The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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...

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...

Honoring Mama 💕😍 Tomorrow, our mama Tessie (lola Tess) will turn 69! As I reflect on her life and all that she has done for our family, I am reminded of the words in Proverbs 31—a passage that so perfectly describes her character, resilience, and faithfulness. Growing up, my relationship with Mama had its fair share of ups and downs. As her firstborn, I was the "trial and error" recipient of her parenting 😅😂. We didn’t always see eye to eye, especially when it came to discipline. But looking back now, I can’t help but be grateful for the values she instilled in us—especially her unwavering faith in God. Mama and Papa had me when they were just finishing college. Life was hard, and our family moved frequently because of Papa’s work. Despite the challenges, they decided that Mama would stay home to raise us while Papa worked to support the family. It was the norm back then, but I now see how much strength, wisdom, and sacrifice it took for her to dedicate her life to our fa...

Learning from a Sunday Meltdown Parenting is a journey of faith, patience, and continuous learning. As a mother of an 11-year-old son on the autism spectrum, I have realized that discipline is not just about setting rules but about understanding, guiding, and most importantly, reflecting Christ’s love. This became very clear to me last Sunday when I caused my son David’s meltdown at church while my husband was preaching. It was a difficult moment, one that reminded me how much I still need to grow in grace and self-control. As I reflect on what happened, I am reminded of biblical truths that guide me in raising and disciplining my son in Cambodia. These truths have helped me navigate the challenges of motherhood while keeping faith and love at the center of our home.  5 Biblical Truths on Discipline and Parenting Discipline Must Be Rooted in Love “The Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” – Proverbs 3:12 Discipline is not punishment but a way to ...

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...

Renewing David’s Passport A few months ago, our son David renewed his Philippine passport at the embassy here in Cambodia. God's willing, we hope to be able to travel to the Philippines next year, and as with any journey abroad, having an up-to-date passport is crucial. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to enter our home country or enjoy the privileges of being citizens. This experience got me thinking about our greater citizenship—the one that transcends borders, countries, and governments. As Christians, our true citizenship is in heaven. While we live here on earth, navigating physical boundaries and laws, we must never forget that our eternal home is with God. Our passport to that eternal home isn’t a piece of paper, but faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a spiritual reality that shapes how we live, serve, and love. Click here 👉 Identity in Christ Spiritual vs. Physical Citizenship: How Are They Different? As physical citizens, we adhere to the laws of our country, enjoy its be...

Managing our Household and Finances  As a family of three serving in Cambodia, we understand the unique challenges and blessings of living a simple life. My husband and I are very intentional when it comes on managing our finances. It has been a conscientious effort that we should always practice living within or even under our means. It's clear to us that these resources are from God, and we are only given the opportunity to manage it. We should handle it right and model it well to our son. We don't keep or hold on to it much, because we know it is temporal and there is a possibility it could be taken away anytime. God is a faithful God! While our situation might be different from many, the biblical truths for managing our home and finances remain steadfast. Here are some learnings we have been applying to our family so far. We still have a long way to go actually, but with the grace of God we are adapting gradually. We know that all blessings flow and come from Him. We want t...