Humbly approaching the cross is something that has been on my mind lately. This weekend I finished Galations and read Ephesians....both have amazing lessons about being crucified with Christ and its not us living, but Christ living in us... being rooted in Christ's love and approaching HIM with peace and confidence....
This morning I listened to a podcast that reminded me of this...."God doesn't show us our whole path for life, He takes us step by step because He wants to be in relationship with us and honestly- if we knew the path God is going to lead us on then we wouldn't need him..."
Okay so we need God, we know that and we hear that ALL THE TIME.
But how often do we live our lives in complete surrender, in complete humility where we are constantly on our knees relying on God's strength...on HIS timing...on HIS understanding...on HIS peace.
I wish I could say that I'm at this place where I'm in complete surrender in front of my Savior. But truth be told I am slowly opening up my hands and allowing my HIM to take my burdens, my pain, my anger, my brokeness...
Praise God that He desires to heal us and make us whole again. Praise Him for giving us everything. I believe he is victorious over all our pain and depression and has already defeated those things.
He will bring me through, in His timing...I just need to trust.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The best things in Life aren't things....
Jon took Grace out to fly kites last weekend at Shenzhen University. I went along of course to take some pictures but really it was a special afternoon for Grace and her dad! One of those days that make you stop and realize that life is about moments like this....
LOVE how much they enjoy each other!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday Night Chaos
In case you are wondering what Tuesday Nights look like for us when we invite 6 extra Children into our home...Here are a few pics. 6 five year olds + one 3 year old equals = excedrin migraine. KIDDING!! Well kind of ... But we really love it, they are SO much fun. And Grace thinks it's time to party down every Tuesday night. My ears are still ringing from tonight. Take a look :)
Walter, Ray-Ray (love that name), Julie, Yancey, Snow, and Grace
BESTIES
Snow, Grace, Julie, and another Grace!
Tonight I gave them these "awards" for sitting through English tutoring before they ran into Grace's room to play...As you can see they are pretty stinkin' proud. Grace got one too for being my assistant!
I posted this blurry picture to show you the energy that comes from this group of crazy 5 year olds... this is not for wimps people! Oh and by the way - this was taken last Tuesday night... and YES that cute little guy in the middle named RAY RAY is wearing a cape to English Tutoring. Don't try him, he is not playing around!
Me with Julie - This little girl is HILARIOUS and Such a sweet girl!
Hope you enjoyed the peek into our madness!
Walter, Ray-Ray (love that name), Julie, Yancey, Snow, and Grace
BESTIES
Snow, Grace, Julie, and another Grace!
Tonight I gave them these "awards" for sitting through English tutoring before they ran into Grace's room to play...As you can see they are pretty stinkin' proud. Grace got one too for being my assistant!
I posted this blurry picture to show you the energy that comes from this group of crazy 5 year olds... this is not for wimps people! Oh and by the way - this was taken last Tuesday night... and YES that cute little guy in the middle named RAY RAY is wearing a cape to English Tutoring. Don't try him, he is not playing around!
Me with Julie - This little girl is HILARIOUS and Such a sweet girl!
Hope you enjoyed the peek into our madness!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Rainy Day Fun in Shenzhen
Grace had a blast making english muffin pizzas and cupcakes on our rainy saturday last weekend! They were sooo good and she had a blast! Great idea if you are stuck in the house with little ones, and not all that messy either :)
Followed by cupcakes...
Love this picture... she is ROCKIN the peace sign!
Followed by cupcakes...
Love this picture... she is ROCKIN the peace sign!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Blessed by four little angels
Saturdays are our orphanage days. We have 4 kids named Louis, Tommy, Pat and Olivia. We get to act as their foster parents on these Saturday's taking them on outings that they would not get to do otherwise without the help of volunteers here in Shenzhen. They get to see the outside world and experience things like the park, mcdonalds, dinosaur exhibits, etc. which is a HUGE treat to these precious kids.
On our way to the park - Tommy and Pat are the boys in the back
This is Olivia. She is about 4 years old. Absolutely PRECIOUS and so happy. Grace loves playing with her! Olivia kept tugging on my hand calling me ma-ma during our outing this past weekend.
Jon with little Louis
I must say it is quite amazing when we stop and see the world through a child's eyes... But even more so when you have the opportunity to see it through an orphans eyes.
Grace and Olivia blowing bubbles
Time to head back to the orphanage...Until next time sweet children..
On our way back they got to check out bunnies for sale on the side of the road...small things that make children happy!
I hope that these pictures of these 4 precious children will be A reminder to PRAY, A reminder to GIVE, & a reminder that we all have a responsibility to be a VOICE for those that don't have one of their own.
It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide.
Every day an estimated 5,760 more children become orphans.
Each year 14,505,000 children grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system by the age of 16.
Studies have shown that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
Another study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…
I know for myself it is very difficult to really think about these statistics and what they represent, but when we become PERSONALLY involved and risk HEART ACHE they become MORE than statistics… these 4 orphans we spend time with on the weekends have become REAL children with REAL hearts that ache for parents with REAL bodies that hunger for love and attention.
These precious children need men and women willing to make a difference...
“Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.” Ps 82:3-4
statistics above from:
www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren.org
On our way to the park - Tommy and Pat are the boys in the back
This is Olivia. She is about 4 years old. Absolutely PRECIOUS and so happy. Grace loves playing with her! Olivia kept tugging on my hand calling me ma-ma during our outing this past weekend.
Jon with little Louis
I must say it is quite amazing when we stop and see the world through a child's eyes... But even more so when you have the opportunity to see it through an orphans eyes.
Grace and Olivia blowing bubbles
Time to head back to the orphanage...Until next time sweet children..
On our way back they got to check out bunnies for sale on the side of the road...small things that make children happy!
I hope that these pictures of these 4 precious children will be A reminder to PRAY, A reminder to GIVE, & a reminder that we all have a responsibility to be a VOICE for those that don't have one of their own.
It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide.
Every day an estimated 5,760 more children become orphans.
Each year 14,505,000 children grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system by the age of 16.
Studies have shown that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
Another study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…
I know for myself it is very difficult to really think about these statistics and what they represent, but when we become PERSONALLY involved and risk HEART ACHE they become MORE than statistics… these 4 orphans we spend time with on the weekends have become REAL children with REAL hearts that ache for parents with REAL bodies that hunger for love and attention.
These precious children need men and women willing to make a difference...
“Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.” Ps 82:3-4
statistics above from:
www.unicef.org/uniteforchildren.org
Love this idea...
Saw this on pinterest..... My new addiction. So inspiring. Now if I could just get off of the website so I can actually make all of the things I've pinned my house would be beautiful and my husbands belly would be happy...
For now I wanted to share this cool idea that I am going to start doing tomorrow. Just wish I would have done it a little sooner.
This woman has a journal for each of her children, filled with letters to the child and thoughts about them. She started each one the day they found out they were having the child. Gave them when the kids moved out. So sweet and sentimental.
For now I wanted to share this cool idea that I am going to start doing tomorrow. Just wish I would have done it a little sooner.
Source: ashleyannphotography.com via Jessica on Pinterest
This woman has a journal for each of her children, filled with letters to the child and thoughts about them. She started each one the day they found out they were having the child. Gave them when the kids moved out. So sweet and sentimental.
Friday, November 4, 2011
What are we doing here?!
I try to keep up with this blog, and i post a lot of stuff on Facebook but I thought I'd post what a regular day/ week looks like in our world in case anyone is wondering what we do day to day other than teach cute little Chinese children....
So here goes...
Sundays - we are apart of two fellowships here in shenzhen... One is pretty small, mostly Chinese Believers and the other is quite big (hundreds of people from all cultures) .. We LOVE being apart of both of these families of faith. Wish I could write more about that on here ... Anyway we usually spend sunday afternoons having lunch out somewhere as a family or with church friends, napping, and then preparing our lesson plans for the kindergarten that are due for the week.
Mondays... Back to the grind ;) We start the day by dropping grace off to her kindergarten class. They always have breakfast ready for the kids when they arrive at 9:00 - which is usually some vegetables, fruit, noodles... Healthy and filling. There's no fruit loops going on in there haha. We kiss her goodbye and usually watch from the window for a few minutes. She is the only American in the class and her classmates welcome her with open arms. Usually screaming "GRACE IS HERE, GOOD MORNING GRACE, GOOD MORNING GRACES MOMMY!!!! "
Monday evenings I help one of our Chinese teachers with her English. She is one of my favorite people here, and I absolutely love that we can finally communicate with each other.
Tuesday- we teach in the mornings at the kindergarten, grace goes to her class, then in the evenings I host an English tutoring session for 5 year olds in our apartment from 7 to 8pm. Jon takes grace outside to the community court yard/ playground where EVERYONE gathers in the evenings. Moms, dads, our students, grandparents... You name it. Chinese people love to be outside, and everyone is like one huge family. The kids in our neighborhood usually run up and tackle Jon when they see him. When Jon is not breaking up scooter fights you can find him chasing kids around the playground, or playing basketball with the dads... Basketball games that involve 3 year olds that like to ride their tricycles right through the middle of the games with not a care in the world.
Wednesday- We all start off at the kindergarten, then I usually get to have a lunch date with Jon by this time in the week. Wednesday nights Jon has a tutoring session for some of his 5 year olds from our school, then he comes home we have dinner. Later on in the evening I leave for a ladies bible study that I recently put together at one of our local coffee shops. There are lots of Chinese women who are new believers that come, and there are also some amazing American girls that come who are going to help lead these new friends in their faith.
Thursdays- pretty tired by now!! More teaching at the kindergarten, usually a staff meeting during lunch. Jon tutors a Chinese teacher at school from 5-6. Then he recently started a men's bible study with a few friends that goes from 7:30-9:00. Thursday night used to be date night, but that is now Friday night.
Fridays - I teach in the mornings, Jon has Fridays off!! We have Friday nights free to go out with friends, hang out in the neighborhood or do whatever comes up unexpectedly. Sometimes our neighbors invite us over for dinner with about 5 minutes notice ... Doesn't hurt our feelings :) We love when they invite us into their homes, and they LOVE to feed us until we can stand it any longer.
Saturdays are spent sleeping in, except for Jon he tutors 5-6 year olds from 9-1030 every other Saturday, the class is crazy it's 13 boys and 2 girls and boys don't exactly Iike foreign language training on early Saturday mornings! Saturday is also our ORPHANAGE day. We get to take 4 orphans each time on a family outing to places like the park, dinosaur exhibits, grocery store, mcdonalds, movies, play lands, pizza hut etc... these kids take turns going on outings in groups of 4. Some have never been outside of the orphanage so it is a way for them to see the outside world and also get some special attention that they don't receive inside the welfare center.
I know I left a lot out but at least you get the gist of what our week usually looks like. In between all this craziness we have ALOT of family time, lots of time for Hong Kong and Disney Land and lots of time to get to know our new friends that we are making all the time in Shenzhen. We have a pretty normal life ... Most of the time ;)
So here goes...
Sundays - we are apart of two fellowships here in shenzhen... One is pretty small, mostly Chinese Believers and the other is quite big (hundreds of people from all cultures) .. We LOVE being apart of both of these families of faith. Wish I could write more about that on here ... Anyway we usually spend sunday afternoons having lunch out somewhere as a family or with church friends, napping, and then preparing our lesson plans for the kindergarten that are due for the week.
Mondays... Back to the grind ;) We start the day by dropping grace off to her kindergarten class. They always have breakfast ready for the kids when they arrive at 9:00 - which is usually some vegetables, fruit, noodles... Healthy and filling. There's no fruit loops going on in there haha. We kiss her goodbye and usually watch from the window for a few minutes. She is the only American in the class and her classmates welcome her with open arms. Usually screaming "GRACE IS HERE, GOOD MORNING GRACE, GOOD MORNING GRACES MOMMY!!!! "
Monday evenings I help one of our Chinese teachers with her English. She is one of my favorite people here, and I absolutely love that we can finally communicate with each other.
Tuesday- we teach in the mornings at the kindergarten, grace goes to her class, then in the evenings I host an English tutoring session for 5 year olds in our apartment from 7 to 8pm. Jon takes grace outside to the community court yard/ playground where EVERYONE gathers in the evenings. Moms, dads, our students, grandparents... You name it. Chinese people love to be outside, and everyone is like one huge family. The kids in our neighborhood usually run up and tackle Jon when they see him. When Jon is not breaking up scooter fights you can find him chasing kids around the playground, or playing basketball with the dads... Basketball games that involve 3 year olds that like to ride their tricycles right through the middle of the games with not a care in the world.
Wednesday- We all start off at the kindergarten, then I usually get to have a lunch date with Jon by this time in the week. Wednesday nights Jon has a tutoring session for some of his 5 year olds from our school, then he comes home we have dinner. Later on in the evening I leave for a ladies bible study that I recently put together at one of our local coffee shops. There are lots of Chinese women who are new believers that come, and there are also some amazing American girls that come who are going to help lead these new friends in their faith.
Thursdays- pretty tired by now!! More teaching at the kindergarten, usually a staff meeting during lunch. Jon tutors a Chinese teacher at school from 5-6. Then he recently started a men's bible study with a few friends that goes from 7:30-9:00. Thursday night used to be date night, but that is now Friday night.
Fridays - I teach in the mornings, Jon has Fridays off!! We have Friday nights free to go out with friends, hang out in the neighborhood or do whatever comes up unexpectedly. Sometimes our neighbors invite us over for dinner with about 5 minutes notice ... Doesn't hurt our feelings :) We love when they invite us into their homes, and they LOVE to feed us until we can stand it any longer.
Saturdays are spent sleeping in, except for Jon he tutors 5-6 year olds from 9-1030 every other Saturday, the class is crazy it's 13 boys and 2 girls and boys don't exactly Iike foreign language training on early Saturday mornings! Saturday is also our ORPHANAGE day. We get to take 4 orphans each time on a family outing to places like the park, dinosaur exhibits, grocery store, mcdonalds, movies, play lands, pizza hut etc... these kids take turns going on outings in groups of 4. Some have never been outside of the orphanage so it is a way for them to see the outside world and also get some special attention that they don't receive inside the welfare center.
I know I left a lot out but at least you get the gist of what our week usually looks like. In between all this craziness we have ALOT of family time, lots of time for Hong Kong and Disney Land and lots of time to get to know our new friends that we are making all the time in Shenzhen. We have a pretty normal life ... Most of the time ;)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Thinking..
How heaven is one day closer than it was yesterday....
Some times we are given things and they are taken away from us... With thanksgiving coming up I am reminded of the gifts we will never lose...
LOVE
JOY
THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S GRACE
AND THE NEARNESS OF HEAVEN
What are you thankful for today?
Hope your day is great!
<3 Jess!
Some times we are given things and they are taken away from us... With thanksgiving coming up I am reminded of the gifts we will never lose...
LOVE
JOY
THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S GRACE
AND THE NEARNESS OF HEAVEN
What are you thankful for today?
Hope your day is great!
<3 Jess!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I have a reason to sing...
Today was my first day back to work... And what a beautiful day it was. I didn't realize just how much Healing those precious children would bring to me after last week. I felt my Heart fill with pure JOY as soon as I stepped into that classroom.
Last week a friend from the school brought us dinner and left a cd that he had made that was marked "broken worship".. I hesitated to listen to it but when I did I felt God draw me in while listening to Hillsongs "Desert Song".....
"All of my life, in every season, you are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship...I will bring praise....No weapon formed against me shall remain."
The message in that song is clear... Whether we are walking through the fire or in a season of rest ; God is still God and therefore we do have a reason to praise..
Why is that sometimes so hard to grasp?
Probably because we think that once we find Jesus we will never experience hardship again. Sometimes we wonder, "Well, God, I'm doing what you have called me to do... So why is all of this happening?" or "I'm doing this for your glory, so why would you stop me from gaining the desires of my heart?"
After listening to this over and over I am feeling restored and I DO have a reason to sing.....
We are not sure what lies ahead for our family but we will continue to pray for God to make that path known to us and for us to have peace in whatever and whenever that may be.
This morning I came across James 1:5.... "If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you."
Well friends, I am asking. Maybe if you have time, you can ask on my behalf too.
To any of you who are walking through the fire I pray that you would let the Lord refine you through the flames.... In Him, We are victorious.
If you don't know this song I posted it below...
Love
Jessica
Psalm 139 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Last week a friend from the school brought us dinner and left a cd that he had made that was marked "broken worship".. I hesitated to listen to it but when I did I felt God draw me in while listening to Hillsongs "Desert Song".....
"All of my life, in every season, you are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship...I will bring praise....No weapon formed against me shall remain."
The message in that song is clear... Whether we are walking through the fire or in a season of rest ; God is still God and therefore we do have a reason to praise..
Why is that sometimes so hard to grasp?
Probably because we think that once we find Jesus we will never experience hardship again. Sometimes we wonder, "Well, God, I'm doing what you have called me to do... So why is all of this happening?" or "I'm doing this for your glory, so why would you stop me from gaining the desires of my heart?"
After listening to this over and over I am feeling restored and I DO have a reason to sing.....
We are not sure what lies ahead for our family but we will continue to pray for God to make that path known to us and for us to have peace in whatever and whenever that may be.
This morning I came across James 1:5.... "If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you."
Well friends, I am asking. Maybe if you have time, you can ask on my behalf too.
To any of you who are walking through the fire I pray that you would let the Lord refine you through the flames.... In Him, We are victorious.
If you don't know this song I posted it below...
Love
Jessica
Psalm 139 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Friday, October 21, 2011
If I lost it all... Would my hands stay lifted?
Last night I had a hard time sleeping. The last two days have been such a Whirlwind of emotions. It all happened so fast that I didn't really have time to let it out in the moment... It wasn't until the next day when I returned from the hospital that I was able to wrap my mind around it all and start processing all of my feelings. I've had moments where I think I am at peace and then hours later I feel completely heart broken. As I laid in bed Wide awake last night God reminded me of Job. He had family, wealth, friends, respect of all, good health and most importantly he had God. However, he lost it all. All. In. One. Day. It was all gone. His family and his wealth were taken from him, yet, he continued to praise God. Soon after, he lost his good health and the respect of all. His friends blamed him and soon turned on him.
In the end, God steps in.. Job pleads for forgiveness. Job realizes that the one thing that has been constant through it all has been God. He realizes that he is and always has been God's and that God is bigger than all....all problems, all gains and all loss. God restores Job and provides for him once again, but the experience has forever changed Job and made his faith stronger.
We may not always have a choice about the situations we are put in or the tragedies that we are faced with, but we do have a choice in how we respond. I have a lot of growing to do in the area of being thankful and praising God in all things, but I believe that He will never let me go and He will hold my hand and carry me when things get too tough. Today I feel the nearness of God and I am finding peace knowing we will always belong to him. Even if everything else in life is ripped from us, HE remains unchanged. He is full of grace and loves us with open arms.
I wanted to share a song that has really hit home today... It's such a song of healing for me right now.. Please listen to it if you have a chance. It's called "I'm Still Yours" by Kutless.
”When my life is not what I expected, the plans I made have failed.... When there’s nothing left to steal me away, will You be enough for me? Will my broken heart still sing?
If I lost it all, Would my hands stay lifted, to the God who gives and takes away?
I am SO grateful for all of the blessings in my life. Please Lord help me to keep my hands lifted to you regardless of my circumstances...
Ask yourself this... If you Lost It All...Would YOUR Hands Stay Lifted?
Thank you for all of your prayers.
GOD BLESS,
Jessica
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
In the end, God steps in.. Job pleads for forgiveness. Job realizes that the one thing that has been constant through it all has been God. He realizes that he is and always has been God's and that God is bigger than all....all problems, all gains and all loss. God restores Job and provides for him once again, but the experience has forever changed Job and made his faith stronger.
We may not always have a choice about the situations we are put in or the tragedies that we are faced with, but we do have a choice in how we respond. I have a lot of growing to do in the area of being thankful and praising God in all things, but I believe that He will never let me go and He will hold my hand and carry me when things get too tough. Today I feel the nearness of God and I am finding peace knowing we will always belong to him. Even if everything else in life is ripped from us, HE remains unchanged. He is full of grace and loves us with open arms.
I wanted to share a song that has really hit home today... It's such a song of healing for me right now.. Please listen to it if you have a chance. It's called "I'm Still Yours" by Kutless.
”When my life is not what I expected, the plans I made have failed.... When there’s nothing left to steal me away, will You be enough for me? Will my broken heart still sing?
If I lost it all, Would my hands stay lifted, to the God who gives and takes away?
I am SO grateful for all of the blessings in my life. Please Lord help me to keep my hands lifted to you regardless of my circumstances...
Ask yourself this... If you Lost It All...Would YOUR Hands Stay Lifted?
Thank you for all of your prayers.
GOD BLESS,
Jessica
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Mercies in Disguise
To all of our family and friends around the world.... Thank you for your prayers and encouraging words during the past few days. We feel your love and know we are held by a Big God who plans far out weigh our own plans....Thankful tonight for HIS protection once again over our family.
This song has been healing for me today... Enjoy.
Blessings
By: Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
This song has been healing for me today... Enjoy.
Blessings
By: Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering September 11th
This morning I came across this prayer by Max Lucado and wanted to share...
Do it Again Lord...
We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, What a horrible dream.
But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad.
There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)
We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't.
And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord.
Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.
And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.
Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here on that Tuesday, you saw there on that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced.
And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.
But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.
We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Disaster has done what discussion could not. Doctrinal fences have fallen. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity.
And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do.
Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.
And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to heal a hurting world.
Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Through Christ, Amen.
Dr. Max Lucado
Do it Again Lord...
We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, What a horrible dream.
But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad.
There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)
We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't.
And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord.
Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.
And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.
Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here on that Tuesday, you saw there on that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced.
And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.
But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.
We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Disaster has done what discussion could not. Doctrinal fences have fallen. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity.
And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do.
Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.
And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to heal a hurting world.
Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Through Christ, Amen.
Dr. Max Lucado
Monday, September 5, 2011
Back in the swing of things...
We are all three back to school and enjoying being back into the swing of things. Our sweet little students remember us and our teacher friends both American and Chinese were excited for our return. Feels great to be so loved by the people we work with. We are very excited for this new semester. Grace is right back where she left off six weeks ago and absolutely loves her kindergarten teachers Nina, Joyce and Lisa. (two of them are in the pic at the top of the blog) She has the same teachers as she had last year because she is in a special class that has more instruction in English. The parents of the students pay more for that class because they want their child to be exposed to more English.... And with grace in the class it really encourages the children to use their English. With all of that being said the kids and their parents love having grace in the class and I think they feel like its money well spent since their kid is buddies with the American child at the school lol!
Grace is understanding more and more mandarin and is learning so much! Her teachers can speak some English but 99 percent of the time they talk to grace in mandarin so that she can learn their language. She comes home and says things that we don't understand, pretty nuts! I never realized what an awesome opportunity this would be for Grace. We are so blessed to not only work at this wonderful school but that she can get a head start on her education at the same time.
In other news we are now approved to start volunteering with the Baoan orphanage with their weekend outing program. Most of the children have never been on a trip outside of the orphanage. This program is designed to get them out into the "real world" and let them experience things that they wouldn't get to do otherwise. We will be aloud to take the child to the park, movies, shopping etc. Unfortunately we won't be able to post pictures of the child but we can write about them our blog.
One more thing.... I have a bunch of new students this semester that dont have English names yet so I got to name them today LOL!!! So I named them after all of my girlfriends .... They are precious! They will actually keep these names (unless of course they hate their name) ... I will post pictures soon! Peace signs included ;)
Not much else to report .... Thanks for all of your prayers. We pray for our family and friends daily and miss you all!
Love,
Jess
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
WOW
Tonight Grace came out of her room where she was playing with her baby dolls to ask me "momma is my whole life for Jesus...." wow....
I am sure that God can speak to even a 3 year olds heart... They may not know exactly what it all means but I believe he can start working in their hearts long before they even understand .... I don't think I'll EVER forget hearing those words come out of her mouth.
I am sure that God can speak to even a 3 year olds heart... They may not know exactly what it all means but I believe he can start working in their hearts long before they even understand .... I don't think I'll EVER forget hearing those words come out of her mouth.
So long Lakeland, Florida
"Oh,what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in and onto the crashing waves.
To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand.
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me;
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again,
"You'll never win.....
With two days left until we start our journey back to the other side of the world so many thoughts are rolling through my head... Feels like I'm stepping out of this comfort zone of America all over again. Mostly I'm ecstatic, ready to see my husband, ready for Grace to see her dad, ready for routine, and excited to see what doors God opens in these next six months of our life. The last six months of our lives forever changed us as a family and I have a feeling God is going to rock our world all over again.
Although I know what to expect this time around I feel like God is bringing me out of my comfort zone again to a new place with all new people and a new way of life to get used to. However, this time around, I will be a little more comfortable and a LOT more trusting of God's plan. I have learned the importance of being out of my comfort zone.
God has shown me that the place we are most vulnerable to His plans and His voice is one that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I believe in different seasons of our lives God may ask us to be in a place That's not 100 percent comfortable... If you're too comfortable you won't experience it as He wants you to.
As I started packing today the faces of our precious students, the faces of the children in the orphanages, and the faces of the amazing friends and families from our fellowship rolled through my head ....it became clear once again as to what our purpose in china is.
Thank you lord for allowing us another six months to serve you and your people in china. We are forever grateful for everything you've given us, and feel privileged again that you've chosen us for this job in this season of our lives.
So long Lakeland Florida.... See you in January!
"But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth"
-Casting Crowns
To everyone who has contributed in any way and prayed for us along the way.....Thank you. Thank you for taking a risk for the sake of another, for giving without expecting something in return and for letting God shine through you.
To climb out of this boat I'm in and onto the crashing waves.
To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand.
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me;
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again,
"You'll never win.....
With two days left until we start our journey back to the other side of the world so many thoughts are rolling through my head... Feels like I'm stepping out of this comfort zone of America all over again. Mostly I'm ecstatic, ready to see my husband, ready for Grace to see her dad, ready for routine, and excited to see what doors God opens in these next six months of our life. The last six months of our lives forever changed us as a family and I have a feeling God is going to rock our world all over again.
Although I know what to expect this time around I feel like God is bringing me out of my comfort zone again to a new place with all new people and a new way of life to get used to. However, this time around, I will be a little more comfortable and a LOT more trusting of God's plan. I have learned the importance of being out of my comfort zone.
God has shown me that the place we are most vulnerable to His plans and His voice is one that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I believe in different seasons of our lives God may ask us to be in a place That's not 100 percent comfortable... If you're too comfortable you won't experience it as He wants you to.
As I started packing today the faces of our precious students, the faces of the children in the orphanages, and the faces of the amazing friends and families from our fellowship rolled through my head ....it became clear once again as to what our purpose in china is.
Thank you lord for allowing us another six months to serve you and your people in china. We are forever grateful for everything you've given us, and feel privileged again that you've chosen us for this job in this season of our lives.
So long Lakeland Florida.... See you in January!
"But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth"
-Casting Crowns
To everyone who has contributed in any way and prayed for us along the way.....Thank you. Thank you for taking a risk for the sake of another, for giving without expecting something in return and for letting God shine through you.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
We're comin' to America
We are SO excited that summer break is here, and feel beyond blessed that Grace and I get to travel back to the U.S. for six weeks over the holiday! Jon has decided to stay in China for the summer and travel by train throughout the entire country with my cousin Matt. I thought I was brave the last time I flew with a 3 year old for 25 hours straight, but I think I am kicking it up a notch this time since Jon will not be with us! Please say a prayer that ALL goes smooth and we are safe and sound on U.S. soil on July 18th. We will be there until August 25th. Lots of time will be spent with family, friends, birthday parties, 10 year highschool reunion, beach weekend with some of my best friends, and of course the daily trips to publix, chick fil a, target, publix chick fil, target.. .repeat, repeat and repeat again =)
See you Soon!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
PAY. IT. FORWARD.
To repay the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people. The premise — based on the book and movie “Pay It Forward” — is to act without the expectation of being paid back, but with the hope that the recipient pays the favor forward by helping someone else.
A few weeks ago I bagged up a ton of Grace's clothes that she had outgrown and took them to my school to give to one of my students parents. The clothes were still in perfect condition just too small. We LOVE hand me downs in the U.S. so I didn't think anything of it. When I brought them to the school one of my Chinese co-workers asked me what I was doing with the clothes and I told her I was going to pass them on to one of my students that was a little smaller than Grace. My Co-worker immediately said you can't do that here, did you ask the parents in advance? You can't do that at the school. I didn't understand. She basically said that it would embarrass the parents if I did that here and I needed to ask them in private first. She said we don't do stuff like that here in China. I told her it wasn't targeted at anyone in particular, just that I didn't want to throw the clothes away and wanted someone else to use them. She continued to tell me that it would be VERY uncomfortable if I offered these to the mother without talking to her about it first.
After hauling them back home that day, I left the clothes bagged up in our apartment for a few weeks. I knew that there were tons of people that could use these clothes, so I decided I would take them out into the courtyard of the community while no one was looking and just leave them there for someone to go through on their own.
I went back into my apartment and within 5 minutes I looked out of my window to see a crowd of grandma's and moms gathered around the bags of clothes, checking them all out and all choosing some to take. They looked so excited all chatting with each other and showing the others what they got.
I realized in that moment that sometimes it feels even better to do something for someone without expecting a thank you in return, or without being noticed.
I recently read a quote from Max Lucado that said " Do good things. Just don't do them to be noticed. You can be too good for your own good." How awesome is that... Love it, and it's so true.
It reminds me how great it feels when someone has done a "random act of kindness for me" or paid it forward by helping me. I think the world would be a much happier place if we all we made it a goal to "pay it forward" at least once a week. It doesn't have to cost anything. You never know just how far it will go when you do something nice for a stranger.
I believe each of us has the power to better someone’s life simply by doing small favors, somtimes anonymously.
I'll leave you with one last quote by Max Lucado that I love ....
"Slay the desire to be noticed. Stir the desire to serve God."
God Bless,
Jessica
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Dora the Chinese Explorer...
Grace has a lot of friends here in Shenzhen, but I think Dora is quickly becoming her number one "bestie" .... Grace's sunday school teacher told us today that they are as thick as thieves in children's church. During worship service all the kids stay with the adults and these two hold hands and sing like little old church ladies.
I have never seen two little girls hug each other so much. These two girls are PURE JOY.
What's even more amazing is the family that Dora is blessed with. She has two beautiful, parents who love Jesus with all of their heart. After church today we went to lunch with a bunch of friends from the church, and we sat at a big table with Dora's parents and her new born baby brother. Her parents speak great English, and her father actually preached the sermon this morning.
As I was talking with Dora's mom about her family and children, we started talking about the fact that she has two kids. In China there is still a very strict one child law and I very rarely make friends here that have two kids. She starting telling me her testimony and I couldn't believe my ears.
She said that when she became pregnant with her second baby the police were sent out to her house to arrest her husband and to take her to a facility to force her to have an abortion. Because they are Christians they refused to do this no matter the cost. They packed up little Dora and were on the run until they made it to Hong Kong where they were free to have their baby in a hospital there. She said that no hospital in mainland China would allow them to be admitted because they already had one baby. Today they are blessed with two incredibly beautiful and healthy children.
I admire Dora's mom and dad so much. They probably will never know just how much their story touched me today.
Today I am even more grateful that I come from a place where I am free to do just about anything I want. They asked me today how many kids were we allowed to have and I told them as many as I want. I could tell they were in awe.
They have a video testimony that I will post soon... Just wanted to share their story.
By the way.... Grace thinks her friend Dora is the REAL Dora the Explorer.. After all she does have the same hair cut haha! :)
I have never seen two little girls hug each other so much. These two girls are PURE JOY.
What's even more amazing is the family that Dora is blessed with. She has two beautiful, parents who love Jesus with all of their heart. After church today we went to lunch with a bunch of friends from the church, and we sat at a big table with Dora's parents and her new born baby brother. Her parents speak great English, and her father actually preached the sermon this morning.
As I was talking with Dora's mom about her family and children, we started talking about the fact that she has two kids. In China there is still a very strict one child law and I very rarely make friends here that have two kids. She starting telling me her testimony and I couldn't believe my ears.
She said that when she became pregnant with her second baby the police were sent out to her house to arrest her husband and to take her to a facility to force her to have an abortion. Because they are Christians they refused to do this no matter the cost. They packed up little Dora and were on the run until they made it to Hong Kong where they were free to have their baby in a hospital there. She said that no hospital in mainland China would allow them to be admitted because they already had one baby. Today they are blessed with two incredibly beautiful and healthy children.
I admire Dora's mom and dad so much. They probably will never know just how much their story touched me today.
Today I am even more grateful that I come from a place where I am free to do just about anything I want. They asked me today how many kids were we allowed to have and I told them as many as I want. I could tell they were in awe.
They have a video testimony that I will post soon... Just wanted to share their story.
By the way.... Grace thinks her friend Dora is the REAL Dora the Explorer.. After all she does have the same hair cut haha! :)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Our Stomping Grounds in China
One of the courtyards outside of our building. In the afternoons this area is FILLED with grandma's and grandpa's and their grandchildren. 
Our Building... and there's actually palm trees here. I love that, one thing I never expected to see here!
Another Area where all the grandparents in the neighborhood mingle.
Community Ice cream and drink store we frequent quite a bit! 
Heading to the community pool
This is the community pool for the residents in our neighborhood. We usually get swamped with our kindergarten students when we are there. So much fun.
We were VERY surprised to see this pool after our school moved us into this neighborhood... I never expected this for sure!
Swimming Buddies
One of my students Caroline and Grace playing in the pool together.I'll post more soon... this is just to give you a glimpse into what our neighborhood looks like :)
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