Well....still no apartment but we've come to the decision that if God doesn't bring anything else in our direction by Wednesday...then we will take the "green" apartment. Its one we looked at a couple weeks ago and really liked but thought was too expensive. We were hoping the landlord would go down to $220 but he won't budge so we'll have to take it at $250 or remain homeless!

It will work out nicely because we have a 6 day holiday coming up this week starting Thursday so it'll give us time to move and settle in. I'm so excited to go shopping and buy stuff for the apartment!! I'll put up some pics when we get settled in.

Last night the youth/young adults at church had a mask party. Everyone looked so good all dressed up and fancy. Cambodian girls LOVE to dress up because it gives them an excuse to wear lots of makeup, put way too much hairspray in their hair and wear SUPER fancy colorful dresses. They all looked so beautiful last night:) I headed home early...once the Khmer dancing started....hehehehe.

Going to church at ICA this morning with Marie Ens then out to lunch with her and some of the Place of Rescue board members from Canada. Haven't seen her since I've been back so it'll be great to catch up with her:)

The expat women that work with New Life have started up a small group. I am sharing tomorrow night with them (and baking brownies to bring...Rhi said that if there was gonna be tears there had to be chocolate:)...I'm excited to share a bit of my life with these women. I am so thankful that God has brought them into my life.....life in Cambodia demands that you have good friends around you. Life is too hard to do by yourself. Its all about community here...something that I greatly admire about Cambodian society. Everyone is in life together. No one gets left behind. You eat, sleep, work and play together. Life happens out on the streets...not closed off behind doors. Personal space and privacy are out the window here.....ok so maybe not EVERYTHING about community is great:)

So...here I am...a year has passed since I last wrote. In a nut shell.....had an amazing year at Heritage. My students all passed into grade 2...thanks to my wonderful teaching and their brilliant little minds. My year in Cambodia changed me in more ways that I even know now. The struggles...the battles...the joys...they brought me closer to my Jesus.

I had a wonderful summer at home on the farm....spending my days helping Mom with stuff around the house or out in the garden and in September I learned how to drive the combine and was able to help out Dad and Cam with harvest. Time with my family was precious and refreshed my soul.

I arrived back in Phnom Pehn at the end of September. I can't believe I've already been here for 3 weeks! I've been staying with a family that also work with New Life. They have 3 wonderful children and its been such a blessing to spend time with them. My jet lag was HORRIBLE and I went through more culture shock then I expected but once again...I have adjusted back into Cambodian life. The smells, the sights, the food. It is wonderful. Except the merciless monsoon storms that leave me soaking wet and muddy.

I am currently on the hunt for an apartment. My friend Charlotte and I are trying to find a 2 bedroom, furnished place in a good location for both of our work. I'm gonna be working part time at Heritage again (teaching grade 2 so I'll have some of my students from last year!!!!!) and part time at NLF school teaching English. I have already been teaching at NLF for a week now and absolutely love my students...grade 2 and grade 4. Most of them come from low income families or orphanages...they are sponsored each month to attend school. $30 a month gives them 2 uniforms, school supplies and help pay their Khmer teachers, who are all wonderful Christian men and women. Its a wonderful atmosphere to work in everyday.....i often hear little voices singing English worship songs or their cute lil' "God bless you teacha" as I leave each day.

I am also thinking of buying a moto. I've been taking motodups (men who drive motos) to work and everywhere but its getting so expensive. I think I can find a cute little scooter for $300-$500....can't you just see me rippin up the busy chaotic streets of Phnom Pehn:) Pray that I don't die learning to drive it!! Seriously.

What I love about being back the most is CHURCH!! There is nothing I'd rather do than be with my Khmer brother and sisters in Christ...worshipping God. Yesterday at church two men came forward and accepted Christ...the same two men who had earlier stood up when we welcome newcomers. These men had never stepped foot inside our church before but by the end of just one service...they were knelt down at the foot of the cross...overwhelmed with the idea that there is a God out there that loves them and wants to be a part of their lives. I've never seen such smiles. It made my heart happy. This is why we live. So that others might come to know Christ as we do.

And in a country where life without Him is hopeless....painfully hopeless.....the prospect of hope and peace and joy.....all it takes is just one service.