Days Of Future Past

23rd Sept – 29th Sept 2004. Home. Oakmont, Pennsylvania

This time the feeling’s different.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1.

Pennsylvania. It’s a hilly state filled with forests, rivers, and creeks. Matthew and Jessica picked me up upon my arrival and I rode with them, headed for my new home. Pastor Mark and his “Sunshine” were away visiting different churches, although they were expecting me. Friday and Saturday…Alone…Listless…In an otherwise empty room. No internet still (as of 1st Oct)… No, they are not complaints. I could not, even if I had wanted to. They were merely thoughts from within. Who wouldn’t have? Not that I’ve not been away alone before. I took the opportunity and walked around town, set in the suburbs. 20 minutes! That is all one ever needs to see the town of Oakmont, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Riverside Community Church and SEAPC is 5 minutes’ walk from the apartment where I live. Behind the church is Allegheny River where the Gepperts go fishing. Well they go fishing anywhere that has water and fish anyway. The bank, post office, supermarket, bakeries, and even diners are all within a 20 minutes radius. CTV is 45 minutes’ drive away. About the distance from Jurong to Changi. Creeks and woods fill the area, and the abundant wildlife roams about freely. OH, and the cars…they are WICKED! Lincolns, GMCs, Chryslers (Crossfires), Corvettes, Jeep Wranglers, giant 4x4s (I even saw a Monster Truck on the road!!!), Pontiacs, Mitsubishi GTOs, Toyota Supras, Mustangs (one of the most common on the road)…WHeeeeeW! Ha, just by watching those cars, especially the Mustangs, makes me salivate and gives me a good cardiovascular workout…hahaha! NAH, just kidding! I’m crazy, but not THAT crazeeee…

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10.

Thank God for Pastor Mark and his family. They take very good care of me and of my every need. They are indeed a great blessing. If you have enjoyed his company in church, living with him is far more enjoyable than you can imagine. It’s hilarious when he and sister Ellie started giving each other little mischievous jibes while we were all sitting on the same couch just talking. They do it all the time. He loves re-telling all his childhood stories; he does this all the time. Both He and sister Ellie give Godly advice, and he especially loves doing this whenever I ride with him. I’m learning a lot from him, and I thank God for the Gepperts. God is faithful. God blesses His servants in order that they will be a blessing to others, and living with Mr. Geppert, you really can feel God’s presence with him. This is truly an encouragement for all brothers and sisters in Christ. Press on in God, remain faithful, serve with joy and be a testimony for God so that others too will be blessed.

Bought a cheap pair of basketball shoes. Shopping’s hard to come by living in the suburbs, and I’m surprised at the lack of variety for the Nike shoes range…I mean, Nike-America, and Levi’s-America…aren’t they synonymous? Well, not that I’ve seen any Levis on sale yet too…Ha! Surprise, surprise. Having no problems with the kind of meals available here (absolutely love the salads), and daily breakfast on my way to work at King’s – Tea, Bacon, Eggs and Toast…Trying to learn the roads around and out of town, and to work (will buy my maps if I do get my own ride)…Waiting for the leaves to change colour during autumn before I take some nice pictures…It’s a jungle out there – literally. Having over 70 channels of cable TV (~bleah, mostly news)… Chilly feet despite hiding under the blanket at night…Coping well with “The Geppert Diet” in their attempts at beefing me up (though it’s not really working yet. HA~!)…Still waiting for a vehicle, and to see if I will move to another apartment…Wonderful, warm and friendly people at CTVN who are more than willing to entertain my endless questions and attempts at learning despite them knowing that I just might take over their jobs anytime (nah…just kidding!).

There are plans to drive down to New York (6hrs’ drive) to meet up with James (depending if James calls me), or even fly up to Texas to pay him a short visit…Go fishing and hunting with Matt sometime…depending on work schedule…and also to drive a truck up to Guatemala, donate it, and fly back. But I’d love to go snowboarding again…WHEEEE! *SPLAT*

Was on my way to work at 7am in the car with Pastor Mark on a cold and misty Tuesday morning when…deer! A family of 5 just grazing next to the road somewhere in the neighbourhood. They were so near, you could throw stones at them, or dare each other to creep up and touch their noses…Haha!

After 9 months of praying, waiting upon and trusting the Lord, the lights had finally changed. Now that isn’t too long is it? God is good, and I’m really thankful.

posted by HanQiang @ 1:48 am