Back i n the USS....umm, Back in the USA, Don't Know how Happy we are.....

Yep, we are home.
Yep, we are happy.
Yep, we are sad.
Yep, we are confused.
Yep, we are in shock.
Yep, we do not know exactly where we fit now....or if we even fit.

Serving overseas changes things in your life in ways you cannot imagine unless you have been there yourself.  I use to think, there is no way that 2 short years can change a person that much.
But we did not serve 2 short years.
We served 2 long, hard, wonderful, sad, happy, crazy, angry, joyful, trusting, believing, rejoicing, growing years.
We saw things we had only read about. We met people we could have only imagined. We helped with needs too far beyond our comfy American lives. We traveled to areas I had only seen on TV,  poorer than poor. We saw lots and lots.
We also saw love, and hope, and faith, and joy. We meet families that had been directly affected by persecution. We met new believers that had been laughed at and ridiculed by their own family. We saw true worship in churches where people came to worship God in extremely humble surroundings (concrete buildings with plastic stools to sit on). We gave out school supplies to orphans who were truly thankful and thanked the Father, and not just us. We were able to give away clothes and belongs to poor elderly people who went through our trash daily and we were able to reap the reward of a "thank you" with bright eyes, in the best broken English they could muster up. We were able to see friends become Part of the Family and others who are getting closer and closer.

So, coming home has been hard. We Americans are so caught up  in self it is unbelievable. We go days, months, years, lifetimes with out ever sharing our faith.
I am the first to admit, before I went to China, I was not as bold as I am now, I talked to people often then, about my faith and "come to church with me",  but not as directly, not as straight-forwardl-y, not as URGENTLY.

We need an URGENCY  about us. We need to share and love and help and sacrifice. We need to be the Hands and Feet  of Christ.
Being overseas put that urgency in me and I do not want to lose it, as I return back to my comfortable, plush, rich life ( and believe me, we all are rich here in America compared to there).

As we try to fit back in, please help us pray that God places us where we can continue to minister to Asian populations, work for the Kingdom in a church fellowship where we are needed, and where the kids will find a place to belong. As Bob considers jobs in various locations, the above 3 are our biggest concerns. We want to still hold onto our China mindset as we begin a new life and purpose here in the states.

And that, folks, is the ballgame....thanks for coming out.....

Ending well. Not just showing up for the game...or quiting when the playing got tough or exhausting. But playing the whole ballgame. Putting your all into it.

I look at these past 2 years as a game- set amount of time, set amount of opportunities. We all have these. But I stopped to think how many opportunities I have in the US. How many of these do I really seek after? Am I really in the game, both overseas and at home.

I have been back in America one week now. It has been and will continue to be an adjustment. Things are different. I am different.

I feel I finished well. (Bob is still there for 2 more weeks). I played my best game til the end, was able to say goodbyes and  with tearful eyes, leave  to return to a home that doesn't feel that way anymore. I keep sittin around, I think in part, to see if it will start to feel more "normal"...but what is normal now?

I will continue to write here, as we become American again. As I become a part of my old life. As I see where He leads next.

Tick....tick....tick....tick....

Time is running out. There are less and less days of school left- 81 til school is out, about 55 school days. Time is running out to teach my students all I can about His Word. Help me to be clear in the message and simple in my teaching. To be child-like in my faith and show them how to trust and put my eyes on Him.

Time is running out. There are less and less opportunities to show people in the general community compasion, care, a smile. Less time to let someone else go first, less time to kindly and with love correct my children while curious eyes are on me, less time to speak to the cleaning ladies and garbage men showing them they are important enough to be noticed and appreciated. Less time to show them J-sus through my actions, words, deeds.

Time is running out. There are less and less chances to hang out with our Chinese friends, friends we have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Less time to be personally involved in their lives- be counted as family at their wedding, to show concern and share pr-yer with them for their father with cancer, less time to celebrate holidays with their families as honored guests. Less time to sit and talk and share and grow and bring them to the cross.

Time is running out- 11 weeks of school, 81 days til school is out, 95 days til we board a plane to America in all likelyhood, never to return. Time is running out.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Count your blessings....

At lunch today, Bob and I were talking about things here being so hard, little things we take for granted in the US of A, things I vow right now to never forget when I am back in my comfortable life in America....such as the blessing of...

#1- being able to wash more than 10 items in a washing machine and dry the items in less than 4 hours

#2- having more than 2 burners to cook on

#3- no worrying about, at any given time, power, water, gas, or internet going off....for days at a time

#4- being able to get in a car and drive to dinner, not riding on a crowded, smelly bus for over an hour to our favorite restaurant on the other side of the city

#5- being able to go in the kitchen an hour before dinner time and throw together meal, not having to go to the store daily and hope and pr-y they have hamburger meat

#6- having people hold doors for you, smile at you, just be pleasant instead of scowls, stares, and fighting to be first through a doorway or getting onto a bus

#7- using water from a faucet and not having to boil it first to keep from sickness

#8- being able to flush toilet paper, instead of having a special lidded can for it that fills quickly and is not pleasant to change

#9- not breathing dirty air that causes dry, "boogery" noses and ear gook as well as a cough that stays and stays

#10- ordering in a restaurant and knowing they will have what you have ordered, not hearing "Don't have" with no apology whatsoever

#11- not being stared at all the time and reminded you do not fit in and with many people, you are also not wanted here

#12- Vacuuming my house. Here you sweep, cold hard floors...and it can get filthy overnight. I have to sweep the entire apt 4 times a week at least.

#13- Coming home to a warm/cool house. Here you turn off heat and AC when you leave...so coming home to a 35 degree apt is not enjoyable.

#14- Toilet paper in public bathrooms. Take your own with you here.

#15- sleeping on a soft comfortable bed. When we got here I thought our bed was missing the mattress, that it was only the boxsprings....nope, that was it. We bought cheap foam to put on top....not the same.

#16-Walking on sidewalks without fear of being run over by a bike, moped, or a car....yes, cars are driven on the sidewalks and they will blow for you, the one walking on the sideWALK to move out of their way!

#17- people knowing how to wait in line, wait their turn....not cutting, just going ahead of you, pushing their way up.

#18- being able to run the heat, hair dryer, and light with out tripping the breaker

#19- being able to walk barefoot on the grass and not fear dog mess, but also human mess

#20- see churches on every corner, not hidden in apartments and stores....a freedom we need to cherish and fight to protect

I will have more later, but remember these are all real, they are all my life, and they will be many peoples lives for their whole existance.

We are blessed. Little things we do not even think about are truly blessings when you have to do without.

What a night!!!

Ok, so I am so blown away. I could feel people pr-ying for us during our Christmas dinner tonight. Thanks thanks thanks!!! So here is how it went.....

Every single person we invited showed up....plus a few extras....we had to go out and get extra food- afraid we weren't going to have enough. They ate and ate and ate- turkey,dressing,rice ( of course), gravy,mac and cheese, deviled eggs, green beans, and desserts- cheese cake, cookies, and brownies.....it was sooooo good.

Then we shared about Christmas- what people thought of when they thought of Christmas. Answers ranged from Santa to Jingle Bells to shopping. Many said they thought of dinners with family and friends...some said they thought of giving gifts.

This led into me, Angie, trying to share about the best gift EVER and tearing up through it. But it opened up for more discussion- why did He come here? What do we do to receive the gift?

The discussion lastest over an hour and a half!!!

Lots took information papers- in their native tongue- to learn more. And I had a discussion with one person before the dinner even started!!

This was an amazing night for us....to see all the work leading up to this night- help us build the relationship to the point of being able to share with them. I was amazed at how hungry they all were to know more and more.

There are two left that I am pr-yin hard for...they are still resistant- can see it in their posture and faces, but we serve the One who can do anything....no worries.

So, thanks!!! If you were prayin tonight/ am for you guys, we felt it!!!

Will keep you updated on how it all plays out now- the ball is in their court....

Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Almost half way there!!!

Hard to believe but Christmas is almost here and with it's arrival, we will be half way through the school year!!! As excited as I am about heading home, I feel a sort of loss that the time here is almost over. We have made some very good Chinese friends that we hope to welcome into the family very soon!!

Interesting story- we have been pr-ying for all 1o or so of our closest friends, that they would be open to what we share on Christmas night and that the ones that are to be here would be here and others, that are not "Ready" would not be here for dinner.

One friend we have not seen in a while. His dad has been sick so he has been away taking care of him and attending to his business affairs ( rich family). We have been remembering him and hoping he would get back to the city to be able to attend the dinner over the holidays.

Finally, this past week, he showed up at our Thanksgiving gathering!!! PTL!!! So hopefully he will be around for Christmas too.

Please help us pr-y for these friends.....we would love to see some fruit, but if not we can see the plants beginning to grow...

As Christmas comes closer, my opportunities to share at school become more. I have 16 students in my B-ble class and I also want pr-yer for them. Many are Korean and are worried about issues there and family members - ones there and ones that do not believe.

Please put this on your "list". These kids are precious and are growing in their faith- scary world they face going back home.

Also, youth group has several non-believers in it. Next week, at our home,I will be sharing a lesson about What is Christmas. These students are all in our school, but many do not have a personal faith and are questioning things.... they are from faith-less families and are confused and uncertain....hoping to help change that!!

SO.....we need lots of talking to Daddy for us- about Chinese friends as well as international expat friends....the need is great, and at this time of year, doors are opening for opportunies to share the greatest gift of Christmas!!! Please remember us!!! We thank you all for pr-yers- we can feel them!!!

Hard to believe how fast this year is going by for us. I think it is going faster for us- no adjusting to a whole new culture, no trying to find our way and figure things out. It is nice to be able to get in a cab and go, speaking enough Chinese to communicate our wants and needs.

As we work now, at school and in the community, the people have become more real, more personal, more "our people". That may not make sense, but until you live and become a part of a foriegn culture, you feel like a guest, a visitor, with no real tie or devotion to what you are doing. Now we have friends, we have a community, and we are a part of Chinese people's lives. We are "in" with the community and it feels more normal.

Seeing how fast the year is going and knowing we will be headed home in less than 7 months puts a whole new urgency on what we are doing.
Many, many opportunities are come out for us to share our beliefs and ideas. It is like we do not even have to "work" to find opportunities or create these chances. They are presenting themselves and they have G-d written allllll over them!!!

Many of our new friends are searching- for meaning, for answers, for joy. This is a country where there is very little joy. I see some laughing but it seems in evil ways- at others expense or from nerves....not real joy, not real contentment.

As we work especially hard with our friends and even starting a new English circle next week, we are seriously asking for pr-yers. We need energy, focus, discernment ( big dose of that), the right words- His, not ours, and patience.

Also remember our kids as they strive to make an impact on this country too.
They are helping us pry daily for the friends coming here for Christmas dinner. We want the Spirit to move through this home and touch their hearts and we know that pryer can get the prep work into place.

Learning Chinese is a long process and we have to do any sharing in English- pr y for the right words that they will understand.
We are excited about the coming months and all that we will get to be a part of. We want to do all we can while we are given this opportunity to show light to a very dark area.
It is hard to even describe what it is like here- it is definately a see it to believe it place. But His work can, will, and is being done here.

Philippians 1:9----- He is with us wherever we go!!!