Experiencing new things...like dressing up as a traditional bride!

 Last week a friend and I went to a local beauty school so they could practice on us.  I think it was a pretty fun and LONG experience for us all!!  This is our "before" shot!  A bunch of the students came up and told us that we had to take after & before pictures ;)

 Here they are putting on stickers to help open my eye lids more...

 This was just after they rubbed my face with an ice cube!  This actually happened twice.  I was told that it is a technique to help make your face "sparkling". Any one know anything about this?  It was new and painful for me.  Talk about brain freeze!

 This technique was to make my nose look longer...oh thanks! They were pretty excited to do our make up because our features are very different from theirs'.

 I do believe they used ALL of those colors on my eyes!  I couldn't believe that it took over a hour just to do my eye shadow!  WOW!  We were told that a bride will wake up as early as 3 or 4 AM to start getting ready for her big day.  And I thought I was tired at the end of my wedding day...I can't even imagine!!!

 A shot of the colors...before my false lashes & eye brows!!!

 And they gave us lunch too....YUM!!!

 Here are my tree branch eye brows :)

 Stella was more than excited that she got to be made up also!!!  A dream come true for my little princess!

 Surprisingly my little prince was up for the occasion too!!  YEAH!  This was of course after he ran away from me crying because he didn't recognize me and was scared of me :(

 He forgave me quickly :)  Love my BIG THREE YEAR OLD!!!

 Me & my Groom!!! (isn't he a cutie!)

as always Stella stole the show...and had A MILLION pictures taken of her.  Yes, she also had fake eye lashes...what an experience!!!

And...last but NOT least...

The "AFTER" shot!!

Lessons from the ants...

Since arriving here in Asia Pacific I have a daily battle with the ants!  Big ants, small ants, red, black, barely can even see ants...EVERYWHERE!  There are good days when they are just in a few places and then there are bad days when I can't find a room that doesn't have a ton.
The more I think about it though you have to give them some credit for their hard work and determined spirit.  I mean seriously I use bleach, strong vinegar, bug spray, ant chalk, borax...and other random methods to try and keep them away...but they just keep coming back!  One day Craig and I sat watching the ants and were amazed.  Here is a short video clip of what we saw...

As I sat in my class today studying language I was encouraged thinking of this concept.  Today was one of those days that I felt FULLY overloaded!  Homework didn't get done last night because I was working on an update video for our friends and family. Didn't get done this morning as my kids really needed me.  My son is going through a VERY STRONG WILLED phase (to put it mildly) and my daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia.  That on top of always feeling the need/want to study and learn more about this new country that is our home.  I felt at my end...I physically do not have the time or the strength to accomplish it all.  The task is too great!
But the cool thing is that I don't have to...I have an amazing Sovereign Heavenly Father who is taking care of the details.  He is providing me with friends and family rallying for us in prayer both in wisdom with our son and health for our family.  He is providing me with friends who are willing to help get to the Dr and get medicine (since I am limited in my language).  He is providing friends who stop by to check on us and drop off "Get Well" gifts.  He is providing teachers who are understanding of my situation that aren't pressuring me to go above and beyond, but rather encouraging me to do the best I can and get the most out of being in class.  And although I wanted to make it all happen and make it all work...instead I surrender to my Father who has perfectly designed the Body of Christ to work together.  And just like the ants...work together to accomplish what may seem like an impossible task.  So here I am at the end of another day...still battling those DARN ants!  But thankful for the lessons they teach me...and thankful for my fellow co-laborers in Christ working together!!!  So instead of feeling defeated at how bad today was...I feel encouraged that tomorrow will be a new day and I will have the support and encouragement that I need to keep chugging along!