Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Hope you feel the love today!

Little man Spencer's one-month portraits

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame." Song of Solomon 8:6

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

"Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:14

And for a special treat:
Little Man Spencer with the mustache binky that Aunt Jewel made him:

Love, Love, Love,
Jewel

Irashmo: The Boy I Can't Forget

During Summer 2010, I spent two months living and ministering on the coast of Mozambique at the Wesleyan Bible College in Xai Xai. At 7:00am sharp, I arrived at the Bible school for the conclusion of breakfast. The students went to various classes and I spent my mornings ALONE with 12 beautiful children between the ages of 1 and 6, with whom I only have fond memories.  With only 3 beach balls, various sticks and rocks, and a few broken plastic cups, we played hours and hours and hours.  They had the most fun riding on my back or spining circles in my arms; I had the most fun cuddling, rubbing their soft skin with my fingers, and capturing mental pictures of their big smiles.

Video of a precious moment with my crianças:

During the afternoons and early evenings, I spent my time with the Bible college students - teaching and learning, talking and laughing, dancing and singing, eating and working. I cannot tell you what I enjoyed the most because I truly LOVED every single minute I spent at the Bible College (except when we had shima for lunch;) but I can tell you one thing: one little baby boy stole a large piece of my heart - a piece that will never let anyone else or anything else in.

His name was Irashmo.



From day one, snotty-nosed Irashmo was my favorite of the children in the creché. There is this common disbelief that we aren't supposed to have favorites, which I suppose stems from the truth that everyone should be treated equally. Nonetheless, Mo was my favorite.

He smiled big [but not for the camera,] sung loud, and cried a lot. Like his sister Maria, he is a cry baby and was bullied a lot by João and the others because the kids knew Mo would react in a big way. He would scream "maaamaaa" and run into my arms with crocodile tears running down his dark, soft cheeks. He was also very forgiving, because João was his best friend. Mo loved bubbles and every morning he would put grab my bag and ask, "balão?" (balloon) in his endearing, squeaky voice. He also loved riding on my back, or swinging in my arms, and he was very jealous when I did either of those two things with another child, especially João. That's why I was often seen like this:

Irashmo and João


Irashmo and Japhete (another boy who has a special place in my heart)


Gabriele, Maria, Timoteo, João, and Irashmo


Irashmo at front, with friends

I don't know why, but God will not let me forget this boy.  He brings him to mind almost daily, and I go to sleep thinking and dreaming about him: the softness of his skin, the glow in his eyes, the joy in his smile, and his precious voice (so squeaky and unique.)  I do not know if I will ever be blessed to see him again - to embrace him again - but until then, I will continue praying for Irashmo and for his parents, Isak and Mama Sala.

My sweet Irashmo

May God protect you, as He protected Daniel.

May He give you a heart of love, like David; a spirit of power, like Elijah; and courage, like Esther.

May He make you wise, like Solomon; devoted, like Hosea; forgiving, like Joseph; a leader, like Moses; an encourager, like Barnabas; and patient, like Job.

His sweet hand; I never wanted to let go... eventually I had to.
That hand is almost two years bigger now, and it still has a strong grip on my heart.

With tears in my eyes, 

Jewel

A Covenant of Love

Around two weeks ago, God reminded me in an almost audible way that He has promised Himself to me.   He reminded me that as Titus promised himself to me on our wedding day, so my God has promised Himself to me.  The closest and most intimate relationship that man can experience is that of HUSBANDandWIFE, and the Lord wants this kind of relationship with me! 

As a newlywed, my vows and my groom's vows are fresh in my memory.

"...I Chamnol, chose you Jewel, to be my bride, my love, my life, my ministry partner, and my wife. I promise you with all my heart to take care of you, to support and protect you, and to provide for your needs spiritually and physically.  In spite of the differences between cultures, language, food and weather, I promise you, I'll never leave you alone nor abandon you. I'll be with you until death set us apart. I thank God for creating you and putting you into my life. I'll be faithful to you and I love you forever."

and

"I Jewel, choose you Chamnol, as my best friend, my love for life. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my most tender care. Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to be faithful to you. I promise to love you, and to support you. I pledge to respect your family, your culture, and your talents. I pledge to give you strength for all of your dreams.  From this day forward, you shall not walk, minister, or sleep alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep. Please wear this ring as my promise of faith, patience, and love, for the rest of my life, from here to eternity."

So also my God has promised Himself to me.  I read this passage in Hosea 2:19-20 this morning, and I am humbled - humbled by His covenant of love with this unfaithful bride, whom He will never abandon nor divorce.

And then I'll marry you for good—forever!
I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.
Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go.
You'll know me, God, for who I really am. [The Message]

How thankful I am that God loves me and continues to call me back to Himself. He is so faithful - so so so faithful.  I am blessed to be called 'His'.

Love love love,
Jewel

My Best Friend

Romdenh Chamnol: He's my husband and my best friend



We had such a wonderful time celebrating our first Valentines Day together.  I came home from work [30 minutes early... yay!] and found 10 big helium balloons in our bed, a big homemade "I love you" sign (I love that he does homemade!) and a sweet card hanging from one of the balloons.  I had no idea what to expect from him, and I was beautifully surprised.  I made him a "52 Things I Love About You" book made out of a deck of playing cards and a a magnetic Scrabble board to hang in the kitchen (for sweet love notes.)  Then we dressed up and went to Hong Kong Chinese Restaraunt.. had Starbucks.. and watched Biggest Loser with my mom. :)

At dinner, Titus asked me what other "firsts" we still have to experience together.  Experiencing so many things together for the first time has been fun and interesting. 

- our first road trip (to New York to meet Jessie)
- our first trip to the grocery store
- our first date!
- the first time Titus saw "the changing of leaves" (he thought the colorful leaves were flowers!)
- the first time Titus held the trashcan while I threw up (haha!)
- Titus' first extended family gather
- the first time Titus saw his breath
- Titus' first Thanksgiving and his first Christmas in America
- Titus' first taco
- moving into our first apartment
- our first walk
- etc. etc. etc.

And there are still so many more things to experience!  I am anxious for the "bigger things" but trying to recognize and appreciate all the little things that are happening daily.

- his first Independance Day
- our first Family Camp and Married Couples Retreat together
- celebrating our birthdays together!
- our first vacation
- our first summer
- our first BABY!
- etc. etc. etc.

Life is interesting.  Life is not always fun, but I love it!

Love love love,
Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

Psalm 139 LOVE

O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

You perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

You are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord...

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, You are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will give me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light will become night around me,"

even the darkness will not be dark to You, the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to You.

For you created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

[Psalm 139:1-4, 7-16; NIV]

I am not only the daughter of this big and awesome God - the King of kings, Savior and Creator of all - I am His creation. He put me together with

strong hands and a heart full of love. I am the child of a heavenly father. He created who I am, my inmost being. He gave me emotions that can feel His love, strength, joy, and peace. He gave me LIFE! He made me in His image - wonderfully and fearfully. I am His and He is mine. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT! I am His and He knows me -- better than I know myself, and better than anyone ever will. He knows my ways, my thoughts, and my words before they are a reality. Nothing, not the darkness nor the depths, can hide who I am from Him. He goes with me -- into the Heavens or into the depths, on the wings of the dawn, and to the far side of the sea. There His hand will guide me; His hand will hold me.

His love is inescapable.

God, I am sitting still in Your love, Your goodness, and Your beauty. I am amazed at who You are, and what You have done -- what You have done in me and what You have done through me. May I see myself in You, and be who You created me to be. I am Yours; all that I am is Yours. You made me wonderful, and You gave me life. I give the deepest part of who I am to You. I am Your child -- may I be honorable, obedient, and worthy of my maker.

God, I cherish You, my Maker. I trust your hand to hold me and guide me in the darkness and the far side of the seas. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Search me, try me, and guide me to everlasting life in You. Lord, I make this my prayer, that I may be eternally and gratefully Yours, for all the days of the life that You have given me.

Eternally Yours,

Jewel

Love & Marriage

Here's to matrimony, the high sea for which no compass has yet been invented!~Heinrich Heine(whoever he is)

My husband loves me. He really loves me.


Husband when he 1st saw me on our wedding day

 Our first three months of marriage have not been without hurt feelings and difficult circumstances, but even when my heart feels OTHERWISE, I know I know I KNOW without any doubt that my husband loves me unconditionally and is unselfishly and sacrificially trying to be the best husband and to make me happy. He makes mistakes and wrong assumptions (and I do too! (PROBABLY MORE!)) but he loves me. He really loves me. I hope he can say the same about me.

Love love love,
Jewel

Engagement Anniversary and Comments on Marriage

On December 26 in 2010, Titus asked me to be his wife.  It was one of the most beautiful and happiest days of my life.

I am a blessed woman.

I can't promise "happily ever after," but certainly "for better OR worse" and NOT FOR GRANTED.

My husband is a blessing and has made our marriage wonderful.  I love waking up next to him in the mornings, watching him brush his teeth and examine himself in the mirror.  I love seeing his waiting face in the window when I come home from work.

I have a hard time blogging or doing anything on my own that doesn't involve him sitting next to me.

And that's all I have for now. :)

Love love love,
Mrs. Titus Romdenh

TODAY's Blessings

Yesterday afternoon I found myself overwhelmed by "His new blessings every morning." It was such a good day! I went to bed feeling blessed, loved, grateful, etc. I am reminded of xonghan song that I learned in Mozambique last summer. The lyrics are translated,
Even if my mother leaves me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Even if my health leaves me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Even if my goats leave me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Etc. Etc. Etc.And I think of my own life. Grandmom may have cancer, but my Sovereign God is Father and Healer.  Finances may not always be sufficient, but God always provides. My fiance may be on the other side of this big planet, but by God's grace, we will soon be reunited. Etc. Etc. Etc. ♥♥♥

♥ Jessie is home! Yesterday afternoon my twin sister flew into Indianapolis after seven long weeks in the Philippines [long for me, short for her.] It was so so so good to see her. I could have hugged her all afternoon in the food court at the airport, but I think she had enough was anxious to see if her luggage had followed her. HA! I am definitely looking forward to the next three weeks with her before she moves to New York for one year, and everything changes. ♥

♥ Yesterday morning in Central Indiana, the clouds were dark and heavy, and rain poured upon the land. Often times we refer to the "storms of life" has difficult, dark, and depressing circumstances [and I can understand the metaphor,] but I love storms [the "weather kind!"] We have certainly had a fair number of storms this season, and I am so glad to have a picture perfect storm-watching window in my office. Storms make me feel little. They give me energy. They remind me of God's power. Thank you Jesus for your protecting hand on Mom and Grandmom as they traveled through heavy rain and flooded streets.  ♥

♥ I received two very special pieces of mail yesterday: A note from the National Visa Center regarding the stateside approval of Titus' fiance visa petition, and a letter from my bff and penpal, Loren. The note from the visa center informed us that our information has been forwarded to the US Embassy in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and Titus will be contacted within a week with instructions to schedule his interview. Loren wrote to me about her new job in Houston, and although Texas is much much farther than Cincinnati, I am super excited for her. Loren and I graduated together, went to Cambodia together, walked to Wal-Mart in a blizzard together, etc. etc. etc. and I know she will be awesome as a live-in foster mom for babies and young children down in Texas. ♥

♥ I have begun the search for an apartment, which is really exciting!! I looked at two last Saturday; both were itty bitty [affordable] one room apartments, each with a list of pros and cons. I have one super ideal prospect, and I am praying that the current tenant finds a job elsewhere, making the cottage available. I am grateful for friends who have given leads on spaces for rent, and offered old knives, tvs, etc., and even bedrooms! ♥

♥ My job in the cemetery might usually be boring, always too quiet, and pay only minimum wage, but as I get to know my co-workers, I like it more and more. I attended my first staff meeting this morning with all the area NSW staff. There were presentations on finances, conduct, performance, vacations, etc... weird "grown-up job" sorts of things. We were even taught how to use a fire extinguisher. My position is only temporary, but my intentions are to "wow" them into keeping me until I have to voluntarily leave for Discipleship Training School and eventually Cambodia! ♥

Ok, that's all for now! I encourage you to sit and think of all the ways God is blessing you today. It truly is a life-changing [perspective-changing at least!] habit.

Love Love Love,
Jewel

Waiting on my prince

Five months ago today, I was in Siem Reap, Cambodia, sitting on a rock below this waterfall, talking about life, love, and the future.  I was there with my best friend, Romdenh Chamnol. That day, December 26, 2010, my best friend became my fiance.

I couldn't have dreamed of anything more beautiful.

We're getting married!!!

Despite the miles, the oceans, and the continents that stand between us, our story continues as we talk on Skype and Facebook, making plans for our future together.  I cannot wait!!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Tuesday night I got an email from US immigration and Titus' fiance visa has finally been approved!  I went to bed on cloud 9 and woke up feeling like the morning after my proposal.  So so so excited. Yesterday, I had a worship party in my heart ALL DAY. The visa approval means we are progress to stage two - Titus going to the US Embassy in Phnom Penh for an interview.  That's a big prayer request.

Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Please please please begin praying for the visa interview, which will allow my prince to travel to my homeland - where the next chapter of our story will begin.

Waiting on my prince,
the soon-to-be Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

"Life is full of beauty..."

I had such an awesome weekend!  Friday was the most beautiful day that I have seen since 2011 started in Indiana.  After cleaning my Grandmom's house Friday morning and having a platter of veggies for lunch, I went outside with my sunglasses, a bottle of lemonade, and a good book.  I sat there for two hours and it was the most beautiful thing.  I heard the birds singing. I saw the biggest furriest black and yellow bumblebee EVER.  I felt the wind blow across my face.  I watched the clouds swim through the bluest-blue sky and I watched the grass dance in the breeze.  I walked to the postoffice with mi mama, and along the way, I smelled blooming flowers, freshly-cut grass, burning trash, and burgers cooking in a grill. I was reminded:

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” ~Ashley Smith 

Saturday morning, I joined some teens and sponsors from our youth group and we rode our bikes along the Cardinal Greenway.  From Gas City Park down the Sweetser Switch Trail and back, I rode 26 miles.  The Greenway was beautiful!  The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze, and the wildflowers were in full bloom.  When I wasn't singing silly songs with the 7th and 8th graders, I was praising the Lord in my heart - praising Him for a beautiful day and a life of many blessings.  I must admit: I seriously cannot believe I made it back. [In the picture above, I am in the bright yellow T on the far left. Thank you Rebecky for letting me borrow such an awesome purple bike - I loved the basket and the "#1 MOM" lisence plate!]

After a quick shower and a short-lived moment of exhaustion, I got in the car with mi mama and drove an hour to attend the wedding of my dear friend Jenny Campbell and her prince, Juan Ernesto.  The wedding was outside, and with every turn, seeing the darkening of the clouds, I prayed, "Lord, withhold the rain!" (Amos 4:7). It was my first outside wedding, and my first wedding in the rain. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful ceremony.  Jenny looked so so so happy, and I was happy for her.

In 159 days, I'll be walking down the aisle in my ivory dress, and I'll be so so so happy.  Rain or sunshine, it will be a beautiful day. ♥♥♥

Love love love, Jewel

Words of Advice

In response to my "Confessions of wedding planning" post, my dear second cousin Maria shared these awesome words of advice. [I translated this in my own words, but it's Maria's message.]

The wedding is only a few hours; the marriage last significantly longer. Take a break from colors and little wedding details, and spend time reading genuinely good books about healthy relationships and marriage. Spend time planning the marriage, not just the wedding. Also, enjoy your remaining time of being single and having no responsibility of being wife or mother.

When we get engaged we think of nothing but the wedding, when we get pregnant we think of nothing but the birth, when we're in school we think of nothing but the graduation. In truth, life isn't all about the significant points, the majority of our LIFE is the process of getting to those points. If life consists mostly of the process, I need to not forget to enjoy the inbetween times.

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."


We're getting married!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions for genuinely good books about healthy relationships and marriage?

Thank you, Maria.

Love love love, Jewel
the future Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol

How it all began...

I posted this on my Cambodia blog on Wednesday and decided to share it here today. :)

This story of how Titus and I met and fell in love really deserves much more attention and detail than I have given it, and for the sake of future generations, I will edit and improve it; however, for now, this is sufficient.

Titus and I met in May 2008, the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college. I went on a team with five other girls from Indiana Wesleyan University, and we traveled throughout Cambodia, teaching English and doing children's ministry. At the time, Titus was co-pastoring The Way to Life Wesleyan Church in the province of Kratie, and teaching English at the School of Hope, a small English and computer school that shared the same property as the church. It was there in Kratie that Titus and I met, and Kratie has felt like a "home away from home" ever since.
First, he was my translator, but he quickly became my friend. Meeting Titus, I immediately determined that he was the funniest guy I knew and I am still sure that he is the funniest guy I know. We had an instant connection because Titus and I owned very similar cameras - his was pink, mine was blue; he wanted to trade, but I refused.
I spent only a few days in Kratie, but Titus later joined our team in Siem Reap, where we made many lasting memories. We played Uno. We stayed up all night and watched the sunrise at Angkor Wat (one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world.) We ate noodles and Mentos at 3am. We watched a scary movie (The Messengers.) We shared a banana pancake. We laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

We shared our testimonies and talked about our dreams for the future. It was then that I realized what an incredible man He is. It seems we have the same passion and dreams for ministry, but in the areas where I am weak, he is strong.

Without admitting my feelings to anyone, especially Titus, I left Cambodia, wondering if I would ever return. The opportunity arose for me to return to Cambodia the following summer, and I went. On my second day in Cambodia, my best friend Vandy visited the place where I was staying. He asked me if I wanted to call Titus. Call Titus?? Of course I wanted to call Titus, but I wondered why he thought I would have wanted to call Titus.

A few days later, Titus and Vandy joined my team and we returned to Siem Reap, to Freedom Hotel, to Angkor Wat, to Pastor Banyen's church -- to places where we had made so many lasting memories only 12 months before. I cannot say that I avoided Titus, but I kept my distance. I didn't want to attach myself. I was hesitant afraid - afraid that I would do or say the wrong thing and the Cambodian Church (which is very different than Western culture) would down upon me and my testimony would no longer have validity. By the end of day one of my second trip to Cambodia, I was confident that God was calling me to Cambodia and to Cambodians. The more I watched Titus interact with the people, the more I was attached. I spent hours talking to Pastor Vandy -- who loved seeing us together -- and asking for advice.

After three weeks, my team left and I remained in Cambodia for another month. I saw Titus on a variety of occasions, and we texted almost every evening. One week before I left, we had a DTR (a "Define the Relationship" conversation) and decided to wait for each other until I could return to Cambodia again - that meant no dating anyone else. A few days later, we went on our first date. We had pizza, then went on a romantic tuk tuk ride through the city at night, observing all the lights, taking in all the traffic, and asking each other dozens of questions about everything past, present, and future.

What else can I say? He is incredibly strong. He is beautifully handsome. He is funny - so funny! He is a pastor, a teacher, a leader, a visionary, an example, and above all, a God-fearing man. His love overwhelms me and I cannot believe I found such an amazing guy that loves me. God is everything to me and He fills my heart; however, I also believe that God created humankind with a need for the love of others. Titus fills that need in my life, and I cannot imagine myself happy with anyone else.

We met in May 2008, I took my second trip May and June 2009, and finally returned December 23, 2010. We got engaged December 26, 2010 and we plan on getting married in America on October 22, 2011.

That's our love story - part of it anyways!

Our Engagement Ceremony

One month ago yesterday -- December 28, 2010 -- Titus and I were officially engaged the traditional Cambodian way. It was an incredibly beautifully ceremony. I was told the ceremony would be "simple," and I was amazed (almost speechless) when I walked down the stairs to see 49 of our closest friends, and a room that was beautifully transformed to host a very special ceremony.

The front of the room during the ceremony -- The back of the room after the ceremony, while we were eating
There were pink and yellow fabrics draped on the walls, royal red carpets laying across the tile floors, colorful fruits on gold and silver platters lining the front, and a beautiful backdrop with a large glittering heart, rings, and our names printed in gold. We sang khmer hymns and Pastor Kimsua played the guitar, Rev. Kimsan played the Cambodian drum, and a sound system ensured that even the neighbors gathered outside could hear clearly. Pastor Sopheak did a great job leading the ceremony. Pastor Greg gave a sort of pre-marital message and he and his five-year-old daughter, Aleeyah, sang a beautiful song called "From Here to Eternity." Only Pastor Greg's message and special song were in English.

My handsome fiancé and beautiful future mother-in-law -- Giving the ring


"Parents" exchanging fruit - I do not know what the significance is, but it is a Cambodian custom - and Titus and I presenting fruit to Mom


Pastor Sopheak and Rev. Kimsan leading the ceremony - Pastor Greg and Aleeyah singing

Friends and American missionaries, Tim and Tiffany Gallant, sat beside me as my parents. Titus' beautiful mom and two of his five brothers were able to attend. I was so incredibly overwhelmed in love - in love with this incredible man who will soon be my husband, and overwhelmed by the love of those who did so much to make it a beautiful day, and of those who came to celebrate with us.

A few pictures with dear friends:

A truly unforgettable day...

Love love love, Jewel
the future Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol