I just wanted to share a little insight into what a normal day might be around here, and what our surroundings are like.  It's interesting the little things that are different...

First of all, in the kitchen, hidden behind our cabinet door, on the left is where we do laundry.



See our tiny washer, that also "dries" with puffs of steam? I like the steam/hang up combo myself.  I also like my mattress which is very very very firm- probably because it's good for my health. (See below).


This is how you know you weren't invited to the party around here/how popular you are... I haven't had any shoes left outside my door... Could you all help me with this problem? Actually our CRATE got here with all of our stuff this past Monday! I can't wait to get my tea set out and have tea with whoever will come!





Starting a "BBQ" fire with coal in a pit on a rainy day with 8 teenage girls- it's quite a feat! (and not your typical BBQ- pork and fish meatball things with mushrooms or some other taste, wings, and other unidentifiable objects on a skewer as seen in the photo-





Trying to explain why my credit card says "Katie" and my passport says "Katherine" - at least after 2 1/2 hours at the bank I got rewarded with this keychain:
and got to write a comment card for the teller for her "flexibility"... I pondered taking a snapshot of that as well, but decided that would not look good to the people who are handling my money. (It's called saving face, but that's another post for another day.) I had to run downstairs a couple of times to get a verification and then another signature from Matt, which they were quick to comment that at least I got my exercise today. Happy "year of the ox"!

Oh, and tack "health" or "environment" on to whatever you are doing and that makes it a good thing. Many Chinese will be concerned about these things... so to put everyone's soul at ease- you will find signs like this on any thing there many hands may touch (elevator buttons, handles, escalators...) and still the anti-bacterial hand gel everywhere... ooooh the hand gel! (It's a good thing- just like the Katie/Katherine thing- for our safety and security... so thankful. Yes. )

Last but not least... words like, happy, fun, and joy- even your water bill is more awesome because of this! Ya'll want to come pay it right now, don't you? I thought so.



Speaking of Joy...
It's a joy to just be here and soak it in and have the time to be sensitive to how He is refining me through the tiniest things, preparing me and the rest of our team for the "bigger things."   I know that when you and I are faithful in the small things, that there is such deep blessing there.  These are the moments that no one else sees but that HE alone sees.  This draws me nearer to Him, knowing that He and I have shared that moment and that His grace enabled me to walk righteously in the littlest things.  I know if I am the "apple of His eye" that He delights in me.  His glance is not infrequent towards me.  He takes pleasure in who I am and I take pleasure in Him.  There is intimacy and joy and delight in what could be a mundane day, but it's HIS day and we get to share it together!  I can say I AM learning to be content whatever the circumstance. I love this quote by Jeremiah Burroughs:

Christian contentment is that sweet inward quiet, that gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

I definitely don't have it down, I get frustrated and exasperated sometimes, but at the core of me is Christ, and He is TOTALLY submitted to the wise and fatherly disposal of GOD!  Christ IN me allows this to happen!  Now THAT is FREEDOM!  I have the blessed opportunity to be the recipient of GOD's wise and fatherly disposal in THIS condition, and the next, and the next... "¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹²I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil 4:11-13.  If you are in a high or low that is ok- He is revealing Himself to you- so that you will tap into the gracious Spirit of Christ in you.  Seems like Paul went through that too... Just read Philippians.

What does it mean for me and you to really RECEIVE from the King of Kings who "... longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the LORD is a God of justice. "
The promise for us today (as I have said before)-
 ¹⁹ O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:18-19)


His answer for me today:  Trust the process- I am doing more than your eyes can see!

The day started with our team meeting up in the MTR (subway of Hong Kong) station in Ma On Shan- closer to where the Dean family resides, catching a bus (see Cat, April, and I in the circle picture waiting on it...) catching a delicious lunch at a great "Texas BBQ" place in Sai Kung town- (the beauty of living in an international city!) and catching a boat over to Hap Mun Bay, where sandcastles, sunbathing, swimming, and "suco" (Cantonese for ice cream) ensued...Here are more of the views from our little boat ride back and forth... so beautiful and quaint is this little area. There will still a good number of people, but it was a nice break to be all together as a little team/family and be away from the shopping malls and crowds.

And continuing on the "international city" theme...
New
 Year


My
 heart 
beats 
like 
a 
drum,
 flying
 up 
with 
the 
sun, 
I 
grab 
Your 
hand 
again


Renovated 
with
 life, 
my
 eyes
 again
 bright,
 and 
You 
are 
radiant


Where 
hope 
can
 hold
 the
 hand
 of
 sorrow
 and
 we
 can
 walk 
into
 tomorro
w

Where 
peace 
is 
found 
in
 troubled 
days 
and 
the 
joy 
of 
Jesus 
carries 
pain



This 
is 
a 
new 
year, 
this 
is 
new 
day, 
to 
rise 
shine, 
lift 
up 
your 
eyes

This 
is 
a
 new 
year, 
this 
is 
a 
new 
day 
to 
rise 
shine,

and
 point 
the 
way
 to 
God’s 
great 
life


I’m 
held 
in 
a 
place, 
a 
beautiful 
space 
where 
heaven 
meets 
the 
earth
My 
heart 
opens 
wide 
and 
the 
Father 
pours 
life 
deep 
inside 
my 
soul

Lyrics 
by 
Charlie 
Hall 
& 
Kendall 
Combes

Join me in asking the Father to pour life in to my soul (Rom 5.5) in these days that I may wholeheartedly serve those around me and be a part of the work here that impacts lives. Oh that He would pour the abundant life into YOUR soul in these moments. Please contact me if you want to know more about this because He has made it available to you--right now! 

I'm thankful for "landmarks" like birthdays that are reminders of how we are invited into the newness of Christ as we let the reality that we are redeemed, forgiven people fall on us again.

Our team had the chance finally to sit together tonight after church and digest a word from Exodus 4, and I was so blessed to see that once again and we share life--our sin, our victory, our true selves- and what God is doing in our lives it's like living water-not standing, stagnant, or even well water, it's flowing, moving, fresh, new, clean water- to the soul. We are living in authentic community. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE MADE TO DO! God's presence pours out when we take the time to dig deep and be our real selves. I can't get enough. It used to be intimidating, but the benefits are such a blessing.

Pray we grow in what it means to be a gospel-centered community of safety and strength by His grace alone. Redemption, healing, restoration, unity... GLORY... has to happen in our own lives--amongst our team--before we extend it to the world.

May He pour it out in these days like we've never known...