Burnout

I woke up in a foul mood today.... for who knows what reason...and I am sad.... mad... angry....aggravated and on the verge of tears....I need some rest.... I need a day off... I need......AHHHHHH!!!!!! I just want  to scream!! I am struggling with staying disciplined... I want to work out, but have not motivation, I want my classes to be over but I am tired of doing the work.... I am burnt out.....please pray for me...I need structure.. I need rest...Lord help me to remember this.....

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Be worried for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

the little things that make me happy....

God Bless my husband for sending me a BOX!!!!!! I will do my best to be kind and share with others! :)
I am also excited that I was finally able to order my new workout DVD set (Power 90), after some address/shipping issues. I hope it comes soon!

Some things I have seen in the last couple of days.... I REALLY wish I would have had my camera at these moments...One of which I was at the grocery store and was looking at sunscreen...(which by the way they call "stay white" here) and the one I picked up came with a free travel size bottle of Holy Seat.. which is apparently a toilet disinfectant you would use at a public toilet... how funny is that!!

Happy Easter!

 Let us remember what today is all about..... something in my reading struck me this morning... Luke 20:7-10 7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Wow... kinda sounds like the current times doesn't it? This is interesting to me because just the other day, a local said to me he was scared of Jesus, and I don't know what that is like to be afraid of the end times. I guess maybe because I'm not planning on being around for long when that day happens. So through his one comment, I am realizing what the peace that passes all understanding really means.. I guess my point in writing all this is to say that no matter what happens we have to remember that God does care and eventhough our sin nature causes horrible things on Earth, God is still soverign over it all! My best friend and I discussed recently what the meaning of Good Friday was, this being prompted by her 10 year old son asking why it was called Good Friday.... because it was not a "good" day. The little internet research I did showed me that it possibly came from "God's Friday" and has turned into Good Friday in recent years.. but his question made me think..he was right.... it was not a good day, because Jesus was dying for me.. he was dying for every sin I hadn't even committed yet... everytime I fussed over something that wasn't important, complained about something I didn't have, everytime I was mean or ugly to someone, or said something I shouldn't have...This makes me realize how much I want to be a disciple of Christ. What a perfect example of a servant!
Luke 23:44-55 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

But let us not forget that this story of crucifixion has a glorious ending!!!!
Luke 24

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
AMEN!!!! Is all I can think to say about that!!!!
If you read this, and don't know Jesus as your peronal savior, email me at training4half@yahoo.com

Some things the Filipino people are doing right............

So this week I have to say how impressed I am about the Filipino communities and how they choose to observe Holy Week. Thursday morning I woke up and went downstairs for my driver to pick me up and I noticed that the local paper which is usually hanging on my door was not there. So on my way down I stopped at the front desk to ask where the paper was. They kindly informed me that it is Holy Week, and there would be no paper for the remainder of the week. When my driver picked me up.. he explained that everything would be closed..... the mall... all grocery stores etc. Also there was no music playing on any radio station, and traffic was non-existent. Why can't America celebrate the resurrection of Christ this way? We should take time with our families to celebrate the real meaning of this Lenten season.

Another thing I have been impressed with since I have been here are the food portion sizes and how they are seemingly advocating smaller portion sizes. For example, Burger King has a Whopper Jr Slammer meal that comes with a sandwich, fries, drink and a small sundae (for only 130 pesos -$3.00 US) and this is thier #1 meal. The larger sandwiches cost more, like if you want a regular Whopper its going to cost you (190 pesos $4.39 US). They only upsize if you ask... unlike the American chain. And thier drink sizes are shockingly small compared to the US version....

Just enough.... one normal size soda... what a novel idea!!! I put it next to the teacup so you could see its real size. Also, here is my first experience with Filipino diet coke.... also known as Coke light.... :) Tastes a little different.... ok not as good... but it'll do for now I guess!

And last but not least..... the place that I will spend the next 51/2 months.... this is my desk!

CODE BLUE!!!!

So what would you do if you woke up to someone screaming in your ear "CODEBLUE!!!!" Like what!?! It's the middle of the night...apparently code blue means immediate recall of all personnel. Oh!! The things I am learning in the middle of the night!!! Now lets hope I can go back to sleep...
Also, I just found out I am on a smoking floor..... and that is why my room smells like smoke.. So looks like I will be moving to the other side of the hotel.. cause this smell is annoying me!!!!

Workout

4 Miles down today!! Along with some situps and pushups... not as many as I would have wanted, but I did them!

Pictures

 Rainbow in Hawaii......

 This beach is on Hickam AFB, its so pretty!!

 My kitchen and dining area for the next 6 months

 View of the pool from my room

 View of Manila from my room

Me and the kiddos 1 day before leaving them :(

I am loving JOSH GROBAN!!!!!!

I just listened to Ave Maria....and now Thankful....ahhhhhh such beautiful music!!!!! I think I might be listening this to fall asleep tonight!!!! Thanks KATIE!!!!!!! :)

On another note.. I was able to finally get a sermon to stream on the internet, through Lifechurch.tv
Thank You Lord for the people that made that happen!! I am so greatful! They actually play the sermon all day....so I can watch in the middle of my day at work, or later in my hotel. Lord I pray that you bless the people who made that happen beyond measure!!!

Also, asking for prayers for my dear friend Matt and his wife Cheri as Matt recently found a lump in his neck that he will need to have surgery for.. Lord, I pray your protection and peace and comfort over this dear family. Father I pray that you will allow this to draw them both closer to you. Lord, I know you have Matt in your hand, please heal him, and give Cheri peace that passes all understanding!
Amen!!!!

Food for thought

"The Bible never sees a Christian at any time who didn't suffer- because anyone who lives a Godly life in the world will get the flak that the world throws back. If you are waltzing through life comfortably, it either means you are not living a Godly life or you are living it out in the bushes where no one can see it."
Are you living in the bushes? This has provoked some thought within my soul......

I know I need to post some pics....

Yesterday I saw a bus... and on the back it said " The worlds first WIFI bus!!" How funny is that! :)

I am feeling depressed......

Being here is depressing me already... :(

My experiences.....

Well, Hawaii was a worldwind of a time!!! Ok let's start there.... I'm gonna have to type fast... cause I have alot to say. Alright...Hawaii in a nutshell was awesome! I was able to get all my inprocessing done in the first 3 days, so I did some touring. Thanks to Chief L-V for making my time in Hawaii more than I ever dreamed!
I got to go to my very first swap meet. It's kinda like an outdoor flea market at Aloha Stadium. I got some gifts for my kids there. It was very cool. Then, I also got a tour of Hickam, a tour of the USS Missouri battleship, and the USS Utah Memorial. Those were all very cool. Later in the week Chief took me to Waikiki for dinner at a place named Duke's and it was awesome! I feel like I am using that word alot...:) I had Mahi Mahi for the first time in my life, and if you know me you know how brave I had to be to even try anything other than catfish. But I took some advice from my good friend Jayly, and I didn't pass it up... it was very tasty! I also found out that I will be traveling back through Hawaii on my way back home if only for a day, but I was thinking about taking some leave and I want Ryan to come out to experience Hawaii. So then, after my short trip to Hawaii, I packed up my stuff and got on another plane. So 7:45 flight time to Hawaii... then 7:35 flight time to Guam for a short layover then one more plane to Manila 3: 55. I arrived late at night, it was already dark. The lady who picked me up at the airport took my information and we walked straight through customs and immigration, past all the people who were waiting in long lines. I felt like a rock star :)
Once in the van going to the hotel, I thought I was going to have a heart attack like 64 times in the 20 minute drive was had from the airport to the hotel. These drivers have clearly never been to America...... In Drivers ed we get taught to leave a 3 car space when merging or driving behind someone.... Here I think the rule is 3 millimeters.... There were several times that I saw my life flash before my eyes because I thought we were going to get hit or going to hit someone else. This is definitely going to take some getting used to.... Thank God I wasn't driving... I literally would have died. So we get to the hotel... and its beautiful.. Its the nicest hotel I have ever been in in my life. This morning I got up to eat breakfast and when I went downstairs they had the biggest spread of a continental breakfast that I have ever seen. between American breakfast and Japanese food it looked as big as aregular American buffet. So I order coffee to drink and they bring espresso...I didn't realize that coffee everywhere else in the world is espresso.. :)
 Right next store is something as big or bigger than the Mall of America....There is American food everywhere you look... Just today I saw a Tony Roma's, Burger King, McDonalds, Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut and lots of Japanese places that I can't read :)  So I look at the menu at Mcdonalds and they have something called Chicken McDo with Spaghetti value meal.. WHAT!!!! I almost bust out laughing, right there! So I decided that I wanted Burger King instead (cause I have recently decided to boycott Mickey D's cause I really don't like their food.) Anyway...so I go to Burger King and decide on a Whopper jr meal, which also comes with a icecream sundae...SCORE! So I sit, and start to eat my food... and I see a BK employee standing very close to another patron (both are filipinos) so I assume they are husband and wife or are dating because the girl is massaging his shoulders. I assume this until another BK employee comes over to me and says "Ma'am, would you like a complimentary Burger King massage?" NO JOKE!!!! I almost bust out laughing again and manage a "no thank you".
So then I have to go to the grocery store and I walk outside... where there are millions of people it seems like. Then I make my way into the grocery store and as I walk the aisles I quickly realize that there are people hired by the store to stand on almost every aisle to "help" you with your purchase. This to me was one of the oddest things I have ever seen, minus the previous BK massage episode. But it has been interesting to say the least!!!