Transition

My other family across the pond...Charika, my support, Sri Lankan mum, and prayer warrior! :)

Sian and I had a going away party...our dear friends Nat and Tain

I'll miss ASWW youth.

As I'm in the midst of transition, I've been thinking of Ecclesiastes 3 and a season of change...

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

   a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build

     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

 a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

 a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

I miss London. But I know God has a new season for me in Seattle...a time to be with old friends and family, watch 3 kids, and intern at my old church (Lighthouse Christian) as a Youth Director. I've been so busy working 2 part time jobs to pay off college loans, so it has been hard to process being back in the US. Please pray for my transition and God would give me rest.

My good friend encouraged me that apart from God nothing is possible, but WITH God's help, ANYTHING is possible! :) I may not feel capable to be a youth director, but God is at work within me and I can do all things through Christ. I just want to be a good role model for the youth. We are called SYTE...Serving Youth on The Eastside. I am here to serve. I pray the Lord would use me to speak into their lives wisdom, knowledge from experience and His word, and love. I love hanging out with youth...they make me feel like a kid again! 

If you would like to hear stories about London, I'd love to share them with you. :) There's just too much to say in a blog.

Recipe of the Week: Thai Salmon

As I am leaving for the USA in 2 days, I decided to cook dinner for my home-stay (Ian and Eunice) one last time! I made them Thai salmon with sauce...healthy and easy recipe. Plus chocolate pudding cake with ice cream to top it off! They loved it...oh the joy of cooking. :) In return, they made me "Josie's English Cook Book" full of gourmet recipes from the year. Salads, fish pie, shepherds' pie, and summer puddings. I'm really going to miss them.

Here's the recipe...thanks BBC:

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 thumb sized red chilli , deseeded and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cucumber , diced
• red onion , diced
• 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce , mixed with a squeeze of lime juice
• coriander , handful, roughly chopped

1. Put the salmon in a bowl with the chilli, garlic, coriander, fish sauce, sesame oil and honey. Season with pepper and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
2. Grill or barbecue the salmon until it is crisp at the edges. If you like it cooked all the way through rather than rare in the middle then keep cooking until the fish feels very firm to the touch. Serve with the cucumber and onion sprinkled over and the sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Finishing the Race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." -2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paralympics 2012

Cat and I cheering for GB!

Such an amazing opportunity to see the Paralympics last week! The Olympic atmosphere was inspiring, exciting, and filled with people from all over the world. If they can run with one leg, I can definitely run with two legs! They have inspired me to run a half marathon...I better start training. 

Thank you Lord for helping me finish this race in London. As my time is coming to an end, I will remember your faithfulness and how you have helped me along this journey. Time is flying now. I still can't believe I'm going back to the USA next week. Feels unreal. I'm praying for the Lord's guidance to give me peace in my transition...hopefully won't hit "reverse culture shock" too much. I'm rubbish at saying goodbyes...I get super emotional and cry...now I'm remembering to "Keep Calm and Carry On!"

I'll leave you with this quote..."We only trust people we know. If you're struggling to trust God, it may be because you don't really know God." -Martha Tennison

Beautiful

I heard this song "Beautiful" by Mercy Me at a Face to Face event...the lyrics spoke to me and I hope it does the same for you.

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

And praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to death

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His

Recipe of the Week: Oven-Roasted Chicken

I decided to cook a meal for my home-stay and found this lovely recipe from my Aunt...feels so good to make a home cooked meal...quite healthy and easy to make for you "aspire to be chefs!" We enjoyed the meal with apple crisp and ice cream after. :) Enjoy!

Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Yukon Gold Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 6 large chicken thighs with skin and bones (preferably organic; about 2 1/4 pounds total)
• 1/2 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 2 pounds unpeeled medium Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 2-inch-long, 1/2-inch-thick spears
• 2 pounds medium carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch-long, 1/2-inch-thick spears
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. Place chicken on baking sheet. Turn to coat with oil and set skin side up. Mix salt, thyme, 1½ teaspoons pepper, and nutmeg in small bowl. Sprinkle half of mixture over chicken. Roast until chicken starts to brown and some fat has rendered, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine potatoes, carrots, 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining saltthyme mixture in large bowl. Transfer thighs to medium bowl; set aside. Transfer potato-carrot mixture to same baking sheet; turn to coat with drippings. Roast until vegetables soften, 30 minutes. Place thighs on vegetables; pour accumulated juices from chicken over. Return sheet to oven. Roast until chicken is cooked and vegetables brown, 15 minutes longer.

Place chicken on platter; top with chives.

Moving On

Can't believe a year is almost up. 2 more weeks in the UK. Where has time gone? It's amazing to look back in my journal/blog posts and see all the prayer requests God has answered in the past couple months. I am so thankful I took that step of faith coming to England...a journey of ups and downs, stretching my faith, and growing closer to Him along the way.

What will I miss?
-Friendships...wish I could take everyone back with me to the US.
-Walking on the South Bank near Big Ben...never gets old.
-Markets...Portobello, Borough, Brick Lane, and Greenwich...I'll miss you on a Saturday morning.
-ASWW...can't believe I cried saying goodbye to you all yesterday. So emotional. Thanks for being my British family and sharing life together.
-Reality...going deep with my American/Brit friends. Thank you for supporting me on this journey and showing me what community looks like.
-Meals with my homestay...Eunice (one of the most caring people I know) and Ian (his home-made ice cream is the best ever...ask him to make you some). Thank you for showing me what a Godly marriage looks like, welcoming me into your family, and sharing your wisdom over the dinner table.

I am sad to leave the people I have invested in the past 12 months, but I am excited for what the future holds and ready for a new season. A season being reunited with old friends, family, and new job in Seattle. I know these friendships will last a lifetime and we'll be reunited again...

Isaiah 41...Thank you for your truth Lord!

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish. 

Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all. 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.