This last week has been wonderful. Not only have I been so encouraged by people that God has placed in my life, but I have been basking in His presence - How Awesome that is!!!
My mind is kinda full right now...ahhh! I will update you all later!
Today's Fun Fact about China: Ice cream was invented in China around 2000BC
when the Chinese packed a soft milk and rice mixture in the snow. (http://www.tooter4kids.com/china/fun_facts_about_china.htm)
Yay!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A sacrifice for testing...
So, I just want to let everyone out there know that God lives!! These last few days have stood the test and its been really neat to see God work. It has been through the course of quiet realizations of how the Lord is following through with His promises. WOw, is all I can say. So let me explain.
What you may or may not know about me is that I am studying to be a teacher, and I have been for the last few years - 4 in fact. I cannot believe it has been almost 4 years. Anyway, my freshman year, I began to feel a drawing towards China. At the time, I wasn't too concerned with it due to the fact that I hadn't fully figured out what I wanted to teach. As time progressed and the Lord worked out detail by detail - the tugging to teach in China remained steady as ever. This past fall, I applied to student teach in China, hoping that the Lord would confirm this drawing as His calling, not just a desire that I had. Coming back to school, I was excited and nervous to find out whether I had been accepted or not into the cross-cultural student teaching program. Finally, last week I received an email from our education secretary that there was to be a meeting in a week. I RSVPed back and tried to trust the Lord that I was doing what He wanted or that I would at least find out if this was to be God's will for me. Yesterday, I attended the meeting, where I was completely overwhelmed at the amount of responsibility, work, and funds that had to come through to make this possible. I knew it would be expensive and I knew that I would have to work hard - but at the meeting, I was floored at how much more is expected of the pre-service teachers who are hoping to student teach overseas. After leaving the meeting, I prayed that the Lord would speak to me and show me truth in the midst of this confusion and helplessness. As a young student who is putting herself through school, I did not see how this trip would be financially possible. I prayed and had my room mates surround me in prayer, and I layed in bed - tossing and turning - as to what I would do. While trying to conquer a cold and a headache - I wrestled with the answers. What if this wasn't God's will and this drawing was just a desire that I had conjured up myself? Finally, before I fell asleep, I reasoned that I would wait until after I graduated to apply to an international school in China, and I would perform my student teaching somewhere in the states. With this plan, I doubted if I would ever truly make it to China, but I felt an exhausted peace as I drifted off to sleep. I planned on calling my parents the following day - today - to tell them the news and my plans. HEre is the part I get excited about: My Dad was not worried at all. I read through some of the orientation material and explained all the details - and He said with confidence that God can do this! He said He would be praying for me and he reminded me of how faithful God has been in the past. As I went through the budget and specific needs, including a laptop and other things of the sort, we began to get a gameplan for the spring and the summer. This was confirmation to me that I might be able to do this. Last night, I felt that I had to give it up - to sacrifice it for now until I could do it later. Today, I felt like God gave it back to me - wrapped in confidence and hope - that this dream is not just a dream - but maybe a reality. My roommate reminded me of Abraham and Isaac - and I believe that God was testing my motives - to see if I would give up my dream to teach in China.
What you may or may not know about me is that I am studying to be a teacher, and I have been for the last few years - 4 in fact. I cannot believe it has been almost 4 years. Anyway, my freshman year, I began to feel a drawing towards China. At the time, I wasn't too concerned with it due to the fact that I hadn't fully figured out what I wanted to teach. As time progressed and the Lord worked out detail by detail - the tugging to teach in China remained steady as ever. This past fall, I applied to student teach in China, hoping that the Lord would confirm this drawing as His calling, not just a desire that I had. Coming back to school, I was excited and nervous to find out whether I had been accepted or not into the cross-cultural student teaching program. Finally, last week I received an email from our education secretary that there was to be a meeting in a week. I RSVPed back and tried to trust the Lord that I was doing what He wanted or that I would at least find out if this was to be God's will for me. Yesterday, I attended the meeting, where I was completely overwhelmed at the amount of responsibility, work, and funds that had to come through to make this possible. I knew it would be expensive and I knew that I would have to work hard - but at the meeting, I was floored at how much more is expected of the pre-service teachers who are hoping to student teach overseas. After leaving the meeting, I prayed that the Lord would speak to me and show me truth in the midst of this confusion and helplessness. As a young student who is putting herself through school, I did not see how this trip would be financially possible. I prayed and had my room mates surround me in prayer, and I layed in bed - tossing and turning - as to what I would do. While trying to conquer a cold and a headache - I wrestled with the answers. What if this wasn't God's will and this drawing was just a desire that I had conjured up myself? Finally, before I fell asleep, I reasoned that I would wait until after I graduated to apply to an international school in China, and I would perform my student teaching somewhere in the states. With this plan, I doubted if I would ever truly make it to China, but I felt an exhausted peace as I drifted off to sleep. I planned on calling my parents the following day - today - to tell them the news and my plans. HEre is the part I get excited about: My Dad was not worried at all. I read through some of the orientation material and explained all the details - and He said with confidence that God can do this! He said He would be praying for me and he reminded me of how faithful God has been in the past. As I went through the budget and specific needs, including a laptop and other things of the sort, we began to get a gameplan for the spring and the summer. This was confirmation to me that I might be able to do this. Last night, I felt that I had to give it up - to sacrifice it for now until I could do it later. Today, I felt like God gave it back to me - wrapped in confidence and hope - that this dream is not just a dream - but maybe a reality. My roommate reminded me of Abraham and Isaac - and I believe that God was testing my motives - to see if I would give up my dream to teach in China.
I still do not know what will happen - if I will go or not - although things are looking up. There are quite a few hurdles I will have to jump first. However, I will trust in the Lord.
Along with the Lord's help, I will pursue what the world would think crazy. By His grace and provision, one year from now, I will be preparing to go to China.
Please pray that through this journey, the Lord would provide not only physical needs, but spiritual wisdom and guidance.
My God is good.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Shiny, Brand New...
Yay for 2008! We made it through another entire year!
It is so great that we can start fresh - with new goals and dreams in mind.
Here is my New Year's Resolution:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
(Colossians 3:12-17)
I pray that this year would be wonderful for you.
Remember to give the Spirit control - it is an act of will!
Blessings to you!
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