NORTH KOREA 101.

23 more days. I'm an super stoked! I'll be posting periodically on here facts and prayer requests for the upcoming trip. So, here's my attempt #1.

North Korea is a country isolated from the rest of the world because the leaders wants total control of the way people think and live. The brainwashing starts at a very young age where citizens are taught that their country is thriving and achieving great accomplishments while the rest of the world is suffering and falling apart. The citizens have no contact to the outside world and the outside world has very limited contact/information about the country. All newspapers, tv/radio shows are government run. Internet and cell phones are not permitted.

Within each homes, you will find two pictures hung on the wall of the great leader, Kim Il Sung and his son the dear leader, Kim Jong Il. This is to remind them they are the only two people to praise and worship. Besides the pictures, every house also has a speaker that is use to pump out reminders of what the great and dear leaders have provided for them and how lucky they are to be living in such a thriving country on a daily basis. Due to such isolation, North Korea is known as the Hermit Kingdom.

Please click on the image below to read more on how you can pray for this country.

Some of you may think I'm crazy for wanting to pursue this, but God has laid it on my heart for the country and the people. I have been preparing myself the last couple of months by researching, reading, watching documentaries, and discussing about North Korea. Having to know all that is going on, I just can't ignore it anymore.

So, will you please join me on this journey? The team of 8 leaves in 23 days and we need your prayers! Here are a couple of things you can pray for:

1. Details: There are still a lot of logistics and details that needs to be worked out.

2. Finances: As a team, we are still in need to raise a chunk of money to cover all the costs.*

3. Health: Pray that God will keep us healthy now, during and after the trip. Swine flu is in full swing in that area.

*If you would like to contribute in any way, please contact the office at 888-524-2535 and ask for Michele Miller.

Thank you so much for journeying alongside with me! I couldn't do this without your prayers, encouragements and support!

"Having seen all this you can choose to look the other way,

but you can never say again 'I did not know.'" -William Wilberforce

I HEART STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN!

Last night, my friend invited me to go to Women of Faith. I normally wouldn't even think about attending things like this...a bunch of strange Christian women/estrogen gathered together is not my ideal choice of spending my Friday night or time. But I wanted to hang with my friend and it was free, so I went. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it. We heard from Patsy Clairmont (HI-LARIOUS!), Rich Stearns (AH-MAZING! He's the CEO of World Vision, which is currently where my friend, Ange works), and lastly Steven Curtis Chapman performed (SPEECHLESS!).

I haven't listened to Steven Curtis Chapman since my college days. I remember my friend Gina and I would always belt out "We will abandon it all for the sake of the call!" I have his recent album on my iPod, but haven't listened to it in awhile. But last night, I was reminded why I love his music so much. All his songs are from his heart and personal experiences. It has depth and meaning to it. I pretty much cried the whole time he performed. I am now going to upload all his cds that I have onto my iPod and blast it! He's coming out with a new album soon and he debuted "Heaven is the Face" last night. This is a song dedicated to his daughter that tragically died last year. Yup, I think all 15,000 women were pretty much balling at the end. I CANNOT wait for the new album to come out. I HEART SCC!

It's articles like this: I cannot stand reading/hearing stories like this that irritates me to no end.

The answers from the officers and neighbors just show how stupid and ignorant people really are.

LOTS OF ACCOUNTS.

I have quite a few email accounts. I guess this is my way of separating the different aspect of my life from one another. What seems like a great, organizing idea at first only turns out to be more pain in the butt. So far, I have:

1 email for junk mail. I NEVER CHECK THIS ONE. EVER.
1 personal email for people I kind of know, but really I don't, plus junk mail.
1 personal email for people I REALLY know and love.
2 emails for school: BUBBS-which I don't really like using, but require to have it and a Gmail account I give to my professors to send me stuff to.
2 work emails.

That's a total of 7 email accounts! Do you have the same problem or is it TRULY just me?

I HEART SAUCES.

I heart sauces. I love having a variety of them available to me before I dip my chicken strip, fries and whatever is dip-able. And then of course, there are other varieties that can be created by mixing one with another. What can I say? I HEART SAUCES!!!

Also, I love Chick-Fil-A because they aren't stingy about their sauces. I can get any one that I want and as much as I need. Love it!

GROWING UP...

Yesterday afternoon I had an epiphany. I have been trying to find out why I'm afraid of commitments, especially in the relationship area. I think I've figured out the root problem! I'm afraid of being cut off from my parents. Yup. There. I've said it. I like to know that I don't technically have to live on a budget because I have unlimited access to their stash. Once I'm in a serious relationship, all that is going to disappear. That makes my heart race and I feel like I can't breathe. So, I'm putting it on my blog for accountability reason. I really need to work through this. I've been so comfortable living this way that it has actually kept me from other things...like being committed. It's a sad reality...but I have to cut off the umbilical cord andstart growing up. It's a scary scary scary world out there.

God's Chisel

I watched this video over the weekend at the MBA Intensive weekend. It really impacted my life. Hope it will for you too. Enjoy. :)

Thankful Tuesday.

5 things that I'm thankful for today:

1. Job. There are really hard days, like today, but I am thankful that I have job during this time.

2. Provision. God is amazing. He's provided everything that I need and especially every penny that I need for school. Life is going to be tight for awhile, but the fact that I won't need a loan and it's all going to be paid for...that's just AMAZING.

3. Rest. Enough said.

4. Food. I love food and I'm so thankful that I'm not a picky eater and that I'm adventurous with trying food out.

5. Family/Friends. Couldn't get through life without them!!! Love you all!!!

I WISH...

It was May 2008. I haven't gone through a day without thinking about my "sabbatical." I still laugh at some of the things that happened during the trip. I recall the people I've met. I crave all the good food I ate...especially the chocolates and crepes! I long for the freedom to do whatever I wanted. I loved the fact that I was by myself for half of it and with a group of strangers from all over the world for the second half. I cherish everything God taught me; it still plays out to this very day. I especially miss this place...

Annecy, France

and I REALLY miss this place....

L'Abri in Switzerland

Life truly was perfect that month.

GREAT QUOTE!

"God doesn't call you to hope in a person. He calls you to wait on Him." -J.D'Arc

WOW.

I have a blog?????????????????????????????????????????? :)

GOD, YOU'RE UP TO SOMETHING...

Recently, I've found a new appreciation for being born in Taiwan. That new appreciation is my Taiwan passport. As many of you know, I was never fond of my heritage/culture just because of the way I grew up. God has been dealing with me on that in the last couple of years and just within the recent months, I've discovered how lucky I am to have dual citizenship.

I'm in the process of getting my Taiwan passport renewed. It will allow me into countries where having an American passport is looked down upon, harder to get in and costing a whole lot more due to visas. I love this country for all the freedom that we have and compared to a lot of the other places, we have a pretty good government...only when it's compared to other countries. :) But even with all that, traveling abroad with an American passport is actually not as safe as you think.

I've gotten a lot of comments lately from work how lucky I am that I have a Taiwan passport and that I need to take advantage of it. So, I am. God is definitely up to something...I know it. I can't share all the details yet, but little by little I am appreciating the power of being born in Taiwan. THANK YOU GOD!

So, if you can just pray for this process to go smoothly and for God to keep revealing His plans to me, I would greatly appreciate it!!!! Love you all!

HOMEWARD BOUND

"I will run, I will run this race.

And I will do it all for love.

Your love compels me,

for your love controls my heart

and I just can't,

I can't not get away.

So I will fight,

this good fight of faith.

And I will do it all for love.

You are my great reward

you're so worth fighting for

and I can't wait to see your face.

Hallelujah."

-Kristene Mueller

A FEW THINGS ON MY MIND. :)

1. How does someone hit a parked car? Did they notice that it wasn't moving at all and just sitting there? And why after hitting it not own up to their mistake by leaving a note and information?

2. How is it that my insurance "might" go up just because someone else hits my car while it was parked during the night?

3. Three earthquakes in 3 days. Pretty scary. Gotta replenish my earthquake supplies.

4. I've come to realize that I'm not a person that can just sit around and be ok with the mediocre of life. I have to constantly be on the move. I actually become more stressed out and depressed when I'm bored with life.

5. I MUST travel...somewhere...very, very very soon.

6. Why am I still in California? I've been pondering a lot on this lately.

7. I CANNOT believe that May is almost over. I haven't accomplished much this year and it's almost halfway over!

8. I still have one last Christmas present to send out. It's been sitting in a box...on my floor since December.

9. I want to be a skilled ninja so that I can fight crimes at night. (Chad...this is for you!)

10. Wondering why my Wii is sitting in a box and why there are still boxes from my move that hasn't been unpacked. Do I not need what's inside of it? What is inside of them?????

GOD USES EVERYONE.

Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Hosea's wife was a prostitute -- what must his friends have thought? Amos's only training was in the school of fig tree pruning. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Timothy had ulcers. Peter was afraid of death. And Lazarus was dead.

John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer -- and so was Moses (two people who transformed the world, yet could have been on death row). Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both were doubters. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worrywart. Mary was lazy. And Samson had long hair.

(Yes, God can use people with long hair!)

But here's the thing. God doesn't look at our financial gain or loss. That's not what it's about with Him. He's not prejudiced or partial. He's not judging or begrudging or sassy or brassy. He's not deaf to our cry or blind to our need. As much as we try to work for them.

God's gifts are free.

-Author unknown

AMBITION.

I'm taking a 6 weeks course at Biola. It's been quite interesting. So far I've learned about the balance of work and life and yesterday we tackle the topic of ambition. So, I wanted to raise the question to you:

Is ambition sinful? Discuss. :)

DECISIONS=STRESS

Which one should I pick???????????

I really want a new computer. If I go that route, do I get a PC or invest in a Mac? But then do I really need a new computer? I also want to go back to school for another Masters. Do I save my money for that? But won't I need a reliable computer for school? And then, I really want to take a vacation because thinking about these decisions: computer or no computer, school or no school, school and computer is stressing me out!

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEMON-CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES

DELCIOUS! Well, that's what I hear. I haven't tasted them due to some restrictions this week. I needed to bake something for the office, but didn't want to bake the "usuals." So, I went to Kraftfoods.com and found this incredible recipe!!!!! The best part of it...It's super cheap and you get to frost the cupcakes! I love frosting cupcakes! Enjoy! :)

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 1 hr 34 min
Makes: 24 servings, 1 cupcake each

What You Need:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup water
4 egg whites
2 Tbsp. oil
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Make It:
HEAT oven to 350ºF. Beat cake mix, pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups.

BAKE 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

MEANWHILE, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.

Kraft Kitchens Tips:
Substitute: Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese.
Special Extra: Stir 1 tsp. lemon zest into frosting mixture.

PURE GENIUS.

I've been looking at different things on YouTube for work regarding North Korea and I found the clip below by Hanvoice. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Whoever came up with it is a PURE GENIUS!!!! I still get goosebumps everytime I watch this. So amazing!!!!!!

Plus, this is why I am doing what I can and able to do to raise awareness about the situation in North Korea. For more information about North Korea and how you can help/do, please visit:

Open Doors USA's website::www.opendoorsusa.org and

Open Doors Blog:: www.spiritualcourage.wordpress.com.

I'M THINKING ABOUT...

Getting BLUE contacts. Yes or no?