my burning bush

Just yesterday my mom told me I should listen to a sermon she recently heard about Esther. She said she immediately thought of me and the decision I faced the last couple months. While my parents and brother were here visiting, I told them I've decided to stay in East Asia another year! Just in the last couple of months have I seen EA as "home." One of my best friends here told me she believes God brought her to our city to be sanctified. For whatever reason, he has used this place to help me change and grow. To grow in the process of being made holy.

 This decision didn't come without much prayer and deliberation...and stress. The Lord has given me peace to follow where he's leading me. But that doesn't mean I'm not scared!

I hadn't heard the story of Esther in a long time. After being exiled from her home and her parents passing away, Esther probably felt out of place.  Finding your place requires faith and trust- and not always clarity! I have been asking the Lord what is his plan for the next year of my life. I've been waiting for God to show me a burning bush...but unfortunately he doesn't usually work that way. He's asking me to be courageous.  Esther was courageous... "If I must die, I must die" (4:16)

"If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

After a few weeks of deliberation, I couldn't sit around any longer without taking initiative. One of my best friends told me God allows us to make our own decisions and he gives us enough grace for every day and every decision. Whatever decision I made, God wouldn't leave me. Once I realized he's in control, it was easier to take the next step.

feeling refreshed

Finally. Family time! It was a refreshing week for me. I was able to see my family and make some new friends. I loved showing my family around our city and feeling like maybe EA is feeling more like "home" lately. My mom and dad and Kyle were able to see my apartment, meet my teachers, join me in language class, meet some EA friends, go on a riverboat cruise, eat lots of authentic food, etc. Overall, I was excited for them to see the vision for our city and understand why I enjoy this place. This year I've had a clear purpose and close-knit community. My family was able to experience that with me and understand more fully what the last 6 months have looked like for me. I'm so grateful for them. For their willingness to travel nearly 35 hours (because of delays...) to visit me. And for their support and prayers this year.

reunion at the airport

eating at my favorite restaurant

probably my favorite picture of the week, tai qi lessons

sightseeing in the city

squid maybe? they were adventurous

touring the old city

riding the lift to the Great Wall

it was snowy...and foggy

a bigger vision

"I saw a vast crowd,

too great to count,

from every nation and tribe

and people and language,

 standing in front of the throne

and before the Lamb...

And they were shouting with a great roar,

 'Salvation comes from our God

who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!'

 I've had the opportunity to see a broader view of God's people and therefore see a fuller image of God. I've seen how God puts truth in every culture. People are searching but often they have no one to tell them the truth. God has truly prepared people for the harvest.

a final recap

I am enjoying our "normal" schedule back at home, but I cannot forget about Thailand and the sunshine. Our last few days of vacation were spent with elephants, tigers and white water rafting. Pretty adventurous for me. I miss you Chiangmai!

an elephant ride with a perfect view, completely amazed

myles and dee

sam and the friendly elephant

I can't decide which one I loved more- elephants? or tigers? We also went to Tiger Kingdom in Chiangmai.  It's basically a zoo full of tigers. You pay an admission fee to see either baby, small, medium or large tigers! (or all of the above...like me). You get to go in and play with them. 

first up: medium sized

she only woke up and yawned a couple times...

the trainer told me to bite his tail...that didn't seem smart

now to the kittens

they got really frisky

he wants to pounce, and i'm nervous

the whole group

It's already 3 days into March? I'm faced with a big decision. What should I do next year? These days it seems like that's all I talk about- to my friends in Asia and friends back home. I'm considering staying in East Asia but can't seem to discern the Lord's voice. I don't want to make any decisions out of fear or guilt. I'm continually reminded that the Lord goes before me and beside me, no matter what decision I make. And he loves me for who I am- not what I do. 

"After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." John 10:4