She's a part of our family

Auntie Wang has been in our lives for more than three years now. She's at our home 3-8pm Monday, Thursday, and Friday. We celebrated her 49th birthday a couple months ago! She's almost exactly the same age as my mother.

Last night we were all eating supper together -- Drew, Auntie Wang, me, Titus, Mai Mai -- and  having really good conversation. I shared something very personal that happened that day, a private matter that would only be disclosed in the company of close family. We talked about it. I realized that Auntie Wang is truly on the inner-circle in our lives. We don't have to censor anything, or save it for later when she's gone. She is a trusted confidant, a part of our family. Our relationship is healthy and mutually beneficial, and for this I am grateful. I know we are part of fulfillment of this promise in each others' lives:

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.

Yesterday I finally had the heart to tell her that we are hoping to move to Tongdao next summer. It is sad imagining not having her with us, but she responded supportively.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

waking up with energy and wanting to run

privilege of  comforting my tearful Titus

reminder from the life of HT -- "draw upon the wealth of JC"

15 pitches, 15 swings in a batting cage

my boys getting themselves all ready for school

"Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul" hymn at the piano

Forward

Have you heard? I shared my first-ever homespun album!

It's my journal put into music, recalling what's been going on between Jesus and me in the past couple years. Here on our blog I want to take you through the story behind each song. 

This is a fitting place to begin: Forward. Written on my 26th birthday. That day I was reflecting on the past year and wondering if I had grown, remained in the same place with all the same entanglements, or even regressed?

I noticed a parallel between myself and the newly-liberated Israelites. Invited into relationship with God. Handed unmerited favor. Experientially knowing the wonder of God and his intimate care...but, quickly doubting. Called forward...but, spinning circles. 

God remains faithful.

I identified with newly-liberated Peter. Invited into relationship with God. Handed unmerited favor. Experientially knowing the wonder of God and his intimate care...but, quickly doubting. Called forward...but, sinking. 

God remains faithful.

Rachel. You?

Invited into relationship with God. Handed unmerited favor. Experientially knowing the wonder of God and His intimate care...but, quickly doubting. Called forward...but, spinning and sinking. 

God remains faithful.

God hasn't given up on me. Ever.

Therefore I'm not giving up either, pursuing him with all of my life.
I know he is calling me to do impossible things that, with him, become possible.
I know that in my heart, the two vices that get in the way of this work are fear and pride. Lord, take this fear and pride from me and lead me forward, triumphantly.

So there you have it folks, Forward.

I'm a little bit older but I'm not much wiser 

Another year's gone and have I grown at all? 

Two steps forward and four steps backwards 

Hold my hand 

Hold my hand when I'm walking backwards 

Pull me forward 

I'll move forward 

"Deliver us from Slavery!" we cried to Jacob's God 

Now we're scared out of our wits and we wanna go back 

Toured the desert, forty years 

Mighty hands 

Mighty hands and outstretched arms 

Led us forward 

Come on now, take twelve stones and ford the Jordan 

I tell you fear's been keeping me from moving forward 

Lord take this fear from me and lead me forward 

And pride's been keeping from moving forward 

Lord take this pride from me and lead me forward 

Battered by waves and terrified at the sight of a ghost 

If it's you Jesus, then say come 

To the other side, fourth watch of the night 

Take my hand 

Take my hand when I'm sinking under 

Pull me up to tread on water 

Pull me forward 

I'll move forward

p.s. I kinda love that my voice quivers off-pitch at the line, "Lord take this pride from me and lead me forward" -- instantly humbled!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

counting the graces

thank you Father for

you are beautiful

you are healer of the wounded, restorer of the broken

testimonies shared at fellowship yesterday

servant hearts of brothers and sisters who labor to cook, clean, teach adults, teach children, administer

privilege of nurturing and comforting Mai Mai when he's tired, hungry, or gets soap in his eyes in the bath

hope, persistent hope

humble apology

unity, intimacy, friendship, synergy with Drew

learning to cope with air pollution

pleasure of watching Titus grow ready for primary school

When procrastination is entirely acceptable

Hi everyone. 
Thanks for reading and caring.

I really wanted to write to you today and show you pictures of what we've been up to and who we've been hanging out with -- but I'm going to put that off until later and instead lie on the futon for 20 minutes! So just a brief message today...in 40 minutes I need to be at kindergarten to teach Titus' class.

Weekend Plans.

- Register Titus for PRIMARY SCHOOL! (Elementary school, first grade)

- Get-together with two other families for supper. One is a mixed Chinese-American couple, wise people who we always listen carefully to and try to emulate with our own lives. The second is their neighbors, a mixed Chinese-French couple who has a son in Titus' kindergarten class. We have been acquaintances for two years, and they just revealed that they became believers several years ago in Paris. They've now started coming to our Chinese church.

- Organize messy parts of the house (Rachel), fix things (Drew).

- Do something active as a family, maybe hike the mountain?

- Read books with the kids.

- Coerce Drew into getting his violin out.

- Teach Sunday school at the South Church in the morning.

- Buy vegetables.

- Lead worship music at fellowship group in the afternoon.

- Figure out a way to meet up with Li Ci and Wang Zhao.

- Be healthy, active, rested, gentle, present, prayerful.

We appreciate your prayers for the objectives above.

Would love to know what you're up to this weekend as well?

counting the graces

thank you Father for

this futon, for a nap in the music room (formerly known as the office)

"no one can take them from my hand" 

air conditioner man was understanding and not grumpy about my mistake

hand-written notes from release time teachers and students of Oak Heights

pictures of my chubby one year-old Mai Mai

Titus is growing up, respectful and cheerful at piano lessons

Drew, so loving and kind

Calling all nurses! Butterfly Home needs your help this summer.

Nurses are an essential part of the team at Butterfly Children's Hospice.

If you, or your friend who is a nurse can come to Changsha for one month or more, Drew and I will be your hosts and take very good care of you during your time of service in China.

Nurses, please consider if this might work for you.

Friends who have Nurse-friends, please spread the word.

 

 

Jonathon Blossoming

Mike, Ellen, Jonathon, Rachel and Drew.

Do you know what this photo represents to me?

God's love.

God's call.

A free-fall leap of faith.

Jonathon -- set apart, special, inspiring.

Jonathon -- healed and transformed.

Jonathon -- three years of memories.

Unity of believers.

Mike & Ellen's faith and kindness.

Completion, hope and expectation.

The mission of Butterfly Home accomplished.

(and a lot more!)

It was a priceless gift from Mike & Ellen, to be welcomed into their home, to be with Jonathon again, to experience first-hand their family life. They have been great about sharing Jon's pictures and stories with us.

Let's reminisce with a handful of photos from our first days with Jonathon in 2011, so you can see how much he has grown. (I love to see these pictures -- we miss him here.)

And now, see how Jonathon has blossomed!

Preschool, gymnastics, therapy, playing at home, being silly and affectionate -- his life is abundant.

The very best thing about Jonathon's life now is that he is totally loved and accepted, secure, and treasured as a precious blessing.

Jonathon's birthday is coming up in May, and his Gotcha Day/Homecoming Day in June. 

In this season we celebrate his life and what a magnificent person he is.

Thank you for being an indispensable part of Jonathon's journey, carrying him along in prayer.

 counting the graces

thank you Father for

inspiring Drew, and good changes at work

children at the piano

lessons from Exodus, Deuteronomy -- to trust and not to grumble, knowing you are leading and providing

exemplary sisters who spur me on

persistent hope

fun out on the town with Titus in the afternoon -- piano shop, DQ, guitar shop

sticking together with Drew

gingko buds

Long-Term Investment

Quitting. 

It's crossed our minds at least ten times, maybe more...

Is anyone really benefitting? Is it worth our time? Couldn't someone else do a better job?

The fledgling program is disorganized without strong leadership, unified vision, or effective communication. Student attendance is inconsistent and unpredictable. Politically, it's a bit sensitive for us to even be in this position. Maybe it's time to phase out.

But when I saw my classroom full of faces yesterday, I knew Father was speaking persistence.

Make the best of the situation. Work with what you've got. Stay.

Cultivating the spiritual lives of young students is a long-term investment. I'm planting today. I pray the roots will go down deep, strong and secure. I pray that each one will grow and flourish and produce much fruit. But it won't be another decade or two until any of these establish their life orientation. I'll probably never know, never see the fruit of my investment now. I suppose that's a good thing, in a way, because I'm teaching this group entirely in faith -- that Father is using what little I can offer as a part of each child's journey to home.

For Easter we did a skit portraying the parable of the lost sheep. You know that story, the shepherd leaves the other 99 safe and seeks out the one who went astray. 

He cares for each one. 

He pursues each one. 

I want to see my students with the same spiritual eyes, knowing that they are being called.

I want to be persistent and compassionate like the Shepherd.

I want to invest in the lives entrusted to me for one hour each week.

Please pray for our students, the other teachers, and me & Drew. Thank you!

Specifically, pray that we can connect on a heart-level with students.

Pray that our team of teachers can bond keep what's most important at the center of our efforts.

Wolf attack!

Shepherd to the rescue!

(Note the impressive acceleration, especially in that long robe.)

The little sheep rejoice!

counting the graces

thank you Father for

singing loudly in the sunshine by the trees, and on the family bike ride

patience

Lanzi offering to accompany me to buy vegetables and offering encouragement, extending friendship

ability to sort lies and truth

your requirements are simple

you have sustained Drew through a busy work schedule this month

One flesh to be an unbroken ring

Take my hand 

I won’t let go 

We’ve waited so long 

And all my life 

I walked alone 

To you, my heart, my home 

Like the first man 

I was cut so deep by heaven’s knife 

When I awoke from my sleep 

Oh my Lord, she’s beautiful 

She’s a part of me 

She’s my wife 

Bound by love 

One flesh to be 

An unbroken ring 

And I lay down 

My life for thee 

In this we are free 

Like the first man 

I was cut so deep by heaven’s knife 

When I awoke from my sleep 

Oh my Lord, she’s beautiful 

Walking up to me 

Oh she’s wonderful, standing next to me 

Oh she’s all 

All that I could need, yeah

She’s beautiful, she’s a part of me 

She’s my wife

_________________________________________________________________________________

counting the graces

thank you Father for

sacred marriage, your design

sharing the vision for marriage, talking about it openly and intentionally, living it out before our sons

something deep, unexplainable, secret, secure, that I see in those brown eyes -- that's only for me

Karin, Michelle, Nichol, Amber, Sam, Melissa, Ellen, Amy, Bonnie, Marie, Adeline, Jen, Louise, Jen, Mandie, Silje, Lyn, Liao Sha, Leslie, Stacy, Lvjun, Zeng Ting, Wang Ayi, Kristin, Lanzi, Zhang Qin, Fan Xin and a host more...

You call us by name, John 10

Josh Garrels' new release that's got my spirit soaring

Titus' pure and unrestrained exclamation of love for Zeng Mama's daughter

Boston & Changsha Today

 Earlier this week I posted on facebook that Drew & I need prayer and encouragement.

We really do!

These past months our attention has been on what's right before us.

We haven't shared so many stories and needs, but I intent to begin writing much more now.

We truly need you behind us.

Drew is doing well on business in Boston and we are content in Changsha.

Downtime is used to work on his thesis (yes that project is still underway).

Today we are resting after a tiring but good Easter weekend.

Pray that Drew can do his job, write his thesis, and meet with Father in a special way.

Pray for myself and the kids, that we can serve one another and our neighbors too.

Pray that we will be listening carefully for what Father wants to tell us these days.

Thank you so much.

-----

We miss you Daddy!

Rocket launches and other varieties of best fun materialize only when you're here.

Husband, you're missed.

I'm only me when I'm with you. It's true.

Have fun listening to Vance Joy over and over because I'm going to can it when you get back.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

asked you to send us a taxi to our neighborhood and you did, and again on Easter morn 6am!

retelling Passover story, Passion week story to kids at the table, and it was the best moment of all the celebrations

you have something in mind for Drew on this trip

connections forming to Dong people / Tongdao

a bunch of inspiring, kind friends in our fellowship who totally got my back

I will always be weak; you will always be strong

on the brink of something, with a gift of faith to dive in