SPIRIT-led Sanctuary

At times, we need to just get out of the current surroundings -- just to regroup mentally or to find refreshment of soul. i was SPIRIT-led to this nature trail, which is but a short walk around the block...

CHRISTmas colors brighten the path...

Early spring blooms with sunshiny colors border the path, just next to Finney Elementary School...

This path leads to the Finney Overlook to the left, or down to the Otay Valley Trails, to the right...

i chose the right fork, which brought me to a running stream...

The LORD JESUS is my Good Shepherd. i have ALL that i need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. (Psalm 23:1-3, NLT) 

In the morning, it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
O LORD, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalm 90:6, 12, NLT)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:20-21, NKJV)

TUVUNUNU Green Pastures and Still Waters

Tuvununu Lodge -- less than a 10-minute walk from Naselesele Village (Taveuni, Fiji)...

Noni fruit -- almost daily, very early in the morning, Soko would gather fallen noni -- for his wife, Waqa, to be made into noni juice.

Waqa and Soko -- almost 60 years married -- who lived out their CHRISTianity as a lifestyle, not a religion.

Sun-ripened bananas -- ready to be savored as we enjoyed the gorgeous view from the veranda...

GOD's gift for the early riser...

Soko's desk -- a snippet of life in a picture...

GOD's Promise -- I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth...the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:13, 15b)

Biu, from Qamea, comfortable on her leafy perch -- picking my favorite food: mango fruit.

Kids from Naselesele Village and Qamea -- enjoying Waqa's kindness and generous hospitality...

Biu, Nita and Mereone -- having fun with Daisy's newest family members...

Waqa and kidZ -- during our early morning devotion.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Mereone "Mr Bean" -- full of smiles and funny faces...

Daisy trying to be patient as her teething babies drank her milk...

Ropate -- Class 5 at Naselesele Primary -- enjoying this pup's company...

Biu's chosen favorite -- "Dipstick"...

This little one checkin' out rLn...

Kasanita's artistry -- for Waqa's birthday celebration...

Waqa's very delicious chocolate cake -- from the Matei Bakery.

Waqa Osborne -- Soko's wonderFUL wife and sister In CHRIST...
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

The LORD JESUS is our Good Shepherd -- our Jehovah Jireh. In CHRIST, we have all we need -- we lack NOthing. He makes us to lie down in green pastures and He leads us beside still waters. He restores our souls. He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we will fear no evil for You are with us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil. Our cups overflow. Surely goodness and mercy and grace shall follow us all the days of our lives. And we will dwell in Your house, O LORD JESUS, forever and evermore! Amen.

The Secret of CONTENTMENT -- Philippians 4:11-13

Not that i was ever in need... (Jardin Ceres, Quebec...i was a grateful guest at this serene Canadian estate.)

...for i have learned how to get along happily whether i have much or little. (Bill and Tila gave a very warm welcome to this solo backpacker at Beverly's Campgrounds -- Taveuni, Fiji.)

i have learned in whatever state i am, to be content. (Bibi's Hideaway, where true Fijian hospitality shines through -- outdoor shower on a rainy day...singing "Singin' in the Rain," a la Gene Kelly, though not doing the dancing jig in the rain -- Matei, Taveuni; Fiji.)

i know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. (Paunzhausen, Germany...heated floors...just-made, mug-sized cappucinos -- with ultra-fresh milk from the neighbor's cows next door!)

i have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach ... (Paris, France...very pretty, but not very filling!)

...or empty... (Cuzco, Peru...sopa de lengua -- i ate my veges, but gave the humongous blue tongue, brain pieces and sheep jaw to my two orphan guides.)

...with plenty... (Connaught Hotel, London...a very stuffy and very proper kind of place -- very interesting, this hands-on experience of living as if rich for few days -- but i soon discovered it was not my preference.)

...or little. (Lagiloa farm bure -- Taveuni, Fiji...no electricity, no running water, no flushing toilet...the nearby river for bathing, washing clothes, drinking water, catching prawns...and meditating on GOD's Word.)

For i can do everything with the help of CHRIST who gives me the strength i need. (Philippians 4:11-13)

It matters not what GOD does...it matters only Who HE is. (Oswald Chambers)

And the GOD i worship is Jehovah-Rohi...the LORD is my Shepherd...CHRIST JESUS.

The LORD is my Shepherd; i have everything i need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

Even when i walk through the dark valley of death, i will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and i will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 is my Reality today, and for every true follower of JESUS. The secret of true contentment is living the abundant life of CHRIST in the Now...rejoicing in everything...giving thanks for everything.

And that abundant life can also be yours...in CHRIST.

LIFE! In Lagiloa -- BUSH Living in Taveuni

Typical Fijian farmhouse -- bure -- made with corrugated iron and timber from nearby hardwood trees found around the farm. During sunny days, the middle four "windows" are propped up with strong branches and i get a 360-degree view of my garden -- my flowers, vegetables and fruit trees; the surrounding farm -- dalo (taro) and kava plants; the ever changing skies; colorful parrots, various doves, diving swifts, loud mynas and wild chickens flying around...yes, chickens do fly!

i painted leaves typically found around the farm -- except kava leaves...hmm...

Temporary clothesline for river-washed laundry...which took some time to dry because of the chilly weather, accompanied with fog...not unusual in the mountainous bush.

Visiting family from Naselesele Village, enjoying solitude and bush life for a week. The four kids had a ball -- playing in the river, romping around in the woods, helping me pull weeds! (The tin drum at the right is for catching rain water -- for washing dishes, muddy hands and feet, and gumboots.)

Path to the freshwater pool...from the bure to the pool takes around five minutes...more, if muddied by heavy rains.

Way to the fresh-water pool, past a neighbor's kava farm, inundated with Impatience flowers.

Fresh-water pool used for drinking water, bathing and washing clothes, even as a source for tasty prawns.

And even for snorkeling fun for neighbor's kids!

i like to drink my coffee and read my Bible surrounded by these Impatience flowers.

This is where i sit to watch the sun come up, shining through the trees, hearing birds chirping, roosters crowing -- offering prayers, reading my Bible, journaling in my Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest book. (The Snoopy kite is from The ShoppE at Rose's.)

Trees are "ringed" at the base to kill them, for some provide too much shade for the dalo to grow well. The ringed trees eventually die and dry up...that's when farmers have to watch out for falling trees during stormy weathers. The sound of falling timber is loud in the bush.

Planks cut from one of the giant trees which abound around the farm, used for flooring for the porch.

The grass was planted piece by piece and took less than two months to become lawn. Do you know that saying, Somebody's junk is somebody else's treasure. Well, here's my saying akin to that...What may be obnoxious weed at the farm is beautiful green lawn for my garden.

The LORD is my Shepherd, i shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though i walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death,
i will fear no evil, for You are with me.
(Psalm 23:1-4)