tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129716132024-03-14T15:47:42.643+08:00::Being Transformed::::do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind:: -paulKatie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-39714398866904689892011-03-21T01:33:00.000+08:002011-03-21T01:33:55.138+08:00New Blog!Dear "Being Transformed" readers,<br />
<br />
My journey of writing and learning began on this little space when I graduated University in 2005. Since then God has done some amazing things, and these words from the previous 5 years testify to that. I may write on here from time to time but since I am now <a href="http://maikandkatie.com/wedding/engagement/">ENGAGED</a>, my life path and priorities will change considerably. I will continue to blog but in a new shared space at<br />
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<a href="http://www.maikandkatie.com/">www.maikandkatie.com</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK7gBN90zvnMmVZt5Oj5C-mQvQzALVf_FpVbGxFDtSIBWV4tx5oAKd1l4PURwR1Bm-6E2yRfsGNZC2QW1lwEC2kDugIlwKUThok3mutOv1lFQrntswaZxJNOGxZaY-HIYjaZv/s1600/Picture+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK7gBN90zvnMmVZt5Oj5C-mQvQzALVf_FpVbGxFDtSIBWV4tx5oAKd1l4PURwR1Bm-6E2yRfsGNZC2QW1lwEC2kDugIlwKUThok3mutOv1lFQrntswaZxJNOGxZaY-HIYjaZv/s400/Picture+18.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I hope and pray you will continue to journey with us into the next season of life... excited to continue His story with Maik beside me...<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Katie<br />
<br />
Isaiah 64:4<br />
From of old no one has heard<br />
or perceived by the ear,<br />
no eye has seen a God besides you,<br />
who acts for those who wait for him.Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-25902772117328732512010-12-02T23:21:00.001+08:002010-12-02T23:22:17.804+08:00Thanksgiving in Hong Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOA2VO9J8NIVOmEsqQEeDWLqo6sYvlvags2tiJSXwcs9iVXvkAZ-_vthDsO9Qs0QiJjz5XqyXQytSCzvs0jpXXMBFYtDU8_OCT4mZGeaMI188aCaYCDOHgXnh1w_OgmURYi_3/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOA2VO9J8NIVOmEsqQEeDWLqo6sYvlvags2tiJSXwcs9iVXvkAZ-_vthDsO9Qs0QiJjz5XqyXQytSCzvs0jpXXMBFYtDU8_OCT4mZGeaMI188aCaYCDOHgXnh1w_OgmURYi_3/s400/Picture+3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well as you can see I haven't posted in ages, but that's not because things have been slow. Blogging for me is something I like to put a lot of thought into but my thoughts have been poured out into the new work and new neighborhood and new church and new campus. Yep, a LOT of new. So I thought I'd keep it simple for me and you by just sharing about our thanksgiving.<br />
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Maik has found an awesome apartment right near the HKU campus and so of course we packed 20 people into the living room and had a feast! Some friends from church, some old friends, and some new ones all joined together for this fun holiday. In explaining it to some "first time Thanksgivingers", I told them Thanksgiving is awesome because it doesn't seem to get clouded with all the materialism and paraphernalia that sometimes gets in the way of Christmas, but it's about FOOD and FAMILY, no strings attached. We simply get together, enjoy time together and share about what we are thankful for, as we reflect on the year. <br />
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I have an oven that is approximately 13 1/2" by 13 1/2" and some how I stuffed an entire turkey in there. I hunted down some sweet potatoes at the awesome local market (ok they look a little different but taste the same) and downloaded recipes from the Pioneer Woman, Food Network, and Real Simple. Real Simple was for the turkey because, well, I was afraid of what I would do to the thing, and so I found peace with that name. I did not have the time nor the kitchen space to be "brinin' and bastin'" and the bird turned out just fine if I do say so myself. Poor guy's little tail got a little burnt from touching the top of the oven, but it's nothing that a little foil couldn't fix.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2xHZ_MhDrkVWfe_Tk9nm6Bsl9mKznhb_6xk6lp0lwu0RpYWwKgz3DAq2uqNQNxQ8lHqMMuVr2VWTjjD-v1ULy0cW7l4T79sURv5MeO9qpTC7f40e0nImpNh6Nens4m77WTDw/s1600/156271_485083244392_510464392_5404494_6985178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2xHZ_MhDrkVWfe_Tk9nm6Bsl9mKznhb_6xk6lp0lwu0RpYWwKgz3DAq2uqNQNxQ8lHqMMuVr2VWTjjD-v1ULy0cW7l4T79sURv5MeO9qpTC7f40e0nImpNh6Nens4m77WTDw/s320/156271_485083244392_510464392_5404494_6985178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And then, since there were 3 Germans at the feast we educated our Chinese friends in the art of schnitzel making and served that as well... we weren't sure if the turkey would be enough for everyone and I guess when you date a German you need to blend some traditions too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhIGlYzliJ8pNnIM0iqeUz3LUOAQtBPHfO6-E3bMaOeEPQxGYliDT-vQ6vpuG-wyAq0O3z-oZXkcKrfSld2TCWqlvj9CIqjr6SUZgWwbi-SOlYAIVqsEgiFDP5Cr-UBcWNFXK/s1600/schnitzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhIGlYzliJ8pNnIM0iqeUz3LUOAQtBPHfO6-E3bMaOeEPQxGYliDT-vQ6vpuG-wyAq0O3z-oZXkcKrfSld2TCWqlvj9CIqjr6SUZgWwbi-SOlYAIVqsEgiFDP5Cr-UBcWNFXK/s320/schnitzel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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(Thanks to Tim Lim for the lovely food photography!) Doesn't that just look yummy. I didn't get to taste it but I'm sure it was delicious. After playing a game of "get to know you bingo" (super fun) we ate and then had people write what they were thankful for on a festive little leaf and then we read them later and guessed who they belonged to. I love hearing what people have to say and what has stuck out to them over the year. Such a sweet moment!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9nM46B2Hlzt-kiP-ygguf4gxHhN8Z6vz5zg1rFu1klZd-wPsS6g5wgvPYDE3d8-YbNZ7ELkOYyJ4FPeFV5n4fz05JfwFgonjPHdnsTCd13SkGJWc_XMeqf96Yfzn1GeQRbKs/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9nM46B2Hlzt-kiP-ygguf4gxHhN8Z6vz5zg1rFu1klZd-wPsS6g5wgvPYDE3d8-YbNZ7ELkOYyJ4FPeFV5n4fz05JfwFgonjPHdnsTCd13SkGJWc_XMeqf96Yfzn1GeQRbKs/s400/IMG_1552.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's some of the crew at the feast. I can't remember if this was before or after the rousing game of SPIN UNO. If you have never played that then, you just have to come to HK and play with these guys. They make it fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day, we had our community group and I made leftover Turkey Pot Pie :) I used my leftover "perfect pie crust" from Pioneer lady (yes I made a pecan pie and added chocolate chips, of course!) and some other leftover veggies, etc and threw it all in. I had bought a new pan that I thought would fit in "baby oven" and it of course did not, so, I wrapped foil around the cracked oven door and she cooked just fine. [just letting you see into my world for a minute. my world is often revolving around a mini-kitchen]. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For our second batch of leftovers we headed over to have turkey sandwiches with the precious couple who started the HKUICF (International Christian Fellowship). </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs724.snc4/64448_881337360771_7004122_47381942_3651020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs724.snc4/64448_881337360771_7004122_47381942_3651020_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ICF meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are both from other countries in Asia but chose to move here and work on campus so they could open the door to a fellowship like this, which is vastly needed since there are no English-speaking fellowships on campus and many of the students prefer English. Their labor has paid off for sure and they will return home this coming summer. Maik and I truly are blessed that they invited us to continue leading it! They have two young children and we sang some hymns with them and also shared about what we were Thankful for this year. They have adopted thanksgiving into their own family traditions and maybe even made some improvements on it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, we survived Thanksgiving in Hong Kong. It's interesting that the grocery stores import some more stuff for stuffing, frozen turkeys, gravy and pecans at this time of the year, but I'm thankful for that. It's the little things, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>I'm thankful that He continues to sustain me, that I am not alone but have a companion, that my family supports me, and for all of you friends who care enough to read about my life. Wish you were here!</i></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-80383738450691988872010-10-24T20:42:00.000+08:002010-10-24T20:42:52.822+08:00Coming Home!Hey everybody!<br />
<br />
I can't believe it's actually here: I have a short visit to the US and am pretty excited about it. <br />
<br />
I arrive in <b>Montgomery</b> Monday night<br />
<br />
I will be in <b>Birmingham</b> on Wednesday-<br />
So if you B'ham folks want to meet up, I am gonna hang out there for the day and would love to see you... Come by Panera between 12-4... I can't wait to see you and all those babies that have been born in the past year!<br />
<br />
I will be in <b>Huntsville</b> Thursday -Saturday to be the maid of Honor in the lovely Miss Susan Dennis' wedding and join in all the festivities.<br />
<br />
I will be in <b>Montgomery</b> until I fly out of Birmingham on Nov. 4... TENTATIVELY will be in <b>AUBURN </b>November 2...<br />
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So, all that to say I can't believe this is my first time back in 16 months and that I get to see some of your faces!!!<br />
<br />
email or facebook me if you can meet up!! I can't wait to see everyone and share the stories of His faithfulness in Hong Kong! He is doing so much here.<br />
LOVE,<br />
KatieKatie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-58567566052124390612010-06-15T17:05:00.000+08:002010-06-15T17:05:30.403+08:00Passion HK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpU82lIIsm6vRMJfUFXgqoy1Zr47_GaISCEydfRGWRmIg_CA2hlQORuFKUGN30i5mPhGeAuW7gjyGxY1B9MwkSgS1JOH4UdI7gC6h58FgS-rsXQGb_gkwYRWGALkje-sj05CP/s1600/passionhkgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpU82lIIsm6vRMJfUFXgqoy1Zr47_GaISCEydfRGWRmIg_CA2hlQORuFKUGN30i5mPhGeAuW7gjyGxY1B9MwkSgS1JOH4UdI7gC6h58FgS-rsXQGb_gkwYRWGALkje-sj05CP/s400/passionhkgroup.jpg" width="400" /></a>We had an awesome time at Passion. It was surreal to share this with our friends, and also somewhat of a closing to a chapter of our lives as people spread out again. I will definitely miss our teammates who return to America. It definitely won't be the same without them. What a journey this has been!! Many of these students will return to Mainland to start life and jobs there. Some will try to stay in HK to find a job- pray for them as they try to obtain employment (we really want them to stay!!). I know this event was truly meaningful to us all and we really encountered the Father in a fresh way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Continue to pray with us for the Awakening to His love and grace and glory to happen in this city!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJrrc2US4imrKkvZuyLW_-YI9x8MqbRKdg_NNLhaAeh_juGR6Ljxf9POl-NDUFEFyINs29boLpsYNe6mGtUgQorhaHRGhyphenhyphen7ll9NP2oTIZjCvRhxuXDe_SB-ogGdlHBHlJ0Qbo/s400/IMG_1183.JPG" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof8dWAX_mhOhr-XLfdIc7F8yinMLM2p6I-3qHznL_eJrDqdJ31TrUmYBHHBR74FbMJ5FXuvvcrWRiKNj9veD-rpg6Je8bdqMANgLo51lKFLTSZD-qlwJj_oiy8WlwCUkAdv5z/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof8dWAX_mhOhr-XLfdIc7F8yinMLM2p6I-3qHznL_eJrDqdJ31TrUmYBHHBR74FbMJ5FXuvvcrWRiKNj9veD-rpg6Je8bdqMANgLo51lKFLTSZD-qlwJj_oiy8WlwCUkAdv5z/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRD6ddB75fLbYIGs47ZXG-iKau12pHfXx_IyXniXkcM41azt-1fBcHkIOeThCyco7fDaQxuqHDyrb2xS_-7UYPcqQXW4-oBQlJPsgGaoomlp5onyEXQExDNvm2wWEwTpGa7bP/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRD6ddB75fLbYIGs47ZXG-iKau12pHfXx_IyXniXkcM41azt-1fBcHkIOeThCyco7fDaQxuqHDyrb2xS_-7UYPcqQXW4-oBQlJPsgGaoomlp5onyEXQExDNvm2wWEwTpGa7bP/s400/IMG_0476.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-89082523838414843762010-06-05T14:01:00.001+08:002010-06-05T14:07:15.652+08:00Purpose.“Finding one’s purpose with God can be a strange and mysterious journey. Or it can be as plain as asking God for a task and then watching your desire for that task grow within you. Problem is, most of us forget to ask God to fill us with a fervent spirit to serve Him. Then years later, we wake up and realize we had our life. We made our small choices...our safe choices. But somehow we missed the richness of following our God down an uncharted path.” – Hudson Taylor<br />
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As I type this the emails are going out to those of you who have subscribe to my updates- there is big news in those and so if you want to receive that update as well, just shoot me an email- (katie@gracecampus.net) then this post will make a little more sense. <br />
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I never would have guessed that this year would turn out this way- it's totally different, but God remains the unchanging one! The only way I know how to describe it just that uncharted, strange and mysterious journey that is walking by faith in the Holy Spirit's leading. Surprises are around every corner. God is present all along the way. I am excited to step into this new season as I join in with Watermark Church. We have had some great meetings to plan for outreach, community groups, and worship for the new church. I would truly appreciate your prayers as God works in and through us to plant among the people in the West Island District of Hong Kong. (Sheung Wan/HKU/Kennedy Town for those of you more familiar with HK geography).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApXjKsuyA7h2Dvgb47YABNLnJK0E3E25527LVhFxYgVYIPsc18Vo0GU8RNhw1biKVCzG0lkZymp_Sp0aDm99z0_fMusiyQy8K7cYe7vkIAfFvGJwxngpro2DP0dTVwujjbNTt/s1600/watermarkworship.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApXjKsuyA7h2Dvgb47YABNLnJK0E3E25527LVhFxYgVYIPsc18Vo0GU8RNhw1biKVCzG0lkZymp_Sp0aDm99z0_fMusiyQy8K7cYe7vkIAfFvGJwxngpro2DP0dTVwujjbNTt/s400/watermarkworship.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I look forward to sharing more with you guys, but for now I have to get ready to meet my friends at the Passion HK World Tour Event... more to share tomorrow hopefully!Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-48606150960343182512010-05-14T01:27:00.001+08:002010-05-14T01:29:22.160+08:00a few of my favorites...<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYrX9srZnw2bWHrEbv1HvNQcxg7l1Nt6qXHoWXJ1IUFeoVnvT2dCgbYmxbuumLlxILE5MMRH2bTwkzisY7mJgyPj9uElEcPdMKjVWOIaVea4f6zUykDgl_ECKSg9I2JxEoK4P/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In case you were wondering, YES, I did make it back from the Philippines... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had to "catch up on life" as I often call it and still am just now catching my breath. The things that are happening here are more than exciting as Father carves out our next steps just in time. I feel like I am constantly holding my breath, and then I remember to exhale the temptation to doubt and ask too many questions, breath in His Spirit, and walk forward with Him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, for now, enjoy a little photo album of one of my favorite weeks this year: our trip to share with the Christ Gospel Fellowship Ministries crew in Philippines. What a precious group of friends!! Sadly enough, there is one brother (in Philippines, called "Kuya") who passed away the week after we left. He was the kindest servant of God, determined to be a part of His work in the city. I know he will be missed by many. It just reminded us again how precious each day is, and how we desire to live each day unto Him- recognizing the story that He is inviting us into is one not to be taken lightly, but one to be lived abundantly! We do not want to miss God in this story and we don't want to settle for a story that requires little or no faith. The life of faith brings about many unexpected turns and is challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! It's a supernatural thing when we trust Christ to do what He wants in and through us: "...The life I live in the body I live by FAITH in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 When you are trusting that Christ is living in and through you, you experience the blessing of Christ's abundant life as your own! There's no greater adventure!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghTR2t02cxlFoBCra5bobMEAzcorJqXThE2lGCX4aWJwf2Q_PgiTQXxB-VPLjUIO_5xD5iY4p9iFK-aips8R6CTpAl5DYot0BgrOKHpPcntiSrqKNMTSSgNHhu_wXDQPvkrAI/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghTR2t02cxlFoBCra5bobMEAzcorJqXThE2lGCX4aWJwf2Q_PgiTQXxB-VPLjUIO_5xD5iY4p9iFK-aips8R6CTpAl5DYot0BgrOKHpPcntiSrqKNMTSSgNHhu_wXDQPvkrAI/s400/IMG_0908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZFVWsm03SH6ZYhnJ-be5zTImSO_8FFt7UjPigShipNmroYtOe6qtEZp_-bBDDnEXe5rn7AsZjqm-f4zB2sfaMYnvC5MGbsEJBydccDgszCs_LYq7L-Wg5ULl2lehHYSr1ekf/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZFVWsm03SH6ZYhnJ-be5zTImSO_8FFt7UjPigShipNmroYtOe6qtEZp_-bBDDnEXe5rn7AsZjqm-f4zB2sfaMYnvC5MGbsEJBydccDgszCs_LYq7L-Wg5ULl2lehHYSr1ekf/s400/IMG_0954.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZeUonjjSvcG3e-Kcc2Hb_-uxJMmBJbmIGcVUSqbPZVm4nGj6VdbRWLHAQqpPDvBNnckb-mtXAhgwJXAftkehuDLMDamzpaftNH1q9mvzuXL4YN_7f7ORw_0NTdTf3BeQQR4z/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZeUonjjSvcG3e-Kcc2Hb_-uxJMmBJbmIGcVUSqbPZVm4nGj6VdbRWLHAQqpPDvBNnckb-mtXAhgwJXAftkehuDLMDamzpaftNH1q9mvzuXL4YN_7f7ORw_0NTdTf3BeQQR4z/s400/IMG_0917.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E93km5Qhc5VqRMyKH9kJzmm6-2V0fWyuGxh-qXvmfAeeWybMZ_tOrWCEmj9-Vo6mUho_J0wjamKgFTNsqIE2ZCjs1_RZ3U5R0LnWsnfxjGMPmGqww621SbR4e9G7kd-hxcAT/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E93km5Qhc5VqRMyKH9kJzmm6-2V0fWyuGxh-qXvmfAeeWybMZ_tOrWCEmj9-Vo6mUho_J0wjamKgFTNsqIE2ZCjs1_RZ3U5R0LnWsnfxjGMPmGqww621SbR4e9G7kd-hxcAT/s400/IMG_1179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We had the privilege of being loved on by this amazing community and getting to join in their work in several places. People heard truth, children were fed, fellowship and laughter was had. What more could you ask for?!Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-72794830997725446972010-04-12T11:58:00.000+08:002010-04-12T11:58:46.112+08:00What's next...WE ARE HEADED TO THE PHILIPPINES TOMORROW!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74epgNr7jIrOnMMk08l-zS0F0qQVpsE5ybvkZDgI9dvTBwvYLS3aIcrMjgScGQntPIfNK2-kDHh-A7vF7u5S9O3r53WJpAZ7nUcltgQbxkMfhW3TfyhyphenhyphensxUsFBom5dt-5HZD9/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74epgNr7jIrOnMMk08l-zS0F0qQVpsE5ybvkZDgI9dvTBwvYLS3aIcrMjgScGQntPIfNK2-kDHh-A7vF7u5S9O3r53WJpAZ7nUcltgQbxkMfhW3TfyhyphenhyphensxUsFBom5dt-5HZD9/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Here's the team (we won't be taking our party hats- even though that does represent our craziness sometimes... this is just the only picture I could find of the four of us!) and we will be serving a community in Bulacan. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlPYk7QxOvCdT2Thl5eJ5Fv8hn8dE-QYkfD9PQ8FYFYBmMSW-ngeok0uUUB6jSGae4NgamSLjOjoAQmwzDbh1BFogIUJEMYhxY7xu4SK8ZSX6ObOmo_z1NJjLFOjRahm5YYto/s1600/bulacan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlPYk7QxOvCdT2Thl5eJ5Fv8hn8dE-QYkfD9PQ8FYFYBmMSW-ngeok0uUUB6jSGae4NgamSLjOjoAQmwzDbh1BFogIUJEMYhxY7xu4SK8ZSX6ObOmo_z1NJjLFOjRahm5YYto/s320/bulacan.png" /></a></div><br />
Please lift us up this week! I can't wait to share what we see and what happens! Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-7358234816070451732010-02-05T23:53:00.002+08:002010-03-07T22:46:43.240+08:00God Speaks.<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In the most unexpected ways, He speaks and reveals Himself. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">There's nothing like sharing His Word with someone who is hearing for the first time, but even more amazing is that I can read it for the millionth time and it speaks into me in a fresh new way...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sitting across the table from a dear friend, talking about Mark chapter 1, it hit me. God spoke into my circumstances through looking at the life and work of Jesus. Here's how it goes: John the Baptist came out of the wilderness, fulfilling an age-old prophecy, and preparing the way for the Messiah. "God in flesh" gets baptized himself and the Spirit of God and audible voice of God affirms Jesus' identity as God's Son. Jesus' "out front" ministry was about to begin! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And then...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Mark 1:12-13 </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And he was in the wilderness forty days, being</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">tempted by Satan...</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Just when He was about to carry out His work!? He had people to save and a Message to share, yet the Spirit of God sent Him away, alone, into the wilderness. The Lord DOES work in mysterious ways. Over wontons and spring rolls He spoke clearly to me in this. When the rest of us would think it was time to "get straight to work" and "get the job done", maybe Jesus, in His humanity was ready to do the same, yet the Spirit DROVE him out! He obviously was obedient in that but I wonder what He thought when He knew what was to come and to what He was called. The Spirit drove Him not to the garden, to a place of comfort, but to a place of discomfort and suffering to prepare Him for what was about to begin. It doesn't make sense to the legalist in us, who wants to work for our worth, or to the humanist in us who tells us to do what's comfortable. or to the independent in us who wants to do what he or she wants to do, whatever that may be... </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-18747"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">6</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"Seek the LORD while he may be found;<br />
call upon him while he is near;</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-18748"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">7</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">let the wicked forsake his way,<br />
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;<br \="" />let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,<br />
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.</span><b><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-18749"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">8</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">For my thoughts are not your thoughts,<br />
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br \="" /></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-18750"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">9</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> For as the heavens are higher than the earth,<br />
so are my ways higher than your ways<br />
and my thoughts than your thoughts.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(Isaiah 55)</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Looking at the life of Christ, the redeemer of the World, who walked through all of suffering and discomfort and even appearances of failure to the foolish mind, I can fellowship with Him there. I can appreciate a unique path to a greater goal that I could not fathom had he not taken me into the wilderness. I praise Him today for that!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I remain humbled today and am reminded it's all about Him: His name being made famous and His glory. This reality orients my thoughts and life in such a way that I know I cannot find true rest and peace until I align my entire being this this truth. I am so thankful to be His! I do not deserve it, I did not earn it, I am nothing apart from Him, who, in His great mercy and grace, rescued me and made me new!!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28374"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">26</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Not many of you were wise by human standards; </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">not many were influential; </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">not many were of noble birth. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28375"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">27</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28376"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">28</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28377"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">29</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">so that no one may boast before him.</span><br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28378"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">30</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">because of him</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> that you are </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">in Christ Jesus,</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">[WOW!!!]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">who has become for us </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">wisdom</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> from </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">God</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">—that is,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">our righteousness, holiness and redemption.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28379"> </sup></b></span><br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28379"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">31</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Therefore, as it is written:</span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."</span></b></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> (1 Cor. 1)</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Who am I Lord, that you are mindful of me, and that you would speak to my heart?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I am your beloved daughter, favored and treasured in your eyes and you, in your grace, speak to me.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thank you.</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-82396816588298973232010-01-30T03:32:00.000+08:002010-01-30T03:32:49.072+08:00pray.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <sup><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%209&version=ESV"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: small;">Matthew 9- </span></b></a></sup></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><sup>35</sup>And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the <span style="font-size: large;">gospel of the kingdom</span> and healing every disease and every affliction. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23416">36</sup> When he <span style="font-size: large;">saw</span> the crowds, he had <span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">compassion</span> for them, because they were harassed and helpless,<i><b> l</b><b>ike sheep without a shepherd</b></i>. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23417">37</sup>Then he said to his disciples, </div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span class="woj" style="color: #990000;">"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23418" style="color: #990000;"></sup><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23418">38</sup><span class="woj">therefore <b>pray earnestly</b> to the Lord of the harvest to<sup> </sup>send out laborers into his harvest."</span></i></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">__________________________ </span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm longing for the gospel of the kingdom to be known-</span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;">I am overwhelmed by compassion for the precious souls around me... a bit more today than usual, and praying against any obstacle that is not of Him that keeps those ready and willing to serve from doing so. </span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord send workers and Lord bring clarity and make a way for those who long to serve you but don't know the details yet... I think of many who are ready and willing and are unsure of your next step... </span></span></i><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;">May any fear or accusation fall to the ground in light of who Jesus is in us and on our behalf. Raise up this generation to live in light of grace for the glory of your name! </span></span></i></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i><i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;">Join me in praying that He will raise up the strongest movement yet... </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="woj"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">for His Glory </span></b> </span></i></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-21997226280514542382010-01-30T03:12:00.000+08:002010-01-30T03:12:29.773+08:00perspective.<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">2 Peter 3 (NLT)</span><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30490">8</sup> But <span style="font-size: large;">you must not forget</span> this one thing, dear friends: <i>A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. </i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30491">9</sup> The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, <span style="font-size: large;">he is being patient for your sake</span>. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants <span style="font-size: large;">everyone</span> to repent. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30492"> </sup></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30492"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>(...puts waiting in perspective...) </b></span></i></sup></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30492">10</sup> But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30493">11</sup> Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, <i>what holy and godly lives you should live,</i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30494">12</sup> <span style="font-size: large;">looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.</span> On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30495"> </sup></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30492"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>(...puts eternity in perspective...) </b></span></i></sup></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30495"></sup></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30495"><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30495">13</sup></span> But we are looking forward to the <span style="font-size: large;">new heavens and new earth</span> he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30496">14</sup> And so, dear friends, <span style="font-size: large;">while you are waiting</span> for these things to happen, make every effort to <span style="font-size: large;">be found living</span> peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30492"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>(...puts the hope & the present in perspective...) </b></span></i></sup></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30497">15</sup> And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved... </span></i></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30499">17</sup> I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30500">18</sup> Rather, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>you must <span style="font-size: large;">grow in the grace</span> and knowledge of </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-size: large;">All glory to him, </span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">both now and forever! Amen.</span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>------------</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul><li style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>We are in no hurry, yet there's urgency. </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Making the most of everyday is unto the Lord and not unto man.</i></span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>We can let time and timing keep us in bondage or we can surrender to the <a href="http://katiebartlett.blogspot.com/2005/08/surrender-to-funnel.html">funnel</a>, which is His hand shaping our lives</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>, and an all-wise Sovereign God orchestrating a beautiful story. He is so much bigger than our best and worst day put together. </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We can lose hope when it seems that things aren't just right (lose secure footing by formulating our own circumstantial hypothesis) or look to Christ to grow in grace (supernatural life of Christ living in us) and knowledge of our Lord to move us forward as He builds His kingdom here and now and that He is surely coming again!!! </span></i></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-2716418684149673242010-01-26T03:26:00.000+08:002010-01-26T03:26:25.282+08:00celebrate.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcFf7-dI5lKM-kHgWKh2skmyJQoJkG0dKfAaN5tm22d8p3e2bNhzdHthTQlzpWlWXq2k6MxF2C9nTLggWDEiwmjrIRro80VAY-K2_Kacz51jHX3dDcQThL55zzLTgntU9E0m2/s1600-h/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcFf7-dI5lKM-kHgWKh2skmyJQoJkG0dKfAaN5tm22d8p3e2bNhzdHthTQlzpWlWXq2k6MxF2C9nTLggWDEiwmjrIRro80VAY-K2_Kacz51jHX3dDcQThL55zzLTgntU9E0m2/s400/IMG_0822.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig8UzUyKY1rSl3LYg5sCAA8VvUtG9s632iknTc35b7LiCICGEqojzm7e1W26S8KSB-SueI52X_jZ5H6_XlBIwQJAJqSOZht43mUA51gIS6-34o-wZGs1Q3jjfYgweR63XuCip/s1600-h/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig8UzUyKY1rSl3LYg5sCAA8VvUtG9s632iknTc35b7LiCICGEqojzm7e1W26S8KSB-SueI52X_jZ5H6_XlBIwQJAJqSOZht43mUA51gIS6-34o-wZGs1Q3jjfYgweR63XuCip/s400/IMG_0815.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">It's amazing what a few birthday hats, some Winnie the Pooh party horns, and some yummy Szechuan food will do to make a birthday party really special. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">(See the birthday boy on the far left!) <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I am more than blessed to be a part of the lives in these pictures- I am confident that none of us are the same after knowing each other, and I am praying that this year in Hong Kong will be a year we will all never forget, because it shapes who we are and where we are going... We are all <i>being transformed</i> one <u>day</u> at a time...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">------------------ <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">No two <u>days</u> are the same here.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Everyday just about turns out differently than planned.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Tomorrow will be no exception... I experience day to day:<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many plans are in a man's mind, </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">but it is the Lord's <u><b>purpose</b></u> for him that will stand (Prov.19:21)<i><br />
</i></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">This is life in these days and this is life led by the Spirit,<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">who is not bound by our rules, schedules, or opinions...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">He graciously meets us where we are,<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">and doesn't leave us unchanged.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">(He actually doesn't leave, period.)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hallelujah!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the <u>promise</u> the <i>unchangeableness of His <u><b>purpose</b></u> and plan,</i> intervened (mediated) with an <u>oath</u>. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">mighty <i>indwelling</i> strength and<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">strong encouragement<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">to grasp and hold fast the <span style="font-size: large;">hope</span> appointed for us and set before [us].<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">(Hebrews 6:17-18)<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">HE is trustworthy. HE is our constant, in this ever-changing, fast-moving, mind-blowing, dynamic beautiful story that always points back to HIM...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">GLORY.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-76780480844592768352010-01-21T15:27:00.001+08:002010-01-21T15:30:10.294+08:00do so!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The other side of "say so" is "do so." When that pang of humanity hits, whether it be your shame, your fear, disillusionment, your big or small questions, He is INVITING you to CHOOSE LIFE. (And He IS "the way, the truth, and THE LIFE.") It's His life that is made available to us! Daily it happens: you sense a need, you must grasp onto something, and that's ok! Do not let the enemy convince you that it's bad to be in need. We ARE human and we NEED God! Living this life makes us aware, and as a child, we have a Father who meets us in our need.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, what do you do when you are at the point of exposure?<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>DIE</b>. (<i>For I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live... Gal. 2:20a)</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the other side of the cross, (meaning after we receive Christ as our Savior) we aren't just forgiven but we are raised to new life. That means that we reckon our old self, our way of life apart from Christ, dead. When the need to protect, hide, cling to anything other than Christ, arises, we must crucify that need in order to experience THE need-meeter. In sharing his story, Steve McVey says "<i>I tried everything I could think of to experience victory, but all to no avail. I didn't know that it was by my dying, not doing, that victory was possible."</i> Trying to live the Christian life through your old sinful patterns is like carrying 2 ton weights around while attempting to win a race. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>MISCONCEPTION</b>:<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The more I do, the more I try, the more I beat myself up or train myself to be 'better' the "more better" I become and the closer I get to Christ.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let me say no, no, NO! Galatians 3:3 says <i>Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by<sup> </sup>the flesh?</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is <b>Good News </b>here! Romans 8:3: <i>For <u><b>God</b></u> has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28105">4</sup>in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be <u><b>fulfilled</b><b> in us</b></u>, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Please don't hear this as a "good kid/bad kid" issue- hear this as a my resources or His resources issue. Which is better?! We can't. He can. He CAN- IN US- when we walk according to the Spirit, the <b>life</b> of Christ in us! In Colossians 1:27 Paul says, "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles (Gentiles = us) are the riches of the <b>glory</b> of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the <b>hope</b> of <b>glory."</b> Nothing compares to this type of riches. (<i>Galatians 2:20...Christ lives in me...)</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>TRUTH</b>:<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The more I reckon my own strength insufficient and RECEIVE the sufficiency of Christ's strength, HE becomes my LIFE: <i>The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me... (Gal. 2:20b)</i> When we receive eternal life, whose life do we receive? CHRIST'S LIFE! This is not ignoring or putting to death the unique ways that He has made us as people, but allowing Him to work in and through those qualities and illuminate them in a way that only He can do. True freedom lies in living in intimate fellowship with Christ who imparts to us all things we need for life and godliness. The specific "hows, whys and whens" come as we walk moment by moment with Him.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:3-5: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Read the entire chapter <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20peter%201&version=ESV">here</a>.<i> </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>of God and of Jesus our Lord.</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 Peter 1:2 </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AMP</span><br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-82832002840763193632010-01-20T16:16:00.001+08:002010-01-20T16:30:16.323+08:00Say So.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20107&version=ESV" style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 107 </a></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-15701">1</sup>Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,<br />
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-15702">2</sup>Let the <b>redeemed</b> of the LORD <i>say so</i>,</span><br />
Whom <u>He</u> has redeemed from the hand of the adversary...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">From time to time, my roommates and I have told one another to "just <i>say</i> so!" Implying the <b>freedom</b> to "be right where you are at" (no judgment here!) and the empowerment that comes from approaching life from the victorious position of being <i><b>redeemed</b></i>. (1 John 5:4-5) We have been bought back, brought out of death into life, and set free to live life as He intended: in fellowship with our God. When we hide in our own selves, there is no fellowship. For us to speak what is true about ourselves and God is to speak from the position of being the <i>redeemed</i> children of God. </span><span style="font-size: small;">We stand acceptable and accepted because of Christ!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Who told you to be ashamed or that you had to have it all together?! It is the "adversary" or the enemy who tempts us to believe this and he has been defeated--powerless towards the people of the Lord. We must remember the Voice that matters most. When we forget we are redeemed and forget to "attend to the steadfast love of the Lord" we feel vulnerable, exposed (experiencing the reality of our not being in control), and afraid to say anything at all. When life isn't seeming line up quite right or the circumstances are unsure, or at the slightest relational discomfort or lack thereof we are quick to forget what He has done on our behalf and who He has made us to be and how He pours out His love into our hearts by the power of His Spirit alone. This is what makes the DIFFERENCE! In these days of our sanctification/transformation into the likeness of Christ we have the choice to LIVE in that reality or to try to live this life in our own feeble resources until the day He returns and completes this beautiful work He has began in us at the moment of salvation.</span> May the reality of our redemption and new life in Christ fall afresh on us:<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+2&version=ESV" style="color: #134f5c;">1 Peter 2 </a></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-30407">24</sup>He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">By his wounds you have been healed.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-30408">25</sup>For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">FREEDOM to "say so" comes from believing and receiving for yourself that you are redeemed, first and foremost. There is no way to earn or lose the love and acceptance which God freely gives us in Christ. This experience also happens in loving community. As we work out the reality of our salvation "with fear and trembling" He moves from our head to our heart what that really means. Healing comes as we move through this process by faith, acknowledging our fears and feelings, allowing the grace of God to penetrate our faulty beliefs, often through the gracious response of others towards us. Powerful. Supernatural. True freedom comes in taking off the mask of having to have it all together or be independent of God(dying to sin) and being who He has created you to be: a dependent child on Abba, Father (living to righteousness). <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">I was meeting with a friend this past week and it seems she has discovered what many of us know, but few of us admit. We wear a "protector" around our lives, keeping people and even God at arm's length. She knows she needs to take it off, but it's not easy. Our souls crave to be known, our Spirits cry out to drink deep from the Living Water, yet we choose to stay in what we've been deceived into believing is "safe." The TRUTH? Our God longs to BE our protector! Our Safety! Our refuge! Our HOME, but we must die to the old way of "safe" living, which is not really living at all. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to this earth with the gospel <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10:10&version=ESV">message</a>: "<i>I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly." </i>When we operate out of the riches and wealth of Spirit that comes from standing on these realities our life IS different! He satisfies us (Psalm 63) in this dry and weary land of the world. The Spiritual reality becomes our reality and we live in the paradigm of the life of Christ! When we stop searching for a formula and live IN CHRIST we find what we were looking for in the beginning...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 107</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-15743">43</sup> Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;<br />
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=col%202&version=ESV" style="color: #134f5c;">Colossians 2 </a></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">and the knowledge of<sup> </sup>God’s mystery, which is <b>Christ</b>,<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29481">3</sup> in whom are hidden all the <b>treasures</b> of wisdom and knowledge.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Our direction, our step-by-step, our wisdom and knowledge, if you will comes as we seek Christ and allow His Spirit to be the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls and respond in faith to Him. When we walk as redeemed children in freedom, healing and wholeness, we WILL shine Christ brightly for the glory of His name. I pray that more and more we are a community that "says so" for the sake of His glory and that more may step into a life in Christ. <br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-27618239975525317782010-01-15T02:41:00.003+08:002010-01-15T09:46:48.181+08:00Catching up [Part 2] Wrapping up our First Semester here...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>new years eve:</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://bethgillem.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-years-rockin-eve.html">Beth</a> and <a href="http://strangersandexiles.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/a-year-in-review/">Jason</a> did a great job of capturing the evening. I have left my camera at home lately... but it was truly a blessing to bring in the new year worshiping our King and reflecting on what we are truly thankful for as we look back over what has happened since this time last year.<b> <br />
</b><br />
</div><br />
<b>end of semester thoughts:</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The question was asked... what have you seen God do this semester? It was a beautiful thing to go around the room and hear and celebrate all He has done. <a href="http://mattdean.blogspot.com/2009/12/ebenezers.html">Matt</a><b> </b>did a great job recording the words spoken at that meeting. For me, it has been different than I thought. From the get-go I have felt 'at home' here and it's hard for me to separate the 'before' and 'after' of my life in HK. I still feel I have simply stepped into what He has called me to do and be. I am far from perfect at it but know I am growing towards fulfilling more deeply role He has called me to play in His grand story. All I can think is it's... <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>-<u>His</u> Invitation-</i></b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I look back over this semester I am more and more happy about accepting it. There's something special about responding to that which the God of the Universe <b>invites</b> us into, and it starts when He <b>invites</b> us into His very life by our faith in Christ. As the song in the video below states: "...And this is grace: an <b>invitation</b> to be beautiful..." So there's not really an ending point here, but I remain on a journey- of sanctification, or, in other words, being made more holy, more like Jesus. Not just performing well or doing the right thing but growing in the GRACE of God. Trusting Him more. Trusting Him to be ALL I need. Trusting Him to illuminate my person to make Himself known in this world. HE IS all that is beautiful... and receiving His redemption for myself, for my failures, for where I feel I am lacking, and letting Him fill me is all I know to do--simply receive, and declare that message of reconciliation to those around me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The promise is, "come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." He, as I surrender, will do this. Not my own independent effort but His own strength in and through me. This is true life. In knowing Christ we have something to <b>INVITE </b>others into. There's something in the human soul that God has mades us to desire and respond to this invitation. Ultimately from Him, but through vessels of love like us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I pray we all discover what it is to live by grace, moment by moment, and respond as the Shepherd leads us one step at a time. He won''t lead us too far ahead (even when we get anxious to MOVE) from where he intends or keep us in the same place unless he feels its best. He is good. He knows us well and He lead us in His perfect timing. I pray you can trust the Shepherd and hear His <b>invitation</b> to simply 'follow...'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>sentimental.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">most of you probably won't watch this lovely 4 minute video, but that's ok.... i made it more for my own record anyway. For anyone that is interested- it's 4 minutes long and has one of my favorite songs by Sara Groves. (Lyrics below- full of my favorite words for today: invitation and grace...) It ties together all things and that which I desire strongly to see Him do in our world today. The value of the people God has made in His image- they need to know their worth, their purpose, and drink deeply of the GRACE He so freely gives...<b> </b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i><object height="360" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DiEM9F1hbYQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DiEM9F1hbYQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object></i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><u><i><b> </b></i></u></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><u><i><b> </b></i></u></span><span style="color: black;"><b><i><u>Add To The Beauty<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>We come with beautiful secrets<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>We come with purposes written on our hearts, <o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>written on our souls<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>We come to every new morning<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>With possibilities only we can hold, <o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>that only we can hold<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>Redemption comes in strange place, small spaces<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>Calling out the best of who we are<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>And I want to add to the beauty<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>To tell a better story<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>I want to shine with the light<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>That's burning up inside<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>It comes in small inspirations<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>It brings redemption to life and work<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>To our lives and our work<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>It comes in loving community<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>It comes in helping a soul find it's worth<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful<o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i>This is grace, an invitation</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><i>YOU are INVITED!!!!!! </i></span></b></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">...</span><br />
</i></span></b><br />
</div><b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-34431451745864269952010-01-12T02:18:00.000+08:002010-01-12T02:18:23.808+08:00Catching up [Part 1] Christmas in HKThankfully the rest of my team is good about blogging regularly. I, obviously, am not, but enough about that... here's the Christmas rundown:<br />
<br />
::Hong Kong's production of the Nutcracker ballet- so neat, yet they cut out the part with Mother Ginger. No one asked me, maybe they will next year. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest!<br />
::Chinese Dessert post Nutcracker... nothing says yummy like red bean ice cream and a mango pancake with mango pudding...<br />
::LOTS of shopping and trying to AVOID shopping because the whole of China comes out to be in the hustle and bustle... but for what end? You start to think about it and try not to get too depressed... the task is overwhelming but knowing that a few lives here have awakened to the fact that Christmas exists because of our Saviour redeems those moments...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TBymJ3vVW2ItQ_ZQyBp2klH38DenTYWEHShtWjkryS4MzrfL9mBenYuqk7c7-xKgsUdOuCZxhnDr7Bd5UGzHf7GYCJcfaetE7V12x9MgsDJORzQUhvKmD8HTzsXLvLDDQEmB/s1600-h/IMG_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TBymJ3vVW2ItQ_ZQyBp2klH38DenTYWEHShtWjkryS4MzrfL9mBenYuqk7c7-xKgsUdOuCZxhnDr7Bd5UGzHf7GYCJcfaetE7V12x9MgsDJORzQUhvKmD8HTzsXLvLDDQEmB/s200/IMG_0755.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cB6SSY-7xAhpg5zpWAV80WlelHdmyC85DOcdJ8f5SeCHjOkl-rOYytAcQxBh6uESHfso2Rd_vYo4zhx0lhLuTO2rCSI8Rbb5hO3Pqa_Wyz7ixGlDKX5uvXcmW5KPNthyphenhyphenSrf4/s1600-h/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cB6SSY-7xAhpg5zpWAV80WlelHdmyC85DOcdJ8f5SeCHjOkl-rOYytAcQxBh6uESHfso2Rd_vYo4zhx0lhLuTO2rCSI8Rbb5hO3Pqa_Wyz7ixGlDKX5uvXcmW5KPNthyphenhyphenSrf4/s200/IMG_0761.JPG" /></a>::Baking party- Growing up I went to the Mancil's home each Christmas to decorate sugar cookies with colorful icing. Well no worries folks, we did that here and our girls LOVED it, but not as much as the LOVED making Christmas cards and ornaments. Especially those cards. Then, of course the guys on our team came by later to eat the leftover cookies and icing...<br />
<br />
::ELF - What is Christmas without the movie elf? We had a "special showing" at our home... <a href="http://strangersandexiles.wordpress.com/">Jason</a> even made tickets! <br />
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<br />
::Christmas day: Maik and I met some students at our <a href="http://www.ecchk.org/">church</a> for the Christmas service. Some of them heard the entire story for the first time. It was great to alternate between the reading of the story and singing carols that go right along with it. <i>The reality of what it means for this "GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY THAT SHALL BE FOR <u>ALL</u> PEOPLE" sunk in my heart as the scriptures were read in Sri Lankan, Indonesian, Tagalog, Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese, and English. </i>These languages represent a <i>minute</i> percentage of the languages on this earth, many of which STILL have not heard about God's love for them and His reconciliation with them through Jesus who came not to condemn the world but to SAVE it. If you want to know more about this you can read <a href="http://www.joshuaproject.net/">here</a> or <a href="http://www.oneverse.org/">here</a>. There are 2200 languages without the Bible in their native tongues, totalling hundreds of millions of people. Then there are people groups who have no knowledge of Christ or are hostile towards the gospel or too remote to have access, or, for one reason or another, have never heard. PLEASE PRAY for God to raise people up to reach these people- 41% of the Earth's population fits in the category. Staggering, yet true...<br />
<br />
::After church we went to the Deans and had delicious cinnamon rolls and a secret santa gift exchange. It was really fun to share in that time and receive our "stockings" (ok, upside down santa hats) of goodies! Thanks, Deans!!<br />
<br />
::Then came another really special part: Celebrating Christmas with several students for the first time and with friends who may be the only Christian in their family or away from their family. We gave gifts, sang some carols, and read Jesus' story from the book of Luke. It's so neat how when the Father is present you truly feel like a family! Oh, and just for a little culture, look at this <a href="http://www.raclette.com.au/images/petite_raclette_grill.jpg">link </a>to see a picture of how we had dinner: RACLETTE! It's an indoor grill common in Switzerland, so of course Maik had a couple lying around where we could sit around and eat a LOT! It was a BLAST! If you ever come across one, buy it and have a party- it's like BBQ and FONDUE all together. Yeah! <br />
<br />
::I finished the day by skyping with Mom, Dad, Jack and Grace... and even my sweet Grandad who just couldn't believe that I was still in Hong Kong if he could still see my face on the screen. Technology is amazing I tell you. <br />
<br />
So all that to say, Christmas was awesome here. It was hard to register that it was actually December 25, yet it was nice to really focus in Him and not being caught up in the world's Christmas, but simply caught up in Christ, the burden of others to know Him in the midst of a materialistic city, and for them to see that HE is the treasure more than anything we obtain here on earth. When I grasp that truth, I find such freedom to be surrendered to Him. I pray this freedom is yours, too!Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-31210336034711055572009-12-16T11:41:00.002+08:002009-12-16T11:41:44.775+08:00yum chai//tea house//dim sum//hong kongHere's a little clip of Mom and Dad's most cultural experience... take 2 minutes and check it out :)<br />
<br />
<object height="360" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ALxblzV8cDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ALxblzV8cDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-17975119662272487012009-12-13T01:41:00.002+08:002009-12-13T01:46:07.754+08:00FOUND it...<div id="p40016024.08-1"><span id="v40016024-1">I can honestly say I have found His true, abundant life! When my focus is here: </span><i><span id="v40016024-1"></span></i><br />
<i><span id="v40016024-1"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span id="v40016024-1">24 </span>Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. <span id="v40016025-1">25 </span>For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake <b>will <span style="font-size: large;">find</span> it.</b></i><br />
</div><div id="p40016024.08-1"><br />
<br />
</div><div id="p40016024.08-1">This verse from Matthew 16 came tonight as a relief and comfort after saying bye to Mom and Dad after an awesome 10 days together. It was great to share my world with them and watch them experience it all. It doesn't make it any easier, but it does anchor my soul with a hope that is indescribable. It allows me to see THROUGH any sadness and difficulty even if I don't move immediately out of it. What can else can one do in response to this but FOLLOW? It doesn't make sense to the world that we (my parents, brother, sister, and I) would live to far apart, but what if he has us apart to ultimately draw more into the family for ETERNITY?! Is it WORTH it?! YES x 100000000, YES! What if our TRUE family (TRUE meaning that which is of the Sprit, that which LASTS) looked like this:<br />
</div><div id="p40016024.08-1"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEGbEETmfKd643SAvqhvB5owGzBombMGmTGuwMLMqdZBf81OMjmQ3nMo1ASL8j_fqr052dIjBH0yfUydzuVVIMr_g91xq468pX3WqUuEBAViqL5dRNPIDstmSQdlXLTuUxlwp/s1600-h/DSCN1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEGbEETmfKd643SAvqhvB5owGzBombMGmTGuwMLMqdZBf81OMjmQ3nMo1ASL8j_fqr052dIjBH0yfUydzuVVIMr_g91xq468pX3WqUuEBAViqL5dRNPIDstmSQdlXLTuUxlwp/s400/DSCN1728.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or this:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJxsPe71dWxusposVDFK6ZZtg9mn7CpKuF_f3dHJHTx0-yBIq-3QhsablDU8jrYklgYk_4OYD_XW5p5UsGPwZKE29YFPGJr7injoTzBHdbEHfUA3PvLpCsCV989nmWdbejgY5/s1600-h/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJxsPe71dWxusposVDFK6ZZtg9mn7CpKuF_f3dHJHTx0-yBIq-3QhsablDU8jrYklgYk_4OYD_XW5p5UsGPwZKE29YFPGJr7injoTzBHdbEHfUA3PvLpCsCV989nmWdbejgY5/s400/IMG_0367.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If what we are <b>ultimately</b> going towards is THIS:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span id="v66007009-1">9 </span>After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, <span id="v66007010-1">10 </span>and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” <span id="v66007011-1">11 </span>And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, <span id="v66007012-1">12 </span>saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Rev. 7)</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then why not live it now- this is THE bigger story that all our lives are being woven into. THIS is what He has made us for: WORSHIP!<i> <br />
</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span id="v66014012-1">Revelation 14:12 </span>Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i>This is God's economy...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Matthew 19: <i><br />
</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span id="v40019028-1">28 </span>Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. <span id="v40019029-1">29 </span>And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. <span id="v40019030-1">30 </span>But many who are first will be last, and the last first.</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Thanks, Mom and Dad, Jack and Grace, for enduring and for blessing me to go and praying for me to return... it means so much to me! Thanks for promising to trust Him in the meantime- IN HIS PRESENCE IS THE FULLNESS AND WHOLENESS THAT COMES FROM HIS JOY!!!</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl3WfysJr56FN1-ZmvXw-ZR9ic3977hwFWDBvfFuXKF6tUG1pE3mIGIgvJUMzSAtUFCZurDMInMfJWSW1eotN3syj4Ht4Jz56iKlqYSuruv82gTfO5wvTJwZAk43knesqc6wN/s1600-h/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl3WfysJr56FN1-ZmvXw-ZR9ic3977hwFWDBvfFuXKF6tUG1pE3mIGIgvJUMzSAtUFCZurDMInMfJWSW1eotN3syj4Ht4Jz56iKlqYSuruv82gTfO5wvTJwZAk43knesqc6wN/s400/Picture+4.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhi2jNuw7RBYDAYU-3CoxH0ilPXBP51IoAeGBjxLrWxgNmZx25VQkmJp_w8K-UryAoZS3_jw21n6FLPTzWPoaDkacATS21c1r3T2xFeP2VTiBDmCeCqrygzl4q7wQJsEggjMv/s1600-h/DSCN1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhi2jNuw7RBYDAYU-3CoxH0ilPXBP51IoAeGBjxLrWxgNmZx25VQkmJp_w8K-UryAoZS3_jw21n6FLPTzWPoaDkacATS21c1r3T2xFeP2VTiBDmCeCqrygzl4q7wQJsEggjMv/s400/DSCN1672.JPG" /></a><br />
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</i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i> <br />
</div><div id="p40016024.08-1"><br />
<br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-63818012363237559682009-12-07T23:00:00.000+08:002009-12-07T23:00:40.056+08:00Aren't they cute?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is Mom and Dad's first visit to the Avenue of Stars on their first night here </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">they are jet lagged but still look great!</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We have also visited the most crowded place in Hong Kong (Mong Kok), the highest point in HK (Victoria Peak) and ridden every type of public transportation! We are having a great time. More to come later...</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtM6wLwjWQIZKDi1b4lbKTIcy9f24jgXNYp-NN0dVCKOwkIX1ayl6nMNryHq9CJ23ZAgQQQ4uD5IaAUScxosGO4_xsgUMTCtsw_BjPstj3DaUNOloKU4hq5SXBMMALZ0DYp7V/s1600-h/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtM6wLwjWQIZKDi1b4lbKTIcy9f24jgXNYp-NN0dVCKOwkIX1ayl6nMNryHq9CJ23ZAgQQQ4uD5IaAUScxosGO4_xsgUMTCtsw_BjPstj3DaUNOloKU4hq5SXBMMALZ0DYp7V/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8lEzHbIrVxh2VBs1xsme8XwxSP1grd6Q85sNsnuV-wTtnj3JXyGAb7tOvbrrh9C2EAmKvT1kb8ciCL0n6urxAiYEASkjPom4pgpY-nfLUOf1qEPqkk6NMcTSehdYfpERqk2_/s1600-h/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8lEzHbIrVxh2VBs1xsme8XwxSP1grd6Q85sNsnuV-wTtnj3JXyGAb7tOvbrrh9C2EAmKvT1kb8ciCL0n6urxAiYEASkjPom4pgpY-nfLUOf1qEPqkk6NMcTSehdYfpERqk2_/s640/IMG_0740.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-55961765416368945682009-12-04T10:33:00.001+08:002009-12-04T10:34:33.472+08:00And the adventure begins...Mom and Dad have arrived. After terrible weather that prevented them from getting to Atlanta on time, to the merciful staff that opened the gate back up for the Tokyo flight, a little Ambien and decent amount of stress they have made it with smiles on their faces. (Who would want luggage anyway...) I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of the arrival but the moment was sweet.<br />
<br />
What will we do today? See the area "nearby" where I live life everyday... and possible make it downtown to go "bus carolling" with our church. IF the jet lag doesn't take over.<br />
<br />
Not sure if this link will work... but worth a try-<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/buechsel?ref=ts#/video/video.php?v=1066241010873&subj=546436009">Bus Caroling</a> with ECC last year...Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-22010678471321638482009-12-02T03:02:00.001+08:002009-12-02T03:06:50.491+08:00A special day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_o9AtPAmlOD5bqaOPNbaiF51zmaozmkLFpW4mlx33iMvD-jyxCoSTkt5LuPc970xyMFmGEQbodgByO3Ih2H73JUEmrvjPDrCuHNna74tqxmpj-_h4juej8nuXIq5ktMTqfii/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_o9AtPAmlOD5bqaOPNbaiF51zmaozmkLFpW4mlx33iMvD-jyxCoSTkt5LuPc970xyMFmGEQbodgByO3Ih2H73JUEmrvjPDrCuHNna74tqxmpj-_h4juej8nuXIq5ktMTqfii/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday MOM! </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am so happy you are coming here so I can tell you in person!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Mom is being really brave, facing her fears, and flying for 14 hours to visit and I'm so excited. Dad's visiting too, but it's not his birthday nor does he have to face as many fears... Ya'll pray please! )<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am sure we will have much to share about our adventures- this will be the first time we've seen each other for 5 months! Can't wait to report back on the experiences...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So here's a theme passage for that lovely trek across a bajillion timezones... it's amazing what God gives us when we trade in our fears for praise.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br />
</span><br />
<h4 style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">Psalm 34</h4><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13366" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I bless </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. </span><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13367" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I live and breathe </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">; </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13368" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Join me in spreading the news; </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> together let's get the word out. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13369" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> met me <u>more than halfway</u>, </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /></b></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> he freed me from my anxious fears. </span></b></i><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13370" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Look at him; give him your warmest smile. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Never hide your feelings from him. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13371" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> When I was desperate, I called out, </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> got me out of a tight spot. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13372" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'s angel sets up a circle </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of <u><b>protection</b></u> around us while we pray. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-13373" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8</sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> how good </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> is. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Blessed are you who <i>run</i> to him. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">(from the MESSAGE)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Lord give me the grace to RUN... <br />
</div></div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-56202931354295686802009-12-02T02:34:00.003+08:002009-12-02T03:04:58.725+08:00A Prayer for Today...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have to acknowledge in these days that all I can conceive or do or dream about is so<br />
small compared to Him and what He desires to do. I don't wanna settle for living out<br />
of my "natural" talents or abilities for this is self-reliance that eliminates my<br />
relationship and need for Jesus, even if I do it for the "right reasons."<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">I don't want to be deceived into living a life independent of God based on my<br />
virtuous talents. The risk in that is that it would be meaningless or in vain-<br />
it would be of a substance that is not Him. I want to die to myself, and<br />
bear fruit that lasts, and the only fruit that lasts is that born of the Spirit.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Each season I learn a new facet of this- I AM <i>being transformed</i>- which is what all this is about, that, from <i>glory to glory, </i>we would be made into the likeness of Christ- magnifying God and making Him famous. This is not self betterment, improvement, or perfecting what I already have "going for me." No, this is death and turning from my attempts to be the Lord of my life and surrendering to Him, receiving from HIm, and living IN HIM.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;">These days are full of evaluation, planning, dreaming, executing those<br />
plans and dreams, and all that comes with it. I pray that ALL that we do is<br />
born of the Spirit- with an eternal quality that blesses the heart of God <br />
and makes the Bride increasingly more pure and beautiful.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(inspired by Watchman Nee's <u>Normal Christian Life</u> and Tozer's <u>Knowledge of the Holy</u> )</span></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...<i>and of course there's a song to go with it...</i> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Trade our human dreams/For what we cannot see <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What our hands can hold/For eternal things <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Give our moments for/Endless glory <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">’Cause we wanna be the ones who follow where You lead <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are believing there is <u><b>more</b></u> that we've not seen <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So lead us on, <u><b>lead us on </b></u><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To light and revelation <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lead us on, lead us on oh Lord <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lead us on, to Your heart </b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Your purpose and Your passion <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lead us on, to Your heart oh Lord <br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘Cause we wanna be the ones who <i><b>follow</b></i> where You lead<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">‘Cause we wanna be the ones who <i><b>hear</b></i> You when You speak <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We are believing there is more</b></i></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>that we've not seen</b></i></span> <br />
</div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Kristian Stanfill </span><br />
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Living in the hope that only Jesus can bring...Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-29095897143884582162009-11-18T01:04:00.000+08:002009-11-18T01:04:41.459+08:00Law of Diminishing Returns...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't know if the title is the right term to use, but it fits in my mind, for my purposes. No offense you to Mickey D's lovers out there, but according to my appetite this is what i have found to be true:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When you first arrive in a foreign country it's a beacon of comfort, then it becomes the go-to when you are past your 'i love asian food honeymoon stage' and then...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>it just makes you nauseous. </i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">[I don't know if it's the new dose of McD's in my system or what, but I find myself chugging ginger ale like it's going out of style... ok not that bad but I do crave it to settle my stomach.] Ashamedly I hit this restaurant up about once a week, sometimes more, whereas I NEVER did in the US. The 10% satisfaction at this point is just because it's something to put in a hungry tummy. If you are thinking about bringing a DELI or a BIG BLUE BAGEL shop to the New Town Plaza (our local mall) any time soon, I think NOW is the time! Our team could probably single-handedly keep you in business. I know someone out there's dreamin' about a sandwich shop in Asia... I know I am. So there's my random post for the month. I'll have something more substantial for you later. Maybe something more akin to fruit and vegetables and not greasy fried food. That's substantial, right? </span><br />
</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-45854376117356725362009-11-14T23:26:00.005+08:002009-11-14T23:39:19.135+08:00photo 'round up'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgMXuSXu6oK65iPmSJ3TYeMhqXTNXzT3-IIf0ebxjzbfRq25ASppirnSecaS2Vz6g-Kp50FVVDS6UPnZu7gR7oIbKbi_NfSRH6dRnNsLSZ9sJMubVBZ_0wZJy2u_VyS_y29O-/s1600-h/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgMXuSXu6oK65iPmSJ3TYeMhqXTNXzT3-IIf0ebxjzbfRq25ASppirnSecaS2Vz6g-Kp50FVVDS6UPnZu7gR7oIbKbi_NfSRH6dRnNsLSZ9sJMubVBZ_0wZJy2u_VyS_y29O-/s400/IMG_0649.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Just wanna catch you up again on some fun things that have happened the past few weeks:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here we have a roof top BBQ- quite a fun time to gather friends and be able to connect with them and they with one another. Students from different univerisities that we have met while here came and shared food together: from hamburgers and hot dogs to fish balls (like meat balls, but fish and maybe some other stuff) and some funny mushrooms, it was a real feast!<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW48n8spphT0q7riN6MieBCM0sFj0Gqcgx88NSX7btL0aDYUszfO9SIUIhPK8aWwuKeH6HQavJbhtLXUe7rcw5IOBIe9LMwNY0ibfBTQWg2HS9VMfrHjpySDO_2pvwRsC-9ds/s1600-h/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW48n8spphT0q7riN6MieBCM0sFj0Gqcgx88NSX7btL0aDYUszfO9SIUIhPK8aWwuKeH6HQavJbhtLXUe7rcw5IOBIe9LMwNY0ibfBTQWg2HS9VMfrHjpySDO_2pvwRsC-9ds/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" /></a>Here are a few of us at a HOT POT restaurant to celebrate Joe's birthday. These people have truly become dear friends and we really enjoy fellowship with them. If you haven't tried hot pot... well, you should! Boiling flavorful soup with meat, potatoes, noodles, and more and more. (Yep we got the 'all you can eat' deal!) They had fish balls there too- that and pigs blood - but we didn't partake in that. The pig stomach was ok...<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5C5kpPPPwjdBPwVVCJSF4yCOXzjxfDpgVd0FHqNTS_MB0Md5kAYj5FhLm7jH2GTRS-x09HnPshanrvm4rFif-0Gai2RHhpZpyxxmXbt3KXba2rjgJbtMt1TMGY18i7MYJ02n/s1600-h/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5C5kpPPPwjdBPwVVCJSF4yCOXzjxfDpgVd0FHqNTS_MB0Md5kAYj5FhLm7jH2GTRS-x09HnPshanrvm4rFif-0Gai2RHhpZpyxxmXbt3KXba2rjgJbtMt1TMGY18i7MYJ02n/s400/IMG_0680.JPG" /></a>Next, "the girls" on the peak. In case you haven't been to most of the rest of our team's blog, we took our friends to the top lookout site in Hong Kong. It's always amazing to visit there and to see others experience it for the first time. Awe inspiring to say the least...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can see Cat, Cecilia, Malorie, Claudia, Christy, Me, Vicki, and Mary Reading... I love these girls!<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySm42AerECymd6vQxEgYnBVrl8yi3xlb9deBgz6SjeE8AZ5wJnAUYjKzKIA3nETtjUvVyw8YXgT46GngzdDVkW6ynjiiWD3Qzzofgily0WjlkNYWFHjsNvxUveoGeEKcSgKWv/s1600-h/DSC03169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySm42AerECymd6vQxEgYnBVrl8yi3xlb9deBgz6SjeE8AZ5wJnAUYjKzKIA3nETtjUvVyw8YXgT46GngzdDVkW6ynjiiWD3Qzzofgily0WjlkNYWFHjsNvxUveoGeEKcSgKWv/s400/DSC03169.JPG" /></a>This is me, Vicki, and Stella after our Mong Kok shopping trip in front of a statue that i really don't understand.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then a group of us at "high tea" again... with a few new friends.... sharing an afternoon together. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc8tQYJR-GUBJM6dYEGtGpH-ATAhXZ5ApPgLsmLYH9cdnKf6q3UN1tHQjAIooza6yX8sI6JZJvV3JLHcu66NZRbM-RbZE81JtnEvHkN6AcP-i9kqY47EUvFFu7Ys7tL8XAtx1/s1600-h/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc8tQYJR-GUBJM6dYEGtGpH-ATAhXZ5ApPgLsmLYH9cdnKf6q3UN1tHQjAIooza6yX8sI6JZJvV3JLHcu66NZRbM-RbZE81JtnEvHkN6AcP-i9kqY47EUvFFu7Ys7tL8XAtx1/s400/IMG_0695.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here we are acting like a starbucks advertisement- we keep this place in business- especially this one, which is by the harbor and has an amazing view. Amazing conversations followed this photo, just in case you were wondering.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QGh30GmvzyKLs_RtL-3byB6_embI8xsXNsKeVJLQ0t716LDo_hJLEYdP7P3QQ9W57Gao_Kfyfj-15PqXzLHoq4mUzc7J9nVTNsvA37nEq-NQDnBk_KvjI7Sa2598mwBb9vTr/s1600-h/IMG_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QGh30GmvzyKLs_RtL-3byB6_embI8xsXNsKeVJLQ0t716LDo_hJLEYdP7P3QQ9W57Gao_Kfyfj-15PqXzLHoq4mUzc7J9nVTNsvA37nEq-NQDnBk_KvjI7Sa2598mwBb9vTr/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" /></a> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last we have a shot from a wedding Maik and I had the privilege of being a part of: His friend from Germany married a girl from Hong Kong. The wedding was a beautiful testimony to Christ in their lives. I was able to put my dozen bridesmaid experiences to use directing and structuring the ceremony and Maik used his pastoral and preaching skills officiating. I was also pretty proud I was able to hop on and off stage in heels, play guitar and sing and not fall. Success! (oh and we ate goose feet (see I'm holding it with my chopsticks) and sea moss too... traditional Chinese wedding food.. quite exciting!) <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6BJgiqyejeAIjBDndwPWMpaTViHRkQEn4Q0Vdoj1o1_WMobt7XwoAqKop0XCo4uCqH1jQJa1htBSJjTtX57lEVS30Y7N__KOEaVI_PmMQauHmkgvT94dYkT708XXXs8A_flv/s1600-h/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6BJgiqyejeAIjBDndwPWMpaTViHRkQEn4Q0Vdoj1o1_WMobt7XwoAqKop0XCo4uCqH1jQJa1htBSJjTtX57lEVS30Y7N__KOEaVI_PmMQauHmkgvT94dYkT708XXXs8A_flv/s200/IMG_0681.JPG" /></a>In all our goings and comings, activity and conversation, I can say that we are enjoying the privilege of being here in Hong Kong. The Lord has placed amazing people around me to work with and amazing students to share life with. I pray we can continue to grow together and that we will understand the depths of what it means to be "the branches." (John 15)<br />
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</div><blockquote style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26669">5</sup> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. </b></span>For apart from me you can do nothing. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26670">6</sup> Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26671">7</sup> But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26672">8</sup> When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.</i></span><br />
</blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26673">9</sup> “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remain in my love.</b></span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26674">10</sup> When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26675">11</sup> I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26676">12</sup> This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26677">13</sup> There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26678">14</sup> You are my friends if you do what I command. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26679">15</sup>I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26680">16</sup> You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. <span style="font-size: large;"><b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26681">17</sup> This is my command: Love each other.</b></span></i></span><br />
</blockquote>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-89073955572825630452009-11-04T10:14:00.001+08:002009-11-04T10:17:23.625+08:00a big little side story...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here is a progression of our living room in pictures... because of one brother in the local body of Christ who chooses to live his life unto God instead of himself, "<i>storing up for [himself] the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that [he] may take hold of that which is life indeed" </i>through his generosity. He is the arm of God to us by providing our furniture for our flat. Real life evidence of what the church is designed to be, and the blessing that follows. Our sacrifice to move here is not as huge as that which many others make, but I can tell you that we have experienced the <b>abundant life</b> that He has promised for those who trust Him. Not to mention the fact that we happily deflated the airbeds we lived on for a few weeks until our "real" furniture arrived... Praise God from whom all blessings flow!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><u>1 Timothy 6:</u></b> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29795">6</sup>But godliness actually is a means of <b>great gain </b>when accompanied by contentment. </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29796">7</sup>For<sup> </sup>we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. </i><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29797">8</sup>If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29798" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9</sup><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29799" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10</sup><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs</span>. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirlmlo5SfptbE289X99OrfbvqBje9yxGrMgEfYMIj4sS9iQHyVZh1Sz0PxshJGJ6NV6l6_UQKXsEm3oLGBcnLdvNQx_lVkUKry0eg8mmwwBMIm0ohyphenhyphen3AX9rxNY6_xA5TjHHBi/s1600-h/IMG_0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirlmlo5SfptbE289X99OrfbvqBje9yxGrMgEfYMIj4sS9iQHyVZh1Sz0PxshJGJ6NV6l6_UQKXsEm3oLGBcnLdvNQx_lVkUKry0eg8mmwwBMIm0ohyphenhyphen3AX9rxNY6_xA5TjHHBi/s320/IMG_0523.jpg" /></a><br />
</div> <i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29800" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">11</sup><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But flee from these things, you man of God, and <b>pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. </b></span></i><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29801">12</sup>Fight the good fight of faith; <b>take hold of the<span style="font-size: large;"> eternal life to which you were called</span></b>, and you made the good confession in the presence of <b>many</b> witnesses. </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29802">13</sup>I charge you in the presence of <b>God, who gives <span style="font-size: large;">life</span> to all things</b>, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8H2bm1cHp6mglxi7yP8lA71Av22F4-IfL7QCe4_989Llfx6BxgoLnESDl0Uo__1t6giJ5WZNFfcd3nl8iz0KRxuDpbgCia7nf6rf1L63G_qkMUPL-FcpqPKpdh4rxC5SOAp0/s1600-h/IMG_0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8H2bm1cHp6mglxi7yP8lA71Av22F4-IfL7QCe4_989Llfx6BxgoLnESDl0Uo__1t6giJ5WZNFfcd3nl8iz0KRxuDpbgCia7nf6rf1L63G_qkMUPL-FcpqPKpdh4rxC5SOAp0/s320/IMG_0527.jpg" /></a><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29803">14</sup>that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29804">15</sup>which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29805">16</sup>who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29806">17</sup>Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to <b>fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on <u>God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. </u></b></i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9gSXOf8zsqJEGFqF7HW1W2TWx7lyYUJ7EPn6CYIMvsh4HwAC832nvPdnTGHkcPkYmUGVtWNdcVEYSm5BJgT3NajLp4m92QCskr5Oth7mTTOCO_JjB3R4n3O_SpLljv2MFzPw/s1600-h/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9gSXOf8zsqJEGFqF7HW1W2TWx7lyYUJ7EPn6CYIMvsh4HwAC832nvPdnTGHkcPkYmUGVtWNdcVEYSm5BJgT3NajLp4m92QCskr5Oth7mTTOCO_JjB3R4n3O_SpLljv2MFzPw/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" /></a><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29807">18</sup>Instruct them to do good, to be <b>rich in good works</b>, to be generous and ready to share, </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-29808">19</sup>storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, <b>so that they may take hold of that which is <span style="font-size: large;">life indeed. </span></b></i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QJbXv2qPpySPaAQWwdabx-AjVRPox8TIv7OLeXeYoZZ10hMyjmy5myoAPIc0KKkYgeuKe5e7p_oSRcIFStuBfbLafaasQ19AVxZXelMXAVhdVDB7_8-x3yjMa6zuBoIFJhFT/s1600-h/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QJbXv2qPpySPaAQWwdabx-AjVRPox8TIv7OLeXeYoZZ10hMyjmy5myoAPIc0KKkYgeuKe5e7p_oSRcIFStuBfbLafaasQ19AVxZXelMXAVhdVDB7_8-x3yjMa6zuBoIFJhFT/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-26738">John 16: </sup><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-26738">23</sup><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-26739">24</sup>Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>that your joy may be full.</b></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a group of girls, putting this furniture to good use, experiencing the joy that comes from the One who thought of it in the first place... Asking for more joy and for everyone to experience that goodness for themselves! This IS "life indeed."</span><b> <br />
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</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971613.post-11487339806691410392009-10-29T12:14:00.003+08:002009-10-29T12:19:18.457+08:00transforming love...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQNVzONYOd2YrPhGnvlfdiFYM-uK5Sl2hJ4Z0uZKsRii54comtwNOgzLapooe5kqiqC4cpw6XLTLQfnCGiOp-sUvW40Y9bk-9j5MjWh1gStiS8Ow0SCyQjOerKmSMMBloZ4da/s1600-h/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQNVzONYOd2YrPhGnvlfdiFYM-uK5Sl2hJ4Z0uZKsRii54comtwNOgzLapooe5kqiqC4cpw6XLTLQfnCGiOp-sUvW40Y9bk-9j5MjWh1gStiS8Ow0SCyQjOerKmSMMBloZ4da/s200/IMG_0612.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I got the chance to share a little bit of my story at the English class where we volunteer and have met some great friends! I thought I might let you in on what we talked about...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX448tGSG9ofJkKm9m3QcJPKnLOpSMKe3BTnohPOtE5T24kQCP6K_aSl1tsVaF4WDKAQKU3ZB1oTtqCJTC5TNhe4r2pJCdznQLKuKR4ziudQF5B6UUGFz3Uo_39XfkP0XkIorQ/s1600-h/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BZ-MzymZKuV-1uFNZxC3YQu7Nm49d_7VaEGZaYNATo1n5uh5LK4OKpk-kj8xQjJzcfekq2_vMloyWAYNo4IL-kLqVNtGXv3hw1OMWltMhA1BN-QRDzoS2XF5jX253dEDcUh7/s1600-h/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BZ-MzymZKuV-1uFNZxC3YQu7Nm49d_7VaEGZaYNATo1n5uh5LK4OKpk-kj8xQjJzcfekq2_vMloyWAYNo4IL-kLqVNtGXv3hw1OMWltMhA1BN-QRDzoS2XF5jX253dEDcUh7/s400/Picture+6.png" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and... to keep it interesting... (and hopefully share life-giving words)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaSjukecySCSJ1y89hRGqZOEz3hAvjSAtkOIwtInuLbxw17gN_9kn3WzjztTdyngGo7BjHvRQrOe6Hmc5ur38PRloLUZ8l_ziIyJE3sk050NaBS72jnLySYA3Td1KdNMHlO5u/s1600-h/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaSjukecySCSJ1y89hRGqZOEz3hAvjSAtkOIwtInuLbxw17gN_9kn3WzjztTdyngGo7BjHvRQrOe6Hmc5ur38PRloLUZ8l_ziIyJE3sk050NaBS72jnLySYA3Td1KdNMHlO5u/s400/Picture+5.png" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, that's me in my "easter parade" tutu when I was five. It brought about some laughs, but I hope the image stays in our minds of this life-transforming truth: my life is worth His life because that's the price He paid to redeem us!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Christ is the <i>revelation</i> of [God's] love. He is the Son of His love, the gift of His love, the power of His love. This Jesus has sought on the cross to give an overwhelming proof of His love in His death and bloodshed, so as to make it impossible for us <i>not</i> to believe in that love." -Andrew Murray</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lord, make it impossible, by your grace, for me to doubt your love. Make it more than possible for the world to receive it.<br />
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</div>Katie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682967905725172767noreply@blogger.com0