now that I no longer need to wear contact lenses or glasses, due to successful Lasik surgery, I am going to donate my glasses here to a program that will turn pre-loved glasses into a blessing to people in poor countries! How exciting :-) Here's a cool I found online.

Henry the Octopus, our role model

The other day I was doing Angelina's hair in the bathroom and she asked me if I could close the bathroom door. I told her I wasn't able to because I only had two hands and they were both being used to do her hair. She looked at me and said "Oh", then after a long pause, she said "Aunty needs many hands like Henry the Octopus" :-)

Hahahahaha Oh this little kid makes me laugh so much. I think she should be on the advisory panel in Heaven.

Farewell my beautiful blades

Sad to be selling my skates super cheap, but no one seemed interested when I put them up at a more reasonable price. They are worth $590. I am selling them for $199. Oh well, that's what I felt strangely led to put them on offer for. Was it the Holy Spirit leading me to do that, or just my foolishness? Oh well, I guess they are no use to me when I am obviously becoming a jet-setter.

Battling in the spiritual realm

Yesterday was such a strange day spiritually. The previous night I was unable to sleep. I tossed and turned and felt very unsettled spiritually. I arose at 5.00am and powered my way through two hours straight of praying in the Spirit. I felt extremely emotional and worked up with negative feelings about my sis and about a girl from bible college. It was really odd. Just before Julz came over with the kids, I was praying intensely for her, pleading God for her salvation and I praying for God to give me wisdom. I was reminded of what i've heard many times at Victory - to be wise as a serpent, cunning as a fox, bold as a lion and as gentle as a dove. I knew i had to bite my tongue and be careful.

Well, we ended up having an amazing time. Lars was asleep when they arrived, so Julz came in and slept on my bed with him while I entertained Angel. We ducked in to check on them twice, but Julz was obviously so sleep deprived, she lay there motionless. Angel poked her face and patted her :-) lol Funny kid!

Anyway, afterwards, Julz blessed me with some money and a gift card. It was the HUGEST blessing to me. Interesting how praying in the spirit can release blessing.

Afterwards, we went and fed the peacocks and sat on the river, before visiting mum at gran's house, where she was busily working on the garden yet again. Angel loves going to that house.

After they left, I went for a run in Kings Park. On the way there, I felt the Spirit come upon me and I was propelled into a time of intercession for Julz again. I was moved by God's presence and had streams of tears pouring down my cheeks as I prayed fervently. Then I wiped the tears away before getting out of my car and doing a satisfying run from Fraser's restaurant car park and back.

Before I went to sleep, I told mum that breakthrough is coming. God's timing is different to ours, but I know He is faithful and His never returns void.

Love the cookie monster

Dream

Last night I had a dream that was comparable to many dreams I had many years ago during one very interesting year of my life. In that year, I had all sorts of sporting dreams in which I was extremely fit and healthy and successful - a bit of a contrast to what I was like in the natural. At the time I thought God wanted me to get fit, so I started running on my lunch breaks and doing Jacobs Ladder - a 242-step cement staircase frequented by fitness fanatics. In hindsight, I realised God was talking to me about my spiritual life - He was going to take me to a higher level of prayer and intimacy with Him. Doh!

Last night I was power running on a bush track. I was fit and strong. Then I looked to the right and saw a blonde girl with her hair in a single pony tail ascending a wooden ladder that was built up against a tree. She was heading to a wooden platform. Ahead of me was a wooden platform about one metre high and five metres long. It was about three or four metres off the ground. While I was running, I did one mighty leap and landed on the platform. I realised I was at a higher level to the girl that had ascended the ladder. I walked to the end and realised the end of the platform was unsafe, so I looked over the edge to see whether I could jump down. It looked a bit too high. I was still contemplating how to get down when I woke up. I feel God is going to take me to a higher level of authority in the spiritual realm somehow.

Funny how a fitness dream can provide the motivation behind a good fitness workout. I just got back from a 30 minutes fitness session in which I jogged from the carpark behind Frasers restaurant to Jacobs Ladder, then down the ladder, around Mounts Bay Rd, up Cliff St, then walked up Mount St, then jogged back to the car. I stopped and did 20 sit-ups and push-ups along the way - not bad for only my second day back after not working out for over a year! I am surprised I am not as unfit as I thought I would be.

I am going to teach myself how to lead kids in early morning exercise, then volunteer to run the exercise program in South Korea.

Korean blessing from Jun-Mo

주안에서 늘 기쁨이 넘쳐나기를 기도합니다

( I pray you have joy in the Lord all the time)

Long day

Got up super early to go and collect my favourite Angel, then spent the morning entertaining her. She is such a precious, beautiful and sweet little girl. I love her to bits. Then I drove her all the way home and back and made myself a sandwich and cuppa, before heading back to bed for a quick nap! Then I went with mum to her unit to do some more work on it.

Yesterday was so crazy, we went there to prune more trees and all these people starting coming in and walking around. I was in my underwear up a ladder surrounded by thorn-covered bougainvillea cuttings feeling really unprepared for meeting so many people! It turns out the real estate company had arranged a home open. It was very popular! All sorts of people came through - an old professional-looking man, a young computer geek-looking guy, three university students - a young geeky-looking guy and two asian girls wanting to share, two Caucasian girls who looked in their 20s, an indian couple - the guy teaches denistry at UWA, a PhD student, a snobby Asian lady, an Asian couple viewing the place for a friend, a young couple with a baby .... oh all sorts!

Today, I sawed almost an entire tree down. It was covered with a multitude of stink bugs and was absolutely disgusting. I prayed for God's grace and just kept sawing and sawing and sawing until there was almost no more! Mum was a bit shocked. I guess I was too. I vacuumed up all the carpet fragments the carpet guy left everywhere around the house - that took over an hour because of our dodgy vacuum without a proper head attachment. I glued three panels back on (in the bathroom and laundry) and cleaned all the surfaces. Mum and I bought fish and chips for the third time this week on the way home!

Gosh what a day. The unit looks great now with a shiny new oven, new carpets and vinyl, and fresh paint on all the doors and walls and ceiling. We have really done the gardens nicely now. The place looks so nice that mum and I were kind of dreaming of moving in. I wouldn't be surprised if one day I do live there. That would be funny.

Getting ready

Spent some of this morning revising YWAM skits to teach the kids in South Korea. I've typed up Bananas Unite, Funky Chicken, The Box Skit and The Joy Stealer. I'm now going through some lesson plans I found online that a Canadian couple who are currently teaching in South Korea kindly shared. The only thing is, they are very obviously not Christian and they have some very morbid tastes when it comes to movies and music :-( Urrrggh

God's will for my life

Had a bit of a clash with mum today over my future and God's plans for my life. So frustrating. Why can't she see that South Korea is God's will for my life. I made the mistake of telling her I only ever knew three to six months ahead of me. I don't really want to know more than that because I don't think I can handle the revelation. I don't know why God's plan for my life seems so different to everyone else's plan. I know I'm in His will though.

Reward stickers for the kids in South Korea :-)

Visa

FINALLY got my work visa for South Korea today. I was expecting a letter and perhaps some of my documents back, but all they sent to me was my passport with the photo-less visa attached. I thought that was really odd. My visa is until early February.

Handong

Mum and I worked so hard yesterday at Gran's unit. I sawed lots of branches, pruned others and swept up leaves for hours! Was so tired afterwards, I went to bed at about 7.00 pm! Today I want to go for a run and start building up my fitness level again.

We had to write a blurb about ourselves for the Handong Global University page showing who all the teachers are for this year's winter camp. This is what I submitted:

My name is Michelle Lincoln. I completed a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Microbiology at the University of Western Australia. I am passionate about prayer and intercession, health and fitness, and travelling to other nations to share the love of Jesus. I believe God is preparing a generation of young people who will be leaders of integrity, purity and faith. Inside every child is a potential leader. I am excited to teach English to children at Handong Global University and to encourage them in the purposes and plans that God has for their lives.

Chillzone jacket

Women's insulated long sleeve jacket

RRP : $249.98

SUMMIT CLUB : $149.99

• The jacket provides lightweight warmth without bulk. Elasticated cuffs. High neck warming collar. Drawcord hem. Two zipped hand pockets. Internal zip pocket with music/phone cord eyelet. Elastic loop inside collar for music/phone cord. Fleece lined collar and pockets. Jacket can zip in to the Monrovia Jacket v2 Wmn. Woven tape with domes at cuffs attach to elastic loop in cuff of outer jacket. DWR finish sheds water and snow.

Shell 100% Nylon
Lining 100% Nylon
Fill 100% Polyester

Incheon Guest House

So today my accommodation plan changed yet again! After talking to Jun-Mo, he convinced me that it is way too cold and snowy to be travelling one hour to Seoul, then one hour up to colder temperatures at Prayer Mountain (which is North of Seoul and the opposite direction of Pohang), then back to Seoul, then down to Pohang. He said that due to the snow, the roads will be crazy and the traffic challenging to get through.

So then I contacted Liza and asked her about accommodation and her sister suggested I stay at a jjim-jjim-bang, which is a sauna. The $7/night sounded great. Then strangely enough, I got this email from Ana Seo shortly afterwards and she also suggested staying in a jjim-jjim-bang. She also included some guy's blog to read on his experience. While the cheap rate sounded great, the idea of public showers did not! I'm really not into exposing my assets! So fortunately, she included some hotel options.

I decided to go with a room in the Incheon Guest House. The single rooms were booked out, but they offered me a twin room for 50,000 won/night (equate to about $43.34 AUD). Great! I would much prefer to pay a little more for some privacy :-)

I had a quick squiz at the people i'll be working with that were on Ana's email list. A couple of guys from South Africa, one from the Netherlands, one from China, one from the UK, one from America. Eight guys and two other girls on the email. Interesting. I am glad I deactivated my FB account, so they can't take a peek at me! lol

Neck warmer

Paradise Outdoors Presents Polar Fleece Neck Warmer

Description NEW POLAR FLEECE NECK WARMER- NECKMATE (Electric blue) EXTREME COLD WEATHER GEAR - LIGHTWEIGHT - BREATHABLE - CAN COVER NECK, MOUTH AND EARS neck warmer size:24*24CM Material: 200gsm polar fleece/one layer Multifunction:Used as neck wamer,hat and scarf 1.keep your neck and face snuggling in warmth 2.superior and intimate against the cold and wind 3. Made in Hobart, TAS Note: These do not have an adjustable toggle.

Financial breakthrough

Very happy today after God blessed my prayers and enabled me to get a good healthy tax return. Finally I can pay off my Mastercard, which has taken a beating after having to pay my return airfare to Seoul, South Korea, my RAC bill and two speeding fines! I have never had speeding fines before. I got them in the first few days back from USA.

I think that after spending six months in a country where they use miles instead of kilometres, everyone drives on the other side of the road and the steering wheel is located on the left-hand side of the car (instead of on the right-hand side like here), I was a bit directionally challenged. My mind needed to readjust. Such a bummer though as I was only 7 and 8km above the speed limit, yet the two bills were each for $150! OUCH.

Praise the Lord, I no longer have debt and I have some money to pay my rent up to when I leave and buy a few things I need for South Korea.

Prayer Mountain Introduction to South Korea

Well today my accommodation got sorted. After Jun-Mo told me his friends weren't able to accommodate me, I looked at booking a room in the Lexington Hotel but there were only Double Deluxe rooms left at a cost of $130/night and the check-in time was 2pm, which made it a bit awkward because I arrive at 6.30am. I was wondering what on earth to do.... but had a strange peace about it.

Well I did some research on the Internet and discovered that there is a limousine bus from the airport to the Lexington Hotel which costs 14,000 won, or about $12 AUD. Then from the Lexington Hotel, there are free buses that run every hour to the Prayer Mountain. This is a one hour trip. Then at the Prayer Mountain, there are rooms you can rent for 20,000 won, or about $17 AUD which comprise two beds with bedding and its own bathroom. You rent the room, not the bed. Check-in time is 2pm and check-out time is 11am. There are also meals available which only cost 1,000 or 2,000 won, which equates to $0.75 or $1.75 AUD). Then you can jump on a free bus back to the Lexington Hotel the next day. Perfect! Then I will catch the express bus to Pohang.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Black Cat Lounge

Angel made me laugh so much today when I drove her past a restaurant near my mum's house on the corner of Stirling Highway and Loch Street. That place has been a fine dining place for as long as I know, so I didn't pay much attention to it. As we waited for the red light to turn green so we could turn right, Angel asked me what the place was. I told her it was a restaurant. She asked me if people brought their cats. I said no, it was a place where people sit and have a meal. She asked me if they bring their cat. I said no. She asked me if they liked cats. I said sure they might do, but didn't bring them out for dinner. Strange questions.

Well after we drove off, I realised why the questions about the cats. The place must have changed owners as it has been renamed "Black Cat Lounge" and there is a picture of a black cat on the wall facing the highway! :-) lol Funny kid. The must have been trying to figure out why there was a cat pictured outside! Who on earth would bring their cat out for dinner? A three year old's brain works differently :-)

Facebook or Jesus? ... your choice

Well after making the decision to fast Facebook, I found so much more time today to pray and spend time with Jesus. Tonight when I went to the prayer room in Fremantle, the Lord met me there. His presence overwhelmed me and tears poured down my cheeks. Oh the nearness of His Spirit is so beautiful. It makes me feel warm inside, like His arms are wrapped around me.

Similar to last Wednesday, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction after having such rich fellowship with the prayer warriors in the prayer room. I love hearing them all pray. I love joining with them to pray over different issues of injustice. I am amazed how many of them are so young, yet are such gifted in their prayer language. They know what Scriptures to pray and how to pray them. It touches my heart hearing them. Every meeting is a feast for my Spirit man, who hungrily devours every Word of God. I just love it so much.

Tonight, the devotional time comprised listening to this little guy James Kufeldt from IHOP sing so magnificently sweetly. I have never seen him lead worship before on the piano. It was just glorious. The archive set was 8.00am, Sunday October 30. I wrote down his lyrics:

My mind was made to think about You

My eyes were made to gaze upon You

My heart was made to love and adore You

My mouth was made to give You the glory

So I meditate on the mysteries, on the deep things of God

Afterwards, when the live set began at 7.00pm, we began with IHOP worship songs. I sang backing vocals at the top of my lungs from where I was sitting. I'm not part of the worship team, but I love my Jesus and my heart is set on fire when the worship team sings. I can't help but express my heartfelt adoration to Him.

Then we had small group prayer for any personal needs, as well as the missions team from the church in the Philippines. I prayed for George and George prayed for me. He didn't have much prayer language, but did well for a guy who has only been part of the church for a few months and wasn't attending any church before then. He is getting baptised in December.

Then we prayed over the issue of the potential for the Prostitution Bill to be passed through Parliament. Lauren led us from Colossians 1:9, then we did a rapid fire prayer line to pray for Governmental and political leaders involved in the legislation. I got up and threw in my two cents with the other half a dozen people.

Then some guy got up and led us in prayer from Ephesians 3:16-19 for the New Life Community. We broke up into small groups and prayed.

Then some other guy led us in praying for persecuted believers in Egypt out of Acts 4 and read a short extract from some newsletter. Then we did another rapid fire prayer line. I got up again and joined the four other people.

Finally we ended with the worship leader saying a final prayer to wrap up the night. Jason told me it was nice having me with them. I think I needed to hear someone say that. I was really touched by his words. I walked out with Heather.

Gosh I am just so grateful for this little group of IHOP people. I would have been a mess without them and would have taken longer to transition back into Perth from IHOP-KC.

Facebook fast starts today

Instead I will feast on the Word of God, which brings life to my body and health to all my flesh! It's a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When I meditate in it day and night and observe to do according to all that it written in it, then God will make my way prosperous and give me good success! Amen

Pre-arranged marriages and beauty

Had a really interesting conversation with my Hindu beauty therapist friend, Sumi about pre-arranged marriages in India. She told me women get married usually between the ages of 22 and 30 and the parents arrange their spouses. She said that basically, the fathers have to pay a huge lot of money to present their daughters with a range of potential spouses. The daughters then look at a photo album of the potential men, assess their credentials and indicate their preference. Then, the potential union was presented to an astrologer who assesses their compatibility with regard to horoscopes. If they are deemed incompatible, the process begins again!

Sumi said that for her, the process took between two and three years. The married an IT specialist whose company gave him a job in Australia. She said overall she was relatively happy with him, but from the tone of her voice, I gathered not 100% happy. She said he treats her nicely and they have a son who is five years old. Interesting.

Apparently in India, wedding ceremonies are a huge deal, with literally 1000's of people attending. The ceremony itself lasts for two full days! Oh my goodness.

We had a great discussion about beauty salons in India and the difference between treatments that Indian women and Australian women request. She said that Indian women rarely have facials, tatooing (like colouring injected into their lips, eyebrows and around their eyes), eyelash extensions, etc... because they naturally have better skin, beautiful long curly eyelashes and more prominent facial features. She said most Indian women only get wrinkles at the age of 50! She said one thing they do like to do is have skin bleaching because they would all prefer to be more fair. In contrast, Australian women have more skin therapy, tatooing and eyelash treatments.

Pullover

Arc'teryx RHO AR Pullover Women's

SAVE 50%

$124.50 (Regular $249.00)

Excellent mid-layering for aerobic activities or expedition weight insulation for cold winter sports. Form fitting for women. Features Polartec® Power Stretch®, which wicks moisture and prevents constriction

Features:

• Moisture wicking
• Insulated
• Great warmth-to-weight ratio
• Laminated sleeve pocket with laminated zip
• Laminated chest pocket with laminated zip
• Collar zip for improved venting

Specifications:

• WEIGHT: 255g
• MATERIALS: Polartec® Power Stretch®

Committed to God

Wondering why my sister seems so suss. So Grunde is apparently overseas in Malaysia negotiating a work contract, so I asked her today if she would like me to stay overnight and look after the kids. She said no. I find that really odd because I know she is extremely sleep-deprived and not coping. This makes me wonder whether someone else is staying over at her house.

Another thing I find rather suss is that every time I go over to their house, Grunde always looks me up and down like he's checking me out. One of Julz' friends told me she found out he was seeing prostitutes a month before I came home. Julz hasn't mentioned anything about it and keeps pretending nothing is wrong.

Jim Greco Thunder Jacket

Just found my lovely silver jacket online in a UK skate shop for 85 Euro dollars, which equates to about $130 Australia dollars. I also found it online in a shop in France for 74 Euro dollars.

Apparently, these are the details: exterieur (outside) : 100% polyurethane/ interieur (inside) : 100% polyester.

Another day with my favourite kids

Love this cheeky little monkey