He’s the reason why I sing.

Well, I’m back from San Francisco. Did you guys miss me? (Yes, all 5 of you) haha. Anyway, so much to tell, I’ll just try to make it really brief.

Hearst Castle…Pier 39…17 Mile Drive…Frisson Lounge…Golden Gate Bridge…Sausalito…Fisherman’s Wharf…Neptunes…City View Restaurant for dimsum…Alcatraz…Le Chaval…Fenton’s…some waffle house for breakfast…Winchester House…some outlet on the way home…back to L.A.

Hmmm… wonder if I missed anything? Well, I’ll just add it when I remember it. But I think I covered it pretty much. It was quite fun, but exhausting. But I’m glad I went. I needed it. I’ll post some pictures up later. Haven’t had a chance to upload them yet.

Went to see m-pact last night. My ears were happy.

That’s all for now!

Well, I’m off to San Francisco this weekend with April, Jeremy and Pauleen. Should be loads of fun. Looking forward to this weekend as I haven’t had a decent vacation in about 2 years. I’m glad that I’m not spending a lot, money’s tight. I just want to get away from Los Angeles for a little bit, just a change of scenery. I’ll miss my mom, I’ll miss my boo-boo Nevaeh. Anyway, just pray for safe travel on our part and that God will be glorified during this trip.

Man, I have a feeling my e-mail at work will blow up over the next 5 days! LoL

Take it easy y’all!

Nina and I at Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego last Saturday.

The guys – Justin, JP and JJ at ED.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Phil. 2:12-16 ESV

God’s timing is really incredible. Things happen when you least expect it. I’m going through a trial right now, as it were, and it sort of blindsided me, took me completely by surprise, and all I have to say is “praise God!” because this trial is causing me to become a lot closer to Him. I’m a little scared but at the same time excited for what God has in store. Maybe this trial is a preparation for a bigger event. I’m trying to be more patient this time, to really listen to His voice. I’ve cried out to Him. I need to seek His wisdom in this trying time. I need to “count it all joy” when I face various trials, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:3). And that’s what I’m looking forward to, becoming steadfast, immovable as I go through this trial.

That’s all for now. I’ll add more tomorrow. Have some pictures to share.

Haven’t updated this in a while. Not much to say for now except that God is totally convicting me of a lot of things, and teaching me a lot about serving others. I have a burden for people that I’m around with everyday.

There are quite a few things that’s been happening that I’m really excited about. And I’m really looking forward to what God has in store.

Well, I’m going to CFBC tonight for Bible study. Later.

The following is Babie’s e-mail update from the P.I.

Hello all!

I’m in the PHILIPPINES!!! Thank you so much for your prayers for a safe travel. God heard you all! I absolutely hated flying… until this flight. I got window seat, and I think that made a big difference. I really enjoyed it! It was like a BIG family party. Most of the people on the plane were Filipinos. It was an experience!

Our team has been divided among 5 ministry sites. We have been assigned to different college campuses. I’m with my teammate, Daniel, on Far Eastern University with another summer missionary, Emily from Georgia, who’s been here for 1 1/2 months, and a campus evangelist, Grace, and a journeyman, Kevin. Grace is so awesome! She truly loves God and has such a heart for the college students. Kevin is this big white guy from Arkansas who, in the 2 years he’s been in Manila, speaks TAGALOG!!! Emily’s stay here ends next Thursday. She is cool, too. In the 7 weeks that she’s been here, she’s led a Muslim woman to Christ, and just TODAY, Fari reported to her that she’d like to get baptized!

God is really doing some great things here. We’ve been on campus for 3 days now, and I have grown in boldness and sharing my faith tremendously. The students here are VERY responsive to the gospel, and our sharing to them. Since my stay here is a bit short – too short, really – I decided to focus on a few groups that I’ve met here and there. I presented the gospel message to these 2 girls. They were very responsive, and they started to share with me their personal stories and frustrations about life, and even started crying! I felt so blessed by their openness and willingness to trust a stranger like me. It’s also been really fun hanging out with students and inviting them to Bible Studies that are being formed that Grace and Kevin will be leading when I’m gone. I got a whole group of friends to commit to a Bible Study for next Tuesday. Please pray for that. It’s interesting to see how receptive they are to me because I’m American. They start asking Grace questions about me, and they crack up when I tell them that I understand what they’re saying! so cute…. I have also been so drawn to homosexuals on campus. I get a kick out of relating with them! =) The sad thing is that homosexuality has become wildly accepted here. There are students who go to class cross-dressed! I even met a student leader – in training – in ministry who described for me the “prettiest gay guy on FEU.” This really breaks my heart about the Phils. Morality has gone so low down the drain.

I am really enjoying my time here. Life and culture in a third world country are very eye-opening and humbling. We Americans often convert what we pay for into dollars. Everything is so cheap to us. We have access to almost anything. I am grateful for that, but this has caused me to really pray for the country, for the government and the corruption.

Thank you all for your prayers. I ask God everyday what He has for me, for the short time that I am here. It seems weird to me that in the ministry we’re doing, I am barely making friends, and as soon as I’ve built enough trust with them, I’m already on my way out. Still I have much to reflect on, and if anything, I am growing to love Jesus even more each day.

Here are prayer requests:
1. For Joanna and Clarisse, the 2 girls I shared with that they will get connected with the long-term missionaries here for Bible studies,
2. For continued access to campus. We come as English conversation classroom assistants to get entry into campus. For the first time, today the guards asked us questions about what we’re doing. We may actually get a chance to do the classes on Monday which I am really looking forward to.
3. Our teammate, JJ, got all these bug bites, and now has a fever. He was taken to the hospital this morning just to be sure he’s taken care of. Pray for restoration and healing.

Seek God’s Kingdom always.

In Jesus,

Norlyn/Babie

Awww…I miss my girl, my fellow A-dub! But I’m glad that God is using them over there!

Went to see Ray (formerly of Dakota Moon) and his new partner-in-crime, Pete Munday (www.petemunday.com) at Genghis Cohen in L.A. last night. Pretty much missed most of the show. Got there just in time for the last song. It’s cool. I got to catch up with Ray, which was really cool, told me about his Cabo San Lucas adventures (LoL) and he gave me a rundown on what’s new with the rest of DM. Ty’s in a new musical “We Will Rock You” at the Paris Hotel in Vegas. Good to know that he’s getting back to his musical theatre roots. And Malloy and Joe have a new R&B/Soul group called Soultide. Their first gig was tonight, but I couldn’t go. Oh well, maybe some other time.

Well, that’s all for now. Don’t have much to say. Have to get up really early tomorrow. We’re having a garage sale!

(This was supposedly yesterday’s entry 8/3/04)

We pulled quite a coup today. We surprised my co-worker Audrey with a “scavenger hunt” today which ultimately led to her actual birthday present. For her birthday present, we gave her 6 different options on what she wanted to do for her birthday. Audrey’s birthday was this past Sunday and throughout the whole of last week and this past weekend, we didn’t make a big fuss about it, so as not to make her suspicious at all that we’re cooking up something special. It was quite exciting to see her reaction when she found her first clue in her inbox today. I was attending to an inquiry on the phone when I heard a shriek followed by laughter. That was quite hilarious. I tried not to laugh on the phone whilst talking to a customer. Then she walked into the office and we both started laughing uncontrollably. She was genuinely surprised by it. That was great. I hope we made your day, Audrey!

Well, out of all the 6 options on what to do to celebrate her birthday, she picked a dinner and a show at Medieval Times. Excellent choice as I have not been there at all, so that would be quite interesting to see. Medieval Times it is then!

Today’s “day 1″ for the FSBM College and Career Missions team in the P.I. I wonder how they’re doing. I prayed for them last night and this morning. I hope they all made it safely. Babie should’ve arrived today in Manila. I can’t wait to hear from them. I wish I had joined them. Maybe in 2 years’ time, eh? They should be visiting the kids at the Subic Bay Children’s Home this week. I’d like to find out how that goes. Someone from the team e-mail me!

Conan, I’ll try to make it to the picnic on Saturday. I don’t get off work ’til 2pm. We’ll see. If not, save me some bbq and bring it to my house…hehe

Okay, that’s all for now folks. I hope that you’re enjoying the Lord today! Pray for me, as I will be praying for you (all 5 of my readers…LoL).