Tree Planting

This week, I went to Hawera with nine of my friends for manuka tree planting job. We expected the job to be fun and the money offered is pretty good.

Ten of us live in a bunk house and where we live, there is no reception. It is in the mountain and to get phone reception, we have to go out of the house. Internet in the main mansion is very slow, so we pretty much cut out from the outside world.

On Monday, we went to our work place which is 45 minutes van drive from where we live. The road is very rocky and windy. I got car sick. And due to lack of sleep in the first night, I got migrain and so sick in the car. I feel sorry for others because of me.

The work itself is hard. We have to plan trees on the mountain. Some areas are quite steep. We climb the mountain with a box of manuka trees (about 104 trees) tight into our waist. And we bring spade with us. It was tough. I fell several times, hands get cut by spiny plants, sore legs, waist, arms, etc. It was tough and definitely not girls type of job.

Yet, here we are. Four girls stood till the end of the job. I am proud to be in team with you girls. You guys are amazing. I had such an awesome hard time with you. I can never go through this without you all. Thanks for the two boys too, our driver and our supporter and also part of the team.

Each morning was a struggle to wake up and convince myself to do the work againi with sore bodies. But I did it. Each minute is a struggle to climb the mountain, plant the trees, and carrying such heavy boxes. But I did it.

I never regret doing this. The scenery when we are on top is amazing. The road, the mountain, the sun, the moon, the mist, the rain, the sheep, the plants, the soil, the poo, the bushes, and our sounds...they are amazing.

To look to your faces in the morning, from distance in the mountain, and tiredness and dirtyness after work...they are precious moment for me. All the supports, all the FOOD, all the songs, all the jokes and all the laughter that we share, they are too precious for me to trade with anything.

I learn that people like you are blessings in my life and I thank God for you.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Over excited!!

Not over excited by a hot guy or money or cool stuff or job or grades or friends...

I am over excited for the Lord. This feeling...no, I have never experienced it before. This is different!!

I am sleeping, I am eating, I am sudying, I am listening to Westlife music; yes, westlife.. But all in my mind is God's word, his promises, his kindness, his mercy, his life and the lives of those who have faith till their names are written in the bible. And of course God's love.

My heart leaps, jump, overfilled with excitement!!

If often I cannot sudy because of stress, this is the first time my study distraction come from over joy. I can't wait for the next moment I spend with him alone.

I know that he has something great in the future for me. I am like a kid excited waiting for the father come home bringing present :)

Weird as it may seen or heard. Neither I can explain it.

Life hasn't been easy for me in many ways. No, it hasn't. Satan even tried to attack in so many ways..

But, here I am. Under the mighty hand of God, in his cuddle. Happy and content..

Growing

I am indeed is a spoilt person and I am not ashame to admit it. I am spoil in family affection, friends attention and definitely from God. Always want to be pampered, live in luxury and comfort, getting all I need and all the blessings and all goodness that a person on earth could have from God and from others.

But, here I am in foreign country, away from home, living with strangers.
And, I learn...

I learn that
away from family is hard, I am being more independent
there is time to be cared, and time to care.
there is time to be carried, and time to stand on my own feet
there is time to be pampered, and time to be strong
there is time to be taught gently, and time when hard times come
there is time to toil, and time to enjoy the fruit

In all those time, know that He allows them all to happen because He loves me and He wants what is best for me. For He is sovereign, wise and loving.

Hebrew 5:11-14
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Everything in me is yours

I know I am not a scholar with deep knowledge
I know I am not a linguist who are good with languages skill
I know I am not a smart doctor who can help sick people
I am not even an author or writer who write amazing books

I know I am not an artist whose painting mesmerise those who see it
I know I am not an actress whose act can intrique the audience
Neither am I always real as a person
But I want to come as I am into your presence

I know that I am not composer who write song and make beautiful music
Neither can I play an instrument
I know I cannot even sing for it will be out of tune
(even cat may find a hiding place)
But let my heart sing the song of your salvation

I know that I am not a genius who know and understand things in a speed of light
I do not have good memory to memorise everything that is exposed to me
I do not have wisdom to comprehend circumstances around me
Not even enough to make a decision in my life
But i want to trust myself in your unfailing love

I do not have extraordinary skills, knowledge, wisdom, richness, strength
But I know that this is what I have

I have two feet to walk
I have two hands to work
I have two eyes to see
I have two ears to listen
I have a mouth to speak
I have a nose to breath
I have one mind to learn and
I have a heart to feel

And this is the deal...
As long as I still breath,
I will give my all to You
For you to use, for the sake of your kingdom
For great is your love and faithfulness

All the goodness... not enough!!

After not writing for so long, I question myself whether I actually like writing or not. Has time become the reason of not writing? Or simply because life has been too good or too bad!

I am glad and I praise the Lord for the first semester that has been passed. Yea, I did five papers and it wasn't easy. But I pass them all, not excellent but I am happy :)

I had chance to spend my two weeks holiday in Auckland. I was welcomed in a friend's place. It's good to stay in a family. They are Korean. I learn their culture and just the habit of different family. It's been good really :)

And new semester began. Well, it has been three weeks. Four paper but quite intense timetable. Plus God granted me a job four nights a week. i also get two new hallmates who are fantastic. One american and one chinese. I actually think that my life is so fantastic, it is amazing. God has granted me so many good things in my life. Study abroad, good living place with good hallmates, great job, great friends, great Christian club, and yea, I wonder what will i ask if ever I could ask for more.

Yet, there is in human heart, a big space that all the goodness of the world cannot occupy. There is a longing deep inside each person that no one on earth can meet. There is a desire that none of those good things can satisfy.

We are created for a greater purpose.. We are created for something better.. We are created to be with someone super special.. Yes, I am created for Him. And him only can occupy that space in my heart. Him only can meet the longing of my heart and Him only can satisfy my desire.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.