This is the hardest part: saying goodbye to these friends that I have made! :'( I have gotten to know so many wonderful people here, who have become actual friends, that it will be difficult to leave, having very little guarantee that I will see them again! One of the great things about traveling over the last semester is that I have realized the world is smaller than I thought. What I mean is, I never know when I will run into someone! Until then, Facebook and WeChat are great inventions!
I'm reminding myself to be still. At this point my brain is already focused on going back, and wondering about keeping up with Chinese when I go home. It is not productive to allow myself to be distracted by things that haven't even happened yet! This morning I listened to "It Is Well," by Kristene Dimarco, which just reminded me of the week before I came here. I was nervous about coming to a new country and throwing myself into a language I didn't understand. Well now I'm in the opposite position, getting used to "real life" again. This doesn't change the fact that the Father is COMPLETELY in control! He is not surprised by anything that will happen :) Now I will just have to wait and see!....
Monday, November 16, 2015
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Serving the King
Not a lot of memorable things have happened this week, but I've still been busy. I've gotten to help teach English at another local school, similar to the school that I am attending. I really enjoy this kind of teaching, and it gives me a good idea for possible job ideas! I'm enjoying the last few weeks here in Yangshuo, and getting to hang out with some friends, in addition to studying. It's a bittersweet time because I'm leaving a place that I've become familiar with, and new friends I've gotten to know well.
On the other hand, I'd like to include some of the thoughts I've had toward the many people who have had a hand in training me in my beliefs throughout the years. In the three months I've been here in China, I have realized how important it is to know what I believe and why. Especially in college I focused on making my beliefs my own, not just something my parents taught me. I think this has helped me to maintain the security that I need when surrounded by so many different beliefs here. I am secure in who I am because I know that Christ lives in me. I can be confident that He is creating me into the person He wants me to be.
One of my friends the other day was having a hard time with some of her close relationships. A lot of things seemed to hit her all at the same time, and she mentioned to me that the Father must be testing her to see how she would react to all the horrible situations. I told her that God does not force us to make certain decisions, but does allows people to make their own choices. Another person I know said that if he were God, he would make everyone do what he wanted. I asked him if that was truly what he would want. He asked me what I meant, and I got to explain that forced obedience is not something that the Father would require, because He is loving, and wants us to want to serve Him. Not much came of that, but it made me realize that this is what I really believe! It's so important to be aware that I am serving the Father not out of obligation, but because I want to act out how much I love Him! It's a difficult concept to grasp here.
THANK YOU to those who have taught me throughout the years so that I can discover new things as I take each step toward where God has placed me!
On the other hand, I'd like to include some of the thoughts I've had toward the many people who have had a hand in training me in my beliefs throughout the years. In the three months I've been here in China, I have realized how important it is to know what I believe and why. Especially in college I focused on making my beliefs my own, not just something my parents taught me. I think this has helped me to maintain the security that I need when surrounded by so many different beliefs here. I am secure in who I am because I know that Christ lives in me. I can be confident that He is creating me into the person He wants me to be.
One of my friends the other day was having a hard time with some of her close relationships. A lot of things seemed to hit her all at the same time, and she mentioned to me that the Father must be testing her to see how she would react to all the horrible situations. I told her that God does not force us to make certain decisions, but does allows people to make their own choices. Another person I know said that if he were God, he would make everyone do what he wanted. I asked him if that was truly what he would want. He asked me what I meant, and I got to explain that forced obedience is not something that the Father would require, because He is loving, and wants us to want to serve Him. Not much came of that, but it made me realize that this is what I really believe! It's so important to be aware that I am serving the Father not out of obligation, but because I want to act out how much I love Him! It's a difficult concept to grasp here.
THANK YOU to those who have taught me throughout the years so that I can discover new things as I take each step toward where God has placed me!
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