The Hourngs in Cambodia!

There are days when James 1:19 feels like it was written just for me. Honestly.  😔😅 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19–20 Sometimes I find myself reading this verse and then sighing with a little bit of embarrassment because, if I’m being real, I still struggle with this more often than I’d like to admit. I want to be someone who listens more, speaks less, and doesn’t let anger take control of my heart or my words. I want to represent Jesus well not just in church or ministry but also at home, in the university where I teach, in our neighborhood, in the market, and even in those little day-to-day encounters that no one else may notice. I don’t want to come across as someone who’s just “religious” who talks about God but reacts to people harshly or impatiently. Instead, I want my actions, especially my respo...

We just came back from our much-awaited annual family retreat last week. It was refreshing and soul-lifting. I praise God for the chance to slow down, to laugh and talk and enjoy each other’s company without rushing. We made it a goal to set a time each year just for this to pause, reflect, and be reminded of God’s purpose in our family. David, our son, looks forward to this trip because he gets all our attention. We plan our retreat during school breaks and in the middle of the year, even if it costs quite a bit. It’s worth it. June is not just our family trip month, it’s also durian season and David’s birthday! It gets expensive transport, food, accommodation but we save up for it. My husband Vandy is a great planner. While I’m more of the spontaneous type (and yes, a spender!), he balances me out. We save for this retreat every month, so when the time comes, it’s not a burden. Vandy books early, during low season, for discounts. David and I just show up and enjoy the hard part, th...

Whether you’re a homemaker, a working mom, a young woman preparing for marriage, or someone just curious about faith, this is for you. As a pastor’s wife in Cambodia, I’ve walked through seasons of joy and storms alike. I've seen the beauty and the burdens of managing a household.  I've burned bread in the oven while hanging the laundry and rearing a sick child with tears falling quietly because life felt too heavy ( David was 3 years old at that time while dad was away for ministry work in the province) . Maybe you have, too. Through the years, by God's grace, I'm thankful for having a husband who's not only the head of our family in terms of leading our family spiritually but has even become beyond that role. He's always been supportive and present in every situation that I needed him. To be honest, our household might be different from other Khmer households or Asian families as a whole.  But through all of this, one Scripture passage has remained close to my...

Covering Our Husbands with Grace and Humility  As wives, we all want our marriages to thrive—to be filled with love, understanding, and connection. But let’s be honest, marriage isn’t always easy. Between the busyness of life, the weight of responsibilities, and the occasional disagreements, it’s easy to feel disconnected or even frustrated. Whether you’re a young wife navigating the early years of marriage or a seasoned wife who’s been through it all, one thing remains true: prayer is the foundation of a strong, Christ-centered marriage.   Today, I want to invite you to join me in focusing on Philippians 2:3-8, where Paul reminds us to have the same mindset as Christ—one of humility, selflessness, and love. These verses aren’t just a call to action; they’re a blueprint for how we can love and support our husbands in a way that honors God and strengthens our marriages.   👉  Click Here to Get Your Free Prayer Journal! Why Humility Matters in Marriage? Humil...

To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain: A Journey of Surrender If there’s one Bible verse that used to give me fear, it was Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” When I was younger in my faith, these words felt too radical, too heavy to truly embrace. My best friend Glenies and I even made a promise to each other—we would never marry pastors. We thought pastors' wives had to be super holy, prim, and proper, and we were far from that. The idea of living sacrificially for ministry seemed overwhelming. We couldn’t imagine surrendering our lives in such a way. It felt too much, too difficult. Yet, God had a different plan for me, and little did I know, He would take me on a journey of surrender, reshaping my fears into faith and my reluctance into purpose. A Journal Entry Read by the Wrong (or Right) Person I have loved journaling since my college years. Writing down my prayers, dreams, and reflections helped me process my faith journey. I even wrote a list o...

Today is our 15 th wedding anniversary. Vandy and I are celebrating with gratitude all by God’s grace. These years have been filled with challenges, joys, and countless moments of growth. Together, we’ve learned and are still in the process of building our marriage. We are hopeful to be always rooted in the Word of God, nurtured by humility, and bearing the fruits of the Spirit. *To know more of our story here 👉  Our most UNLIKELY marriage proposal Marriage is a journey of deep transformation, where God continually refines us, showing us how to love as Christ loves the church. I am grateful for my husband, a man who embodies godliness, humility, and the strength of a true ministry partner. Here are fifteen reflections on our marriage, which have shaped us into who we are today. 1. Humility is the Foundation We are still learning to be humble day after day. Our mentors would always encourage us to apply it in our marriage. It’s challenging to ask each other “How can I improve...

A Young Couple's Journey Vandy and I got married more than a decade now. As a pastor's wife married to a Khmer pastor in Cambodia, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible work God has done in our lives. Looking back to our early days as a young couple, I'm filled with gratitude for the lessons we've learned and the blessings we've received.  One verse that has been a constant source of inspiration and guidance for our family is Matthew 6:33. This verse has been a cornerstone of our faith and has shaped our approach to life and ministry. In fact, it even became a banner of this blog! My husband and I were just starting out in our new ministry in the city. We were young, full of passion, and eager to make a difference in the world. However, we were also facing many challenges. We were living on a modest income, our living conditions were simple, and we often felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of ministry. After our mission work in Krati...