Blessed

Today in chapel we were singing a song that really made me think. It is called Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman. It is so easy to bless the name of the Lord when we are in "the land that is plentiful where Your streams of abundance flow". It is another thing to praise the name of the Lord when "the darkness closes in" and you "walk through the wilderness".

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

School has started!!

By Sabrina:

We have spent the last two weeks in teacher orientation. We have learned how to work the copier, the school rules, how to take attendance, and how to take lunch count. Actually, we had some great time of fellowship with other teachers and enjoyed time decorating our classrooms while getting ready for the first day of school.

My first day of school was a bit difficult. I was really missing my last school. There are so many wonderful people at my last school and I was thinking of how this is not Texas! At the end of the day, I realized the God did not send me here to think constantly of what I left behind, but instead where I am now and the job I are here to do.

Day two was wonderful as I began to become amazed at this great school I have the opportunity to be a part of. I have been able to start each day with a devotion. We have prayed, listened to Christian music, and read the Bible together. My LARGEST class size is 18!!!!! The students WANT to be in school. And what is even more amazing, is that the teachers actually enjoy teaching and everyone of us chose to come to ICS. The teachers actually like the students so much and want to impact them with the love of Jesus that they plan after school activities (with no extra pay) and often eat lunch with the students (and even the high school students like it!) I quoted a verse during health that had to do with the subject of self-confidence and two students shot up their hands. I had accidentally gave the wrong reference and they were telling me the correct one. Love it!! I actually feel blessed to be here teaching these kids and I hope that I can be a blessing to them throughout the school year.

The Snake Charmer

The Army of The Twelve Monkeys

Yesterday we went to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which is right across the street from us. As we entered the park, Emme and Luke were finishing their Bar-B-Q Pringles. We saw one monkey sitting on a motorcycle and then he sat on a truck. Suddenly he ran up to Luke and grabbed the Pringles can. The monkey opened it with his teeth and got some Pringles. Luke reached down and snatched the can back from him. The monkey left (or so we thought) and we continued down the path. About three minutes later another monkey approached us. Suddenly about 8 monkeys were around us. Luke quickly handed Emme the Pringles can. The monkeys began to approach her. She ran up and down the sidewalk and several monkeys chased her so she finally dropped the can. One monkey grabbed it and took it high in the trees. He opened up the can and then unwrapped it to get all the crumbs out.

As we left the park, we saw a tree with 10-20 monkeys sitting under it. It was so cool just to sit and watch them. Several of them actually came up to Drew and Luke and touched their hand and their shoes. The "father" monkey wasn't too sure about the kids and kept a lookout to make sure we weren't hurting the monkeys. (At least, that was our impression.) All in all, a great day but we are certainly hurting from all that exercise. Well, we are off to meet all the returning teachers at our school today. We are very excited about that. And, if it doesn't rain today, we will FINALLY get to go to the Night Safari.

- Sabrina