Holiday in a land of new discovery

Magnificant, majestic, stunning, beautiful, fantastic, amazing, what a sight, what a view...!

I nearly ran out of words when I saw the beautiful scenery one after another as we traveled throughout the South and North islands in New Zealand - a place where the creation of God is kept at its pure and original state, almost untouched by mankind. And it is my hope that it remains so.

In our 11-days journey, almost half of which were on the roads. We planned quite an aggressive itinerary and moved from place to place everyday because there is just so much to see!! I took nearly 1400 photos and 2.5 hours video taping in this trip, capturing as much as possible the numerous scenic views and many wild animals in their natural environment. So you can imagine how pretty this place is....

What animals have we seen ? Just to name a few we encountered : yellow-eyed penguins, dolphins, sea gulls, miniture horses, cows, glow worms, national treasure - kiwi and of course, thosands of sheep!

What have we done ? Hiking by Mount Cook, biking by Lake Wakatipu, animal-feeding at Deer Park Heights at Queenstown, speed-boat riding at Dart River, watching bag-pipes parade at Dunedin, walking through the woods and other "Lord of the Ring" filming locations in Glenorchy, wine-tasting at the winery at Marlborough, star-gazing at night, kayaking at the beaches in Abel Tasman National Park at Nelson and many more....

Anywhere I laid my eyes, they were met with magnificant views. In such an upclose perspective, I just couldn't hold my praises but sing to the Almighty God. He is indeed the greatest artist who paints the earth and sky in its utmost beauty with colors unseen.

More privileged is that I was able to share all these "woos and ahs" with my good friends in His love and fellowship. Relationships were built and friendship strengthened.

It's such a refreshing vacation rejunvenating the souls. Thanks to God for His abundant grace and love!

Jan 11- How to be Happy

Today's ODB is a happy one to ponder indeed-about happiness! Here I quote the list of "Ten Rules for Happier Living" below, try answering how often you follow one of those rules:

1. Give something away. - I sometimes do, not very often though
2. Do a kindness. - I try to do more
3. Give thanks always. - I often do
4. Work with vim and vigor (infml Eng means cheerful forcefulness-energy). - Thankfully that I often do
5. Visit the elderly and learn from their experience. - I seldom do
6. Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel. - I don't have such a baby to look
7. Laugh often—it’s life’s lubricant. - I wish I could laugh more and haven't had a good one for a long time!=(
8. Pray to know God’s way. - I always try
9. Plan as though you will live forever—you will. - I often make plans
10. Live as though today is your last day on earth. - This is kind of rare to me

What about you ? I believe happiness comes from the inside and not the outside. It's what we are and not what we have. We are the precious children of God, we are the heir to a mighty King. While we can't be content with our lives everyday (as there bound to be some bumpy grounds day in and day out), we can get by each joyful or dreadful day thinking to ourselves: well, this is not my home anyway! Hurray!

Stay happy! = )

Psalm 146 : 1-3
1你們要讚美耶和華。我的心哪！要讚美耶和華。
2我還活著的時候，我要讚美耶和華；我還在世上的時候，我要歌頌我的　神。
3你們不要倚靠權貴，不要倚靠世人，他們一點都不能救助你們