It's a NEW YEAR! 2006~ crazy how fast time flies. How good it is to reflect upon this past year and remember the LORD's goodness and faithfulness ALWAYS.

I enjoyed some exciting times with my family this past Christmas while in LA....It was just Stephen, Mom and me this time, but we still had a sweet sweet time together...

A highlight- going to Universal Studios! Loads of fun...here are some of those good memories captured in pictures...

The famous "GLOBE"- right outside the studio

On the Tram

The entrance: red carpet, people, palm trees, sunshine, blue sky...ah, got to love it...

In front of the Back To the Future vehicle- the actual ride is a good ol' classic much enjoyed by the younger Chus of the family

Mommy and me in front of King Kong

Entrance to "Jurassic Park"- Stephen and I didn't actually get to go on the ride this time though cause it was already dark and the temp. was a little chilly, and Stephen was completely against getting wet.

this past weekend was so good...i awoke last friday feeling ill...got worse as the day progressed...colds and sore throats are such miserable things..not to mention, runny noses, sneezing 24/7, throbbing headaches, chills, and just wanting to curl up in a ball and sleep sleep sleep.....so sleep i did- half my afternoon on saturday, and sleeping in till the later service on sunday....i didn't plan to sleep, but my body demanded it, it won, and my mind stressed out cause i had sooooo much to do..but then i prayed and thanked the LORD for allowing me the time to truly rest..and i decided to trust that He would grant me the time and energy to accomplish all that needed to be done..how INCREDIBLY faithful He is...He always keeps His promises and desires to bless those who honor Him and put their hope in Him...God's soooo good...i even got time with my brother Nathan, who came up from chicago and took me out to b-fast on saturday....and time on sunday to go to vespers in the evening, and after church to just sit, listen to music and cry as i thought of kenya...i closed my eyes and imagined it was a sunday afternoon at home, eldama ravine..sitting outside on our veranda, staring off into the beautiful mountain in the horizon,  sun beating down on my face, crystal blue sky..just wisps of clouds here and there, the breeze blowing softly against my body....the tall eucalyptus trees swaying gently to and fro, the rustling of their leaves...the sound of cattle going off to graze in the distant fields- their hooves lightly beating on the dirt road...the sweet smell of the blossoming roses nearby and the sound of kenyan children laughing- the carefree laughter of pure delight......there's this aching in my heart, this piece of my heart that's in kenya, this deep longing to be there...but i'm thankful, thankful for such beautiful memories...and so the LORD, in His goodness and grace, allowed me to enjoy each of these moments, and more, and still get all my hw done..Praise Him!

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted..." -Job 9:10

another week has gone...how the time goes by fast when one is busy and lacks sleep and yet wakes up with a smile on her face and goes to bed the same...it's amazing how the LORD is slowly changing my heart and bad habits...even though i didn't get to go to bed till around 2 this morning and had to get up at 7 because of the large amount of hw due for friday... i didn't stress out...amazing...i even got to talk to a friend for at least half an hour and just chill...the LORD is definitely teaching me the importance of balance in life..."Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unswise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity."~Ephesians 5:15-16

earlier this week, one of my amazing brothers whose in the army, stephen, finally got a hold of me on the phone...and we got to talk for over an hour...what a BLESSING! i miss my brothers soooo much...to hear their voices is SUCH a joy and highlight of my day...