The Dusk Was Brighter...

 After office work, our new hired office staff invited me to join her check out what's new in the nearby night market.

The had lots of interesting food there. I invited her to have dinner with me. We had coconut juice, somtam, and another kind of salad. Hmmm... kind of a unique combination but was good.

The market was set-up in front of the beautiful grounds of a sports center. I thought it was my good chance to get to know her better. So, I insisted that we sat for a chat while we enjoy the food.

I took a picture of her but I didn't have the chance to ask her permission to post her photo. She is a beautiful lady. And I'm sure, at heart, too.

We enjoyed our stories and also the view.

It was already late when we left our picnic ground. It seemed that the dusk was brighter that time. Or maybe it was just my feeling after spending time with a new found friend.

A Promise

Scripture & a Snapshot
Flowers on Saturday 

Today's Flower 

 

More Delightful Sights @ King's Park

"Life holds so many simple blessings, each day bringing its own individual wonder."

John McLeod

King's Garden

 Flowers and lake....

trees and cool breeze.....

The sky rejoiced with me as I savored every moment of that beautiful day when I visited my favorite park again with my husband and our dear friend.

The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Weeping may last for the night.....

 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, 

And give thanks to His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; 

Weeping may last for the night, 

But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

Isn't it a beautiful truth to know that our trouble and weeping is just for momentary? 

No matter how dark the night is, there's always a morning that follows.

Dh and I had a breakfast at the hotel by this river yesterday morning. That's when this photo was taken. We were to attend an important meeting. It's a gathering of established foundations serving in our host country. Yesterday, we officially became a member of the league of foundations. Dh was called in front of a big audience to receive the certificate. We were full of joy. Though we wept for many dark nights to see this charity foundation coming through, it finally came to pass. And we can only say, God is faithful. God is good!

Here are some of the thoughts I scribbled in my notebook while, at the same time, trying to decipher everything said in the local language:

• Philanthropy is a privilege not only for the rich and influential people nor servanthood only for the lower in rank. 

• Our Foundation is an avenue where people from all levels of society, rich, poor and those in the middle, meet to build a happy community.

My joy is to see more people find their JOY when morning comes.

This is my entry for Scripture & a Snapshot this week.

Thanks to  Katie for hosting this beautiful meme.

A Pleasant Surprise

On Saturday evening, dear husband and I came home very late from an important meeting. It was almost midnight and we were sleepy and tired.

As soon as we entered the house, we were surprised to see these flowers on the table.

How did they know we needed a little encouragement these days?

We later learned in the morning that the girls went out with their cousin to buy these flowers for us. 

Sweet girls!

"When you put faith, hope, and love together, 

you can raise positive kids in a negative world."

 Zig Ziglar

Practical Christmas Decor

I have Christmas-themed fabrics that I've bought very cheap here. In my host city, Christmas is not an official celebration and so I believe these beautiful fabrics were unpopular so they were sold at a very low price. Some are from 2 years ago and some were bought yesterday.
My special thanks to my dh who is celebrating his birthday today for driving me to the mall to find more fabrics. I would also like to take this opportunity to tell him how much I appreciate his support and encouragement in pursuing my hobbies. Such husband is rare to find. I'm indeed a blessed wife.

As you know, I have a smaller house now so I must make sure that my Christmas decors don't take much space. Also, we are in a new neighborhood in a non-Christian country. I want to be more mindful on my decorations. I want to put up what is only necessary to Christmas celebration.  We have decided not to have a tree this time. We'll have the nativity scene as our main decor. Well, I have not really given much thought about the details but I must admit, I can't wait to do something with the fabrics I have.

This is one end of the holder where I inserted an elastic/garter. Both ends should be with an elastic.

Last week,while supervising my homeschoolers doing their lessons, I sewed 3 plastic bag organizer/holders. I have many used grocery bags that I keep to recycle as garbage bags but they occupy much space in my kitchen drawers, and it's difficult to find the right size of bag that I need. 3 holders for 3 sizes: S,M,and L. It's a very easy project. I think one can imagine how to make it without a tutorial.

I hung them on the door between my kitchen and dining room. I would like to think of them as practical and in season. Cant's wait to start making throw pillow cases.

She selects wool and flax

   and works with eager hands. 

Proverbs 31:13

 

Special thanks to Lori for hosting Friday FarmGirl@Heart.