Ni hao!

I have just finished my fourth day of the new semester...whoop! (yep, I can do that now, I'm a junior!). Thus far, it has been okay...crazy schedule, but I am enjoying
(if that's the right word) everything so far...except for maybe anthropology, aka, Evolution is the most important thing in the whole world. Anyways.

Fave class thus far: Without a doubt, Arabic. A close second would be Chinese, although thus far, it has been fairly boring...hopefully it will bet a bit more challenging soon.

Least favorite: ANTHROPOLOGY.

The 2 in the middle: Contemporary Issues in American Foreign Policy, and Advanced Composition.

I am sooo thankful that I followed Father's leading in quitting my job. I wouldn't have been able to manage 19 hours and involvement at church this semester without taking that step. I have been wanting to get involved in a Logos group (Bible study) this semester, and I am prayerfully considering doing TruLife Urban Ministry working with inner-city kids this semester. I am nervous about that, it doesn't seem like my thing, but I really think Father could teach me a lot about unconditional, Christ-like love, and much more, through serving with that.

I am also praying about Christmas teams. It would mean being overseas during Christmas, which would be really weird, Christmas is a really special time for our family, but, Jesus is worth it and Christmastime means a lot of special opportunities to share the gospel with people. I already discussed this with my parents, and they were supportive, which of course makes things a lot easier.

So, all-in-all, this should be an exciting semester. Father is doing something really interesting related to Muslim people and the Middle East...haven't quite figured out what He's up to and how it relates to me precisely. Even as I had my heart really drawn to China as a result of this summer and God's work, I still really feel my heart beating stronger and stronger for Muslim and Arab peoples. He continues to place stories, people, and lessons all around me....I was extremely excited to discover that the Mosque in College Station is right down the street from my apartment....what a great opportunity for prayer walks. There is a Muslim girl in my class who I am so drawn to...I really want to get to know her....she is really shy and I'm not exactly an extreme extrovert, but I sit next to her each morning, and I am really enjoying getting to know her better, she is so precious.

Another thing I am praying about is observing Ramadan...from a Christian perspective. In other words, fasting just like Muslims do during the month of Ramadan, but taking it as an opportunity to fast and pray on behalf of Muslim people all over the world. I got the idea from a worker I talked to overseas this summer who did the same thing for Muslims in East Asia. I have never actually done a long fast before, but I really feel that God will move powerfully as a result.

I have had a lot of opportunity to read for pleasure lately...my strategy as of late has been to read in my breaks between class, and when I'm working out at the rec, and as a result, I have read some truly great missionary autobiographies lately. One of them in particular really spoke to me: Facing Terror, by Carrie McDonnall. She was a journeyman in the Middle East, and eventually lost her husband to terrorists when they were ministering in Iraq. I highly recommend it. I am currently finishing up "God's Call" by Brother Andrew.

Well, those are the happenings and current thoughts in my life right now...wo ai ni!

Back in the U.S. of A.

Well, I'm back. I have been for a while actually, but haven't really felt much like a blog post....kind of felt like deleting the blog actually...but it does have some good reminders of what I have been about this past year...some of which really displeases me..but hey, it is a testament to what the Lord has brought me through over this past year.

"How was your trip?"-I've been asked that multiple times of course, and it's still hard to answer....if I must sum it up in one word, I say amazing. I saw God work in incredible ways, and He definitely used the trip to change who I am as a person...to be honest, that's been really difficult coming back....trying to apply all the things I learned back at home has been challenging, but also extremely exciting. It's been hard to be back and have people not understand or really care what happened overseas, but then I have also been blessed to see what Father has been doing here while I've been away. He is the same powerful God all over the world....one thing I definitely learned over this trip is how much we, as humans, limit Him. He is not confined to our ways of working, or our timing, or even by our inadequate ways of proclaiming His name. I am completely humbled and awed to have been a part of his work in East Asia this summer. I miss my friends, but I know that He who began a good work in them is faithful to bring it to term. For now, He has ordained for me to be back In C-Stat.

Since coming back, I have made the difficult decision to quit my job without having something else lined up immediately. Last year was, quite frankly, a bad year....mainly due to the fact that I made work my number one priority when that should have been God, then relationships and school. I am anticipating that the next semester will be trying in many ways, but I am really looking forward to what God will walk me through this year...I'm along for the ride!