Visa

God is so good! He works in ways I never expected!

I procrastinate. Especially when it's something that I don't want to do. Especially when the things I don't want to do cost money.

So, when it came to getting my Visa, I kept putting it off for several reasons:

1. It was going to cost way more than I wanted it to.
2. I hate getting my picture taken.
3. I really dislike actually going to the post office to mail things. I stock up on stamps to delay trips to the post office.

Most of the time, I regret procrastinating. This time, however, is different.

BECAUSE......

I don't need a new Visa!

My Visa from last year is still good.... for 2 more years!

I had just assumed my Visa would expire after going to Taiwan once and got the e-mail informing me that it was still good just in time! :-)

Amazing how God can work even in my weaknesses. Looking forward to seeing all the other ways He works and encourages me each day.

Fear

Satan knows how to get to me.... plant seeds of doubt. Seeds of doubt about health, safety, finances, travel, anything really. The seeds of doubt turn into worry. Worry turns into anxiety. Anxiety turns to fear.

But the crazy thing is, most of the time I forget to turn to my Father for comfort and peace until it gets to that point of fear. Oh, how I wish I could turn to Him at the first doubting thought that enters my mind! How much trouble and fear I would be kept from if only I would turn to Him.

It's a vicious cycle: doubt to worry, worry to anxiety, anxiety to fear; turn to Him, He gives me peace. Life is good. I forget that I need Him. I desire to be independent and live life by myself. And then, something happens.... something at home, at school, with family, with friends.Something unexpected. It brings me crashing down to fear and doubt. This is when I remember that I am dependent on my loving Heavenly Father who is waiting for me to turn back to Him, to allow Him to hold and carry me, to protect and comfort.

Some verses that He's given me:

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." ~Psalm 34:8

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." ~Colossians 3:15

He's also reminded me of this song my sister-in-law shared with me last summer while I was in Taiwan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLfQ05Otk0

He's Always Been Faithful To Me
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Morning by morning I wake up to find


The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine


Season by season I watch Him, amazed


In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways


All I have need of, His hand will provide


He’s always been faithful to me.






I can’t remember a trial or a pain


He did not recycle to bring me gain


I can’t remember one single regret


In serving God only, and trusting His hand


All I have need of, His hand will provide


He’s always been faithful to me.






This is my anthem, this is my song


The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long


God has been faithful, He will be again


His loving compassion, it knows no end


All I have need of, His hand will provide


He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful


He’s always been faithful to me.

World Handshake Day

June 21 is World Handshake Day!

It's also the day I will be arriving in Taiwan!!!!!!!!! 

I'm just a little excited. Can you tell?!

So thankful for this opportunity. God is good!

Praying for the big inspection THOGL has on April 1.

Goodbyes

Really not looking forward to saying my goodbyes tomorrow and Wednesday morning. I hate goodbyes, especially if I don't know if I will ever see people again. I've just started getting to know some of the older kids in the orphanage and I wish I had a lot more time with them! I'm glad some of the babies are going home soon because goodbyes will be easier knowing they finally get to go home where they belong, but I'm really sad to leave the ones that will still be here. I just wish they could all go home now because it would be easier to say goodbye. I know that God is in each adoption and His timing is perfect. He'll get me through my goodbyes and maybe someday bring me back here again!

Last week in Taiwan

It's my last week in Taiwan! I can hardly believe that summer is just about over! I've loved being here and will miss the babies and friends I've made here, but I'm ready to go home and start a new school year.

Things I'll miss:
-Baby smiles
-Baby giggles
-Babies snuggling
-Playing with babies
-Late night chats with Bev
-Pineapple, mango, bananas, other fruits
-Eating with chopsticks
-Spending time with the other volunteers
-Showhwa
-Cold showers (and wanting to take them!)
-Rocking babies to sleep
-Babies in general (because I could go on and on with a list of things I'll miss about the babies)
-Bike rides with Abbey
-I'm sure there are more things that I just can't think of right now

Things I won't miss:
-Always smelling like sweat and spit up
-No weekends
-Fish
-Heat and humidity (although I may still have that at home)

Looking forward to seeing family and friends, a new school year, and some good American food!

MATT AND CHRISSY ARE COMING TODAY TO GET MIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Night time bonding

Our 8:00pm feeding is usually pretty crazy. The babies go over to devotions at 7:15 to be held by the older kids. We usually take the bottles over to them at devotions, so once devotions is over, we technically only have to change diapers and put them to bed. This rarely happens. Usually, there are babies who haven't eaten their whole bottle so we have to re-feed them. We appreciate all the help from the older kids because it takes a much shorter amount of time to feed the babies! All the babies are usually in bed by 8:15, but they are not generally calm, quiet, and asleep. Lately, the babies seem more lively than ever at this time, so we've been spending some quality bonding time with them. Some babies require only that you put their pacifier back in their mouths while others demand another bottle. Some will go to sleep simply be having their back patted for about five minutes, while others are just not ready to go to bed and want to play. This can be tiring at the end of the day and sometimes it's easy to get frustrated. Last night, most of the babies actually went to bed, but there was one little girl who kept crying. She had already been given a second bottle, and still carried on. I pulled her out of her crib and took her to the kitchen to rock her (isn't that where you keep your rocking chair?!) She snuggled against me, stuck her thumb in her mouth, and I thought "Oh good, she'll be out in no time!" Boy was I wrong! For the next half hour, she smiled and talked to me! Hard to be frustrated and crabby when that's the picture you see looking down at her. :-) As exhausting as these evenings can be, they are sometimes the best times to bond with the babies.

Happy Birthday Joel!

Happy birthday Joel!

Wish I could be there to celebrate with you! Love you!