Blogging in China

Wow- we're finally in China- yippee! It's been quite a ride- literally. Why do I get surprised when I hear messages about trials- literally all last week and then they occur. Wow- have they occurred on the trip. First our flight was delayed out of Dayton and then we couldn't get off of the plane due to an electrical problem; therefore the pilots could not turn off the engines until a battery generator could be plugged into the plane. We did not get off of the plane until 12:00; our flight left at 12:03- we missed our flight to Beijing. Thankfully United housed us in the Crown Plaza and thankfully I had spent a summer in Chicago- so I suggested we all go down to Chinatown and eat some yummy Giordanni's pizza. Everyone learned how to ride the el. Then the next day our flight was again delayed, but good came from it. We got to meet a lot of neat people- including Mac from China. Then was the long journey of 13 hours on the plane- 4 movies, none of which I watched- I slept for maybe 3 hours- then saw Tienammen Square, where we lost some members of the other team joining us- stopped at the Pearl Market and then had dinner with a show. We had problems getting our room. From this- I feel refined being dependent on him. knowing that i can't produce fruit from myself in these situations- seeing how my patience can go downhill with little sleep and circumstances. but today i'm refreshed and tomorrow we go to the orphanage. More later....

Detour

Today I've been getting ready to go to China! There will be a group of us serving at an orphanage there. In the many preparations I headed to school to gather some supplies. On the way there- the driveway was blocked off due to repairs. As I was going on my minor detour to the other driveway, I just enjoyed sticking my arm out of the window feeling the wind's force. As I was thinking of the wind- we can't see it, but we know it's there because we can feel it. Oh Lord, how that is true with you- we can't see You- but your presence is there b/c we can feel it. Your Spirit moves us, just as the wind does. As I continued to drive, driving in a square to get to the other driveway, the scenery is gorgeous- so many trees and so green. I had to smile as I thought of the detour, how enjoyable it had been. Are there detours in your life? Perhaps, they really aren't that bad- maybe they are made to be enjoyable....

Peace: The Concept of Divine Control

From Oswald Chambers:

"...how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11.

"Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him. At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the thought that the mind of God is behind all things strong and growing. Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God's will is behind it. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, bu is an attidue of the mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. 'Ask and it will be given to you...".

Doesn't your soul abide in peace when reading this? I read this on Monday and God has used it to draw me closer to Him. He knows the smallest detail of my life and your life too! "Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him." I have experienced feeling like God was an unkind friend, but it is True- He is NOT- He's Good and Glorious! Blessed are those who trust in the Lord....

Summer Heat

Whew- the summer is now into full swing and it's quite a warm one out there. Today in church my pastor has been talking about trials. One of the stories that he told was when he and his wife visited a pottery store and while there they had demonstrations. As the person explained the process he described how the pottery got "thumped" with a special instrument and if there was a thud, it had to be placed back into the fire in order to elimate those infirmities. We are the clay and God is the potter- our thuds may be in our complaining, fault finding, selfishness....sin. Lately I feel as if I have thuds and get concerned about the trials to come; however, the demonstration continued at the pottery store and if the finished product was hit with the instrument and it "pinged" as it sang, it was ready to be sold- to be put in use. We can rejoice that through our trials, God is refining us and making us useful for His kingdom. I've been quite humbled as I've been reading this book entitled, "Back to Jerusalem. These believers in China had/have such a great faith. One example was of a pastor who was lifted by a crane and dropped to his death- not once, but twice dropped because of his faith in Jesus. Whoa, I'm humbled to a point of no words.

God provides

Relfection of God's provisions:
- Sticky notes, after I used my last one I received some as a b-day gift
- Funds for my trip to China
- A job
- Asking Him to help me love and that He did
- My home
- Roommates
- Friends
- Friends on hard days
- Prayer partners
- Protection

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Last night I got to view some superb fireworks down in Dayton along the Riverscape. It was soooo packed. I waited in line probably 25 minutes for an ice cream bar- yum, but wow what a wait! We hiked down this steep hill so we could be close to the levy and spread out some blankets and sheets and enjoyed the show. I was amazed to see how many people gather to watch this awesome display in the air. During the firework display, one of the fireworks was extremely bright, so bright that as I looked around I could see people's faces contrasted so much by the darkness of night. I stopped to think about all of these people- drawn to see a spectacular show. I was thinking- I wish all of these people would come to God and man would He show them a show. God loves to display Himself in marvelous ways and what's cool is we have access at all times. We don't have to wait until the 4th of July.

Then tonight I had another display of fireworks to observe in T-Roy :) Beautiful fireworks again by the levy- and tonight I just was thankful for independence. Thinking of countries where they don't have it- thinking of our armed forces in Iraq right now that are fighting and don't get to see the fireworks. Lord, thank you for these men, sacrificing their lives for us and their country.

Any more fireworks for tomorrow? No- I think I'm done for this year :)

My Hiding Place, Songs of Deliverance

"I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him. Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble. Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Don not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trapping include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice you righteous ones, and shout for joy all you who are upright in heart."

psalm 32:5-11
Song accompaniment: Enough http://www.singulartists.com/artist_c/chris_tomlin_lyrics/enough_lyrics.html

Heaven of a week

Last night was so enjoyable- as I was able to go to not one but two gatherings :) I got to play some cornhole, eat some good food and then get into great conversations, eat some more good food, take an evening walk. As I was driving home- I was talking to the Lord and thinking of my upcoming week...it's my birthday and then something's coming up that the Lord knows about and I was praying "for one hell of a week" (yeah, how do you like that- yikes) and then I thought- why do we use that terminology? So, I was telling the Lord I would like one heaven of a week. When we say hell sometimes we use it in good terms, but how far from the truth; when I was praying for one heaven of a week and picturing that thought, I just started to smile. Wow- what a week that would be :) So if you read this- you pray to for one heaven of a week for yourself :)