The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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...

Today is a holiday here in the beautiful country of Cambodia. We are celebrating International Women’s Day . Yes, you heard it right. Cambodia recognizes the value and contribution of women in the nation. Schools are closed, offices slow down, and many women are given time to rest. For me, I decided to spend the day quietly by myself since I felt a bit suffocated from yesterday's chaos at home. Sometimes that is a gift we rarely give ourselves. Most days are full. Between teaching at the university, caring for my family, serving in ministry with my husband, and guiding my son, life moves quickly. The rhythm of being a wife, mother, lecturer, and pastor’s wife often means that personal quiet moments are few. So today I did something simple.  I went out alone to reflect. It has been a long time since I simply walked outside without thinking about schedules, meals, school assignments, ministry plans, or errands for the family. I went somewhere quiet, looked around a bit, bought what I...

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...

It's been raining in the city this week.   For no reason, I just felt an energy low today - that is even right after I read my morning devotion 😔 I am unsure where is this coming from but in my prayer today, I ask God to renew my thoughts and awaken my spirit to see Him even with whatever emotions I may have today. Do you also feel this way sometimes? feeling down without any reasons haha! My energy was so high last week as we start the new semester at the university and then suddenly at week 2, I felt like a melting candle. I might have given much energy last week huh?! 😰😳  Anyways, these are the moments that I do really need much soaking time in reading and reflecting in the mornings. I am wearing many of hats as a woman, wife, mother, sister, lecturer, and so on. I wasn't able to sleep much last night, my mind was thinking a lot and widely awake. I think of many lists to do and plans to achieve this half-way year to go! I felt like I need to do more. Until I stumbled at ...

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...

  My Pday's Birthday! The word "P'day" is actually referred to as husband in Khmer language. Today is actually Vandy's birthday. In Khmer culture, if you were born in the 70's your birthday is most likely NOT the real one. Like in the case of my husband, apparently, according to my mother-in-law, she needed to register his birthday few years later and they just chose his birthday based on Chinese signs and seasons combined. She needed to do this to protect Vandy from being recruited to be a young soldier for war (threat for another Khmer rouge). My husband is the only boy among the 4 siblings (+three sisters) and he is the only one who would carry the name of Kongkong's (grandpa) family line.  We don't normally throw any party or big celebration on birthdays at home - the reason being is we always celebrate our birthdays every single day for Jesus! It's all by God's grace that we are alive and well. Vandy's faith conversion (testimony) is r...

Have you been following what is happening in the Gulf countries lately? Many civilians have been stranded at the airport in Dubai . Several countries in the Middle East have been intercepting attacks from Iran. The tension connected to Israel and the United States has caused fear and confusion. News updates keep coming. The world feels restless again. As a family, we have been praying. There are moments when I read the headlines and quietly whisper, Lord, not again. It seems the world does not rest from war. One conflict ends and another begins. Nations rage. Leaders respond. Civilians suffer. Families wait in airports. Mothers hold their children not knowing what tomorrow looks like. But praise God. He is our peace despite the unrest. In times like this, I am reminded why spiritual discipline is not optional for us as believers. It is not something we do only when life is calm. It is what keeps us steady when life is not. Our anchor verse has been Psalm 143 verse 8. “Let me hear of y...