| | howdy, folks! so i guess i'm back on xanga for the time being! we're able to access it again over here, in China. amazing. pretty awesome. i'm hoping that xanga will be up and running until the end of june, when i'm back in the States again. that'd be cool.
well, for those of you who still keep up with this thing, you have all by now, heard about the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in China. earthquake happened in the province of Sichuan, which is in the central western part of China. It's one of the most beautiful places in China because of its pandas and natural reserves, etc. I've never been there, but I hear it's a beautiful place! anyhow. the death toll now is well over 11,000 people. one middle school collapsed and killed 1,000+ children. it is sobering to hear the statistics just grow without and end in sight. sometimes it's hard to trust that He has a sovereign plan. China has dealt with a number of natural disasters this year and they are calling it 2008: the year of loss or something like that, in Chinese. there was an extremely fatal snowstorm earlier this year that killed many and now this. a lot for one country to deal with. kind of crazy. the government is now trying to stabalize the situation. please PR and be on your knees for the Chinese people. they are dealing with a lot of emotions: anger, sadness, grief, all at the same time. it's hard.
in other news, we took a group of 9 girls to Nanjing last weekend to see a Steven Curtis Chapman concert!!! Can you believe it? If you're in America right now, and you're sort of in tune with CCM and that whole bit, you know that SCC is a pretty big Christian artist and he is well-respected by many. he gave a concert that was very very EV oriented in the sense that he was very direct with just telling people why he writes music and all. it was very moving and refreshing because it's been awhile since i've had that type of a corporate singing time with other likeminded brothers and sisters. it was also moving because you could sense the Spirit's presence in that auditorium. it was awesome for our girls, some of whom were believers, others who were not, to experience that. i think they were really encouraged in their Walks with Father and they were blessed. PTL for opportunities like this concert in China! PR for more of them to happen!!
nick and i are doing are last few weeks of long distance! and then we'll be together more than we'll be separate. it's exciting that we'll be in a more normal relationship-- one that is closer in proximity. we both agree that long distance for the past 10 months has been good for us both-- not that it's been fun, but that any other way would have perhaps not been as good in terms of shaping/molding for each of us individually. Dad has taught us both a lot about each other and also about ourselves. knowing oneself well is SO beneficial when you're in a relationship. so, it's going to be such a blessing when we can be together this summer! continuing to get to know each other in a more 360 degree way as we meet families together and as we just do relational work in the States together. it's exciting to find out more things that I love about Nick and also just more of how he thinks and responds to the things of life. i've learned how to love better and have realized that loving others is a lifelong process and journey through the refining fire. loving another is not always easy especially when you yourself realize all of the things you could be doing better. the more I learn about Nick, the more I grow to appreciate and cherish him more. Please continue to lift us both up and the precious relationship we have. May the Father guide and lead us in the direction He thinks is best for us. He knows. and we have to trust Him.
stress level has been a roller coaster recently, as there have been many changes here. PR about the ability to handle the different events that are stressors.
also PR for the strength to finish the semester strong. there are no desires nor are there urges, left to grade papers, but that is one thing that i must do. it's also sometimes hard to not get into "dreamland" mode and think about how much fun this summer will be, as I'll be able to spend the majority of it with Nick and my family. i need Father's strength because my own human mind and heart get swayed and set on other things so easily. how nearsighted I am.
thanks for reading. thanks for all of your support. please comment or write back if you have anything more to share. email is also fine! i really would like to see a lot of you this summer, so let me know if you're available for a breakfast, lunch or dinner! ciao!
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| | Posted 5/14/2008 12:33 AM - 54 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
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